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Beaverton School District
Beaverton School District

Beaverton Schools

School Board Business Meeting
Beaverton School District 48 
Administration Center
September 24, 2018


 

Board Members Present:

Becky Tymchuk, Chair
Eric Simpson, Vice Chair
Anne Bryan
Tom Colett
LeeAnn Larsen
Donna Tyner 
Susan Greenberg 

Staff Present:
  • Don Grotting, Superintendent
  • Ginny Hansmann, Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning
  • Carl Mead, Deputy Superintendent of Operations
  • Gayellyn Jacobson, Chief Financial Officer
  • Steve Langford, Chief Information Officer
  • Sue Robertson, Chief Human Resource Officer
  • Maureen Wheeler, Public Communications Officer
  • David Williams, Executive Administrator for Strategic Relations/Initiatives
  • Camellia Osterink, District Legal Counsel
Staff Present:
  • Patrick Meigs, Executive Administrator for Elementary Schools
  • Kathleen Skidmore, Executive Administrator for Elementary Schools
  • John Peplinski, Administer for Curriculum Instruction & Assessment
  • Jon Bridges, Administrator for Accountability
  • Kristin LeMon, Principal of Cooper Mountain Elementary School
  • Cynthia Lam Moffett, Principal of Elmonica Elementary School
  • Malindi Zimmer, Assistant Principal
  • Brandi Clark, Teacher on Special Assignment Instruction
  • Janine Weir, Teacher on Special Assignment Instruction
Visitors: 27
Media: 0

I. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS Board Chair Becky Tymchuk

School Board Chair Becky Tymchuk called the Business Meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

Recognition of Students, Staff, and Community

The Board recognized Health & Science School students, Sara Cho, Tara Martinez, Naomi Thomas, and Nova Leonard for winning first place in the SafeOregon PSA and #Hashtag Contest. Representatives from SafeOregon presented Health & Science School with their award.

II. BOARD PROCEDURES Becky Tymchuk

There were no changes to the agenda.

III. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

  • Sara Schmitt, Beaverton Education Association (BEA) President, reported on the need for additional special education services for students.
  • Lynne Mutrie from Safe Routes to School invited the Board to attend the Walk and Roll to School day on October 10, 2018 held at Vose Elementary and West TV Elementary.
  • Kevin O'Donnell, a Sunset High School parent, commented on the need to expedite improvements on Sunset High School’s mid-block crosswalk and additional transportation safety improvements in the District.
  • Kathy Dimo spoke to the Board on the benefits of allowing therapy dogs in schools.
  • Stacey Wainwright, a Sunset High School Parent, asked the Board for their support for adding pedestrian-activated flashing lights to the mid-block crosswalk in front of Sunset High School.

IV. REPORTS

A.    Superintendent’s Comments – Don Grotting
  • Supt. Grotting commented that Dept. Sup. Carl Mead has been working with the County on the Sunset mid-block crosswalk and they have precured funding. The District is waiting on the County to sign a memorandum of understanding.
  • Revenue reform remains a priority for the District. The Board and Supt. Grotting are working to ask for significant revenue reform at the Legislative level. Part of the need for revenue reform has to do with the significant increase in PERS and other services that could impact the District’s students.  
  • On September 25, 2018 Supt. Grotting will be testifying before the Joint Committee on Student Success where he will address some of the challenges being observed in the District’s schools and ways to improve student success.
  • At the District level, enrollment has been relativity flat. There has been a loss of students who are economically disadvantaged along with some English language learning students. This drop in enrollment will result in a loss of Federal Funding that comes in to support those students.
  • Board member LeeAnn Larsen, Executive Administrator for Strategic Relations/Initiatives David Williams, and Supt. Grotting met with Portland Business Alliance along with several other business leaders to talk about revenue reform as well as cost containment issues.  
  • October 9, 2018 there will be a Disruptive Learning Forum held at Meadow Park Middle School from 4:30-6:00 p.m.
  • Supt. Grotting congratulated the Southridge Football Team, Sunset Softball Team, Beaverton Softball Team, Aloha Softball Team, Westview Volleyball Team, and the Sunset Volleyball Team for their sportsmanship. The teams were recognized by the OSAA for showing great character on the field.
  • Supt. Grotting commented that the District had a great start to the school year. The District has been in contact with the County and the City to provide additional services to students who are economically disadvantaged and English language learning students.
B. School Reports

     Cooper Mountain Elementary School – Kristin LeMon

  • 90% of parents feel well informed and that a high percentage of students feel cared for while at school.
  • There has been growth in Cooper Mountain from 3rd to 5th grade in the area of English Language Arts.
  • Cooper Mountain’s Economically Advantaged students showed substantial growth in English Language Arts.
  • Cooper Mountain created class lists for some of their challenged cohorts to try to minimize the destabilizing effects of trauma to the whole class.
  • The school’s Student Success Coach is also providing support to classrooms to help minimize behavioral interruptions to the learning environment.
  • Staff at Cooper Mountain aligned the classroom schedules so that students who need extra support get double support – in the classroom and within their Specially Designed Instruction.
  • Principal LeMon has reorganized the process for looking at student achievement and behavior data, intervening and supporting students and staff early in the year.
  • Last year staff at Cooper Mountain invested heavily in understanding the curriculum and they are confident we can bring more students to proficiency with the learning targets. They are organizing professional development sessions around tasks that prepare students to demonstrate their learning within the SBAC.
  • Principal LeMon commented that the pockets of growth that she has seen in the last year demonstrates that Cooper Mountain is making forward progress.

Questions/Comments from the Board:

  • The Board liked that Principal LeMon’s staff asked students where they think they are in their targeted learning. How are parents engaged in this process? Students now have goals and can recognize if they are successful. This is going to become more transparent to parents.
  • How are you utilizing Student Success Coaches? Cooper Mountain will have a new Student Success Coach. The new person in this intervention position is very proficient with data.
  • Is there a relation between the SBAC test scores and the low attendance rate? Principal LeMon suspected that it was true. The 2017-2018 math curriculum adoption was also a factor.
  • What are the challenges that you face in attendance?  Families take their children out for vacations. Some of this was due to sickness. Principal LeMon is looking closely at what is going on and building relationships with parents so that they feel like a part of the community. They have adjusted the schedule so that there is less pull out. A successful example of this process is Cooper Mountain’s reading workshop.
  • From the report, 90% parents feel involved. How have you reached these parents? PTO at Cooper Mountain is strong and they have created a theme of community. Through events, proactive communication, and encouraging teachers to communicate frequently, parents feel valued.
  • Board Chair Becky commended Principal LeMon in her the efforts to communicate with the parents at Cooper Mountain.
  • Supt. Grotting explained how Student Success Coaches are sometimes put in two different schools due to limited resources. 
Elmonica Elementary School – Cynthia Lam Moffett and Malindi Zimmer
  • Principal Moffett said that Elemonica prides themselves in diversity. Staff are on board with the new curriculum.
  • Elmonica staff is caring and supportive of families and each other. On first day of school, they hired an additional 6th grade teacher and their staff worked together to get her classroom ready in time.
  • The PTO is on board with social justice and started a community resource fund. They have also partnered with a local church.
  • Emonica had a drop in SBAC scores in most categories. In 5th grade math, Elmonica’s Hispanic and Economically Disadvantaged scores plummeted.
  • Assistant Principal Zimmer talked about the amount of time that staff put into SBAC and curriculum review to diagnose and develop an action plan for moving forward.
  • Third grade IRLA scores didn’t necessarily match SBAC score. They found an enclosed classroom for third graders to test to reduce noise distractions.
  • Many students dropped in achievement between one grade to the next; some students dropped from a 4 to a 1 in one year. When Principal Moffett and Assistant Principal Zimmer interviewed students, many said that they much prefer the constructivist academic tasks of school to testing. As a result, teachers are now more explicit about the importance of SBAC.

Questions/Comments from the Board:

The Board congratulated Elmonica on the reduction of number of class days missed due to suspension and students missing class due to suspension or expulsion. 

  • Why was there a reduction in the percentage of students missing fewer than 10 days of school? Airfare is cheaper during certain times a year and there are students who travel for weeks at a time. If it’s not due to this, Principal Moffett is looking at attendance best practices and working with the students so they want to come to school.
  • The Board liked that the percentage of students, parents, and staff being overall satisfied with the Elmonica has gone up. Staff are meeting the challenges of student needs.
  • Has lower attendance rates have an impact on the SBAC test? Yes. 98% of learning is done in the classroom.
  • If a parent/student plans a long-term absence, can they be provided a packet. Principal Moffett is trying to move away from worksheets.
  • If there was space, would Elmonica welcome a Pre-K program? Principal Moffett and her staff would like a pre-K program however there is not enough space. Instead, they are looking at what Pre-K lesson plans can be used in the Kindergarten classroom.
  • Have attendance habits changed at the start of a year? Principal Moffett and her staff are looking at students that are already missing days and are trying to build relationships with those students.
  • In the cohort data regarding 3rd graders, the results were divergent. Have you spent time talking as a staff of how to implement changes? Principal Moffett had a recent staff meeting to talk about this. Teachers struggled with the math adoption and they are offering more professional development in this area.
  • How are your teachers utilizing early release? Almost all teachers were sent away for P.D. at the beginning of the school year. The weeks after were focused on working in collaborative groups.
  • Board Chair Becky Tymchuk thanked Principal Moffett and Assistant Principal Zimmer for attending the Board Meeting.
C. Charter Reports
Arco Iris – Bob Kaminski
  • Principal Kaminski thanked the District and Executive Administrator for Facilities Paul Odenthal for working with Arc Iris to provide space at Whitford during Arco Iris’s remodel.
  • Principal Kaminski presented his professional background to the Board and he explained that he is now the interim Principal at Arco Iris.
  • Arco Iris began its ninth year of operation on August 27, 2018 and is submitting this Performance Report in accordance with the charter agreement between Arco Iris and Beaverton School District.
  • Arco Iris currently employs 23 certified or charter registered teachers, 8 classified, 3 BSD staff members, and 3 subcontractors.
  • In 2018, an average of 83.22% students passed English Language Arts in 2018 in comparison to 79.06% of students in 2017.
  • The Math results have not significantly improved compared to 2017.
  • Teachers working in teams will review data in math, Spanish, reading and writing throughout the 2018-2019 school year. This will be led by the SIS (School Improvement Specialists) team and principal. There will also be targeted professional development using teacher source.
  • The school will also maintain a School Leadership Committee to address student achievement.
  • Arco Iris has hired a full-time school counselor to provide social/emotional and academic support to students, families, and faculty. The counseling program for the current year will include various interventions such as guidance curriculum in the classroom.

Questions/Comments from the Board:

  • The Board welcomed Principal Kaminski.
  • Is attendance an issue at Arco Iris? No. It’s tardiness. A newsletter was sent out to parents to address this.
  • Can you provide your school demographics, such as diversity? This will be included in the forthcoming School Improvement Plan to be released on October 15, 2018.
  • Why has your account receivable gone up since 2017? This is due to Bond financing for new construction.
  • What is your greatest challenge? Communication and building relationships is one of the largest challenges. Arco Iris has a diverse set of staff. This creates a challenge of common language. As a Board, Arco Iris is expanding their relationships with parents. On October 11, 2018 there will be a town hall meeting. The extended relationships will also apply to the student body.
  • Where will your new location be? The new building will be located on Hall and Creekside.
  • How will you address the high turnover of principals? Arco Iris’s Board is bringing the OSBA in to find a long-term solution for a principal.
  • Board Chair Becky Tymchuck complemented Arco Iris’s Board Member Christa Billings on getting involved in OSBA.
Hope Chinese – Julie Rickman
  • Hope Chinese has moved into their final phase of our building with 4 more classrooms, offices, restrooms.
  • In 2017 Hope Chinese launched their middle school program with 56 fifth and sixth grade students. They switched classes on a 75-minute block schedule among 4 subject teachers and provided middle school students with lockers. The feedback from parents was positive.
  • 35% of the 5th grade class chose to attend another middle school for the 2018-2019 school year.
  • In past years, Hope Chinese has struggled to maintain staff, both English and Chinese teachers at a rate of about 60%, some because of pay, benefits, and, broader opportunities and others because of VISA issues.
  • Hope Chinese continues to benefit from their relationships with George Fox University in their active recruitment for Chinese teachers for the MAT program and the Confucius Institute at Portland State University.
  • For the second year, Hope Chinese hosted 17 students from their sister school in Suzhou, China and 12 Hope Chinese students traveled to China in the spring.
  • The school’s chess team took first in state. Twenty-one 3rd-5th grade students participate in Hope Chinese’s math club. Principal Rickman commented that through these participants and their accomplishments as well as their failures, all of her students have learned life-long skills like what it means to have grit, integrity, empathy, self-control, and how to embrace diversity.
  • For the 2018-19 school year Hope Chinese is focusing on peer-to-peer relationships.

Questions/Comments from the Board:

  • How is attendance at Hope Chinese? They have regular attendance. They also have families that travel. They try to provide supplemental work or find an alternative assignment. They build upon the reading and writing aspect of the curriculum while the student is traveling.
  • How will you retain 5th graders? Principal Rickman recognized that middle school students appreciate a shift in being treated as young adults. They started an online avatar program that helps with behavior and motivation. Parents are looking for more support from a TAG program.

BREAK

IV. REPORTS CONTINUED

 D. Career Technical Education Report – John Peplinski
  • BSD added 9 new CTE Programs of Study in 2017-18 and we are welcoming 6 new programs for 2018-19. The BSD now offers 32 programs – nearly double that of 2015-16.
  • In 2017-18 Oregon established the High School Success Fund (Measure 98) and this summer the 2006 Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act was reauthorized. Both of these efforts will continue to provide new changes and opportunities around the implementation of high quality CTE programs.

Questions/Comments from the Board:

  • Why is ISB without a CTE program? ISB is an option school. Unless a case was presented, option schools will not have CTE programs. It’s a challenge transportation and schedule wise. Online education might be an option. John confirmed that students are transported to and from schools to participate in the CTE programs.
  • What would the program look like if it was fully funded by Measure 98? The District would focus on existing programs. Aloha High School has had to get creative with automotive technology. The costs are inflated due to instability in the market. A Service station could provide funding for training. The 9th grade on track program could also benefit from the service station.
  • How are we keeping up with the CTE demand? The real focus is on what our region needs (technology, medical, etc.). Electives, like media, are offered to students. The question is should we have more CTE or electives. Overall, the CTE demands have been met.
  • How do we compare with other School Districts? We are somewhere in the middle. Portland Public has almost double the amount of CTE programs.
  • Are we following a student from the CTE program to industry placement? No. We are brainstorming ways to highlight the success of students.
  • Is the District having difficulty finding qualified teachers? Technical staff is hard to find. Health is also fairly difficult to find talent. It’s a state-wide issue. Industry Advisory Boards will help guide how the CTE program works in the District.
  • Does the data show the link between attendance and CTE students? Yes. It is evaluated through basic metrics.
  • Supt. Grotting noted that Measure 98 allows for flexibility within the school district’s plan. The law was amended by the 2017 Legislature to allow up to 15% of the total allocation to be spent on services to students during their 8th grade year. That’s an additional 7M for the District.
E. Financial Update – Gayellyn Jacobson
  • Gayellyn presented to the Board the Year-To-Date Activity and Forecast General fund for the period ending in August 31,2018. The September packet will include the entire District payroll.
  • Enrollment estimates are fairly flat. The District is up by approximately 51 students net. The District will lose funding for 200 ELL students since ELL enrollment is down by 400 students. Class sizes are good due to the Local Option Levy allotment.
  • Year-end salary and benefit expenditures were higher than expected in 2017-18. The District anticipated a little more revenue from the State in May, 2018.
F. Title IX Report – David Williams
  • Beginning in early 2017 the District embarked on a self-evaluation of compliance with Title IX requirements in high school athletics. This was done with consultation and assistance from the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE).
  • Continuous monitoring work will be focused on two key analytic standards for Title IX compliance. The first is that both male and female students are provided with equal participation opportunities and that the district will effectively accommodate student interests and abilities. The second analytic standard is to demonstrate equal treatment by making sure that the overall program at a school is providing male and female athletes with equal benefits and opportunities. One example is comparing soft ball to baseball at a school and looking at where those inequalities exist.
  • A student survey of “interests and abilities” will be the primary method for reviewing compliance with the first analytic standard. It is key to look at this continually to make sure that the District is analyzing Title IX compliance.
  • Using the ODE/OSAA Self-Evaluation worksheet samples as a guide, the District will be creating and implementing this year an online self-evaluation form that coaches will be asked to fill out at the completion of each season (Fall, Winter, Spring).
  • Facilities monitoring is the area that has undergone the most rigorous review in the past by the District. 
  • The next component of the District’s continuous monitoring work will be to continue to respond to complaints of gender-based discrimination with diligence and fidelity.

Question/Comments from the Board:

  • Can you define entirety? Equal value and benefit. This is assessed through the “three-part test” and the “laundry test.”
  • When a community member chooses to donate money for a specific report, how would the District comply with Title IX? Investment in a new stadium would be considered equal investment. A new baseball field and not softball field would fall short of Title IX compliance.
  • To reach Title IX compliance, do all schools have to have the same facilities? It’s school specific. Surveying coaches and athletes is where you’ll get the important feedback.
  • What constitutes equal benefit? It’s not the dollar amount. It is based on what is needed for the activity. It has to be the same benefit to the sport.
  • Title IX compliance and other inequality complaints from the community. (check audio)
  • Supt. Both David and him meet with the Athletic Directors on a monthly basis. Fundraising is starting to be an issue in compliance at a high-school level.
  • Concerns when practices are being conducted. Title IX – we are responsible to hiring the coaches so the kids have equal access and op.

VI. DISCUSSION ITEMS

A. First Reading of School Board Policies – Donna Tyner, Camellia Osterink, David Williams
  • ECACB – Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) a.k.a. Drone
  • GBC – Staff Ethics
  • GBN/JBA – Sexual Harassment
  • IGBA – Students with Disabilities – Child Identification Procedures
  • IGBAH – Special Education – Evaluation Procedures
  • IGBAJ – Special Education – Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
  • IGBHE – Expanded Options Program
  • JBA/GBN Sexual Harassment

All policies will move forward for a second reading on October 22, 2018.

VII. ACTION ITEMS

  1. Real Estate Sale to Reach Community Corporation – Steven Sparks

BE IT RESOLVED that the Beaverton School District Board of Directors declares district property located at 12855 SW Second Street as surplus and authorizes the Superintendent or designee to execute appropriate documents to transfer ownership of the surplus property to REACH CDC.

LeeAnn Larsen made the motion to declare the district property located at 12855 SW Second Street as surplus and authorizes the Superintendent or designee to execute appropriate documents to transfer ownership of the surplus property to REACH CDC. Anne Bryan seconded and the motion passed unanimously by a vote of 7 to 0 by Becky Tymchuk, Eric Simpson, Anne Bryan, Tom Colett, Susan Greenberg, LeeAnn Larsen, and Donna Tyner.

  1. Real Estate – Property Line Adjustment with THPRD – Steven Sparks

BE IT RESOLVED that the Beaverton School District Board of Directors declares district property located at 11775 NW McDaniel Road as surplus and authorizes the Superintendent or designee to execute appropriate documents to file a property line adjustment with Washington County and transfer ownership of the surplus property to THPRD.

LeeAnn Larsen made the motion to declare district property located at 11775 NW McDaniel Road as surplus and authorizes the Superintendent or designee to execute appropriate documents to file a property line adjustment with Washington County and transfer ownership of the surplus property to THPRD. Donna Tyner seconded and the motion passed unanimously by a vote of 7 to 0 by Becky Tymchuk, Eric Simpson, Anne Bryan, Tom Colett, Susan Greenberg, LeeAnn Larsen, and Donna Tyner.

C.   Consent Agenda – Becky Tymchuk

1.     Personnel 
BE IT RESOLVED that the employee(s) who are recommended herein for administrator and teacher elections, leaves of absence, and resignations/terminations are accepted by the School Board as submitted at this meeting.

2.     Approval of School Board Meeting Minutes
BE IT RESOLVED that the minutes of the following School Board meetings be and hereby are approved.

·  August 27, 2018 Business Meeting

3.     Grant Report   
BE IT RESOLVED that the School Board and Superintendent receive this report as an information item.

4.     School Board/Superintendent Operating Agreements

BE IT RESOLVED that the School Board approve the Superintendent operating agreements for the 2018-2019 school year.

5.     Approval of School Board Goals for 2018-2019 and Subcommittees

BE IT RESOLVED that the School Board approve the school board goals for the 2018 – 2019 school year and subcommittees.

6.     Brand Name Approvals for Facilities Projects

BE IT RESOLVED that the School Board approves an exemption to ORS 279C.345 and authorizes use of brand names in public improvement contract specifications for the items listed in Attachment (A) based upon the findings listed.

7.     Appointment of Budget Officer

BE IT RESOLVED that Gayellyn Jacobson, Chief Financial Officer, is hereby designated the Budget Officer for Beaverton School District for the fiscal year 2018 – 2019.

8.     Postpone Adoption of Social Studies Instructional Materials

BE IT RESOLVED that the School Board approve the District’s request to ODE to delay adoption and implementation of social studies instructional materials for one year until August 27, 2020.

9.   Approval of Alternate Construction Contracting Procedure, Design-Build, for Aloha and Beaverton HS Auditorium and Stage Lighting Upgrade Projects

BE IT RESOLVED that the School Board (i) adopts and approves the findings of Attachment A; (ii) grants a specific exemption from competitive bidding requirements of ORS 279C.335(1) and approves and directs the use of the Design-Build construction contract process for the Aloha and Beaverton High School Auditorium and Stage Lighting Upgrade Projects; and (iii) requires that the procurement be in accordance with the Attorney General Model Rules adopted under ORS 279A.065.

10.Approval of Second Reading of School Board Policy JC School Attendance Areas

BE IT RESOLVED that the School Board adopt School Board Policy JC School Attendance Areas.

11.  Public Contracts

BE IT RESOLVED that the School Board authorizes the Superintendent or a designee to obligate the District for the public contract items as submitted at this meeting.

LeeAnn Larsen made the motion to adopt the Consent Agenda. Donna Tyner seconded and the motion passed unanimously by a vote of 7 to 0 by Becky Tymchuk, Eric Simpson, Anne Bryan, Tom Colett, Susan Greenberg, LeeAnn Larsen, and Donna Tyner.

BOARD COMMUNICATION – Board Members

  • Susan Greenberg participated in Montclair’s Peace Poll event celebrating International Peace Day. She also attended a discussion group at Southridge High School where feeder schools and community members were invited to attend. 
  • LeeAnn Larsen commented on the importance of committees for revenue reform and the need to call for more school funding and revenue reform at the State level.
  • Anne Bryan thanked fellow Board members for the public work that they are doing in regards to revenue reform.
  • Tom Collet reported on the first Community Engagement Subcommittee meeting that took place on September 24, 2018. He provided the Board with copies of Leading with Race, a report conducted by the Coalition of Communities of Color. Tom toured Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center and commended the wellness center for the services that they provide for the Beaverton community. 
  • Donna Tyner noted the full report of Leading with Race could be found on the Coalition of Communities of Color’s website.
CLOSING COMMENTS – Becky Tymchuk & Don Grotting  
  • Board Chair Becky Tymchuk attended Heighten Middle School where teacher Tom Steiwer was recognized as one of KATU Leaders in Learning. She also attended Mountainside’s first Principal Coffee with where there was a large turnout of parents. Friday – Memorial game. Southridge honors veterans. Vs Mt side
INFORMATION ITEMS
  1. Bond Program Status
  2. Policy Committee Notes - September
ADJOURNMENT

Becky Tymchuk adjourned the meeting at 9:15 p.m.

The next scheduled School Board Business meeting will be a Work Session to be held on October 8, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. at Merlo Station High School.

Submitted by
Candice Hiatt

______________________________
Board Chair Becky Tymchuk