BOARD
OF TRUSTEES
Minutes
from Board of Trustees Meeting
November
15-16, 2007
Board Members
Participating: Denise Colley, John Driscoll, Annabelle Fitts,
Sherry Perry, Jim Kemp, Steve Rainey, Kay Adamson, Chuck Nelson, and Eric
Wiseman.
Ex-Officio Members
Participating: Judy Koch-Smith (WSSB Teachers Association),
Michael Freeman (National Federation of the Blind of
Ex-Officio Members
Absent:
Washington State School
for the Blind (WSSB) Staff Members Participating:
Dr.
November 15 – 7:00–8:45
p.m.
Denise called the meeting to order at 7:00
p.m.
Department Updates:
o
Construction: An initial walk through was held for contractors
for the new P.E. building. Seven General
Contractors picked up copies of the blueprints for the project.
o
Chuck,
Jean and Berl are on a committee for the renaming of the Kennedy building. Berl would like to meet at 7:45 a.m. on November
15.
o
Chuck
asked about Catherine Golding’s new role.
Dr. Stenehjem said that WSSB’s goal is to increase the number of
students served by 100% on the Eastern side of the state.
o
Chuck
asked if we have a packet of information available for teachers interested in
getting into the field of teachers of the visually impaired. Jessica Sydnor suggested that if there are
any inquiries to send them her contact information.
Mary Sarate (Business
Office):
o
Mary
reported that on November 14 she and Dr. Stenehjem met with OFM Fiscal Analyst,
Adam Aaseby and Performance Measure Analyst, Brian Willett to determine
measures that accurately reflect WSSB services.
Sherry asked if this fits into the Baldridge criteria. Dr. Stenehjem stated it can be used for this
process.
o
Supplemental
Budget Request: Due to discussions with Heidi
Farland, parent of a WSSB student, a supplemental budget request was submitted
requesting funding for a Kindergarten-3rd grade program. Representative Deb Wallace is also very
interested in this endeavor. Dr.
Stenehjem stated that the program has not yet been designed. Annabelle asked who would provide input into
the program design. Dr. Stenehjem stated
Department of Services for the Blind, parents, teachers, administrators,
Outreach staff, etc.
Craig Meador (Director
of On-Campus Programs):
o
The
Student Store will be open November 15 from 8:00-9:30 a.m.
o
Steve
inquired about enrollment. Craig stated our
enrollment was at a high in 2002 with about 75 students with a large influx of
middle/high school students. In the last
four years we have had approximately 65 students. If the Preschool and LIFTT program are
removed from the current count, our numbers would be 52. Craig stated he has seen the same decline in
Summer School, however the YES (Youth Employment Solutions) and Sports Camp
enrollment has been larger than in previous years. Chuck asked if the Outreach
program in
o
Short
Course Survey: Karen Mowry and Judy
Koch-Smith prepared a Short Course Survey to be reviewed by the Education
Committee. The goal is to send it to
teachers, parents, consumer groups, etc. and it will be posted on our website.
Craig stated that a lot of schools are going to short course options. The goal is to possibly have a short course
option for summer school in 2008. Dr.
Stenehjem stated that in other states teachers are assigned specifically to the
short course class; and students are required to bring their homework with them
to stay current.
o
Craig
reported that Karen Mowry has worked on putting together schedules for the
Board’s visits to classrooms. The Board
will meet at 8:00 a.m. in the Irwin building.
Jessica Sydnor – Human Resources.
o
Steve
asked about the new Outreach position in the
Sherry Hahn – Digital
Learning Coordinator.
o
Chuck
asked what the Mountbatten was. Dr.
Stenehjem stated it was a piece of Assistive Technology equipment.
The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Executive
Session
An Executive Session was called to order at
8:00 p.m. The session adjourned at 8:45
p.m.
November 16 – 8:00 a.m.
– 11:00 a.m.
The Board visited the Irwin classrooms.
November 16 – 11:08 a.m.
– 2:00 p.m.
Denise called the meeting to order at 11:08
a.m. The Board enjoyed their visits to
the classrooms.
Business Meeting
Old Business:
Approve board meeting
minutes of September 21-22, 2007. Chuck
moved to approve the minutes; Jim seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
New Business:
WASA/WSSDA
Legislative Conference – February 10-11, 2008.
Dr. Stenehjem stated this is a Washington Association of Schools Administrators
and Washington State School Directors Association sponsored event. It is an opportunity to meet
legislators. Chuck asked if we had any
topics to bring forward. Dr. Stenehjem
said he is interested in what is going on with the WASL and Teacher
Certification. However, the Strategic
Plan session is scheduled for February 11, 2008. At this time, WSSB does not plan to attend.
Superintendent’s
Report
Dr. Stenehjem
reviewed the following:
In
the state of
Steve
asked about staff following student plans as this appears to be a recent issue. Dr. Stenehjem feels it is the staff’s
responsibility as well as the supervisor in the Education and Residential
program to ensure that the Behavioral Plans/IEP’s are followed. Dr. Stenehjem stated that WSSB will be
requiring a staff signature indicating that they have reviewed the plan. If staff disagree or have issues with the
Behavioral Plan or IEP they have the ability to call an I-Team meeting to open
the issue up for discussion. The
Behavior Plan and IEP is developed in conjunction with parents, staff, etc.,
including
Capital
Projects: Dr. Stenehjem stated we are hoping to receive good bids for the P.E.
building. Dr. Stenehjem stated we are hoping to be able to add a rock climbing
wall, etc. if the bid comes in low. Eric asked if we have a prioritized list of
things we could take away from the project in case the bid comes in high. Dr. Stenehjem said yes. Dr. Stenehjem stated
we would also like to put a kitchen into where the
Special
Projects: WSSB is moving forward with
the Sensory Safari and Museum. The goal
is to have it completed for the dedication ceremony on April 25, 2008. WSSB would like to train students to do the
tours of the building as a paid job under work experience.
Berl
Colley started a project to digitally record a Talking Book collection that
WSSB has. Berl is working with
Annabelle
commented that the mural that Nov Gnik has painted is fantastic. Dr. Stenehjem is attempting to get Nov Gnik
registered with the Washington State Arts Commission. Dr. Stenehjem is also going to commission Nov
to do a mural of the history of the Blind school from 1886 through present. The goal is to have it complete by April 25,
2008.
Budget
Development Process: WSSB will begin this by reviewing the Strategic Plan with
stakeholders from throughout the state.
Information gathered from that session will be used to revise our
Strategic Plan which will help shape the 2009-2011 budget. Sherry asked who will be involved. Dr. Stenehjem stated former students,
parents, board members, special education directors, consumer groups, students,
staff, etc. Dr. Stenehjem anticipates
that short courses will be part of that discussion. Sherry asked if they have someone interested
in participating who she should let know.
Dr. Stenehjem said to send it to either Dr. Stenehjem or Janet.
Performance
Measure Assessment: Each state agency is
required to review their Performance Measure Assessments. Dr. Stenehjem stated the frustration has been
that each year we are asked to report performance measures differently. WSSB’s three new focus areas for measurement
are:
- Braille Transcription:
o
Number of pages brailled per quarter (output)
o
Percentage of books provided on time for blind students
(outcome)
- Professional Training:
o
Number of professionals/paraprofessionals taking workshops
and classes each quarter (output)
o
Number of professionals/paraprofessionals passing the
Braille Literacy Usage Exam (BLUE) [State required braille comp. exam]
(outcome)
- Student Performance:
On-campus:
o
Number of students enrolled in the on-campus program
each quarter. [Target 65-75 students] (output)
o
Eighty percent of students will gain X amount of growth
in expanded CORE classes (blindness specific training) (yearly measure – target 1.5 years) (outcome)
Off-campus (outreach):
o
Number of students served through outreach each
month. (Target 500) [output]
o
A output measurement will need to be designed for
outreach rather than a stakeholder satisfaction survey report.
o
Dr. Stenehjem said one of the best and most effective data
we provide is success rates of graduates after eight years. Dr. Stenehjem will complete the Performance
Assessment Measure Survey and return it to Brian Willett on December 5. He stated that WSSB will continue to track
approximately 30 items as well.
Teacher
Shortage: Dr. Stenehjem stated this is
still a concern, however there were 25.2 TVI’s in the 1990’s outside of WSSB and
there are at least 30 more now. However,
we still have a shortage of approximately 20 Teachers of the Blind and Visually
Impaired based upon feedback from throughout the state. Dr. Stenehjem said a big concern is also rate
of retiring teachers, besides finding additional TVIs. Dr.
Stenehjem would like the board to have input for possible hiring incentives,
i.e. in
Steve
asked about the status of the WSIPP study from 2005-2006. Dr. Stenehjem said there has not been any
discussion regarding this as of late.
Management Committee Meeting Request
Denise stated that
a request was made that the Management Committee meet at some point before the
end of the day. Eric suggested the
committee meet at the end of the regular meeting.
Committee Reports
Education Committee:
Short Course
Survey: Judy handed out a draft copy of
the short course survey that she and Karen Mowry created. Judy asked if anyone had ideas to please
e-mail them to her so she can bring them forward to the Education Committee for
discussion.
Judy is also working on
setting up a phone conference call with the Education Committee possibly the
week after Thanksgiving.
Facilities Committee:
Eric Wiseman asked if
any committee members had comments. No
comments were brought forward.
Management Committee:
Steve stated that one of
the issues they are focusing on is closing the gap of performance pay increases
for Dr. Stenehjem over the years. The
committee would like to close that gap further this year.
Superintendent
Performance Measures need to be established and agreed upon. Steve feels that a baseline for performance
measures could be gleaned from the OFM requirements that will be sent to
Steve stated there are
other individual issues that Dr. Stenehjem has consulted Steve on and feels
that Dr. Stenehjem has done a good job of informing the board of Personnel
issues.
Legislative Committee:
John
stated the committee held a conference call on November 5, 2007 (notes are
attached to the minutes). Mike, Denise
and John discussed possible legislative focuses that were presented at the last
board meeting. The committee decided
that their priority this year will be teacher recruitment, training, certification,
etc. The Regional Program Development is
a valid legislative agenda and should be blended into the Strategic Plan. Eric asked if there is any type of timeline
for future retirees in the field. Dr.
Stenehjem feels it would be possible to obtain the information. John needs to know student population around
the state, student/teacher ratio, how many are practicing today and how many
teachers we may have in 5 years. Dr.
Stenehjem will work with John to put together a questionnaire.
WTBBL Support
Mike felt the Board
of Trustees should write a letter supporting regarding the WTBBL decision
package in the Governor’s Budget. John made
the motion that the Board write a letter of support; Kay seconded the
motion. Denise will draft a letter with
Dr. Stenehjem’s assistance. The motion
passed unanimously.
Teacher Shortage-AER
Annabelle asked if
the teachers in AER (Association Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and
Visually Impaired) are working on the concern about lack of teachers, etc. Dr. Stenehjem is the future President of this
organization and can bring this issue forward.
Dr. Stenehjem will share this with the AER committee.
Committee to Rename the PE Building
The committee to
rename the P.E. building met this morning.
Berl stated that a consensus type survey will be sent out to consumer organizations,
alumni, staff, etc. to provide some suggestions for names and also include a
line for people to submit a suggestion and reason why the suggestion was
made. Berl stated that most every
building on campus has been named after people who have had an impact on the
WSSB. Several suggestions were made: Bob Mealey, Nadyne Lessard, Don Donaldson. Berl would like to have all responses back by
December 15, 2007. After the first of
the year, the committee will review the suggestions.
Ex-Officio’s Reports
o
Berl
reported that the WCB held its 2007 convention in
o
Berl
said they have heard about food banks and helping hands don’t have any funds
left; one of the programs that WCB started in 1992, is a crisis granting
program. It is a program that gives a one-time
grant to a requesting individual $300.00 to be used primarily for medical or
utility bills, etc. Berl stated that the
budget was exceeded in July expending $6,000 total this year. Berl said that they are seeing a lot of need
in all areas.
o
At
the convention, $22,500 in scholarships were granted.
o
3-4
instances of advocacy were handled with different organizations. The situations
were resolved.
o
Denise
Colley is the new WCB President as of January 1, 2008 (for two years). First Vice President is Sue Ammeter. Chris Coutier and Carl Jarvis are both on the
board as of January 1, 2008. Legislatively
this year the WTBBL will be the primary focus.
o
The
convention next year will be held in
o
Dr.
Stenehjem mentioned that the school is the communications center for the Walk
‘n’ Knock. Approximately 250,000 lbs. in
food is brought in. The
National Federation of
the Blind-Mike Freeman.
o
The
NFB convention was held in
o
The
NFB advocated for a person who had an issue with another state agency. A parent contacted Mike regarding problems
she is having in her divorce.
o
Details
for next year’s convention have not yet been set.
Teachers-Judy
Koch-Smith:
o
Judy
stated that a Union Management Communication
Committee meeting was held. Judy felt it
was very positive. Judy is working on
scheduling meetings, every two months.
One of the issues discussed was items being delivered to
classrooms. Craig resolved one of the
problems. Jessica suggested bringing the
Materials Ordering and Delivery issue to an Administrative Team meeting in the
near future.
o
There
are changes occurring with C-Tran that go into effect on Sunday. Mobility staff and
o
Judy
stated that the administrators are conducting a quarterly report card on teachers. WSSB administration is reviewing lesson plans
and are offering assistance if needed.
o
Judy
talked to
o
WPEA
contract discussions begin in spring 2008 to discuss the new upcoming contract.
o
Judy
stated that if any of the Board have comments regarding the walk-through today
to send an e-mail to Dr. Stenehjem and Judy.
It was suggested to schedule classroom visits once per year, possibly in
November. Denise stated that she and
Janet spoke about the opportunity of having new board members do visit
classrooms. Judy felt it would be a good
idea to have the board visit the cottages next time.
o
Judy
stated the Winter Holiday Program in the school is December 20, 2007 in the
evening.
Parent Representative-Jean
Curtis.
o
Jean
said she is still working on getting the listserv up and going.
o
Barbara
Sheldon and Jean are going to meet on November 20 to discuss how to get out to
the state together. Dr. Stenehjem
suggested getting Alan Garrels from Department of Services for the Blind
involved as well. Mike stated that he
felt that with Jean going out alone it would be more beneficial because issues
presented and topics discussed would be totally different. Jean stated that Barbara mentioned she wanted
to get out to different Lions Clubs, etc.
Annabelle suggested that Jean connect with Catherine Golding on the
eastside of the state. Judy suggested
getting TVI’s to invite parents to meet.
Annabelle asked if there would be an opportunity for Jean to speak at
the AER convention in March, 2008.
March 14-15,
2008 Board of Trustees Meeting
Janet will send out information regarding
the upcoming Board meeting in March at the Courtyard Marriot in
Chuck moved to adjourn the meeting; Eric
seconded the motion. There being no
further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m. The next Board meeting will be held via a
conference call on January 9, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
Denise
Colley, Chair Dean
O. Stenehjem, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Legislative Committee – Meeting
November 5, 2007
o
Teacher Recruitment, Training & Certification:
o
Issues:
§
Can’t
find qualified candidates for TOVI positions
·
What
recruiting options?
§
Not
enough students entering the field
·
Can
·
Or
– can a regional program be developed with PSU?
§
Should