WASHINGTON STATE SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Minutes from Board of Trustees Meeting

March 18-19, 2005

Vancouver, WA

Board Members Participating: Steve Rainey, Annabelle Fitts, Jerry Farley, Denise Colley, Joe Fram, Kay Adamson, Sherry Perry, and Eric Wiseman.

Board Members Absent: Chuck Nelson

Ex-Officio Members Participating: Berl Colley (Washington Council of the Blind), Michael Freeman (National Federation of the Blind of Washington), Bonda Albers (Washington Federation of State Employees Local #1225), and Kathleen Brown (Parent Representative).

Ex-Officio Members Absent: Theresa Tate (WSSB Teachers Association).

Washington State School for the Blind (WSSB) Staff Members Participating: Dr. Dean Stenehjem (Superintendent), Dee Amundsen (Director of Outreach), Mary Sarate (Business Manager), Renee Corso (Director of Residential Services), Rob Tracey (Plant Manager), Cherie Willhide (Human Resources Manager), Craig Meador (Principal), and Janet Merz (recording secretary).

March 18^th - 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Yearly Facility Inspection by the Building and Grounds Committee (Committee members: Eric Wiseman and Joe Fram). Dean Stenehjem and Rob Tracey to join the committee members on the annual inspection.

March 18, 2005 – 7:00 p.m. – 8:55 p.m.

Jerry called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Jerry started the meeting by having everyone introduce themselves.

Department Updates. Each department manager submitted written reports (attached).

Mary Sarate, Business Manager.

Mary made a correction to the Operating Budget portion for her report: balance is $117,000.

The Governor’s budget is due out on March 21, 2005. The Governor will be eliminating 1,000 middle-management positions. Dr. Stenehjem stated there is a bill to limit Washington Management Service positions. The bill states agencies should not be more than 7%; WSSB is 4%.

Mary also discovered that under Outreach (which are contract dollars from local districts); WSSB can carry over dollars through the biennium.

Eric asked where we were with the state Audit cycle. Mary said our next audit will be next year. Dr. Stenehjem complimented Mary’s structure of the business office and mentioned that the state auditor’s office thought that they might implement under good practices some of what Mary has put in place.

Cherie Willhide, Human Resources.

Cherie attended a meeting with Eva Santos, Director of Department of Personnel; regarding the Washington Management Service. The Department of Personnel is looking at exceptions. When HR 2005 passed; it took all WMS out of the union. Due to all of the time Cherie spends in Olympia duties were reassigned in the business office. WSSB will be hiring a temporary employee to help with the extra duties. This position had been requested through the supplemental process but was denied.

Dee Amundsen, Outreach.

Dee stated four districts are currently looking for itinerant vision teachers across the state. Dee will be offering to assist these districts with recruitment and putting solid services in place.

Currently Catherine Golding is serving ESD 123 driving to the Eastern side of the state three days per week. Looks like Catherine will be located on the east side next school year.

Jerry asked how districts were billed; Dee stated by ½ day or full day ($460 per day). WSSB will be raising our rates by approximately 4% to $480.00 per day. This would be the first increase in five years. Eric asked if school districts feel that because they live farther out they are at a cost disadvantage because they are in rural locations; vs. those who are closer in. This could be somewhat of a concern, but WSSB tries to schedule students in remote locations to cut down on travel expenses for the districts. These districts also do not pay for the overnight that is required when an Itinerant works with their students, so over-all things seem to work out about as well as they can at this time.

Annabelle asked if there were any practicum students from Portland State University. Craig said that there were 3 that are finishing up their last quarter.

Dee offered that if any board members would like to visit the prison program at WCCW that we could make arrangements. Dee will work with Janet to send out an e-mail to the board to see if there is interest to visit the prison.

Dee compiled a list of students who have contacted WSSB; Dee has 18 students who have filled out applications or are filling out applications now. 11% of our students’ families have relocated to Washington to attend WSSB.

Craig Meador, Education.

Current enrollment is at 68; with a waiting list for elementary. Lori has 9 students seriously interested in the LIFTT program for the six slots available next year. Eric asked if there was a chance to expand LIFTT program. Craig said that we are currently limited by the number of rooms. Dr. Stenehjem stated that WSSB is requesting a capital project for an Independent Living Center. Craig said that the preschool program is taking off with huge gains in mobility, speech, etc.

Renee Corso, Residential.

Renee complimented the residential and recreation staff for the fine work they are doing with kids.

Recently, the Southwest Washington Organization of Rescue Divers held an event for students and staff—Discovery SCUBA. This event made it to the front page of the Columbian newspaper.

Another event planned is a Daily Living Skills Workshop, in partnership April 18^th with Department of Services for the Blind.

Mike commented Renee on the good job she is doing.

Rob Tracey, Plant Manager.

Rob stated that a facility tour was done today and that WSSB will be resolving any concerns that were pointed out on the tour.

WSSB has been very pro-active in the use of cost efficient vehicles. Over a one year period time the Toyota Prius’ averaged 48 miles per gallon. WSSB has three Prius’ and has now replaced three older vehicles with three Honda Civic Hybrids.

Discussion was held regarding the impact of the Northwest Natural Gas increase (47%). This increase is huge and WSSB would have really been in trouble if it weren’t for all the energy work we have been completing each year.

Rob stated that one project he is working on is near the courtyard by the library. A former WSSB student who passed away; the parents wanted to do some type of memorial. Rob, staff and students are going to work on a 3-4 foot high bell tower in memoriam. This will allow totally blind students to be able to feel the bell. Rob is hoping to start this project after Spring Break.

Foundation.

Dr. Stenehjem provided a report on the Foundation. A grant was submitted to the M.J. Murdock Foundation for $138,500. This is a three-year development grant. Eric asked what the board could do. Dr. Stenehjem said that a priority is that we need to grow our board. Board members could contact either Angie or Dr. Stenehjem if they had prospective board member names. The WSBF would like to get a board that represents all parts of the state.

The Foundation has taken on a project to raise enough money to provide each senior at WSSB with technology to move forward with them. Eric felt a good contact for the Foundation would be Laura Rudeman, past representative who ran for Secretary of State.

At the Ridgefield Lions Club volunteer recognition event; the Lions (120 people attended) gave a Voice Note to WSSB student Randi Gustafson. Dr. Stenehjem stated that Randi did an outstanding job with her speech. Dr. Stenehjem commented Jennifer Hervey on doing a great job with the students at the event.

Discussion was held regarding commencement. Alex Valdez, stand-up comedian, will be the commencement speaker. Annabelle was his vision teacher. Dr. Stenehjem stated that Alex complimented Annabelle for the excellent work she did with him during his early elementary school years.

March 19^th – 8:00 a.m.–12:09 p.m.

Jerry called the meeting to order at 8:07 a.m.

Old Business:

Approval of Minutes for January 11, 2005 Board of Trustees Conference Call. Joe moved to approve the minutes; Kay seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.