HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008_08_26 Board Minutes
IDAHO FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT 91
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
BOARD MEETING
DISTRICT OFFICE BOARD ROOM
August 26, 2008
12:00 PM
Present from the Board of Trustees: Present from the Administration:
Mary Ann Smith, Chair George Boland, Superintendent
David Lent, Vice Chair Guy Wangsgard, Director of Business
Ernest Jensen Gail Rochelle, Director of Secondary
Jerry Wixom Karla, LaOrange, Director of Elementary
Deidre Warden Caroline Meagher, Recording Clerk
Board Chair Mary Ann Smith called the meeting to order.
Pledge of Allegiance was led by George Boland.
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA:
David Lent motioned to adopt the agenda with the change of adding item (d) under Work
Session, entitled “Community Use of School Grounds.”
Ernest Jensen seconded the motion. Motion passed.
WORK SESSION
a.2008-2009 Enrollment Review – Superintendent George Boland gave the Board of Trustees a
review of enrollment numbers district-wide from the first day of school, August 25, 2008. The
enrollment numbers will fluctuate quite a bit for the next two weeks. First day reports indicate
that we have gained 127 elementary students and lost 124 secondary students. Not all of the
elementary over-flow students have enrolled yet. There is a lot of pressure in Kindergarten and
the second grade.
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When a school has a grade-level capped, we over flow them into another school that has room at
that grade level. We provide the transportation for all students who have been over flowed into
a school other than the school designated by the attendance boundary map.
Parents have mixed responses to having their child sent to a school other than their designated
school. We have considered extending the cap on some of the grade levels and adding an aide to
the classroom rather than transporting the students.
Emerson High School is capped at 150 students. Some of those students attend night session.
Idaho Falls High School (IFHS) has a higher enrollment than Skyline. There are a lot of students
enrolled on an open enrollment waiver into IFHS from School District 93.
Karla LaOrange, director of secondary education commented that Ralph Frost, Supervisor of
Transportation worked late on Friday and even worked Saturday and Sunday to find overflow
schools that work with the bus routes. His efforts have made this year run smoothly.
b.Facilities status report- Dana Wood, Director of Operations reported to the Board of Trustees
that the start-up of school district wide has gone very well. The boilers at Idaho Falls High School
are in the process of being replaced and they are 90% complete.
The tentative construction schedule anticipates completion in 2012. Dana is expecting the 35%
Design from Trane with the Guaranteed Maximum Price for Theresa Bunker and Temple View
Elementary schools this week.
Construction will begin at Dora Erickson first. Longfellow and Emerson are scheduled to follow.
Most of the major remodel work needs to be scheduled over the summer when students and
teachers are not present.
The principal’s of these buildings have been involved with the walk-throughs and they have given
feedback to Trane. The scheduled upgrades are not driven by capacity issues. These upgrades
are scheduled to ensure that our buildings are structurally sound and that they have adequate
HVAC and up to date safety features to provide an environment that is conducive to learning and
teaching.
c.New school options (Dora Erickson.) – Superintendent Boland reported that the cost to remodel
Dora Erickson Elementary School is 78% of the cost to build new. The district is reviewing the
current location. To build in any other location would require a boundary change, which the
district is not anxious to undertake. This area has a high density of elementary students that
cannot easily be absorbed into surrounding schools. It is not recommended to remodel the
current structure.
The board of trustees asked Dana to pursue all options and report back to the board. They
would like to know that all alternatives have been researched and considered. The board would
like to see safety features that meet today’s standards.
d.Community Use of School Grounds - Superintendent Boland reported to the Board of Trustees
that according to Board Policy 504, the district allows the community to use school grounds
when school is not in session.
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There is competing interest in the use of the school district fields for soccer, grid-kids football,
and other sports. Some of these organizations would like to upgrade the fields for their use. If
these organizations upgrade the fields, it is likely that they will expect priority for use of the
fields. Principal’s are not at the building to manage the use when these groups meet. The
administration asked the Board of Trustees for guidance as they review this policy.
The Board of Trustees directed Superintendent Boland to learn how the City of Idaho Falls
manages their field uses. The Board asked why these groups cannot use some city fields. It is
recommended that the groups look into using other fields that are available, like the soccer
complex for practice. There should be enough space, and it should be up to these groups to
work out a schedule that meets everyone’s needs.
ACTION ITEMS
Award bids for surplus equipment and vehicles
Guy Wangsgard, Director of Business
distributed a handout that summarized the surplus property and the bids received for these
items. The administration recommends that the board of trustees accept the highest bids
received. Where there is not bid, the district will pursue other options.
Jerry Wixom motioned to accept high bid on all items. Ernest Jensen seconded the motion. 5 aye
votes. Motion passed.
Jerry Wixom motioned to adjourn. Ernest Jensen seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Meeting Adjourned.
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2008-08-26 BOARD MINUTES