BOARD
OF TRUSTEES
Minutes
from Board of Trustees Meeting
Conference
Call
Board Members
Participating: Steve Rainey, Annabelle
Fitts, Jerry Farley, Denise Colley, Joe Fram, Kay Adamson, Chuck Nelson, and Eric
Wiseman.
Board
Members Absent: Sherry Perry.
Ex-Officio Members
Participating: Berl
Colley (
Ex-Officio Members
Absent: Theresa Tate (WSSB Teachers Association) and Bonda
Albers (
Jerry called the meeting to order at
Business Meeting
Old Business
Approve board minutes of
New Business
Education Committee Update (WASL, etc.)
Discussion was held
regarding the math portion of the WASL and the need to get Joann Gatley, WSSB
Math instructor on the committee that will be requesting a meeting with OSPI. Dr. Stenehjem feels we need to present them
with solutions. Steve felt that Mike
Freeman should also be on the committee.
Dr. Stenehjem asked that Kay contact Katherine Botsford, AER (Association
for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired) to
set up a meeting. This would be a key
time for WSSB to become proactive in working with OSPI in solving the problem
of an invalid instrument especially in the area of math and science. While attending the American Printing House
for the Blind (APH) meeting last fall, Craig Meador, Dr. Stenehjem, and Dee Amundsen
met with Test Central at APH. APH
reported that other states and publishers were doing a good job with substitute
WASL questions and getting at the actual ability level of where students
are. Steve is interested in being on the
committee as well. Eric asked if we should
establish a subcommittee whose focus would be the WASL in order to give full
attention to this issue. Eric feels the
subcommittee should meet monthly and report back to the board. Dr. Stenehjem and Jerry felt this was a good
idea. Eric will be added to the
education committee; Kay felt that the committee should meet with Nancy Arnold
at OSPI and Mary Alice Herschel, Deputy
Superintendent at OSPI who is the program manager over the entire WASL
process.
Legislative Committee (WASA/WSSDA Conference)
WASA/WSSDA (Washington Association
of School Administrators/Washington State School Directors Association) Conference,
Current Budget Status
Operation Budget:
Approximately $60,000 positive balance. Several
factors may affect this balance:
o
Additional
cost for utilities 22% increase in natural gas.
o
Need
to replace two vehicles this spring.
Part of this is due to outreach growth and miles on vehicles. When
mileage gets a little higher on vehicles we rotate them to WSSB for local use.
o
Additional
cost for civil service reform. WSSB has
received no additional money to help implement civil service reform. A supplemental budget request was submitted for
approximately $44,000 (was rejected). An
additional request was submitted to the Governor’s emergency funds, which also
was rejected. Almost all training occurs
in
Capital Budget
WSSB has expended most
capital funds appropriated this biennium at this time. Due to delays, the
track, which is in the process of being moved has been delayed. A rubber coat will be put on in the spring due
to temperature related issues.
Funding for
pre-design/design on Kennedy – temporary seismic stabilization and completion of
Irwin is about complete. Design work is
to be completed by mid-February. WSSB anticipates
about $900,000 rolling forward under re-appropriated funding to be used to
assist with the new physical education/fitness building that is in Governor
Locke’s budget. The goal is to start construction this fall; with December 2006
as a target completion date.
Outreach
April Love, new Outreach
teacher started with WSSB on
IDEAS Conference
On-Campus Program
Craig reported that WSSB’s
current enrollment is at 66 with the probability that it will increase to 70 in
the next month or two. Craig said we now
have a solid preschool program.
LIFTT (Learning
Independence for Today and Tomorrow) continues to grow. WSSB is working with Department of Services
for the Blind for On the Job Training funding for the students, as well as job
placements. Eric asked how what the
waiting list looks like. Craig said our
max is 6 students and we are there now.
If we get another request we will not be able to accommodate that
student this year. Currently students in
this program are on the third floor of Old Main. Future capital plans call for
the construction of a duplex type
Digital Learning Commons. The Distance Learning Program is moving forward
at a rapid rate. WSSB is developing
programs in teacher training. Craig
stated that one period per day a WSSB teacher teaches a class to six of our
students and twenty-two other students. Recently,
WSSB received positive press from NW Regional Lab located in
Facilities:
The Vancouver Police Department
partnership has already paid off several times this year. They have taken care of two situations in the
park located across the street from the Ahlsten building.
Digital
Learning Portal for the Blind
WSSB is working with
partners throughout the country looking to provide a portal/commons for
specialized curriculum for the blind.
Partners are:
Transition
Process with the New Governor:
All state agency
directors are being asked to submit a vitae and letter to Governor elect Gregoire
as to why they would like to be retained in their current position. Mike stated the Federation is willing to
publicly endorse Dr. Stenehjem to remain in his position. Joe moved to endorse WCB’s resolution to
retain Dr. Stenehjem; and Joe moved to request the chairman of the board to write
a letter on behalf of the Board to retain Dr. Stenehjem as superintendent. All approved the motions unanimously. The board will receive a copy of all letters
and information to be sent to the Governor’s office.
There being no further business, the
meeting adjourned at 9:
The group formally welcomed Berl Colley as
ex-officio of the Board, representing the WCB.
Berl introduced himself.
Jerry
Farley, Chair Dean
O. Stenehjem, Ed.D.
Superintendent