WASHINGTON STATE SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

 

Minutes from Board of Trustees Meeting

April 16, 2015

Conference Call

 

 

Board Members Participating:  Jim Kemp, Ed Snook, Cindy Bennett, Nancy McDaniel, Dennis Mathews and John Glenn.

 

Board Members Absent:  Berl Colley, Yang-su Cho, Michelle Farrell and Lorna Walsh.

 

Ex-Officio Members Participating: Joleen Ferguson (Washington Council of the Blind).

 

Ex-Officio Members Absent: Lilly Longshore (Parent Representative), Doug Trimble (Teachers Association), Scott Hone (Washington Federation of State Employees Local #1225), and Michael Freeman (National Federation of the Blind of Washington).

 

WSSB Staff Members Participating: Dr. Dean Stenehjem (Superintendent) and Janet Kurz (recording secretary).

 

April 16 – 3:00-3:27pm

 

Business Meeting:

*      New Business – Personnel Changes and Recruitment:

o   Dr. Stenehjem stated that WSSB’s Director of Outreach, Craig Meador accepted a position with the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) as their Vice President.  WSSB has posted his position internally and Dr. Stenehjem feels we have some good internal candidates. WSSB has supported staff in assisting them to get their administrative credentials. If an internal candidate is not chosen WSSB will then post the position nationally.

o   Our Director of the Ogden Resource Center (Instructional Resource Center/Braille Access Center), Colleen Lines announced her retirement as of June 30, 2015.  Colleen’s position has been posted and sent out on a national basis. 

o   The Music teacher position has been posted and WSSB has received a number of applications. Interviews will be held in the next week.  WSSB’s former music teacher, Jennifer Hervey has applied for the position. Dr. Stenehjem felt that she did an excellent job while at WSSB before leaving to take an administrator position at the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind.

o   WSSB has been advertising for a School Psychologist for two years. WSSB is working with colleges, universities and also with school districts who are also searching for school psychologists. 

o   Dr. Stenehjem is concerned that Washington has lost its competitive edge in a very tight market of trained personnel with solid leadership skills in the area of education of the blind and visually impaired, program development and ability to continue to develop world class programs. Dr. Stenehjem feels that competition drives salaries and if you want to bring people in that have good skills and training, the state has to be willing to provide a salary that is fair and equitable on a national basis.

o   Ed reported that he has attempted to have Dr. Stenehjem’s salary increased, has met with Dr. Stenehjem’s supervisor and has followed up with emails.  Ed’s response from Olympia is that they are in the middle of a budget session, etc. and he has yet to hear back.  Ed feels that one of the issues is that Dr. Stenehjem’s salary is commensurate with smaller school districts in the SW Washington area and not with comparable schools for the blind throughout the country based upon programs and services offered. Ed and Dr. Stenehjem both tried to dissuade Craig Meador (Director of Outreach/State Vision Consultant) from leaving, however salary was an issue. Ed stated the Superintendent of the Vancouver School District and Evergreen School District make a great deal more than Dr. Stenehjem; we are not asking for this type of adjustment, but a small adjustment, which we have yet to hear back on. 

o   Nancy feels it would be a good idea for members of the Board to contact their local Representatives and Senators. Dr. Stenehjem felt he should contact the Governor’s office first regarding this issue. John asked if an email campaign should be considered. Dr. Stenehjem will contact the Governor’s office to schedule a meeting in the next week and will then let the Board know the outcome of this meeting.

o   John asked what kind of qualifications are required for Colleen’s job (Ogden Resource Center). Dr Stenehjem said Colleen was first person he hired (as a Teacher’s Aide) when he was Principal; Colleen then worked with Bruce McClanahan in the area of Assistive Technology. Colleen also exceled in learning Braille and was always willing to take on new challenges.  At the end of Booth Gardeners term, Dr. Stenehjem approached him about starting a Braille Access Center (BAC) and Colleen was moved into the role as lead of the BAC. Dr. Stenehjem feels that the ideal candidate would possibly have a library science background and/or a Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI credential).  Also important would be great people skills and training in general administration.

o   Joleen asked if Colleen Lines is leaving; Dr. Stenehjem said yes, she has announced her intent to retire effective June 30, 2015. Joleen’s asked if this is public knowledge; Dr Stenehjem said both Craig and Colleen have made public announcements. 

o   Dr. Stenehjem reported that WSSB is trying to offer teachers eight (8) days of training this year.  The goal is to try and be a little closer to Vancouver School Districts who are able to offer teachers TRI days (additional training days).  Local school districts are provided funding through local mil levy dollars; WSSB does not receive local mil levy funds to the training will be provided from private local funds. Dr. Stenehjem stated that school districts across the state vary greatly with TRI days offered (0 to 51 days).

 

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:27pm.  The next Board meeting will be held via conference call on May 7, 2015 at 7:30pm.     

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Ed Snook, Chair                                                                 Dean O. Stenehjem, Ed.D., Superintendent