ARLINGTON – Like its young students, ECEAP continues to grow in Arlington

The Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program is expanding from three sessions to four. Terri Bookey, early learning director, talked about the growth at Monday’s school board meeting.

The board approved an agreement with Snohomish County Human Services for two sessions mornings and afternoons, so that 80 students could be served. Bookey explained how important it is for kids to get early education, but many families can’t afford it.

“It’s more affordable than other preschool programs for families in need,” she said.

There were 71 slots for the Arlington program, but when the county had more available, “We snapped them up,” Bookey said. She added that having four sections will make the program more viable. Cost of the program is $440,200. Food service provides breakfast and lunch.

Also, Deborah Borgens, finance director, talked about the need to update the Capital Facilities Plan even though Arlington Public Schools still won’t collect impact fees from developers. The capital plan had not been updated in years. And while the district won’t collect impact fees this year, it wants to have the flexibility to next year if the need arises. The update also is required if a bond measure is needed.

Changes in the capital plan include: Taking Trafton and the Freshman Academy off the schools list, adjusting to smaller class sizes, adding full-time kindergarten, and adding and subtracting portables from different schools.

Director Jeff Huleatt said an apartment complex is going in across from his dentist office. He wondered why impact fees wouldn’t be collected because those new residents certainly would impact the school system.

Not necessarily, Borgens said. There can be construction without impacting schools if the new residents don’t have children.

By updating the capital plan now, the district will be prepared.

“Huge growth is not anticipated, but now we can act fast,” she said. “New construction has increased, but so far it’s not created a need for new buildings.”

Impact fees must be spent on growth-related projects, she added.

She continued saying the Master Builders Association is lobbying to get law changed so impact fees would be collected at occupancy, rather than at the time of the permit. She added the change would add even more costs for a buyer.

“A lot of communities do impact fees,” she said, adding that is one reason builders come to Arlington.

In his last meeting before retiring, operations director Sid Logan discussed the sale of the old Trafton school property. He said the buyer has asked for an extension or he probably won’t go forward with the project. The intended purpose is an Oxford House, a drug-free group home where there would be dorms for men and women, along with the owner’s residence. The main goal of the board before selling Trafton was that the historic building be preserved.

Logan said there is talk of leasing the facility as an interim measure to minimize the district’s costs. The $22,500 in escrow would go to the district if the deal falls through.

Also at the meeting, Kathy Ehman, assistant superintendent, talked about the College in the High School program. She said students took 1,100 classes through Everett Community College last year.

Student board members Edward Radion and Mary Catherine Meno said schools do a great job letting students know about the program.

“Students get a leg up” on college, Ehman said. “It’s a lot cheaper for those who are tuition savvy.”

There was also a discussion about overtime vs. comp time. Director Bob McClure said the district should approve professional development before employees get it to be better aware of extra hours. Currently, workers can accumulate 240 hours of comp time, which is six weeks.

“That’s really high,” McClure said. “That’s a liability.”

Board president Ursula Ghirardo added, “That should send up a flare or two.”

Human Resources director Mike Johnson said September is a big month for overtime and maybe help could be brought it to reduce it.

Also, Huleatt recommended that the district collect more information electronically. Logan said that is a big issue statewide because so many school records are older and on paper already.

In other school board news:

•Eric DeJong, teaching and learning director, talked about adding to the Suicide Prevention policy “and Students in Emotional and Behavioral Distress” because it was too limiting and now can include more resources, training and referrals.

•Gary Sabol is the new public information officer, replacing Andrea Conley, who retired. He previously worked for the Clover Park School District.