MEMBERS PRESENT

Janice Watts, Sarah Stuart, Lesa Beucher, Steve Madsen, Jamie Gonzales-Student Representative, Michael Green-Board Secretary, and Nicole Galloway-Recording Secretary

OTHERS PRESENT

Asha Riley, Stacy Brown, Eric Jacobson, Jim Bays and Keith Bellisle.

CALL TO ORDER

President Janice Watts called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.

CITIZEN’S COMMENTS

ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS

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

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Director Lesa Beuscher moved to approve the minutes from September 12, 2016.

Director Watts – yes
Director Stuart – yes
Director Beucher – yes
Director Madsen – yes

REPORTS TO THE BOARD

Financial/Enrollment Report - Director Beuscher asked why the largely increased number of running start students. Stacy Brown stated that this number has doubled from last year. She will have a more accurate enrollment number in October/November as full-time running start students have not started school by the time September enrollment data is gathered.. Superintendent Green indicated that there was no hard data at this point only speculation.  He indicated that the two top reasons that students choose Running Start is the financial benefit of two-years of free college education and lack of connection with the “high school experience.”  He informed the board that typically some students will drop out of Running Start after the first quarter and return to the high school.

Student Representative Report – Jamie Gonzales shared her background with the board members. She is a senior who is actively looking into different colleges. She would like to major in Criminal Justice. She noted that she is trying to get a summer internship at the FBI headquarters. She enjoys being very busy and is currently enrolled part-time in the running start program and part time at WHS and active in youth group, FFA, and coaching soccer.

CORRESPONDENCE

There was no correspondence.

BOARD REPORTS, REQUESTS, AND COMMENTS

Director Madsen spoke to the board members about his recent trip to the WSSDA Legislative Assembly in Spokane. He said there were many districts represented and soon realized that Woodland School District is definitely not one of the smallest districts. He noted that the high priorities items seem to lean towards the larger school districts, which didn’t pertain to Woodland School District. He did note that he would like to invite a couple of state representatives to an upcoming board meeting.

Director Beuscher asked about the boundary at Woodland Intermediate School for the students that can walk to school verses the students that have to ride the school bus. Superintendent Green informed the board members that he would get the information from Shannon Barnett, Director of Transportation, and share it with them.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

Communications Report and Planning Review – Eric Jacobson, Communication Coordinator, presented a wide variety of communication information. He started the presentation by giving the overall goals & objectives of the communications program, which were to continue to engage the community; keep parents, community members and local organizations informed; and lastly, to engage our staff. He accomplished these goals by mailing newsletters, sharing stories in newspaper columns and with Robocalls, emailing the weekly featured stories, distributing the board briefs, and using our website and social media.

Mr. Jacobson then asked the board members what they would like to see or suggest for the current school year. Director Stuart talked about how some teachers send home newsletters and how informative they are to her. She noted that not all teachers provide these, but she would like to see all elementary teachers doing this. Director Watts asked if all the schools utilized Eric to about upcoming stories. Eric commented that it was hard at the beginning, but all school are much more comfortable and do reach out to him. He also noted that he enjoys having the opportunity to work with all the schools and seeing behind the scenes of all the stories. Director Madsen mentioned that he would like to see an article about how the McCleary case would impact Woodland. Eric noted that this was a strong idea and would work on that.

Replacement Operations and Maintenance Levy Recommendation – Superintendent Michael Green presented levy information to the board members in an effort to provide them with some education on levies and consider the administrative recommendation for a three-year replacement M&O levy. His presentation covered the different types of levies, how important timing of levy election is, Woodland School District levy history and how we have used levy money in the past years and how other Clark & Cowlitz County schools districts compare to Woodland School District. He recommended a three-year replacement levy with a total M&O collection of $4,500,000 for 2018 with an increase of $250,000 for both 2019 & 2020. The board requested he bring a formal resolution before them with this recommendation.

Effective School Boards: Chapter 7 – The school board discussed the chapter on strengthening the Superintendent-Board partnership. Director Madisen recommended reviewing this chapter before the next superintendent evaluation. Director Watts agreed.

First Reading-Policy No. 4260-Use of School Facilities – Mr. Green said these changes were recommended by Director Donald which provides employees and school board members to use facilities for “Level 2” type activities and will be charged fees on the “Level 1” schedule. Director Madsen asked what type of activities. Superintendent Green said, by way of example, a pick-up basketball game or a Rotary meeting.

CONSENT AGENDA

Director Watts asked Superintendent Green how the exempt employee wage rates were determined. Mr. Green answered that they were developed by comparing wage rates of similar districts for similar positions.

Director Beuscher moved to approve the consent agenda.

Director Watts – yes
Director Stuart – yes
Director Beucher – yes
Director Madsen – yes

ACTION ITEMS

There were no action items.

ADJOURNMENT

President Watts adjourned at 6:58 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