
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.