Meeting Minutes

WORKFORCE TRAINING AND EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD

Driver Training and Solutions, LLC
North 2110 Fancher Way
Spokane WA  99212
November 4, 2005

 

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Ms. Watkins called the meeting to order at 10:14 A.M.

Members Present

• Joan Watkins, Vice Chair, SQLSoft Inc., Bellevue
• Patty J. Kruschke, Tri City School of Massage, Kennewick
• Kim Lothyan, Bryman College, Everett
• David Shulman, Seattle Film Institute, Seattle
• LouGena Wikstrom, Washington Federation of Private Career Schools and Colleges, Redmond

Guest

• Janice Green, Alpine College/Esprit Technologies, Spokane

WTECB Staff Present

• Walter Wong, Administrator
• ‘cita Waller, Administrative Assistant

July 14, 2005 Meeting Minutes
The meeting minutes were adopted.

PVSAC Member Information/Updates
Ms. Wikstrom reported that the Federation moved to a new location. She distributed information on the address. She also announced that the Federation’s next conference is scheduled for May 31-June 2, 2006, at the Benson Hotel in Portland.

Janice Green announced that Alpine College received Council on Occupational Education accreditation for a six-year period. Normal accreditation for a new school is two years. 

The Workforce Board’s annual leadership conference was very successful. Mr. Wong stated that evaluations are being submitted and tabulated and that attendees stated that the conference was the richest it has ever been. Over 480 people attended. The agency is now deciding whether the conference will be held yearly or every other year. 

Ms. Watkins announced that Microsoft has new versions of software and her school is offering training on the software. Some of SQLSoft’s programs are being offered through the state’s Department of Personnel. 

WTECB Update
Mr. Wong discussed items behind Tab 2. The first was the Workforce Board’s Legislative Agenda (budget and policy issues). The agency is requesting $1 million for the Expansion of Skill Panels.  The Private Career School legislation will request another FTE to assist with the work. The Health Care Personnel Supply Data request will ask for $236,000 to do a survey of the existing workforce and to find out where the short falls are.

Mr. Wong touched on the High School Restructuring Resolution adopted by the Workforce Board.  A member of the Superintendent of Public Instruction’s office will address this further at a future meeting.

The High Skills, High Wages work plan was highlighted. Interested members are encouraged to contact Madeleine Thompson of the agency for input.

The Rapid Response Plan to assist students affected by a closure was included. This plan was presented to the Workforce Board at its September meeting.

Various documents were distributed to the members.

PVSA Summary Update
The list of licensed schools as of November 1, 2005 was included. The list had 246 licensees (218 within Washington State and 28 out-of-state licensees). The report on the newly licensed schools and those schools not continuing licensure was included.

For the period July 1, 2005 through September 30, 2005, 5 new complaints were filed and 5 complaints were carried over from the previous period for a total of 10 complaints filed against 7 schools. One was resolved in favor of the school, three for the student, and one had other resolutions. Five complaints were still pending resolution.

For the fiscal year (July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2005), the agency received $193,435 in license fees; and $338,287 in TRTF fees brings the TRTF for a grand total of $4,053,266

Program of Work for 2005
Draft Statute Revisions:  Mr. Wong explained that the piece behind Tab 4 was taken from the Workforce Board Special Meeting packet. The first piece summarizes changes in the statute and the resolution adopted by the Board. The next piece was the proposed bill to be submitted to the Governor’s Office. The other items were a fiscal note showing how much will be needed to support the proposed legislation and the supplemental budget that was submitted to the Office of Financial Management.

The agency had proposed changing the WAC to add more oversight of private career schools.  Representative Phyllis Kinney, Chair of the House Higher Education Committee, decided that the law (RCWs) needed to be strengthened. The Federation has an appointment with Representative Kinney to discuss this issue.

Discussion followed on the implications of mandating expectations/performance measures on educational businesses.  Timelines from law passage to WAC enactment were also discussed.

Changes in the K-12 Systems and the Impact on Private Career Schools: 
The guest speaker wasn’t available so this item is postponed until 2006.

Old Business
There was no old business.

New Business
There was no new business.

Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 1:40 P.M.