MEMBERS
PRESENT

Janice Watts, Jim Bays, Tina Cayton, Steve Madsen, Michael Green-Board Secretary and Vicky Barnes-Recording Secretary

OTHERS PRESENT

Stacy Brown, Judy Whalen, Nick Massie, Steve Hallstrom, Lindsey Hill, Steven Carney, Malinda Huddleston, Deb Kernen, Jake Hall, Lesa Beucher, Dan Uhlenkott, John Shoup

CITIZEN’S COMMENTS

ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS

There were no citizen’s comments on non-agenda items

APPROVAL OF BOARD ABSENCES

Director Tina Cayton moved to approve the absence of Director Donald.

Janice Watts - yes

Jim Bays - yes

Tina Cayton - yes

Steve Madsen - yes

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Director Steve Madsen moved to approve the October 26, 2015 regular meeting minutes.

Janice Watts - yes

Jim Bays - yes

Tina Cayton - yes

Steve Madsen - yes

REPORTS TO THE BOARD

Special Education Report

Concerning the Special Education Report, Director Tina Cayton asked Special Education Director Deb Kernen if this was the first time the Partners in Transition students had done a field trip of this type.  Deb Kernen said field trips were an important element of this program, adding that this was the first time they had visited this venue, the World of Speed museum.

Superintendent’s Report

Superintendent Michael Green reported the change orders for the construction project are being worked through and the last change order should be presented for consideration at the next board meeting. He said the kitchen in the high school has appliance issues that are also being addressed. He also reported that the school administrative team went to Wenatchee last week for Transforming Professional Learning and believes it will pay dividends in the future.

CORRESPONDENCE

There was no correspondence.

BOARD REPORTS, REQUESTS, AND COMMENTS

Director Jim Bays asked the board to consider putting microphones and speakers in the board room to help with sound in the back of the room.

Director Steve Madsen added that the board may consider the possibility of videotaping board meetings to post to the public and aide in communication with the community.

President Janice Watts asked Woodland High School Principal John Shoup about adult participation in the program that had replaced “Challenge Day.” Principal Shoup said the program they are doing is called “Be The Change” and is sponsored by United Way. Students are trained to run the program in the school so there is no longer the need for substantial community participation.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

There was a power point report presented to the board on Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying given by Woodland K-4, Woodland Middle School, and Woodland High School.

Steve Carney introduced Lindsey Hill the counselor at K-4 who is the coach for Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS). Lindsey explained PBIS is a

proactive approach that gives skills and tools to staff and students to build a positive school culture where HIB are minimized and to identify and aid in responding to incidents of HIB when they do occur  Some examples that are being implemented are being a “bucket filler,” universal screening and intervention, and providing professional learning experiences to educate staff. She said some of the next steps they hope to take include becoming a compassionate and trauma sensitive school, continued implementation of Response to Intervention, and supporting all learners and create a family and community resource center on campus.

Principal Jake Hall reported that Woodland Middle School is at the very beginning stage of implementing PBIS school wide.   Students who need behavioral support participate in “check in/check out” and “think tank.” These programs allow students to earn positive rewards, set daily goals and gives opportunity for the students to talk one-on-one with an adult to set goals, review their day and receive positive feedback. He noted that school-wide expectations are posted in every classroom or common area and that staff communicates with both students and families that Woodland Middle School has a “zero” tolerance policy.

Principal John Shoup reported that for Woodland High School the staff does a great job of mediating conflicts and that staff members also model healthy behavior and uses common language— “Choose, Notice, Act”, to help set expectations of the students. Principal Shoup said he also uses a senior exit survey to check in with graduating students and to see if they experienced significant harassment from other students and if they felt Woodland High School provided a safe learning environment. The results from the surveys provide evidence that the staff take bullying very seriously; have created a culture where it is not acceptable or tolerated; and, that the school has systems in place which support the students if they are feeling bullied or harassed.

Director Janice Watts asked if WMS students who were participating in check in/check out and think tank at the end of the school year were they automatically put into it the next year.

Principal Hall said that by and large they do, but each case is looked at individually and decisions are based on individual student needs.

Director Jim Bays asked about the time frame that staff is made aware of a conflict, how does it go from a problem to harassment, bullying or intimidation? 

Principal Shoup said counselors help in this area, but sometimes a parent will come to us and it is something the student has not communicated to staff. He said once we are made aware of it, we deal with it. Principal Hall said he views each one as an opportunity to build the culture of WMS and takes it very seriously. 

Director Tina Cayton asked if the principals would say there are a lot of parents calling in with concerns. Principal Carney said his staff are instructed to report, track and be proactive with any concerns and all the principals agreed it was a small percentage. 

Director Janice Watts noted she has seen a decrease in the expressions of concern and hadn’t heard anything in over a year and a half from the community.

Director Steve Madsen said some of it was learned at home and that parents sometimes aren’t part of the solution. Principal Steve Carney said that is why it is important to educate our community about what the right response is to support kids and help them to feel safe. Part of their next steps is to develop a school-based Family/Community Resource Center which can be a valuable tool in addressing this problem as well.

Annual Alternative Learning Experience Program Updates and First Reading of Revisions to Policy 2255.

Superintendent Michael Green noted each of the ALE schools had their annual reports. He also noted that Policy 2255 had been updated to address Bridges Academy and some clean-up for consistency in wording of the policy.

Director Janice Watts asked if the reason Bridges Academy students did not participate in Woodland High School Graduation was because those students had to only meet the state graduation requirements, which are currently lower than Woodland requirements.   Superintendent Michael Green said that was correct but with the statewide implementation of the 24 credit diploma that difference is being eliminated.

Director Jim Bays asked about the involvement of parents in the WHS Lewis River Academy program as well as the enrollment compared to last year. Principal John Should said the expectations are for parent to be highly involved in helping their students be accountable for quality work  He shared that the program currently has eight (8) students enrolled which is down from last year. He said students are required to come in to test but most come in more often, many, several times a week, to take advantage of the learning labs. He said students have weekly communication with a teacher.

First Reading Revisions to policy 5610.

Superintendent Michael Green explained a paragraph had been added to the policy to keep the district more competitive in attracting certificated substitutes by doing an annual comparison study of surrounding districts. He also said what constituted a half-day and a full-day had been defined.

CONSENT AGENDA

Director Jim Bays moved to approve the consent agenda.

Janice Watts - yes

Jim Bays - yes

Tina Cayton - yes

Steve Madsen – yes

ACTION ITEMS

Change of November 23, 2015 Board Meeting time and Venue.

Superintendent Michael Green explained the move was due to a reception at Woodland High School in honor of the retiring directors.

Director Tina Cayton moved to approve changing the November 23, 2015 board meeting time to 5:30 pm and the venue to Woodland High School Library

Janice Watts - yes

Jim Bays - yes

Tina Cayton - yes

Steve Madsen – yes 

Change of December Board meeting Schedule.

Superintendent Michael Green explained this change was to move the December board meeting to earlier in the month and if needed allow the option of a second board meeting to approve consent agenda if needed.

Director Steve Madsen moved to approve changing the December board meeting from December 21st to December 14, and reserve the option of a “consent agenda only” meeting at the end of December, if needed.

Janice Watts - yes

Jim Bays - yes

Tina Cayton - yes

Steve Madsen – yes

Settlement Agreement with McGranahan Architects, PS and Kramer Gehlen & Associates.

Director Tina Cayton moved to approve the settlement agreement with McGranahan Architects, PS and Kramer Gehlen & Associates.

Janice Watts - yes

Jim Bays - yes

Tina Cayton - yes

Steve Madsen – yes

Approval of policies 3141, 5202, 5222, 5231, 5251 and 5253.

Superintendent Michael Green drew the board’s attention to minor changes in policy 3141 Rev. 2.1, which added detail to admission or denial of students, and to policy 5231 Rev. 2, which added language from the WAC concerning meal and rest periods for employees.

Director Tina Cayton moved to approve policies 3141, 5202, 5222, 5231, 5251 and 5253 as presented.

Janice Watts - yes

Jim Bays - yes

Tina Cayton - yes

Steve Madsen – yes

Approval of Substitute Teacher Pay Rates for 2015-2016.

Superintendent Michael Green asked the board to consider for approval an increase in the certificated substitute pay rate to $80.00 per half-day and $140.00 per full day.

The board asked clarifying questions concerning the need for more subs. Superintendent Green responded there was a state wide shortage and when a substitute is not available the district must pay teacher’s to work their preparation period which is more expensive or cancel P.E. classes. Director Steve Madsen asked what the substitute budget was at and Business Manager Stacy Brown estimated over $200,000.00 for certificated substitutes.

Director Steve Madsen moved approve the substitute teacher pay rates for 2015-2016, effective October 11, 2015.

Janice Watts - yes

Jim Bays - yes

Tina Cayton - yes

Steve Madsen – yes

Curriculum Adoption - “The Life of Fredrick Douglass.”

Director Tina Cayton moved to approve the curriculum adoption of “The Life of Fredrick Douglass.”

Janice Watts - yes

Jim Bays - yes

Tina Cayton - yes

Steve Madsen - yes

ADJOURNMENT

President Janice Watts adjourned the meeting of the Board of Directors at 6:35 p.m.

ATTEST:

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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