DRAFT
BOARD
OF TRUSTEES
Conference Call
Board
Members Participating: Terry Robertson, Kay Adamson, Jerry Farley, Susie
Davidson, Joe Fram, Chuck Nelson, Denise Mackenstadt, and Cindy Roney.
Board Members Absent: Noel Nightingale.
Ex-Officio
Members Participating: Carol Schultz (WSSB Teachers Association), Bonda Albers (
Ex-Officio Members Absent: Michael
Freeman (National Federation of the Blind of
WSSB
Staff Members Participating: Dr. Dean Stenehjem (Superintendent), Rod Humble (Director
of Outreach Services),
Joe called the meeting to order at
1.
Department Updates:
Education Department -
Craig
reported on the following:
¨
Three students were suspended last week for possession of
marijuana. The marijuana was purchased
off-campus and the police are working with WSSB. To set the example that WSSB has zero
tolerance on drugs, WSSB had the police department bring a drug dog on campus.
A small amount of marijuana was found in a student’s locker. The three students that were suspected of
using marijuana were given urinalyses to confirm they had used the drug. One student was arrested for possession with
intent to deliver. The police are still working with us on locating the
seller/source. Nine students came
forward with written statements confirming that another WSSB student
propositioned them to purchase marijuana.
Dr. Stenehjem stated that Craig and
¨
Jennifer Hervey’s Vocal Jazz
Ensemble took
¨
A committee has been meeting to prepare for graduation.
Craig is looking at programs next year and is concerned about the hiring freeze
with Linda Bannon retiring after over 30 years of
service. Steve asked why we are not
doing interim this year. Craig said the staff did not want to pursue
interim.
Outreach Department - Rod Humble
Rod
reported on the following:
¨
¨
Rod is creating a policy for consultation fees. Currently, WSSB provides a one-time
consultation for no cost. WSSB is going to approach WSDS to see if they would
be willing to help out with some costs associated with airfare for
consultations. Another issue is when Irwin teachers provide consultations; WSSB
incurs the cost of substitutes. Bonda questioned if
the Residential staff could be involved more in the consultations. Rod said yes and he would like any input Bonda has for this.
¨
The
¨
Outreach is sent out a parent satisfaction survey.
¨
Denise asked what the current waiting list was for 30-day
evaluations. Craig said currently we
have zero available beds in the boys’ cottages and six beds available in the
girls’ cottages. Craig said we have six
male students waiting for the 30-day evaluation; most of which will occur next
fall.
¨
Dr. Stenehjem feels that Cherie has done a stellar job.
Cherie’s report is as follows: Teacher
Contract Negotiations are completed. Recruitment for Volunteer Coordinator,
Business Manager and Registered Nurse have
occurred. The Safety Committee has been
active this year, focusing on Accident Prevention Plans and a Safety
Manual. Cherie received her Senior
Professional status in Human Resources.
Dr. Stenehjem stated that over 30 individuals took the test and only 2
passed. Joe stated that the Board is
proud of her.
New Business:
Buildings & Grounds Committee/Yearly
Inspection: Terry Robertson and Steve
Rainey. Terry reported the campus looked
beautiful and that Rod Lee has done a great job. Areas needing addressed:
¨
Remodeling of the kitchen (depending upon the
transition/deconsolidation of the business office).
¨
Recreation center is recommended to move to the Kennedy
building.
¨
Reseal and re-stripe all of the parking lots and
track.
¨
Reseal the brick area of the Kennedy building.
¨
Repainting of the roof level (Kennedy building).
¨
Deck area around the pool needs to be resurfaced.
¨
Expansion of the girls locker-room (eliminating the small
wading pool).
¨
Expansion of the card lock system to the
cottages.
¨
Repair of the effice columns
(contractor will repair, absorbing all costs) $20,000-$30,000.
Old Business:
Approval of
minutes for the Board of Trustees meeting--conference call on
Joe asked if all Board members received
the letter from Governor regarding status of WSSB’s
Board of Trustees and the governance of WSSB.
All Board members received and read the letter.
Residential Department -
Renee reported on the
following:
¨
WSSB will
be hiring a nurse and an interview committee will be established. WSSB has a 20-hour per week counselor through
Columbia River Mental Health who is outstanding with students/staff.
¨
The following training has been conducted: policies/procedures, communication, Seizure
Disorders, as well as safety videos that are circulated in the cottages.
¨
Mark Raetzman was hired as a
Residential Life Counselor. Mark has
been a great help with the students in the recreation and residential
departments.
¨
Renee is the chairperson for the Safety Committee. Priority items that are being addressed: MSDS (Material
Safety Data Sheets) inventory, purchase of 14 first aid kits, safety
information boards, and emergency contact information available in large print
and Braille.
¨
Renee would like to focus on Student
Accounts/Allowances. Renee is developing
a relationship with a local bank; possibly having a small branch at WSSB, which
would provide job experience for students.
¨
WSSB is attempting to acquire an Espresso machine and
talking cash register for the Lion’s Den.
¨
¨
The Food Service deconsolidation is on the horizon; WSSB is
determining how we can be more efficient and provide more training for
students. A committee has been formed to
review and discuss this. One cottage
will be piloting preparing meals next year.
Joe
said that on behalf of the Board they appreciate Renee’s hard work. Dr. Stenehjem stated that
Organizational Changes:
¨
Deconsolidation. WSSB will need to see how the budgetary
restrictions/freeze will impact deconsolidation. WSSB requested a transfer of
three FTE’s (full time equivalents) with no new dollars as part of this
action.
¨
Dr. Stenehjem is concerned about potential budget
reductions and believes that in someway or another even higher education and
K-12 will be affected.
¨
Buildings and Grounds is under the supervision of Rod
Lee. The former custodial supervisor is
under Dr. Stenehjem’s supervision and will be in
charge of commissary, inventory control, supply clerk
for custodians, and custodial trainer.
The former custodial supervisor will be placed under the Business
Manager once the business office is formed (ties directly to inventory control
and commissary). Ed Lukowski, Network
Administrator has been placed directly under the Superintendent at this time
(previously supervised by Rod Lee). Keys
and Card Lock responsibility have been moved under Janet who coordinates
facility usage by outside groups.
¨
Day student transportation is being examined for cost
savings. Current cost for this, contracted through the ESD
#112, is approximately $130,000 per year.
WSSB is awaiting more information from the business office before a
meeting is arranged with parents to see if they will work with us to help
reduce costs. Currently, WSSB has a
driver who picks up some high school students to transport them to
Capital Project Update:
¨
Old
o
Fries Auditorium: Construction is in process with a
completion date scheduled for late May. This
construction project was funded with both state and private funds
o
Window Project: The
window project in Old Main is almost completed.
This will result in major energy savings with this project.
o
Kennedy Project:
This construction project is in the drawing process. This will include: window replacement,
seismic work, elevator (for access to the second floor), Rec. Center moving
into this building to enhance student safety, major interior work in the
bathrooms, locker rooms, improvements to the Pool including energy and safety
with possibly adding a small boiler to heat the pool and water for showers in
times when we could shut down the larger boiler, and solar to assist with
heating water.
¨
Distance Learning:
o
Irwin/Kennedy Buildings:
the drawings are in process with work to begin fall of 2002.
§
All classrooms will be both distance learning and on-campus
classrooms with portable walls.
Discussion was held regarding changing the open courtyard to enable
access from outside.
§
WSSB will also try to incorporate both active and passive
solar.
§
Approximately $500,000 of this project will be equipment to
make distance learning possible. Steve asked about the staff members’
willingness to take this on. Dr.
Stenehjem stated that
§
Carol asked what was slated for the
§
Bob Sellers asked if we would market our Distance Learning
to other schools or agencies. Dr.
Stenehjem said once we are up and running we would like to offer this service
statewide, but distance learning would not only have to be for kids within the
state. We would examine costs associated
with someone off-site taking a class.
The first step would be getting the infrastructure set up and then piloting
a few classes that have to be developed. Bob congratulated Dr. Stenehjem for
looking into this aspect of learning.
¨
IRC/Braille Access Center:
o
90% of the design is complete and will hopefully out to bid
in April, 2002.
o
This will be the state’s first solar building.
o
WSSB is in the process of trying to sell Berhow. Department
of Transportation has met with us to assist us in helping the process.
¨
General Campus Preservation: Several areas we are focusing
on: sidewalk (replacement work), signage, lighting, sealing pavements and the
track, heat system work--boilers, etc., continued energy conservation work, and
additional solar on other buildings (if it proves to be an efficient move).
Budget Crisis: Operational Budget
¨
Current state budget deficit is at $1.6 billion dollars.
¨
Freeze on employment, travel and equipment (capital
projects not included):
o
WSSB was given an exemption on hiring only if it is
directly related to public safety, or essential health and welfare activities.
If there are exceptions we would need to justify them with
¨
Freeze on travel and equipment:
o
Agency directors need to be actively involved in the
decision making process and scrutinize travel plans. Dr. Stenehjem talked to
o
OFM is monitoring all expenditures
on the state tracking system.
o
WSSB is currently waiting to purchase a van that we had
funds to expend, but the resources need to be available in the event the
legislature needs to utilize funds.
o
Bonda asked if the
travel freeze will affect the students’ recreation. Dr. Stenehjem said if we had to, we could use
the Student Betterment Accounts; currently there is $200,000, however these
funds are not to supplant state and federal obligations. Steve asked how often
we withdraw money from Betterment and for what and is there
criteria. Dr. Stenehjem stated
there are sub-accounts in Student Betterment, due to the donor’s
designation. Most common usage from
Betterment is to provide for students basic needs when families don’t have the
ability to do so.
Current Budget Situation:
Our current operating budget balance is
approximately $90,000. Dr. Stenehjem
feels this gives us some flexibility.
Steve asked if this can be carried over to next year. Dr. Stenehjem said that Initiative 601
prohibits the ability to carry these funds from year to year. However, a few
years ago, changes were made in the state law that allowed agencies to get back
½ of what was returned that goes into a special account for the agency to use
for efficiency measures. Dr. Stenehjem
will keep everyone posted as information becomes available.
WASL Concerns:
¨
Tim Stolle will be meeting with
members of AER to discuss the concern on the
instrument and appropriateness of the WASL. Larry Davis, Director of the State Board of
Education, informed us that there is going to be a statewide study. Dr. Stenehjem asked that blind children be
included in the sample. Denise stated
there is a committee within the US Education Department that addresses these
issues. Dr. Stenehjem asked that the
resolutions from the NFB and WCB
regarding the WASL tests be sent to WSSB.
Teacher Training:
¨
Braille Access:
¨
Dr. Stenehjem reported
DSB Transition –
Interagency agreement
¨ &