Board members take oath of office
Newly elected board member Catherine Ushka-Hall had her daughter Amelia Hall, a Mason Middle School student, read the oath of office, and she was accompanied by Ushka-Hall’s father, Michael J. Ushka. Kurt Miller was re-elected to his board position and was sworn in by his parents Marie Natermas and Earl Miller.
Special recognition of Tacoma Athletic Commission
The board recognized the Tacoma Athletic Commission for its generous donation of $105,000 for the district’s middle school athletic programs. Athletics and Activities Director Jennifer Kubista introduced Matt Haner, president of the commission, who introduced the other commission members present.
Dec. 10 study session
The board held an in-depth review of the district’s real property and gave Superintendent Art Jarvis and other administrators direction on how they want the district to proceed with each site. Some options for action are: sell properties the district no longer uses, leave a property as is for the short- or long-term, use as a swing site when renovating another school, remove buildings on a site.
The study session on school climate will be rescheduled.
2009-10 board reorganization
The board approved its reorganization for 2009-10:
Debbie Winskill: President
Kurt Miller: Vice president
Kim Golding: Legislative representation
Debbie Winskill and Kurt Miller: Citizens’ Finance and Audit Committee
Other actions
The board:
· Approved the establishment of a committee to write a position statement for the Feb. 9, 2010, Educational Programs and Operations Replacement Levy and the School Facility Improvements and Technology Upgrades Levy.
· Approved Resolution No. 1857 certifying the findings within the resolution to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop a district assets preservation system.
· Approved the agreement between the Tacoma School District No. 10 and Pierce County Human Services for early intervention services for Oct. 1, 2009, to June 20, 2010.
· Authorized the superintendent to sign an interlocal agreement with the Washington Department of General Administration for surplus property disposal services.
· Authorized the superintendent to sign an intergovernmental agreement with the Washington Department of General Administration for membership in the state purchasing cooperative from Jan. 1, 2010, to Dec. 31, 2011.
· Accepted the educational specifications for the new Baker Middle School and the new Geiger Elementary School.
The next regular board meeting will be held on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010, at 6 p.m. in the fourth-floor auditorium at the Central Administration Building, 601 S. 8th St., Tacoma.