Wrangell Public School District public meetings in 2020
32 substantive meetings from 2020, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Regular Board Meeting Agenda
The Wrangell Public School District Board will hold its regular meeting, taking action on a FY2021 budget revision, approving grant applications, and reviewing multiple board policies. The board will also hear public comments, receive reports from administrators, and handle routine consent agenda items.
- FY2021 Budget Revision (Action)
- Approve applications for Carl Perkins, CARES, ESEA, and Special Education grants
- First reading of policies on classified staff recruitment, professional boundaries, and nondiscrimination
- Second reading of policies on strategic plan, budget, certified staff recruitment, and student nutrition
- Consent agenda: approve minutes, extracurricular contracts, and resignation of paraprofessional Cindy Martin
Policy Committee Meeting
The Wrangell School Board Policy Committee is meeting to review and discuss a large number of board policies, ranging from student rights and technology use to board operations and investments. The committee will consider revisions to several policies, including those related to school accountability, student speech, nondiscrimination, and pandemic emergencies. Some policies will be forwarded to the full school board for action, while others are still in the discussion phase.
- Review of Board Policy 0510 (School District Report Card) to remove state performance star rating designation
- Review of Board Policy 5145 series covering student rights, speech, nondiscrimination, harassment, and privacy
- Review of Board Policy 6114.4 on Pandemic/Epidemic Emergencies, clarifying superintendent authority
- Review of Board Policy 6161.4 on Student Technology Usage, with new responsible use guidelines
- Discussion of Board Policy 3430 on Investing, deferred to a future task force
Policy Committee Meeting
The Wrangell School Board's Policy Committee is meeting to review and discuss a large number of board policies, ranging from student rights and staff recruitment to technology use and board operations. The committee will consider revisions, adoptions, and referrals, with several policies slated for upcoming board readings. The agenda is primarily procedural, focused on policy review and discussion rather than final decisions.
- Review of Board Policy 5141.42 (Professional Boundaries of Staff with Students) tied to insurance premium credit
- Discussion of Board Policy 6114.4 (Pandemic/Epidemic Emergencies) clarifying superintendent authority
- Review of Board Policy 6161.4 (Student Technology Usage) with new Responsible Use Guidelines
- Discussion of Board Policy 3430 (Investing) referred to a future task force
- Review of Board Policy 4161 (Leaves) recommending adoption with COVID-19 emergency leave AR
Special School Board Meeting re: Superintendent Search
The Wrangell School Board is holding a special meeting to discuss and take action on the superintendent search. The agenda includes a single action item with an attached proposal document.
- Action on superintendent search proposal
Regular Board Meeting Agenda
The Wrangell Public School District Board will hold a regular meeting with a work session with APEI, followed by action on consent agenda items, new business including grant applications, policy readings, a Title IX resolution, and a superintendent search proposal. The board will also discuss strategic plan revisions and review its code of ethics.
- Approve hires of four paraprofessionals and one extracurricular contract
- Approve expenditure to City & Borough of Wrangell for Evergreen Elementary School doors
- Consider grant applications including Alaska Children's Trust and Nora Roberts Foundation
- First reading of policies on budget, certified staff recruitment, and student nutrition
- Resolution 20-01 on Title IX
Work Session/Special School Board Meeting re: FY'20 Financial Audit
The Wrangell School Board will hold a work session to discuss the FY'20 financial audit, followed by a special meeting to vote on accepting the audit. The agenda includes only this audit-related item, with no other business.
- Discussion of FY'20 Financial Audit
- Action to accept FY'20 Financial Audit
Policy Committee Meeting
The Wrangell School Board's Policy Committee will discuss and potentially finalize several policies, including a staff-student professional boundaries policy tied to an insurance premium credit. They will also review graduation requirements and a long list of other policies, many with proposed revisions or requests for further review. The meeting is largely a working session to prepare recommendations for the full School Board.
- Discussion of Board Policy 5141.42, Professional Boundaries of Staff with Students, tied to an insurance premium credit
- Review of AR 6146, Graduation Requirements, requested by Dr. Lancaster
- Forwarding Board Policy 3100, Budget, to the School Board for first reading in November
- Recommendation to adopt new Board Policy 4161, Leaves, including emergency COVID-19 leave provisions
- Revisions to Board Policy 5131.62, Tobacco, to add definitions and cross-references
Work Session re: School Board Evaluation Tool Review
The Wrangell School Board is holding a work session to review school board evaluation tools. The agenda includes a discussion of the current Wrangell Public Schools evaluation tool and sample evaluation tools from other sources. This is a discussion-only session with no formal decisions or votes scheduled.
- Discussion of current Wrangell Public Schools evaluation tool (BP-7400_Evaluation of .pdf)
- Review of sample evaluation tools from other districts
- Work session held via Zoom
Work Session re: School Board Training
The Wrangell School Board is holding a work session focused on board training, covering key roles of board members, board bylaws, and the distinction between oversight and overstep. The agenda includes discussions and a break, with no formal decisions scheduled.
- Discussion of Roles & Responsibilities Booklet
- Discussion of Bylaws Workbook
- Session on Oversight vs. Overstep
Policy Committee Meeting
The Wrangell School Board's Policy Committee will meet to discuss and review several board policies, including a dedicated discussion on Board Policy 5040 (Student Nutrition & Physical Activity) with invited stakeholders. The committee will also consider future policy reviews, including a draft policy on professional boundaries of staff with students, and will receive updates on policies already before the school board. The meeting includes routine items such as approving prior meeting notes and electing a committee chairperson.
- Discussion of Board Policy 5040 Student Nutrition & Physical Activity with stakeholders
- Review of draft Board Policy 5141.42 Professional Boundaries of Staff with Students (insurance premium credit tied to adoption)
- Forwarding Board Policy 3100 Budget to school board for first reading in November
- Recommendation to adopt Board Policy 4161 Leaves, including Emergency COVID-19 Leave AR
- Revision of Board Policy 5131.62 Tobacco to add definitions and cross-references
Work Session re: School Board Budget Training
The Wrangell School Board is holding a work session for budget training, focused on understanding the chart of accounts, including where to find it, how to read it, and examples using the financial report. The session includes time for questions and suggestions for future training. This is a training session, not a decision-making meeting.
- Review of chart of accounts document (chart_of_accounts.pdf)
- Review of FY21 financials as of 08/31/2020 (09-21-20 SB FY21 Financials 08312020.pdf)
- Discussion on how to read the chart of accounts
- Examples using the district's financial report
- Open floor for questions and future training suggestions
Regular Board Meeting Agenda
The Wrangell Public School Board will accept the resignation of Superintendent Debbe Lancaster and appoint a new board member to fill a vacancy. The board will also approve a proposal for fuel tank inspection services and conduct multiple readings of school policies, including graduation requirements. Additionally, the board will elect new officers and approve personnel contract addendums.
- Accept resignation of Dr. Debbe Lancaster, Superintendent
- Appointment to fill Board Vacancy
- Approve proposal with Prism Design and Construction, LLC for Fuel Tank Inspection
- Review Board Policy 6146, Graduation Requirements
- Approve personnel contract addendums for Carl Perkins, Addy Esco, and others
Policy Committee Meeting
The Wrangell School Board's Policy Committee is meeting to review and discuss multiple board policies, including budget, staff recruitment and selection, student nutrition, professional boundaries, and technology usage. Several policies are being forwarded to the School Board for first reading, including nondiscrimination, purchasing procedures, and tobacco use. The committee will also consider new policies on retired teacher employment and leaves.
- Board Policy 3100, Budget: additions to administrative regulation calendar from ALASBO
- Board Policy 3310, Purchasing Procedures: local buying preference allowing local contracts if bid is 7.5% higher than non-local
- Board Policy 5141.42, Professional Boundaries of Staff with Students: draft policy needed for insurance premium credit
- Board Policy 6161.4, Student Technology Usage: revised guidelines, COPPA language to be added
- Board Policy 3430, Investing: deferred to future task force
Policy Committee Meeting
The Wrangell School Board Policy Committee is meeting to discuss and review numerous board policies, including classified staff recruitment, student nutrition, professional boundaries, and pandemic emergencies. The committee will also consider policies forwarded to the school board for first reading, such as nondiscrimination and purchasing procedures. The meeting is primarily a discussion and review session, with several items to be brought back for further consideration.
- Review of Board Policy 5040 on Student Nutrition & Physical Activity, including removal of an administrative regulation regarding nutrition content
- Draft policy on Professional Boundaries of Staff with Students (5141.42) to be adopted for insurance premium credit
- Discussion of Board Policy 6114.4 on Pandemic/Epidemic Emergencies, clarifying superintendent authority
- Forwarded to School Board: BP 0410 Nondiscrimination, BP 3310 Purchasing Procedures (with 7.5% local bid preference), and BP 2110 Organization Chart
- Recommendation to adopt new policies on Employment of Retired Teachers (4112.10) and Leaves (4161) with COVID-19 emergency leave
Regular Board Meeting Agenda
The Wrangell Public Schools Board will hear public comments on the swim club, coaching salaries, and a travel ban, review insurance coverage, and consider a Chromebook lease agreement with Trinity Financial Services. The board will also take first and second readings on several policies, including nondiscrimination, purchasing, and tobacco-free schools, and vote on a consent agenda with personnel actions and surplus equipment disposal.
- Lease agreement with Trinity Financial Services for Chromebooks
- First reading of policies 0410 (Nondiscrimination), 3310 (Purchasing), 3513.3 (Tobacco-Free Schools), 4020 (Drug/Tobacco/Alcohol-Free Workplace), 4112.10 (Employment of Retired Teachers)
- Second reading of policies 3270 (School Properties Disposal), 3290 (Gifts, Grants, Bequests), 3350 (Authorized Signatories), 3400 (Management of District Assets), 3452 (Student Activity Funds)
- Consent agenda includes disposal of a wood lathe for $1,000 and personnel actions (hires, resignations, contract addenda)
- Public comments on swim club, swim coach funding, travel ban, coaching salaries, and high school swim team
Policy Committee Meeting
The Wrangell School Board's Policy Committee is meeting to discuss and revise numerous board policies, including purchasing procedures, student activity funds, tobacco use, COVID-19 sick leave, and professional boundaries. Several policies are being forwarded to the full School Board for first reading, while others are tabled pending further information or comparison with other districts. The meeting is largely procedural, focusing on policy language and administrative regulations.
- Discussion of Board Policy 3310, Purchasing Procedures, with sample language supporting local purchasing
- Revision of Board Policy 3452, Student Activity Funds, to clarify cash handling and staff safety
- New administrative regulation on emergency COVID-19 sick and family leave (AR 4161/4261/4361)
- Draft policy 5141.42, Professional Boundaries of Staff with Students, required for insurance premium credit
- Forwarding policies 0410, 3270, 3290, and 3350 to the School Board for first reading
Regular Board Meeting Agenda
The Wrangell School Board will hold its regular meeting on August 17, 2020, via Zoom. The board will discuss a possible mask mandate and a CARES Act contribution from the borough, and will take action on several items including the consent agenda (minutes, surplus equipment, personnel), new business (AASB resolutions, grants, policy first readings, and a SERRC service contract), and an executive session for an early graduation request. The meeting also includes public comment, informational reports, and upcoming dates.
- Discussion of a mask mandate (11.04)
- Discussion of CARES Act contribution from borough (11.02)
- First reading of policies on property disposal, gifts, signatories, and asset management (11.05)
- Consent agenda includes personnel hires/resignations and surplus equipment disposal (10.02, 10.03)
- Action on SERRC school psychology service contract (11.06)
Policy Committee Meeting
The committee discussed revisions to multiple district policies, including tobacco use, student technology usage, and professional boundaries. Several items were approved for first reading by the School Board, while others were referred to other committees or deferred for further research.
- Approved Board Policy 3270 regarding school properties disposal procedure
- Approved Board Policy 3290 regarding gifts, grants, and bequests
- Approved Board Policy 3350 regarding authorized signatories
- Added 'disproportional impacts' language to Board Policy 0410 (Nondiscrimination)
- Adopted new emergency COVID-19 sick and family leave administrative regulation
Special School Board Meeting re 2020-2021 School Calendar Revision
The Wrangell Public School District board is holding a special meeting to consider a revision to the 2020-2021 school calendar. The only action item is a draft calendar revision, which the board may approve or modify.
- 2020-2021 School Calendar Revision (Action, Procedural)
Policy Committee Meeting
The Wrangell School Board's Policy Committee is meeting to discuss and revise numerous board policies, including nondiscrimination, authorized signatories, student activity funds, tobacco, and professional boundaries. Several policies are being prepared for school board review, while others are tabled pending further information. The committee also referred budget and investing policies to the Budget/Finance Committee.
- Discussion of Board Policy 0410, Nondiscrimination, with AASB sample
- Updated Board Policy 3350, Authorized Signatories, allowing two board members to sign checks
- Revision of Board Policy 3452, Student Activity Funds, including cash handling process
- Tabled Board Policy 5040, Student Nutrition & Physical Activity, pending DEED info
- Referred Board Policy 3100, Budget, to Budget/Finance Committee for August 5 meeting
Work Session re: 2020 Smart Start School Reopening Plan.
The Wrangell School Board is holding a work session to discuss the 2020 Smart Start School Reopening Plan. The agenda contains only this single item, indicating a focused discussion on reopening schools for the upcoming year.
- Discussion of 2020 Smart Start School Reopening Plan
Policy Committee Meeting
The committee discussed updates to several district policies, including procedures for disposing of surplus equipment and managing student activity funds. Members also reviewed proposed language for student speech, meeting conduct, and staff professional boundaries.
- Decided to remove newspaper advertising requirement for surplus equipment disposal
- Approved updated language for Board Policy 3290 regarding gifts, grants, and bequests
- Reviewed Board Policy 5145.2 to adopt AASB sample language for student speech and expression
- Referred Board Policy 3100 (Budget) to the Budget/Finance Committee for August input
- Deferred Board Policy 3430 (Investing) to a future task force
Policy Committee Meeting
The Wrangell School Board's Policy Committee is meeting to review and discuss revisions to numerous board policies, including budget, property disposal, gifts, investments, and student activities. The committee will consider changes to language, add references to state law, and address concerns raised by board members. Several policies will be sent back for further review or to other committees.
- Board Policy 3100 (Budget) reviewed with additions from Kodiak and Sitka policies; minor edits to be drafted.
- Board Policy 3290 (Gifts, Grants & Bequests) approved with language allowing refusal of gifts; $5,000 reporting threshold added.
- Board Policy 3350 (Authorized Signatories) sent back for review; considering adding 'or designee' and vice-president as signer.
- Board Policy 3452 (Student Activity Funds) revisions to be reviewed before second reading.
- Board Policy 5040 (Student Nutrition) sample language from state programs to be compared with current policy.
Regular Board Meeting Agenda
The Wrangell Public School District Board will hold its regular meeting, primarily acting on a consent agenda and several new business items. Key actions include approving FY'20 and FY'21 budget revisions, a memorandum of agreement with the teachers' association regarding the school year, and multiple contracts for services and audits. The board will also consider a collaboration agreement with Sealaska Heritage for STEM education and a donation request for library improvements.
- Approve FY'20 and FY'21 budget revisions
- Memorandum of Agreement with Wrangell Teachers' Association re school year
- Contract with Altman, Rogers & Co. for financial audit
- Contract with SERRC for Computerized Maintenance Management System
- Collaboration agreement with Sealaska Heritage for STEM education in middle schools
Special School Board Meeting re Superintendent Evaluation
The Wrangell Public School Board is holding a special meeting to discuss the superintendent's summative evaluation. The agenda includes an executive session for this discussion, with supporting documents attached. No other business is listed.
- Executive session for superintendent summative evaluation
- Attachments include evaluation policy and tool documents
Regular Board Meeting Agenda
The Wrangell Public School District Board will hold a regular meeting with several action items, including approving a consent agenda with personnel contracts and resignations, and voting on new business such as an iPad purchase for 1:1 student devices and a memorandum of agreement for online courses. The board will also hear a presentation on restarting school in the fall and receive reports from administrators and the superintendent.
- iPad Purchase: 1:1 Student Devices, 2020-2023 (action item)
- Memorandum of Agreement with Michele Galla to Deliver Online Courses (action item)
- Consent agenda includes 2020-2021 contracts for Ryan Howe, Jeri Ingram-Ramsey, Matthew Kramer, Virginia Oliver, and resignations of Kristina Buness, Stephanie Carney, Matthew Gore, Olivia Macri
- Sale of laptop to resigning Technology Director Matthew Gore (consent agenda)
- Presentation on 'Smart Start' framework for reopening schools in the fall
Regular Board Meeting Agenda
The Wrangell Public School Board will hold its regular meeting via Zoom, addressing routine business and several action items. The board will vote on consent agenda items including personnel contracts and resignations, and will consider new business such as grant applications, a services contract, and policy updates. Public comment is limited to three minutes per speaker.
- Approve FY21 Alaska Migrant Education Literacy Grant application
- Accept Donors Choose grant award
- Approve services contract with SERRC for school psychology services
- Adopt principal salary schedule
- Second reading of policies on background checks and classified staff vacations
Regular Board Meeting Agenda
The Wrangell Public School District Board will hold its regular meeting on March 16, 2020, at Evergreen Elementary School. The board will take action on the FY2021 budget, a five-year student transportation contract, an internet proposal, and a certified staff resignation incentive. It will also review and potentially adopt several board policies, and receive reports from the superintendent and principals.
- FY2021 Budget Adoption (Options A and B)
- 2020-2025 Student Transportation Contract
- Internet Proposal (GCI Education proposal)
- Certified Staff Resignation Incentive
- Policy reviews and readings (e.g., Tobacco Free Schools, Background Checks)
Policy Committee Meeting
The Wrangell Public School District Policy Committee met on March 5, 2020, to review and discuss revisions to 15 board policies. Key discussions included updating the budget policy to include public input language, revising student activity fund procedures, and adopting AASB sample language for student speech and harassment policies. The committee also reviewed policies regarding background checks, tobacco use, and classified staff vacation benefits, with several items recommended for the full School Board.
- Board Policy 3100 (Budget): Committee decided to add public input language and move timeline to Administrative Regulation.
- Board Policy 3452 (Student Activity Funds): Revisions made to clarify responsibility for cash accounts; set for second reading by the Board.
- Board Policy 3513.3 (Use of Tobacco): Revision to remove language implying tobacco is allowed in district vehicles when students are absent.
- Board Policy 4112.4 (Physical Examinations): Committee recommends repealing the requirement for employee physicals following state regulation changes.
- Board Policy 4262 (Classified Staff Vacations): Discussion on improving vacation benefits for 9 and 10-month staff to match other districts.
Policy Committee Meeting
The Wrangell School District Policy Committee is meeting to discuss and revise multiple board policies, including budget, income, school property disposal, gifts, student activity funds, background checks, staff vacations, student nutrition, tobacco, professional boundaries, speech, harassment, graduation requirements, school trips, and meeting conduct. They are also reviewing policies that will go before the school board, such as tobacco use, risk management, physical examinations, and personnel records. The committee is considering revisions to clarify processes, align with current practices, and incorporate sample language from other districts.
- Discussion of Board Policy 3452 on Student Activity Funds, including revisions for cash handling in the high school office
- Review of Board Policy 4262 on Classified Staff Vacations and Holidays, noting staff receive less vacation than Borough of Wrangell and Petersburg School District employees
- Recommendation to repeal physical examination requirement for employees (Board Policy 4112.4) due to state regulation repeal
- Revision of Board Policy 3513.3 on Use of Tobacco to remove language allowing tobacco use in district vehicles
- Review of Board Policy 5040 on Student Nutrition & Physical Activity, which appears outdated from National School Lunch Program participation
Policy Committee Meeting
The Wrangell School Board's Policy Committee is meeting to discuss and review multiple board policies, including risk management, student activity funds, physical examinations, background checks, and others. They will also consider policies before the school board, such as volunteer assistance and civility. The meeting is primarily discussion and review, with no final votes expected.
- Review of Board Policy 3530, Risk Management, with a suggested revision
- Discussion of Board Policy 3452, Student Activity Funds, including cash box reconciliation frequency
- Recommendation to repeal physical examination requirement for employees (Policy 4112.4)
- Discussion of background check policies for certificated and classified personnel
- Review of Board Policy 1250, Volunteer Assistance, regarding implementation of background checks
Work Session re: Progress Toward Strategic Plan Goals
The Wrangell School Board is holding a work session to discuss progress toward its strategic plan goals, covering student learning, stakeholder satisfaction, employee development, administrative support, and fiscal responsibility. The meeting is a discussion-only session, with no formal votes or decisions scheduled.
- Discussion of revised Goal #1 on student learning
- Review of curriculum alignment and K-12 accreditation actions
- Discussion of community communication and volunteer orientation actions
- Review of professional development and team building for staff
- Discussion of developing a zero-based budget process