BOARD
OF TRUSTEES
Minutes
from Board of Trustees Meeting
March
16-17, 2007
Board Members
Participating: Denise Colley, Annabelle Fitts, Sherry Perry,
Jim Kemp, Steve Rainey, Kay Adamson, John Driscoll, Chuck Nelson, and Eric
Wiseman.
Ex-Officio Members
Participating: Jean Curtis (Parent
Representative), Judy Koch-Smith (WSSB
Teachers Association),
Washington State School
for the Blind (WSSB) Staff Members Participating:
Dr.
March 16 – 7:05–8:55
p.m.
Chuck called the meeting to order at 7:05
p.m.
Department Updates
(attached to the minutes):
Mary
Sarate, Business Manager:
§
Discussion
was held regarding the potential expansion of the Braille Transcription
program.
§
Eric
asked if WSSB does background checks on employees. Mary said WSSB does require FBI and
Washington State Patrol background checks (WSSB has been doing this since the
early 1990’s).
§
The
§
Two
new Toyota Prius’ were purchased to assist with the expansion of Outreach.
§
WSSB
is looking into including more green energy options.
§
Berl
commented that the Facility Committee did a walk-through inspection today and stated
that the campus is in great shape both campus buildings and grounds.
Craig
Meador, Director of On-Campus:
§
Craig
reported that in November there were a number of frustrated staff members due
to a more diverse student population that entailed different learning needs in
the classrooms; staff members, in wanting to do their best, felt frustrated. The
Admin. Staff in Irwin constructed a survey to narrow down the issues. Two
sub-committees were then formed (Restructuring Committees) to determine suggestions
for improvement. Eric felt that the Board should be involved in this process. Judy
suggested that Craig share with the Board the current document that includes: item
needing improvement; suggested solution; and the staff member who is assigned
to research to help solve the problem. Craig feels that morale is up due to
staff having a part in the solution process.
The goal is to have a program plan in place by the end of May. Eric
expressed the concern that WSSB should not be run by consensus. Craig agreed. Craig
handed out copies of the document mentioned above.
§
·
§
Judy
asked if we post positions on the AER (Association for the Rehabilitation and
Education of the Visually Impaired) Job Exchange. Discussion was held regarding different
places to post positions. Discussion was
held regarding the Department of Personnel is unusable for blind patrons.
The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
March 17 – 8:00 a.m. – 11:55
a.m.
Chuck called the meeting
to order at 8:05 a.m.
Business Meeting
Old Business:
Approval of meeting minutes for January
9, 2007 and February 13, 2007 Board of Trustees Conference Calls. Annabelle moved to approve both meeting
minutes as submitted; Jim seconded the motion.
The minutes were approved unanimously.
New Business:
Review 2007-2008 School Year Calendar. Chuck
asked if everyone had received a copy of the calendar.
Committee Reports
Legislative Committee:
Annabelle reported that
the committee hasn’t met as a whole lately, but there have been a number of
people working on issues with the legislature.
The committee was responsible for creating the WASL Visual Bias document
that was sent to OSPI.
Management Committee:
An
Executive Session was called to order at 8:25 a.m. The executive session adjourned at 9:00 a.m.
Education Committee:
Denise reported:
§
The
committee is starting to review class offerings that Mr. Meador provided. The committee is looking at: course mapping,
areas of concern regarding curriculum, textbooks, etc. Some of this is on hold due to the state
review of curriculum.
§
Dee provided the committee
with the admission policy and process.
They will be reviewing this.
§
One
of Dee ’s concerns is how they will provide
funding for the Summer Institute. Denise
said she was pleased to see that Dee is
seeking grants. Currently, this program
has been supported by registration fees; Dee
is now exploring grant options to help support this important program.
§
Denise
will be holding a committee meeting in the next two weeks. Chuck suggested the committee meet
face-to-face, perhaps in Olympia
Buildings and Grounds Committee:
Eric reported that the committee
did a facility tour:
§
Pool: There was not adequate evidence that the
person putting muratic acid in the pool has protective equipment; there is also
a need to determine what the proper ventilation is.
§
School
Bus: Staff need to determine if the bus
can be on the same inspection cycle as all other public schools (state patrol
does the inspections in public schools).
§
Fire
Exits/Doors: The committee reviewed
designated fire exits to check for mechanical conditions of the doors and
obstructions; Eric would like to see a written policy indicating that someone
is accountable to check this. There was
a fire exit door that was inoperable in the Kennedy building; also inside the
gym there were boxes obstructing a fire exit. In Watson cottage a plant is
obstructing the exit; and in the basement of Chapman there is a lot of material
that is partially blocking the exit; also, if you do go out the door from the
basement in Chapman, the gate has an odd latch; a spring mechanism should be
installed on the gate.
§
Structural
Support Pole: There is a structural
support pole on Chapman that needs to be replaced.
§
Fire
Extinguishers: Fire extinguishers in the
buildings need to be signed off as they are inspected (they have not been
inspected since April, 2006).
§
Doorbell
in Chapman Cottage: The doorbell is broken and it appears that someone stuffed
a rag in the bell. The other cottages
have a chime and perhaps this could be installed at Chapman.
§
Cottages: On the kitchen counters, Ground Fault Circuit
Protectors (GFI’s) are not included in every counter outlet. Eric feels these need to be installed.
§
Kennedy
Clock: A plate and/or cover needs to be
put over the clock (electrical wires are hanging).
§
Chapman
Cottage: A lamp in one of the student’s
rooms is on top of a cabinet that could fall.
§
Chapman
Restrooms: The shower floor was slick.
§
Clarke
Cottage: There are boxes and waste cans
in the restroom that would prevent someone in a wheelchair from using the
counter. The bathtub floor was slick.
§
Watson
Cottage: Some doors in the bathroom
stalls had broken springs.
§
Eric
reported that overall the facilities are something to be proud of and the Irwin
building is in great shape.
§
Eric
suggested that with a confined space standard, that WSSB should have two-way
communication available for staff that are in those locations.
§
Walk in Freezer:
Concern that if a person
is in the freezer and someone puts a lock on the door that the person could not
get out. Both walk in freezer and refrigerator have inside turn off knobs
that if trapped inside can be turned and the latch assembly drops off. We
will add signage that before latching freezers, to check inside as one more
preventive measure.
§
Coffee Machine in the
§
§
Judy
mentioned that she hasn’t received a Safety Committee meeting update or minutes
this year.
§
Chuck
suggested that Rob provide updates as things are repaired and replaced.
Ex-Officio’s Reports
§
Berl
reported that the Council is involved in legislative activities including:
·
The
Washington Talking Book and Braille Library (location of the facility).
·
Ken
Jacobsen--Guide Dogs being allowed to enter bars (bill died).
·
Guide
Dogs in emergency situations.
·
HB
2003 specifically targeting a blind woman who has a cafeteria in
·
HB
5340 and SB 1322 is another bill being watched which redefines disabilities.
·
Primary
Election: There is a bill in the
legislature that proposes the abandonment of the caucus system for next year’s
primary election; WCB has written a letter speaking against it. This impacts disability groups.
§
The
President’s Council for the American Foundation for the Blind held a meeting in
§
The
Council is preparing for their 7th annual leadership training during
the first week in May; taking new people into the organization to provide 1-1/2
days of training.
§
The
Council’s National Convention will be held June 30-July 7 in
National Federation of
the Blind (NFB)-
§
Mike
stated Berl did a good job of recapping the current legislative
activities. In addition there was legislative
proposal regarding the BRAC study which includes setting up a commission to
determine which entities go where, etc.
The NFB opposed that bill.
§
Nationally,
the Federation is pushing for an initiative to ensure that accessible textbooks
are available in colleges and universities (same as in high schools).
§
The
Federation will be hosting a workshop entitled “Fitting In”. This will occur during the third week in
April at the Governor’s House in
§
The
National Convention will be held in
§
The
Fall Convention will be at the Governor’s House in
§
Discussion
was held regarding accessible voting. Denise
reported that part of the legislation requires that each county have at least
one accessible voting machine; and that it be available at least 20 days prior
to the election. Mike said both Clark
and
Teachers-Judy
Koch-Smith:
§
The
teachers are exploring the option of joining the WPEA (Washington Public
Employees Association) union. Judy
received a phone call in December from Alan Jacobsen, WPEA Representative for the
§
Judy
stated it is good to be part of the planning process for the restructuring and
future of the school. One of the items
listed on the list of suggestions/grid was that Orientation & Mobility
staff be allowed to travel to students’ home communities to work with their
families, TVI’s, etc, so students can employ some of the skills they are
learning here at their home community.
§
Three members from Local 1225 joined a packed
hearing room for HB 1584. The room was full of Washington Federation folks all
opposing the institutions legislation. The bill died.
§
Local 1225 submitted a contract proposal asking
for members to again have the benefit option of 12-month pay for career
seasonal pay. The majority of staff at both schools chose the 9-month vs. the
12-month pay option. Employees lost that
option with the first contract when it was not negotiated and then the RCW was
deleted. Dr. Stenehjem is supporting
their endeavor. WSSB continues to have
payroll problems as do most state agencies. The Labor/Management Communication group
met. By next payroll, all payroll
problems should be resolved and credited on people’s paystubs. The next communication meeting will be set up
in April or May to review that.
Parent Representative-Jean
Curtis:
§
Jean
submitted an article regarding the Parents Listserv for the Lions Roar
Newsletter. There had been some issues with the previous listserv surrounding
the signing up process. Jean also
submitted an article to Craig for the Parents Newsletter. The instructions are also listed on the
website.
§
Jean
will be meeting with Dr. Stenehjem to set up a meeting with parents and
families to do a PowerPoint on how to get on the listserv. Bonda suggested putting this information into
the re-enrollment paperwork sent to families each summer. Steve suggested sending a letter to parents. Kay suggested putting this on the TOVI
Listserv (Teachers of the Visually Impaired Listserv).
Superintendent’s
Report
Dr.
Stenehjem reviewed his written report:
o
WASL: WSSB Board of Trustees, AER, NFB, and WCB all
wrote position papers/Resolutions regarding visual bias.
o
Recodifying: Dr.
Stenehjem, Steve Rainey, Chuck Nelson and John Driscoll met on March 16 to
discuss if we should move away from the State Institutions RCW. Dr. Stenehjem will provide more information by
June, 2007 for decision making, no later than the September Board meeting. Eric asked why we are relying on the folks in
the legislature. Dr. Stenehjem said that WSSB will not rely on the legislature,
but WSSB needs to get ‘people time’ to work on this and this will be more
successful after the session (key people to work with will be in the Code
Reviser’s Office). Dr. Stenehjem suggested
considering location under a new Chapter, such as Title 28E; or would
appropriate placement be under 28A or 28D? Berl asked if it would be a good
strategy to start under 28A and then get legislation to move to a new
Chapter. Dr. Stenehjem will set up a
meeting with the Governor’s Executive Policy office to review options. Eric
asked if we can check who the Code Reviser’s Office reports to, write them a
letter on behalf of the Board, expressing a scope of work with what we need. Mike
feels it would be unwise to do this at this point. Eric felt he wanted to get a
“seat in line”. Chuck asked if all Board
members were on board with this. Mike said his only concern is that we do not
fall under OSPI. Dr. Stenehjem said we
will move forward and keep the Board informed.
o
Day Student Transportation: Dr. Stenehjem will get the most
accurate information out regarding funding.
o
o
Future Direction:
The State Vision Consultant is retiring this summer. Dr. Stenehjem met with Doug Gill, OSPI
Special Education Director and Lou Colwell, Low Incident Coordinator from OSPI
to discuss possibilities for the State Vision Consultant position. Doug asked Dr. Stenehjem to come up with a
plan. The following are suggestions
within this plan:
§
Regional Program Coordinator-Eastside: There is a huge interest from the ESD 105 to
fund this position. The Governor had
this funded in her budget (1.5 positions).
Both the ESD 105 and ESD 123 wrote letters to the Office of Financial
Management supporting this. A draft job description has been designed for the
Regional Program Coordinator on the eastside; we will be sending this to the
ESD 105 and ESD 123 to review.
§
Statewide Vision Consultant: If this person was under
WSSB, they should have oversight of the
§
Digital Learning:
This area needs to be expanded to provide opportunities for teachers of
the visually impaired, students, parents, educators, etc.
§
Chuck
asked if we have a consensus that Dr. Stenehjem should contact Doug Gill at
OSPI to move this forward. The Board
said yes.
Commencement
Eric
feels that the PowerPoint presentations at commencement should have voice over
descriptions. Judy suggested that a
staff member preview the PowerPoint presentation and then prepare a script.
Seven
students are graduating this year.
Phil
Hatlen, retiring Superintendent of the
Steve
stated that the night before graduation there is a picnic and awards. Janet will send out upcoming activities from
now until the end of the school year.
June 15,
2007 Board Meeting
At the June 15, 2007 Board of Trustees meeting,
Board members will be electing new officers (Chair and Vice Chair).
There being no further business, the
meeting adjourned at 11:55 a.m. The next
Board meeting will be held via a conference call on May 3, 2007 at 7:30 p.m.
Chuck
Nelson, Chair Dean
O. Stenehjem, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Board
Reports
March 2007
Business Office
1.
2006-07
Budget
a.
Operating: We ended the month of January with a 2.4%
positive variance. The books for
February do not close until the day of the board meeting but we anticipate
maintaining the variance. We continue to
monitor expenses very closely.
b.
Supplemental
Budget: We submitted two requests: $150,000 for Day Student Transportation and
$13,000 for Mandatory Safety Training. These requests were not recommended to
the legislature for funding.
c.
Capital
Budget: The
2.
2007-2009
Budget: We submitted five decision
packages with our 2007-2009 budget. The
Governor has made the following recommendations to the legislature:
|
Decision
Package |
Original
Request |
Recommendation |
|
Day
Transportation |
$
409,000 |
$ 234, |