School Board Meeting Summary
Wenatchee School District
September 24, 2019 - Regular Meeting
The Wenatchee School Board will now provide a "Board Meeting Summary Briefing" after each Board meeting. The summary includes a short description of the main topics and action items. These summaries are not meant to replace minutes. The minutes for each meeting are approved and posted after the next regularly scheduled meeting. We hope these summaries provide some basic information and context around the reports, presentations and action items.
For the full packet of information including presentations and reports, Click Here.
Meetings are video streamed live online and the videos are archived on the District website here. Meetings prior to August 2019 are archived in calendar format here.
Regular Meeting
Attendance: Sunny Hemphill, President, Laura Jaecks, Vice President, Dr. Karina Vega-Villa, Sarah Knox, Dr. Michele Sandberg
BOARD PUBLIC COMMENT STATEMENT watch
AGENDA APPROVAL watch
The agenda was approved.
Consent Agenda watch
The consent agenda was approved and included the following
- Minutes Regular Meeting 9-10-19
- Vouchers
- Personnel Report
- Payroll Report
- Surplus Report
- Contracts
- Field Trip Requests
- Pacific Mobile Structures Change Order #3
CITIZENS' COMMENTS watch
Andy King, District bus driver, and current Bus Drivers Union President expressed concern about benefit eligibility for some drivers who have routes that are under the 630-hour requirement. King also shared that he was unhappy about the restructuring of common space in the transportation department.
Dolly Shiflett, District bus driver commented that she was also unhappy with the reconfiguration of the transportation office.
ASB REPORT watch
Kelly Norland, WHS ASB President and freshman representative Katie Norlin shared updates on events and athletics.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
ESD Check Presentation - Safety watch
North Central Educational Service District (NCESD) Loss Control Specialist, Paul Harrison and NCESD Executive Director of Human Resources, Suzanne Reister, presented a check for $5,500 to Bryan Brockie, WSD Assistant Director of Maintenance and Operations for participating in the NCESD’s Safety Incentive Program, an initiative focused on the reduction of slip, trip and fall hazards in schools.
Discipline Data watch
Mark Helm, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Helm presented the discipline data that had previously been requested by the Board related to student populations that were being disproportionately identified for office referrals. Referral rate means the total number of students receiving an Office Discipline Referral, (ODR) whether it resulted in discipline or not.
● Elementary level -White students are disciplined at a higher rate than Hispanic/Latino students with only two schools being the exception.
● Middle Schools - Two of the three schools showed higher referral rates for Hispanic/Latino students than for White students
● High Schools - WHS showed a higher referral rate for Hispanic/ Latino students, WestSide HS showed a higher rate for White students.
When looking at gender, across the system, males receive more referrals than females, regardless of the grade level. District Administration believes that social-emotional efforts will support all students with the anticipation of a decrease in student behavior over the next several years.
The Board asked Mr. Helm to review the data with regard to which behaviors caused the most ODRs and if the recent changes in legislation relating to discipline had any effect on discipline.
DISCUSSION watch
Overnight/Out of Town Field Trip Procedures
Administration has received feedback from staff that the current Out of Town/Overnight Field Trip procedures are cumbersome and, at times, have created situations where staff was required to input data that may not reflect the most accurate information. Administration is recommending changes to the procedure that will create a more user-friendly experience and ensure all necessary protocols are being followed before trips are approved.
Out of Town/Overnight Field Trips will be presented in the consent agenda in the current Field Trip Matrix. The Board’s role is to approve the actual field trip that will take students out of town or overnight; the administration’s role is to be accountable for ensuring that all the criteria are met prior to the activity occurring and that appropriate safety measures are in place, are strictly adhered to, and that qualified staff have reviewed the trip details to ensure our students’ safety.
After review of the procedure as presented and discussed, the Board asked the Administration to make minor changes.
BOARD COMMUNICATION watch
The Board will be attending a legislative conference and discussed travel arrangements. Further discussion among the Board about the participation of all five directors at the community conversations in October resulted in a reaffirmation of Administration's recommendation to limit participation to two directors per event. Board President Hemphill suggested that after the October community conversations the board re-evaluate this structure. It is the desire of the Board to connect in-person with the community at these engagement opportunities and has asked that live streaming services not be made available for community conversations.
The Board will hold and executive session on October 8th to discuss the superintendent evaluation.
SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
The superintendent’s report included an enrollment update from Larry Mayfield, Executive Director of Operations & Finance review of the board meeting evaluation data.
Enrollment Update watch
Larry Mayfield, Executive Director of Operations & Finance
Mr. Mayfield presented the most current figures for enrollment. The September 2019 count of K-12 students is 7,408.57 full-time equivalents (FTE). Running Start enrollment is included. Projected average annual full-time equivalent enrollment (AAFTE) compared to budgeted enrollment are up at all levels except at the elementary level which is under budget by 16.
Board Meeting Evaluation Update watch
Dr. Gordon reviewed the results of board meeting evaluations. Board members take a survey after each meeting that reflects established norms and operating principles. Overall the results were positive. There continues to be some disagreement around governance.
ADJOURNMENT
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Tuesday, October 1, 2019 | Special Board Meeting, WSD Central Office 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 8, 2019 | Regular Board Meeting at WSD Central Office 6:00 p.m.
Connect with us
Email: District_Communications@wenatcheeschools.org
Website: http://www.wenatcheeschools.org
Location: 235 Sunset Avenue, Wenatchee, WA, USA
Phone: 5096638161
Facebook: Facebook.com/WSD246
Twitter: @WenatcheeSD