Superintendent’s Report: There is a deficit of nearly $14 million. Since there is a decreased enrollment, not as many teachers will be needed. The Levy Equalization Allocation from the state is considerably less: $3 million less than what they had anticipated. In the last four years there has been a 60 million cut to the budget. All non-represented staff who make over $100,000.00 a year will be taking four days of furloughs. The reduction plan will be for 14.3 million dollars.

Public Comments: Director Wilson asked if images of speakers would be shown. Yes.

Kinoa K? looks like a student. He is advocating for 5^th grade band.

Rebecca Goldman, mother: (she started in a high voice like a preschool teacher. Rob Perkins called her out and asked her to speak to the board with respect. She said that was her normal voice but she continued to speak as if she were Mr. Rogers. Rob Perkins called her out again. I have to agree that she did sound condescending. She was rattled but did continue to speak) Her message was on transparency.

Camille Lowman, parent: says students do not feel valued. She is also concerned on the new policies about public comment. She also said that the state audit was not made aware of the supplemental contract/special pay for Janae Gomes.

Angie Bunda, parent: concerned that the public comment policy was being changed. She also thanked the League of Women Voters for addressing the change of policy on public comment. She learned that because Gary Wilson forwarded his response to me to her.

Kathryn Fertick, parent: concerned that public comment policy is being reevaluated.

Kendall Teaman, EEA union member: addressing the supplemental contract issue. Specifically, he addressed the situation of Danny Stevenson being fired after questioning supplemental contracts. He also said that the state auditor did not know about the contracts. He pointed out that the Superintendent said that the state auditor did not call out the contracts. He stated that the superintendent lied and should be put on leave.

Adam Aguilera, teacher: speaking out against policy 1440 which is on public comments. Why, when there is a budget crisis are they are focused on public comment. Why have they allowed the Chief Operations Officer, Jane Gomes use the district’s attorney to defend her?

Kasia Brown, parent: how can admin make over $200,000.00 a year when they are cutting student facing positions? Reminded the directors they are over the district and should take action when there is wrong.

Evan Axxon, resident of district 4: Concerned about teacher reduction. He also called out how Director Perkins spoke out against Rebecca Goldman

Parent, missed his name: against eliminating 5^th grade band. Also, against the possible changes in public comment policy.

Mindy Troffer-Cooper, paraeducator and president of PSE union: She was contacted by Jane Gomes after speaking out against the supplemental contracts. Then she shifted her comment to accusing the Superintendent for not telling the truth to the state auditor. Ran out of time.

Sean Gundert, science teacher: addressing the appointment of the open board position. He pointed out incumbency gives board members an advantage so asking that a board appointee would commit to not then running for office.

Board Consent Agenda: Director Bocanegra moved and Director Gronwoldt seconded. It passed.

Superintendent Consent Agenda: Director Gronwoldt moved and Director Wilson seconded. It passed.

Resolution 7121: Director Bocanegra moved and Director Gronwoldt seconded it. The resolution is on reduced educational program (budget cut).

Director Bocanegra said that the board has tried really hard to address the concerns, but it is unfortunate that reductions have to be made. She is aware of all the comments on 5^th grade band. She understands the benefits of the program but also it is taking them away from instructional time. Parents in the audience said no that’s not true (evidently, they do it during their lunch hour). She pointed out that there is a music program for all students.

Director Perkins said that he has looked at the budget for central admin for the past 5 years. He says Evergreen is the lowest of all the big districts. 3.9% was budgeted for admin compared to 5.3% of all districts. He says there is no other option and he is sad about cutting 5^th grade band. He says the music director for the district is confident that the music program will still continue to be strong. Budget for teachers has actually risen. Far more paraeducators are working. The real spending power of the district is down by 10%.

Director Wilson commented that they had over 900 respondents from the community on the budget. The top three requests were 5^th grade band, librarians and security. He could live without the elementary librarians but the community wanted them. He felt he had to represent the community. He was hoping that transitional coaches and 5^th grade band could be saved. He wants a salary freeze for non-represented staff. However, the people reporting to them could be making more so his suggestion was rebuffed. He wanted to cut TOSA positions (teacher on special assignment) but most are covered by special grants. He talked through some of the other things he suggested as he served on the budget committee. He pointed out that transition coaches keep kids from dropping out so that actually saves money for the district. The worst part about being on the board is learning that a student has committed suicide. He wonders if transitional coaches aren’t the key to keeping those kids alive. He felt $225,000 could be found in the budget to save those transitional coaches but was told no. He pointed out that there is a $230,000.00 in LAP funds and questioned that.

Director Bocanegra pointed out that those (LAP) are designated funds and cannot be switched to another budget item. She pointed out that the ideas brought out by the budget committee are not off the table but may be considered in the future.

Director Perkins asked for the vote. All voted aye except Director Wilson

Policy 1440. The law has changed and the state is now requiring an audio recording of all board meetings. The policy is to be in alignment with the law. Director Gronwoldt moved to go to a second reading. Director Bocanegra seconded it. Director Wilson says he doesn’t like that the comments of the board are no longer written down. He wants transparency and says that people don’t want to watch a 2-hour meeting just to get to board comments. Director Wilson did not seem to understand about a second reading. He asked what would happen if there was a no vote. Director Perkins noted that if there was a majority vote against it, they would not move it forward. He called for the vote. All but Director Wilson voted to move it to the second reading.

Board Comments: Director Wilson thanked all the commenters for the evening and he pointed out that he answered all the emails this month because it was his job this month. He said next year that they will be looking at school closures. He is also asking for an investigation of the January 14 comments by the superintendent on the special contract.

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