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

School Tours The Board of Directors toured three schools recently to meet staff, visit classrooms, and talk with administration. The board visited Yacolt Primary on April 21, Daybreak Primary on April 28, and Battle Ground High School on May 1. These school tours allow the school administration to highlight the programs, teachers, and staff within the school that make them unique.

Meeting Date: April 28, 2014

Regular Board Meeting – 4:00 PM Communications Pacific Soccer Club donates $20,000 Pacific Soccer Club members, Terry Pifer and Dan Robertson, and BGPS Facility Director Kevin Jolma presented an update to the board on a recent donation of $20,000 from the club to the school district. Pacific Soccer Club is a combination of BG Soccer, Prairie Soccer, and Lewis River Soccer clubs. The club has pooled resources and made this donation to help support field maintenance. The board approved the donation, thanked the club for their continued support of the district, and awarded them a certificate of appreciation. Left to right: Dan Robertson, Terry Pifer, Monty Anderson

Legislative Committee Update Director Mavis Nickels updated the board on the recent Washington State denial of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) flexibility waiver for the 2014-15 school year. The announcement of this denial was made from the state legislature on April 24. District administrators are currently working with the state to fully understand any potential impacts on the district. “We knew this might be coming and we are prepared,” said Dr. Jill Smith, Executive Director and Chief Compliance & Accountability Officer. “We are working closely with our contacts at OSPI as the state decides how to move forward in this process.”

BG Board, Briefly submitted May 2, 2014

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Procedure 2409 – Credit for Competency Board Policy 2409 gives the administration the flexibility to award students additional credits through demonstration of competency. Battle Ground High School Head Counselor, Sheryl Piper, and Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Marcia Christian, presented a procedure update to Policy 2409 that will allow students who pass the Washington State High School Proficiency Exam (HSPE) in either reading or writing to receive.25 credits per exam. Similar procedures have been adopted by neighboring school districts. Updating the procedure to allow the additional credit based on demonstrated competency will positively impact over 100 students throughout the district for graduation this year.

National Library Month Battle Ground Education Association President Ted Schelvan presented on April being National Library Month. “Teacher-librarians are one of the most creative and resourceful groups out there,” said Schelvan. “They are educational leaders and are there to help out whenever they can.” Currently the district has 15 teacher-librarians, each with a master’s degree and a collective 274 years of teaching experience. Board members applauded in recognition of National Library Month and thanked Mr. Schelvan for his presentation.

Board Business 2014-15 District Calendar Board members approved the 2014-15 school district basic calendar. This calendar has key dates for families including the start and end of school, winter and spring breaks, as well as holidays and snow make-up days. This calendar does not currently include the early release time for professional development. Those dates will be determined and added at a later time. The approved basic calendar with key dates for families can be found on the district website. (link)

Pupil Transportation Contract Board members voted to approve a one-year extension of the current contract with Cascade Student Transportation (CST) as the district’s bussing service. CST assumed the previous contract with BGPS when its parent company, Student Transportation of America, Inc. acquired Petermann Northwest LLC in 2012. The board decided to table the additional .8% increase request from CST, an amount of $40,800, to cover fixed costs incurred by CST on district waiver days, until the next board meeting.

Project Lead the Way – STEM Program Board members approved moving forward on the creation of a pilot program for middle school Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Career and Technical Education (CTE) Director, Cindy Arnold, Director of Facilities Kevin Jolma, and Director of Technology Services Scott McDaniel presented the proposal and recommended the pilot be launched at Pleasant Valley Primary using the STEM curriculum Gateway to Technology as part of the Project Lead the Way program. This program would require remodeling of Pleasant Valley Middle School’s current wood shop to include new tools and a new classroom space that would allow project-based teams to work on the six main areas of the program: Design and Modeling, Automation and Robotics, Energy in the Environment, Flight in Space, BG Board, Briefly submitted May 2, 2014

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Magic of Electrons, and Science of Technology. The classes would be under the direction of the Career and Technical Education department.

Healthy Youth Survey The board approved the participation in the Washington State Healthy Youth Survey for grades 8, 10, and 12 in the 2014-15 school year. The Washington State Healthy Youth Survey is administered every other year to measure adolescent health behaviors and related risk and protective factors. The data collected is used by the district to understand current health concerns in the student population as well as target programs and messages for prevention of risky behaviors.

First Readings Three polices were presented to the board as “First Readings,” including: -

Revision of Policy 2190, Highly Capable Program, to reflect recent OSPI changes in language within the Highly Capable program. Creation of Policy 3211- Nondiscrimination clause for transgender students. Revision of Policy 4215 – Use of tobacco and nicotine products and delivery devices.

Upcoming Regular Board Meeting You are invited to the next Regular Board Meeting on Monday, May 12, 6:30 PM, Captain Strong Primary School. For more information please visit the Board of Directors’ webpage. (link)

BG Board, Briefly submitted May 2, 2014

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