Board Meeting Minutes
November 20, 2002

CALL TO ORDER/FLAG SALUTE/INTRODUCTIONS

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

Students from Meridian Middle School Katie Wasel, Jordan Ash, Zachery Bedford, and Nathan Mark led the flag salute. Everyone present introduced themselves.

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

ADOPT AGENDA

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

CONSENT AGENDA

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

1. Minutes for October 16, 2002
2. Accounts Payable/Payroll
3. Budget Status Reports

REPORTS

1. Superintendent’s Report
   Superintendent Dickerson gave a Power Point presentation that incorporated four main topics: Pupil Enrollment Update, Progress Toward Strategic Plan Goals, Site Council Guide, and School Construction. He reported that student enrollment for November, including Running Start students, is well above the average budgeted enrollment. Average FTE enrollment for November is 1518.83 and the budgeted FTE enrollment projection is 1488.00. He displayed a chart that showed enrollment growth from May 1992 to May 2002. The average annual growth is approximately two percent from 1992 to present. Further information was given on ethnic composition of student population, average class size, and the total number of district employees.
   
   He briefly gave an overview of district financial information, district expenditures per pupil and administrative costs in comparison to similar districts. Mr. Dickerson explained the five main goals of the Strategic Plan and the components and progress toward each goal. He presented a Strategic Plan Goals Worksheet outlining the five main goals: Academic, Community, Facilities, Administrative and Staff that gives clear information on strategy, action/timeline, person/group, resources and assessment. One of the main Community goals is to establish site councils at each school. He handed out a Site Council Guide and explained the focus and purpose. It was reported that Irene Reither Primary School has a site council formed and the other schools are in varying stages of implementation.
   
   Superintendent Dickerson completed his report by giving a school construction update. He said feedback from the community was very positive toward the new gymnasium and improvements at Meridian Middle School. The parking lot landscaping at IRPS and TMCE is now complete. He explained that the district has hired Dale Rick to frame, drywall and complete the finish work on the new bus garage meeting room and restroom area, and that licensed contractors will be hired to complete the heating, electrical and plumbing portion of the work. He said that the new room is being built within the existing transportation building where support vehicles were once parked. A new metal structure will be built on the north side of the building to house the support vehicles.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Charlie Crabtree gave a brief overview of the WSSDA Conference in Spokane that board members and Superintendent Dickerson attended last week. He gave information on breakout sessions that he had attended.

RECESS

The board recessed at 8:00 p.m. and returned to regular session at 8:10 p.m.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

1. Second Reading and Adoption - Policy Revisions
   There was second reading of board policy revisions. Charlie Crabtree made a motion to adopt the board policy revisions. Sheri Folsom seconded the motion and the motion passed.
   
2. District Property Issues
   Mr. Dickerson said he has been in contact with the representative from Department of Transportation to confirm the right to establish a curb cut access on the school property that fronts the Guide Meridian. He said the representative advised him the district would need to make an application for the right to create a driveway. He was told if the application was approved the district would be required to begin construction within 90 days and complete the project within 120 days. Mr. Dickerson reported he had just received the application materials in the mail. There was board consensus for the superintendent to proceed with the application process. Superintendent Dickerson said a resident of the district had contacted him about the possibility of leasing the property on the corner of Smith and Hannegan roads for agricultural purposes. The resident proposed a three-year lease with the district and he would fence the property. There was no discussion as to rental amount. Since there is some uncertainty as to the future of the property, it was decided to maintain flexibility by not settling into a lease agreement at this time. Mr. Dickerson said the property needs maintenance as the vegetation is getting out of hand. Mr. Dickerson also reported that Verizon had contacted him about the possibility of leasing the property for a cell phone tower. He said he told the company he was open for more discussion on the topic.
   
3. Proposed Curriculum Adoption - AP English for MHS
   Sheri Folsom made a motion to adopt the Advanced Placement English curriculum at Meridian High School recommended by the Instructional Materials Committee. Rob Olson seconded the motion and the motion passed.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Proposed High School Physics Class Trip
   It was reported that high school teacher Pat Priesinger is proposing a physics class trip to Hawaii in the spring. It was decided that, as long as the trip was planned the same as in other years there was board support. On a motion by Rob Olson and a second by Sheri Folsom, the high school physics trip to Hawaii was approved.
   
2. Increase District Credit Card Limit
   Superintendent Dickerson explained the need to increase the district credit card limit from $2,000 to $5,000. Judy Boxx made a motion to increase the limit to $5,000. Rob Olson seconded the motion and the motion passed.
   
3. Personnel Report
   The personnel report was approved on a motion by Charlie Crabtree and seconded by Judy Boxx.
   
4. First Reading - Policy Development and Revisions
   There was first reading on revisions to policy number 6213 - Reimbursement for Travel. Superintendent Dickerson said he proposed changing the wording on the reimbursement rate for meals and requesting itemized receipts whenever possible. There was discussion in regard to the requirement that the district adopt a policy defining and prohibiting “harassment, intimidation and bullying.” Mr. Dickerson said he recommended modifying the existing student conduct policy/procedure to reflect new language. He handed out an outline of Work Plan to Address the Issue of Student to Student Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying that details the many ways the district could work to prevent such behavior.

ADJOURNMENT

Chair Mary Mattison adjourned the meeting at 8:55 p.m.