BG Board, Briefly Summary of Battle Ground Public Schools, Board of Directors’ Meetings

Meeting Date: March 24, 2014

Board Tour of Pleasant Valley Primary – 10:00 AM

The Board of Directors takes time each year to tour every school. This meeting was a tour of Pleasant Valley Primary School. Principal Melissa Mitchell welcomed the board members and gave them a detailed tour of the school introducing them to staff, visiting classrooms, and sitting with the students during lunch. These school tours allow the school administration to highlight the programs, teachers, and staff within the school that make them unique.

Meeting Date: March 24, 2014

Regular Board Meeting – 4:00 PM Executive Session 4:00 – 5:00 PM Board members met to evaluate the qualifications of the three finalists for the position of superintendent taking into consideration the multiple staff, community, student, and parent responses, as well as final interviews with each candidate. The board returned to open session and made a motion to approve Mark Hottowe as the final candidate for the position of superintendent. The Board unanimously approved Mr. Hottowe for the position. Contract negotiations with Mr. Hottowe will take place in the coming weeks.

BG Board, Briefly submitted March 28, 2014

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Presentations BG Rose Festival Princesses Battle Ground Float Committee Chair, Rich Rubin, introduced Battle Ground’s four 2014 Rose Festival Princesses. This year’s princesses are Brigett Flynn- BGHS, Lexi Dufault- PHS, Alice Emch- BGHS, and Yanna CrosslandCAM Academy. The princesses were crowned March 16 and will appear in 20 speaking engagements and in the Portland Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade on June 7, the Battle Ground Harvest Days Parade on July 19 and in the Hazel Dell Parade on May 17. For more information on the Rose Parade and ticketing information, please visit http://www.rosefestival.org/.

Recognition of Dora Swart, WSCA Administrator of the Year Board members recognized Prairie High School Assistant Principal Dora Swart for her recent achievement of being named Administrator of the Year by the Western Washington School Counselor Association (WSCA). To read more on this announcement please click here. (Picture was taken during WSCA Conference. Pictured: WSCA President Dr. Cher Edwards (left) and PHS Assistant Principal Dora Swart (right)

Superintendent Search Update Board members, administration and search consultants Al Cohen and Mike Boring of McPherson and Jacobson took this opportunity to thank the many district staff who supported the superintendent search process over the past several months. Members of the Battle Ground Education Association (BGEA) and Public Schools Employees (PSE) groups also thanked the board for their outreach to involve staff and community members in this process. Several of the participants thanked the board for the community forum and online videos as well as communication efforts, surveys, and opportunities to share their comments. Board Vice President Ken Root thanked the community members for their involvement and said their comments weighed heavily in the final decision-making process. Board members shared their excitement on the selection of Mark Hottowe for superintendent and were grateful to the final three candidates who participated in the interview process. Board President Monty Anderson remarked, “We had three very strong candidates and we are grateful for their commitment to education.”

BG Board, Briefly submitted March 28, 2014

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Board Business Approval of 2014-15 Breakfast and Meal Prices Board members approved a $.05 increase in meal prices to meet the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Paid Lunch Equity Tool calculation of Battle Ground meal prices. This tool is used to price meals based on the weighted average paid lunch price. The district’s current average of $2.60 was $.05 lower than the USDA approved price of $2.65. This increase in price will not affect students who qualify for free or reduced-priced meals.

Approval of Advertising Request for Proposal for Food Services in BGPS The Board approved advertising the Request for Proposals for Food Services for the 2014-15 school year. The district’s current food services agreement will expire on August 31, 2014 and statute requires the district to advertise a Request for Proposal for Food Services. Proposals will be received until April 25, 2014 with recommendations to the Board by the 31st of May.

Adoption of Emergency Resolution D-14, Declaration of Emergency/Disaster by School Board Board members approved Resolution D-14 allowing the activation of the Emergency Plan and utilization of emergency powers granted by RCW 38.52 in connection with the windstorm damage at Prairie High School and structural damage at Pleasant Valley Middle School from the local storm on March 3. The board’s approval of this resolution allows the district the power to enter into contracts and incur obligations necessary in an emergency in order to protect the safety of persons and property.

Upcoming Regular Board Meeting You are invited to the next Regular Board Meeting on Monday, April 14, 6:30 PM, Lewisville Campus. For more information please visit www.battlegroundps.org

BG Board, Briefly submitted March 28, 2014

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Meeting Date: March 27, 2014

BGPS’ Board of Directors Join Work Session with Battle Ground City Council

Pictured Left to Right: Ken Root (BGPS), Shane Bowman (BGCC), Mavis Nickels (BGPS), Phillip Johnson (BGCC), Monty Anderson (BGPS), Lyle Lamb (BGCC), Duane Rose (BGPS), Mike Delesandro (BGCC), Chris Regan (BGCC), Adrian Cortes (BGCC), Jim Pegoraro (BGPS)

BGPS Board of Directors hosted Battle Ground City Council members at their first Joint Work Session of the year at Lewisville on Thursday night. BGPS Board President Monty Anderson opened the meeting saying, “This meeting is an opportunity for us to get to know each other, brainstorm ideas, and discover ways we can work together.” The joint meeting lasted 2 hours and covered three main topics: the city’s comprehensive transportation plan, parks and recreation, and updates on the development of a YMCA. The majority of the meeting was spent discussing options for additional connector roads to relieve congestion of SR-502 and SR-503. Some of the city’s suggestions include building roads on the school district’s property. “This is a conceptual plan at this time,” said Mayor Shane Bowman. “It is dependent on funding and of course a lot of collaboration between our groups so we can ensure student safety, the best use of land, and promote positive development within the city.” Board members agreed that student safety is always a primary concern and appreciated the opportunity to hear from the council and public works to discuss options. The remainder of the time focused on opportunities for the city, school district, and private organizations to collaborate on facilities such as sports parks and multi-use centers. Parks Director Debbi Hanson gave an overview of current park projects and answered questions from the board on the possible future development of sports parks within the city. For additional information on the city’s transportation plan please visit www.cityofbg.org and click on “Public Works.” You can also contact Public Works Director Scott Sawyer at [email protected] or call 360.342.5070. BG Board, Briefly submitted March 28, 2014

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