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Month: __March 26, 2008_____ Location: _____Neah Bay School __________
Board Attendance: Call to Order / Pledge of Allegiance
The meeting was called to order at 6:34 p.m. by Chairperson, Tracey Rascon.
Ms. Tracey Rascon Present
Mr. Dudley Eubank Present Introduction of Visitors and Public Questions and Comments
Mr. Greg Colfax Present (l) A visitor informed the Board that a Booster Club is forming at Neah Bay. It is
Ms. Shirley Johnson Present informal at this point. They will be contacting the school district to gather
Ms. Iris Wilson Present further information.
Adopt Agenda APPROVED Eubank / Johnson 4/0
The Agenda was adopted as presented.
Consent Agenda APPROVED Johnson / Wilson 4/0
A) Minutes from February 27, 2008- Regular Board Meeting
B) Payroll and Employee Benefits – $ 477,699.48 Work-Study Sessions:
C) General Fund Accounts – $ 151,825.03 April 22, 2008- NB
D) ASB Fund Accounts- $ 6,768.09 April 29, 2008- DO
E) Transportation Fund Accounts-
F) Capital Projects Accounts – $ 52,735.80 Next Regular Meeting:
G) Accept a $300 Donation to CB FBLA from Chinook April 23, 2008*
Pharmacy Clallam Bay School
6:30 p.m.
* Subject to Change
New Business School Program Presentations
None None
Professional Discussions
A) Superintendent Replacement Process
Included in the Board Packet is a Superintendent Search Brochure, created in-house, for distribution at the NSBA
conference in Florida next week. Superintendent Laes mentioned that at some point the Board may wish to seek
outside consultants to assist in the process. It will be necessary to budget the cost of a consultant in the upcoming
2008-09 budget. The money for a consultant would not be available until after September 1 of this year. In the
meantime, the Board can discuss the qualifications they desire in a successful candidate. The Board can use the
Washington State School Directors Association to help with the process. Superintendent Laes suggests the Board
spend several work-study sessions to discuss the qualifications they are seeking. Once the candidates are screened,
interviews are held in district. The Board can visit the candidates’ previous district to see how the individual
candidates operate a district. Mr. Colfax suggests the candidates spend some time with the administrators. He
reminded everyone that potential candidates have different management styles. The Board discussed some of the
qualifications they feel are important, such as knowledge of the state and federal laws, and the ability to continue the
financial stability of the district despite a drop in enrollment. The administrators explained some of the
qualifications they feel that are important: such as culture diversity and ability to collaborate. The Board set two
work-study sessions for April. The first will be April 22, 2008 at 6:00 pm at Neah Bay School – to discuss the
status of the IPP committee. The second will be April 29, 2008 at the District Office to discuss the Superintendent
qualifications.
B) Board of Directors – Governance and Principles of Operations
The document has been included in several of the Board Packets. It is a self-assessment tool for the Board. The
responsibilities of the Board and Superintendent are discussed in the document. It is provided to assist the Board in the
principles of operations. Accountability is also discussed. Mr. Eubank explained the problems that arise when the Board
micromanages. Mr. Eubank suggests the Board visit the individual classrooms and observe, if they desire to see what is
happening at the schools. Superintendent Laes explained that this is a working document between the Board and the
Superintendent only. He believes it will strengthen the relationship between the Board and the Superintendent. It will provide
guidance to the superintendent as to what the Board’s Expectations are. It outlines the responsibilities of each party. There are
no timelines on this document. It is presented simply for review and to gather input.
C) Budget Discussions
Superintendent Laes described the District as a runaway train- heading for a train wreck, if the District continues to operate
financially as it has in the past. Superintendent Laes stressed the fact that financially the district can not continue the recent
trends in spending. He explained how the loss of student FTE will create a shortfall of approximately $200,000 this fiscal
year. Due to the continued loss of student FTE, the 2008-2009 budget will be based on an extremely conservative number.
Superintendent Laes briefly explained the reauthorization of the Federal Impact laws- and how an equalizing will be taking
place. This means that districts that have received a large amount of Federal Impact funds will see a reduction. For Cape
Flattery- it means a loss of about $400,000 over the next several years. The Federal Impact funds received in the district will
go from somewhere around 1.7 million to 1.3 million. Mr. Laes mentioned that the loss of student FTE is taking place at both
ends of the district due to such things as the alternative program, students moving and economic reasons. He explained the
difference between headcount and full-time equivalent students. The apportionment, or money received from the state is based
on the amount of time the student spends at school- not how many bodies are enrolled. Based on the student enrollment – the
State funds only 32 certificated staff. The District has 46 teachers. The State funds only 12 classified. The district has 38
classified personnel. The state funds 2.5 administrators and the district has twice that many. Superintendent Laes mentioned
the past legislative session- and how they approved a cost of living raise. However, the State funds this COLA for the number
of staff funded – it is up to the District to come up with the money to pay the COLA for the remainder of the staff.
Superintendent Laes mentioned that the loss of property tax, loss of state apportionment, federal impact funds and the fact that
the district has twice the number of funded staff members all equals a financial train wreck for the district. Superintendent
Laes mentioned that some hard decisions have to be made. Discussions followed surrounding some of the possible options
the Board may have in this regard.
Mrs. Rascon feels the need to initiate the process of considering combination of schools and the closure of one of the high
schools. She would like Superintendent Laes to begin the process of looking into the timelines and process of doing such. Mr.
Eubanks does not feel that there is near enough information to make that decision at this meeting. Mr. Eubank is not sure that
there is another school district out there that has 2 separate small K-12 schools or that has the same demographic make up as
this district to look at for a comparison. Mr. Eubank thinks there are other alternatives out there that should be considered
before such a drastic step is taken. He mentioned that it may not be the alternative the Board wants to start with. Closing a
school is a quick fix. Discussions as to other options were discussed. Superintendent Laes stressed the need to consider all
alternatives carefully- and to look at the one that has the least amount of negative impact on the students. The students have to
come first. He mentioned that there are things that can be done to slow the train down, and that he will leave the Board with a
financial plan when he leaves. One area Mrs. Rascon is concerned with is at the lower grade levels because research is
showing that students are starting kindergarten 3 years behind.
Old Business Action Items
A) Board Policy -2163 Response to Intervention- 2nd Reading Re-Organization of the Board
The policy ensures that the very best is done for students in the Nominations for Chairperson
general classroom using various interventions before a student is Iris Wilson Nominated Dudley Eubank
referred to special education. Students have to have a plan, all Nomination accepted. No other nominations.
interventions have to be tried and responses to such have to be Nominations closed and approved 5/0
documented, before the student is removed from the general
education program. Mrs. Ritter explained that the RTI process is Nominations for Vice-Chairperson
time consuming, costly but effective. The teachers have to be Tracey Rascon Nominated Greg Colfax
trained and when new curriculum comes out it has to go through Nomination accepted. No other nominations.
the research process. RTI is designed to work not only for students Nominations closed and approved 5/0
that are behind but it also is designed to help those students that are
more advanced. Student Learning Plans help in this area as well. Nominations for Legislative Rep. – 2 year
The recent changes in laws require the passage of such a policy.
position
Teachers shared their thoughts on RTI and recent curriculum
changes. The Board thanked the teachers for their input. Shirley Johnson will remain the Legislative
Representative.
Mrs. Ritter- Presented a PowerPoint presentation on
the State Graduation requirements. Graduating from
Neah Bay Elementary- High School is becoming more complicated than ever
before. There will no doubt be questions from parents.
Mrs. Murner – wants to thank Mrs. Ritter for everything The following are the requirements for the graduating
that she has done for the staff at the elementary. Mrs. class of 2008:
Murner reports that Mrs. Ritter has helped with the
curriculum, needed classroom materials and with staff 1) Culminating Project must be completed
development. Mrs. Murner reports that the parent- teacher 2) A High School and Beyond Plan has to be
conferences have been taking place and appear to be completed (a written plan for high school and the
attended by the majority of parents. She expressed first year after)
gratitude for the hard work all of the teachers have been 3) District credit requirements must be earned
putting in. Neah Bay Elementary has put together a (currently 23.5 credits)
handbook that describes the Bullying, Harassment and 4) The student must pass the reading, writing and
Intimidation Program that is in place at the school. The math state approved test (WASL) or other CAA
students are even being taught how to report bullying in a option. Students that do not pass the math portion
proper and effective manner. She updated the Board on the of the WASL must continue to take the WASL test
Student of the Month Program. Neah Bay Elementary is a and a math class through graduation. The
recipient of the Tulalip Charitable Grant. The Grant is graduating classes of 2013 and beyond must pass
worth $23,000 to help add more cultural arts into the the reading, writing and math portions of the
school. Each classroom will have the grade level name in WASL or other state approved alternative test to
both Makah and in English. Welcome signs will also be on receive a CAA (Certificate of Academic
Achievement) or a CIA (Certificate of Individual
the front of the elementary, the cafeteria, and the gym.
Achievements). She shared the options for
Native design will also appear in the bathrooms. She returning 5th year seniors. She also distributed an
thanks Mr. Fournier and Dr. Renker for their help with the
updated technology inventory. A special thank you
grant.
goes to Larry Murner for his hard work on the
inventory.
Neah Bay H.S.-
Personnel Considerations
A) RESIGNATIONS / LEAVE OF ABSENCE-
Dr. Renker reported on how the school has worked on APPROVED Johnson / Wilson 5/0
increasing the community partnerships. She also 1) George Konopik CB Resignation
mentioned the Gear Up grant. The grant allows the 2) Mary K Michelena CB Resignation
students to visit colleges and prepare for schooling beyond (Would like to remain a sub)
high school. She also reported on the Accreditation
process and where the sites are at in the review process. A B) NEW PERSONNEL FOR CONSIDERATION
community survey has gone out and it is available on-line 1) None Mr. Laes answered questions from the
from the School District webpage for those who want to Board regarding personnel.
give input. The issues involved in having open gym were
discussed. Proper supervision continues to be the main
issue. Dr. Renker also expressed excitement about the new Clallam Bay School- No Report
Booster Club forming at Neah Bay
Executive Session
(If necessary to consider employment or dismissal of personnel or to consult with legal counsel to consider
acquisition or sale of real estate).
NONE NEEDED
Adjournment
The district encourages the participation of all disabled citizens at meetings of the Board. Those wishing to attend
the meetings should notify the district at least 48 hours in advance if special accommodations will be necessary for
participation in the meeting. Announcements of Board meetings will include a statement of steps to be taken for
participation by disabled persons.
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m. APPROVED Colfax / Wilson 5/0.
