Minutes - Springfield Public Schools
Minutes - Springfield Public Schools
Minutes - Springfield Public Schools
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SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS<br />
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING<br />
SPRINGFIELD, OR 97477 MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2010<br />
MINUTES<br />
13/ Board members met in Executive Session (Non-<strong>Public</strong>) under ORS 192.660(2)(e) Real Estate.<br />
Chair Bigley called the Executive Session to order at 4:36 p.m. Those present included Nancy<br />
Bigley, Laurie Adams, Jonathan Light, Al King, Nancy Golden, Jeff DeFranco, Brett Yancey, Karen<br />
Lewis. Attorney Dwight Purdy shared information about real estate with board members.<br />
The Executive Session was adjourned at 5:35 p.m.<br />
Classified Employee of the Year Reception<br />
A reception was held in the boardroom beginning at 6:00 p.m. in recognition of the district’s<br />
Classified Employees. Yvonne Atteberry, Oregon Education Association President, served as the<br />
emcee for the event.<br />
The following Classified Employee of the Year Committee Members were introduced: Rose Burnette,<br />
Transition Assistant, <strong>Springfield</strong> High School; Cheryl Wallerstedt, Community Transition Program<br />
EA; Lisa Fjordbeck, Secretary, Admin. Building; Darlene Vermilyea, Community Transition<br />
Program EA; Linda Southwick, Secretary, Centennial Elementary; and Superintendent Nancy<br />
Golden.<br />
Ms. Atteberry announced the nominees for Classified Employee of the Year for 2009-2010 and<br />
presented those in attendance with a folder containing the nomination forms from those who<br />
nominated them, a certificate of congratulations, and a gift.<br />
The nominees included Barbara Ledbetter, Admin Complex; Debbie Jarvis, Admin Complex; Kevin<br />
Hillman, Admin Complex; Lisa Fjordbeck, Admin Complex; Pam Skinner, Admin Complex; Pat<br />
Best, Admin Complex; Sharon Dove, Admin Complex; Tim Stephens, Admin Complex; Sharon<br />
Wuethrich, ASMS; Sue Hiebenthal, ASMS; Terri Berry, ASMS; Vicky Wilson, ASMS; Barb<br />
Lewellen, BMS; Carron Barnhart, BMS; Karen Galceran, BMS; Karen Long, BMS; Shannon<br />
Jackson, BMS; Lyndi Cabales, Brattain Elementary; Maria Oloño, Brattain House; Janel Morgan,<br />
Centennial Elementary; Cheryl Warner, Douglas Gardens Elementary; Rose Ann Cross, Gateways;<br />
Cindy Close, Goshen Elementary; Sue Edwards, Guy Lee Elementary; Karla Hanan, HMS; Kristirose<br />
White, HMS; Lisa Glander, HMS; Rachel Sykes, HMS; Sandra Prentiss, HMS; Diana Springer,<br />
Maple Elementary; Donna East, Moffitt Elementary; Stacy Ward, Mohawk Elementary; Ann Funke,<br />
Mt. Vernon Elementary; Jamie Matthews, Mt. Vernon Elementary; Lovena Benedick, Mt. Vernon<br />
Elementary; Bonnie Root, Page Elementary; Alice Humphrey, Ridgeview Elementary; Bea Leslie,<br />
Ridgeview Elementary; Brenda Chandler, Ridgeview Elementary; Cindy Crump, Ridgeview<br />
Elementary; Kristin Smith, Ridgeview Elementary; Tracy Hitt, Riverbend Elementary; Diana Jordan,<br />
SHS; Elena Espinoza, SHS/SMS; Laurie Sanford, SMS; Maria Gonzalez, SMS; Brenda James, THS;<br />
Julie Andrus, THS; Polly Kohl, THS; Sharon Plueard, THS; Sheila Roberts, THS; Sherry Moore,<br />
THS; Kris Stallings, THS; Rose Minium, Thurston Elementary; Debi Spencer, Walterville<br />
Elementary; Karla Bigelow, Yolanda Elementary; Sandra Buss, Yolanda Elementary.<br />
Finalists included Maria Oloño, English Language Development secretary at the Brattain House, cited<br />
for her enthusiasm, work ethic, excellent relationships and helpful nature; and Tim Stephens, lead<br />
warehouse inventory specialist, cited for his professionalism, positive interactions and leadership.<br />
March 8, 2010<br />
Page 1 of 9
Pam Skinner, the Title I office manager for the district, has been named as 2010 Classified Employee<br />
of the Year. Pam received seven nominations from a variety of sources. The letters of nomination<br />
praised Pam’s technical and organizational skills as well as her personal character. The word<br />
“professionalism” was widely repeated throughout.<br />
One Title principal described Pam as “service oriented”: “Pam makes me feel like we’re a team when<br />
working through projects, tasks and program requirements….She keeps all of us organized, on track<br />
and successful in performing our jobs. She does all this with a cheerful smile and positive attitude that<br />
makes working with her a pleasure….Another thing that makes her superior at her job is her depth of<br />
knowledge about Title I program operations, requirements and guidelines. I’ve seldom come to her<br />
with a question regarding Title I that she couldn’t answer. On those occasions when she couldn’t<br />
provide the information, she’s always said, ‘Let me get right back to you.’ And her follow-through is<br />
immediate….Pam exemplifies the kind of competent, professional and gracious classified employee<br />
that typifies <strong>Springfield</strong> <strong>Public</strong> <strong>Schools</strong>.”<br />
From another Title I principal: “Pam is the one who keeps the tasks manageable and organized, gently<br />
prompting us with reminders of deadlines, and due dates. She responds promptly to our many<br />
requests and inquiries, and when the answer from the ‘Title Czars’ is a No, it is delivered in her evenkeeled,<br />
reassuring, and comforting way that in the end makes it feel alright. And that, I submit, is<br />
quite a feat.”<br />
All those in attendance were invited to stay for a reception to honor the classified employees.<br />
BOARD MEETING<br />
A Regular Meeting of the Lane County School District No. 19 Board of Education was held on<br />
March 8, 2010.<br />
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER<br />
Chair Nancy Bigley called the <strong>Springfield</strong> Board of Education meeting to order in the boardroom of<br />
the District Administration Center at 7:00 p.m.<br />
Attendance<br />
Board members in attendance included Nancy Bigley, Laurie Adams, Al King, Jonathan Light, and<br />
Garry Weber.<br />
Student representatives in attendance included Simon Arnold, Jeremy Cox, Daniel Mendoza,<br />
Matthew Mickel, Tristin Holt, Michelle Mudder, Jordan McCray, Jordan Magill, and Cam Nguyen.<br />
Others identified in attendance included Nancy Golden, Brett Yancey, Sara Ticer, Matt Coleman, Jeff<br />
DeFranco, Karen Lewis, Keith Hollenbeck, Tom Lindly, Judy & John Svoboda, Yvonne Atteberry,<br />
Judy Burton, Don Lamb, Kelly Brye, Paul Weill, Rosalynn Jaeger, Hanalei Rozen, and Craig<br />
Murphy, from the <strong>Springfield</strong> Times.<br />
2. SCHOOL PRESENTATION<br />
Rosalynn Jaeger, Principal of Page Elementary School, introduced the following teachers: Katie<br />
Keeler, 4th grade teacher, Heidi Rice, 4th grade teacher, and Laurel Ross, Music teacher.<br />
Ms. Ross introduced a great group of 4 th grade students who would offer a taste of a longer<br />
presentation they were slated to perform this coming Thursday, March 11. The theme of the program<br />
was composers, which was also being used as a year-long study for intermediate students.<br />
March 8, 2010<br />
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The program included two short songs about Bach, a joke about Beethoven, digital storytelling about<br />
Mozart, and a song about Mozart. Students from Heidi Rice's Fourth Grade participating in the<br />
presentation included John Frost, Lina Aquino-Guinn, Kennadee Short, Cyrus Ullmann, Breanna<br />
Lindsey, Hannah Tornell, Tanner Weaver, Olivia Birkby, and Nicholas Schrodt.<br />
Students from Katie Keeler's Fourth Grade included Tori Taylor, Becca Newell, Ammon Bordeos,<br />
Jack Hudgins-Johnson, Hunter Gallagher, Rhiannon Larsen, Levi Yutzie, Tim Chow, Madi Smith,<br />
Alessandra Weiss, Ashley Hayes, and Mikey MacGregor.<br />
The board and audience were delighted with the performance.<br />
3. STUDENT COMMUNICATIONS<br />
<strong>Springfield</strong> High School:<br />
Jordan Magill reported there was a lot going on at <strong>Springfield</strong> High. Tonight and the next two nights,<br />
he said, there were band concerts happening, and next Monday, March 15, a choir concert at 7:30<br />
p.m. in which he had a solo part. On Saturday there would be the district Battle of the Books<br />
competition at <strong>Springfield</strong> High, during which he would be selling Nachos to help raise money for<br />
their coming pageant. The Mr. SHS/ Ms. Miller Pageant would happen April 17, and he was already<br />
fundraising for the Children’s Miracle Network. Last Friday they had intramural badminton, Jordan<br />
noted, and tomorrow would be the Outstanding Women’s Luncheon. <strong>Springfield</strong>’s musical<br />
production of Cinderella would be opening April 29, in which Jordan would be playing the role of the<br />
king.<br />
Thurston High School:<br />
Jordan McCray reported that this coming Thursday at 7:00 p.m. a band and orchestra dinner concert<br />
would be presented, with a number of bands participating. Michelle Mudder reported that a cabaret<br />
competition was held the past Saturday in Portland, in which Thurston won 4 th place. Their showcase<br />
would be held March 15 at 7:00 p.m., followed the next day by performances at lunchtime at school.<br />
Cabaret performances would be held on March 19 and 20, she said. Mr. THS would be held the<br />
coming Saturday, March 13, and different types of baskets would be raffled.<br />
Jordan commented that this Wednesday there would be a fundraiser at Papa’s Pizza to raise money<br />
for the senior all-night party, and that finals were next week in their trimester system.<br />
Gateways High School:<br />
Jeremy Cox commented that Gateways was also participating in the Battle of the Books this coming<br />
Saturday, March 13. Their student showcase would be presented on April 1, 5-7 p.m. at the<br />
Memorial Building, he said, and some students would be presenting their senior projects there as<br />
well.<br />
Academy of Arts and Academics<br />
Simon Arnold reported that A3 had a Poetry Out Loud Competition last week, and they were just<br />
starting to gear up for their student-led conferences, which required a lot of preparation. Presentation<br />
of the play Extremities began last week and would continue this coming weekend, he said. He<br />
thanked board members for attending the play, and commented that the juniors and seniors at A3 had<br />
held two weeks of discussions around sexual assault (the play’s theme), which had been very<br />
interesting.<br />
Chair Bigley encouraged the students to feel free to raise their hands during the board meeting any<br />
time they had something to share about what was being presented.<br />
March 8, 2010<br />
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4. PUBLIC COMMENTS<br />
Chair Bigley called for public comment.<br />
Kelly Brye said he had committed to attending different board meetings around the county to become<br />
better informed. He had enjoyed visiting some of the schools, seeing student performances and what<br />
was going on. Mr. Brye said that after attending other board meetings, he was especially appreciative<br />
of the <strong>Springfield</strong> district’s board meetings, including the comfortable setting of the room, and the<br />
inclusion of presentations by students, which he found energizing and inspiring. He thanked<br />
Superintendent Golden for her ability and willingness to be a great role model in leadership and for<br />
showing appreciation to people on all levels of the educational community.<br />
Hanalei Rozen presented Superintendent Golden with a crayon wallet, which she hoped might come<br />
in handy if Dr. Golden found herself in a situation that needed more color.<br />
5. CONSENT AGENDA<br />
A. February 22, 2010 Board <strong>Minutes</strong><br />
B. Personnel Action, Resolution #09-10.038<br />
Dawn Strong recommended that the Board of Directors approve the personnel action for licensed<br />
employees as reflected below:<br />
RESIGNATIONS<br />
Anna Alden<br />
Nandita Golya<br />
ADMINISTRATIVE<br />
CONTRACT RENEWALS<br />
Jeff Butler<br />
Jay Carter<br />
David Collins<br />
Julie Collins<br />
James Crist<br />
William Davis<br />
Michael Donnelly<br />
Shari Furtwangler<br />
Carmen Gelman<br />
Dennis Gray<br />
Keith Hollenbeck<br />
Rosalynn Jaeger<br />
James Keegan<br />
Sarah Lewenberg<br />
Jeffrey Mather<br />
Margot McDonnell<br />
Edmund Mendelssohn<br />
Sheila Minney<br />
Hai Nguyen<br />
Chris Reiersgaard<br />
Michael Riplinger<br />
Dawn Strong<br />
Carl Swan<br />
Paul Weill<br />
Matt Coleman<br />
Michael Fisher<br />
Lesa Haley<br />
Christopher Mitchell<br />
Sara Saxton-Ticer<br />
Brandi Starck<br />
Kevin Wright<br />
David Hulbert<br />
David Jacobson<br />
Valerie King<br />
Brooke Wagner<br />
Edward Rotherham<br />
PROBATIONARY<br />
CONTRACT RENEWALS<br />
Jennifer Boita<br />
Cynthia Bulinski<br />
Jennifer Montgomery<br />
Rachelle Depner<br />
Mary Grove<br />
Angela Elstone<br />
Zachary Allen<br />
Jenny Cathey<br />
Sarina Dorie<br />
Thomas Keeler<br />
Garrett Roberts<br />
Kelly Merrick<br />
Manuel Plascencia<br />
Brent Sasser<br />
Amber Verkler<br />
Misty Acker<br />
Sophia Lebow<br />
Emily Garrett<br />
Melissa Montgomery<br />
Kenneth Rodgers<br />
Dara Brennan<br />
Susan Coleman<br />
Holly Griffith<br />
John Zreliak<br />
Christine Gentile<br />
Ana Vergara<br />
Amy Halley<br />
Jenifer Wuite de Valle<br />
Chiara Ihnat<br />
Wakerobin Arden-Gendel<br />
Angela Fritsch<br />
Benjamin Muir<br />
Kristine Campbell<br />
Courtny Egbert<br />
Lisa Robbins<br />
Nikole Smith<br />
Carolyn Hoshaw<br />
Joni Wareham<br />
Constance Cesmat<br />
Melissa Cronk<br />
Tamara Dillon<br />
Grace Golden<br />
Leah Taylor<br />
Angela Gonzalez<br />
Sara Hoskinson<br />
Eva La Mar<br />
Matthew Adams<br />
Erin Marie Langsdorf<br />
Bradley McKechnie<br />
Nicole Wenger<br />
Jessica Whelan<br />
Jeffrey Congedo<br />
Eloine Melancon<br />
Allison Cunningham<br />
Melissa Glover<br />
Laurie Grote<br />
Matthew La Bounty<br />
Justin Radabaugh<br />
Jennifer Carroll<br />
Stephany Johnson<br />
Matthew Mahr<br />
Byron Parra<br />
Misty Hall<br />
Hayley Orton<br />
Jamie Baynes<br />
Adam Fine<br />
Natalie Hanson<br />
Scott Crowell<br />
Daniel Ramirez<br />
Wendy Zacharias<br />
Redskye Blackhorn<br />
Matthew Auxier<br />
Lucy Nelson<br />
Jeffrey Nicholson<br />
John Sperry<br />
Jennifer Utt<br />
Zachary Adler<br />
Deanna Bellin<br />
Bobbi Dano<br />
March 8, 2010<br />
Page 4 of 9
Austin Hill<br />
Michelle Olson<br />
Jennifer Orlandini<br />
Pamala White<br />
Tami McNamara<br />
Rachael Overall<br />
Karla Alvarado<br />
Joyce Douglas<br />
Mary Harwood<br />
Megan Gonyea<br />
Kathryn Lode<br />
Elizabeth Schneider<br />
Heidi Van Brunt<br />
Mary Adams<br />
Erica Anderson<br />
Amy Rowe<br />
Ashley Jessen<br />
Kristen Hobie<br />
Joyce Shain<br />
Deborah Carter<br />
Moriah Shanahan<br />
Jennifer Stern<br />
Nandita Golya<br />
Jennifer Guiley<br />
Nicola Shaddon<br />
Elery Baird III<br />
Jesse Grasseth<br />
Carrie Brown<br />
Shannon Clark<br />
Mark Doll<br />
David Frost<br />
Ian Jungjohann<br />
James March<br />
Ryan McClintick<br />
Rosalind Steinberg<br />
Sherry Baehler<br />
Stacey Glemboski<br />
Lonnie Usrey<br />
John Carey<br />
James Dickey<br />
Philip Dube<br />
Kenneth Gillespie<br />
Michael Gwynn<br />
Angela Hansen<br />
Virginia Hoke<br />
Luanne Johnson<br />
Adam Kennybrew<br />
Robert Morales<br />
Susan Reeder<br />
Donald Squires, Jr.<br />
James Underwood<br />
Jocelyn Mendelssohn<br />
Margaret Dean<br />
Kelley Edwards<br />
Mary Saubert<br />
TEMPORARY<br />
NON-RENEWALS<br />
Shannon Kelly-Hagengruber<br />
Chadwick Mahanna<br />
Sheri Moore<br />
Marcela Firth Gouveia<br />
Deborah Brady<br />
Cailey Branch<br />
Megan Sullivan<br />
Melissa Sepulveda<br />
Kendra Brummett<br />
Avery Fish<br />
Sean Himmelman<br />
Maria Sayre<br />
Jarrett Arnold<br />
David Chinburg<br />
Tonya Reichenberger<br />
Kimberlee Simons<br />
C. Financial Statement<br />
D. Board Policy Approval, Resolution #09-10.039<br />
Keith Hollenbeck recommended that the Board of Directors approve the following board policy:<br />
• JGAB Use of Restraint and Seclusion<br />
Motion: Mr. Light, seconded by Ms. Adams, moved to accept the Consent Agenda as presented.<br />
The motion carried unanimously, 5:0.<br />
6. ACTION ITEMS<br />
A. Alternative Education Providers, Resolution #09-10.040<br />
Matt Coleman recommended that the board approve the following in-district programs and private<br />
contractors for alternative education services for the 2010-2011 academic year.<br />
In-district Programs<br />
• Gateways Annex for Tutored & Expelled Youth (GATES) Grades 6-12<br />
• In-school alternative programs at SHS & THS Grades 9-12<br />
Contracted Service Providers<br />
• Creative Minds School Grades 6-10<br />
• Northwest Youth Corps OutDoor School (ages 14-21) Grades 9-12<br />
• Looking Glass: Riverfront School & Career Center (ages 14-21) Grades 9-12<br />
Lane Metro Youth Corps (ages 14-19) Grades 9-12<br />
• Department of Youth Services:<br />
MLK School (Court School) (ages 11-19) Grades 5-12<br />
• Lane Community College (GED Prep only) (ages 16-19) Grades 10-12<br />
Motion: Mr. Weber, Ms. Adams seconded, moved for approval. The motion carried 5:0.<br />
Responding to Ms. Adam’s question regarding the numbers of students at each of these schools, Dr.<br />
Coleman said there was one student at Creative Minds School, five at Northwest Youth Corps, eight<br />
March 8, 2010<br />
Page 5 of 9
at Riverfront, one at Lane Metro Youth Corps, six at MLK School and one at Lane Community<br />
College (GED Prep). He added that in school year ’05-’06, there were many more students in each of<br />
these programs, with a total of about 170.<br />
Simon Arnold asked what the difference in cost was for students attending these programs compared<br />
to Gateways and A3. Mr. Yancey responded that there were agreements with these programs that the<br />
district would flow 80% of the ADMw through to them. He said that ADM was approximately<br />
$6,000/ student currently at any school, and Special Education needs brought the costs higher, with<br />
some students’ costs reaching $20,000/ year.<br />
7. REPORTS AND DISCUSSION<br />
A. Elementary Textbook Adoption<br />
Sara Ticer reviewed the process and timeline for making a recommendation to adopt an elementary<br />
mathematics basal program for the 2010-11 school year. Last fall, she said, a Math Steering<br />
Committee had been established with representatives from K-12 grade teachers and administrators for<br />
the purpose of looking at best practices around the teaching of math and also current practices in the<br />
district. This group put together a set of key recommendations based on the direction the district<br />
needed to be heading, considering the emphasis in focus changing from an inch deep/ mile wide<br />
approach to a mile deep/ inch wide approach.<br />
The steering committee also broke into smaller subgroups, one of which was comprised of K-5<br />
teachers and some administrators and another was a middle school group. The middle school group<br />
had recommended a math adoption which the board approved last year, she said, while the K-5 group<br />
had requested a waiver for the current year. An elementary math cadre was established during this<br />
waiting time, she noted, the cadre being composed of two teachers from every <strong>Springfield</strong> school.<br />
This cadre looked comprehensively at the core standards, she said, as well as at how they could<br />
establish themselves as teacher leaders to bring information back to their schools.<br />
Ms. Ticer added that last year the two subgroups reviewed a list of ten programs and eventually<br />
narrowed the list to three programs for all K-5 teachers to view and give their input. In the meantime<br />
the cadre continued to do review work, with more meetings planned for March and April. They<br />
planned to bring to the board an adoption recommendation for a district-wide elementary math<br />
program to begin the next year. If the board approved this adoption at the end of April, she<br />
continued, they would like to have materials in the teachers’ hands as soon as possible to facilitate the<br />
beginning of this program in the fall.<br />
Teachers were feeling optimistic, Ms. Ticer said, that a good program would be found and could be<br />
implemented to make sure that the elementary math curriculum matched the focal points and core<br />
standards.<br />
Responding to a question from Mr. Weber about budgetary cost for the math adoption and<br />
professional development for both the middle school and elementary school adoptions, Ms. Ticer said<br />
that professional development for both programs was provided by the curriculum publisher. In terms<br />
of cost of staff time to get together, Ms. Ticer said they hoped to use time already allotted for<br />
collaboration and/or in-service. Both the implementation of the program itself and then ongoing<br />
professional development would be wanted no matter what. Research was being done, she said,<br />
about how to make these things possible.<br />
Ms. Ticer added that teachers were working on grant applications now for programs in excellence in<br />
math and science teaching, which was very exciting. Mr. Yancey commented that budget funding for<br />
March 8, 2010<br />
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the elementary math adoption would partly come from instructional funds from this year’s budget and<br />
some from next year’s budget.<br />
Responding to Mr. Light about how well state tests would align with core standards and focal points,<br />
Ms. Ticer said the curriculum was built around the standards, so they should be very reflective.<br />
Teaching this year was a little tricky, she said, because curriculum did not match testing and leaps had<br />
to be made to try to prepare students for what they would need to know. Besides aligning with core<br />
standards, Ms. Ticer noted, programs were wanted that were founded on the “big three”: conceptual<br />
understanding in math, procedural and computational fluency and problem-solving. These would<br />
assure success for the students, she said, and she noted that kids would definitely be prepared for the<br />
new algebra requirements.<br />
B. United Front<br />
Chair Bigley and Jeff DeFranco had just returned from a week of United Front meetings in<br />
Washington D.C. Chair Bigley said that meetings with the local delegation and staff were very<br />
favorable. As well a long meeting with a representative from the Department of Education was<br />
valuable and feedback about the district’s online school program was helpful.<br />
Mr. DeFranco reported that this was the 25 th year of these meetings. He said that in talks with<br />
Congressman DeFazio’s staff it was noted that they were appreciative of Lane County’s good<br />
organization. Congressman DeFazio had commented that despite the current deficit, congressionally<br />
directed spending would help get necessary funding into education. District proposals were well<br />
received, he felt, including a rare half-hour meeting with Senator Wyden. Also Ms. Bigley had been<br />
able in meetings to sit next to Congressman DeFazio, who expressed interest and support for virtual<br />
schools and also interest in <strong>Springfield</strong>’s 125 th anniversary celebration coming up.<br />
Mr. DeFranco said that the ARRA document put together by district leadership was well received,<br />
especially since it pointed out how the funding had helped the district. They had met with Cheryl<br />
Garnette, Director of Technology and Education programs regarding the Department of Education<br />
grant, and she showed interest in the virtual schools proposal. There was optimism that there would<br />
be a large increase in federal funding for education, though it would need to be seen how far federal<br />
funds would reach into the local district.<br />
Mr. DeFranco reported that good talks had taken place both with the Department of Education and<br />
with congressmen regarding some flexibility with No Child Left Behind around the definition of<br />
“highly qualified,” growth model and the power of formative assessment.<br />
Regarding the Student and Family Support Center proposal, Mr. DeFranco commented that some<br />
feedback had been received that it was necessary to put a more “human face” on this proposal, with<br />
stories of how local families experiencing homelessness and poverty would be affected. Data had<br />
been collected, he said, as well as letters of support from Lane County, Commission on Family and<br />
Children, and others from local and state levels supporting the proposal. There was optimism, he<br />
said, that there would be success with the proposal this year.<br />
Responding to a question by Mr. Weber about whether there was more push for the Student and<br />
Family Support Center funding than for virtual learning, Mr. DeFranco remarked that he had great<br />
hope for the Student and Family Support Center since it was the third year of this proposal and that<br />
Congressman DeFazio championed it, but that he had no real idea about which would be more likely<br />
to be funded. Chair Bigley commented that she had received equal interest about both proposals.<br />
March 8, 2010<br />
Page 7 of 9
Mr. King noted that Superintendent Golden was in dialogue with the Dean of the School of Education<br />
at the University of Oregon on the virtual schools proposal. He suggested it might be helpful to get<br />
letters of support from the UO staff. Mr. DeFranco responded that the proposal mentioned a level of<br />
partnership with the University of Oregon and International Society of Technology in Education<br />
(ISTE) and he agreed that a letter of support from that end could be helpful.<br />
C. Superintendent Communication<br />
Superintendent Golden reported some sad news regarding the death of a <strong>Springfield</strong> Education<br />
Foundation member, Andrea Wiggins from the University of Oregon College of Education. Ms.<br />
Wiggins had been a great support as a community leader, she said. More information would be<br />
forthcoming soon regarding the service.<br />
She applauded Simon Arnold for his part in the play Extremities at A3, noting it was a very difficult<br />
part he had played, as a potential rapist. She had also seen an amazing poetry reading by Mickey<br />
Plummer-Brouse, A3 student board representative. Mickey had won the poetry reading competition<br />
and would be competing at the state level. She also saw some great one-act plays at Thurston High<br />
School, which she loved.<br />
Superintendent Golden asked for a repeat of the request for information about Title funds, and<br />
wondered if there were any other questions board members had that needed research and could be<br />
brought back. Mr. Weber explained that he wanted to understand when one school received Title<br />
funds if that meant that another Title school lost some funding. Superintendent Golden remarked that<br />
she was very happy to work in the <strong>Springfield</strong> community where, although there were lots of people<br />
in need, there were also many others willing to help. It was very important, she said, to understand<br />
the families in the school community.<br />
D. Board Communication<br />
Mr. Weber agreed with Superintendent Golden about feeling gratitude for those in the community<br />
who were so willing to help those in need.<br />
Mr. King commented that he had visited two schools for Read Across America and would be<br />
attending the Battle of the Books this weekend.<br />
Ms. Adams asked if there was any news on the 60 <strong>Minutes</strong> issue from the Superintendent’s update.<br />
Mr. DeFranco said it was still in process, with interviews happening with families who were facing<br />
homelessness. Strategically for the district, he said, if the Student and Family Support Center project<br />
could tie in with this situation, there could be great benefit. The district was being used as a conduit<br />
for finding families for the project, and the district was hoping to have its message shared in some<br />
ways as well, he said.<br />
Ms. Adams remarked that she was sorry Oregon did not receive initial funds for the Race to the Top<br />
program. She also noted that she was present, at Sid Leiken’s request, for his announcement that he<br />
would be running for County Commissioner. She congratulated A3 for its play Extremities, and<br />
Simon himself for his major part in the play, which she found remarkable.<br />
Mr. Light agreed about A3’s play, and he particularly appreciated the discussion with the audience<br />
following the play. He hoped there would be further conversations in the community around the issue<br />
of sexual assault, and that the play could be seen by all juniors and seniors in the district. Simon said<br />
that great discussions had been happening around these issues because of the play.<br />
March 8, 2010<br />
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Chair Bigley thanked Mr. DeFranco for his superior job at United Front. She said he did a great job,<br />
being thorough and prepared and that he positioned the district well to compete for available support.<br />
8. OTHER BUSINESS<br />
Superintendent Golden mentioned that tomorrow people from VH1 Save the Music were coming to<br />
meet with district folks in hopes that a partnership could be formed to bring instrumental music<br />
programs to the schools.<br />
9. NEXT MEETING<br />
Chair Bigley announced that the next regular board meeting would be held on April 5, 2010, at 7:00<br />
p.m.<br />
10. ADJOURNMENT<br />
With no other business, Chair Bigley adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m.<br />
(<strong>Minutes</strong> Recorded by Judy Burton)<br />
Executive Session<br />
Immediately after the Board Meeting, board members met in Executive Session (Non-<strong>Public</strong>) under<br />
ORS 192.660(2)(i) Superintendent Evaluation. Chair Bigley called the Executive Session to order at<br />
8:34 p.m. Those present included Nancy Bigley, Laurie Adams, Jonathan Light, Al King, Garry<br />
Weber, Nancy Golden, Jeff DeFranco, Dawn Strong, Brett Yancey and Karen Lewis.<br />
The Executive Session was adjourned at 8:58 p.m.<br />
March 8, 2010<br />
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