Board Highlights for May 15, 2017
District Highlights
For 30 minutes prior to the start of the school board meeting audience members were entertained by the Edgemont Junior High Jazz Band. Under the direction of Mr. Andy Burch, student musicians performed several jazz pieces adding to a festival atmosphere.
The District Highlights portion of the meeting featured 70 Outstanding Seniors from across the school district (see photos in gallery below).
Each year the school board honors Outstanding Seniors from each of the district’s four high schools as well as the Puyallup Digital Learning program. Students were identified by staff for a variety of reasons which distinguish them from their peers. Some characteristics which set students apart include work ethic, leadership, encouragement of others, resilience, academic achievement, and positive influence.
Rogers High School Principal Jason Smith honored outstanding Rams including:
Sarah Archer
Victor Beling
Tristen Coltom
Tarik Cruz
Josh Finley
Eduardo Flores
Mariya Gaither
Regan Gallo
Zachary Gommi
Micha Jones
Zavion Lyons
Connor Matekel
Jensen Molver
Kylie Paine
Isaac Perez
Madysen Privatsky
Serena Sheehan
Allison Sweet
Malaina Thacker
Jessi Westering
Emerald Ridge High School Principal Kevin Hampton honored outstanding Jaguars including:
Dominic Choi
Derrick Derricks
Audrey Fernandez
JT Hamel
Grace Jeffries
Sharon Kang
Kayla Linquist
Dominick Lopes
Kasey Loucks
Jane McDonald
Sean McGinty
Jonah Rink
Mikaela Rink
Logan Skoda
Jeremay Todd
Mohagani Townsend
Sarah Wertenberger
Ben Woodbury
Alishia Yoon
Quinn Zilly
Principal of Walker High School Alicia Nosworthy honored outstanding wolves including:
Julianna Hamilton
Brittnee Kaelin
Daniel Oney
Ilena Vera-Cruz-Lopez
Chelsea Wentz
Director of Puyallup Digital Learning Lori Hadley honored outstanding students including:
Grace Denchfield
Bryan Montoya-Perez
Matthew Rice
Joshua Sanders
Cali-Ann Sparks
Puyallup High School Principal Dave Sunich honored outstanding Vikings including:
Deepa Bajwa
Brady Berg
Leah Britt
Gavin Dunayski
Samuel Ebner
Miranda Gooler
Emma Hodges
Sophie Hurst
Rian Kasner
Pualani Knapp
Sang Lee
Roy Massett
Hannah McCann
Karli Mueller
Kennedy Robillard
Christopher Robinson
Madison Salisbury
Myles Smith
Grady Thompson
Michaela Todd
Board Policy Updates
Directors were presented a second reading of several school board policies which have been revised due to legislative changes, suggestions by the Washington State School Directors Association (WSSDA), or to implement district efficiencies and effective use of available resources. These policies include:
Policy 3240 - Student Conduct Expectations and Reasonable Sanctions
Policy 6545 - Personal Use of District Materials, Tools, and Facilities
Policy 6890 - State Environmental Policy Act Compliance
Assistant Superintendent Casey Cox provided directors with an overview of the changes made. Directors approved revisions of all policies.
Student Handbook Report
Director of Student Services and School Safety Char Krause provided directors with an update and recommended changes for the annual revision of the student handbook called “Rights and Responsibilities.”
Changes in laws, social trends, and best practices in school discipline require that the district review and revise the handbook regulations for students. Under Senate Bill 5946 and the recently (2016) enacted House Bill 1541 the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction continues to mandate districts engage in disciplinary practices which help close the opportunity gap for all students and decrease the disproportionality in student discipline.
Highlighted changes for the 2017-18 handbook include:
- Updated request for hearing timeline for emergency expulsion from 10 days to 3 days
- Added "reasonable self-defense" under fighting
- Updated and clarified attendance section
- Clarified items referenced in other types of weapons section
- Updated technology section to be in alignment with policy changes
- Updated WAC and RCW citations throughout
- Updated references to sanctions to be in alignment with new laws, district policies and philosophy
Human Resources
The HR report approved by the school board can be found at the following website: Human Resources Department Activity Memo for May 15, 2017.
The next meeting of the PSD School Board will be held on Monday, June 5, 2017 beginning at 6 p.m. at Edgemont Junior High, 2300 – 110th Ave. E, Edgewood, 98372.