Bellingham Public Schools public meetings in 2020
24 substantive meetings from 2020, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Regular Board Meeting via Zoom
The Bellingham School Board will meet via Zoom to approve consent items including the completion of the Sehome High School Replacement project, a transfer of $228,420.63 from the Capital Projects Fund to the General Fund, and the cancellation of stale-dated checks. Public participation is limited to written submissions.
- Approval of Sehome High School Replacement project ($94,146,922.82)
- Transfer of $228,420.63 from Capital Projects Fund to General Fund
- Cancellation of stale-dated checks
- Acceptance of donations totaling $44,596
- Authorization to call for bids for food service products ($75,000+)
Special Meeting via Zoom
The Board of Directors will meet via Zoom to consider two items on a consent agenda. These include certifying the district's 2021 excess property tax collections and approving an emergency waiver for purchasing air filters.
- Resolution 29-20: Certification of 2021 Excess Property Taxes
- Resolution 30-20: Emergency Suspension of Policy to waive bidding requirements for air filter purchases
Regular Board Meeting via Zoom
The board will vote on a consent agenda including certification of a $30.2 million levy for 2021, compliance with state contracting rules for the Sunnyland Elementary replacement, and a $114,221.75 fund transfer from capital to general fund. Also up for approval are easements for sewer work and a utility easement for the Alderwood Elementary rebuild, plus authorization to bid outbuildings at Bellingham High School turf fields Phase 2. Public comment is limited to written submissions due to COVID-19.
- Certify 2021 levy collection of $30,193,319 (voter-approved $31,000,000, adjusted by state formula)
- Resolution 26-20: compliance with RCW 39.10 for Sunnyland Elementary replacement using GC/CM contractor Dawson Construction
- Transfer $114,221.75 from Capital Projects Fund to General Fund for expenses including Northwest ESD ($86,499.88)
- Grant easement to City of Bellingham for rehabilitating Whatcom Creek sewer trunk main on Transportation property
- Authorize utility easement for Alderwood Elementary rebuild and call for bids on outbuildings at Bellingham High School turf fields Phase 2
Regular Board Meeting via Zoom
The Bellingham Public Schools Board will vote on a consent agenda that includes routine items such as approving September 2020 expenditures and the September 16 meeting minutes. It will also consider a $95,994.71 transfer from the Capital Projects Fund to the General Fund and authorize a Purchase and Sale Agreement for property at 814 E. Maryland Avenue adjacent to Sunnyland Elementary. Additional items include hiring an appraiser for the Roeder Building and adopting Policy 2418 (Waiver of High School Graduation Credits).
- Approve minutes of the Sept. 16, 2020 regular meeting
- Approve September 2020 expenditures and payroll
- Resolution 23‑20: transfer $95,994.71 from Capital Projects Fund to General Fund
- Approve Purchase and Sale Agreement for property at 814 E. Maryland Avenue next to Sunnyland Elementary
- Hire appraiser W. Thomas Follis to appraise the Roeder Building
Special Meeting via Zoom
The Board of Directors is holding a special meeting via Zoom to connect and strengthen relationships. This is not a regular school board meeting and does not include public comment time.
- General discussion for board relationship building
Regular Board Meeting via Zoom
The Bellingham School Board will meet remotely to approve consent items including the intent to construct Sunnyland Elementary School, educational specifications for the project, and the transfer of $127,908.35 from the Capital Projects Fund to the General Fund.
- Approval of Sunnyland Elementary School Educational Specifications
- Intent to construct Sunnyland Elementary School
- Transfer of $127,908.35 from Capital Projects Fund to General Fund
- Approval of August 2020 expenditures and payroll
- Approval of March-July 2020 expenditures and payroll
Regular Board Meeting via Zoom
The Board will discuss and act on Resolution 16-20 regarding the district's reopening plan for the 2020-21 school year. Other business includes approving July 2020 expenditures and several service contracts.
- Resolution 16-20: District Reopening Plan for 2020-21
- Resolution 17-20: Transfer of $467,244.87 from Capital Projects Fund to General Fund
- Waterline Easement Agreement for new fire hydrants at Alderwood Elementary School
- Contract with NWESD 189 for Community Prevention Wellness Initiative at Shuksan Middle School
- Subscription agreement with Aperture Education for DESSA social emotional assessment system
Special Meeting via Zoom
The Bellingham School Board will meet via Zoom on August 19, 2020, to discuss the 2020-21 school year calendar and reopening plans. The meeting is a special session and will not include a public comment period.
- Meeting via Zoom on August 19, 2020
- Discussion on 2020-21 Reopening
- Discussion on School Board Calendar for 2020-21
- No public comment time scheduled
6:00 p.m. - Special Meeting/Public Hearing
The Bellingham School Board will hold a public hearing to take testimony on a proposed amendment to Resolution 25-17, which would add maintenance projects to the eligible uses of 2018 bond proceeds. After the hearing, the board will vote on the amendment during a regular meeting.
- Public hearing to amend Resolution 25-17, adding maintenance projects to eligible bond-funded improvements
- Board to take action on the amendment during the regular meeting following the hearing
- Written public comments accepted due to COVID-19 emergency
6:05 p.m. Regular Board Meeting with Public Hearing
The Bellingham School Board will hold a public hearing and vote to adopt the 2020-21 budget, approve construction resolutions for Sehome and Parkview schools, and authorize fund transfers.
- Public hearing on 2020-21 budget adoption
- Approval of Sehome High School athletic fields project ($7,872,790.53)
- Adoption of 2020-21 budget (General Fund: $193,960,438)
- Resolution to modernize Parkview Elementary School gym
- Transfer of $140,883.58 from Capital Projects to General Fund
Special Meeting via Zoom
The Bellingham Public Schools Board of Directors will hold a special meeting via Zoom to vote on a consent agenda. Items include awarding a construction bid for the Shuksan Middle School Auxiliary Gym to Tiger Construction, Ltd. and approving a training agreement with the University of Washington Haring Center.
- Award of bid for Shuksan Auxiliary Gym to Tiger Construction, Ltd. (base bid amount not specified in agenda)
- Approval of interagency training agreement with UW Haring Center for inclusionary preschool practices
- Meeting is a special session without public comment time
Regular Board Meeting via Zoom
The Bellingham School Board met remotely on June 17, 2020 and considered several consent agenda items. Items included approval of May 2020 expenditures, a $183,752.06 transfer from the Capital Projects Fund to the General Fund, and resolutions to construct Alderwood and Parkview Elementary Schools. The board also approved a wetland conservation easement for the Alderwood site and awarded the rebuild contract to RAM Construction.
- Approval of May 2020 expenditures and payroll (consent agenda)
- Resolution to transfer $183,752.06 from the Capital Projects Fund to the General Fund
- Resolution intent to construct Alderwood Elementary School
- Wetland Conservation Easement for the Alderwood Elementary School site
- Award of bid for Alderwood Elementary School rebuild to RAM Construction
Regular Board Meeting via Zoom
The Bellingham School Board will hold a regular meeting via Zoom on May 13, 2020, with public participation limited to written submissions. The board is scheduled to approve the April 2020 minutes, expenditures, and payroll, as well as several consent items including a resolution to extend the school year and value engineering studies for Alderwood and Parkview Elementary.
- Approval of April 2020 expenditures and payroll
- Resolution 6-20 to extend 2019-20 school year by 5 days
- Approval of Alderwood Elementary Value Engineering Study
- Approval of Parkview Elementary Value Engineering Study
- Authorization to call for bids on Parkview Elementary construction
Regular Board Meeting via Zoom
The School Board is meeting via Zoom to address pandemic-related disruptions. Key proposals include waiving competitive bidding for student meals and allowing credit waivers for graduating seniors.
- Resolution 4-20: Emergency suspension of competitive bidding for food products to ensure student meals
- Resolution 5-20: Emergency waiver of high school graduation credits for seniors on a case-by-case basis
- Authorization to call for bids for the Alderwood Elementary School project
- Resolution 3-20: Authorization of warrant signatures for Dr. Greg Baker and Dr. Michael Copland
- Agreement with Whatcom Community College for 'College in the High School' concurrent credit
Regular Board Meeting via Zoom
The Bellingham Public Schools Board will hold a regular meeting via Zoom on March 25, 2020. Due to COVID-19, public participation is limited to written submissions. The board will vote on a consent agenda that includes a resolution to transfer $86,555.01 from the Capital Projects Fund to the General Fund, approval of expenditures for February 2020, and several agreements and personnel recommendations.
- Resolution 2-20: Transfer $86,555.01 from Capital Projects Fund to General Fund for qualifying expenses
- Hire appraiser W. Thomas Follis to appraise real property the district is considering purchasing
- Agreement with Lighthouse Mission Ministries to use Bellingham High School as a shelter and provide weekday meals during COVID-19 emergency
- Interlocal agreement with Department of Social and Health Services to support educational outcomes for foster children
- Ratification of agreement with Center for Educational Leadership for two days of leadership coaching
Regular Board Meeting POSTPONED
The Bellingham Public Schools Board of Directors meeting scheduled for March 18, 2020, has been postponed. The board will reconvene once a new date and time are determined.
- Approval of minutes from February and March 2020 meetings
- Approval of February 2020 expenditures and payroll
- Hire of appraiser W. Thomas Follis for property valuation
- Agreement with Bellingham Public Schools Foundation for 2019-20
- Interlocal agreement with Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families
School Board Special Meeting/Student Roundtable: 1:15-2:15 p.m.
The Bellingham School Board will host a student roundtable focused on elementary students at Carl Cozier Elementary School on March 4, 2020. The meeting is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
- Student roundtable discussion
- Meeting at Carl Cozier Elementary
- Focus on elementary school students
School Board Special Meeting - two days
The Bellingham School Board will hold a two-day special meeting in Rockport to discuss board professional development, the superintendent's contract, and equity initiatives.
- Superintendent Mid-Year Evaluation and Contract
- Review of Race and Equity policy (EL-10)
- Board Professional Development discussion
- WSSDA Self-Assessment
- Update on Big Picture District Initiatives
Regular Board Meeting and Study Session
The Bellingham Public Schools Board will hold a regular meeting and study session on sustainability. The board will consider a consent agenda including approval of January 2020 expenditures, updates to policies on rental of district property and use of school facilities, an interlocal agreement with neighboring school districts for Title IA services, and several personnel and service contracts.
- Study session on sustainability
- Approval of January 2020 expenditures and payroll
- Updated Policy 6112 (Rental or Lease of District Real Property) and Policy 4260 (Use of School Facilities)
- Interlocal agreement with Blaine, Ferndale, Meridian, and Mt. Baker School Districts for Title IA services
- Personal services contracts including support for equity, special education, and training
School Board Visit - Shuksan Middle School
The Bellingham Public Schools Board of Directors will visit Shuksan Middle School to observe school operations. The meeting is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. on February 4, 2020.
- Board visit to Shuksan Middle School
- Meeting at 2717 Alderwood Ave.
- Meeting date: February 4, 2020
School Board Special Meeting/Community Linkage: 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
The School Board will hold a special meeting at Options High School. The discussion focuses on Exceptional Students.
- Community/Board Linkage: Exceptional Students
Regular Board Meeting
The Bellingham School Board will meet to approve consent agenda items including minutes, payroll, and agreements for services and personnel. The meeting is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. at Options High School.
- Approval of minutes from Dec. 11, 2019 regular and special meetings
- Approval of payroll for November and December 2019
- Approval of Resolution 1-20 to transfer $74,076.81 from Capital Projects Fund to General Fund
- Agreement with Northwest ESD 189 for Highly Capable program coaching
- Agreement with Ferndale School District for interdistrict boys swim team participation
CANCELED Regular Board Meeting
The regular board meeting scheduled for January 15, 2020, was canceled. The agenda listed several proposed consent items, including payroll approvals and fund transfers, that were not decided upon due to the cancellation.
- Resolution 1-20 to transfer $74,076.81 from the Capital Projects Fund to the General Fund
- Proposed approval of November 2019 updated payroll and December 2019 expenditures and payroll
- Proposed agreement with Northwest Educational Service District 189 for Highly Capable program coaching
- Proposed agreement allowing seven Ferndale School District students to join the Squalicum High School swim team
- Proposed service agreement with Anthony Craig for equity, diversity and inclusion training
CANCELED School Board Visit - Sehome High School
The Bellingham Public Schools Board of Directors canceled its scheduled visit to Sehome High School on January 7, 2020. The visit was intended to observe school operations at 2700 Bill McDonald Parkway.
- Canceled School Board Visit - Sehome High School
- Scheduled time: 7:30 a.m., Jan. 7, 2020
- Location: 2700 Bill McDonald Parkway, Bellingham, WA