Oakville School District
School Board Minutes
April 30, 2007
Call to Order: Meeting called to order at 5:08 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance
Establish Quorum: Board members present were Judith Palmer, Stephanie Pickernell and Steve Mittge. Quorum established.
Special Recognition: Brian recognized Jean Simmons, Director, and Sue Bennett, Cook, from food service. He wanted everyone to know of the extra “above and beyond” that our staff do for our students. They have gone on field trips, after school projects, etc. They were presented with new red chefs uniforms.
Correspondence: Judith Palmer presented each correspondence. Discussion was held. Judith wanted to know if Brian spoke with Emily Peters, the sub who wrote the letter of concern. Brian says he has contacted her and also extended the invitation hoping she will come back to sub here in the future.
Community Comments: George Robinson was reading The Cruiser and there was a couple of articles in the Cruiser. He read one from a student thanking the district for the trip…. Then one about how these were funded. His concern is the issues of all the things that need to be fixed in the school, why are you taking our tax dollars to send students on these trips. He feels it’s quite inappropriate. He is upset that his tax dollars are being used for these trips instead of the things we told the voters we were going to repair have not been done yet.
Brian addressed him by saying he was absolutely correct about the maintenance items listed on the board in front of the elementary. He pledges these items will be done. Our district is committed to see them completed. He explained that when he first came on, he did not replace staff to help our budgetary overspending. His continued goal for the district is that each grade level has an authentic experience. Such as attending an orchestral concert, summer job experiences for sophomores, senior projects, etc. Each of these trips are geared so they are not just vacations, but academic experiences as well. While I look into the future, the two goals that stand out are to continue to reduce our staff to student ratio through attrition, and at the same time improve our student standards. We are trying to find this balance and become one of the finest schools in the state of Washington.
The budget committee also pointed out that there were some things in the budget that we did not do. We had planned a trip to Washington DC which we were unable to do this year.
Ruth Bravetti was thanking the community member for bringing this up. She did not agree that the district should have been budgeting 20,000.00 for these trips. She was concerned that the district is going to continue to cut staff, while adding an additional staff person in the district office, administration, etc.
Steve Reinitz spoke in favor of the trips.
Another community member mentioned she would like to see the students have to raise the funds themselves.
Steve spoke to understanding how the community felt. He also commented about how when you go through the process of interviewing and hiring, that at some point, you need to trust the administration you have put in place.
Judith also spoke on the levy dollar goals, and also the small repairs grant Sheryl wrote . These items will be completed, we take spending tax payers money seriously. On the other hand, making our district more appealing to the students is just as important.
Minutes: Steve Mittge moved to approve minutes for all three months. Seconded by Stephanie Pickernell. Passed unanimously.
Reports:
Superintendent: Dr. Metke went over the letters students gave for their senior project. Judith asked that in the first letter from Cassy South, Kyla Broughton, and the other student, she wanted to know if the 10,000.00 plus listed on the letter would be a district expense, or if they would be raising these funds? Dr. Metke said these would be district funds. The students are putting this proposal to the facilities committee. Judith asked if facilities gives a thumbs up, it will still have to come to the board for approval? Judith would like to see if there are grant dollars out there available and see if students could elicit more donations such as what they did with the paint and supplies for the library. Judith Palmer asked about the letter from Cassy South for her request to work in the HS office to help pay for her trip to California. Brian said this is something that will have to be looked into further. He did not receive this letter until this a.m. on his desk. He will have the management team look into this.
Business: Sandy talked about the audit being complete and that there were three findings and our exit conference being at 3:00 p.m. this Thursday.
Board Committees: Stephanie Pickernell spoke on the reviewing of the accounts payable by her, Judith Palmer and Sandy Tuengel. There were a couple of questions, but no outstanding concerns. Questions were answered to their satisfaction.
Principals: Kevin Acuff spoke on the WASL and reaching students to help keep them aware of all aspects, whether pass or fail, so they can keep their goals in sight. Stephanie asked about student credits possibly keeping them from taking the WASL because they did not qualify as a sophomore. Kevin said yes, we do this, and students are aware of this aspect of failing the WASL also, but no student has been denied the opportunity to take the WASL. Tom let the board know that the seventh graders are done. The most important part of these tests is to make sure each student completes the test 100%. It is vital that students make up any part they were absent for because this will result in a 0%, and bring the overall scores down. Sheryl asked the board for ratification of the Title VII grant to be submitted. It was drawn up by the Native Parent Group and staff members.
Tom Phimister wanted to back up a bit and say one more thing on the WASL. He wanted to let them know that they were not the ones to administer the test, and he wanted to thank all the teachers who were actually in the trenches so to speak, and helped their students prepare for these tests all year long. This is a stressful time for both the students and teachers. They deserve a big hand. Judith Palmer reiterated the fact that all staff work hard and it is appreciated.
Superintendent: Brian reported on the budget committee overview. The department heads have started to meet with the committee and next month we are focusing on the ASB which had several hits with the auditors this year. He also spoke about the HOSTS program and wanted the board to know that the person who got our funding through their grant, came and visited out school with Penny, thought we were funded for next year also, and will be going back to his office to check this out. He was very impressed with our program and the progress students are making. Penny also passed out the results of the HOSTS program. There has been significant growth with the students who have been attending the program regularly.
Consent Agenda: There was discussions held between Anita, Ruth and Brian about the staff that were not offered a contract. Stephanie Pickernell asked that we get back to the regular agenda items. Head baseball and assistant baseball coach and summer school staff to be revisited. It was moved by Steve Mittge to accept the consent agenda as presented with the above listed to be revisited, seconded by Stephanie Pickernell. Passed unanimously.
Old Business:
New Business:
Community Comments: None
Future Agenda Items: Covered by Dr. Metke for future board agendas.
Collective bargaining added to executive session. Executive session entered at 8:24 p.m.
Re-entered regular session at 9:53 p.m. Steve Mittge moved to adjourn regular session at 9:53 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
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_________________________________ June 25, 2007