HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017_11_15 Board Minutes
IDAHO FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 91
BOARD OF TRUSTEES -- BOARD BUSINESS MEETING
DISTRICT OFFICE BOARD ROOM
690 JOHN ADAMS PARKWAY
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2017
Chairman Burtenshaw called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM. Trustee Lent made a motion to go into
Executive Session pursuant to Idaho Code §74-206 (1) (b) Student and (c) Property. Trustee Haws
provided the second. A roll call vote was taken:
Lisa Burtenshaw – yes
Dave Lent - yes
Deidre Warden – yes (via telephone)
Larry Haws - yes
Larry Wilson – N/A
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Superintendent Boland and the Board of Trustees met in Executive Session for discussions regarding
Student 2017-2018A , and property acquisition.
Trustee Haws made a motion to return to Open Session at 7:05 PM. Trustee Lent provided the second.
Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nays.
Trustee Warden was excused at this time, she is out of town and called in to participate in the Executive
Session discussions.
BUSINESS MEETING
Present from the Board of Trustees: Present from the Administration:
Lisa Burtenshaw, Chair George Boland, Superintendent
Dave Lent, Member Sarah Sanders, Director of Secondary Education
Larry Haws, Vice Chair Carrie Smith, Director of HR & Finance
Margaret Wimborne, Director of
Communication and Community Engagement
Excused: Debbie Wilkie, Board Secretary, Recording
Deidre Warden
Larry Wilson
Chairman Burtenshaw called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by
Marcia Bingham, IFEA Co-President.
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ADOPT AGENDA
Trustee Haws made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. Trustee Lent provided the second.
Motion carried 3 ayes, 0 nays.
REPORTS/INPUT/INFORMATION
a. Student Reports – written comments, if provided, are attached.
Compass Academy – Caitlin Hix and Priya Tumuluru, Student Representatives reported.
Idaho Falls High School – Justin Shadley, Student Representative reported.
Skyline High School – Fatima Sanchez, Student Representative reported.
Emerson Alternative HS – Rigden Green, Student Representative reported.
The student representatives were also asked to find out what their fellow students thought of
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the outcome of the November 7 school bond election. The students reported a mix of
responses from disappointment and frustration that it did not pass and hope that the Board of
Trustees will run it again, some were happy it didn’t pass because they felt it would raise taxes
and others didn’t care one way or another.
b. Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Boland shared that he had participated in screening applications and
interviewing the semi-finalists for the office of president at the College of Eastern Idaho. A
public forum is set for November 28 & 29, 2017 to meet the finalists and an announcement
expected to be made before the first of the year.
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Superintendent Boland also reviewed the unofficial results from the November 7 Bond
Election. He stated that we now know over 58% of the voters were in support of the bond, we
did not get the supermajority required to pass it. The superintendent shared we will follow the
protocol of asking ourselves what, so what and now what? We have the numbers and will dig
deeper to get more information before we can answer the questions so what and now what. We
also know with all of the different options and scenarios that were discussed at length over the
past two years the challenge would be coming up with any single scenario that would garnish a
supermajority approval.
Superintendent Boland stated the district also has to be mindful of the other facility projects
underway, the transportation center and the HVAC/electrical upgrades and remodel of the
administration office, which are both in the design phase with bids expected to go out in late
January or early February. The Board will also continue looking at land purchases for potential
elementary school sites as there is still a need for that. The superintendent also stated that even
though there may be questions about the district’s long range planning, the administration and
the Board of Trustees have the responsibility of looking to the future and planning for it. A
discussion was held regarding new home developments currently underway and those planned
within District 91 boundaries, enrollment and capacity at the current high schools, bonding
history and further bond discussions.
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c. Patron Input (Sign-in required) – written comments, if provided, are attached.
Mr. Suketu Gandhi submitted written comments regarding the school bond.
d. IFEA Report – Marcia Bingham and Joyce Rogers, Co-Presidents reporting.
Joyce Rogers reported, written comments are attached.
e. First Reading – New Board Policy 502.2 - Website Accessibility and Nondiscrimination
Superintendent Boland stated this policy came about after District 91, and many other districts
across the state, received an Office of Civil Rights (OCR) complaint regarding website
accessibility. Rene Miller, District 91 Webmaster, reviewed we are currently doing things to
make our website accessible but will need to add something to help those with limited mobility.
As part of the settlement agreement with the OCR, and to be in compliance with regulations,
the district may also need to hire an independent firm to conduct periodic accessibility audits of
all of our websites. This policy will be brought forward for a second reading at the December
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13board meeting. A discussion was held.
f. Other Items
i. Board Updates
2017 ISBA Convention Reports
Superintendent Boland, Trustees Dave Lent, Deidre Warden and Larry Haws all
attended the Idaho School Board Association’s Annual Convention in Coeur
d’Alene November 8-10, 2017. Trustee Lent stated he felt the meeting was a
great reinforcement of the good things we are doing as a district. Trustee Haws
stated one of the presenters shared that most students graduate well prepared
to work but need more work on their time management skills. Superintendent
Boland shared that one of the presentation he attended was about maker
spaces and schools, flexible spaces that help cultivate creativity. A discussion
was held regarding a shift in culture and the expectations of today’s workforce.
November 7, 2017 Bond Election
A discussion was held. Chairman Burtenshaw shared after reflecting back she
felt the why for the bond seemed to become more about buildings rather than
the instructional focus and needs of our students and teachers. A time will be
scheduled in the near future for the Board to meet and discuss moving forward.
Ethel Boyes Thank You Cards
Chairman Burtenshaw shared thank you cards made and signed by all of the
third grade students at Ethel Boyes. The school was able to get two sets of
Chromebooks for the students to use in their classrooms.
ii. Monthly Budget Report – a hard copy was provided in the board packet for review. No
further discussion.
11/15/2017 D91 Board Minutes Page 3 of 6
CONSENT AGENDA
Trustee Lent made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Trustee Haws provided the
second. No further discussion. Motion carried, 3 ayes 0 nays.
Items approved included:
a. Approval of Minutes
i. October 11, 2017 - Business Meeting
ii. October 16, 2017 – Special Meeting
iii. November 9, 2017 – Special Meeting
b. Payment of Claims
i. IFEA Leave Invoices $333.47
c. Staff Actions
Transfers:
Name Position Location
Joan Oakey From: Reading Interventionist From: Hawthorne Elementary
To: Spec Ed Teacher To: .50 FTE at Hawthorne Elementary and
.50 FTE at Dora Erickson Elementary
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Mark Hunsaker From: 6 Grade Teacher From: Ethel Boyes Elementary
To: Assistant Principal To: Dora Erickson Elementary
New Hire:
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Kacey Dye 6 Grade Teacher Ethel Boyes Elementary
d. Matching Funds
i. Theresa Bunker Elementary
Chromebooks & Carts $11,297.96
ii. Idaho Falls High School
Drinking Fountain with Bottle Filler $943.40
iii. Emerson Alternative High School
Chromebooks & Cart $6019.00
Total Matching Funds Requested $18,260.36
e. Other Items
i. Surplus Equipment
Taylorview Middle School has thirty-one student desks that will be given to White Pines
and Swan Valley schools.
11/15/2017 D91 Board Minutes Page 4 of 6
ACTION ITEMS
a. Final Reading – Board Policy Revisions Section 408 – Child Nutrition and Wellness
Superintendent Boland stated this is the third reading of the revisions for Board Policy 408 –
Child Nutrition and Wellness which requires updating periodically to remain in compliance. Only
a couple of minor changes were made and no patron input has been received.
Trustee Haws made a motion to approve the Board Policy 408 – Child Nutrition and Wellness
revisions as presented. Trustee Lent provided the second. Motion carried 3 ayes, 0 nays.
b. Final Reading – Board Policy Revisions Section 603.1.3 – Graduation Requirements-Transfers
Superintendent Boland reviewed students are able to meet graduation requirements in multiple
ways with concurrent credit, dual credit, online credits and blended courses, the administration
wants to be open to individual circumstances that arise. A provision was added so if a student
doesn’t meet the twelve credits from a District 91 high school in their last year, and the have
extenuating circumstances, they may request an exemption of the policy. The administration
could also provide approval rather than being brought to the Board of Trustees each time.
Trustee Haws made a motion to approve Board Policy 603.1.3 – Graduation Requirements-
Transfers revisions as presented. Trustee Lent provided the second. Motion carried 3 ayes, 0
nays.
c. Employee Vendor Approval
Superintendent Boland reviewed the request for IFHS Journalism Dept. to purchase a new digital
photo frame from the husband of a district employee and needs board approval prior to the
transaction taking place. The frame is half the cost of a new one from any other retailer. A brief
discussion was held.
Trustee Lent made a motion to approve the employee vendor approval as described. Trustee
Haws provided the second. Motion carried 3 ayes, 0 nays.
d. New Course Proposals
i. Business Graphic Design
ii. Capstone: Digital Communications
iii. Law Enforcement 1, 2, 3
iv. Pre-AP English
v. Pre-AP World History
vi. Personal Finance
Superintendent Boland reviewed that new course proposals come around every year at this
time for approval and to get them in the course catalog before it goes to the printers. If
approved the courses will be included in the course description guide, and if there is enough
interest the courses would held. A discussion was held and Dr. Sarah Sanders, Director of
Secondary Education answered questions.
11/15/2017 D91 Board Minutes Page 5 of 6
Trustee Haws made a motion to accept the new course proposals as presented. Trustee Lent
provided the second. Motion carried 3 ayes, 0 nays.
e. December One-Time Payment
Superintendent Boland stated this item is to seek approval for a variance to the Negotiated
Master Contract. In response to the employee survey conducted at the beginning of the school
year, one employee stated that getting the December One-Time Payment in November would
help make it a great year. A discussion was held.
Trustee Haws made a motion to approve the December One-Time Payment movement back to
November as presented. Trustee Lent provided the second. Motion carried 3 ayes, 0 nays.
f. Student 2017-2018A
Superintendent Boland stated this is a student issue that was discussed earlier in Executive
Session.
Trustee Lent moved that in regards to Student 2017-2018A, the Board exercise Board Policy
108.11 in relief of Board Policy 603.5.3 – College/University Courses in pursuit of advanced
opportunities with credits to be determined by the Superintendent. Trustee Haws provided the
second. Motion carried 3 ayes, 0 nays.
g. PowerSchool Quote 2018-2019 Additional Modules
Superintendent Boland stated this fall the district updated the student record management
system in PowerSchool. The additional PowerSchool modules will allow us to incorporate other
modules this year as indicated. Currently we subscribe to Milepost to store student data so the
cost of that would be shifted to pay PowerSchool, everything would be housed in one system,
and it would create easier access for teachers, students and parents.
Trustee Haws made a motion to approve the PowerSchool quote for 2018-2019 additional
modules as presented. Trustee Lent provided the second. Motion carried 3 ayes, 0 nays.
The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at 7:00 p.m., at
the District Office.
Trustee Haws made a motion to adjourn. Trustee Lent provided the second. Motion carried 3 ayes, 0
nays. The meeting adjourned at 8:25 PM.
11/15/2017 D91 Board Minutes Page 6 of 6
Wilkie, Debbie -D91
From:Shadley, Justin <shad.just631@cloud.ifschools.org>
Sent:Wednesday, November 15, 2017 3:05 PM
To:Wilkie, Debbie -D91; Emily McCoy-Leffel; McCoy-Leffel, Emily -D91
Subject:IFHS Student Report
School Board Meeting November 15, 2017
IFHS Stud Gov has been busy! We’ve been active in a lot of activities:
1. Mr. IFHS
2. Halloween Week
3. Foreign Exchange
4. Turkey Boxes
5. Leadership Wisdom Wednesdays
6. Munch and Mingle Mondays
7. Donuts for students, finals week, 840 total donuts served
School Bond:
Obviously we are frustrated and disappointed with the bond failing to pass. A lot of our
students put in a lot of time and effort outside of school hours to encourage people to vote yes.
(especially our SBOs)
We really hope to have the bond run again.
In our new school we hope to have:
Auditorium
Commons Area
Wifi that works
Cafeteria compatible with student needs
Heating and AC that functions
Proper safety (we have too many doors)
Windows
Updated bathrooms
More accessible
Appropriate parking
Gym that can hold everyone
Student friendly hallways
One building!
Up to date learning technology
Updated science labs
21st century learning facilities
Souper Bowl:
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We are once again preparing our annual souper bowl to feed IF residents. This year instead of
competing against Skyline, we are hoping to be working with them to meet a district goal. We
feel that with a cause like this, it would be better and more beneficial to work together as a
district to help further our whole community.
Words of Wisdom Wednesdays:
This is new addition to our student leadership class! Every Wednesday, we have a leader from
the community come and speak to our class. So far we have have Mrs. Smede (recently elected
Councilwoman and educator) and Mr. Nelson (chief legal counsel and solicitor for the US
Department of the Interior). Our class has greatly enjoyed these experiences and are excited for
more!
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School Board Agenda
• Halloween/Thanksgiving Assembly
Costume contest to allow people to showcase their costumes and individuality
Wrapped up socktober
- 470 Pairs of Socks — About 1 for every student at Compass
- Thanksgiving Assembly:
- Pie eating contest
- Shake your tail (1 from each grade and a teacher)
- Thanksgiving video (A student interviewed people about what they are thankful
for and are showing that at assembly)
• Students' opinion on Bond
o Positive Reactions
o Good for IF
o Really sad it didn't pass but maybe present one school at a time.
o Honestly don't care
o Don't really have an opinion because it's not our school, doesn't affect me
o Overcrowded Skyline
o Present one school at a time
o Skyline is more in need of safety/space concern.
o Start with Skyline then one year later do IF
o Represent it next year.
o They will be redoing the Civic Auditorium
o Need another D91 school
o Kids advertising to vote Yes for the bond because they knew they need a new
school
o The sooner done the better
o Didn't really care
o I don't really have an opinion because it's not my concern
o Could Have done it for a lot less money (Think its good more taxes)
o Sad it didn't pass, IF needs to be redone and used for something
o Challenge was having supper majority
o Miss information (Tear down IF high school) Staple in a community, Taxes raised
"1600 ATOJ
Fatima Sanchez: Skyline High School
New School Bond
Students were completely up for it
• Better school
• Boost the town
• New families in the district
• More job opportunities
• Make students college ready
• Better future
• Fresh start for kids
• More technologically advanced
• If we keep making repairs for our schools now it would be more expensive in the
long run
o For the people that didn't want it to pass because it would raise taxes
Feelings after the bond failed:
• The sentimental value to our school
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Suketu Gandhi's Comments on the School Bond November 15, 2017
On November 7, 2017 citizens of School District 91 voted on the proposed school bond,
and it was defeated since 2/3 of the votes cast did not approved. In view of this, Board is urged
not pursue the School Bond issue further. Voters' sentiments should be respected since the
proponent failed to make a compelling case.
When compared with the community college votes, more votes were cast in School
District 91 than in the community college. When the proponents of the community college made
a strong case, including the one made in the Board Room: It is for those students who seeks 2nd
chance to access post-secondary education. All the necessary questions were answered in form of
a televised forums, and newspaper articles, which includes letters to the editor.
In contrast, the proponents of the school bond failed to make a case through public
interaction. When asking specific questions, answer is dependent on the persons. In one
particular case, both private citizens, who were eligible to take the oath of the Trustee position
but did not, and some trustees were asked questions. The answers ranged from complete quiet in
May, 2016 to not satisfactory answers. (Keep in mind that the questioner makes a call whether
the answers are satisfactory.) When specifically came to Board Meeting to raise the questions in
writing through public comments, the answers to questions did not appear on the District's web
page. Questions were asked by a school newspaper (Skyline HS's West Side Story), and the
response provided failed to make a compelling case. Through one-on-one interactions with the
Administration official, specific information was provided, and gave satisfactory answer to the
tax rate.
One of the several issues was the tax rate and the cost of the school. In the voting booth,
the question was on the cost of the school construction, and potential interest, but not on the tax
rate. This public learned that the if the bond proposal fails, taxes collected under the current tax
rate would accelerate the bond payment for the elementary school construction. This was a
significant information.
What are the missing technologies in the classroom? One answer was that students need
more experience with technology to be properly prepared for college courses. However, any
difficulty in using technology would be mediated by having well written, easy to understand
manuals. One case was made for smart board. There is no need for a school bond to seek a smart
board. However, an effective way to mediate this would be to learn how similar problem was
handled in the past. At Westside Elementary School, a fundraiser was held.
Another technology issue involved Wi-Fi. IFHS construction materials does not allow
Wi-Fi to penetrate the walls. This would be solved by a technical solution that does not require
construction of a new building. If wireless phone signals can penetrate the walls, Wi-Fi should
be able to penetrate the walls.
Technology is needed in general in every classroom, but the nature of technology differs.
The classrooms deficient in technology were never identified when specific information was
sought.
What is 21" Century education, and how it compares and contrasts with the current
education? No satisfactory answer was provided. The response to this question was that students
do not want to follow what to do, but determine that this should be done. Using raw materials to
extract information, learning how to connect with the final goal has always been the goal of
education from the ancient times to the present day.
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Suketu Gandhi's Comments on the School Bond November 15, 2017
Furthermore, the decision makers have been provided with necessary information on how
mathematics education approach from Singapore brings this to reality. Excellent curriculum is in
place for KG-6t' grade, and the public results are available from Westside Elementary School
that indicated that a large number of students were scoring at an advanced level. However, the
mathematics curriculum needed for the secondary school mathematics courses (i.e.,Algebra-
1 & -2, Geometry, Trigonometry, Analytic Geometry, Combinatorial) is not in place.
Furthermore, better Physics (i.e., restoring regular 1-year Physics and AP Physics C), and
offering new mathematics courses on Linear & Matrix Algebra, Geometry based on Imaginary
angles (Hyperbolic Geometry) that are a kin to mathematics behind Special Theory of Relativity,
and using probability to find area of shapes (which is known in Physics & Chemistry literature as
Monte-Carlo Approach) needed. The first topic has been taught in different high schools, and
both the 2"d& 3 topics are teachable at high school level for the advanced students.
When this is done, then the Board should revisit the meaning and contents of 21'` Century
education. In other words, the goal of the 21" Century education is to get to ideal education, then
the curriculum fix accomplishes the task. There is no need to construct new building.
It should be noted that when making changes to what is already in place, super majority
plays its role. In the amending of the US constitution, 2/3 majority in the Congress is required.
When removing president through impeachment trial, 2/3 majority is needed for conviction. In
the case of the School Bond, since there is a structural change in the school finances,
supermajority votes is appropriate. At times, an idea was floated that 60% majority should be
used for passing the bond. In this particular case, less than 60% of the voters approved the bond.
Another issue brought at the newspaper interview was that Idaho Falls High School is
using certain space that belongs to the City of Idaho Falls's Civic Auditorium. In this regards,
this should not be an issue. City of Idaho gets its legitimacy from the citizens of Idaho Falls.
School District 91 gets its legitimacy from the citizens of School District 91, which has
significant number of citizens residing in Idaho Falls. Should any conflict between School
District 91 and City of Idaho Falls, it is appropriate to let the people of Idaho Falls handle it
through referendum.
Post election public statements on the defeat of the proposed bond gives an appearance
that the only opposition was due to higher taxes, and they refused to be engaged. In reality,
questions were raised at certain Board Meetings before the Board sought Bond Levy votes, after
the Bond Levy vote date was announced. Only the popular questions, such as the location of the
new high school, and the plans with the future plans for the existing building and the estimated
construction costs were directly answered. Unpopular questions such as the content of 21't
Century education, compelling need went unanswered.
Furthermore, District 91 has failed to appreciate the role of public. In the words of a
Supreme Court Justice Jackson (1950), the role of the citizen is to prevent government from
making errors. For example, Board of Trustees has failed to take oath of the office. This fact was
pointed out by a public member. In the past, the Board has failed to incorporate public
representation into the Minutes, which are made available online. Polite requests failed to
convince the Board to incorporate written representation into the minutes, but a confrontation
with a public resulted in making them available. In the area of textbook selection process, law
stipulates that the public has right to view the meeting, and participate in the deliberation
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Suketu Gandhi's Comments on the School Bond November 15, 2017
process. In contrast, District 91 does not adhere to this law. The law is written in a simple
language that does not require legal scholar to ascertain the meaning.
In addition to the above District 91 violates the constitutional rights with regards to the 1s,
Amendment. Specifically, public has a right to petition grievance against the government. School
District 91 Policy states that it would be addressed at the Board Meeting. Criticisms against the
practices of the School District 91 using Parliamentary vocabularies are protected rights.
Unfortunately, the Board Chair does not accept this. This is another example of how the School
District 91 flouts the laws that it is expected to adhere.
The presented scenario strongly differs from the need to construct four schools. Through
the spoken words heard at the Board Meetings, it was about the environment imposed in specific
schools that prevents students from learning at the old Dora Erickson, Ethel Boyes, Longfellow
and Edgemont Gardens. The noise and faulty heating system prevents students from learning at
Dora Erickson. At Ethel Boyes, through the tow offered, the classroom sizes were very small;
this leads students in close proximity with one another to distract each other. When this happens,
teachers spend time on discipline than on providing lessons. Furthermore, the neighborhood for
Ethel Boyes zone was crowded that prevented students from attending the neighborhood school.
In contrast, no such compelling reasons were presented for Idaho Falls High School
reconstruction. A tour at public time was sought, but it was not provided. However, public tour
was open during parents-teacher conference of the high school students. The parents of Skyline
High School students seeks to spend time discussing their children's progress, and engaging with
the School Officials (i.e., Trustee, who had taken the oath by this date) to seek answers to
specific questions. The knowledge of Skyline classroom was sufficient not to seek any tour.
It has been often said that the building was old. Specifically, if the plans call for Idaho
Falls High School to be used, it implies that the building is usable, but not depilated. Thus, there
is no reason for construction of a new high school building. Since there is no sign of student
population growth in a foreseeable future, there is no need to add additional classroom capacity.
It has been pointed out that 21" Century education is needed in school, but no specific
information has been provided on the meaning of the 21' Century education. (Public does not
know the authority in the 21" Century Education. However, one member of the public knows
about ideal education, and the Board hears frequently on mathematics.) This leads public to
believe that construction of the new high school, and certain portion of the Skyline High School
would benefit construction vendors, instead of students.
The Board is advised to stop deliberation of construction of new high school, and focus
attention on improving secondary school education without the reconstruction. There are
deficiencies with the mathematics (i.e., textbooks & topics) and science education (i.e., physics
courses). Knowledgeable public is there to help, but the Board needs to accept this. When this is
done, then the confidence in the secondary school increases.
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