MEMBERS
PRESENT

Janice Watts, Sarah Stuart, Lesa Beucher, Matt Donald, Steve Madsen, Taylor Vossen-Student Representative , Michael Green-Board Secretary and Vicky Barnes-Recording Secretary

OTHERS PRESENT

Dan Uhlenkott, Jake Hall, John Shoup, Angela Campbell, Scott Landrigan, Juliann McCarthy, Malinda Huddleston, Steven Carney, Asha Riley, Heather Gordon, Marnie Allen

CALL TO ORDER

President Watts called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m.

CITIZEN’S COMMENTS
ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS

There were no citizen’s comments on non-agenda items.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Director Stuart moved to approve the minutes from February 22, 2016 board meeting and March 12, 2016 board retreat.

Director Watts – yes

Director Stuart - yes

Director Beuscher – yes

Director Donald – yes

Director Madsen - yes

REPORTS TO THE BOARD

President Watts asked Woodland Middle School Principal Jake Hall if the Pride Night had planned activities or was more interactive. Principal Hall explained it was both planned and interactive, describing it as an open house where parents can experience middle school first hand. Both Directors Madsen and Donald said they attended and described it as awesome.  Director Donald said the event included food, a raffle for a bike and even childcare. He described it as the highlight of his family’s week. Principal Hall gave credit for organizing the event to teacher Tara Eilts and the collaborative efforts of the staff at Woodland Middle School.

Director Stuart asked Woodland Intermediate School Principal Steve Carney about the teacher quotes in his report, asking what had changed in the process to cause this response. Principal Carney said what had changed was the focus on learning in the teacher’s collaboration time. The staff now have more of a sense of where they are going. Director Stuart asked if “Playworks” was done in PE or if it was used on the playground. Principal Carney said it was both. Activities are taught in PE and then taken outside during recess where students now have the added element of conflict management.

Director Beuscher commented she really appreciated the upcoming events featured on the Woodland Primary School report because it allowed her to quickly see if she can attend an event.

Director Stuart asked about the $250,000 referenced in the special education report. Superintendent Green discussed the state process of “safety net” that can be accessed by districts to reimburse school districts for costs that are significantly in excess of that provided by the state for special education students. President Watts asked what grade levels are served, Superintendent Green said Pre K to 21 years of age.

CORRESPONDENCE

There was no correspondence.

BOARD REPORTS, REQUESTS, AND COMMENTS

Director Donald said he wanted to reiterate how impressed he was with the Pride Night at Woodland Middle School and gave kudos for a job well done.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION

Woodland High School Principal John Shoup gave a presentation to the Board covering the student demographics and operations of the high school with particular focus on the shared commitment of the staff to ensure all students learn, graduate, and are challenged. Principal Shoup discussed graduation credit requirements increasing to 24 from 22 for the current Freshmen class and beyond. He discussed the Culminating Project and the new Washington State Standards. Principal Shoup also discussed challenges facing the school and staff as well as the techniques and strategies practiced by the staff to improve learning for all students. The board asked clarifying questions concerning the students who don’t graduate and what data is currently collected for students who do graduate. Principal Shoup said in prior years a service had been used to attempt to collect data.  The data collected was incomplete and the service was discontinuted. Currently there is tracking done for students who attend a Washington State Public college but no other tracking. The board asked about the facility, lockers and student response to being a closed campus. Principal Shoup said the facility is wonderful. A year later, after living within the space, there is very little he would do differently. He credited Vice-Principal Dan Uhlenkott for his selection of furniture which gives the students many options and gives the rooms a light, open feeling. Concerning lockers, students are told they can sign up for a locker and, there are still 100 of them not assigned so he is happy the decision was made to not order lockers for all students. With being a closed campus he said the upper classmen struggled at the beginning of the year, viewing lunch off campus as a rite of passage. It has become less of an issue with time. Student Representative Taylor Vossen echoed the statement, saying it wasn’t something she heard students talk about anymore.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

The Board of Directors continues to read a book entitled “Effective School Boards: Strategies for Improving Board Performance” to help unify board members. Director Watts pointed to two positive common norms held by the Board of Directors: (1) to settle decisions with discussion prior to votes and (2) to honor confidentiality. 

CONSENT AGENDA

Director Donald moved to approve the consent agenda.

Director Watts – yes

Director Stuart - yes

Director Beuscher – yes

Director Donald – yes

Director Madsen - yes

ACTION ITEMS

Revisions to Procedure 2410P – Superintendent Green explained this revision adds clarity to the policy for granting of credit and credit waivers and is an informational item; it does not require action. Principal Shoup explained that #3 in the revision allowed PE credits to be waived for sports involvement but the sports activity doesn’t show up on the transcript. Waiving the PE credit allows students to take other classes they may desire.

Resolution 16-01 Adoption of 2015-2021 Capital Facilities Plan – Marnie Allen, Executive Director, HR and Legal Services at ESD 112 gave a presentation to the board concerning the Capital Facilities Plan. She explained the studies done for Woodland Public Schools looked at the existing schools, enrollment and forecast growth and the needs and cost of financing needed facilities. She recommended $5,173 impact fee for both single and multi-family dwellings. She explained the large increase was due to district growth and the length of time since the information has been updated. Director Madsen expressed concern with the increase especially since the district serves both Clark and Cowlitz County. He said the city can collect as much or as little as they want to collect. He expressed concern over the impact it would have on builders looking at building in the area. He asked if any of the other cities had expressed opposition at the increases being recommended. Ms Allen said it was hard to know what will drive builders and that every city had adopted the fees with only Ridgefield’s city council ask the district to lower the multi-family amount. Madsen asked when the city council needed the recommendation; Director Allen said the city wanted to have the recommendation for the March 21^st meeting. The board had conversations about the impact of the fees and the possibility of lowering the amount of the multi-family with an understanding they would relook at it in a year.

Director Donald moved to recommend to the Woodland city council impact fees for single family dwellings of $5000.00 and $2500.00 for multi-family dwellings.

Director Watts – yes

Director Stuart - yes

Director Beuscher – yes

Director Donald – yes

Director Madsen - yes

Consideration of Approval of Novels for use in HS Literature Classes – Assistant Superintendent Asha Riley recommended adoption of six books for use at Woodland High School. She introduced English teacher Heather Gordon to the board and asked if they had any questions concerning the books. Director Beuscher said she appreciated the lead time given to research the books.

Director Beuscher moved to adopt the six books for use at Woodland High School.

Director Watts – yes

Director Stuart - yes

Director Beuscher – yes

Director Donald – yes

Director Madsen - yes

ADJOURNMENT

President Watts adjourned the meeting at 7:32 p.m. Following the meeting, Principal Shoup gave a tour of the new high school to meeting attendees.

ATTEST:

_______________________________
Secretary to the Board

WOODLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT #404
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

____________________________________
President

____________________________________
Director

____________________________________
Director

____________________________________
Director

____________________________________
Director