HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013_12_10 Board MinutesBOARD OF TRUSTEES -- BUSINESS MEETING
DISTRICT OFFICE BOARD ROOM -- 7:00 P.M.
690 JOHN ADAMS PARKWAY
DECEMBER 10, 2013
Present from the Board of Trustees:
Lisa Burtenshaw, Chair
Dave Lent, Vice Chair
Deidre Warden, Treasurer
Larry Haws, Clerk
Bryan Zollinger, Trustee
Present from the Administration:
George Boland, Superintendent
Lisa Sherick, Assistant Superintendent
Carrie Smith, Director of HR & Finance
Margaret Wimborne, Coordinator of Communications &
Community Engagement
Debbie Wilkie, Recording Clerk
Board Chair Lisa Burtenshaw called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by a member
of the audience.
SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS
a. Emissary of Excellence
Carrie Smith introduced District 91 Purchase and Accounting Clerk Sandi Hahn and Substitute Dispatcher
Laurie Ballain as the Emissaries of Excellence this month. Carrie shared remarks about both of these
wonderful ladies and thanked them for their dedication and hard work. Carrie also shared that Sandi and
Laurie are retiring this month and will be greatly missed. The Board and Administration thanked Sandi and
Laurie and presented them with a token of appreciation.
b. Volunteer of the Month
Principal Kelly Coughenour introduced Roxane Rohweder, Dora Erickson PTO President, as the District's
Volunteer of the Month. Mr. Coughenour stated that Roxane has truly impressed him since he became
principal at Erickson four months ago. Mr. Coughenour shared a list of projects that Roxane has taken on
during this time including the Erickson Garage Sale where they raised $4000.00. Trustee Burtenshaw
thanked Roxane for all of her efforts and presented her with a token of appreciation.
c. Business Partner of the Month
Trustee Dave Lent introduced the Ricks and Pincock families', local owners of the Wendy's Restaurants, as
the Business Partner of the Month. Robert Pincock accepted the award on behalf of Classic Foods and
introduced his wife Nicole and three of the Wendy's managers in attendance tonight. Robert thanked the
Board and stated they love giving back to the community especially when working with our schools.
Trustee Lent thanked the Robert and the store managers for all they do to help our schools and the
community and presented him with a plaque.
12/10/2013 Board Minutes Page 1 of 4
ADOPT AGENDA
Trustee Deidre Warden made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. Trustee Larry Haws provided the second.
Motion carried 5 ayes, 0 nays.
REPORTS/INPUT/INFORMATION
a. Student Reports - Student Representatives provided information about activities and events taking place
at their respective schools. Written reports, if provided, are attached.
Idaho Falls High School - Student Representative Aubrey Holt reported.
Emerson High - no report.
Compass Academy — no report.
Skyline High School — Student Representative Rose Rammel reported.
Superintendent's Report
Superintendent Boland shared that one of the district's goals this year is measuring achievement and
assessment. There are a number of assessments the district uses and the superintendent stated he wanted
to share the information about the Renaissance Star Enterprise Assessment for Reading and Math that has
been incorporated in the collaboration time this year. Assistant Superintendent Lisa Sherick provided a
handout and shared a PowerPoint reviewing just a few of the reports available for teachers. A discussion
was held regarding the benefits of the timely and useful information teachers can get from this assessment
which can help them provide individualized student instruction.
c. Patron Input - Written comments, if provided, are attached.
Mr. Suketu Gandhi shared comments regarding common core and college readiness.
d. IFEA Report
Angela Gillman, President, reported. A written copy is attached.
e. Education Foundation Report — no report.
CONSENT AGENDA
Trustee Bryan Zollinger made a motion to accept the Consent Agenda as presented. Trustee Deidre Warden
provided the second. Motion carried 5 ayes, 0 nays.
Items approved include:
Meeting Minutes: November 19, 2013 Business Meeting
November 2013
Payment of Claims: $4,706,334.60
October 2013 Invoice for Representative Organization for President Leave
12/10/2013 Board Minutes Page 2 of 4
Staff Actions December 2013:
Emergency Hire: A hiring emergency exists, as declared by the Board of Trustees, for the
following position:
Provisional Authorization:
Suzanne Pickering— Provisional Contract
Taylorview Middle School
Family and Consumer Science
1 FTE
New Hire:
Suzanne Pickering
Taylorview Middle School
Family and Consumer Science
1 FTE
Leave of Absence:
Kristi Howard
6th Grade
Fox Hollow Elementary
ACTION ITEMS
a. Adopt/Reject 2014-2015 School Calendar Proposal
Superintendent Boland stated this is the third reading of the 2014-2015 school calendar proposal. The
superintendent stated no other feedback had been received since the last reading and the feedback
received was primarily focused on alignment of the calendar with Bonneville District 93 which has been
accomplished.
Trustee Haws made a motion to adopt the 2014-2015 School Calendar as presented. Trustee Zollinger
provided the second. No discussion. Motion carried 5 ayes, 0 nays.
b. Approve/Reject Termination of 457 Plan
Carrie Smith reviewed that in 2002 when this plan was adopted only five employees signed up to
participate. The plan has since closed and no one else can sign up to participate. Recently one of the
participants approached the district about terminating the plan so they could move their money into other
investments. Carrie stated the remaining participants were contacted and informed they would have up to
one year to roll funds over without penalties. A discussion was held.
Trustee Warden made a motion to approve the termination of the 457 Plan as presented. Trustee Haws
provided the second. No discussion. Motion carried 5 ayes, 0 nays.
c. Approve/Reject Provisional Certification —Suzanne Pickering, Family & Consumer Science at Taylorview
Superintendent Boland reviewed that a staff member has resigned, after starting the year on medical leave
and having a long-term sub. The most qualified candidate to fill the position is the current long-term sub
and the District needs to request a provisional certificate from the State Department for this individual.
12/10/2013 Board Minutes Page 3 of 4
Trustee Zollinger made a motion to approve the request for a provisional certificate. Trustee Lent provided
the second. No discussion. Motion carried 5 ayes, 0 nays.
Approve Emergency School Closures on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 and Monday, December 9, 2013.
Superintendent Boland reviewed because of the recent power outages and cold temperatures the district
needs to submit a certificate of closure to the State Department.
Trustee Warden made a motion to approve the Emergency School Closures on Wednesday, December 4,
2013 and Monday, December 9, 2013. Trustee Lent provided the second. A brief discussion was held
regarding the District's closure guidelines, a break-in at Skyline High School and the power outages and
frozen pipes due to cold temperatures. Motion carried 5 ayes, 0 nays.
Trustee Lent made a motion to adjourn. Trustee Warden provided the second. No further discussion. Motion
carried 5 ayes, 0 nays. Meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM.
12/10/2013 Board Minutes Page 4 of 4
IDAHO FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT ##91
PUBLIC INPUT SHEET
Guidelines for Patron Involvement in School Board Meetings
School Board meetings are meetings of the elected Board of Trustees held in public for the
purpose of conducting the business of the Board. Patron input is invited during board meetings
on the following basis:
To request to speak to the Board of Trustees:
In order to be recognized, the patron must sign and complete the Public Input portion below prior
to the beginning of the meeting. The Public Input Sheet should be located on a table at the back
of the boardroom.
Patrons will be recognized by the Chairman of the Board. Public input should not exceed three
minutes. The Board will listen to public input without comment except to ask germane questions.
Expressions must be appropriate to the public setting. Discussion of personnel matters or
personal attacks are not appropriate.
Board Policy 506.0 item 5 states that complaints against o particular teacher or District
employee shall be in writing. The contract between District 91 and the teacher's
association, as well as traditional concepts of the due process of law, require that the
affected employee be notified of a written complaint.
The Chair has the authority to control the meeting whenever necessary.
PUBLIC INPUT SHEET
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Suketu Gandhi's Comment on the Opposition to the Common Core December 10, 2013
r--� A recent article in the Post Register that describes the organized opposition to the Common Core
needs to be addressed. 98% of the arguments made by the Common Core opponents are easily
refuted, but 2% of the objections are legitimate because they cannot be refuted.
Common Core Mathematics Standards are not college ready: This is certainly true. Two
separate issues are involved: 1) The strength of the standards on the topics it covers, and 2)
whether the standards covered lead students to be college ready. The latter issue is discussed.
There is internal inconsistency between the meaning of college ready and the standards covered.
Prof. James Milgram (of Stanford University), a member of the Common Core Validation
Committee at the National Level, convincingly argues that the Common Core Math Standards
covers topics up to Algebra -2. Algebra -2 does not prepare students to take the first college level
math course, which is Calculus. The gap between Algebra -2 and Calculus is filled by pre -
Calculus course. In other words, the Common Core fails to define the standards for pre -Calculus
topics, such as trigonometry, analytic geometry, sequences & series addition of numbers,
combinatorial, parametric equations, etc. Some of the topics are contained in Algebra -2, such as
introduction of elements of trigonometry. To master the topics, one need take a formal course in
pre -Calculus. When students complete pre -Calculus in high school, they are set to take formal
calculus course in either high school, or college_
If the Common Core Math Standards are designed to cover up to Algebra -2, it should not be
advertised it as college ready. The advertisement misleads the public, and goes a long way to
weaken the confidence in the public school system. The patrons have experienced weak financial
support. This has impacted a large number of students that has prevented them from taking
college preparatory courses by limiting the number of sections, and discontinuing with
significant programs, such as RAD, and the delay in the construction of new schools, remodeling
and upgrading of science laboratories in various schools.
If the Common Core Math Standards are to be college ready, it remains a mystery as why the
panel on the Common Core standards missed the standards for the curriculum between Algebra -
2 and Calculus. When the public comments on the standards were sought, a number of missing
topics were identified and the ways to improve upon the draft standards. The missing topics
failed to get the needed attention from the Idaho State Department of Education, despite all the
knowledge, all the expertise, and all the resources available at its disposal.
While the Common Core Mathematics standards are amenable to change, Board has to decide if
the District will seek to improve the standards or fill the gap between Algebra -2 and calculus
courses. It will also have to reach a decision whether to involve the knowledgeable public to
participate in the formulation of the standards on the missing topics or enhancement of the
existing standards.
Wilkie, Debbie -D91
From: Lisa Burtenshaw[mailto:lisaburtenshaw9lCaagmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 09, 2014 9:55 AM
To: Wilkie, Debbie -1391
Subject: Re: Board Minutes
Debbie,
Here are the comments I gave to Mr. Gandhi. I included a #5 concerning board meeting protocol but I told him I would
remove that for the minutes.
1. The common core standards have been adopted by the state of Idaho, and as such we are implementing them.
2. The previous Idaho standards only covered math standards through Algebra II. Students should, and will continue to be
counseled that taking higher level mathematics (Trig and Calculus) will better prepare them for college entrance exams and
college work.
3. As reported by trustee Bryan Hillman in the spring after the NSBA conference, professional development for teachers will
be an ongoing work. In his report to the board he said "it was estimated that it might take up to ten years before the standards
are fully implemented with best teaching practices."
4. While I acknowledge that everyone does not agree on these standards, the teachers I have spoken to within our district
Aleve
a. the standards are much more challenging,
b have improved vertical grade alignment
c. teachers are working very hard to learn and implement the new standards.
Lisa
Wilkie, Debbie -1391
e --"Nm: Gillman, Angela -D91
it: Tuesday, December 10, 2013 8:03 PM
To: Wilkie, Debbie -D91
Subject: IFEA school board meeting report
Pam
2Wi6wYIFEA school board meeting
10, 2013
Thank you for supporting public education by wearing red.
Common Core News Media Panel Discussion held today at Erickson
2011 teacher of the year Stephanie Cook, District 91 Curriculum Coordinator Jennifer Jackson, Community Business Partner,
and District 91 School Board Chair Lisa Burtenshaw answered questions from the media from what common core is, to why
it is important. Business partner supporting the common core emphasized how the common core prepares students for
college and is supported by college presidents. Supportive praises to Lisa Burtenshaw for supportive answers in opposition
to differential pay, in her words, "take differential pay out of the equation". IEA continues to support common core
initiatives including a gathering of IEA members at a similar event in Boise last night. Many of these efforts nation wide are
being supported by NEA in efforts to increase support and inform people of the common core.
Lisa and I have shared similar thoughts on possible common core public meetings into the second trimester for more
information shared into the public.
Thanks for visits from George Boland and Lisa Burtenshaw at our last Exec board meeting for discussion on changes seat
/fie funding and increasing funding. We appreciate your supports in education for our educators and students. The board
.itinues to be a proud advocate for the best interests of students.
Children's Fund contribution idea by Lynn MacAusland. Samples will be brought to the next noon board meeting.
IFEA social event this Friday for members and their guests to celebrate the holiday season to celebrate the achievements we
have made in education. IFEA is putting holiday season cards to each potential member of the Association. We include you
in our card giving as friends of education.
Angela
/—N