Showing posts with label school board. Show all posts
Showing posts with label school board. Show all posts

Shoreline School Board, March 8, Race and Ethnicity Data Collection Requirements

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
March 8, 2010
Submitted by Debi Ehrlichman, Board Member
Full Board minutes available on the Shoreline District website 

The following items were discussed:
    1) Race and Ethnicity Data Collection Requirements
     Jack Monpas-Huber, Ph.D., Director of Assessment and Student Information, reported on the new federal government and OSPI reporting categories for student ethnicity and race data. Parents will now need to answer a two-part question. Part 1 asks whether the student is Hispanic or Latino.  Part 2 asks parents to choose a race or races to classify their child. If parents choose to abstain from providing information, the school is required to choose a race classification for them.
     The change is occurring for the following reasons:
     • To better identify populations and communities across the country;
     • To align with the census collection requirements;
     • To align with other agencies who already collect this data;
     • To evaluate instructional needs and provide best education to all students. 
     School districts are required to begin reporting the new race and ethnicity data for each student by September 2010.  Shoreline began the process early to lessen the impact on individual schools for data entry and to allow parents enough time to provide information and ask questions.  With the majority of forms collected by June, schools should complete the data inputting by August. 
    Frequently asked questions by parents include:
    • Why were these specific racial groups selected?
        Because they reflect the major population groups in Washington State.  The American Indian groups include all recognized Washington State tribal groups. 
    • What if I choose to not provide this information?
        The school will be required to choose something for you.  It is always preferred for the parent to provide the information as that is the most accurate for the child. 
    • Will the school district release my student’s ethnicity and race to anyone else?
        Other than the school district, OSPI will be collecting this data along with other demographic information already reported on all students.  However, individual student records and privacy are protected by the Federal Education Records and Privacy Act (FERPA). Specific ethnicity and race information will not be shared with other agencies. 
    • If I consider myself Hispanic, why do I need to complete section 2?
        The federal government would like to give Hispanic or Latino individuals a better way to describe themselves by giving them the opportunity to select other race options. 

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School Board hears update about Ballinger Action Teens (BAT)

Friday, April 2, 2010

School board meeting highlights from March 1. Part 3
Contributed by Debi Ehrlichman, Board Member


Brian Schultz, Executive Director of Schools, presented.
Mr. Schultz introduced Morgan Moore and Tanya Schaeffer from the Center for Human Services (CHS), a community-based, not-for-profit youth and family services agency that has been a resource to children, adults and families since 1970. Ms. Moore provided a quick overview of CHS, which is comprised of four departments--Substance Abuse, Loving Families, Family Support, and Family Counseling. CHS administers the following programs at the Ballinger Homes site in Shoreline:
  • Play and Learn Group
    • Early childhood programming
    • Birth to five years
    • Thursdays 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  • Adult Programming
    • Open House hours for resource and referral (Wednesdays from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm)
    • ELL/citizenship tutoring
    • Parent group facilitated by Gayle McDougall-Treacy
  • Homework Factory
    • After school program located at Ballinger Homes
    • K-12 programming Monday thru Thursday 3:00-6:00 p.m.
  • Family Advocate Access
  • Camp Ballinger
  • Ballinger Action Teens (BAT)


Ms. Moore was joined by students who assisted with the presentation. The purpose of BAT as described by the students: “To help the community around us, while having fun, in order to learn more about the world and therefore also help ourselves.” 

In addition to helping the community, the 25 students involved in BAT also participate in hiking and camping trips. Their community outreach includes environmental projects, participation in the groundbreaking ceremony at the new Shoreline City Hall, planting trees and shrubs, cooking and serving food for the homeless, painting murals, and volunteering at the Homework Factory assisting elementary students. The students shared with the Board a video that was made for the 2009 Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union Operation Cooperation Competition. As indicated in the video, BAT students attended a Prevention Summit where they learned how to prevent drug and alcohol abuse in the community.

The Board praised the students for the work they are doing as well as the poise and enthusiasm reflected in their presentation.


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Shoreline Public Schools Board Meeting Highlights February 8, 2010

Monday, March 8, 2010

1) King County Investment Pool Update

Marcia Harris, Deputy Superintendent and Mark Spangenberg, Director of Business and Finance, reviewed a document outlining Shoreline’s Realized Losses (gone forever) and Impaired Losses (some level of prospect of recovery) from the King County Investment Pool on the 2006 bond dollars. These losses, a total of $1,457,589, occurred during the summer of 2008.

After discussions with other large school districts, a decision was made to write the entire amount off at the end of the 2007-2008 fiscal year. The County Treasurer stated that collections on some of those losses could occur over the next 15 years. Since that time, there has been a partial recovery of the impaired losses. Collections on impaired losses during 2008-2009 amounted to $134,220 and another $18,141 has been collected during 2009-2010 (thru December).

Prior to these losses, the King County Investment Pool enjoyed a very high rate of return for many years. The County is making two options available to districts. The first is mandatory and requires that members sign an Investment Pool Agreement each year.

The second is an optional Cash Management Services Agreement. The fee is based on the rate of return but is capped at 8 basis points. The services under both of these options were previously handled in one agreement for a fee of 15 basis points.

Agreements for both the Investment Pool and Cash Management Services will be brought to the March 1 regular meeting for Board approval.


2) 2010-2011 Budget Planning

Ms. Harris reviewed the enrollment projections for 2010-2011. Currently, the projected number of FTE students for 2010-2011 is 8,398, including 120 Running Start, a decrease from this year. She stated that Business Services staff would be meeting with individual departments at the Shoreline Center to determine their budget needs for next year.

Ms. Harris finished by informing the Board that the budgeted fund reserve for math curriculum of $650,000 will cover the high school math and probably most of the K-5 math adoption. These funds will be expended by the end of the year.

Superintendent Walker and Mr. Jacobs briefly reviewed the WASA/WSSDA Legislative Conference that they had just attended in Olympia, which included several individual visits with legislators. 


Complete meeting agendas and minutes are available online. 

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Shoreline Public Schools Board meeting highlights from February 1, 2010

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Reports and Presentations

Shorecrest and Shorewood Video Project Recognition
Brian Schultz, Executive Director of Schools; Trent Mitchell, Shorecrest Video Production Teacher; and Marty Ballew, Shorewood Video Production Teacher, presented.

Mr. Brian Schultz, Executive Director of Schools, reported that in his 22 years in Shoreline, he has not seen such a phenomenon as what has occurred as a result of the two videos produced by Shorecrest and Shorewood High Schools.

Mr. Trent Mitchell, video class teacher since 2003, introduced students involved in the Shorecrest video. He reported that this has been a highlight of his teaching career. The “Hey Ya” video was played for the Board and audience. Mr. Mitchell explained that a “lip-dub” is basically a lip sync, but with multiple persons lip-syncing.

Mr. Marty Ballew commented that the Shorecrest video was the inspiration for the Shorewood project and credited Trent for encouraging him to become a teacher. Shorewood wanted to do something different so Mr. Ballew and Javier Caceras, student, came up with the idea of filming the lip-dub backwards. The “You Make My Dreams Come True” video was played for the Board and audience.

Jason Maher, Video Systems Manager, shared some of the media coverage generated by the video competition. Excerpts from KING5 News, MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow Show, and CBS’s Rachael Ray Show were viewed.

P-8 MAT Committee Update
Sue Porter, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, reported that the Committee’s current focus is on P-5 math because the elementary materials currently in use were adopted in 2001.

The programs reviewed were chosen because they were the most closely aligned to the new Math Standards:

• Math Expressions
• enVisionMath (created specifically for Washington State and matches high school program)
• Math Connects

The Review Teams included five or six teachers per grade level representing all schools, with a leader that serves on MAT and a principal at each grade level. Field-testing began with the three publishers presenting to the MAT and all of the Review Teams and then training teachers. Two teachers at each grade level will use all three programs, four weeks at a time; field-testing to be completed the first week in May.

The Review Teams will meet in May to determine final rankings of programs and send the data to MAT. This information will be used by MAT to make the final recommendation to the District Instructional Materials Committee (DIMC) by the end of May. DIMC will recommend the program for adoption to the Board the beginning of June.


December Financials, January Enrollment and Capital Projects Budget Update
Marcia Harris, Deputy Superintendent; and Mark Spangenberg, Director of Business & Finance, reported that the December Cash Flow Report indicates a slight increase to the ending fund balance. Initial payments of approximately $200,000 will begin in the next month for the math curriculum. It is estimated that all of the reserve that was budgeted for math curriculum ($650,000) will be spent by the end of the year.

In December, over $21 million was paid out of the Debt Service Fund in repaying bonds. When bonds were sold in 2008, plans were made to make large principal payments on bonds in 2009 and 2010 so that if successful passage of the 2010 bond measure occurred, the bonds for the high schools could be layered and not impact tax rates adversely.

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School board meeting January 25, 2010 highlights

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Action Item:  Approval of Agreement in Principle Between Shoreline School District and Shoreline Historical Museum re:  Ronald School Building

President Wilson reported that the respective Boards and staff of the Shoreline Historical Museum and the Shoreline School District have worked diligently to produce an agreement, which addresses the Museum’s need to remain in the Ronald School Building, but at the same time addresses the School District’s concerns as it plans to build the new Shorewood High School. 
This agreement will allow the Museum to support passage of the February 9, 2010 School Bond Proposition #2 and assures the future of the Shoreline Historical Museum in the Ronald School Building.  The agreement is dependent upon passage of the School Bond.  The agreement was approved by the Shoreline Historical Museum Board of Trustees at its meeting of January 23, 2010. 
Superintendent Walker read the Agreement in Principle in its entirety. Details of the agreement are as follows:   
    • The Shoreline Historical Museum (Museum) agrees to purchase approximately 19,500 sq. ft. of property adjacent to the Shorewood High School site.
    • The Shoreline School District (District) agrees to pay for the relocation of the old Ronald School Building, which houses the Museum, to the adjacent property purchased by the Museum, and to pay for the costs associated with the relocation itself, including the move, utility connections, and repair costs attributable to the move, resulting in the Ronald School being in the same condition as it was before the move.
    • Upon relocation of the structure the District will convey the building title free and clear to the Museum at no cost.
    • The District agrees to allow the Museum to utilize Sunset Elementary School for Museum operations and storage during the structural relocation of the Ronald School Building at no cost.  The Museum, however, will be responsible for the operational and utility costs during their occupancy of Sunset Elementary School.
    • The District and Museum agree to work in good faith to negotiate, resolve and coordinate the details and legal issues involved in implementing this Agreement in Principle, in an effort to accomplish it consistent with the planned Shorewood High School implementation schedule.
    • The parties listed below agree to proactively support and recommend this agreement to their respective boards. 
        Mr. Potter moved that the Board approve the Agreement in Principle between Shoreline School District and Shoreline Historical Museum re: the Ronald School Building. The motion was seconded by Ms. Norton and carried unanimously.
    Presentation:  Legislative Update
Deputy Superintendent Marcia Harris provided updates for the Board on a number of topics including the following:
    • Governor’s Proposed Budget for 2010  
    • Joint Letter to Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee (SEA and Sue Walker) in support of SB 6518
    • OSPI Memo:  What do we need to do to be competitive for Race to the Top?
       Three areas identified by Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn:
       1)  Lack of truly independent charter schools;
       2)  Cumbersome process to remove poor teachers;
       3)  Need to link data and teacher performance.
    • SB 6597 - Proposal to add graduation requirement which states:  A completed application to a postsecondary education program, including a four-year college or university program, community college or technical program, private career school program, or apprenticeship program, is required for graduation from a public high school but is not the only requirement for graduation.
    • SB 6466 - An act relating to allowing advertising on school buses; and adding a new section to chapter 46.61 RCW.
• SB 2868 - Award of bid changes related to 1) award to other than the low bidder and 2) bid limit increase to $100,000.

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School Board meeting January 11, 2010

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Shoreline School Board meetings are held at the Shoreline Center on most Mondays at 7 pm. Schedule.
OSPI officially ends the State's financial oversight of the District. The Board enthusiastically supports all three school measures on the ballot.


School Board Recognition  
Superintendent Walker publicly recognized the Board’s dedication, hard work, wisdom and commitment to the community. She also read the Governor’s Proclamation on School Board Recognition Month in its entirety. A framed certificate was awarded to each Board Member and both Student Representatives.

Ms. Walker ended the presentation by quoting from a letter recently received from OSPI, officially ending the State’s financial oversight of the District. It stated in part,


“The school district board, administrators, staff, community, and PSESD 121 are to be commended for your dedication and efforts in bringing financial stability to the school district, while maintaining your commitment to student learning.”

Transition Program Report
Ms. Amy Vujovich introduced Jennifer Given-Helms who is the lead teacher for the Transition Program, located at Shoreline Community College. 

  • Mission Statement: To prepare students to be productive, integral and valued members of society in collaboration with families and the community.
     
  • Students include 18-21 year-olds eligible for special education services and who have completed at least four years of the traditional high school program and require continued instruction and support to meet individual education plan goals in vocational training, independent living skills, and community access.

November 2009 Financial Update
Ms. Marcia Harris, Deputy Superintendent, presented the update.

The November Cash Flow Report continues to be a work in progress. Expenditures for combined salaries and benefits are slightly over what was projected. This may be due in part to one-time payments such as National Board Certification stipends, which are paid in November. The additional levy money beyond projected has been set aside in a “holding place” in the reserve of fund balance. The unreserved fund balance currently is below the 4% Board-directed threshold but Ms. Harris is confident that there will be a 4% minimum balance at the completion of the fiscal year. The importance of having a healthy fund balance is reflected in the recent notification from the State that the June apportionment payment will be deferred until July. Because there is a balance, sufficient funds will be available to accommodate this deferral.

Ms. Harris also shared a comparison of free and reduced lunch participation by location. Over the last several years, the percentage has increased. The state average for participation in free and reduced lunch is about 40%. Shoreline was just below 20% four years ago but now has risen to above 25%.

Action Items
Adoption of Resolution No. 2010-1, School Board Support of the February 9, 2010 Shoreline School District Bond and Levy Ballot Measures

The Board expressed enthusiastic support for all three ballot measures and voted unanimously in favor.

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School bond and levy to be discussed at school board, SL city council

Sunday, January 24, 2010

In view of the very recent accord between the Shoreline School District and the Shoreline Historical Museum, the Shoreline School Board has changed its normal Committee of the Whole informal meeting on Monday at 4:30 pm, to a special session, formal meeting, so the board can review and vote on accepting the agreement with the museum.

At 7:30 pm, the Shoreline City Council will consider a resolution to support all three school measures on the ballot. This is expected to be the first item on the agenda.

The School Board meets at the Shoreline Center, 18520 1st Ave NE, in the Board room by the main lobby. The City Council meets at City Hall, 17500 Midvale Ave N.

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School board meeting of December 7

Saturday, December 19, 2009

At the December 7, 2009 regular board meeting of the Shoreline School Board, Debi Ehrlichman and David Wilson were sworn in, both having been elected to second terms.  

David Wilson was voted as the new board president, Maren Norton as vice-president, and Mike Jacobs as Legislative representative, which is a two year appointment. Appreciation was expressed by board members, Superintendent Walker and those in attendance for Debi’s strong leadership during the past two years.

The consent agenda was passed. Key items on the agenda included the adoption of the recommendations of the District Instructional Materials Committee (DMIC). These recommendations included plays, books and instructional materials that can be used in the district. The Board also approved leaving all-day kindergarten rates at the current level, gave Shoreline and Shorewood the authority to surplus old gymnastics equipment and gave final acceptance to the Echo Lake lobby improvements that now separate the office at Echo Lake from the front entrance.


Apple, Inc. was designated as a sole provider of computer equipment, in accordance with the law requiring a sole source process in order to make purchases, without a full, formal bidding process.

With the technology funds from the 2006 bond, the board approved the recommendations of the March 2009 committee to purchase interactive whiteboards and sets of computers (up to 60 per elementary school) that can be shared among the P-4 grades in each elementary school building. Apple Inc. made computers available to the school district at a very advantageous price.


Superintendent Walker presented a DRAFT Resolution in Support of Bond/Levy and Process for the Board’s consideration and a vote at the January 11, 2010 board meeting.

There were a number of presentations made to the board with no action required. These included a presentation of last year’s WASL results by Dr. Jack Monpas-Huber, Director of Assessment \ Student Learning.

The Board was briefed on the Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Grant the District received to prepare all the school buildings for a three-day emergency. The presentation was made by Brian Schultz, Don Dalziel and Safety Consultant Chuck Goodwin.

Brian Schultz presented the annual weapons incident data for the last ten years and compared Shoreline to surrounding districts. This State required report documents the possession or discovery of weapons, not necessarily violent actions. The peak for such incidents occurred during the 2003-2004 school year, with a downward trend over the past three years.

Photos of school board courtesy of the Shoreline School District.
Top to bottom:  David Wilson, Maren Norton, Debi Ehrlichman, Mike Jacobs, Richard Potter.

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David Wilson elected president of the Shoreline School Board

Thursday, December 10, 2009

David Wilson was elected president of the Shoreline School Board at its December 7 meeting.

Wilson accepted the gavel from Debi Ehrlichman, who served as president of the Board the past two years. Superintendent Sue Walker administered the oath of office to Wilson and Ehrlichman for new four-year terms at the meeting.

Wilson was re-elected to a second four-year term representing District 3 in November. He has served as vice president of the Board for the past two years. A Shoreline resident, David and his wife Linda have two children, one a Shorewood graduate and the other currently attending school there. He received a bachelor’s degree in History from Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Fla. Wilson works in the non-profit sector, concentrating on educational-based initiatives and social programs.

Wilson has participated in a variety of school organizations and district-wide committees, including serving as president of Sunset PTA and co-president of the Shoreline Public Schools Foundation. He served as a member of the I-728 committee, the Citizens Advisory Bond Feasibility Committee and the 2002 Levy Campaign Committee.
 
Maren Norton was elected vice president of the Board. Elected to the District 4 position in 2007, Maren is an attorney at Stoel Rives LLP. She is a graduate of Shorewood High School, where she was senior class president, and Stanford University, where she earned a degree in political science and served as student body president. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, where she served two terms as president of the Law School Student Senate.

 
  Mike Jacobs was elected as the Board’s legislative representative. He has represented District 1 on the Board since 2001 and served as Board president from 2004 to 2007. He is a partner in the Riach Gese law firm, and holds bachelor’s degrees from the University of Washington and a law degree from the University of Puget Sound School of Law. Mike and his wife, Janelle, both graduates of Shorewood, have four children attending Shoreline schools.

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School Board approves levy/bond proposals for February 9, 2010 special election

Monday, November 16, 2009


The Shoreline School Board has approved three proposals to be placed on the ballot at a special election February 9, 2010.

• A four-year replacement of expiring levy for educational programs, maintenance and operations levy. The levy averages $22 million per year for each of the four years, 2011 through 2014. The maintenance and operations levy, which replaces the four-year levy passed by voters in 2006, would provide the district with about 20 percent of its general operating budget.

• A $150 million bond for the modernization/replacement of Shorecrest and Shorewood High Schools. The 2006 bond approved by voters included funds for the planning and design for the two high school projects, but not for the actual construction costs.

• A four-year capital levy for technology improvements and support. This levy would support the District’s instructional technology program and services and technology equipment replacement.

If all three proposals are approved, the estimated new combined levy and bond rate in 2011 would be $5.25 per $1,000 of assessed value, and a stable $5.15 in the years following. Current 2010 rates are $5.29 per $1,000, so this represents no change to the average taxpayer.
2010 Levy/Bond Proposals Presentation (pdf)

Proposition 1 – Replacement of Expiring Levy for Educational Programs, Maintenance and Operations
The district’s current four-year maintenance and operations levy will expire next year. These are the projected levy amounts beginning in 2011:
YearAmountApproximate rate per $1,000 of assessed value
2011$21.5 million$2.48
2012$21.75 million$2.48
2013$22.2 million$2.49
2014$22.65 million$2.49
These levy dollars will help fund basic education programs, including salaries for teachers and paraeducators; and instructional materials and supplies. Funds will also be used to support extra-curricular student activities and special education, highly capable, remedial and vocational education programs. In addition, funds will be used for maintenance and operations, such as utilities, transportation, student travel, and support staff for program services.

Proposition 2 – Bonds for Replacement/Modernization of Shorecrest and Shorewood High Schools
YearApproximate levy rate per $1,000 of assessed value
2011$2.42
2012$2.43
2013$2.32
2014$2.33              
For more than two years, the Shoreline School District has been planning for modernization/replacement of Shorecrest and Shorewood High Schools. The School Board adopted educational goals for the projects. The Shorecrest and Shorewood design teams were made up of faculty, staff and parents from each high school and community representatives from each of the middle schools and elementary schools in the respective sides of the District. Each team held three community meetings to gather input from the public, which the architects used to help create the preferred designs for Shorecrest and Shorewood.
Upon passage, the district would be authorized to sell up to $150 million in bonds. The district would make annual payments on the principal and interest to bond purchasers through proceeds from annual property taxes. The timeline for completion of both Shorecrest and Shorewood is summer 2013.

Proposition 3—Capital Levy for Technology Improvements and Support
YearLevy AmountApproximate rate per $1,000 of assessed value
2011 $3 million   $0.35
2012 $3 million   $0.34
2013 $3 million   $0.34
2014 $3 million   $0.33
This levy would support the District’s continuing integration of technology into the classroom, including technology specialists, replacement computers, professional development for staff, and software upgrades.
To validate these levy and bond proposals, 40 percent of those voting in the November 2009 general election must vote. The two levies require a simple majority to pass, the bonds require a 60-percent majority for approval.
Copyright © 2007 Shoreline School District

District Profile
The Shoreline School District, serving the communities of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park, has long been known for its quality schools and community involvement. Literally reaching from shore to shore with Puget Sound to the west and Lake Washington to the east the district just north of Seattle serves its 9,700 students with a highly dedicated staff and a mission to help each student reach his or her full potential.

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District praised for improvements to financial outlook

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

The Shoreline School District "has made tremendous strides in improving its financial outlook since 2005-06," the assistant superintendent of the Puget Sound Educational Service District said in a recent letter to Shoreline School Board President Debi Ehrlichman.
Stephen Neilsen has provided oversight for the District’s finances since it was placed on binding conditions by the state in 2006. The letter effectively ends those binding conditions, as the District has re-established its fund balance according to Board policy and regained fiscal stability.

"We commend the tremendous work and commitment by the Board, staff and stakeholders. Addressing numerous changes with specific contextual decisions enabled the District to regain fund balance, all the while offering a strong and stable basic education program to the students of the Shoreline School District."

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