Board Meeting Minutes
September 18, 2002

CALL TO ORDER/FLAG SALUTE/INTRODUCTIONS

Chair Mary Mattison called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Board members present were Sheri Folsom, Judy Boxx, Charlie Crabtree, Rob Olson and Mary Mattison.

Third grade students, Heidi Hoyt, Ali Wasel, Savannah Culley and Jamie Franks led the flag salute. Mrs. Jermunson introduced the students and said they were selected to lead the salute because of their good citizenship and service to the school. Mary Mattison thanked the students and presented them with certificates.

ADOPT AGENDA

A motion to adopt the agenda was made by Sheri Folsom and seconded by Charlie Crabtree. Motion passed.

CONSENT AGENDA

The following items on the consent agenda were approved on a motion by Sheri Folsom and seconded by Charlie Crabtree.

1. Minutes for August 26, 2002
2. Accounts Payable/Payroll
3. Budget Status Reports

REPORTS

1. Principal’s Reports
   
   1. Lynne Jermunson - IRPS
      Mrs. Jermunson introduced Sara Warnock, newly hired Kindergarten teacher, and Patty Moreno, who is student teaching with Mrs. Woeppel. She said personnel who are new to the primary school are Sarah Updike, who previously taught at Ten Mile Creek Elementary, Jennifer Schiffner, and Melissa Bode. Mrs. Jermunson said Curriculum Night for Parents was held on September 12 with 185 parents in attendance. Artist In Residence, Mary Erickson, funded through an anonymous donor, will soon begin working with students. She said the ELL population is larger this year with 59 non-English speaking students. A Jog-A-Thon Assembly was led by parent Mike Rommell to encourage student participation. Mrs. Jermunson said there is a need for another crosswalk in the newly remodeled parking lot/driveway area.
      
   2. Randy Flowers - TMCE
      Mr. Flowers thanked all staff for a smooth beginning to the start of school. He said Mark Van Dyke’s high school biology class would be visiting on October 8th to work with fourth graders to do water quality tests on Ten Mile Creek. He said the day would start out with an assembly with various activities scheduled throughout the day. The students will be working on water analysis and studying plant life. Mr. Flowers spoke on the Differentiation workshop sponsored by the district in August and announced that TMCE will host an Open House on September 24th.
      
   3. Jerry Sanderson - MMS
      Mr. Sanderson said the middle school is planning a Back-to-School Night on September 19th along with the dedication of the new facility. Dorothy St. Julien is the recipient of a TLP grant, which brings the total to seven TLP grants received at the middle school. He said new teachers at the middle school are Susan Towner, Kimberly Fast and Brent Clark. He reported on after school academic support, enrichment activities, arts at the 6th grade level, accelerated math, and staff development. Areas of concern are the many students with special needs. He also said he would like to see art incorporated into the curriculum.
      
   4. Bill Giller - MHS
      Mr. Giller said new personnel to the high school are Shane Stacy, P.E. and Health teacher, and Juilane McMurtrey, Library Media Specialist. The high school open house is scheduled for September 30. He thanked Jeff Michaelson for compiling information on the WASL testing. Mr. Giller reported 41 out of 97 of the regular education students passed all 4 parts of the WASL. He gave information on the School Improvement Teams and Advanced Placement English. Mr. Giller praised his faculty and students and said the high school is off to a good start.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION
PSE/MCEA

Superintendent Dickerson said he had the unique distinction of being invited to the statewide PSE convention held in Spokane in the summer. He said members of the local MCEA and PSE groups had nominated him for Honorary PSE Member of the Year Award. Marja Cartwright was present to read the nominating statements and said it was a very special moment for members of the local chapter. Mr. Dickerson displayed the plaque given to him and said the recognition belongs to the school district as everyone is working together for improved relations. He thanked PSE and MCEA members for their support.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mr. Dickerson said he and Bruce Burpee had met with an executive assistant from Alcoa earlier in the day and received a check in the amount of $20,000. He explained that the check is part of an agreement to help the community impacted by the closing of the plant. He said the money would be used for extended learning opportunities and class size reduction.

BREAK

The board recessed from 7:50 to 8:02 p.m.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

1. Review Expenditures Per Pupil Summary
   Superintendent Dickerson gave continuing information on expenditures per pupil. He prepared a worksheet comparing Whatcom County school districts showing General Fund expenditures per student. Meridian spends $6318 per student, which is the least amount expended compared to the other districts. He said the statewide average is $6900. Mr. Dickerson said he plans to develop a summary sheet breaking down the funding for co-curricular student activities from the General Fund and Associated Study Body Fund.

NEW BUSINESS

1. High School Culminating Project
   High School English teacher Mike Protzeller, member of the school-based Culminating Project Team, along with Bill Giller and Jeff Michaelson, reported on the status of the high school culminating project. There was discussion regarding the word “culminating.” It was decided that culminating might cause confusion and there was a recommendation to call the projects “Class Projects.” Some of the items discussed were meeting the state requirements and timeline, how the senior project differs from the freshman, sophomore and junior projects, how to help prepare students to choose projects, effectively communicating with parents, and community involvement. Also discussed was how the project may differ for the Running Start students. Mr. Protzeller said others members of the site-based team are Rob Burkett, Bob Mathews, Juilane McMurtrey, and Mark Van Dyke.
   
2. Second Reading - Policy 5000/6000 Series
   There was second reading of board policy 5000/6000 series. Board policy 5000/6000 series was approved on a motion by Sheri Folsom and seconded by Judy Boxx.
   
3. Personnel Report
   The personnel report was approved on a motion by Sheri Folsom and seconded by Rob Olson.
   
4. Agreement Regarding Purchase of Office Supplies
   Mr. Dickerson explained that to comply with bid laws he recommended approval of an Agreement with Office Depot for purchase of office supplies. He said the district is not obligated in any way and this may provide additional savings. Rob Olson made a motion to approve the Agreement Regarding Purchase of Office Supplies and Sheri Folsom seconded the motion. Motion passed.
   
5. MEA Contract for 2002-2005
   On a motion by Judy Boxx and a second by Sheri Folsom the MEA Contract for 2002-2005 was approved.
   
6. Interlocal Agreement with ESD 189
   Rob Olson made a motion to approve the Interlocal Agreement with ESD 189 and Sheri Folsom seconded the motion. Motion passed.
   
7. Resolution No. 8-02 Delegating Authority to Superintendent
   Resolution No. 8-02 gives the Superintendent authority to sign interlocal agreements on behalf of the board without waiting for the next board meeting. On a motion by Rob Olson and a second by Sheri Folsom, Resolution No. 8-02, Delegating Authority to Superintendent was approved.
   
8. Title V, Part A Program Application (revised)
   Superintendent Dickerson explained that additional funding was allocated following the initial Title V application. Rob Olson made a motion to approve the revised Title V, Part A Program Application and Judy Boxx seconded the motion. Motion passed.
   
9. Annual WSSDA Conference Registration
   There was discussion regarding the annual WSSDA Conference in November. It was decided that board members would inform the district office staff about travel schedules so arrangements could be made.

ADJOURNMENT

Chair Mary Mattison adjourned the meeting at 9:02 p.m.