Rene Bierds from the Transportation Department
Lola McNair from Operations
Evan Windsor from EdTec
To learn more about each of this year’s Classified Employees of the Year see the news story Meet Puyallup’s Classified School Employees of the Year posted on the landing page of the PSD website.
Fox then reminded directors that ballots for the Special Election held on February 13, 2018 will be mailed out at the end of the week – around January 26. Voters should watch for their ballot and are encouraged to return it BEFORE 8 p.m. on February 13.
Directors thanked Ballou Junior High Principal Lisa Kusche for hosting the board meetings during first semester. Beginning February 5 the school board will meet at the Karshner Museum and Center for Culture & Arts.
Fox then reminded directors and the audience that January has been School Board Appreciation month and thanked directors on behalf of the staff, students, parents, and community for their dedication to Puyallup students. When asked for a round of applause the audience gave directors a standing ovation.
Action Taken – Zeiger PTA Donation
Dr. John Parker, chief academic officer for regional learning community II, asked for board consideration of a financial donation offered to the district by Zeiger Elementary Parent Teacher Association. Parker introduced Zeiger Principal Angelo Mills who explained the $6,500 will be designated for classroom enrichment.
Directors approved the donation and thanked Zeiger parents and PTA for their ongoing support of students and staff.
Action Taken – Accelerate Empowering Puyallup Initiative
Executive Director of Instructional Technology Mark Vetter requested consideration of Resolution No. 201 2017-18 to accelerate Empowering Puyallup’s substantial completion from the fall of 2021 to the fall of 2019.
Empowering Puyallup was created to increase engagement and achievement for all students. Giving every student access to current technology empowers them to reimagine their learning and their future.
“The district is now providing teachers the tools they need to personalize instruction and prepare students for our technology-driven world,” says Vetter. “Our goal is to provide all our students and teachers the tools they deserve.”
Directors approved the resolution to accelerate completion of the technology initiative and thanked Vetter and his team for their work in making this possible.
Action Taken – Empowering Puyallup General Fund Balance Designation
With the approval of Resolution No. 201 2017-18 Corine Pennington, chief financial officer, asked the board of directors to consider Resolution No. 189 2017-18 which would designate $5.5 million in the General Fund balance sheet exclusively to accelerate the Empowering Puyallup timeline by two years to the fall of 2019.
“Empowering Puyallup is our most significant and comprehensive effort towards increasing equity, engagement and achievement for all students,” said Pennington. “With an additional investment we can move that goal up by two full academic years. Directors approved the resolution as presented.
Action Taken – 2018-19 Board Meeting Schedule
Superintendent Tim Yeomans recommended a 2018-19 calendar for meetings of the board of directors. Consistent with past practice, the calendar schedules board meetings twice per month and generally on the first and third Mondays of the month with the exception of April, July, and December during which there will be one meeting only.
In addition to regular board meetings, the following work study sessions were recommended:
- Friday, September 28, 2018
- Friday, January 25, 2019
- Friday, March 22, 2019
- Friday, April 26, 2019
- Friday, May 24, 2019
Each work session is scheduled for 9 – 11 a. m. at the Educational Services Center (ESC). Directors approved the calendar.
Board Policy
Directors heard a first reading of recommendations made for updates to an existing school board policy. Changes may be required due to legislative changes, suggestions by the Washington State School Directors' Association (WSSDA) or to implement district efficiencies and effective use of available resources:
The following policy was presented by Assistant Superintendent Casey Cox for first reading by the board:
5401 – Illness, Injury and Emergency Leave
Directors will consider taking action on this policy at their next regularly scheduled board meeting at 6 p.m. on February 5, 2018 at Karshner Museum and Center for Culture & Arts.
Business Services Report
Director of Business Services Laura Marcoe presented financial statements for the General Fund, Capital Projects Fund, Debt Service Fund, Associated Student Body Fund, Transportation Vehicle Fund, and the Private Purpose Trust Fund. Key messages shared by Marcoe include:
- November is the last month of substantial receipts for fall property tax collections. Approximately $4.4 million, $2.4 million, and $85,000 was received for the General, Debt Service, and Capital Projects Funds, respectively.
- The district received its second insurance recovery check in the amount of $1.1 million related to losses from the bus barn fire in August 2016.
Human Resources Report
The Human Resources report approved by the school board can be found using the link below:
Human Resources Report January 22, 2018.
Upcoming Meetings
The next meeting the Puyallup School District Board of Directors will be at 6 p.m. on Monday, February 5, 2018 at Karshner Museum and Center for Culture & Arts, 309 – 4th St NE, Puyallup, WA 98372.