SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

SPRINGFIELD, OR 97477 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2001

7:30 P.M.

MINUTES

5/ A work session regarding refining Board Goals was held September 10, 2001 beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the boardroom of the District Administration Center, 525 Mill Street. Board members in attendance included Jennifer Heiss, Tom Atkinson, Marty Lenk, Garry Weber and Jonathan Light. Others in attendance included Jamon Kent, Judy Land, Len Arney, Steve Barrett, Roger Jordan, Bruce Smolnisky, Charlie Beck, Debbie Egan, Cherie Kistner, Karen Lewis, and Yvonne Atteberry. The work session was concluded at 7:19 p.m.

1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER/FLAG SALUTE

A regular meeting of the Lane County School District No. 19 Board of Education was held September 10, 2001 in the boardroom of the Administration Center. Chairman Heiss called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. A revised meeting agenda was distributed, which included the addition of Resolution #01-02.019, SEA Memorandum of Agreement. The resolution was added to the Consent Agenda.

Attendance

In addition to Chairman Heiss, board members in attendance included Tom Atkinson, Marty Lenk, Jonathan Light and Garry Weber.

District staff, students and community members identified included Jamon Kent, Len Arney, Steve Barrett, Roger Jordan, Judy Land, Bruce Smolnisky, Charlie Beck, Debbie Egan, Cherie Kistner, Karen Lewis, Merwin Logan, Julee Reinhart, Erin Wolff, Yvonne Atteberry, Steve Stermer, John Svoboda, Steve Dustrude, Volinda Wilson, Lora Rangel, Peggy Stephens, Dean Stephens, Theresa Barrett, Marilee Johnsen, James A. Harris, Vina Davis, Pete Warren, and Kim Sullivan of The Springfield News.

2. RECOGNITION

District employees from the Transportation Department were recognized for achievements at regional, state and national level competitions in May, June and July. Three competitions were held earlier this year:

In addition School Bus Fleet magazine has named the Springfield Transportation Department Top Fleet In Oregon. An article is to appear in the upcoming issue of School Bus Fleet magazine.

The following individuals, as well as Transportation Department Manager Volinda Wilson, were presented with a certificate and a pen in recognized for their achievements:

Natalie Gates

6th place "Conventional" at Nationals

1st place "Conventional" at State

1st place "Conventional" at Regionals

2nd place Team Trophy at Regionals

Dean Stephens

3rd place "Transit" at Regionals

Competitor at State

Lora Rangel

7th place "Transit" at State

4th place "Transit" at Regionals

3rd place Team Trophy at Regionals

Vina Davis

4th place "Mini Bus" at Regionals

3rd place Team Trophy at Regionals

Competitor at State

Kim Clontz

5th place "Transit" at Regionals

Competitor at State

Jim Harris

2nd place Team Trophy at Regionals

10th place "Transit" at Regionals

3^rd place Team Trophy at State

Leslie McClintock

Competitor at Regionals

Pete Warren

Competitor at Regionals

Jerri Keen

2nd place Team Trophy at Regionals

Larry Honaker

Competitor at Regionals

Peggy Stephens

3rd place Team Trophy at Regionals

Francis Vento

Competitor at Regionals

3. CONSENT AGENDA – ITEMS FOR ACTION

Tom Atkinson moved, Marty Lenk seconded, to approve the following items in the Consent Agenda, including the additional resolution noted on the revised agenda, as specified in the superintendent’s recommendations:

A. Approval of August 27, 2001 Minutes

B. Operations Report

C. Elementary Reading/Language Arts Supplemental Textbooks, First Reading

• Ramona Forever, Beverly Cleary/Scholastic, 1984

• Ramona’s World, Beverly Cleary/Scholastic, 1999

• Beezus and Ramona, Beverly Cleary/Scholastic, 1955

• A to Z Mysteries: The Falcon’s Feathers, Ron Roy/Scholastic, 1998

• A to Z Mysteries: The Empty Envelope, Ron Roy/Scholastic, 1998

• A to Z Mysteries: The Deadly Dungeon, Ron Roy/Scholastic, 1998

• A to Z Mysteries: The Canary Caper, Ron Roy/Scholastic, 1998

• A to Z Mysteries: The Bald Bandit, Ron Roy/Scholastic, 1997

• A to Z Mysteries: The Absent Author, Ron Roy/Scholastic, 1997

• Nate the Great and the Tardy Tortoise, Marjorie & Craig Sharmat/Yearling Books, 1996

• Nate the Great and the Stolen Base, Marjorie & Craig Sharmat/Yearling Books, 1992

• Fourth Grade Rats, Jerry Spinelli/Scholastic, 1991

for use in the Elementary Reading/Language Arts program.

D. Personnel Action, Resolution #01-02.018

5. Springfield Education Association Memorandum of Agreement – Surplus Medical Premiums, Resolution #01-02.019

Discussion: None

VOTE: The motion passed: 5-0.

4. PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

5. REPORTS and DISCUSSION

A. Student Reports

Julee Reinhart, Thurston High School student representative, reported on summer construction projects around the school and back to school activities, including 9^th-grade-only day for First Mates and Colt Connection, the new student mentoring program.

Erin Wolff, Springfield High School student representative and Associated Student Body president, reported on back to school activities including the Link program for incoming 9^th graders, a site council retreat on September 13, a sportsmanship workshop she attended, and junior/senior scholarship night on September 19.

B. Superintendent’s Report

Superintendent Kent distributed the 2001-02 school calendar provided by Lane ESD, reflecting holidays and inservice days for all 16 school districts in Lane County. Mr. Kent also asked board members to review the updated board representative card before it’s sent to print. Board members agreed the card should include the student board representatives.

Mr. Kent reminded board members of the following upcoming meetings:

• October 17, TEAM Springfield meeting for CEOs and Mayor/Board/Council Chairs, 3-4:30 p.m., at Springfield City Hall Library Meeting Room. The date of the next Full TEAM Springfield meeting will be determined at this meeting.

• September 20, Willamalane Focus Group meeting, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at Willamalane Senior Center.

• September 17, OSBA Fall Regional meeting, 6:00 p.m., at Lane ESD. Board members Atkinson, Heiss, Lenk and Light expressed interest in attending.

C. Board Communication/Reports

Chairman Heiss asked board members their interest in attending the Willamalane Focus Group meeting on September 20, from 5:30 – 7:30. Board members Heiss and Atkinson agreed to participate and asked that a staff member also attend the meeting.

Tom Atkinson volunteered to attend the Oregon Solutions: Springfield Solutions meeting at the City of Springfield on Thursday, September 13, 4-6 p.m. Board members asked that a staff member also attend the meeting.

Tom Atkinson reported that the City Library Committee finalized its formal recommendation to the Springfield City Council for a serial levy November 2002 to bring library services up to state standards. The levy would also include funding to finalize the special district option and initiate a metro plan amendment. Mr. Atkinson reported that if the metro plan is amended and the levy passes, the committee would recommend a special district election in November 2004.

Mr. Atkinson also reported on the back to school activities/events he attended at Thurston High, Thurston Middle, Ridgeview and Walterville. Mr. Atkinson asked the board to review the future of the Walterville Middle School program, which is down to twenty-two 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grade students in one classroom. Len Arney advised that the Goshen Middle School program currently has 44 students.

Jonathan Light commented on the success of the all staff picnic at Willamalane Park on August 30 and thanked Cherie Kistner for her efforts. Mr. Light also thanked staff for the time and effort they have put in on the board goals.

Marty Lenk reported that Lane Council of Governments (LCOG) would spotlight Springfield Public Schools in its next publication. Mr. Lenk announced the next LCOG meeting would be held in Florence on September 27. Mr. Lenk reported on the back to school activities he attended at Hamlin Middle and Thurston High. Mr. Lenk encouraged the student board representatives to join in the board conversations to share their perspectives.

D. Board Work Session Goals 2 and 3

Cherie Kistner and Bruce Smolnisky provided board goals information in the work session. Ms. Kistner and Mr. Smolnisky will update the information as discussed in the work session and present additional information at the next board meeting.

E. Opening School Report

Len Arney reported that 11,220 students began the 2001-2002 school year, within 12 students of Judy Land’s enrollment projection. Schools that began with more students than anticipated include Camp Creek, with more kindergarten students; Maple Elementary; and Hamlin Middle School. He also reported that enrollment was up at Springfield High School, especially the freshman class. Mr. Arney said the goal is to make necessary adjustments in buildings by the end of week. He also reported that student numbers in self-contained classrooms should be finalized by Wednesday, and Thurston Middle School has lower than expected enrollment.

Student representatives reported on the overcrowding at the high schools, where there are more students in classrooms than they have desks or books for.

Chairman Heiss asked Charlie Beck to look into the situation at Springfield High School, where it was reported that freshman are given a "release" to leave study hall.

Judy Land reported that district-wide enrollment was up at the Kindergarten level; first grade is over projection; fourth grade enrollment is down; sixth grade enrollment is up; and the junior class at Springfield High School is over projection.

In response to a question from Jonathan Light about obtaining a copy of student enrollment numbers, Len Arney said the information should be available in the near future with a report to be made at the next board meeting.

Bruce Smolnisky reported on the back to school activities at the elementary level. He also provided information on transfers, where 15% (832) of the elementary students requested in-district transfers, 70 of those requests were cancelled. Of the remaining number, 87% (665) of the requests were approved.

In response to a question from Marty Lenk regarding the impact of transfers on bus schedules, Mr. Smolnisky said that the impact should be minimal because the district does not provide transportation for transfer students. If the parents of a transfer student makes a request for their student to ride the bus, the Transportation Department does allow transfer students to ride the bus on a "space available" basis.

Charlie Beck reported on the back to school activities at the secondary level and the task of balancing student numbers at the middle and high schools.

Roger Jordan reported that 112 new employees have been hired this school year; two new administrators; 68 new teachers; 40 classified employees; and two specialty employees at the TurnAround School. Mr. Jordan also reported that the average educational level of the new teachers is a bachelor’s degree plus 68 or a master’s degree; the average age of the new teachers is 37.62; the average experience of the teachers is 3.97 years. Mr. Jordan said that 12 people were hired from out of state and that six graduates of Springfield high schools were hired. Of the 68 new teachers hired, the personnel department processed four emergency licenses and eight expedited licenses through the Teachers Standards and Practices Commission.

Steve Barrett reported that the opening of school for the maintenance, transportation and food service departments went very smoothly. Grounds crews have work very hard on preparing the sports fields for the return of students. He reported that food service staff have been working diligently to process free and reduced meal applications. Mr. Barrett thanked board members for recognizing the hard work of the transportation workers. He reported that the department now has 23 special education bus routes, serving 530 special education students.

Judy Land reported that the district has successfully transitioned to a new student services system and that we should thank the 4J School District for assisting Springfield Public Schools in the smooth transition. Ms. Land commended Technology Services staff for their hard work in implementing the new system and the school secretaries for the long hours they have worked to ensure the data is correct and working on the new system. She also reported that the district "pulled the plug" on OTIS student systems on September 4 and the district is now working on Sierra Software system with 4J.

Mr. Arney thanked staff for all their hard work in the opening of the new school year.

F. Assessment Report

Debbie Egan reviewed the district’s assessment data including testing of all 3^rd, 5^th, 8^th, and 10^th grade students in reading, math, writing and science. Ms. Egan also provided information on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) for the district, the state and the nation. The average SAT Verbal score for Springfield students was 523; the average state score was 536; and the national average was 506. The average SAT Math score for Springfield students was 528; the average state score was 526; and the national average score was 514.

In response to a question from Marty Lenk regarding the percentage of students who took the SAT exam, Ms. Egan said approximately 27% of Springfield students took the test.

Ms. Egan provided an overview of the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) program for first graders throughout the district. Ms. Egan provided information on phoneme segmentation fluency, nonsense word fluency, and curriculum-based measures. Ms. Egan summarized by saying that students are doing well in the program and are learning to read fairly fluently.

In response to a question from Jonathan Light regarding reading programs for students who may not be doing as well, Debbie Egan explained that the district uses board-adopted curriculum including Reading Mastery, Read Well and Project Optimize for extra support.

In response to a question from Jennifer Heiss, Ms. Egan said that the DIBELS program is used for kindergarten and first grade students.

In response to a question form Garry Weber regarding state assessment and comprehension, Ms. Egan explained that first, kids learn to read; then kids learn to read fluently; and then kids read to learn. Ms. Egan said that students are not tested on comprehension until grade three, at which time they are reading fluently enough that they are actually reading to learn.

Regarding Jonathan Light’s question about the use of the Start Making A Reader Today (SMART) program, Ms. Egan explained that students typically referred to the SMART program are those students who don’t have people at home to read to them.

Mr. Arney said that a trained group of retired teachers have been hired to do the DIBELS testing, providing a consistent standard throughout the district.

Marty Lenk expressed concern about the way the district is reporting SAT scores and the small number of students taking the exams. Board members discussed ways the district could reach out and encourage more students to take the SAT exam. Board members expressed interest in how the district compares to the other comparator districts on the SAT exam.

Superintendent Kent reminded board members of the Career Fair sponsored by the Springfield Chamber that is held each year for sophomores. Jonathan Light reported that a career fair will also be offered for middle school students this year, assisting students in building their class schedules in high school and enlightening them of opportunities beyond high school.

Student board member Julee Reinhart shared information on the Colt Connection student mentoring program and how the counselors reach out to students and encourage them to take the SAT exam.

Continuation of Board Worksession – Discussion on Board Goal #4 Improve board meetings (public, agenda, procedures, etc.)

Garry Weber expressed concern that the public may not be aware of the items included in the Consent Agenda. Board members asked that a statement be prepared for them to read prior to the board voting on the Consent Agenda.

Chairman Heiss discussed the NSBA self-assessment questionnaire discussed at the large district meeting and asked board members of their interest in exploring use of the assessment tool. Board members agreed to individually take the self-assessment and come back together to discuss the results. Chairman Heiss will email the assessment to other board members.

Tom Atkinson expressed his preference to spend at least 50% or more of the board meetings working on strategic school district issues. Board members agreed to find more and better ways to conduct school board meetings efficiently.

Garry Weber suggested holding work sessions throughout the year to evaluate how the board is progressing on their goals. Board members discussed ways to communicate their message to the public. Suggestions included use of the web and a designated webmaster, surveys, communication with the public, and "process checks."

Chairman Heiss summarized the discussion on Board Goal #4 as:

• Spend 50% or more time on strategic issues

• Conduct self-assessments (of how the board is working together) throughout the year

• Improve board meetings through continuous improvement focusing on strategic issues

• Process checks

• Determine from the public, how the board is doing

Superintendent Kent agreed to rewrite Goal #4 for the board using the above information and provide information at the next board meeting.

6. ACTION ITEMS

None

7. OTHER BUSINESS

None

8. NEXT MEETING

Chairman Heiss announced the next board meeting would be held September 24, 2001, at the Administration Center boardroom, 525 Mill Street, Springfield. A work session on board policy review is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.

9. ADJOURNMENT

With no other business, Chairman Heiss announced adjournment at 9:25 p.m.

KL