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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017_12_13 Board Minutes IDAHO FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 91 BOARD OF TRUSTEES – WORK SESSION AND BUSINESS MEETING DISTRICT OFFICE BOARD ROOM – 5:30 P.M. 690 JOHN ADAMS PARKWAY WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2017 Chairman Lisa Burtenshaw called the work session meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. and asked for a motion to adopt the agenda. Trustee Warden made a motion to adopt the agenda. Trustee Haws provided the second. Motion carried 5 ayes, 0 nays. Attendees: Trustees Lisa Burtenshaw, Dave Lent, Deidre Warden, Larry Haws and Larry Wilson, Superintendent George Boland, Director of HR & Finance Carrie Smith, Director of Communications and Community Engagement Margaret Wimborne, IFEA Co-Presidents Marcia Bingham and Joyce Rogers, Debbie Wilkie, Recording Secretary. Chairman Burtenshaw led a discussion regarding the district’s bond election held on November 7, 2017. Board members shared comments they had heard about why patrons said the bond failed. Their concerns were that 110 million was too much money, they would like to have options structured for less money, the district should be able to get a lot more for 70 million, building designs are too fancy and could be scaled down and others stated they didn’t feel the estimated growth projections were sustainable. It was suggested that the district should invite local realtors and contractors to discuss growth projections and material pricing to get their perspectives on them. Superintendent Boland stated he felt the community doesn’t really engage until something is put on the ballot, we had a community group come together when the process initially began but that kind of fizzled out. The challenge is how to reach and engage the community. Trustee Warden would like to see us provide tours of the facilities to show patrons our current situations and ask for their feedback, she stated it was quite effective during the last bond election. Marcia Bingham and Joyce Rogers, IFEA Co-Presidents, added that patrons need to know that every student in our district would benefit from this. The bond received 58% yes votes but didn’t get the sixty-six and two-thirds needed to pass with a super majority. Chairman Burtenshaw stated we need the district to be able to have a stronger informational campaign if we do this again. The Board will look at holding community discussions, tours and possibly polling patrons to help us reach and inform them. Board members are especially interested in finding a way to incorporate the technical education piece and come in under 100 million. The superintendent stated it would be worthwhile to spend time with the design team and construction manager to discuss what could be done to reduce the cost but still get the flexible learning spaces that teachers, parents and students have asked for. Chairman Burtenshaw called for a motion to go into Executive Session at 6:50 PM. Trustee Lent made the motion to go into Executive Session pursuant to Idaho Code §74-206 (1) (c) Property. Trustee Wilson provided the second. Roll call was taken: Lisa Burtenshaw – yes Larry Haws – yes Dave Lent – yes Deidre Warden – yes Larry Wilson – yes 12/13/2017 D91 Board Minutes Page 1 of 4 EXECUTIVE SESSION Superintendent Boland and the Board of Trustees met in Executive Session for a discussion regarding property acquisition matters. Trustee Wilson made a motion to reconvene in Open Session at 7:00 PM. Trustee Haws provided the second. Motion carried 5 ayes, 0 nays. BUSINESS MEETING Chairman Burtenshaw called the Business Meeting to order at 7:02 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Carrie Smith. REPORTS/INPUT/INFORMATION a. Superintendent’s Report Superintendent Boland turned the time over to Mr. Bill Cairns, Skyline High School Athletic Director, who introduced teacher and coach Mr. Scott Berger. Mr. Cairns shared that Mr. Berger’s passion is teaching and coaching. Scott helps to create a culture that empowers students to be successful on the field and in the classroom. Scott was also recognized as the High Country Coach of the Year, but Scott will tell you it is not about him it’s about the kids. Mr. Cairns shared a video clip, put together by Sarah Sanders, in recognition of Mr. Berger. Supt. Boland commended Scott and thanked him for his work with students on and off the field. Mr. Berger thanked everyone for the kind words and stated he loves being a teacher, a coach, and that he loves his job at Skyline High School. Superintendent Boland shared that he and a group of educators from the district attended the National Career and Technical Education Conference last week. The superintendent asked Bobbi Finlayson, D91 Career and Technical Education Director, to share a little information about our programs. Bobbi shared a PowerPoint and provided information regarding the need for more space, in one central location, to house the technical education programs. Currently the technical programs are held in multiple buildings throughout the district limiting student enrollment and engagement. Bobbi stated we currently have ten programs with 425 students participating, and a very active community partnership with over 150 businesses mentoring our students. Next year residential construction and law enforcement programs will be added. There is so much more potential for our students but we have no place to put them, we cannot continue to grow our programs without a different facility. Superintendent Boland stated we are one of 14 consortiums across the state, and only one of two that do not have their own facility. Superintendent Boland also shared that the district will begin holding job fairs and recruiting teachers for the 2018-2019 school year. It is becoming more and more difficult to fill some of the hard-to-fill position like math, science and special education so it is good to start early. A brief discussion was held. b. Patron Input – written comments, if provided, are attached. Patron Lisa Keller provided comments regarding the bond. Lisa stated she would be willing to meet and discuss her groups concerns and ideas about a bond. 12/13/2017 D91 Board Minutes Page 2 of 4 c. IFEA Report Marcia Bingham, Co-President, reported.  In discussions with the Education Foundation for a cooperative teacher appreciation event either this spring or next fall.  Started a Positive Visibility Committee, to help share and promote positive things teachers are doing in education.  Marcia stated the IFEA would also like to help promote the bond when the Board gets going on it again. d. Other Items i. Monthly Budget Report – hard copy provided. No further discussion. CONSENT AGENDA Trustee Warden made a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda as presented. Trustee Haws provided the second. Motion carried 5 ayes, 0 nays. Items approved include: a. Approval of Minutes i. November 15, 2017 – Business Meeting b. Payment of Claims i. November 2017 Payment of Claims $2,210,056.21 c. Staff Actions New Hire: Mandie Borg Math Teacher .60 FTE Idaho Falls High School Emergency Hire: A hiring emergency exists, as declared by the Board of Trustees, for the following position: th Jakob Hanson (New Hire) Alternate Authorization - 6 Grade Teacher Dora Erickson Elementary th Wendee Christensen Alternate Authorization – 6 Grade Teacher Westside Elementary Leave Request: Kira Ulrich (LOP) Kindergarten Hawthorne Elementary d. Student Travel i. Skyline Softball St. George, Utah March 15-18, 2018 e. Other Items i. Discarded Equipment – 29 broken student desks @ IFHS ii. Acknowledgement of November 7, 2017 Bond Election Canvass 12/13/2017 D91 Board Minutes Page 3 of 4 PROPOSALS a. Second Reading – New Board Policy 502.2 – Website Accessibility and Nondiscrimination Superintendent Boland stated this is the second reading for this policy. No comments have been received to date regarding the revisions. The policy will be brought forth to the January meeting agenda for the third and final reading. ACTION ITEMS a. Employee Vendor Approval Superintendent Boland stated that we have a student that would like to sell his pharmacy tech textbooks to the teacher Shelly Lehto. The student is a child of a district employee so this request falls under the employee vendor policy and would require the Board’s approval. Austin Bhiler is asking $200 for all five resources, the cost to purchase the same books from any other retailer would be higher. It is the recommendation of the administration that the Board approve the request as stated. Trustee Lent made a motion to approve the employee vendor request from Austin Bhiler for $200.00 as stated. Trustee Warden provided the second. Motion carried, 5 ayes, 0 nays. b. New Course Proposals Superintendent Boland stated there are three additional new course proposals that we would like to include in the course description catalog for students, ALEKS Math for Career and College, College th French 102 and 8 Grade Career Exploration through IDLA. It is the recommendation of the administration that all three courses be added to the course description book for the 2018-19 school year. A discussion was held. Trustee Wilson made a motion to approve the three new course proposals as explained. Trustee Lent provided the second. Motion carried, 5 ayes, 0 nays. Chairman Burtenshaw asked board members about a good date to meet for a work session to discuss the bond. It was decided that a meeting will be held on Friday, January 10, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at the district office. Superintendent Boland was asked to contact the design team and construction manager to ask them to attend. Trustee Warden made a motion to adjourn. Trustee Haws provided the second. The meeting adjourned at 8:03 PM. 12/13/2017 D91 Board Minutes Page 4 of 4