School Board Minutes
Call to Order: Meeting called to order at
Pledge of Allegiance
Establish Quorum: Board members present were Judith Palmer, Don Secena, Lisa Norskog and Steve Mittge. Quorum established.
Eldon Lonborg would like to add item “b”, compensation for post-season competitions, to New Business on the agenda. Bob Johnson would like to add an executive session for a personnel issue. The board will grant him five minutes prior to the executive session already scheduled.
Superintendent Lonborg swore in the elected board members and personally thanked them all for running for office again. In compliance with policy 1210, Judith Palmer introduced herself and all board members, and then called for nominations for board chair, vice-chair and chair pro-tem. Steve Mittge nominated Judith Palmer as board chair, Lisa Norskog seconded. Passed unanimously. Judith called for nominations of Vice-Chair. Don Secena nominated Steve Mittge for vice-chair, Lisa Norskog seconded. Passed unanimously. Judith then called for nominations for the chair pro-tem position. Steve Mittge nominated Lisa Norskog, Don Secena seconded. Passed unanimously.
Special Recognition: Superintendent Eldon Lonborg recognized all five board members for the time and service they put in for our school and community. He then read a proclamation from Governor Gregoire, and handed out certificates of election and appreciation. Eldon personally thanked the board for their obvious support of our school and especially their sincere interest in the success of our students.
Correspondence: Judith Palmer went over correspondence. Letter of thanks and certificate from the Red Cross for the use of our elementary facilities for the recent flood victim shelter, and a grant award from Twin Star Credit Union to Gwen Kruger, our second grade teacher.
Judith Palmer called for a recess at 5:49 pm for the purpose of the open the public meeting for the Capital Projects Fund Budget Extension. Eldon Lonborg covered the reasons for the revision to the budget with board and community members. Judith asked if there were any public comments or questions. Steve Reinitz asked if there was capacity built in for roof repair. Eldon responded yes. Having no other comment from the community, Eldon recommended the board pass the revision as presented. Re-entered regular board meeting at 5:52 p.m.
Community Comments: Steve Reinitz updated the board on Wes Reinitz’s senior project. They are progressing and hopefully will be done by the time spring sports start. Judith Palmer wondered if any other student joined Wes on the project to help out. Steve reported no other student has joined in.
Minutes: Steve Mittge moved to approve the minutes as corrected. Seconded by Lisa Norskog. Passed unanimously.
Reports
Business: LeeRae Ball reported to the board that with the end of year process, sick leave buy back, 1099’s and W2’s, it has made this a very busy and productive month for the business office. We did not have to borrow any money from the County Treasurer this month, mostly due to the Impact Aid dollars coming in, but also an increase in our apportionment of almost $144,000.00 due to January adjustments to actuals.
Board Committees: Steve Mittge reported they have not yet scheduled a meeting for policy review. Eldon reported on the Levy Committee, and passed out an informational flyer the district will be sending out to all residents as a bulk mailing. He explained that this is a draft form, and would like any suggestions or changes the board may have and get back to him. Judith Palmer asked if it was possible to get something put into the Vidette. Eldon felt that having already published in the Cruiser, and sending this information out to all residents via bulk mailing, we should reach all our voters through these outlets. We need to be careful about the information sent out by the school. It can only be informational and factual without prompting any votes one way or the other.
Principals: Sheryl O’Brien reported that they have been meeting with the Chehalis Tribal Head Start and the community daycare, Country Kids, and are scheduling visits to the school from both. They’re hope is by keeping these vital communications open, this will help bring together a cohesive program for our students. The Tribal Parent committee continues to meet on a regular basis and have been involved in several activities for our schools. Tom Phimister reported Semester ended last Friday and Lesley should have report cards ready to go out in the next couple of days. Senior graduation is June 7, at 4:00 p.m. We will let you know more about the details at a future meeting. On February 5th, Tom & Lesley will be meeting with WSIPC to finalize steps for “Parent Access” on the Skyward web system. This will enable parents to go onto our student data system and view grades, assignments, absences, etc., and have better communication with their child’s teachers. They are hoping to have a trial run month soon. We also have WASL testing coming up soon and will be concentrating our efforts especially on those seniors who need to pass a couple of tests before graduating.
Superintendent: Eldon Lonborg passed out copies of the USDA response to our rural development grant application. At this point, we are still in the running for some possible funding. This appears to be limited to $12,000 to $15,000, which would not cover the cost of the needed roof repairs. Eldon is exploring options to cover the remaining costs. He covered a few of the maintenance items that need to be addressed soon. He is looking into a traffic safety program that will be in conjunction with the Chehalis Tribe. He may also be bringing in an Affirmative Action policy for some minor language update for adoption at the next board meeting. OSPI has a deadline of April 15th for us to have our written financial plan to get out of receivership worked up and submitted to them, and ESD 113, for approval. Part of their requirement is to have a policy for district fund balance, which he will probably be proposing at least five percent. He will be bringing this to the board in the near future. He then let the board know he had the letter prepared for the superintendent search process. He would like to get this in the mail to colleagues, and posted, as soon as possible, so would like the board members to read over and edit if necessary. Stephanie Pickernell and Steve Mittge met, and spoke, with many of our staff members at school several days earlier. Eldon proposed a reorganization of administration staff and having a full time Superintendent/K-3 principal position. He proposed the 4-12, or secondary principal position to remain as it is, and the current elementary principal position that Sheryl O’Brien holds be gone. He then told the board that our window of opportunity is small, and he feels we should begin our search as soon as possible. Lisa Norskog asked for clarification of the positions. Eldon explained our state funding does not fully cover the current administration FTE (full time equivalency). His goal with this proposal is to reduce the administration FTE to closer match our state funding. A long discussion session was held with several community and staff questions and comments concerning Sheryl’s leaving, and the dissolving of her position. The basic consensus of the group was to ask the board to consider their options carefully, and supported keeping Sheryl on as principal. Eldon and the board assured everyone that the administrative change does not in any way show any disrespect for Sheryl, this decision is not an easy, or personal one. They must look at what is best for the district and students as a whole. The district’s financial state is, and must be, a top priority. The task set before them is not an easy one, but ultimately their responsibility. Eldon then asked the board to consider the implementation of supplemental contracts/stipends for the coaches whose season is extended due to state play, or post-season play.
Consent Agenda: Steve Mittge moved to approve consent agenda as presented; payroll @ $186,388.96, General Fund accounts payable @ $70,089.14, ASB accounts payable @$3,053.78 and Capital Projects @ $11,284.86. Seconded by Don Secena. Passed unanimously.
Old Business:
a. None
New Business:
Executive
Session: Superintendent Evaluation.
Judith Palmer called for the additional executive session requested by Bob Johnson for the length of five minutes for a personnel issue, and then continue on with the executive session for the superintendent evaluation for approximately 1 hour. Sheryl O’Brien then also requested an additional few minutes of executive session for a personnel matter. Executive session was entered at 7:24 p.m.
The board re-entered regular session at 9:07 p.m.
Steve Mittge moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:08 p.m. Seconded by Lisa Norskog. Passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned.
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_________________________________ January 28, 2007