HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009_05_26 Board Minutes
IDAHO FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT 91
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
BOARD MEETING
DISTRICT OFFICE BOARD ROOM
May 26, 2009
Present from the Board of Trustees: Present from the Administration:
Mary Ann Smith, Board Chair George Boland, Superintendent
David Lent, Vice Chair Guy Wangsgard, Director of Business
Ernest Jensen, Treasurer Gail Rochelle, Director of Secondary
Jerry Wixom Karla LaOrange, Director Elementary
Caroline Meagher, Recording Clerk
Board Chair Mary Ann Smith called the meeting to order.
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mary Ann Smith.
WORK SESSION
a.National School Board Association (NSBA) report: David Lent, Mary Ann Smith, and Superintendent George
Boland attended the NSBA Annual Conference in San Diego this spring. David Lent reported about some of
the sessions that he attended. Most of the PowerPoint presentations from these sessions are available
online at http://nsba.omnibooksonline.com/. Dave wanted to highlight on a few of the sessions he attended.
1) School Law – are you smarter than a Board President
2) STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) applications.
3) Communicating with parents and the media on school security and crisis issues.
4) Just the Facts – When a reporter calls
5) Ten practices to avoid Liability
6) Religion in Public Schools: Survival tips for School Boards.
Dave distributed copies of these presentations to board members and asked them to read through them.
Mary Ann Smith had a very quick presentation that focused on ways that school boards can save money
through the use of paperless board packets and technology. The Board retreats can be local and conducted
by our staff instead of hiring a facilitator.
The trend is for School boards to address their controversial issues out in the open and to be very
transparent for the public. She also addressed that we need to shift towards growth models and the best
way to do that is to make sure that changes are implemented.
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b.Budget Development: Director of Business Operations, Guy Wangsgard distributed a handout with a
breakdown of the current budget numbers. This handout identified how administration intends to decrease
spending by $2.1 million. One item is still subject to ratification into the Negotiated Master Contract by the
teachers union. The decreases will come from many areas including reducing the number of class size
st
reduction aides in grades 4-6; yet ensure that these aides are available to all Kindergarten and then to 1
rd
through 3 grade as needed. Many cuts have been identified to reach the target budget reduction.
Guy Wangsgard also identified several items that administration is proposing an increase to the rates that
school district 91 charges. These increases are proposed for extra curricular activities, building rentals,
transcript requests, and some fees for classes.
c.Facility Upgrades: Dana Wood, Director of Operations reported:
1) He and the district attorney, Scott Marotz will meet with the contractors and attorneys representing
those contractors for the issues identified at Bush Elementary of non-compliance to building codes.
2)The stadium work is progressing nicely.
3)The decision to table the attempt for a bond for facility remodels has been a good decision. The district
was able to pass the much depended on “supplemental levy.” Administration has more the time to
review the costs of remodel vs. new build.
4)Administration will meet with the facilities committee of the Board of Trustees to discuss options to
present to the Board of Trustees.
ACTION ITEMS
a.Copier Bid Award
Guy Wangsgard, Director of Business passed out a tally of bids received for the copier contract for the entire
district. Administration recommends low bid Yost 1 who has that has met all specifications. Ernest Jensen
motioned to accept Yost as low bidder. Jerry Wixom seconded the motion. Four Aye votes – motion carried.
b.Secondary Science Curriculum Review
Gail Rochelle, Director of Secondary Education introduced KC Jones who led the curriculum committee who
selected this adoption for secondary science classrooms. KC reported that the committee wanted to focus
on a more inquiry and standards based curriculum. Many teachers were involved in the selections of the
grade level adoptions. The text books will be available for review in the district office until June 23, when the
adoption will become an action item.
Jerry Wixom motioned to enter executive session. Ernest Jensen seconded the motion. Motion passed.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
PERSONNEL, SECTION S67-2345 (B)(F), IDAHO CODE
NEGOTIATIONS, SECTION S67-2345 (C), IDAHO CODE
Ernest Jensen motioned to enter Open Session. Jerry Wixom seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Jerry Wixom motioned to adjourn, David Lent seconded the motion. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned.
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