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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008_10_14 Board Minutes IDAHO FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT 91 BOARD OF TRUSTEES BOARD MEETING DISTRICT OFFICE BOARD ROOM October 14, 2008 7:00 PM Present from the Board of Trustees: Present from the Administration: Mary Ann Smith, Board Chair George Boland, Superintendent David Lent, Vice Chair Gail Rochelle, Director of Secondary Jerry Wixom Karla, LaOrange, Director of Elementary Deidre Warden Caroline Meagher, Recording Secretary Board Chair Mary Ann Smith called the meeting to order. Pledge of Allegiance was led Judy Brower of Galusha, Higgins and Galusha. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY: Emissary of Excellency: Lance Lindley, Principal of Fox Hollow Elementary School introduced school counselor Ken Wyler as the Emissary of Excellence. Lance gave many examples of Ken’s service to students and the school district. Mary Ann Smith presented a plaque of appreciation to Ken. Energy Excellence Award: Ed Graff of Energy Education Inc. (EEI) came to present the Energy Excellence Award to our district. Ed explained that this award is only awarded to the highest performing districts. We have been in partnership with EEI for two years now and we have recognized $1.1 million dollars in savings, or a 32% reduction in energy use in 28 months. EEI wants to thank School District 91 for the partnership. Dana Wood, Director of Operations received the award for Mike McGuyer, Energy Manager. Dana thanked the Board of Trustees for the foresight to begin this program. Dana said we are now close to $1.2 million in savings, thanks to Mike and his efforts to make this program grow. The program is doing 10% better than it was last year. A lot of the success in the program to reduce use is because the staff has been very diligent. Though everyone has helped, Dana wants to recognize the schools in each level that stand out with the greatest cost avoidance margins. Mike Marshall, Principal of Edgemont Elementary has achieved 43%, or $42K in savings; Bobbi Crosser, Principal of Taylorview has Page 1 of 6 SUP 08-09 BRD MIN 10-14-2008 achieved 33% and $93K in cost avoidance; and Trina Caudle, Principal of Skyline, with 38% for $235K in cost avoidance in 28 months! Another thanks to EEI for providing the service, at no cost to district, of helping certify our schools as energy stars. We will apply for plaques for 15 of 16 schools. There are only three other districts in Idaho that participate in this program. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Jerry Wixom motioned to adopt the agenda as written. David Lent seconded the motion. Motion passed. REPORTS a.Student Reports: i.Chesney Taylor, representative from Emerson Alternative High School reported:  This session is full with 150 students enrolled.  The CNA program has 12 Emerson students enrolled.  Emerson held their Patriotic contest last session; four of Emerson students won.  In relation to the Presidential Election - each class will select a State to do the Electoral Votes. Two students will be nominated to represent each of the presidential candidates, Barrack Obama and John McCain. They will have to provide research and short speeches daily and then they will hold a school wide vote.  Pizza Hut is sponsoring a fundraiser for their yearbooks – 20% will go back to the school if you purchase a pizza on Saturday. ii.Eric Hilliam, representative from Idaho Falls High School reported:  Tiger Pride days –used to be held every Friday, has been changed to once a month in hopes for better attendance.  Parent/Teacher conferences – great success, ran very smoothly  Club week - All clubs are trying to get students signed up.  Street Art – They are doing this for Emotion Week instead of doing this for Homecoming.  Emotion Week coming up with lots of great activities planned. iii.Jace Herrmann, representative from Idaho Falls High School reported:  Emotion Week – A lot of events planned. They have Emotion Pong – Ping Pong tournament between Skyline and IFHS; This year they are doing Male Volley- Ball as well  The Student Governments would like to thank the Booster Club for taking a lot of responsibility for Emotion Bowl night.  Red Ribbon week – coming in the weeks after Emotion Bowl. They will visit the elementary schools to discuss drug awareness.  Recycling – Student recycling program is in progress. They are still making decisions as to how large of a large program they want to undertake. Page 2 of 6 SUP 08-09 BRD MIN 10-14-2008 iv.Savannah Moore – Student at Taylorview Junior High School has done a class project on Athletic Eligibility. Savannah is asking the Board of Trustees to consider allowing students to choose which high school they wish to attend in their freshman year. Currently, when a student waivers into a high school on an open enrollment waiver, they cannot participate in extra curricular activities for one year. Superintendent George Boland commented that Savannah’s presentation is timely because with the change in State Board Graduation Requirements we are in the midst of a high school revision process and a proposal has come forward to move the remaining four ninth grade sports into the high schools. Current policy states that ninth graders can participate at the junior high they attend or the High school that they are zoned to attend. If the Board adopts the proposal to move these sports into the high schools— there will be no ninth grade sports in the Junior High Schools. From mid-November through January the board will be reviewing the High School Athletic Program and Board Policy 1003.4 – Open Enrollment. b.Patron Input: i.Trish Wright – Student Athlete Eligibility. Trish came before the board tonight as a parent and patron to express her disappointment and frustration with the lack of follow through in implementing rules in the district policy regarding eligibility to play sports. Trish went to the administration questioning some of her daughter’s teammate’s eligibility. She received a voice message later which stated that the Administration determined that the two students in question were determined to be in-eligible to participate. At that time, these students were told that they cannot participate on the team. The students continued to come to practice and to play. She again contacted the Administration. When the Administration investigated the matter further, it was determined that these students had provided the necessary documents to the district to prove that they are meeting current policy requirements. She was frustrated with the administration because they would not discuss the particulars of eligibility because of the obligation to keep student and patron information confidential. She feels that this was a golden opportunity for the district to enforce policy and to identify and eliminate loopholes. She questions the mission of the sports program. Is it to win at all costs? Do the rules only apply to some? Why are some students required to give up one year of eligibility when others are not? If we have these rules they have to be implemented. If we do not implement them, we need to not have these rules. Why are people who do not even live in the district able to come in and abuse our rules? Please follow up on things that parents bring to your attention. The Board will respond to this concern via email. c.IFEA Report: Nancy Caldwell, third term president of the IFEA, reported that she has been reflecting on what type of input she should be giving to the Board of Trustees to be an effective President of the IFEA. At the last School Board meeting, one of the members asked, when reviewing a SIOP report, how the staff felt about this. With that comment, she made her decision. She realizes that most of the School Board time is addressed at policy, not staff questions. She feels that this Board of Trustees would like to hear about some of the staff concerns. She will begin to report input on Staff Morale. Page 3 of 6 SUP 08-09 BRD MIN 10-14-2008 d.Education Foundation Report: Daryl Snyder, President of the Education Foundation reported that:  October in-service went very well. A detailed report will be given at the November meeting. The turn out was better than they anticipated.  The Education Foundation held a parent organization forum on Sept 23. They had representation from 14 district 91 schools, zero from district 93, and fifteen business and community members.  The selection committee for Teacher Mini-grants reviewed and selected the winners for the th award 10 of the grants by October 30.  th The foundation is preparing to hold a Dual Enrollment and College Prep Forum on October 29. The purpose of this forum is to encourage students to seek higher education. There was an article on the front page of the newspaper. They are trying to raise money for scholarships for dual enrollment for students in need. e.Superintendent’s Report:  Two schools were recognized by the State Board of Education: Eagle Rock and Theresa Bunker. Both schools had a 20% or greater increase in percent proficient on spring ISAT.  thth Zoe Jorgenson 5/6 grade spectrum teacher at Bush – is one of three teachers in the state who are a finalist for the presidential outstanding teacher in science and mathematics. She will be submitting her application at the National Level.  Rene Miller announced that Kevin Jones received a life-time achievement award for his work with students with transition from high school. He received the award in Sun Valley at the Council of Exceptional Children. CONSENT AGENDA: Deidre Warden motioned to adopt the consent agenda as written. Jerry Wixom seconded the motion. Motion Passed. Items approved include: Meeting Minutes September 9, 2008 and September 23, 2008 Payment of October 2008 Claims $ 1,817,164.64 Matching Funds Skyline High School – carpet removal and installation $ 1,306.00 Eagle Roch JHS- Library Books & AR quizzes $ 1,146.70 Bush Elementary – Library Furniture $ 2,777.53 Total Matching Funds $5,230.23 Page 4 of 6 SUP 08-09 BRD MIN 10-14-2008 Staff Actions: Resignations: Linda Beausoleil Eagle Rock Junior High School Physical Science ACTION ITEMS Accept Fiscal Audit 2007-08 George Boland introduced Judy Brower, Accountant from Galusha, Higgins and Galusha. The budget committee met with Judy earlier to review the audit. Judy distributed a summary report of the audit. The projection is very close to the actual spending. The district is in a good solid position and we plan well for contingencies. The Fund Balance has been very stable over the years. We spend 68.4% on salary and 20.9% on benefits. Dave Lent mentioned that when the committee met, Judy did mention some areas and opportunities for approval and the Board appreciates the input. Mary Ann asked Judy to explain, based on her experience of auditing other school districts, how our level of indebtedness compares to other districts. They audit five school districts total. We are very close to being debt free. In a very short time we will have our bonded indebtedness paid off. Our legal debt margin is $187 million. The limit for our district is not our bonding ability; our limit is what the community will support. David Lent motioned to accept the 2007-08 Fiscal Audit Report as prepared by Galusha, Higgins and Galusha. Deidre Warden seconded the motion. Motion passed. 4 Aye votes. Authorize Federal Impact Aid Survey: George Boland reported that every year we have the opportunity to be the recipient of federal dollars due to lost property taxes as a result of children who live on federal property, parents or guardians who work on federal property or students whose parents or guardians are on active duty with the military. We have to receive a minimum of 1,000 surveys to receive the funding. In order to administer the survey, we need board th approval. The survey date has been set for November 20. David Lent motioned that we authorize participation in the Federal Impact Aid Survey. Deidre Warden seconded the motion. Motion Passed. 4 Aye votes. Page 5 of 6 SUP 08-09 BRD MIN 10-14-2008 Early Graduation Request from Student 2008-09B Superintendent George Boland recommended that the board grant the request of the student. Deidre Warden motioned to grant the student’s request to graduate at the end of the first trimester contingent upon the student having met all of the graduation requirements stated in board policy. Jerry Wixom seconded the motion. Motion passed. 4 Aye votes. Student Expulsion Student 2008-09 C Jerry Wixom motioned to expel student 2008-09 C. Deidre Warden seconded the motion. Motion passed. 4 aye votes. Teacher Termination 2008-09A Deidre Warden motioned to table action item (d) Teacher Termination –Teacher 2008-09A. Jerry Wixom seconded the motion. Motion passed. 4 aye votes. Jerry Wixom motioned to adjourn. Deidre Warden seconded the motion. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned. Page 6 of 6 SUP 08-09 BRD MIN 10-14-2008