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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 />

Page 2 of 9


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 />

Page 3 of 9


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 />

Page 6 of 9


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 />

Page 8 of 9


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 />

Page 9 of 9

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