School Board Meeting Summary

Wenatchee School District

January 14, 2020 Special Meeting and Regular Meeting

The Wenatchee School Board will now provide a "Board Meeting Summary Briefing" after each Board meeting. The summary includes a short description of the main topics and action items. These summaries are not meant to replace minutes. The minutes for each meeting are approved and posted after the next regularly scheduled meeting. We hope these summaries provide some basic information and context around the reports, presentations and action items.

For the full packet of information including presentations and reports, click on the links below.

January 14 Special Meeting

January 14 Regular Meeting

Meetings are video streamed live online and the videos are archived on the District website here. Meetings prior to August 2019 are archived in calendar format here.

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Special Meeting, 12:00 PM

Attendance: Laura Jaecks, Martin Barron, Dr. Michele Sandberg

OATH OF OFFICE Watch
Julie Norton was sworn into office by Chelan County Superior Court Judge Lesley A. Allan. Ms. Norton then took her seat at the board table.

ACTION Watch

Resolution to appoint Board position #5

The Board took action to approved the resolution to assign Julie Norton to board position #5 for the term of two years at which point she would then be eligible to run for election for a full four-year term.

EXECUTIVE SESSION
The board adjourned into executive session to discuss the qualifications for the remaining six applicants for position #2.

ACTION Watch

Motion to Appoint Candidate to Open Board Position and Roll Call Vote
Dr. Sandberg motioned to appoint applicant Dr. Karina Vega-Villa to board position #2. The board discussed Dr. Vega-Villa’s qualifications and held a roll call vote of (1-0). Mr. Barron moved to appoint Ms. Maria Iñiguez. After discussion, the Board voted (4-1) to approved the appointment of Ms. Iñiguez to position #2.

Iñiguez will serve a two-year term through the appointment. In the next general election, Ms. Iñiguez will be eligible for a second two-year term. After that time she is eligible to run for a full four-year term.

Resolution to appoint Board position #2 Watch
The Board approved the resolution to appoint Maria Iñiguez to Board position #2.

ADJOURNMENT

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Regular Meeting, 6:00 PM

Attendance: Laura Jaecks, Martin Barron, Dr. Michele Sandberg, Julie Norton

OATH OF OFFICE Watch

Maria Iñiguez was sworn into office by Chelan County Superior Court Judge Lesley A. Allan.

BOARD PUBLIC COMMENT STATEMENT Watch

AGENDA APPROVAL Watch

SPECIAL PRESENTATION Watch

Hour of Code/Girls Who Code
Tina Nicpan-Brown, Lincoln 5th Grade STEM teacher
Annie Pankow, Lincoln Student Teacher

Ms. Nicpan-Brown shared an overview of her regional and State level work as a regional leader K-12 Computer Science standards development and learning pathways for students. Ms. Nicpan-Brown has helped to lead Hour of Code events at Lincoln and around the District in collaboration with WSD Instructional Technology staff and community partners. In August 2019 Ms. Nicpan-Brown and Lincoln student-teacher Ms. Annie Pankow, launched the Girls Who Code program before school for 14 girls. The students meet 3 days a week before school to work on coding and Nintendo Labo virtual reality (VR) kits.

Students from the Girls Who Code Program demonstrated their VR kits and allowed the Board to try them out.

CONSENT AGENDA Watch
The consent agenda was approved with the following items:

Minutes Regular Meeting 12-10-19 and Special Meeting 1-6-20
Vouchers/Payroll
Personnel Report
Surplus Report
Contracts
Field Trip Requests
Policy Numbers 2025, 3123 and 3245 - 2nd Read
November Financial Report

CITIZENS' COMMENTS Watch

Andy King a bus driver and PSE union member stated that the bus drivers are dedicated to providing professional services for students. He is hopeful that a fair contract can be reached between the District and Union.

ASB REPORTS Watch

WHS ASB President Kelly Norlin provided an update on events happening at WHS. Representatives from WestSide and Wenatchee Valley Technical Skills Center were not present.

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Watch

Social/Emotional Learning Survey Results
Mark Helm, Assistant Superintendent
Mike Lane, Director of State & Federal Programs

Mr. Helm and Mr. Lane provided a summary of data collected through recent Social-Emotional and climate surveys in schools (SEL grades K-12, with teacher support for K-2 and SEL grades 4-12). The purpose of the surveys was to establish baseline data, develop action plans and identify student support needs. Teachers and District SEL Committee members, Ms. Jodee Smith (Washington Elem.) and Ms. Amy Speitz (Orchard MS) provided an overview of SEL curriculum, bright spots, and areas of focus K-5 and 6-12.

Dr. Sandberg asked questions of the presenters regarding specific goals for SEL and survey participation rates.

Dr. Gordon thanked everyone involved in implementing SEL. He indicated that he was pleased with where the District is at and that we will only continue improving.

ACTION ITEMS Watch

Resolution No. 06-19 - Waiver of the Minimum 180-Day School Year
Dr. Paul Gordon, Superintendent
Kelly Lopez, Executive Director of Human Resources

Dr. Gordon clarified that the purpose of the waiver is to add 4 days to the calendar for parent-teacher conferences. This waiver is commonly filled out by school districts and is required by the state legislature.

Ms. Lopez commented that principals’ feedback indicated that there was unanimous support for the waiver. Ms. Lopez also indicated that the District will be putting forward a one-year calendar at this time and will be exploring other structures for conferences in the future.

The resolution was approved by the Board.

BOARD COMMUNICATION Watch
Mr. Barron welcomed new board members, Julie Norton and Maria Iñiguez. Ms. Jaecks mentioned that January is school board appreciation month and drew attention to the posters hung in the board room from several schools.

SUPERINTENDENT REPORT Watch

Dr. Gordon welcomed the Board and provided a quick overview of upcoming board business including new board member orientation, workshop on board norms, and visits to schools to observe early literacy instruction in classrooms. Looking ahead the board will begin having discussions on strategic planning, future facilities and redistricting.

Dr. Gordon recognized the good work of District Migrant and McKinney-Vento staff at the January 11th Columbia Valley Community Health Chill Out event. He celebrated the staff and the partnership with CVCH. Dr. Gordon indicated that this was one of the most special events he had ever been a part of. 1,300 people attend the two-hour event at Lincoln Park. One thousand sleds were given away and hundreds received a knitted Hat Project hat.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

ADJOURNMENT