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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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