WASHINGTON STATE SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

 

Minutes from Board of Trustees Meeting

May 3, 2007

Conference Call

 

 

Board Members Participating: Steve Rainey, Eric Wiseman, Denise Colley, John Driscoll and Chuck Nelson.

 

Board Members Absent:  Sherry Perry, Annabelle Fitts, Kay Adamson and Jim Kemp.

 

Ex-Officio Members Participating:  Judy Koch-Smith (WSSB Teachers Association) and Michael Freeman (National Federation of the Blind of WA).

 

Ex-Officio Members Absent:  Bonda Albers (WA Federation of State Employees Local #1225), Jean Curtis (Parent Representative) and Berl Colley (Washington Council of the Blind).

 

WSSB Staff Members Participating: Dr. Dean Stenehjem (Superintendent) and Craig Meador (Principal).

 

Chuck called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. 

 

Old Business

Chuck asked for approval for the Board of Trustee meeting minutes: March 16-17, 2007.  Denise moved to approve the minutes as submitted; Steve seconded the motion.  The minutes were approved unanimously.

 

New Business

 

Board of Trustees Award:  Denise nominated (name to be included after commencement) for the Board of Trustees award. The motion passed unanimously.  

 

Roy J. Brothers Award:  The board nominated (name to be included after commencement) for the Roy J. Brothers award.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

Legislative and Budget Update (2007-2009)

Legislative update:  Dr. Stenehjem reported that WSSB faired well during the session and received a number of decision packages:

*      LIFTT:  Funding to hire weekend staff person.

*      Braille Transcription:  Funding to expand WCCW prison program.

*      Transportation:  Funding to provide a patch for the next two years while WSSB continues to see if funding can be covered under the OSPI state transportation allocation system.

*      Regional Program Pilot:  Funding for a position for the east side of the state (Yakima/Tri-cities).  WSSB has posted the position nationally.  WSSB is also working with the two ESDs to move this program forward.

*      Supplemental budget:  Received $69,000 to help with this current year’s transportation (day) funding shortfalls.

*      Capital budgets: Replacement for the Kennedy Building (goal is to begin construction fall of 2007).

o       Eric asked if before the Kennedy building is razed if WSSB would be doing some type of de-commissioning as a lot of children received services through this facility.  Dr. Stenehjem felt this was a great idea and WSSB will do something to include staff, students, former students, etc. 

o       Dr. Stenehjem mentioned that the name of the new building will be move forward as “Kennedy,” at the request of former students, since they mentioned that the Kennedy P.E. building on the WSSB campus was the first building in the country name in honor of JFK.

 

The next Board meeting will be held on June 15th immediately following commencement (10:00 a.m.).  There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                           

Chuck Nelson, Chair                                                   Dr. Dean Stenehjem, Superintendent