HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012_06_12 Board MinutesBOARD OF TRUSTEES — BUSINESS MEETING
DISTRICT OFFICE BOARD ROOM — 7:00 PM (6:30 PM BUDGET HEARING)
690 JOHN ADAMS PARKWAY
June 12, 2012
Present from the Board of Trustees
Dave Lent, Chairman
Lisa Burtenshaw, Vice Chair
Jerry Wixom, Treasurer
Deidre Warden, Clerk
Larry Haws, Trustee
6:30 P.M. Budget Hearing
Present from the Administration:
George Boland, Superintendent
Trina Caudle, Director of Secondary Education
Lisa Sherick, Director of Student Services
Carrie Smith, Director of HR & Finance
Bryce Bronson, Comptroller
Margaret Wimborne, Communications & Community
Engagement
Debbie Wilkie, Recording Clerk
Dave Lent, Board Chair, called the meeting to order at 6:32 PM and turned the time over to
Carrie Smith, Director HR & Finance, who reviewed budget changes, fee increases and provided
an overview of the proposed FY13 Budget Document. Carrie stated that the fund balance
projection model shows a significant need for reductions in FY13-14 unless we were to see an
increase in funding. A discussion was held.
Patron Input: Suketu Gandhi provided comments regarding the need for a budget allowance to
purchase excellent math books for elementary school principal libraries.
7:00 pm Business Meeting
Chairman Lent called the business meeting to order at 7:05 PM.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Angela Gillman.
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY:
a. Emissary of Excellence
Lisa Sherick introduced members of the Health Services department as the Emissary of Excellence this
month. Jo Gallegos, RN serves as the department chair, Sarah Drollinger, RN, Sherri Rupp, LPN, Tricia
Hennington, LPN, (Sarah, Sherri and Tricia could not be with us tonight) Susan Dunnells, LPN and Cathy
Berrett, Clerical Assistant. The department has been working very hard to have every student in the
district get properly immunized against diseases. They met their goal and have also been recognized by
the Idaho State Department of Health and Welfare for having one of the highest immunization rates in
the state for the 2011-12 school year. Jo Gallegos accepted the awards on behalf of the nursing staff and
thanked everyone for helping to make this dream come true.
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Chairman Lent commended the staff for their dedication, passion, hard work and for the leadership to
have this idea and make it happen. Chairman Lent presented each of them with a token of appreciation.
b. Child Nutrition Recognition
Carrie Smith shared that the District's Children Nutrition Program has been awarded a Certificate of
Excellence in the School Meals Initiative after a state audit was performed earlier this year. Carrie
introduced Supervisor Faye Olsen, Clerical Assistant Linda Johnson, Menu Writer Danielle Dixon and
Warehouse Manager Erin Prichard from the department and presented them with the certificate.
Chairman Lent congratulated Faye and the others for a job well done and thanked them for their hard
work.
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA:
Deidre Warden made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. Larry Haws seconded. Motion carried
unanimously.
REPORTS/I N PUT/I N FORMATION
a. Student Reports — No reports.
Patron Input — Mr. Suketu Gandhi shared comments regarding implementation of Singapore Math
curriculum and engaging students.
IFEA Report—Angela Gillman, President Elect and Mitzi Ellingson, President, reported:
Angela reported that secondary teachers greatly appreciated the moving days at the end of the school
year and worked together to help each other get ready to go for the summer. Angela will represent the
association at the Representative Assembly in Washington D.C. the first week of July. The IFEA raised
$300.00 to donate at the meeting which is used to help promote legislation investing in students and their
future. On behalf of the organization Angela recognized Trustee Jerry Wixom who is retiring after serving
24 years on the school board.
Mitzi reported that packing up Clair E. Gale at the end of the year was successful and teachers joined
together to help get things done so everyone could check out on time. Mitzi also shared comments
regarding negotiations and what the negotiating team saw with the offer that was brought to the table
this year.
Education Foundation — Marge Foster, Chair, reported:
Marge provided a handout with the updated Teton Toyota Truck Raffle sales and said the truck will be
driven in the upcoming Fourth of July parade. The Skyline Cheerleaders will be handing out flyers to let
people know where they can buy the tickets. Several other groups have signed up to sell truck raffle
tickets throughout the summer. Marge also provided a non-profit report showing the impact these groups
have on the local economy. Cami Smith, Ed Foundation Program Coordinator, has compiled a binder of
requests from every school this year to give to the Maeke Foundation. The Maeke Foundation board will
review the requests and make their selections in September.
e. Superintendent's Report —
Superintendent Boland addressed issues that were brought before the board during patron input
regarding the proposed dress code at Erickson and concerns of enforcement of the current dress code at
other schools. After the earlier discussion of the revised dress code at Erickson became public earlier this
spring there was increased awareness at other schools which brought about a heightened enforcement of
6/12/2012 D91 Board Packet Page 2 of 6
the appropriate dress code. The superintendent mentioned that the board may also see a proposed
revision for the dress code at Emerson High School this fall as well. Another concern was in regards to the
attendance policy specifically the number of allowable absences and the equity of the make-up sessions
associated with those. The superintendent explained that there is an appeal process in place if a student
exceeds the allowable absences per trimester which also takes into consideration student achievement
before granting the credits. There may be perceived inequities but there are also accommodations in
place to address these issues that many students are using. A discussion was held.
Superintendent Boland stated that "operation shift," the big move at the end of the school year, went
very well. One of the goals during the move was to eradicate mimeograph masters. Trash dumpsters were
filled and the purple scourge (mimeograph masters) has gone away.
The superintendent also reviewed that District 91 has been selected as one of the first thirty districts to
be in the first round of deployment for secondary mobile devices in the fall of 2013. Because we were
selected to be in the first round of student deployment our secondary staff will also be in the first round
of teachers to receive their devices and the district will be included in the early stages of the wireless
upgrade. We do not yet know what the device will be, it will probably be July before the vendor and
specifics are identified. The superintendent stated the district will receive up to 1,356 devices which
would only be enough for one of our high schools. During the Post Legislative Tour it was communicated
that multi -high school districts could purchase additional devices off the state contract once it was
approved and later be reimbursed by the state. During a webinar, at the time of notification, all districts
were told this information was erroneous and that there would be no reimbursement if a district chooses
to purchase the additional devices. Superintendent Boland stated he hopes to engage in discussions with
other districts, and the State Dept., to see if there could be some flexibility in deployment as part of this
transition.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Lisa Burtenshaw made a motion to adopt the consent agenda as presented. Deidre Warden seconded. A
brief discussion was held. Motion carried unanimously.
Items approved include:
Meeting Minutes April 24, 2012
May 8&22,2012
Payment of Claims - May 2012 $3,079,992.61
Staff Actions:
New Hires:
Bitter, Doug A
Bridges, Teresa D
Elementary teacher
Elementary teacher
Fox Hollow
Longfellow
Bloom, Judy D
Brown, Kylie D
Elementary teacher
Elementary teacher
Temple View
Boyes
Breidenbach, Rachel A Byelich, Arnie S
Math teacher Art teacher
Eagle Rock Eagle Rock
Cheret, Leslie
English teacher
Compass Academy
Cook, Korbin C
English teacher
Emerson
Crawford, Felecia M
Elementary teacher
Boyes
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Daku, Kristin E
Jacobson, Michael L
Stauffer, Lindsay S
Science teacher
Math teacher
Special education teacher
Skyline
Compass Academy
Skyline
Dilworth, Taresa
Kersh, Christopher S
Strait, Ginger
Elementary teacher
Elementary teacher
Elementary teacher
Bunker
TBD
Linden Park
Drysdale, Margaret A
Lightner, Stephanie
Taylor, Kimberly C
Math teacher
Social studies teacher
Elementary teacher
Eagle Rock
Emerson
Erickson
Gustaveson, Sharon M
Lund, Kaitlyn
Theuson, Kristen M
Math teacher
Elementary teacher
Elementary teacher
Skyline
Westside
Bunker
Hall, Frances C
Mann, Toni L
Walker, Shaleece
Elementary teacher
Special education teacher
Elementary teacher
TBD
Boyes
Hawthorne
Hansen, Christine R
McGarry, Michelle C
Wallace, Kira D
Debate/speech teacher
Science teacher
Elementary teacher
Skyline
Eagle Rock
Linden Park
Hillman, Michelle
Orchard, Darci
Wells, Lindsey M
Elementary teacher
Elementary teacher
Special education teacher
Linden Park
Temple View
Linden Park
Hirschi, Zachary D
Perry, Meighan B
Wilson, Jacqueline R
Technology teacher
English/ESL teacher
Special education teacher
Taylorview
Eagle Rock
Longfellow
Holm, Alane A
Rogers, Rochelle
Wixom, Jana M
Elementary teacher
Elementary teacher
Science teacher
Fox Hollow
Linden Park
Compass Academy
Hudman, Hondo S
Skinner, Julieann
Science teacher
Counselor
Eagle Rock
Fox Hollow
Resignations:
Wittman -Coleman, Melanie
Worthen, Bryant
Crowther, Brant
Kindergarten
5`h Grade
3rd Grade
A H Bush
Linden Park
Erickson
Schweider, Clarrissa
Huntsman, Nicole
Becker, Erin
5`h Grade
6`h Grade
6`h Grade
Linden Park
Bunker
Edgemont
Robertson, Marie
Karla LaGrange
Richins, Lindsy
3" Grade
Director of Elementary Education
4`h Grade
A H Bush
Administration
Linden Park
Brown, Jill
Johnson, Kerrie
Cook, Ashley
1s` Grade
4`h Grade
3" Grade
Linden Park
Hawthorne
Longfellow
West, Jan etta
Jeanne Johnson
Clifford, Derek
Instructional Coach
Principal
Drama/Speech
District
A H Bush
IFHS
Sedgley, Brenda
5`h Grade
Erickson
6/12/2012 D91 Board Packet Page 4 of 6
Retirements:
Dawn Gale Ken Wyler Gene Lund
Kindergarten Counselor Psychologist
Ethel Boyes Fox Hollow Student Services
Category A Contract — Not renewed:
Megan Salley
.20 FTE Family & Consumer Science
IFHS
PROPOSALS
a. Board Policy Changes - Section 1
Superintendent Boland reviewed that the board and administration have been working collaboratively over
the past year to make some modifications to Board Policy, Section 1, Vision - Mission and Goals. The
superintendent reviewed six goals that were established to align with the vision and mission of the district as
well as with the state compliance tool. A discussion was held. The board asked that Goal 1 be revised to clarify
the language regarding the focus for subpopulations. The administration will review the language and make
changes prior to the second reading of the proposal at the July 10th board meeting.
ACTION ITEMS:
ExtendP. .- - , June 30,
Jerry Wixom made a motion to extend the superintendent's contract through June 30, 2015 in the
amount •f $120,000.00. D--idDeidre Warden- • r -r discussion was held.• • -a •
b. Approve High School Football Equipment Usage Requests
Deidre Warden made a motion to approve the requests made by Idaho Falls and Skyline high school to
use the football equipment during the summer football camps. Larry Haws seconded. Motion carried
unanimously.
Larry Haws made a motion to adopt the FY 2013 Budget as presented and discussed. Deidre Warden
seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Accept, -, by Bonneville County fort „
Lisa Burtenshaw moved to accept the canvassed results provided by Bonneville County for the May 15,
2012 SPFF Election as presented. Deidre Warden seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Superintendent Boland explained that negotiations were unsuccessful in achieving a negotiated master
agreement by June 10, as stated in the new state statute, so the board will need to impose the last best
offer presented during negotiations. A proposed resolution identifying compensation and benefits for
the 2012-2013 school year was provided. A discussion was held.
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Lisa Burtenshaw read the proposed resolution and made a motion to approve the resolution regarding
compensation and benefits for the 2012-2013 school year as provided. Deidre Warden seconded.
Motion carried unanimously.
f. Ratify Telephone Poll for Idaho Falls High School and Clair E Gale Bid Awards
Deidre Warden made a motion to ratify the telephone poll for the Idaho Falls High School and Clair
Gale bid awards as presented and reviewed. Lisa Burtenshaw seconded. Motion carried unanimousi
g. Ratify Telephone Poll for Contractor Approval for the Special Inspections and Testing at Cla|rE Gale
and Dora Erickson
Deidre Warden made a motion to ratify the telephone poll which awarded special inspections and
testing at Dora Erickson Elementary and Clair E. Gale to MTI as presented and reviewed in the
telephone poll. Larry Haws seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
h. Accept Trustee Jerry VVixom'sResignation
Jerry Wixom stated that as of July 10, 2012 he will have completed the term he was elected to, not
accepting the additional year the new state legislation has offered him. Once accepted, the vacancy will
be posted and the board will accept letters of intent for the open position in Zone 1. Adiszusaion was
Jerry Wixom made a motion to accept the resignation of Trustee Jerry Wixom. Larry Haws seconded. Motion carried
unanimously.
Jerry Wixom made a motion to enter Executive Session. Lisa Burtenshaw seconded. A roll call vote was taken:
Dave Lent _yes
LisaBurtenshaw—yes
]erryVVixom—yes
DeidreVVarden—yes
LarryHaws—yes
Lisa Burtenshaw made a motion to adjourn. Jerry Wixom seconded. Meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM.
s/1z/zo1zoy1Board Minutes Page sofs
Suketu Gandhi's Comments on the Proposed Budget
June 12, 2012
• The proposed budget should allot specific amount of money to purchase excellent math books
for each elementary school principal's library. By having excellent books in the library,
teachers gain access to the information on how similar teaching goals are handled differently,
such as introduction of topics, types of exercises that are given for classroom and homework
assignments, and formidable problems that require integration of different topics.
• Excellent textbooks benefit teachers in many ways. For example, they are better equipped to
deliver lessons, and be in position to provide explanations that may resonate with students. This
way, students learn how to derive mathematical relationship, instead of following procedures.
For example, Singapore Ruth derives area of a triangle, but the prevailing textbooks don't
derive this. When teachers see complex problems, they can identify which of them ar��e��j�uitable
for their students. This way, students gain experiences in solving multi -step problemrptactice
both previously learned materials and critical thinking skills.
• Ideally, when excellent textbooks are available in the principal's library, teacher may not be
prejudiced in believing that certain topics are defined for specific grade level. For example, in
Singapore Math's supplementary books, I find that certain problems designated for grade 2 are
better suited for grade 4, when students have the mathematical maturity to handle multi -step
problems that integrates addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Some math tricks
shown in grade 5 are better suited for grade 3, like adding sequences of numbers, or mental
multiplications. These are the judgment calls that each teacher makes when they consider
specific topics. In other words, when teachers have easy access to the books that contains
excellent problems, they would not be prejudiced into believing that only books designated, for
example, grade 2 will be full of problems for 2nd grade students, etc.
• Having easy access to excellent books allows the teachers spent precious time to examine the
contents. The cost of the books is modest, but the potential benefits they bring to the students
are enormous. When the books have been purchased for the principal's library, it remains there,
year after year, including when teachers move from one school to another school. This is one
time cost. If the practice is to allocate money to each principal to spend at their discretion, there
is a good chance that math books compete with other books, such as those for reading, or
classroom supplies. Furthermore, not all principals may be familiar with availability of many
excellent math books. Thus, having money dedicated for the purchase of excellent math books
increases the likelihood that students will receive excellent math problems.
Suketu Gandhi's Comments on Singapore Math Pilot Program June 12, 2012
^� • Singapore Math curricular materials is very much needed and welcomed. In this regards, I
would like to mention a few things to from realistic expectations during the transition period at
Dora Erickson. In order for students to maximize the benefits from Singapore Math, they must
be engaged in a multiple ways. Engagement in mathematics has specific meanings.
• When students learn a new topic, the teacher should ask questions in a way that provokes
thinking. For example, when learning about triangles, teacher may ask: "What does one have to
specify about a triangle so that John and Mary draw identical triangles?" This provokes
students to think about how to describe a triangle uniquely. It could be specification of the
lengths for each side of the triangle, or provide lengths of two sides and an angle, or define one
side and two angles. A follow-up question may be along the line: "Will above descriptions be
for one specific triangle, or generate two different triangles?" This type of engagement is a
mechanism to learn the topic in depth.
• When teachers assign a reasonably complex problem, representative students from each group
(e.g., those who need extra help, the average and advanced) need to be asked to go on a board
to explain how to get the answer. This way, the common misconceptions get corrected quickly,
entire class understands the intrinsic assumptions and learns the short-cuts or tricks, etc. This
way, the students may learn multiple ways to solve problems.
• When teachers assign formidable problems, they need to control discussions to identify both
the known, and unknown quantities. As a result, multiple strategies may be formulated to
systematically solve problems. Some strategy may be tedious, but other may lead to the answer
quickly. To appreciate short cut to solve problems, every students must experience a tedious
approach first. As a result, students learn how to reason and think as they solve problems.
• To ensure that maximum time get devoted learning mathematics, no time should be wasted for
practicing for standardized tests. Specifically, Singapore Math exercises reinforce previously
learned materials. Their exercises have carefully chosen numbers that enables students to solve
problems easily using previously learned materials. The textbooks cover topics in depth, and
enables students to build foundation for mathematical thinking skills. As a result, they handle
complex problems with ease. Thus, scoring high on the math portion of ISAT is not the
objective, but it is the consequence of engagement and learning with Singapore Math.
• Transition period will require more efforts from those students in 5h & 6t' grade without
previously taught from Singapore Math. The underlying reasons are that the mathematical
learning methods and handling complex problems will be new for them. Mastering graphical
techniques to solve multisteps complex problems makes it easy, but they need lots to practice.
• Those students who learn mathematics from Singapore Math are in better position to master
Algebra in 1 -year, instead of two years. Singapore Math exercises rely on bar -graphs to
identify what is known and unknown. It teaches pre -Algebra. In grades 7 and onwards, students
use variables x, y, z, to solve problems. Thus, they make quick transition and would need only
one year course in Algebra 1 to grasp the materials as they have strong foundation.