DIRECTOR'S MEETING MINUTES
May 9, 2011 7:00PM Regular Meeting-District Meeting Room
MEMBERS PRESENT
Jim Bays, Janice Watts, Bill Woodard, Tina Cayton, Steve Madsen, Mia Patterson-Student Representative, Michael Green-Secretary and Tegan Steen-Recording Secretary
OTHERS PRESENT
Stacey Froeber, Abbi Ewert, Deb Kernen, Cari Thomson, Asha Riley, John Shoup, Mariah Reese, Mark Houk, Stacy Brown.
MINUTES
Tina Cayton moved to approve the April 25, 2011 regular meeting minutes as presented.
Steve Madsen yesTina Cayton yesBill Woodard yes Janice Watts yes carried
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE REPORT
Mia Patterson said that the Mock Trial was last Tuesday and Woodland High School won the trial. She was the judge. Hot Chili/Cool Jazz is Friday at 6pm at the Intermediate School. A live concert featuring, Hot Chelle Rae, will play in the Commons on Friday.
SCHOOL REPORTS
Bill Woodard asked Mark Houk about Kindergarten enrollment. Mark said that last year at this time, he had about 100 students enrolled for Kindergarten. This year he has 56, so far. Janice Watts asked about the gang training in Dan's TEAM High Report. John Shoup said that the detectives had said the tagging in Woodland is gang related, but did not get specific about students who participate in gang activities from our schools. They let the staff know what to look for and advised them to keep the police apprised of signs of gang activity. Jim Bays said he was excited to see Asha's news about an online academy. She said that she is working to get more online and homeschooled families' input to see if there is enough interest to make an online academy in our district feasible. Letters went out Friday asking for input and letting people know that there is an online academy forum in the Commons on May 18th. There is also a survey that they can take online.
SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
Mr. Green said that he and Steve Madsen met with Sam Wallen, FVRLD librarian, last Friday, along with Al Swindell, City Council Member, and Steve Branz, Woodland Public Works Director, to begin a conversation about shared facilities in our community. He was encouraged by the interest and said that door has been opened by this discussion. He suggested that it be part of the discussion at the next WQCC meeting. Steve Madsen said that they expressed concern about using future facilities at the Dike Road property because of the desire to keep the library in the community, when a new High School is built. They would rather use an area at the future modified WMS site.
A postcard will go out tomorrow about how the District is dealing with the State budget crisis. It talks about how well the District is prepared for State budget issues. It also invites the public to a brown bag lunch on May 18th.
Michael reminded the Board that the next Board meeting will be at Yale School.
He said that he is hearing very little from the State about budget at this time. Jim Bays and Michael met to discuss the possibility of staff reduction. Michael believes that it isn't wise to reduce staff at this time. He said that unless there is a worse budget than has been proposed by legislators so far, the District's general fund is looking good for next year. The Board discussed the State budget and how it could affect the District. They did not choose to discuss reducing staff at this time.
CORRESPONDENCE
WSSDA Thank You The Board received a thank you from WSSDA for hosting the April 13th regional meeting.
Letter from Cowlitz Elections Regarding Redistricting The Board received a letter that said that director districts won't change for those who are up for election this year. The districts will change next year.
CITIZENS REQUESTS
Mariah Reese said that the PTO will receive a grant check from NEA for a greenhouse and garden at Yale School. The Board discussed this with Mariah.
BOARD REPORTS AND REQUESTS
Bill Woodard said that the Athletic Handbook committee meeting met last week. Paul Huddleston said that he had concerns about athletic participation and game participation. Paul is working on ideas for this. Bill said there may be a future policy revision request from this group to address athletic issues. The Board discussed this with John Shoup.
Steve Madsen reported that he felt the Woodland Team did really well at the Mock Trial. He was impressed by our students, and said that they were more prepared, better behaved, and took the experience more seriously than the other team. Jim Bays said that he appreciates how much time that Steve put into this process.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
WMS Fine ArtsMichael Smith gave a presentation of the Middle School's Fine Arts program. Michael, who is a practicing artist, brings a world of experience to his students at the Middle School. He also teaches photography at the High School. He teaches his students history through art by using different mediums Students are educated about classic art pieces and what was going on in the world when these pieces were created. He likes bringing in professional artists to allow his students to ask questions and get a different perspective from them. He has begun teaching his students computer animation. His students visit art museums and they have had their work displayed in galleries. They enter judged art events every year and one of his goals is to start doing electronic portfolios. The Board was very impressed with Mr. Smith's presentation judged art events every year and one of his goals is to start doing electronic portfolios. The Board was very impressed with Michael Smith's presentation.
Policy Amendments: 2121,2151,3230,4215These amendments were based on a conversation from last month's Board meeting regarding electronic cigarettes. They all now include "electronic cigarettes" specifically in the language. These revisions will be on the next agenda for second reading and approval.
Transportation Benefit District DiscussionThis item was added shortly before the Board meeting, as Michael received the information late in the day. Mr. Green had the Board review the letters between Rep. Orcutt and the City and information regarding the City's transportation that will be discussed at Open House, Chamber of Commerce and WQCC meetings. Michael said that the State won't consider the Scott Street project until a Transportation Benefit District has been created. There are different options. One is to create an annual vehicle license fee, not subject to voter approval; another is to have a sales tax for either within the City boundaries or just for businesses in that area, subject to voter approval. The City has requested interest in testifying Monday, or getting a letter of support. The Board discussed this. Steve Madsen said he would try to attend the meeting on Monday, as he has had experience with this type of issue in other cities in the area. He believes that the Board should approve a resolution supporting the Scott Street project. All the Board agreed that this project would be a benefit to the School District. Michael will write a letter of support and have a resolution prepared for the next Board meeting.
CONSENT AGENDA
Bill Woodard moved to approve the consent agenda as presented.
Steve Madsen yes Tina Cayton yesBill Woodard yes Janice Watts yes carried
PUBLIC HEARING
Public Hearing Regarding Woodland School District Annex to Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan for Cowlitz CountyJim Bays opened the hearing at 8:18pm. To qualify for FEMA funds after a disaster, the District needs to have a Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Board reviewed the annex to the plan and discussed it. Steve Madsen was concerned that the plan doesn't address a major dam failure. Tegan Steen has been attending meetings regarding planning for a major dam failure with the Cowlitz County Emergency Manager, Grover Laseke, Woodland Fire Dept., Woodland Police, Red Cross, WSDOT, Cowlitz Sheriff's Dept and other agencies. The Board discussed the information. The hearing closed at 8:32pm.
ACTION ITEMS
Approval of Resolution No. 2544-Woodland School District #404 Hazard Mitigation Plan
Bill Woodard moved to approve Resolution No. 2544-Woodland School District #404 Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Steve Madsen yes Tina Cayton yes Bill Woodard yesJanice Watts yes carried
Approval of Fees for 2011-2012 School YearEach principal was asked to look at their annual building fees charged. The Board received this list and discussed the fees. Board members were concerned about charging fees for language workbooks at the High School.
Steve Madsen moved to approve the Fees for the 2011-2012 school year, less the language workbook fees.
Janice Watts noBill Woodard noTina Cayton yes Steve Madsen yes Jim Bays yes carried
Approval of Resolution No. 2543-Delegating Authority to WIAAThis is an annual resolution delegating authority to WIAA.
Bill Woodard moved to approve Resolution No. 2543-Delegating Authority to WIAA.
Steve Madsen yes Tina Cayton yes Bill Woodard yes Janice Watts yes carried
ADJOURNMENT
President, Jim Bays, adjourned the meeting of the Board of Directors at 8:55pm.
ATTEST:
_______________________________ Secretary to the Board
WOODLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT #404 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
____________________________________ President
____________________________________ Director