|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2007-2008 schedule of upcoming meetings |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
* Call (360) 332-5881 for meeting agendas The Blaine School Board is a local board, established by the Washington State Legislature. Although each of the five members comes from a different geographical area in the district, all board members are elected by all Blaine Voters. Board members serve a four-year term without pay./P> The board's primary task is to formulate and evaluate all policies necessary for the operation of the school district. The board legal responsibilities are to: * Establish general policy for the school district * Adopt and revise the annual operating budget * Select the Superintendent of Schools * Exercise the power to administer schools conferred by the state legislature * Keep the public informed on the needs and progress of the education system. The Blaine School Board encourages the public to take an active part in the educational affairs of the district and extends an invitation to the community to attend school board meetings. All board meetings are open to the public, with the exception of the executive sessions where personnel, property acquisition, sales, litigation or collective bargaining matters are discussed. During the school year, the board meets on the 4th Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room of the School district Office, (360)332-5881. Written communications to the board should be addressed to the school board chairman and sent to: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Blaine School District |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
765 H Street |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Blaine, WA 98230 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
April 28, 2008 BOARD MEETING REVIEW
The regular monthly meeting was held at the Point Roberts Primary School. The students there gave special presentations that included a Math demonstration, poetry and individual reading to the visitors. It’s wonderful to see such enthusiastic boys and girls! Superintendent Spanjer reported Good News in a variety of areas. We look forward to recognizing National Teacher Appreciation Week from May 4-10. The BHS Math Team earned first place honors at the state contest last weekend. Our high school spring sports teams average over 3.0 GPA. Blaine has many reasons to celebrate! In Action Items, the Directors approved field trips for the 6th and 8th grades, and the high school Honor Society and physics class. Contracts were approved with the Bellingham Beauty School, NWESD189 Learning Resource Cooperative, Professional School Imaging, and OASYS Equipment. The district was pleased to accept a $13,500 donation from ConocoPhillips Company for the Math Championships. Personnel action included accepting letters of resignation from Robb Bouma (HS), Lorelei Arsenault (ES Spec Assoc), Scott Dodd (Coach), and Rosalie Rody (.50 FTE). Dawn Cottnair was rehired as a MS coach. Highlights of the meeting included: * Study and Survey Update: Superintendent Spanjer explained that this report is required as the first step in any Capital Projects improvement plan and will be an available reference for the future. * 180-day Waiver has been approved by the State Board of Education for the next three school years. This provides the district to use three non-student days for staff inservice training. * Levy & Bond Vote Data information is now available by precinct. The directors will meet in June to review this information. * Program Reduction Feedback: Superintendent Spanjer shared a review of the questions brought forward since the April 21 meeting. A summary of responses was also reviewed and will be used as a basis for discussions with staff members. The response document will be available to all employees and the community members. It was emphasized that the Board will not make public comments or complaints specific to individual staff members in this process. * 2008-2009 Calendar was adopted. Watch for it on our district website. * A Special Board Meeting will be held on May 8 at 5:30 PM. * The next board meeting will be on May 27 @ 4:30 PM to provide time for members to attend High School Recognition Night. Please note that this meeting review has not been officially approved by the board. Anyone having questions regarding this information may contact the school district office at 332-5881.Thank you. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
March 25, 2008 Meeting Review The Board of Directors began the meeting with recognition of Don Montfort and Gerald Bladies who served as co-chair of the Community Bond and Levy Committee. President Todd Berge presented each of them with a Certificate of Appreciation for their service to the students and the community. Mr. Bladies and Mr. Montfort expressed sincere gratitude for the efforts of the committee members. “All we had to do was talk about something, and it was done!” During further discussions, it was noted that we are very thankful for the continued firm support shown by Blaine voters for the schools’ M & O election; however, there seems to be a need for providing more information regarding the need for our Capital Improvements. It was also thought that the current economy was a major factor in the election. Contracts were approved for Professional School Imaging (Blaine High, Middle and Primary Schools) and Whatcom Discovery Program in 2008-09. We will also participate in Partnering for Fitness with Lynden School District next year and an equipment agreement with OAYSIS for the primary school was approved. In Personnel Action, the Directors approved Craig Rothwell and Joseph Imperio (HS Volunteer Coach). Resignations were accepted from Tracy Kruse (BHS Spec Associate), Linda Erickson (BPS Spec Associate), and Dan Persse (Athletic Trainer). We thank all of these employees for their service to our students and staff. Deb Cummings shared information on a Science Coaching Demonstration Program Grant. Blaine was one of 25 recipients in the state for a 1.0 FTE instructional coach in the middle and high school science program in the 2008-2009 school year. We are looking forward to having an in-house coach who can observe classrooms and provide immediate feed back and instruction suggestions to staff members. Athletic Director Wayne Vezzetti led a discussion on proposed adjustments to the Athletic Grade Policy for the high school. The Board asked that the document be returned to the May meeting for additional review. It is hoped to have the Grade Policy in place for the start of the 2008-09 school year. Five policies were approved for second reading and adoption. They will be updated on the district web site later this week. Five other policies received first reading and were approved for the agenda next month. Superintendent Spanjer reminded everyone of the visit next Monday of the students from Japan. The free concert will be held at the PAC on Monday, March 31, at 7:00 PM. It promises to be an exciting event. This review is not official minutes of the meeting. Anyone having questions is asked to call the district office at 332-5881.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
February 25, 2008 A reception was held prior to the regular monthly meeting. The directors presented a recognition plaque to Coach Craig Foster and acknowledged the members of our wrestling team for an outstanding season. Kieran Lyons received a certificate of recognition as a National Merit Scholarship finalist. The directors also acknowledged Classified School Employee Week (March 10-14) and State School Retiree’s Appreciation Week (March 17-23). Reports were received from Neil Nix (High School Student Success), Jim Nelson (CTE Vision), Scott Ellis (2008 WASL), School Improvement Plans progress (Building principals). Action Items included First Readings on the following policies: *2320 Student Travel *6620 Special Transportation *2161 Special Education and Related Services *2022 Electronic Information System And Second Reading and final approval on Policy 6001 Fund Balance Reserve In personnel action, the directors approved the employment of Ron Kowalke (girls’ golf), Nikki Hallberg and Cindi Selcho (MS volleyball), and Troy Taubenheim and David Vogee (MS baseball). Carol Ellingson was hired as MS life Skills SPED associate and Tricia Blanco will work 2 hours as Speech Language Pathologist Support. Wesley Thompson was hired as the Lead Maintenance person and Donald Ambrose as Lead Groundskeeper. Dorothy Johnson, Bridget Schulz, Margaret Gahard, Steve Bedow and Ann Marie McAuley were approved for Spring Enrichment class stipends. Other board action included the official acceptance of a donation from BP Corporation for Community Math Night and GEAR UP for Student Success Grant. Contracts were approved for AVID, facility lease with Northwood Alliance. Approval was given to a Construction Management Plan. Superintendent Spanjer shared an update of the Bond and Levy Committee information. It was noted that ballots that arrive at the Blaine Post Office by 4:45 PM on November 11 will be post marked as of that date and will be part of the official count. He reported that the administrative team and staff have begun budget planning for 2008-09 with meetings in each building. The directors set a work session for March 17th @ 5:30 to review a list of 2008-09 budget priorities. The next board meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 24, at 7:00 PM. This meeting review is not official minutes of the meeting. Anyone having questions regarding this information is asked to contact the district office at 332-5881. Thank you. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
January 28, 2008 The Good News items on the agenda included recognition of Dan Persse on the occasion of receipt of his National Board Certification. Dan is a highly skilled and enthusiastic PE/Fitness educator whose efforts have made possible the installation of the elementary climbing wall, as well as The Run to the Border program. He has been recognized as an outstanding state and regional educator and will compete at the National level this spring. We wish him well. Everyone at the meeting paused to express appreciation to our Directors in conjunction with National Board Recognition Month. Our Board members were presented with certificated in recognition of their dedication and commitment. In personnel action: Approved employment of RHONNA BEKKER and GABRIELLE ALLMANN (playground assoc.), ANNA FOLK(Title I assoc.), DAN HOLLOD and BRANDON WHITE (HS baseball coach), SHELI MOORE (MS volleyball coach), LISA BLAIR (food service). Letters of resignation were accepted from KELLY BROWN (golf coach), SUSAN CRAIG (food service), ALAN BRULAND (Maintenance), and MEGAN SCHUTT (MS volleyball coach). The directors granted leave to SABRINA HENDRICKS and ANGELA MARKUSON for the remainder of 2007-08 school year. In other action, the Board approved an overnight trip for the high school golf team to Grandview, WA and first reading on Policy 6001 regarding a minimum fund balance level. An update on the Bond and Levy Committee was provided to the Board. Community presentations continue to be well received. The information boards and brochures have been made available to parents and patrons and a variety of additional activities are underway. Deb Cummings, director of curriculum, assessment and instruction, provided the Board with an update on the math work that is taking place across the district this year. She reminded everyone that the next Community Math Night event will be May 20, 2008. A review of Important Future Dates: * Next regular Board meeting is February 25 @ 7:00 PM. * The April 28 meeting will be held at the Point Roberts Primary School Anyone having questions regarding this review of the meeting is asked to contact the district office at 332-5881. Thank you. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
November 26, 2007 The Directors began the meeting with recognition of Board member Mike Dodd who has served Blaine School District for 30 years! In other Good News, President Todd Berge presented a certificate to Rick Shockey in recognition of leadership of the award winning poster team. A certificate of appreciation went to Mike Abendhoff representing BP-Cherry Point for continued support of our educational goals, most recently sponsoring three middle school teachers to a Science training in Colorado in October. Middle school teachers Dan Steelquist and Kelcie Rocha shared ways the acquired skills will be used in classrooms. In personnel action, the Directors approved employment of Lisa Blair and Laura Fairchild (Food Service), Rebecca Potts and Mary Lou Zender Kelly (recess), Carol Ellingson (HS LAP), Anne Marie McCauley (ES enrichment), and Kerry Munkres (teacher mentor). The following coaching selections were approved: Dave Fakkema (track); Cabe Vanderyacht, Ken Johnson and Sean Linville (MS girls’ basketball); Paul Minckler and Sean Shook (HS boys’ basketball); Nate Krahn (HS boys’ basketball Booster Club funded); and Kara Stull (HS girls’ basketball). Letters of resignation were accepted from Roy “Dan” Delong (coach), Joanne Freeman (business manager), and Linsey Pike (coach). The Board approved a leave of absence for Kim Ellis, Pam Sim and Billie Rowell. In other action, Dan Persse received National Certification Bonus, and Cyndi Selcho was named MS yearbook advisor and Selcho joins Annie Foster as MS spelling bee advisor. Business Manager Donna D’Angelo reviewed the final 06-07 budget and the October financial report. She also reviewed the November enrollment report. Program Reports included an interesting technology presentation. Representatives from each building shared how staff uses equipment and on-line access to enhance classroom learning. They also explained how the new Dux Data School-Parent Communication system has contributed to up-to-date information accfess pm stidemt [rpgress. In other action, the Directors reviewed the Staff Travel Policy No. 6213 (first reading) and the 180 Day Waiver Overview/Rationale. Both items will be on the December agenda for final approval. The Directors approved Resolution 0708-08 Limited General Obligation Bond in the amount of $150,000 to cover initial capital project planning expenses. Superintendent Spanjer’s report included a brief review of the recent WSSDA conference that he attended along with Directors Berge and Gibson. He also commented that the calendar for Bond Vote presentations continues to be busy and well received. The superintendent also presented the Board with a proposed scheduled for 2008-09 budget development. The Board agreed to hold a work session on December 10 to discuss construction management alternatives and will set a work session in January to review superintendent-board goals with Jerry Jenkins as facilitator. Reminder: The next meeting will be December 20 at noon.
Note: This is a review of the meeting and not official minutes approved by the Board of Directors. If you have questions regarding any of the content, please contact Patt at 332-5881. Thank you.
|
