Highlights of the school board meeting held on March 3, 2017

District Highlights

The school board meeting was opened with a performance from an Edgemont Junior High string quartet including Randia Krause, Melika Namaya, Julia Richards, and Sophie Whitfelt. The ensemble had recently competed in the Valley Region Solo and Ensemble Contest having earned an “Excellent” rating. They performed a portion of Canon In D Major by Johann Pachelbel. 

Directors then were presented an update on the school district’s mutually beneficial partnership with the Secretary of State’s office and the joint presentation made recently at the Washington State Council for Social Studies (WSCSS). Chief Communications and Arts Officer Brian Fox reminded directors of the Legacy Washington project – a history project spearheaded by Secretary of State Kim Wyman. The exhibits researched, written, and produced annually by the SOS office staff are on display in the Great Hall at the Karshner Museum and Center for Culture & Arts immediately following their display in the Legislative Building in Olympia.

District and SOS staff co-presented at the WSCSS spring conference an overview of the partnership and promoted the development of a new website for teacher access to primary sources kept in the state archives and state library.

The board was then addressed by Secretary of State Kim Wyman who thanked the directors for the collaborative work being done between her office and the school district. Noting the original goal of reaching many more students across the state with Legacy Washington exhibits, Secretary Wyman praised the Puyallup School District for their support of the Karshner Center. She thanked PSD staff for the curriculum development, field trip opportunities, and support for classroom teachers created using the state archives and Legacy Washington exhibits.

Secretary Wyman outlined the vision she has had to expand the connection between the state archives and library with students and teachers across the state. “We have nearly 180 million individual records of our state’s history,” said Wyman. “We are a research library on Washington history written by Washington authors.” Describing the partnership with Puyallup and the greater exposure of the Legacy Washington exhibits, Wyman thanked the board of directors for their support. “You helped us make that vision happen,” Wyman said. “It’s powerful and it’s exciting.”

Directors were then introduced to the 2017 Classified Employees of the Year.

Kristin Brands, recess supervisor, paraeducator, and building support para at Hunt Elementary was called at “game changer” by Principal Rebecca Williams. “She is positive with a ‘can do’ attitude and she inspires others to see the good in all kids, in all adults, and in all situation.”

Laura Allen, a Support Center paraeducator at Kalles Junior High was introduced next. She is described by Principal Guy Kovacs as incredibly skilled in supporting students. “Laura is able to move students to new heights with their learning, their confidence, and their living skills.”

Finally, Bev Vesey, Attendance Secretary at PHS was introduced to directors. Principal Dave Sunich describes Bev as a person who shows kindness to students, staff, and parents. “She wins the hearts of every student and staff member. She builds relationships with students and has made a difference for our students by being the first friendly face they see, while holding them accountable.”

Colleagues and family members dominated the audience at the school board meetings. The support and appreciation for these three Classified Employees of the Year was evident in the cheers of encouragement, signs, flowers, and applause.

Each of the honorees received a beautiful plaque tocommemorate the event.

Following District Highlights, the board of directors took action on a proclamation that the week of March 13-17 will be designated at Classified Public School Employee Week to honor the nearly 1,800 classified employees who support the learning environment for students in the Puyallup School District.

Board Policy Updates
Directors were presented with a second reading of two 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 2022 – Electronic Resources and Internet Safety

     Policy 3245 – Students and Electronic Devices

Assistant Superintendent Casey Cox provided directors with an overview of the changes being recommended. Directors approved revisions of both policies.

Action Taken
In regular business, the board took action on the following items:

·       Acceptance of a $10,4300 donation to Brouillet Elementary from the PTA for grade level classroom enrichment.

·       Approval of additional costs for proposed code costs and material upgrades related to the 2015 construction bond as recommended by the Bond Oversight Committee.

Enrollment Projections

Consultant Dr. Les Kendrick provides demographic analysis and enrollment projections for local school district. He presented directors with his enrollment projections for the 2017-18 school year including a discussion of regional trends and district specific growth.

Factors presented include population trends from county to county, live birth rate for Pierce County, and new construction of single- and multi-family homes

From October 2015 to October 2016 the Puyallup School District enrollment grew by 334 students. Projections show continued growth in the district for the next decade.

 To view Dr. Kendrick’s slide presentation, visit the PSD website: Kendrick enrollment projections 2017.

 Business Services

Director of Business Services Laura Marcoe provided the board with financial statements for January 2017. Her key messages included the following:

• Transportation paid for and received one 22 passenger and nine 84 passenger buses to replace ones lost in the fire.  A planned fleet replacement purchase of five 26 passenger Thomas Built buses were also received.

• All funds are operating as expected.

Human Resources
The HR report approved by the school board can be found at the following website: Human Resources Department Activity Memo for March 6, 2017.