The following are updates from the Oct. 23 school board meeting.
Public hearing
The board held a public hearing on the state performance audit report at 6 p.m. on Oct. 23 before the regular board meeting. Initiative 900, approved by Washington voters, gives the State Auditor’s Office the authority to conduct independent performance audits of state and local government entities on behalf of citizens to promote accountability and cost-effective uses of public resources. In the state’s audit of the 10 largest school districts, based on reported student enrollment for fiscal year 2005, the state listed 13 findings, four of which related to the Tacoma Public Schools.
Adoption of Resolution No. 1831
The board adopted Resolution No. 1831, authorizing a ballot proposition to be submitted to the voters in a special election on March 10, 2009, to issue general obligation bonds in the amount of $300 million to provide funds for capital improvements to facilities of the district. The district would levy property taxes annually in addition to regular property taxes to repay the bonds. This election will be conducted by mail-in ballots. The resolution also authorizes the superintendent to submit a request for eligibility for the Washington State School District Credit Enhancement Program.
Recognitions:
The board recognized:
- Laura Rodriguez, World Vision Eastside; Kanda Patton, World Vision People’s Park; Pastor Steve Allen of Trinity Church of Pierce County and Yolanda Wilson, project manager for Carnival 2009, and KeyBank for their organizations’ contributions which help the School, Family and Community Partnership Program (SFCPP) prepare Tacoma students for the start of school. Kelli Hoekstra, coordinator of SFCPP, presented framed certificates to the organizations.
- Community members and organizations which helped make the Communities in Schools Tacoma (CIST) Stuff the Bus school supply campaign so successful, and, in particular, Columbia Bank. Stephanie Ursino and Wayne Mannie represented Columbia Bank. Ala Talo of CIST presented an appreciation plaque to Columbia Bank.
Administrative actions:
The board approved the hiring of Deanna Briese as coordinator for Grants Management. She served as the executive director of ACAP Child and Family Services in Auburn prior to coming to Tacoma.
Other actions:
The board:
- Proclaimed Nov. 16-22 as American Education Week. This year’s theme is “Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility.”
- Proclaimed Oct. 28, 2008, as Jerry Meeker Middle School 50-year anniversary.
- Approved the travel requests for 100 Mt. Tahoma H.S. students and chaperones to travel to Anaheim, Calif., to participate in an adjudicated Heritage Festival from April 23–26; and the travel request for members of Wilson H.S.’s Scintillation Show Choir to compete nationally and participate in workshops that specialize in choreography in Anaheim, Calif., from May 15–18.
All-day kindergarten staffing
Superintendent Art Jarvis and Directors Debbie Winskill and Kurt Miller will further examine the issue of kindergarten aides, including the number of district kindergarten classrooms, the number of students in those classrooms and budget costs. Following a public meeting, they will bring the additional information and recommendations to a board meeting.
Next board meeting:
The next regular board meeting will be held on Nov. 13, at 6 p.m., in the fourth-floor auditorium, Central Administration Building, 601 s. 8th St.