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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014_11_19 Board Minutes IDAHO FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 91 BOARD OF TRUSTEES -- BUSINESS MEETING DISTRICT OFFICE BOARD ROOM -- 7:00 P.M. 690 JOHN ADAMS PARKWAY NOVEMBER 19, 2014 Present from the Board of Trustees: Present from the Administration: Lisa Burtenshaw, Chair George Boland, Superintendent Deidre Warden, Treasurer Kelly Coughenour, Director of Elementary Education Larry Haws, Clerk Randy Hurley, Director of Secondary Education Carrie Smith, Director of HR & Finance Gail Rochelle, Director of Student Achievement & School Improvement Excused: Margaret Wimborne, Communications & Community Dave Lent, Vice Chair Engagement Coordinator Bryan Zollinger, Trustee Debbie Wilkie, Recording Clerk Chair Lisa Burtenshaw called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Khari Amos, a visiting Idaho Falls High School student. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY Principal David England shared a PowerPoint presentation providing a snapshot of student achievement data at Linden Park Elementary. Mr. England shared that 60% of students entering kindergarten at Linden Park this fall came in testing below grade level. Mr. England stated after reviewing the data he and the staff knew they had some work to do. They have since been able to add a certified teacher who is responsible for training the paraprofessional staff, added more Title 1 support, provide all-day kindergarten for students meeting the criteria and offer an after-school program for students in grades 1-6 to focus on reading and math. The Linden Park staff also recently held a Parent University to provide parents with training and resources for reading that they can use at home to help their child develop the needed skills. A discussion was held. Board members thanked Mr. England and the staff for their vision, dedication and hard work. ADOPT AGENDA Trustee Warden made a motion to amend the agenda to include Item VII. Executive Session pursuant to Idaho Code, §62-3457 (1) (b) personnel and (c) real property. Trustee Haws provided the second. Motion carried 3 ayes, 0 nays. 11/19/2014 D91 Board Minutes Page 1 of 5 REPORTS/INPUT/INFORMATION a.Student Reports - Student Representatives provided information regarding the culture, instruction and activities taking place at their respective schools. Written reports, if provided, are attached. i.Emerson High School – Amanda Rice ii.Idaho Falls High School – Shaelyn Stohl iii.Compass Academy – Amy Hill iv.Skyline High School – no report b.Superintendent’s Report Superintendent Boland gave kudos to a couple of schools for the positive Letters to the Editor recently published in the local newspaper, one regarding the wonderful Veteran’s Day Celebration held at Taylorview Middle School earlier this month and another for the outstanding caliber of senior projects students at Idaho Falls High School are turning out. The superintendent presented board members certificates for Master of Boardsmanship Award they earned through the Idaho School Board Association this year. The district also received a certificate for having all five board members reach their goals. Superintendent Boland commended the board for their time and efforts and for going above and beyond serving in a volunteer position. Superintendent Boland also provided updates regarding Math in Focus, the new K-6 math curriculum, and reviewed the additional resources available on the district webpage. c.Patron Input – written comments, if provided, are attached. Mr. Suketu Gandhi, parent and patron, provided comments regarding secondary math curriculum. Mr. Roger Gottlob, teacher and patron, provided comments regarding middle school sports. d.IFEA Report – Angela Gillman, President, reported. A written copy is attached. e.Education Foundation Report – no report. f.Other Items – i.ISBA Convention Debrief Board members shared highlights from the workshops they attended at the state school board convention, November 12-14, 2014, in Boise. ii.D93 & D91 Joint Legislative Luncheon – Tuesday, December 2, 2014 Superintendent Boland shared that the Legislative Luncheon scheduled for December 2, 2014 has been cancelled until further notice due to calendaring conflicts. iii.Board Committees Discussion Chairman Lisa Burtenshaw led a discussion regarding board committee assignments for the 2014- 2015 school year as follows: 11/19/2014 D91 Board Minutes Page 2 of 5 Board Committee Trustee Trustee Student Achievement/Strategic Planning Larry Haws, Chair Bryan Zollinger Instruction/Technology Integration Dave Lent, Chair Lisa Burtenshaw Deeper Learning Lisa Burtenshaw, Chair Larry Haws Facilities Deidre Warden, Chair Bryan Zollinger Education Foundation Liaison Dave Lent Athletic Advisory (non-voting members) Dave Lent Deidre Warden Superintendent Boland stated the plan is to augment the board committees with district staff to serve as advisory members then create Project Teams to develop the specific next steps, timelines and costs for those projects. iv.Idaho Assessment, Star Rating and Tiered Licensure Discussion Chairman Burtenshaw shared that she and Trustee Lent had recently attended a meeting of the Idahoans against Common Core to see if they could understand better what their agenda is. st What came out of that meeting was a planned committee meeting, to be held on December 1, to hopefully find some common ground with this group. Chairman Burtenshaw stated she was planning to attend and will keep board members informed of the outcome. v.Budget to Actual Report Carrie Smith, Director of HR & Finance, provided and reviewed a handout of the up-to-date budget report. Carrie stated overall the projections look good and that she will know more next month as the numbers come in. A brief discussion was held. CONSENT AGENDA Trustee Haws made a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda as presented. Trustee Warden provided the second. A discussion was held regarding the Compass Academy Application Process recorded in the last meeting minutes. th Superintendent Boland shared that a postcard has been mailed to all 8 grade siblings of the current Compass students and based upon the survey results we should know if there will be a need for a sibling lottery prior to the regular registration process used in the past. Motion carried 3 ayes, 0 nays. Items approved included: Approval of Minutes: September 24, 2014 Work Session October 8, 2014 Business Meeting October 22, 2014 Work Session Payment of Claims: $135,171.88 Staff Actions: 2014-2015 New Hires: Employee Position Location Taya Mills .70 FTE Health Teacher Idaho Falls High School 11/19/2014 D91 Board Minutes Page 3 of 5 Matching Funds: Compass Academy - Technology $ 5,608.96 Total Matching Funds requested $ 5,608.96 Other Items: i.Surplus Property Disposal Two old wheelchairs were donated at the local Youth Ranch and a worn out food transport packer was salvaged for usable parts and discarded. PROPOSALS a.2015-2016 School Calendar Options Superintendent Boland reviewed this is the second reading of the proposed 2015-16 school calendar options. The Superintendent and Board of Trustees were given copies of the parent, patron and employee input for review. Superintendent Boland stated at this point it would be the recommendation of the strd administration to go with Option 4, starting school on August 31 and ending on June 3, a week off at Thanksgiving, two weeks off at Christmas and a March 21-25, 2016 Spring Break so students are back in the classroom earlier in preparation for state assessments. The superintendent shared there may be a need to modify whichever calendar is adopted because of a proposal before the Legislature for additional Professional Development days for teachers next year. The superintendent will keep a close watch on this and inform the Board of the outcome once it is known. A brief discussion was held. A decision on the final th calendar is scheduled for December 10. b.Board Policy 603.0 – Graduation Requirements (First Reading-Revisions) Superintendent Boland stated because of the timing of registration and getting the course manual printed there will only be two readings for the proposed changes. The superintendent reviewed that the intent of revising Board Policy 603.0 - Graduation Requirements is one to clean it up, we have had multiple th requirements over the past few years and now have one set of requirements and also to permit 9 grade students to enroll in biology in order to pursue higher level science classes in the subsequent years. The superintendent reviewed a prerequisite requirement would be that students had successfully completed Algebra I prior to enrolling in biology so they would have the knowledge they need to be successful in the course. A discussion was held regarding changes in the state science requirements, middle school science offerings, staffing needs and creating the flexibility for students to pursue more science credits during th their high school career. This item will be placed on the December 10 agenda as an action item. c.Board Policy 618.1 - Title I Parent Involvement (Second Reading-New Policy) Superintendent Boland reviewed this is the second reading of a policy developed as a part of our requirements to meet federal guidelines for Title 1 participation. Ultimately, the intent is to enhance th parent involvement. This item will be moved to the December 10 agenda as an action item. d.New Course Proposals Superintendent Boland reviewed a list of new course proposals received. The superintendent stated that he, Randy Hurley, Director of Secondary Education, and Jennifer Jackson, Curriculum Director, will review th the details and bring forward the recommendations for Board approval at the December 10 meeting. A discussion was held. 11/19/2014 D91 Board Minutes Page 4 of 5 ACTION ITEMS a.Ratify Telephone Poll Conducted on November 10, 2014 to Approve October Payment of Claims Trustee Haws made a motion to ratify the telephone poll conducted on November 10, 2014 to approve the October 2014 Payment of Claims for $2,529,266.19. Trustee Warden provided the second. No further discussion. Motion carried 3 ayes, 0 nays. b.Sale of Modular Classroom Units to American Heritage Charter School Trustee Warden made a motion to approve the agreement as presented for the sale of two modular classroom units to American Heritage Charter School. Trustee Haws provided the second. Motion carried 3 ayes, 0 nays. EXECUTIVE SESSION Chairman Burtenshaw called for a motion to go into Executive Session at 9:00 PM. Trustee Warden made the motion to go into Executive Session pursuant to Idaho Code 62-3457 1 (b) personnel and (c) real property. Trustee Haws provided the second. A roll call vote was taken: Lisa Burtenshaw – yes Deidre Warden – yes Larry Haws – yes Superintendent Boland and the Board of Trustees met in Executive Session for matters regarding property acquisition and a personnel issue. Trustee Haws made the motion to return to Open Session. Trustee Warden provided the second. Motion carried 3 ayes, 0 nays. Trustee Warden made a motion to adjourn. No further discussion. Trustee Haws provided the second. No further discussion. Meeting adjourned at 9:15 PM. 11/19/2014 D91 Board Minutes Page 5 of 5 LINDEN PARK I- Best students in Idaho Falls! ► Dedicated and Experienced Staff )-Title I School 1- 77% Free and Reduced Lunch ,-Significant Mobility Rate ► Rapid Improvement Status LITERACY ► Based on data — needed to make changes ► Hired a full-time certifiedTitle I teacher ► Responsible for training and supervising paraprofessionals ► Works collaboratively with classroom teachers to: ► Collect and analyze data ► Create, implement, and supervise Tier II interventions ► Added additional intervention time to I — 3 grades ► Added an all -day program for qualifying kindergarten students ► Added an afterschool program for I — 6 grades 12/1/2014 LITERACY KINGERGARTEN 41% 43% 42% I'' GRADE 54% 58% 48% 2ND GRADE 45% 46% 44% 3"D GRADE 54% 58% 67% LITERACY ► Literacy begins at home ► Parent University ► Focus on the BIG 5 of Reading ► Phonemic Awareness ► Phonics ► Vocabulary ► Fluency ► Comprehension 1 -Awl. ���� n�w�ar3 �U�pc�n 4�a�i�x� �1 �a�o� ap�� Irv)- 6UT �a� rura�Q ��� ��0o �-^ti �U �-aon �npr� n!U� �Uuip �vin� ���h �q �JYdf1�� PaP�aoP. yuan zuaWo ��v r7� �'r��q�.4�1 D(V CA cj-�Vlj p ��w br�a owl PUO a6ba6to� U„m �17�k �U� � m �� u�21aQ� ax�a � hvipp��� �ad �'�d�J f �MU 1 �:���o au�luo1��Qa���1��y� — �� � �c �m C: � ��� Yrl un � ��ct-t1 � y' l Cc) I (-ec Us (Jckss(,hc-,fcp CD 1/-K 6"N �z ou::s ak, f ac( l o o U-�-v Low Is C, C I F (0/ oc, -0 om C"mP"s Ac,ai)e M `f , Ar,�� 1�1\-re�,rbn� ii-fie-iu-13Da-Y-J JAb 3- 4 OOC) gk 10, lin 07-ol'A V-4, A t ilow C, Vy cow'! AM AN" )vvh JV vul tk'�IA A"( /" L 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 a 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 Name:, Date: l o-6 - l� - z4IL- Address: X11 :7' �r-��.�� 5 Phone: E -Mail Address: �c� {ni �> Ca 1 - Do you have children attending School District #91 schools? '{es If so, which schools do your students attend: Vie- Topic: 511612008 Suketu Gandhi's Comments oil the Mathematics in Secondary Schools November 19, 2014 In Spring, 2014 11`h grade students took the SAT. Interpretations of the English SAT results are meaningless due to its inherent bias, and the writing portion of the test lacks the merits. In contrast, Math SAT has credibility since its questions are based on a curriculum. The aggregate result of District 91 students is publicly available, but it is disappointing. Specifically, only 5 students out of 606 obtained the high score in the range 700-800. The number of students scoring at the high level should have been significantly higher. The students taking the AP Calculus today took pre -Calculus in the Spring, and their number exceeds 5. Furthermore, they should have had the necessary mathematical maturity to score high. In the words articulated by the Governor's Task Force on Education, the current education system is perfectly designed to produce the results that we are getting. Those decision makers who are satisfied with the SAT Math Scores should commend everyone involved with the mathematics education from the grade school to high school. Those who remain unsatisfied with this result should act to revamp the secondary school mathematics education since the problems with the elementary grades have been rectified. The public, which the Board sees and hears with regularity, has seen a long time to revamp the elementary school education. It must not take this long to revamp the secondary school education. The revamping of the secondary mathematics education starts with the change in the textbooks. The current textbooks used in classrooms have conceptual errors, fails to make connection with closely related topics and lacks quality exercises. One example of a common error is on the exponents. The prevailing textbook state that X0 ' I (defined as 1), instead of derived value. When learning about the Pascal's Triangle, the books neglect to mention the similarity with IIx(I1)". There are many examples of errors and omissions, but this suffices for now. To some, this may not be of significance. To others, like those with the knowledge, this is very serious. The impact is that the students are prevented from becoming a critical thinker, it creates unnecessary difficulties in solving complex problems and hinders them from gaining the needed mathematical maturity. It is accurate to say that those with the needed knowledge were not involved in the selection of the secondary mathematics instructional material. If they were involved, then the conceptual errors and acts of omission would have been found, quality of exercises would have been determined, and better textbooks would have been sought. Those on the side of mathematics, science and engineering are expected to have the needed knowledge. When they are involved, excellent textbooks and supplementary books get scrutiny. If we all agree that the recent elementary school textbook selection process was the best, then the district knows that it benefit by involving the public with the needed expertise in evaluating textbooks. Specifically, the committee reject those instructional materials that is deficient in the rigors, have abundant of poor quality exercises, and incoherent sequence of topics. At the same time, the textbooks that have the rigors, clarity in the exposition and quality in the exercises gets the needed scrutiny. Once this is done, the decision makers must ensure that there is a credible professional development of the mathematics teachers when the right textbooks are adopted. The ultimate goal should be to generate a large pool of students eligible to take AP Calculus BC in I I"' grade, and the District to offer new mathematics courses designed for the post Calculus BC students such as Linear and Matrix Algebra, and Special Theory of Relativity (following Herman Minkowski). This will go a long way to increase the public confidence in the school system, and help students practice in both critical and creative thinking skills. 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 o 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 ore not appropriate. Board Policy 506.0 item S states that complaints against a particular teacher or District employee sholl 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 hos the authority to control the meeting whenever necessary. PUBLIC INPUT SHEET Name: `: Ci `�'i f ju Date: I E i 7 Address: �' s E fisc. 1. Phone: C£' 6_5_ E -Mail Address: <�t�r c. cc ( 'C c71 . /�% 2, oc'f`• Gl Do you have children attending School District #91 schools? /-� C if so, which schools do your students attend: Topic: /?;_1, 5116/2008 I am here tonight to talk about middle school athletics—specifically wrestling. $130 for middle school sport is too much money The high participation fee is hurting sports and having a negative effect on kids. When I was coaching I could always count on getting 20-25 kids to join the wrestling team. Some years would even have more. Of course the cost to participate was about $20 and the cost of a physical every two years. I could recruit and talk kids into giving wrestling a try. Many tried it for the first time in junior high and went on to earn state medals at either IF or Skyline. I am not coaching anymore. But, I still care about the sport. Kids are not joining the wrestling team like that anymore. It costs too much to "give it a try". Plus, it's really hard. It is physical. You have to wear a singlet—which is embarrassing to many middle school boys. But, all of the natural obstacles to wrestling were there before and kids still tried it and liked it. The difference now is the cost. Middle school sports should be an investment in kids. Let the kids try things. Find what they like, become part of a team, and have one more good reason to come to school. Academics should always come first. But, athletics helps give kids another reason to succeed. It gives them another advocate in their corner to help them care about their grades and themselves. The high participation fee is pricing many kids out of athletics. It is a shame. There are 16 weight classes. Each middle school has around ten kids out. The other middle schools have well over twenty kids participating. Last week I refereed a match between Sandcreek and Madison. It started a little after 4:30. It finished after 7:00 because each team had so many wrestlers. That same night Taylorview and Eagle Rock were done wrestling by a little after 5:00 pm. I think it is also sharpening the divisions between the haves and have nots at my school. Think about this. A parent that makes $8.00 an hour--- a bit over minimum wage has to work over 16 hours to pay for one sport. Please change this policy and open up athletics at the middle school to everyone again. Wilkie, Debbie -D91 From: Gillman, Angela -1391 Sent Wednesday, November 19, 2014 7:54 PM To: Wilkie, Debbie -D91 Subject IFEA report November 19, 2014 Board Report ESP classified members were recognized today throughout the district by IFEA members of their buildings as it is National ESP Day. Our students wouldn't get all the help and care they need without these essential people and nor could our teacher's complete their jobs. Many thanks to them and the great jobs they do! IFEA will send out our annual IFEA Christmas cards to all members and non-members. Much positive feedback about our first Christmas card was received last year and it's a tradition we will continue to promote the Association and reach out to all. This year, our annual Christmas party held at the Celt on December 19s' from 5-7 will be welcome for all employees to attend. There is a $5 charge for food and is a great time for a great social gathering before the holiday season. We invite the board to attend as well. Delegate Assembly will be held April 10th and 11 th in Boise. This annual assembly of Association representatives across the state reviews and debates any new or changes to bylaws and policies, legislative actions through the IEA, and collectively continues to work toward the betterment of students and public education. Our elections will begin in January at which 16 final delegates will attend. Tiered Licensure... most damaging portions of the rule have been somewhat mitigated. Still serious concerns. More input needed from educators and classrooms teachers. Some of the punitive parts of the tiered licensure may come through in the career ladders. We will continue to be strong advocates for students teachers and public education. We will continue to need your voices as you have voiced in the past. Thank you for standing up for teachers in our district. We value your continued engagement and it will be needed. Ms. Gillman 1 st/2nd Grade Westside IFEA President