El efecto de la integración social

Sara Betnel, School Board Legislative Representative, presented.

Director Betnel reported that the Legislature is approaching the first legislative calendar cut-off, which is February 15. Bills need to move out of the first committee to the next by this date in order to continue in the process. She recapped the District’s three priority areas: funding and flexibility, equity, and safety and well-being for students and staff. Notable bills that have made it out of committee include:

• Graduation waivers (funding and flexibility)

• Waivers for CTE pathway requirements (funding and flexibility)

• Training to all staff, administrators and provision of facility to board members (equity) – not only made it out of committee but also moved from the Senate to the House

• Broadband as a public utility made it through committee and moving to the floor (equity)

• Establishing a building point contact for students in foster care passed through the Senate (equity)

• Teaching Washington tribal history passed out of committee (equity)

• Menstrual products in schools (well-being for students) passed out of committee Items of note that are still in committee:

• Enrollment adjustment funding (would address Shoreline’s shortfall of $2,850,000)

• Transportation stabilization funding (would address Shoreline’s shortfall of $3,381,550)

The Board sent an official letter to the Legislature requesting that these two issues above be moved forward out of committee.

Other issues that were in committee and being heard for the first time this week:

• Providing counseling for COVID trauma (staffing at one counselor for every 150 students)

• Increasing language access in schools

• Addressing secondary trauma in the workforce

• Expanding the eligibility of board member qualifications (based on Lama Chikh’s advocacy; Directors Jernigan and Betnel testified)

• Prohibition of schools using Native American names or imagery as mascots (Shorewood Thunderbird is such an image) – Director Betnel related that the book that chronicles the history of the Shoreline School District, Shore to Shore and Line to Line, speaks to the origins of the Thunderbird mascot

President Jernigan stated how helpful it was to hear how bills work their way through the process in the Washington State Legislature. She also stated that she was aware of how Shoreline got its name but didn’t know there was an actual book about the District’s history.

Director Rivera also expressed appreciation for the information about the legislative process and requested that the board members be notified of opportunities to step in and offer voice and support on key issues.

Superintendent Miner announced that she would be happy to forward information to the Board from Director Betnel on these matters. Additionally, Director Betnel provides weekly legislative updates in the Friday Briefings. Director Betnel announced that with the upcoming cutoff on February 15 for some of the bills, she would get something out well before Friday Briefings.

Board Requested Discussion

Director Rivera requested that the Board engage in some committee work in an effort to move forward the Board’s goals that were developed last summer in connection with communication and metrics. The two goals are:

1. We will develop processes for the Board’s regular and ongoing examination of measures for accountability with an intentional focus on racial equity.

Consider as part of the “how”: towards racial equity in terms of impact on learning and learning outcomes, patterns of access to opportunities in the district, and eliminating the predictability of outcomes.

2. We will develop processes for proactive, clear, and ongoing Board communication with the community.

Consider as part of the “how”: understandable, predictable around board roles and responsibilities, board activities, decision-making and opportunities for input and feedback/engagement; create one-page summary of the Board’s roles and activities (share on website)

Director Rivera proposed that there be two committees, one for each goal and each with two board members with assistance from Superintendent Miner. The two committees could then share their work and begin the whole-board conversation at the retreat on March 20.

President Jernigan expressed appreciation to Director Rivera for keeping the Board focused on their two operational goals and making sure that they continue to develop that work and not lose sight of the urgency of the work. This would allow for some of the foundational work to begin in the Board’s decision-making process on which metrics to use in determining whether or not the District is having the intended impact.

It was decided that Directors Rivera and Williams would work together on metrics and Directors Betnel and Cohen would work together on communications. Additionally, Superintendent Miner stated she would reach out to Student Representatives Pulliam and Berhane on a personal level (rather than putting them on the spot in this meeting) to gauge their interest in serving on these committees as well.

School Board Reports and Communications

Director Rivera enthusiastically announced that the Black Lives Matter in School took place the previous week as well as Black Voices events and that it was exciting to witness the BLM curriculum through her daughter’s classroom.

Director Betnel echoed the appreciation for the Black Lives Matter in School and acknowledged the heavy lift from teachers and administrators across the district; she was very grateful for moving that forward. She and her family were grateful for being able to attend the panel and conversation with author Jewell Parker Rhodes. Her children participated in the read-along of Ninth Ward and Ghost Boys and very much appreciated the inspiration and connection with the author. Director Betnel announced she would be attending the WSSDA/WASA/WASBO Legislative Conference virtually on February 21. She encouraged Student Representatives Pulliam and Berhane to also attend if interested. President Jernigan would also be attending.

Director Betnel highlighted two notable items from the presentations at this meeting: 1) the selling of bonds that would result in a considerable savings to our community during this time of economic crisis; and 2) the purchase of the District’s first electric bus.

Executive Session None

Adjournment: 8:12 p.m.

9

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Meghan Jernigan, Board President Attest: March 15, 2021

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Rebecca L. Miner, Secretary Shoreline Board of Directors

All documents referenced in the minutes may be viewed in the Superintendent’s Office during normal business hours.

Shoreline Board of Directors