The following are notes from the Bethel School Board Meeting on June 11, 2013.

The Men’s Ensemble is made up of the best 16 performers at Spanaway Lake High School. They advanced to the State Ensemble Contest in Ellensburg on April 26, where they came in second. They were invited to be a part of the Ten Grands Concert at Benaroya Hall on May 11, featuring ten finalists from the State Solo and Ensemble Contests. The Men’s Ensemble has been to the State Contest 12 times since 1998.
The Men’s Ensemble will perform two songs as the audience and school board are being seated for the regular meeting this evening.

The Spanaway Middle School Men’s Choir, conducted by music teacher Katie Elshire, will engage the audience in a short performance. Following their performance, Teacher WEB Leaders and their students will share information on the new “Where Everyone Belongs” mentoring program.

ADOPTED the following FOSS Science instruction materials: Planetary Science, Weather and Water, Diversity of Life, Populations and Ecosystems, Force and Motion, and Chemical Interactions.

Motion by Warren T Smith, second by Brenda L Rogers.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yes: John L Manning, Brenda L Rogers, Stanley E Chapin, Michael W Audas, Warren T Smith

The Bethel School District is working cooperatively with South Puget Sound ESD and Pacific Lutheran University to begin the implementation of a Blended Learning format in three district buildings. This implementation is taking place as a pilot to determine the blended learning format that works best with our community and identify the resources and professional development needed to successfully transition to a Blended Learning model.
On May 28, an initial meeting was held with leadership staff members from Spanaway Elementary, Spanaway Middle School and Spanaway Lake High School to introduce them to a Blended Learning model. The staff members received copies of Every Child, Every Day and will begin to read the book as they prepare for our next meeting, which will take place on June 17. One additional meeting has also been scheduled on August 21.

School Board President John Manning will present a certificate of appreciation to each outstanding school volunteer in recognition of his/her contributions towards education.
Principal Tami Nelson, Spanaway Middle School, will introduce Ms. Kristin Larson
Associate Administrator, Sara Izzard, Thompson Elementary, will introduce Mr. Wayne Shoemaker
Principal Kelley Boynton, Nelson Elementary, will introduce Ms. Leigh Dryer

George Aszklar, Assistant Director for Career-Technical Education, will introduce Lois Noble, GTT/Robotics teacher from Spanaway Middle School and recipient of the Washington Industrial Technology Education Association (WITEA) Teacher of the Year Award. She was honored for her leadership and dedication to Industrial Technology and STEM Education.

Debbie Carlman, Assistant Director for Human Resources, and school Principals will introduce this year’s retirees and present each with a plaque in recognition for their services to the students of Bethel School District.

A Contract was approved to do a feasibility study on the Bethel Aquatic Learning and Wellness Campus and a survey of district.
Ballard*King & Associates LTD, 06/12/13 – 08/31/13 $25,750
Operations Rob Van Slyke
Funding Source: State matching bond funds

The Bethel District has some great comprehensive resources for Special Needs Education. Two school districts are partnering with Bethel who will provide education for these students from Franklin Pierce and Fife School Districts. The costs are covered by those district through their state funding.

Fife School District
08/31/13 – 08/31/18 No Cost
Special Services
B. Maxwell/S. Metzger
Funding Source: No cost to the district.
DESCRIPTION: Bethel School District will provide an appropriate education opportunity for disabled students residing

Franklin Pierce School
District 08/31/13 – 08/31/14 No Cost Special Services
B. Maxwell/S. Metzger
Funding Source: No cost to the district.
DESCRIPTION: Bethel School District will provide an appropriate education opportunity for disabled students residing within the borders of Franklin Pierce School District as provided by RCW 28A.155.

Regarding next year’s school budget (13-14):
At the June 11, 2013 Board Meeting, Harvey Erickson and Kim Brodie will present updated information on the fiscal year 2013-14 budget. The Legislature has yet to adopt a state budget and there is talk that it may not adopt prior to July. We have prepared a conservative estimate of revenues and expenditures that have been approved to date. Due to the uncertainty we have increased the contingencies from $5 million to $7 million.
Link to the budget presentation Power Point:

Click to access Budget%20Update%20Presentation%206-11-13.pdf

The district purchased the DeGraw property located at 26611 Meridian Street East, Graham, Washington in 2001, to accommodate the campus expansion at Kapowsin Elementary. Early this year, the district segregated the 20-acre parcel so that the house, garage and supporting infrastructure were contained on approximately one acre that could be sold as a separate parcel. The district published a legal notice of intent to surplus real property along with the notice of a public hearing pursuant to RCW 28A.335.120.
ADOPTED Resolution 32 (12-13) declaring the certain real property located at 26611 Meridian Street East, Graham, Washington surplus and for sale in accordance with RCW 28A.335.120. (Parcel No. 0318113026).

Click to access R32%20(12-13)%20Surplus%20Property%20Degraw%20House.pdf

Approved
The current boilers at Bethel Middle School have been repaired repeatedly over the past few years and are simply worn out. The facilities team is concerned that these boilers will not make it through the next school year. Subsequently, the administration is recommending prompt replacement with more state-of-the art equipment.
The proposed installation of non-condensing boilers and related equipment will cost $83,691, including tax. The administration is seeking board approval for this capital outlay request since it is over $25,000.