WASHINGTON STATE SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

 

Minutes from Board of Trustees Meeting

January 17, 2018

Conference Call

 

 

Board Members Participating:  Dennis Mathews, Michelle Farrell, Yang-su Cho, Cindy Bennett, Greg Szabo, Ed Snook, Jim Kemp, and Nancy McDaniel.

 

Board Members Absent:  Keri Clark and Berl Colley.

 

Ex-Officio Members Participating:  Joleen Ferguson (Washington Council of the Blind), Jennifer Butcher (Teacher Representative), Jim Eccles (Washington Federation of State Employees Local #1225), Marci Carpenter (National Federation of the Blind of Washington), and Krista Bulger (Parent Representative).

 

WSSB Staff Members Participating:  Mr. Scott McCallum (Superintendent) and Janet Kurz (recording secretary).

 

January 17, 2018 – 7:30pm

Dennis called the meeting to order at 7:30pm.  New board members Greg Szabo and Jim Eccles introduced themselves. 

 

Business Meeting:

Old Business:

*      Approve board meeting minutes of November 17, 2017.  Jim moved to approve the minutes as submitted; Michelle seconded the motion.  The minutes were approved unanimously.

 

New Business:

 

Superintendent’s Report

Scott reviewed the following: 

*      Scott discussed the positive impact of listening sessions with staff.  Scott will be holding a listening session with Outreach staff on January 26.

*      Scott has been getting into the classrooms with school administrators in an effort to see how classrooms operate at the WSSB and to observe the feedback loop between administrators and teachers.

*      One of WSSB students invited Scott to visit his work place (Paper Tiger Coffee Roasters) over winter holiday break.  During the visit, the student explained his position and did it with such pride.  The student’s boss was very proud and had great things to say about him.

*      The Legislative Session began in January.  There is no legislation we are aware of that will affect us directly.  Scott attends weekly meetings to discuss any potential legislation relating to education.

*      The Governor has been in full support of our proposed supplemental budget.  The agency has responded to several questions regarding our requests for additional funding for transportation.

*      Scott had dinner with the students this evening in the cottage; Scott has another dinner scheduled next week.

*      Scott has been working on scheduling a Strategic Plan session this school year.  Several meetings were held with a potential facilitator, which resulted in a bid for services. Due to the amount of the proposal, the WSSB will need to go out to bid for the service.  At this time, the plan is to move forward with this during the 2018-2019 school year. Scott will keep the board posted regarding the timelines and development. 

*      Jim remarked that he likes the new superintendent report format (see below); Scott said he appreciates the feedback.

*      Ed inquired about the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) memo referenced in Scott’s report below.  Scott reported that in January of 2016 (before his arrival at the WSSB), the OSPI issued Memo 003-16M impacting school districts and both the WSSB and the Center for Childhood Deafness and Hearing Loss (CDHL).  The Memo attempted to clarify questions around “residency” for students who attend either of the state schools, and in effect placed the burden of transportation and other responsibilities on the “resident” district rather than on WSSB as has been practiced historically.  This created an issue with the WSSB as we assume the provision of Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for students enrolled at WSSB; we do not charge for enrollment and we are legislatively funded to provide transportation, etc.  After ongoing discussions with OSPI, they revised Memo 003-16M and issued Bulletin 037-017 in June 2017, which required that WSSB and CDHL be considered a school of “Choice”.  The WSSB was OK with the updated requirements of Bulletin 037-17 as it did not have drastic impacts on WSSB, but required a more formal process for a district releasing a student and for WSSB in accepting the student.  Recently, we were informed that, within the OSPI, this created an issue, so meetings are being held regarding an agreeable outcome.  Scott is confident that a reasonable solution for WSSB, CDHL, OSPI, and School Districts will be negotiated soon.  Scott is working through the process and will keep the board informed. 

*      Jim E. asked if the WSSB is affected by the ongoing capital budget impasse that extends from last June.  Scott said yes and that several staff from the WSSB attended a training regarding “Limited Public Works”.  This enables the WSSB to administer projects that are $35,000 or less that are considered public works (projects other than scheduled or routine maintenance).  Until the Capital Budget is passed in Olympia, WSSB’s larger projects such as replacing sewer lines, re-roofing of the cottages, etc. are on hold.

 

Committee Reports:

*      Management Committee (Ed Snook):

·         Jim volunteered to join the committee.  Ed does not have an update to report at this time. 

*      Education Committee (Michelle Farrell):

·         Michelle reported that she and Sean McCormick, Director of On-Campus Programs have met several times and they are currently in the process of putting together a braillist/para-educator training that was discussed during the November, 2017 Board of Trustees meeting.  The goal is to have the first training in February 2018.  Sean and Michelle decided that once the braillist completes the training, they would debrief and work out some of the kinks and change what they need to.  They are hoping to do this 5-6 times per year and open this to districts across the state.  Scott said he would love to see an evaluative feedback from the participant. Michelle said if Scott has any suggestions as part of the evaluative process, to let Michelle and Sean know.  Dennis asked what the university is that is assisting with the Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) program.  Scott said it is the Stephen F. Austin University in Texas. Dennis asked if the university would be interested in doctoral or graduate students to assist with the evaluation.  Scott felt this was a good idea and could also reach out to Portland State University (PSU) in this endeavor as well.

*      Buildings and Grounds Committee (Nancy McDaniel):

·         Nancy reported that she has not been to the campus recently.  Scott said there is nothing major happening at the school right now and everything seems to be functioning well.  The WSSB has replaced the lights in the gym to LED lights, which will create a savings over time.  A similar project is being looked at in the pool area. 

*      Legislative Committee (Berl Colley):

·         Marci reported that there appears to be no activity legislatively that would affect the WSSB. Scott said he receives weekly updates from the Governor’s office and hasn’t heard of anything either.   

 

Miscellaneous:

*      Scott reported that the WSSB has been contacted by a donor from the Seattle area who has been working with the schools foundation to provide funding for us to be able to receive exchange students.   The donor is working with an organization in Nepal and they are proposing that we do a fully funded exchange program whereby the WSSB could either send a teacher or administrator for 2-4 weeks to study their school for the blind and they would send somebody to us for 2-4 weeks; Scott feels this is an exciting opportunity to find out what is happening in another country and may have a positive impact on both entities.  Dennis felt this was a wonderful opportunity. 

 

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:00pm.  The next Board meeting will be held at the WSSB campus on Friday, March 16, 2018 at 11:00am.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Dennis Mathews, Chair                                                                Scott McCallum, Superintendent

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

Superintendent Report – January 2018

 

I am trying something new with my board reports this year.  I will provide, in bulleted format, a list of the more significant activities of the Superintendent’s office.  For each month, I will describe a highlight or two in more detail. If at any point you would like more information or have questions, please do not hesitate to call, email, or schedule a time to meet in person.  I want to make sure that you have the information that you need to advise and guide what we do to meet the needs of students who are blind or visually impaired throughout Washington State.

 

November

November 16:  WSSB staff “Listening Sessions”

November 20: Blind Youth Consortium meeting, meeting with Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) leadership.

November 27:  Results Washington All Goal Council meeting

November 29: Meetings with Numa Marketing regarding Strategic Planning, Meeting with AAG’s office regarding drivers as reasonable accommodation.

 

Highlight

Listening to staff speak about what is important to them is, in my mind, time well spent. In an effort to connect with staff, I began offering “Listening Sessions” last school year.  Staff have requested that these sessions continue during the 2018-19 school year. During these sessions, I have asked that supervisors/administrators/managers not be present so that staff may be more inclined to speak their truth. I promise to maintain staff anonymity and that I will share the themes of the listening sessions with the administrative team.  General themes of the “Listening Sessions” this year have been agency communication, student technology and assessment, and staff culture/climate.  Each of these “themes” have been part of ongoing discussions with the administrative team or individual manager so that improvements may be realized within the department or agency.  Later in January, I will have a session with the Outreach team, completing my initial round of “Listening Sessions” for 2018-19.

 

December

December 4: Meeting with Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and the Center for Childhood Deafness and Hearing Loss (CDHL) regarding Memo 003-16M/Bulletin 037-17

December 6: Irwin Classroom observations with Sean McCormick (Director of On Campus Programs/ Jennifer Langley (Director of Curriculum and Instruction)

December 10: Feel the Music event hosted by WSSB and the Pacific Foundation for Blind Children (PFBC)

December 11: Irwin Classroom observations with Sean/Jenn

December 12: Irwin Classroom observations with Sean/Jenn

December 13: Legislative Forum hosted by ESD 112, Dinner with students in Chapman Cottage

December 14: Computer Science Principals (CSP) Access for All meeting, Winter Holiday music program

December 15: Holiday reception for Governor’s staff at the Executive Residence

December 19: WSSB student workplace visit (Paper Tiger)

December 20: Collaboration connection with Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)

December 21 & 22: Completed mandatory “Safety” trainings.

 

Highlight

December is a very busy month with many highlight-worthy opportunities from the Superintendent’s office.  Spending time with students always tops the list for me.  I truly enjoyed having pizza with the students and staff in Chapman Cottage.  I always enjoy the Winter Holiday music program.  Also topping my list was an opportunity to visit one of our students at their workplace during the winter break.  WSSB student, Jordan, works at the Paper Tiger coffee shop.  Jordan takes great pride in his work at Paper Tiger and invited me in for a tour when he was working during the winter break.  Jordan explained the ins and outs of coffee roasting, his main duty at Paper Tiger.  Jordan introduced me to his boss and walked me through the roasting process he was in the midst of during my visit. Seeing Jordan in action was one of my proudest moments as Superintendent of WSSB.  Jordan is, without a doubt, going to be a positive and contributing member of his community-he already is.  Keep up the great work, Jordan.  I am very proud of you and the great work you are doing at Paper Tiger.

 

January

January 2:  Meeting with OSPI regarding Memo 003-16m/Bulletin 037-17

January 3: Collaboration connection with Oregon Commission for the Blind re: food service partnership

January 4: Public Hearing for proposed WAC revision related to Public Records and the requirements of ESHB 1594 and EHB 1595.

January 8: Education Sub-Cabinet Meeting

January 9: State of the State Address by Governor Inslee

January 10: Dinner with the students in Hall Cottage

January 15: Education Sub-Cabinet meeting

January 16: Meeting with JaReda Webb, PFBC and Dr Closson, Low Vision Clinic, to discuss mobile low-vision clinic.

January 17: Dinner with students in Clarke Cottage

 

Highlight

Happy New Year!  In December, we (WSSB and CDHL) were notified of an issue with how OSPI had recommended we move forward in response to the original OSPI Memo 003-16M and the follow-up Bulletin 037-17.  The issue, according to OSPI, is that WSSB and CDHL cannot be a school of “choice” as was implied in Bulletin 037-17, which had been the fix for issues raised in OSPI Memo 003-16M.  As of January 16, no official resolution has been reached; however, we continue to work towards an appropriate resolution. The real highlight of the month was having dinner with the students of Hall Cottage.  The students made teriyaki meatballs, rice, green beans, and yogurt parfaits for desert.  Even better than the food was the wonderful conversations with the students.  It is always a treat to spend time with the students; they truly are what makes WSSB so special. 

 

Ongoing

Meetings with department managers and administration team

PFBC meetings

Executive Cabinet meetings

Goal Council meetings

Clark County and Regional Superintendent Meetings

NWABA Board meetings

UEB committee meetings

Oregon Commission for the Blind Board meetings

Washington Deaf/Blind Advisory Council meetings

 

Highlight

Finally, we are in the midst of another legislative session.  This session, known as the short session, lasts 60 days.  I had the opportunity to attend the “State of the State” address at the Capitol from Governor Inslee in which he lays out the priorities for the session. Governor Inslee is recommending that additional funds from the State’s reserves be tapped to fully fund education, providing additional funds for special education earlier than that which is required by the courts in the McLeary case. He also recommended speedy passage of the Capital Budget and decoupling the Capital budget from the Hirst water rights decision.  During the “State of the State” address, Governor Inslee touched on his other priorities for the session.  The Governor has provided steady support for WSSB through his support of our supplemental budget request.  WSSB requested additional funds to support our needs around student transportation, digital braille literacy, reasonable accommodation, and a technical adjustment from the previous budget.  We will continue to monitor legislative movement related to our operating and capital budgets as well as any potential legislative impacts.

 

Strategic Planning Update:

After meeting with Tiffany Meyer of NUMA Marketing and receiving their official proposal, we have decided to delay our strategic planning efforts by one year.  While we were very excited to dive into the strategic planning process proposed by NUMA Marketing, we realized that our enthusiasm was a bit premature.  Because we are asking that our strategic planning facilitator be more involved than they had ever been with WSSB in the past, the cost for providing such personal services requires that we submit a proposal through the state bid system.  Because this bidding process will take time which will significantly delay our efforts this year, I have decided to delay strategic planning until next year.  We must be fully transparent in our processes and follow the appropriate procurement rules for this type of service to the agency.  During the information gathering stage, we did gain knowledge and understanding that will have a positive impact on our strategic planning efforts moving forward. WSSB greatly appreciates and would like to thank NUMA Marketing for their preliminary efforts related to our future strategic plan.