March 21, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes

Stanwood-Camano School District #401
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
Administration & Resource Center Boardroom
26920 Pioneer Hwy, Stanwood, Washington 98292

March 21, 2023 - 6:00 PM

MINUTES

CALL TO ORDER  
Vice President Charlotte Murry called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. Director Murry shared about two opportunities within the agenda for public comment.

ROLL CALL
Board Members Present: Al Schreiber, Charlotte Murry, Debbie Bayes, Natalie Hagglund
Board Member(s) Absent: Miranda Evans (Excused)
Student Advisors Present: Hunter Sparrow, Jason Orzel

FLAG SALUTE
Vice President Murry led the Pledge of Allegiance.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Director Al Schreiber moved to approve the Agenda for the March 21, 2023 Regular Meeting; seconded by Director Natalie Hagglund

Aye: Directors Al Schreiber, Charlotte Murry, Debbie Bayes, Natalie Hagglund

Passed - Unanimously

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
March 7, 2023 Regular Meeting
Director Debbie Bayes moved to approve the Minutes for the March 7, 2023 Regular Meeting; seconded by Director Natalie Hagglund

Aye: Directors Al Schreiber, Charlotte Murry, Debbie Bayes, Natalie Hagglund

Passed - Unanimously

March 7, 2023 Study Session
Director Al Schreiber moved to approve the Minutes for the March 7, 2023 Study Session; seconded by Director Natalie Hagglund

Aye: Directors Al Schreiber, Charlotte Murry, Debbie Bayes, Natalie Hagglund

Passed - Unanimously

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT

  1. February Financial Report - Ruth Floyd
    Ruth Floyd, Executive Director of Business Services, presented the February 2023 financial update. Ms. Floyd reviewed the Executive Summary, Managers' Expenditure Report, General Fund Balance, Object Summary Report (salaries and benefits), Capital Projects, ASB, Debt Service, and Transportation Fund Budget Status Reports and the Food Service Program Report.

  2.  Cedarhome Elementary School Report and Shining Star - Kimberly Caldwell
    Principal Caldwell presented a detailed overview of Cedarhome Elementary's Annual Action Plan (AAP) goals for students in Math, ELA and Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS). Strategies to help students reach these goals and tools for monitoring progress were reviewed.

    Student Whittaker Warbus was recognized as Cedarhome Elementary's Shining Star. The Board congratulated Whittaker on his achievements and a certificate, sponsor gift from Heritage Bank, and plaque were presented.

    Following the Shining Star recognition, Superintendent Rumbaugh introduced Mike Washington, Stanwood High School's incoming principal, effective July 1, 2023. The Board welcomed Mr. Washington.

  3. Reduced Educational Program Plan - Deborah Rumbaugh 
    Superintendent Rumbaugh called Ruth Floyd to the podium; Ms. Floyd walked the Board through the attached Reduced Educational Program Plan's proposed $8.5 million in reductions for the 2023-24 school year.

CONSENT AGENDA

Vice President Murry offered the board and anyone in attendance the opportunity to speak to items specific to the Consent Agenda. 

Lincoln Hill High School Student Brock Berryman addressed the board regarding the Reduced Educational Program Plan. His comments included staff and students having feelings of  anxiety about what is to come and the adverse affects cuts will have on students and staff. Brock shared he wanted a student voice to be heard. Superintendent Rumbaugh shared Brock is on the Superintendent's Student Leadership Team and thanked him for adding his voice.

Stanwood-Camano Education Association President Nyda Goldstein addressed the Board regarding the Reduced Educational Program Plan. Ms. Goldstein’s comments included acknowledging faculty in attendance at the meeting and not wanting this decision to be made in the absence of their presence; she addressed the proposed 39 FTE reduction and stated this will have a devastating affect on all. Ms. Goldstein stated the cuts are closest to students and the education program and shared she has attended recent budget meetings with administration to understand the budget; she added a budget is a prioritization document with funds going to where priorities are and stated that based on her experience and the numbers the district does not need to cut as deeply as planned. Ms. Goldstein added the district has millions of dollars of capacity built into the budget that could stave off some of the planned cuts and asked the board to consider this.

Director Murry thanked Brock Berryman and Nyda Goldstein for their comments, acknowledging this (decision) is not easy and stating all are feeling as they are. Director Murry thanked everyone for coming to the meeting.

There being no further comments on the Consent Agenda, Vice President Murry asked for a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Director Al Schreiber moved to approve the Consent Agenda as listed below; seconded by Director Debbie Bayes.

Aye: Directors Al Schreiber, Charlotte Murry, Debbie Bayes, Natalie Hagglund

Passed - Unanimously

  1. Approve the Secondary and Elementary Student Field Trips, as listed below:
    a) State Ag Mechanics Students to State Level Competition, April 13-14, 2023 Yakima, Washington
    b) Poultry Evaluation Team to State CDE (Career Development Event), April 14-15, 2023, Wenatchee, Washington
    c) FFA Student Group to National Resource Competition, April 16-17, 2023, Cashmere, Washington
    d) Poultry Evaluation Team, CDE (Career Development Event) State Finals, April 19-20, 2023, Moses Lake Washington
    e) Horse Evaluation Team to State Finals, April 25-26, 2023, Ellensburg, Washington
    f) FFA Student Group to State Convention, May 10-14, 2023, Kennewick, Washington

  2. Adopt Resolution 2022/2023-004 Redistricting Director Districts to Adjust to 2020 U.S. Census Data.

  3. Adopt Resolution 2022/2023-005 Reduced Educational Program for the 2023-24 School Year.

  4. Approve the Capital Facilities Advisory Committee's Adjusted Elementary Attendance Area, starting in the 2023/24 School Year. Final Map

  5. Approve the Memorandum of Understanding with Stanwood-Camano School District Building Administrators to Facilitate 2023-24 District Budgeting.

  6. Approve the Personnel Report for March 21, 2023.

  7. Approve Bills and Payroll.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Citizens wishing to address the Board are asked to submit online requests using the PUBLIC COMMENT link or email [email protected] two hours prior to the board meeting start time. For those attending the meeting in person, request forms are available in the boardroom for submission prior to meeting start time. Citizens who wish to provide documents to board members will hand them with to the Recording Secretary for distribution after the meeting. The Board President will call upon individuals who have requested to speak during the Public Comment section of the agenda. Individuals will state their name for the record and will be allowed three minutes to speak.

MaryBeth Fisher addressed the board sharing she is a grandmother of two district students and a former school board member who feels it is important for the Board to know what she is hearing in the community. Ms. Fisher shared she is hearing there is a lack of trust with the current administration; there is concern regarding the amount of administrative new hires since June 2021; there are questions as to why administration staffing costs have increased over the last two years while knowing what was coming; and she is hearing budget cuts in schools are due to the failed capital and technology levy. Ms. Fisher asked for clarification regarding the association of the failed capital and technology levy with school budgets. Ms. Fisher added the community would like to know how much bond money is left with the new high school coming in under budget and where the money is going to be spent. Ms. Fisher commented the District has taken a hard line that bond and levy money would only be spent on bond and levy projects and if funds needed to be moved the District was open to letting the community know. Ms. Fisher said the community is not hearing this and she believes there is a communication breakdown. Lastly, Ms. Fisher stated the district's goal should always be that money is kept close to the classroom

Director Murry announced the board acknowledges today's public comments and the superintendent has made note of them.

SCHOOL BOARD DISCUSSION

  1. First Reading, Revised Policy 1250 Student on Governing Boards of Directors
    There were no questions regarding revisions to Policy 1250 and the policy will move  forward for a second reading.

STUDENT ADVISOR REPORT
Hunter Sparrow, Stanwood High School, acknowledged that it is hard to hear about budget cuts. Hunter's school report included introducing the newly elected ASB President and Treasurer, Matthew Mendez and Isla Hollingsworth, respectively; sharing that ASB officers will be looking at ASB accounts, more activities, and equity; noting equity work continues at Stanwood High School and excitement that Erin Jones will be speaking in April. Hunter welcomed Principal Washington.

Jason Orzel, Lincoln Hill High School, shared he has been hearing about budget concerns as well. His school report included information on the upcoming annual spring social (April 14), adding it is an opportunity for students to get get to know each other; students are looking forward to the philanthropy breakfast March 31st at the Camano Center; leadership students and ASB appreciated being invited as judges to Elger Bay Elementary's Science Fair and really enjoyed it; and, he was part of a conversation with John (Gaines) and Tony (Mclemore) from PUSH (for Dreams) regarding equity in schools and how schools can be more equitable; Jason added it was a good conversation and he hopes they will come back and share more.

ITEMS BROUGHT UP BY BOARD MEMBERS
Director Hagglund thanked everyone for attending; she noted Chat with the Board events kicked off last week and she looks forward to talking with community members at the next one (March 28 at Stanwood High School) and encouraged those interested to attend; she shared the Stanwood-Camano Area Foundation (SCAF) had 148 students apply for scholarships, up from 106 last year; and and welcomed Mike Washington to the district.

Director Bayes comments included thanking everyone who attended tonight, for public comment that was shared, and appreciation for hearing how much everyone loves their community.

Director Schreiber extended his appreciation to presenters, those who gave public comment, and student advisors; he congratulated tonight’s Shining Star and welcomed Principal Washington and his family to the district, adding he looks forward to great things.

Superintendent Rumbaugh echoed appreciation for everyone coming out tonight and added the district will continue to keep the community updated as new information comes out from the legislature; Dr. Rumbaugh noted the work isn’t done this evening and added there is more to come and the district looks forward to communicating updates.

Director Murry thanked everyone for attending, adding the decisions being made are difficult and taken very seriously, and the board appreciates the importance of tonight’s comments.

ADJOURN

Vice President Murry adjourned the meeting at 6:54 PM.

STANWOOD-CAMANO SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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President

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Vice President

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Director

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Director

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Director

Attest:

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Deborah Rumbaugh, Ed.D.
Secretary to the Board