
District Highlights
Chief Communications and Arts Officer Brian Fox provided
directors with an overview of the most recent Culture & Arts Festival
sponsored by the district at the Karshner Museum and Center for Culture &
Arts. On March 11, the Karshner Center hosted A Gathering of Families: A Celebration of Indigenous Culture & Art
attracting nearly 600 visitors and participants.
The free family festival,
sponsored by the Puyallup School District and held at the Karshner Museum and
Center for Culture & Arts was hosted with the goal of honoring Native
American culture, promoting indigenous arts, enhancing cultural awareness, and
promoting cultural competency. The incredible response to this year’s festival
suggests the possibility that this will become an annual event.
Fox showed several photos of
Puyallup students dancing in traditional regalia, the Chief Leschi Drum and
Dance group, storytellers, and visitors. Fox also promoted the final festival
for the 2016-17 school year which will be held on Saturday, April 1 – A Celtic Highland
Festival from noon to 5 p.m.
Next, Director of Athletics for Health and Fitness Rick Wells presented a summary of the 2016-17 winter sports
season, noting the Puyallup School District athletic program continues to play
an integral role in the development of outstanding student athletes.
Wells acknowledged four State
Champion wrestlers – two in academics and two in athletics. The State Wrestling
Coaches Association recognizes the top Grade Point Average (GPA) in each weight
division per classification in the state. Two PSD winners include:
- - Stephen Gibson, ERHS junior, representing the
113lb weight class
- - Keagan Anderson, PHS junior, representing the
120lb weight class
Wells also honored two state champion wrestlers:
- - Brooklyn Bartelson, PHS senior, 4A Girls
Wresting State Title at 120lbs
- - Josh Franich, PHS senior, 4A Boys State
Wrestling Champion at 138lbs
Wells also recognized several team state champions. The
Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) program recognizes and
rewards those teams or groups that maintain a high collective grade point
average. Any team with an average GPA of 3.00 – 3.49 qualifies for the
Distinguished Team Award. An average of 3.50 – 4.00 qualifies for the
Outstanding Team Award. The team or group with the highest average GPA in each
classification is recognized as Academic State Champion.
Three PSD programs have won the WIAA 4A state academic
championship for the winter season including:
- - PHS Girls Wrestling with a collective GPA of
3.77
- - RHS Gymnastic with a collective GPA average of
3.71
- - RHS Drama with a collective GPA of 3.57
“The Puyallup School District’s persistent efforts to create
a stimulating educational environment for its students has paid off
handsomely,” said Wells. “Since 2011, the PSD has produced 17 WIAA State
Academic Champions. This accomplishment is outstanding – a solid testimonial of
commitment, determination, and dedication.”
Students each had the chance to shake hands with directors
and were honored with applause from the audience.
Action Taken
In regular business, the board took action on
the following items:
·
Acceptance of a $10,400 donation to Brouillet
Elementary from the PTA for grade level classroom enrichment.
·
Acceptance of $14,000 to Brouillet Elementary
from the PTA for the purchase of laptops for classrooms.
·
Approval of additional costs for proposed code
costs and material upgrades for the Hunt Elementary classroom addition as
recommended by the Bond Oversight Committee.
Value Analysis Study
Chief Operations Officer
Mario Casello presented directors with a summary of the work done by a value
analysis team in their study of project requirements, planning, and design of
several bond projects including the replacement of Firgrove and Northwood
elementaries, and the construction of a new elementary in the southwest portion
of the district.
The Value Analysis (VA)
report assists in the decision making at the schematic design phase for the
elementary school projects. The goal for the studies is to review the current
design concepts and identify potential opportunities for design cost
effectiveness and efficiency. The VA Teams sought to identify site development,
planning, and building system alternatives that may offer cost or life cycle
cost benefits and/or improve project quality and reduce construction risks.
To see the slides used
in this report, and note the proposed changes and estimated cost savings,
please visit the PSD website: Value Engineering Report.
Future Disposition of Firgrove Elementary School
Next, Casello presented
options for the disposition of current Firgrove Elementary facilities once the
new Firgrove Elementary School has been constructed.
Casello recommended the
demolition of the main building. Due to the costs associated with repurposing
any of the current facilities due to changing building codes, it was
recommended to either:
- - Demolish the annex
building and reuse the materials in the new Firgrove school
- - Sell the brick annex
building to any entity interested
Casello’s report was
presented as informational. Directors will consider action to be taken and make
a decision at their next regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, April 3, 2017
at 6:00 p.m. at Edgemont Junior High.
Graduation Alliance
Dr.
Vince Pecchia, chief instructional leadership officer introduced a vendor under
consideration for their ability to specialize in dropout recovery and
re-engagement of students. The Instructional Leadership Department has met with
a representative from Graduation Alliance and is considering their possible
contribution as part of the continuum of services offered in the PSD
Alternative Learning Experience and Open Doors programs.
Pecchia
asked Director of Digital Learning and Puyallup Parent Partnership Programs
Lori Hadley to explain the benefits of such a partnership. Graduation Alliance
guarantees the following:
- - Continuum of services for students
- - Fully accredited program
- - Resources for students (Chromebook and Wi-Fi
access)
- - Case management of students served
- - Cost positive for the partnering school
district (up to 7%)
Human Resources
The HR report approved by the school board can be found at the following
website: Human Resources Department
Activity Memo for March 20, 2017.