MEMBERS PRESENT

Janice Watts, Sarah Stuart, Lesa Beuscher, Matt Donald, Steve Madsen, Michael Green-Board Secretary, and Nicole Galloway-Recording Secretary

OTHERS PRESENT

Asha Riley, Deb Kernen, Stacy Brown, Dan Uhlenkott, John Shoup, Jason Cowley, Steven Carney, Jennifer Crosby, Jake Hall, Emily Swett, Ingrid Colvard and Andrea Edwards.

CALL TO ORDER

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

CONSENT AGENDA

Director Matt Donald moved to approve the consent agenda.

Director Watts – yes
Director Stuart – yes
Director Beuscher – yes
Director Donald – yes
Director Madsen - yes

WORKSHOP

This month’s workshop was a study of the turnaround principles number 2, 3 & 7. The board members invited the principals and one teacher from each school to present their self-assessments, next steps, and goals for each of the principles.

Principle #2 – Ensures that teachers are effective and able to improve instruction by reviewing quality of all staff and retaining only those who are determined to be effective, preventing ineffective teachers from transferring to other schools; and by providing job embedded, ongoing professional development informed by the teacher evaluation a and tied to teacher and student needs.

Assistant Superintendent, Asha Riley, started by explaining principle #2 to the board and shared the Danielson’s Rubric outline on how our district evaluates the teachers. Each principal and teacher were provided five minutes to provide the school’s overview to the board members.

Ingrid Colvard shared that the school year started at the primary level with an in-depth look at student behavior management. She explained that by getting a better understanding and control of student behavior allows more time for effective teaching and learning. Andrea Edwards, a 1^st grade teacher, explained that the teaching team works hard together to analyze data, set goals and learn how different techniques work to touch each and every student. They believe the every child belongs to everyone. They also shared that the classified staff is being utilized to their fullest ability and they, too, have professional learning time.

Steve Carney and Ingrid Colvard work very closely together as a K-4 team. Mr. Carney explained that the intermediate staff took time this year to educate all staff on behavior training. He also explained that professional development has a direct impact on student achievement. He was joined by Jennifer Crosby, a 3^rd grade teacher. Jennifer talked about the professional learning community (PLC) at the intermediate. Director Donald asked if they had all the electronic tools needs to communicate effectively as a team. Jennifer said they did have all the tools but not enough time.

Woodland Middle School principal, Jake Hall, talked about the TLC team at the middle school level and how it is used to gather ideas from all staff and help everyone grow. Teacher, Emily Swett, talked about the use of Professional Development Days and how hard the middle school team has worked with the new configuration at the middle school.

John Shoup, high school principal, explained that Assistant Principal, Dan Uhlenkott, and he regularly discuss the teacher evaluation models with each teacher. He also noted the tremendous work that Shari Conditt does with the teaching community at the high school. English teacher, Jason Cowley, talked about the PLC and how the team has discovered the most effective way to work through differences is to learn together. They use webinars or book studies to grow as a team.

Principle #3 – Redesign the school day, week, or year to include additional time for student learning and teacher collaboration.

John Shoup started the presentation of principle #3. He provided the weekly schedule showing how the department meetings are held every Monday morning during the late start. He also explained the 20 minutes in the middle of each day called advisory period that allows the students to move around to the teachers to get the help they need. This has proven to be a valuable asset to the students and teachers.

Mr. Hall talked about the work done on the master schedule at the middle school. He talked about how each teacher has 45 minutes Tuesday through Friday for a collaboration period. Emily Swett explained the extension block that provides alternatives for those high-achieving students or extra help for kids that are struggling. Each student has a colored card; red is for students who are struggling to learn content and skills, yellow, representing students who need a little more help and support, and green, which indicates students who are meeting and exceeding standards. Director Watts asked if the middle school provided any options for 8^th graders to get credits prior to entering high school. Mr. Hall noted that math and jazz band are options but would be interested into looking into adding more credit courses.

Mr. Carney explained that collaboration time was very limited at the intermediate school. Most of it is done during the late start Mondays. Jennifer Crosby talked about the “Tiers of intervention” that they currently use. (Very similar to colored cards at the middle school) Tier 1 is for all student learning, tier 2 is for students that are struggling in certain parts, and tier 3 is for students who are lacking the fundamental skills and need significant support. Woodland Intermediate does have a homework club after school one day a week that all students can attend, and bus transportation is provided.

Mrs. Colvard and the primary team is also using a tiered intervention model. They have changed the daily schedule to allow 30 minutes per grade level to maximum the time for tier 2 and tier 3. Next year they plan to provide more cross learning time and adjust to increase technology structures.

The complete group discussed the potential negatives and positives with redesigning the school calendar year and going toward a “year-round” schedule and the addition of more professional development days.

Principle #7 – Provide ongoing mechanisms for family and community engagement.

Asha Riley explained that this principle is all about how each school communicates and interacts with parents and the community.

Steven Carney shared that PTSA was working with K-8 to increase level involvement. He was also planning to use the results from the parent survey to have conversations that matter meetings.

Jake Hall and Emily Swett shared all the positive events that Woodland Middle School holds to involve parents, such as pride night, lunch & lockers, student of the month assemblies. They also are working hard to make sure all documents and newsletters are offered in Spanish. Lastly, teachers are expected to offer email updates to parents on a weekly bases.

Mr. Shoup did note that parent involvement was very limited at the high school level. All the staff at the high school agree that parent involvement is a growth area.

Ingrid Colvard noted that no parent is on a leadership team at the primary school but would like to see that changed in the near future. Her plan is to start a quarterly open forum night called cookies and conversation.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

President Watts recessed the regular meeting at 8:23 for an executive session under RCW 42.30.110(1)(g). At 8:47 p.m. President Watts reconvened in open session.

ADJOURNMENT

President Watts adjourned at 8:48 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