HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009_12_22 Board Minutes
IDAHO FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT 91
BOARD OF TRUSTEES – WORK SESSION
BOARD MEETING
DISTRICT OFFICE BOARD ROOM
December 22, 2009
12:00 P.M.
Present from the Board of Trustees: Present from the Administration:
Dave Lent, Board Chair George Boland, Superintendent
Jerry Wixom, Vice Chair Guy Wangsgard, Director of Business
Ernest Jensen, Treasurer Karla LaOrange, Director of Elementary Education
Deidre Warden, Clerk Dana Wood, Director of Operations
Lisa Burtenshaw, Member Camille Wood, Director of Technology
Margaret Wimborne, Communications Specialist
Recording – Margaret Wimborne for Debbie Wilkie
Board Chair, Dave Lent called the meeting to order.
Pledge
WORK SESSION
a.Facility Upgrades and Bond Resolution
i.Analysis of Election Results
Communications Specialist Margaret Wimborne reviewed voter data from the November bond
election, and parts of a survey that was given to district staff following the election.
ii.15-Year Facilities Outlook
Board member Jerry Wixom asked about the current state of Dora Erickson Elementary School
and whether we’ll have to close the school in the next 12 to 14 months. Superintendent Boland
said the problems with the heating system and boiler are being addressed.
Board members discussed the scope of work. Dave Lent , Board Chair suggested changing the
scope of work to include only the projects needed in the next five, 10 or 15 years and then
phasing in projects over time. Start with three new schools, delivering what we’ve promised,
gaining the trust of patrons and then proposing additional projects.
Board members had some questions about current enrollment and projected enrollment.
Superintendent Boland stated that while enrollment continues to climb in the elementary
grades, our numbers continue to decline in the secondary schools. It will take seven years to get
back to today’s high school student population. In about 10 years, we’ll start to feel the
pressure again in the secondary schools. Superintendent Boland gave results from a classroom
utilization analysis that was done using the current schedule at Idaho Falls High School. The
results showed we could move students from classrooms in the stadium to the existing building
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but then we would be faced with the issue of roving teachers, from a teacher standpoint it is a
hindrance. Accommodations for science labs would still need to be addressed if this is done.
iii.Election Timeline and Campaign Strategy
Ernest Jensen – Maintain scope and run again in May. Ernest stated we need to reach those
who didn’t vote because there will always be those who vote against raising
taxes. Therefore we need to get two yes votes for every no vote that came in
during the first election.
Deidre Warden – Feels we should run the bond again in May with the same scope. Deidre still
would like to see it done in smaller phases though.
Lisa Burtenshaw – Same scope and run again in May with the option to postpone until
September (depending on cuts.) Campaign and fundraising efforts should
begin immediately.
Jerry Wixom – Same scope and run again in May
Dave Lent – Reduced scope and cost, run again in May.
The consensus is to run the bond again in May, moving forward with campaigning and
fundraising, with the scope of work to be determined at a later date. The Board would like to
meet in January to discuss what resources need to be in place before we can determine the
scope and dollar amount.
ACTION ITEMS
a.Ernest Jensen moved to accept the Matching Fund Request from Edgemont Elementary. Deidre Warden
seconded the motion. Five aye votes. Motion carried.
b.January board meeting changes – need to hold a special session to address the Race to the Top
th
Memorandum of Understanding that is due by January 12 , hold a telephone poll the following week to
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approve payment of claims, or hold a work session prior to Jan 12to address these items. Board
members agreed to hold a work session meeting on Friday, January 8, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. to take care of
the Race to the Top MOU and the payment of claims. Keep the regularly scheduled meeting on January
thth
12, with the option to cancel it depending on the January 8 meeting. The Board will hold the monthly
business meeting on January 26, 2010 at 7:00 P.M., at the district office.
Jerry Wixom moved to enter executive session. Deidre Warden seconded. A roll-call vote was taken:
Lisa Burtenshaw – Aye, Deidre Warden – Aye, Ernest Jensen – Aye, Jerry Wixom – Aye, Dave Lent – Aye,
Motion carried.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
a.Section S67-2345 (F), IDAHO CODE
Ernest Jensen moved to return to Open Session. Deidre Warden seconded. Motion carried.
Jerry Wixom moved to adjourn. Lisa Burtenshaw seconded the motion.
Meeting adjourned.
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BRD MINUTES 12/22/09