At its June 25 meeting, the board discussed the superintendent’s contract and voted to extend the contract by one year. Superintendent Art Jarvis asked the board members prior to their discussion to not increase his salary out of fairness to employee groups, such as principals, who chose help out in tough economic times by not accepting any pay increases. The board gave the superintendent a positive evaluation with all scores as meeting or exceeding criteria.
Jarvis said, “It was the quietest closing in my entire career. The end of the school year faded away without a whimper. I publicly want to thank everyone for a wonderful 2008-09 school year.”
Jarvis announced that, as of July 1, Sam Bell is the chief operations officer (COO). Deputy Superintendent Carla Santorno started full time July 1 with all teaching and learning activities under her direction.
District Internal Auditor Paul Walker gave an update on the implementation of the findings from the Washington State Auditor Performance Report conducted during the 2007-08 school year with the 10 largest school districts in Washington. The report was issued Sept. 30, 2008, and contained 13 recommendations, four of which applied to the Tacoma Public Schools. The district has implemented the recommendations related to those findings and is in compliance.
The board also:
o The Learning Assistance Program to support supplemental instructional services for identified students who have failed or are at risk of failing to meet the state WASL
o Title I Program which will serve 20 elementary schools, three middle schools, Park Avenue Center, two preschool programs, support services for identified neglected and homeless students and seven non-public schools
o The federal Even Start program to fund a family literacy program at Madison for 30 families with at-risk Head Start and primary-grade children
· Approved:
o Resolution No. 1846 authorizing the surplus of Tax Parcel No. 3270000072, more commonly known as the lower old Mt. Tahoma site
o Continued participation in the Pierce County Careers Connection tech prep consortium and the Career and Technical Education program expenditure for the annual participation fee
o Continued participation in the agreement between Bates Technical College, the Tacoma Public Schools and Communities in Schools of Tacoma and Career and Technical Education Program budget commitments for the continuation of the Tacoma Business Academy
o The low quote for re-roofing Boze Elementary School with Meyer Brothers Roofing Inc.
o The purchase of five new buses using the state Department of General Administration contract with Harlow’s Bus Sales
o Peter S. Shoop as supervisor of custodial operations
· Had the first reading of:
o Revision of Policy No. 2410, “Instruction”
o Revision of Policy No. 3410, “Student Health”
o Revised Policy No. 2180, “Parent, Family and Community Partnership”
o New Policy No. 3423, “Anaphylaxis Prevention”
· Authorized:
o The superintendent or his designee to negotiate and enter into a lease agreement with Metro Parks Tacoma for the siting of the district’s Science and Math Institute which will be located within Point Defiance Park at 5501 N. Pearl St.
o The settlement agreement between Radio Satellite Integrators Inc. and Tacoma School District No. 10.
· Adopted:
o Resolution No. 1845 authorizing the establishment of the Puyallup Tribe Scholarship Funds. The Puyallup Tribe will provide funds to supplement financial support to the district Indian Education Program. Up to $5,000 a year has been identified for scholarships to 10 graduating Native seniors.
o Resolution No. 1848 proclaiming support for the multi-agency ACHIEVE initiative strategies to increase physical activity and healthy eating for all county youth and adults.
The next board meeting will be held on Thursday, July 23, at 6 p.m. in the fourth-floor auditorium at the Central Administration Building.