Mon Apr 26 2010, 6:30pm
WHS/WMS Commons
Regular Meeting

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

April 12, 2010 Regular Meeting Minutes

WOODLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 404
DIRECTOR'S MEETING
MINUTES

April 12, 2010 7:00PM
Regular Meeting-Yale School

MEMBERS
PRESENT

 

Jim Bays, Janice Watts, Bill Woodard, Tina Cayton, Steve Madsen, Michael Green-Secretary, and Tegan Steen-Recording Secretary

OTHERS
PRESENT

 

See attached list.

MINUTES

 

Bill Woodard moved to approve the minutes of the March 22, 2010 regular meeting.
Steve Madsen  yes
Tina Cayton  yes
Bill Woodard  yes
Janice Watts  yes  carried

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE REPORT

 

None.

REPORTS

 

 

Bill Woodard asked Deb Kernen about the outcome of the Special Education Reading/Writing and Math Task Force that was looking into why some test scores were lower than state scores.  Jim Bays asked what the results meant. Deb said that they learned that pulling students from their core instruction time made it hard for students to learn the content assessed by state testing. They are making some adjustments with technology and scheduling. Steve Madsen asked how this affects other students.  Deb said that teachers must prepare differently and modify how they teach. Steve asked if there are opportunities for peer helping. Deb said there are some opportunities.

Bill Woodard asked John Shoup about students who are still failing classes at WHS. John said they continue to work with them, but he is very frustrated by this. The number of students failing classes is lower than last year. He said that, just because they are failing some classes, doesn't mean they still can't graduate.

Leonard Reese said that he thinks that the High School should stress vocational classes like mechanics, so that students who are not doing well in testing will stay in school and learn something that will give them a job after they leave school. Michael Green explained that we have vocational classes like FFA, and that students can go to the Clark County Skills Center to take these types of classes.

Yale School Special Report on Reading
Michael introduced Mo Anderson to report on the reading program at Yale. She said that last year they budgeted time to have her come to Yale each week to help improve the reading program. She has worked with staff to develop a program that collects data, assesses and charts the progress of students in the school. Instructional Assistants changed their schedules to accommodate the program. They have developed new interventions and are currently forecasting for next year's program.  Kim York said that Mo has done a great job of communicating what is going on in the rest of the District's reading program.  She said they've learned a lot this year.

SUPERINTENDENT
REPORT

 

The schools were testing last week and WHS will be testing in science Tuesday and Thursday this week. The State is starting an online testing program this year. The Tech Dept. has received several versions of the software to test. They told Mr. Green that the latest version is the worst.

CORRESPONDENCE

 

Mr. Green said that the Board received an invitation from Fort Vancouver National Trust to attend a lecture by the National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis. They also received an annual report from the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments and a request for legislative proposals from WSSDA. Jim Bays read a thank-you letter that was copied to the Board from Yale Valley Library District to Mark Houk.

CITIZENS
REQUESTS

 

Mariah Reese said that PTO have been continuing to support Yale School's reading program by having a book swap in the spring, holding a Reading Challenge where students were challenged to read 100hrs. They exceeded that amount with over 300 hrs. Mr. Niekamp's class read over 265 hrs. At this year's Field Day, each Yale student will receive a book to take home this summer from the PTO. 

Pat Stepp said that they were glad that the Board came to Yale for the meeting.

BOARD REPORTS
AND REQUEST

 

None.

PUBLIC HEARING

 

President, Jim Bays, recessed the meeting to open the Public Hearing-Closing the Budget Gap: Hearing on BAT Recommendations at 7:35pm. 

Mr. Green had handouts of his presentation. It is also posted on the website.  Michael thanked Mariah Reese for working on the Budget Advisory Team. He said that the state has passed a budget, but the District won't have the details until further in the week. He said it looks better than had been expected. 

Michael said the team looked at the budget differently this year. They looked at five options; Staffing Reductions, District Fund Balance, State Forest Funds, Targeted Adjustments, Across the Board Adjustments. The team recommended a blended approach consisting of reduction of staff through attrition, reducing the fund balance, paying technology expenses with state forest funds, and some small targeted adjustments.

The Board and audience discussed the information with Mr. Green. Mr. Bays closed the hearing and returned to the regular meeting session at 8:04pm.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

 

Business Practices Review: Fraud Prevention and Separation of Duties

Stacy Brown reported to the Board about the internal controls for fraud prevention and the Business Services' separation of duties. She discussed the cash receipting at the building and Business Services/District Office levels; purchasing/accounts payable-all buildings and departments; personnel and payroll practices.


CONSENT AGENDA

 

Consent Agenda
The Board discussed the consent agenda.

Janice Watts moved to approve the consent agenda as presented.

Steve Madsen  yes
Tina Cayton  yes
Bill Woodard  yes
Janice Watts  yes  carried

ADJOURNMENT

 

Board President, Jim Bays, adjourned the meeting of the Board of Directors at 8:20  pm.

 

ATTEST:

_______________________________
Secretary to the Board

WOODLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT #404
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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President

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Director

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Director

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Director

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Director