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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013_05_14 Board MinutesBOARD OF TRUSTEES -- BUSINESS MEETING IDAHO FALLS HIGH SCHOOL LITTLE THEATER -- 7:00 P.M. 601 SOUTH HOLMES AVE MAY 14, 2013 Chairman Lent called the meeting to order at 6: 00 p.m. Trustee Haws made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session. Trustee Hillman provided the second. A roll call vote was taken: Chairman Dave Lent—yes Lisa Burtenshaw -yes Larry Haws —yes Brian Hillman—yes EXECUTIVE SESSION The Board of Trustees, Superintendent Boland and Carrie Smith met in Executive Session pursuant to Idaho Code §67-2345 regarding personnel and negotiations matters. Trustee Burtenshaw made a motion to return to Open Session. Trustee Hillman provided the second. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nays. The Board reconvened in Open Session at 7:02 pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by IFEA President - Elect Angela Gillman. Present from the Board of Trustees: Dave Lent, Chairman Lisa Burtenshaw, Vice Chair Larry Haws, Clerk Brian Hillman, Trustee Deidre Warden, Excused Present from the Administration: George Boland, Superintendent Lisa Sherick, Assistant Superintendent Trina Caudle, Assistant Superintendent Carrie Smith, Director of HR & Finance Gail Rochelle, Director of Student Achievement & School Improvement Kevin Klingler, Director of Operations Margaret Wimborne, Coordinator of Communications & Community Engagement Debbie Wilkie, Recording Clerk 5/14/2013 D91 Board Minutes Page 1 of 6 SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY a. Emissary of Excellence Deb Olsen, Lead Driver, introduced Bus Driver Debbie Rouleau as the Emissary of Excellence this month. Debbie has been driving bus in District 91 for 26 years. During that time she has driven every route and serviced every school in the district. It is estimated that Debbie has logged over 600,000 miles and she thought she had experienced every possible situation. However, on Monday, April 29, 2013 Debbie was driving students home from Westside Elementary in the Osgood area when she had to pull the bus over to the side of the road to wait out a dust storm which made it impossible to see. After contacting dispatch to tell them of the situation dispatch contacted the police department for help. A little while later Debbie called again to let dispatch know that it was getting hard to breathe and she had not seen the police yet. At that point the transportation supervisor, mechanic and lead driver headed out to find them. After 45 minutes of searching they finally found the bus. Although school buses are very safe vehicles they are not very airtight. When the supervisor got on the bus the children were covered in dirt and were all wearing bandanas over their nose and mouth that Debbie had made out of paper towels. The sheriff department arrived shortly afterwards and drove the four students' back to town. Debbie and the others followed close behind in a truck after deciding it would be best to abandon the school bus for now. The students all returned to school the next day excited to tell of their adventure. During the 90 minutes they were stranded Debbie stayed calm and played games with the students, because of Debbie the students can remember this as an exciting adventure rather than a bad memory. Deb Olsen expressed gratitude to the sheriff department for their help and stated there is no doubt that Debbie's 26 years of experience and fast thinking helped those students get home safe that day. Trustee Hillman thanked Debbie for her quick thinking and for looking out for the safety of the children then presented her with a certificate and token of appreciation. Chairman Lent also thanked Debbie for representing the safety culture of our district and for the leadership she showed while caring for the children. b. Volunteers of the Month Dr. Terry Miller, Westside Elementary Principal, introduced parent Daryl Snyder as the district's Volunteer of the Month. Dr. Miller expressed her sincere thanks to Mrs. Snyder for organizing the Westside Elementary Diversity Night for students, parents, patrons and staff. Mrs. Snyder thanked the Board and District for the recognition and stated that this was her fourth multicultural event to organize. Mrs. Snyder also thanked the donors who made it possible and Mr. Gandhi, another Westside parent, who helped with the activity. Chairman Lent thanked Mrs. Snyder on behalf of the District and the Board for all of her time and efforts over the years and presented her with a certificate and token of appreciation. 5/14/2013 D91 Board Minutes Page 2 of 6 Trustee Burtenshaw made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. Trustee Haws provided the second. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nays. a. Student Reports —Written summaries, if provided, are attached. Idaho Falls High School Student Representative Caitlin McNamara reported. ii. Skyline High School Student Representative Rose Rammell reported. b. Patron Input —Written comments, if provided, are attached. Parent Suketu Gandhi shared comments regarding school finances and Board Policy 600. Parent/Employee Michael Peila shared comments regarding cutting programs. Parent Joan Burgert shared comments regarding school budgets. Parent Tom Griggs shared comments regarding personnel cuts. Parent Rich O'Quinn shared comments regarding what needs to happen to prevent future budget cuts to education. Patron Alice Crockett shared comments regarding reducing or restructuring services rather than eliminating them. Parent Alice Pike shared comments regarding budget cuts and running a special levy. Parent Richard Nathan shared comments regarding cuts to the PACE program. Parent Fred Springman shared comments regarding cuts to the PACE program. c. IFEA Reports — Written reports, if provided, are attached. Mitzi Ellingson, IFEA President, and Angela Gillman, IFEA President -Elect, reported. d. Education Foundation Report— Margaret eport— Margaret Wimborne, D91 Communications and Community Engagement Coordinator, gave a report provided by Tonya Bunnell, Ed Foundation Director who was unable to attend tonight, about the Idaho Gives Campaign. The Idaho Falls Education Foundation raised about $8,000.00 locally and statewide the campaign raised approximately $578,000.00 for non-profit organizations on that one day of giving. e. Superintendent's Report — Superintendent Boland reviewed timelines for the new construction and remodeling projects, including the projected turn over dates of October 11, 2013 for Dora Erickson Elementary and November 15, 2013 for Ethel Boyes Elementary. The superintendent stated these dates will require a mid -year move to the new buildings but after meeting with the Ethel Boyes staff today they indicated they would prefer to extend the school day ten minutes rather than start a full week earlier in August. Superintendent Boland also appraised the Board about the possible 5/14/2013 D91 Board Minutes Page 3 of 6 modifications to the calendar for Skyline High School, an early release next spring and a potential late start in the fall of 2014, to give contractors the extra time needed to complete the science wing remodel. f. Other Items Superintendent Boland stated several board members have indicated they are getting lots of questions related to the Common Core so he asked Margaret Wimborne to identify where informational resources could be found. Margaret reviewed that a good place to start is on the State Department of Education website which has a number of links to information about how and why the Common Core Standards came about. Margaret also stated that the National PTA and the district websites also provide general information about the Common Core. Xf-INUMINUUM Trustee Burtenshaw made a motion to accept the Consent Agenda as presented. Trustee Haws provided the second. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nays. Items approved include: Meeting Minutes: April 16, 2013 Business Meeting April 19, 2013 Special Board Meeting April 30, 2013 Work Session May 1, 2013 Special Board Meeting May 9, 2013 Special Board Meeting April 2013 Payment of Claims: $3,248,644.97 Matching Funds: Linden Park Elementary Technology $16,878.68 Theresa Bunker Elementary Technology $ 5,032.00 Void request from December 2012 ($6,705.00) Taylorview Middle School Technology $ 6,821.73 Emerson High School Technology and Library Books $ 6,200.29 Total Matching Funds requested $34,932.70 5/14/2013 D91 Board Minutes Page 4 of 6 Early Graduation Request: Student 2012-2013J Supt. Boland provided an overview of budget reduction recommendations and thanked those who participated in the process. He stated the district has a very diverse population and the number one goal going through the process was not to eliminate any of the current programs or services offered but did say that in many cases they will have to be restructured. Supt. Boland provided a list of suggested recommendations identified by administrators, teachers, staff, parents and patrons to balance the budget. The board is schedule to adopt the 2014 Budget on June 111h after a budget hearing meeting is held. Accept Board Policy, Section 600 Revisions Supt. Boland stated this is the third and final reading for Section 600. He acknowledged Assistant Supt. Trina Caudle for her work in organizing the efforts to bring this policy up to date. Two things that came about at the previous reading one was the addition of a State Board Rule regarding an exemption to the graduation requirements for math which has been incorporated into the policy and on page 17 of 37 the word "will" has been changed to "may" to allow more flexibility regarding summer school programs. Trina Caudle added that procedures will also be incorporated in the policy prior to the upcoming school year. Trustee Haws made a motion to accept Board Policy, Section 600 revisions as presented. Trustee Hillman provided the second. Motion carried, 4 ayes, 0 nays. b. Approve 2013 Audit Engagement Letter with Galusha, Higgins & Galusha Carrie Smith reviewed that Galusha, Higgins & Galusha has been the district's auditor for many years and has served the district well. Carrie stated they are also available throughout the year to answer questions and help as the need arises. Trustee Burtenshaw made a motion to engage Galusha, Higgins & Galusha in our annual audit. Trustee Haws provided the second. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nays. Employee 2012-2013G Trustee Burtenshaw made a motion to place Employee 2012-2013G on probation for the 2013-2014 school year. Trustee Hillman provided the second. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nays. d. Employee 2012-2013H 5/14/2013 D91 Board Minutes Page 5 of 6 Trustee Burtenshaw made a motion that the contract for Employee 2012-2013H not be renewed for the next school year. Trustee Hillman provided the second. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nays. e. Employee 2012-20131 Trustee Burtenshaw made a motion that the contract for Employee 2012-20131 not be renewed for the next school year. Trustee Haws provided the second. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nays. Possible Reduction in Force (RIF) Declaration Chairman Lent stated based on a discussion with Superintendent Boland and looking at the current recommendations for building the FY2014 budget the Board will need acknowledge the possibility of a Reduction in Force based on Board Policy 805. Superintendent Boland explained that within the policy it states the superintendent will identify the at -risk categories which are Social Studies, Family & Consumer Science, Music and Physical Education. After reviewing registration numbers administrators were able to eliminate the RIF in Music and Social Studies but could not totally eliminate the need in Family & Consumer Science, specifically in child development, and K-12 Physical Education. Trustee Burtenshaw made a motion to enter the declaration for a Reduction in Force according to Board Policy 805. Trustee Haws provided the second. A discussion was held. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nays. g. Award Re -Roofing Bid Package Kevin Klingler, Director of Operations, reviewed the need to replace several roofs on buildings throughout the district this summer. Kevin stated he would recommend awarding the bid to Robison Roofing of Idaho Falls and provided documentation for review. Trustee Hillman made a motion to award the Re -roofing Bid Package 1 to Thomas Robison Roofing as presented. Trustee Haws provided the second. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nays. The Board did not need to reconvene in Executive Session. Trustee Haws made a motion to adjourn. Trustee Burtenshaw provided the second. Meeting adjourned at 8:48 p.m. 5/14/2013 D91 Board Minutes Page 6 of 6 Wilkie, Debbie -D91 From: Gillman, Angela -1391 Sent: Tuesday, May 14, 2013 8:11 PM To: Wilkie, Debbie -D91 Subject: May 2013 Board Meeting report May 2013 Board Meeting I have decided I will begin each board report with my introduction so as to clarify to anyone in the room who I am and who I represent. I am.... Our biggest event of the week is the Celebration of Education Gala. Our theme is "Hats off to education" with a social hour this Thursday evening beginning at 5:30, program beginning at 6:30. We have a great evening planned and hope all of D91's community will attend. The agenda includes a social hour on the deck by the river at the Hilton Garden Hotel, with entertainment by Skyline's Jazz Band, accompanied by Addie Murr. We will hear from Mitzi Ellingson (IFEA President) and George Boland as well as a keynote address given by David Adler, an articulate and enthusiastic supporter of public education in Idaho. (He is currently the Director of the Andrus Center for Public Policy, holding an appointment as the Cecil Andrus Professor of Public Affairs at BSU.) We will, of course, honor our retirees. We will hear some great moments in education, and honor the recipients of the IFEA annual awards. Dinner is $18. It will be a buffet with carved beef, roast turkey, green salad, a vegetable dish, rolls, and dessert. Thanks to those who have already let us know you will be attending. Negotiations Update: Negotiations have begun and the IFEA team has already logged 26 hours meeting with the School Board's team. Last Friday (May 10th) the board's team presented the IFEA team with the budget analysis. They plan to meet again tomorrow afternoon to begin work on the monetary portion of the contract. IFEA TEAM Mark Byrd — Westside Terry Belnap — Westside Nancy Caldwell — Retired Madelaine Love — Skyline Kim O'Neill—Skyline The School Board's team Trina Caudle —Assistant Superintendent Lisa Sherrick — Assistant Superintendent Carrie Smith — HR and Finance Our yearly association elections are coming up shortly. Mitzi Ellingson remains our local IFEA until may 31 and will continue support as post president with all of her expertise. As a representative of the IFEA, I encourage the board to continue to support funding of public schools through ISBA as you have done in the past. The quality of education is dependent on the respect given to those who educate our youth and children. Funding is one avenue of creating that respect. As you decide budget cuts, our plea is that you scrutinize the budget and current spending very carefully, finding creative solutions to support teachers in the classroom and the support staff that they need. Angela IFEA President Elect Suketu Gandhi's Comments on Board Policy 600 & School Finances May 14, 2013 The Board policies 600: The public participation in instructional material selection committee is needed when the public has the content knowledge. When this happens, the committee identifies the missing topics, evaluate the quality of exposition of the textbooks and determine the sophistication of the exercises. For this reason, the policy must explicitly state that only those with subject knowledge could participate. This provides authenticity in the expertise, credibility to the instructional material selection and the legitimacy to the local control. There was discussion on changing the mathematics requirements for those students who complete AP Calculus BC in 11th grade, but they have not made it into the text. Another missing issue has been the review of the effectiveness of new instructional delivery model in 2015. Since the public have not seen the modified text of the policies, the Board is urged not to adopt the policies until the changes are seen, and the public comments are forwarded and discussed by the Board. School Finances: The community forum on the school finances was very informative, and facilitated exchange of valuable information from different members of the community. In this regards, specific reasons to preserve PACE were discussed, but the Board needs to know of this. PACE provides learning opportunity for —200 students in grade 3-6. PACE does not teach the content, but the learning process. Students learn the content as they seek specific information, or uncover it that is not a common knowledge. Last year, students researched on immigrations. One of the information uncovered was what the immigrants did to enter America in the 1880's and onward. Another information was that both European and non-European immigrants have strengthened America through the knowledge they advanced, and the industry they created. This year, one such information uncovered was that the first nuclear fission reactor on the earth was natural. It took place in Oklo, Gabon. PACE student do research, and present their findings. They are given considerable amount of discretion on the topic they select. They do library work to identify references, extract useful information, and synthesize the knowledge. This provides them an opportunity to ask the right questions. The process of self learning becomes familiar as they progress. This self -learning process will help them do research in both high school and colleges. The things that change over the time are the complexities in research, questions or the information. The little known fact is that the process of learning brings tangible benefit to their regular classroom. In my child's case, a presentation was made on a topic that complemented the science the students learned. Both the library research and extraction of useful information was familiar. Specific information not discussed in the classroom was identified, and presentation was made to the regular classroom. The process to gather information was similar to the one used in PACE. Furthermore, there is a need to keep high school librarian. They assist students in teaching how to gather information. This is important when students conduct research on their senior project, term paper or colleges. Popular information is readily available with internet search, but it is not as same as useful information. Accessing useful information in efficient manner requires skills. The librarians render assistance so that students gather information in an efficient manner. A topic not discussed at the forum is a method to reduce the expense. The Board should consider reducing the salary and benefits of highly compensated employees. If IRS permits, provide benefits on a sliding scale With the money saved, they should be redirected to purchase Singapore Math textbooks, workbooks and supplementary books.