WASHINGTON STATE SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Minutes from Board of Trustees Meeting

January 14, 2003

Conference Call

Board Members Participating: Chuck Nelson, Terry Robertson, Jerry Farley, Joe Fram, Noel Nightingale, Susie Davidson, Denise Mackenstadt, and Cindy Roney.

Board Members Absent: Kay Adamson.

Ex-Officio Members Participating: Kathleen Brown (Parent Representative), Carol Schultz (WSSB Teachers Association), Bonda Albers (Washington Federation of State Employees Local #1225), Michael Freeman (National Federation of the Blind of Washington), and Gary Burdette (Washington Council of the Blind).

WSSB Staff Members Participating: Dr. Dean Stenehjem, Superintendent, Mary Sarate, Business Manager, Rod Humble, Director of Outreach, Renee Corso, Director of Residential Services, Cherie Willhide, Human Resources Manager, and Janet Merz, recording secretary.

Terry called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m.

Business Meeting

Old Business

Terry asked for a motion for approval for the board minutes of November 1-2, 2002. Denise moved to approve; Chuck seconded the motion; the minutes were approved unanimously.

Summer Institute: At the November 1-2, 2002 meeting, the board recommended that WSSB pursue the re-establishment of the Summer Institute. Cindy reported that a meeting was held and the decision was made to offer a five-day institute at WSSB (July 27-August 1, 2003). The maximum attendance for the Institute will be 35. Dr. Stenehjem reported that the projected budget is $16,000; which will include $10,000 from WSSB’s Student Betterment Accounts and also registration fees in the amount of $175 each. Dr. Stenehjem stated that the fees need to generate over $6,000. WSDS informed us that they were not able to assist us financially; however they are very supportive of this endeavor.

Para-Professional. At the last Board meeting, Denise spoke about the concern of dependency with para-professionals and students. Denise was going to talk with other para-professionals to see if they could come up with information on the topic. Rod stated that this is one of the potential subjects that may be discussed at the Summer Institute. Discussion was also held regarding the possibility of Denise presenting on this topic.

Superintendent’s Evaluation: Terry reported that Noel is heading this up and will present information in executive session at the March 14-15, 2003 board meeting.

Program Focus: Dr. Stenehjem stated that a recommendation was made to include DSB in future meetings. Kathleen reported that the last Program Focus meeting was very successful. Kathleen was impressed by the attendance and comments/suggestions that were brought forth. Representation from both consumer groups was noted. Renee Corso took notes from the meeting and hopes to have a copy of the completed notes for everyone’s information. Mike asked when the next draft would be available for review. Dr. Stenehjem will contact Mr. Craig Meador, Principal, to find out. Additional information on follow-up with Mr. Meador: next draft will go out to everyone sometime in the spring of this year.

NEW BUSINESS:

Legislative Conference (WASA/WASSDA): The WASA/WSSDA Legislative Conference will be held on March 2-3, 2003 in Olympia. Hotel reservations have been secured. Terry Robertson, Mike Freeman, Chuck Nelson, and Gary Burdette all expressed an interest to attend. Dr. Stenehjem let everyone know that we will start making appointments with our Senators and Representatives soon and if there are any other folks we need to contact to let us know. Legislative Conference materials will be mailed and we will submit them ASAP.

Summer School: Dr. Stenehjem expressed his concern about whether WSSB will be able to operate a program due to the budget situation; we believe we can do this, but will need to figure out how to operate the program without state dollars. WSSB will offer a Sports Camp (July 6-11). This Sports Camp is partially funded ($6,000) through a grant from Michigan State University. The Washington Council for the Blind has approved a donation to WSSB for $10,000 to assist with the cost of a Grade 1-8 Summer School Program (July 13-18, 2003). WSSB will need to raise an additional $28,000-$30,000 to operate our summer programs and we will be approaching the school’s Foundation to ask for financial assistance. Discussion was held regarding the possibility of charging tuition for the Summer School. Susie mentioned that she has a contact at the Gates Foundation and will try to set up a meeting to discuss financial assistance. Dr. Stenehjem stated that he could be available to attend the meeting.

Current Budget Status: Mary reported that our current operating budget status is $110,000.

Capital Project Update:

Ogden Resource Center: This project is ahead of schedule. The building is enclosed with the exception of windows and doors. The solar panels on this building have caused problems for our local PUD. Mike asked why the PUD is involved. Dr. Stenehjem reported that we will be sending some of the power generated from this building back to PUD. This is the first building of its kind in our County; therefore there are no written guidelines. This has resulted in some change orders as their guidelines evolve, but we are breaking new ground with this building.

Irwin Distance Learning: This project will be going out to bid on January 22, 2003, almost 8 months after it should have gone to bid. At the pre-bid walk, 51 people showed with 20 General Contractors.

General Campus Preservation Work: Updated card lock and camera system are in process; in the spring the following improvements will occur: lighting updates, on the south side of campus paving, fencing, and sidewalk improvements. These will be coordinated with the completion of the Ogden Resource Center; also the technology infra-structure is moving forward now that we have a lead person in charge

Technology: Dr. Stenehjem reported that at the November Board meeting, he had discussed the issues we were having with our technology and computer systems. WSSB had been actively pursuing assistance from various sources, however when contracting with agencies and companies, we were only able to get the assistance for a limited time with large amounts of breaks between sessions. This was not effective in meeting our needs. Contact was made with Clark College for assistance and due to their own issues and shortage of qualified personnel in this area, this was not possible. However, the lead technology staff person at Clark College highly recommended a former employee to assist WSSB. Danya Breckons has been working on our system since November and employees are seeing a great improvement. Danya is rebuilding the system from the ground up and staff morale has improved tremendously.

Yakima Area Update: Rod reported that the situation in Yakima is improving. Dee Amundsen, TVI instructor for WSSB visits Yakima three days per month. Dee is working with a blind man who is assisting students. There are several Yakima area people taking Braille classes through our K-20 system hosted by our Braille Access Center. Jerry asked if things were improving with the student that was discussed at the last meeting. Rod said yes. Jerry asked who the ESD contact was. Rod stated it is Fay Fuchs. Rod also reported that WSSB received 3 applications for teachers for this area. Two of the applicants are from a University program and one is from the Portland area. Jerry offered to assist in the interview process.

Grant Service: Dr. Stenehjem reported that WSSB signed a one-year contract to have access to a grant/ foundation website service. This will enable WSSB to pursue additional dollars to assist with needs for our school. Cindy stated that she will speak to her grants coordinator at her school to ask him about potential grants that may be useful to WSSB.

Future – WSSB: Dr. Stenehjem explained that he has discussed the potential budget reductions with the staff and admin. team. Dr. Stenehjem does not believe that the budget cuts need to be across the board at the school. WSSB will need to examine what we do well, what additional things we should be doing, and what things we should be discontinuing. Dr. Stenehjem stated that WSSB could be directly tied to the ESEA “No Child Left Behind” and should be considered a safety net for both Local School Districts and parents. WSSB is good about bringing kids and remediation of skill levels in academics, social, and daily living skills and other blindness related training to a higher level. Dr. Stenehjem will pursue talks with OSPI regarding this issue and attempt to get a firm determination that WSSB is not a LEA. This will enable WSSB to revisit the Day Student Transportation issue that would free-up thousands of dollars.

WASL: During winter break, Dr. Stenehjem and Dee Amundsen (TVI and currently serving her internship with Dr. Stenehjem), drove to Olympia to attend a meeting with our Senate and House fiscal reps. Dee came up with a great idea. Dee suggested we contact Dr. Nemeth (the creator of Nemeth Code--math Braille) to take the 10^th grade WASL. If Dr. Nemeth fails or passes the test, this would tell us a lot; primarily providing us tremendous insight in regards to the design of a valid instrument to measure the growth in math skills of blind children. Discussion was held regarding the possibility of putting together a group to develop statewide curricular materials for blind children. All of the above would need to come from grants possibly under “No Child Left Behind”.

Governor’s Budget: Dr. Stenehjem reported that the Governor’s budget was released and WSSB was marked for a 4.1% or $399,000 budget reduction during the 2003-2005 biennium which includes a reduction of 5.6 FTE. Dr. Stenehjem is concerned with both; however the FTE reduction presents a problem especially with potential outreach expansion. Mary has been working with OFM to try to resolve an issue with interpretation of a 1.0 FTE. In essence, teachers and RLC’s should be considered .8 FTE which would free up approximately 10 FTE’s for WSSB. Dr. Stenehjem will continue to work with the Governor’s office to see what creative options can be put into place to reduce the impact on blind children both here on the campus of WSSB and throughout the state.

Executive Session:

An Executive Session was called to order at 8:47 p.m. to discuss Personnel. The session ended at 9:15 p.m.

The next Board of Trustees meeting will be held on March 14-15, 2003 in Vancouver, WA.

Terry Robertson, Chair Dean O. Stenehjem, Ed.D.

Superintendent