Shoreline School Board Meeting Summary March 28, 2016

By Marianne Deal Stephens

As the School Board and others waited for 7:00pm, several directors asked Student Representative Rachel Semon about her trip to Ireland with the Shorecrest Highlanders Marching Band. Ms. Semon, Co-Captain of the Flag Team, reported that she and other students had a wonderful trip, and described their very busy schedule of performing and seeing Irish towns and landmarks. As has been previously reported, the students won Best Band in the Dublin St. Patrick’s Day parade, and Best Musical Performance in the Limerick International Band Competition (see article).

Shorecrest Highlanders Flag Team in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin.
Photo by Irish Photographer William Murphy

 
At 7:00pm, Board President David Wilson called the meeting to order. Vice President Debi Ehrlichman was absent due to a family commitment, and all other Directors were in attendance.

Consent Agenda
The Board approved the following items:

• Gift of $5,868 from the Shoreline Public Schools Foundation to Parkwood Elementary for the Parkwood Spring Break AAA Camp; 
• Gift of $7,000 from Kellogg PTSA to Kellogg Middle School for Hang Time, Kids in Medicine Seattle, and Classroom Grants;
• Measures related to the Aldercrest Modernization Project and the Ridgecrest Elementary Playfield Improvement Project;
• Declaration of Surplus Equipment [including a public sale on April 20, 2015 - see previous article];
• Extended Field Trips: Cascade K-8 TSA Club to the WSTA State Conference at SeaTac at the end of March; Shorecrest DECA qualifiers to Nashville for the National DECA Competition in April; Shorewood music student qualifiers to WMEA State Solo and Ensemble Contest in Ellensburg in April. 

Shoreline Public Schools Foundation
annual fundraising breakfast
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

President Wilson thanked both the Kellogg Middle School PTSA and the Shoreline Public Schools Foundation for “gifts that enrich our schools.” He brought attention to Resolution 2016-2, Declaration of Shoreline Public Schools Foundation Appreciation Week, which reads in part:

“Whereas the Foundation has raised more than $3.5 million since 1992 to ensure Shoreline students are afforded the best educational opportunities; and… [this year’s theme of] ‘Growing Great Minds’ impacts every student and educator in the district through generous building, classroom, and community-wide grants, support for summer school and scholarships; Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Shoreline Board of Directors designates the week of March 28 to April 1, 2016 as Shoreline Public Schools Foundation Appreciation Week.”

February 2016 Financial Update
Director of Finance and Business Services Marc Spangenberg presented the February General Fund Cash Flow Report and the latest Monthly Enrollment Report. OSPI recently discovered errors in the State apportionment calculations and transportation operations revenues, and must make corrections. The District will provide actual projections after the State makes corrections. Director Spangenberg mentioned that the state’s challenges may be due to changes in their staffing.

Comments from the Community

Greg Anderson, a parent of two Shoreline graduates and a past recipient of the Briarcrest Golden Acorn Award, spoke first. Referring to the anti-harassment policy up for approval, Mr. Anderson requested that the district “roll some of that language into the facility use policies. He suggests that non-district users of district facilities be held to the same standards as students and personnel. Mr. Anderson’s comments were prompted by some of the current presidential campaigns “where the rhetoric is not consistent with what we [accept] in this district.”

Shorewood Parent Laura Kalvoy spoke about the negative effects of the late start to the school year [the 2015-2016 school year started September 9, which is among the latest in the country]. Her daughter Krystin Kalvoy spoke the board in December about the effects of the late start, and Krystin recently experienced more difficulties having her midyear grades sent to colleges to which she was applying. Schools wanted grades by the beginning of February, but grades were not available until mid-February, right before Mid-Winter Break. The scramble to get the grades sent off was stressful for the students, counselors, and administration.

Mr. Richard Valentine questioned how secure the school buses are at night, and shared that he has “a whole litany” of complaints he will convey to the Board.

Approval of New Graduation Requirements
Director of Teaching and Learning Dr. Teri Poff presented Policy 2410, which was approved unanimously. Shoreline Graduation Requirements will change for the class of 2021. For more information, see previous article.

Approval of Anti-Harassment Policy
Assistant Superintendent Brian Schultz reintroduced Policy 5308, saying that it will provide, for personnel, an ease to access the district anti-harassment policies. The Board approved the adoption unanimously.

Board Reports and Communications
Richard Potter opened with “kudos to Shorecrest” for the band’s awards in Ireland, the Hip Hop Team winning first in State, and a recent art event. Director Potter, as the Board’s Legislative Representative summarized the news from the legislature regarding education: “not a lot of progress.” 

Director Nicholson discussed his work at KCDA and praised Shorecrest’s art exhibit.

With “baseball season is in full force,” Director Mike Jacobs is watching many games and is pleased that Shorewood is doing well. 

“Wonders” by Portland artist Suzanne Lee, an art Installation in the commons.
Photo courtesy of Shorecrest High School

Board President David Wilson attended the dedication of Suzanne Lee’s art at Shorecrest, and praised the art in the new high schools, saying “If you haven’t seen the art, you should go see it.” He also thanked Director of Finance Mark Spangenberg for the clean audit and drew attention to the upcoming Shoreline Foundation Breakfast and Luncheon, mentioning that “this group supports us; let’s support them.”

President Wilson also remembered Shorecrest Assistant Girls Basketball Coach Jerry Jones who passed away recently. He conveyed the Board’s condolences to Mr. Jones’ family, friends, and athletes in his coaching family. [See the recent tribute describing Jerry Jones’ dedication to the Shorewood team in the March 25 Seattle Times and the moving tribute from Coach Dori Monson in My Northwest.com]

Rachel Semon shared that Shorecrest is “doing really well with State and awards in general”, referring to the band’s awards in Ireland and the many recent sports and performance honors.

The meeting adjourned early. The next regular meeting on April 11 will include a report on the work the District is doing in regard to equity.