Board Meeting Minutes
November 13, 2007

FEDERAL WAY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 210 – KING COUNTY
FEDERAL WAY, WASHINGTON 98003

The Board of Education of the Federal Way Public School District No. 210 held a regular Board Meeting at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 13, 2007, at Federal Way City Hall Council Chambers, 33325 8th Avenue South, Federal Way, WA 98003.

Call to Order

President Ed Barney called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m.

Recess and Reconvene

Mr. Barney immediately recessed the meeting to Executive Session at 6:15 p.m. for legal matters and real estate. He reconvened the meeting at 6:45 p.m. and then recessed the meeting for a break.

President Barney reconvened the meeting at 7:00 p.m.

Board Members Present:
Ed Barney, President
Dave Larson, Vice President
Charles Hoff, Director
Evelyn Castellar, Director

Board Members Excused:
Tom Madden, Director

Staff Present:
Tom Murphy, Superintendent
Mark Davidson, Deputy Superintendent
Carol Matsui, Assistant Superintendent
Sally McLean, Chief Financial Officer
Rod Leland, Director of Facilities
Chuck Christensen, Director of Human Resources
Diane Turner, Director of Communications
Chris Popich, Administrative Assistant

Colors Presented and Pledge of Allegiance

The JROTC from Federal Way High School presented the flag followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of Consent Agenda

Director Hoff moved that the Board of Education approve the Consent Agenda of November 13, 2007 with the exception of item Q. Seconded by Director Larson. Motion failed 3-1. Director Hoff pointed out that the Consent has to be adopted by all Board Members. Director Larson agreed but President Barney did not. Director Hoff moved to remove Item Q and place it on the regular agenda.  Director Larson seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

Director Hoff moved that the Board of Education approve the agenda of November 13, 2007 as amended by President Barney. This amendment is to add the item removed from the Consent Agenda as item #4.  Seconded by Director Castellar. Motion carried unanimously.

Approval of Minutes

Director Hoff moved that the Board of Education approve the minutes of the Board Meeting of October 23, 2007 as submitted. Seconded by Director Larson. Motion carried unanimously.

Action Items

Chris Popich said there are no open action items.

Superintendent Comments

Superintendent Tom Murphy thanked the JROTC from Federal Way High School for attending and presenting the colors. Mr. Murphy reminded everyone that the District received a positive ruling from Judge Heavey on the fair funding lawsuit. He congratulated all the candidates who ran for office. Mr. Murphy introduced the video shown this evening about the chemical clean up of the secondary schools in Federal Way.

Mr. Murphy announced that House Joint Resolution 4204 regarding the constitutional amendment to allow levies to pass by a simple majority is now leading.

The Superintendent wished everyone a safe Thanksgiving.

Public Comment

The following patrons have made comment on any item of their interest. The name, service area where they live and the topic of concern is listed below.

• Clarissa Poe, Truman High School student, Seatbelts in School Buses
• Walter Backstrom, Rainier View Elementary School, Parent Engagement
• Bill Pirkle, Mirror Lake Service Area, Grade Inflation and Finks
• Mark Laurel, Valhalla Service Area, Directors and Media
• Shannon Rasmussen, FWEA President, Creativity Prepares Students for a Global Economy
• Shari Coates, Star Lake Service Area, Thank you to Directors Castellar and Hoff for their years of service

School Board Comments

Director Hoff remarked on the comments made during Public Comment. He commented on the expense of sports in the District, reputation of students looking to attend college, and the cost of educating students. He responded to the comments made at the last School Board Meeting and he spoke in excess of 15 minutes on different educational topics. He passed out his list of accomplishments to fellow board members that Director Castellar asked for at the last meeting.

Director Castellar shared that she had been traveling in Europe and she had a little show and tell about her trip. She spoke about the Olympiad and why they were created and the importance of them. She said she believes the education in the United States is far superior to other systems around the world. She thanked Dave for his work on the lawsuit and thanked Ed for his assistance.

Director Larson thanked Director Castellar for her belief in him. He said kind things about Charlie and how hard he works for education. He talked about the article he wrote that was in the News Tribune today. He read a portion of it. He said he is teaching Civics at Lakota and he spoke at a Social Studies class at Todd Beamer High School.

President Barney spoke about a donation to Todd Beamer High School from the Bezos Foundation. He reminded the Board Members about the activities on the calendar. President Barney said that the athletes from Federal Way are noted not only for their athleticism but for their GPA’s.

Policy 2161: Special Education and Related Services for Eligible Students

Chris Willis said this has been a policy since the late 1970’s but that the policy has changed to reflect the new laws. This policy is on for first reading.

Construction Bond Progress Report

Mr. Rod Leland, Director of Facilities, said that nothing is being built yet but that there are meetings scheduled and lots of behind the scenes progress being made.

Added Item #4 moved from the Consent Agenda

Director Hoff questioned why a cheer squad and teachers would miss school to attend a competition in Disneyland. Director Larson said that this is a lifetime experience for these girls who raised their own money to attend this National Cheer Competition. Director Larson moved to approve item 4, the expenditure of funds to send the Cheer Squad from Decatur High School to attend a Cheer Competition in California. Seconded by Director Castellar. Motion passed 3-1 with by a roll call vote with Directors Castellar, Larson, and Barney voting yes and Director Hoff the lone no vote.

Executive Session Decision

Director Hoff moved that Superintendent Tom Murphy be authorized to sign a Letter of Interest for the two properties commonly known as parcels 042109237 and 042109040. Seconded by Director Larson. Motion carried unanimously.

Educational Programs and Operations Levy (E.P. & O. Levy)

Ms. Sally McLean once again presented information on the E.P. & O Levy which is a replacement levy for education. This replacement levy funds district educational programs and school operations, including classroom support, technology and security staff, athletics and activities, maintenance, and transportation, and authorizes the excess levies to replace an expiring levy on all taxable property within the District. This allows current programs to continue and pays for 20% of ALL of basic education, 17% of Special Education services, 7% of transportation services and less than 2% of English Language learners. The tax rate promise is $4.19.

Resolution 2007-33: Debt Service Fund

Sally McLean pointed out to the Board that they adopted a resolution for the Bond Sale. She said because of this sale, the debt service fund has to be reissued to make the interest payment for the bond sale completed today. Director Hoff moved that the Board adopt Resolution 2007-33 for the purpose of revising 2008 tax collections for the Debt Service Fund from $17,500,000 to $18,877,000. Seconded by Director Castellar. Motion carried unanimously.

President Barney adjourned the meeting at 8:52 p.m.

Ed Barney, Board President
Tom Murphy, Superintendent

Minutes prepared by Chris Popich, Administrative Assistant