WOODLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 404 DIRECTOR'S MEETING MINUTES
February 8, 2016, 5:00 p.m. Regular Meeting-District Meeting Room
MEMBERS PRESENT
Janice Watts, Sarah Stuart, Lesa Beucher, Matt Donald, Steve Madsen, Michael Green-Board Secretary and Vicky Barnes-Recording Secretary
OTHERS PRESENT
Lan Ha, Dan Uhlenkott, John Shoup, Deb Kernen, Angela Campbell, Steven Carney, Stacy Brown, Asha Riley, Scott Landrigan, Lynnel Tsugawa-Murray, Juliann McCarthy, Paul Huddleston, Malinda Huddleston
CITIZEN’S COMMENTS
ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
There were no citizen’s comments on non-agenda items.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Director Donald moved to approve the minutes from the January 25, 2016, board meeting.
Director Watts – yes
Director Beuscher – yes
Director Donald - yes
Director Madsen - yes
REPORTS TO THE BOARD
Director Donald commented that there was great information in the reports to the board. He asked about the Athletic report and the classification of 2A. Woodland High School principal John Shoup replied the student numbers have been on the bubble for years. Superintendent Michael Green said previously it was a two-year cycle but has now been changed to a four-year cycle.
Director Madsen commented on the CTE report and said he was amazed at how much the students in FBLA were doing. He asked how involved the private sector was in this program. Superintendent Michael Green said there is some involvement but the desire would be to increase the advisory capacity from the public sector.
CORRESPONDENCE
There was no correspondence.
BOARD REPORTS, REQUESTS, AND COMMENTS
Director Madsen asked for clarification of the term equity in relationship to the board conference Superintendent Michael Green invited the board to attend in May. Superintendent Michael Green said the students come to school with varying degrees of preparation for school because of factors such as ethnicity, family income, home language, adverse or supportive childhood experiences, etc. The concept of equity is about developing educational supports that serve to level the field so that all children have an equitable opportunity to learn. Director Madsen stated that equity was akin to Social Justice. Superintendent Green concurred.
Director Madsen shared his concern regarding equity as it relates to how we communicate with parents and students via electronic means. He that noted in as a parent, he receives eight to ten emails a week from the school concerning his student. The emails remind parents of upcoming tests, due dates and projects and are helpful interactions with the teacher. The local internet provider in the Yale Valley doesn’t offer a discount similar to that offered by Comcast. As a result, all of the families don’t have that same opportunities when it comes to communication. Superintendent Michael Green said it is an important reminder to the administrators to use different forms of communication, not just electronic so as to ensure open communication with parents. He said as students get into high school they are able to check out chromebooks and work on projects or documents without internet availability at the home.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Superintendent Michael Green explained since the board is a substantially new board and is charged with setting the path forward with our students, he had set up a schedule for schools and programs to give detailed presentations to the board. He asked the board what they would like to learn from the presentations so a framework could be developed to ensure the presentations address the board’s questions. Director Stuart asked if the presentations that are concerning the schools could have the board meeting held at the school that night to help the board get familiar with the facility. Superintendent Michael Green said that was possible. Director Donald asked about the technology aspects and school safety as well as traffic in general at the schools. He also asked about Common Core, how the lockers at Woodland Middle School were doing and the lunch programs at each school. He wondered how the change in locations and grades was going, as well as how communication and collaboration is going between teachers. Director Stuart asked about the equity programs that are in place at each school. President Watts asked about the after school programs and the access to help students have either before or after school. She also said she was familiar with high school students needing credits to graduate and would like to know what the expectations are for the other schools in terms of either seat time or mastery of the core subjects to be advanced to the next grade. Director Beucher asked about the security at each school. Director Madsen said he would like to have more information about the KWRL interaction with the schools. Superintendent Michael Green said he would talk to KWRL Transportation Director Shannon Barnett about addressing crowding on buses and the hybrid model used in Woodland.
CONSENT AGENDA
Director Donald asked Athletic Director Paul Huddleston is he was excited about the new hire of a football coach. Paul replied he was very excited.
Director Madsen moved to approve the consent agenda.
Director Stuart - yes
Director Madsen – yes
ACTION ITEMS
Second Reading and Approval of Revision to Policy 1400
Director Donald asked if the administrators had given any feedback on the change to a 5:30 p.m. start time for board meetings. Superintendent Michael Green said they were grateful it wasn’t 7:00 p.m.
Director Stuart moved to approve the revision to Policy 1400.
Director Watts - yes
Director Beuscher - yes
ADJOURNMENT
President Watts ended the meeting at 5:26 p.m. to go into Executive session and Closed session with no decisions to be made.
President Watts opened the meeting at 6:17 and immediately adjourned it at 6:17 p.m.
ATTEST:
_______________________________ Secretary to the Board
WOODLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT #404 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
____________________________________ President
____________________________________ Director