HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010_07_13 Board MinutesJuly 13, 2010
6:30 PM Executive Session
Idaho Code Section S67-2345 (B)
Student Hearing
7:00 PM Board Chair, Dave Lent called the meeting to order.
Present from the Board of Trustees
Dave Lent, Chairman
Jerry Wixom, Vice Chair
Ernest Jensen, Treasurer
Deidre Warden, Clerk
Lisa Burtenshaw, Member
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Ernest Jensen.
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY:
a. Reorganization of the Board of Trustees.
Present from the Administration:
George Boland, Superintendent
Guy Wangsgard, Director of Business
Karla, LaOrange, Director of Elementary Education
Gail Rochelle, Director of Student Achievement &
Professional Development
Debbie Wilkie, Recording Clerk
The Board of Trustees dissolved the organization and George Boland was acting chairman to accept the
motion from Jerry Wixom to nominate the following officers:
David Lent as Chairman of the Board, Ernest Jensen seconded.
Jerry Wixom as Vice Chair, Deidre Warden seconded.
Ernest Jensen as Treasurer, Lisa Burtenshaw seconded.
Deidre Warden as Clerk, Lisa Burtenshaw seconded.
Guy Wangsgard as Deputy Clerk of the Board, Ernest Jensen seconded.
Five aye votes —motion carried.
b. Set dates and times of regular board meetings.
Lisa Burtenshaw moved to accept the 2010-11 Board Meeting Schedule, Ernest Jensen seconded the
motion. Superintendent Boland asked to change the August 3, 2010 agenda setting meeting, he will be in
Boise on that day attending the State Superintendent's Meeting. After reviewing their calendars,
Superintendent Boland, Board Chair, Dave Lent and Vice Chair, Jerry Wixom will set the August 10, 2010
meeting agenda via email prior to posting it on August 6, 2010. Five aye votes — motion carried.
7/13/2010 District 91 Board Minutes Page 1 of 5
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA:
Ernest Jensen moved to adopt the agenda as written.
Jerry Wixom seconded the motion. Five aye votes. Motion passed.
REPORTS/INPUT%INFORMATION
a. Patron Input:
Christi Cooper - spoke in support of the Bush Magnet School proposal being presented
tonight and asked the Board for their support.
Dr. Gandhi — asked the Board to reevaluate the mathematics courses being offered at the AP
level. The district currently offers AP Calculus AB and he would like to see them add the AP
Calculus BC class to further prepare students for taking a college entrance exam.
b. IFEA Report— Michelle Sakota reported:
• Peggy Park, Regional IEA Rep., retired this summer; they are currently looking to fill her
position
• Raise Your Hand Snake River Coalition, a group of local paraprofessionals, are headed to
Boise to work with others across the state to find ways to help fund public education.
• Mitzi Ellingson, IFEA Vice Chair, and Shelley Thiel, attended the Regional Assembly in
New Orleans June 301" —July 7th. This year's theme was Turning Hope in to Action. The
representatives spent several days, along with 10,000 other teachers across America,
reviewing by-laws and making resolutions on several issues.
c. Education Foundation —Terri Frickey reported:
• Cami Smith is now able to update the Ed Foundation webpage herself, this should help
keep the information more current.
• The Foundation continues to work on funding for secondary science consumables and
the robotics class.
• The Dual Credit Luncheon is set for September 28, 2010 at noon, at the Red Lion, an
evening presentation will be held at Taylorview Junior High at 6:30 pm that same night
• The Foundation will fund the Plan Assessment Test for all 10th graders during the 2010-
11 school year.
d. Bush Magnet School Proposal — First Reading
Karrin Allen and Nancy Leahy, teachers at Bush Elementary, presented information regarding the
extended math and science curriculum they would like to adopt. The proposed curriculum would
allow Bush Elementary to become a magnet school providing students with a "unique and living"
instructional experience. Karla LaOrange, Director of Elementary Education and the Board
Curriculum Committee expressed their support for the proposed curriculum change. A
discussion was held in regards to sustainability of the program and students moving within the
district. The curriculum samples will be at the district office, for public review and input. The
second reading of the proposal is scheduled for the August, 10, 2010 board meeting, and then it
will be an action item on the August 24, 2010 agenda for a board decision.
A Policy will need to be developed in regards to changing the name of the school. The Board
asked the administration to put together a recommendation for their consideration.
The Board commended the Bush faculty for the great example of leadership and thanked them
for their work.
7/13/2010 District 91 Board Minutes Page 2 of 5
Policy 603.6 Middle Level Credit Policy - First Reading
The need for this policy came about after the State Board of Education set new requirements for
progression at the middle school level. Students in the 71" and 81" grades must pass a minimum
of eighty percent of the total credits attempted to be eligible for promotion to the next grade
level. Additionally, a student is required to attain, at a minimum, a portion of the total credits
attempted in each area in which credits are attempted except for areas in which instruction is
less than a school year in order to be eligible for promotion to the next grade level. This policy
addresses interventions that will apply for non-compliance of the requirements. The Board
asked the administration to change the header listed as 603.6 — Clair E. Gale, Eagle Rock, and
Taylorview Junior High Schools to something like Middle Level Credit Policy. The second reading
of the proposed policy will be at the August, 10, 2010 board meeting, and then as an action item
at the August 24, 2010 meeting, to have the policy in place prior to the start of the 2010-11
school year.
Superintendent's Report
Superintendent Boland turned the time over to Karla LaOrange, Director of Elementary
Education, to further address the math placement and curriculum changes. Several math
teachers from the district were on hand to share their vision of what the proposed math
curriculum changes will look like.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Lisa Burtenshaw moved to adopt the consent agenda as written.
Deidre Warden seconded the motion. Five aye votes. Motion carried.
Items approved include:
Meeting Minutes
Payment of June 2010 Claims
Matching Funds
Staff Actions:
Retirements:
Linda
Stanger
Fox Hollow
4th
John
Schooler
Taylorview
Band
Jeanne
Baker
Bush
5th
Julie
Rahl
Skyline
English
June 8, 9 and 22, 2010
$8,783,199.92
Fox Hollow Elementary
Sunnyside Elementary
$ 7,601.69
$ 7,500.00
7/13/2010 District 91 Board Minutes Page 3 of 5
Resignations:
Annette
Morell
Clair E Gale
.5 FTE FCS
Amy
Cox
Longfellow
6th Grade
Francine
Hassing
ERJH
Special Ed
Chris
Valentine
ERJH
Career Awareness
Candie
Madsen
District
PE
Brooke
Flemming
ERJH
English
Angela
Chamberlain
Linden Park
Special Ed
Elizabeth
Batt
Erickson
5th Grade
PE
Whitney
Deist
Specialist
Temple View &Taylorview
New Hires:
Applonie, Dona
DeHart, Leigh E
Rigby, Tami Jean
Principal
4th Grade
Special Education
Sunnyside Elementary
Dora Erickson Elementary
Temple View Elementary
Barrett, Stacey A
Dodd, Pamela J
Sorensen, Susan
Compliance Specialist .68 FTE
1 st Grade
EMT Instructor
Administration Office
Longfellow Elementary
Idaho Falls High School
Benson, Andrew A
Flamm, Kaylene
Stoddard, Tiffany
5th Grade
Family & Consumer Science .50 FTE
2nd Grade
A H Bush Elementary
Eagle Rock Jr High
Theresa Bunker Elementary
Bevan, Danielle N
George, Kelly S
Tobin, Hal R
4th Grade
Special Education
5th Grade
Dora Erickson Elementary
Fox Hollow Elementary
Hawthorne Elementary
Billings, Sara R
Hansen, Amy N
Waite, Sara K
1 st Grade
1 st Grade
4th Grade
A H Bush Elementary
Temple View Elementary
Theresa Bunker Elementary
Briggs, Amy Suzanne
Karazia, Bryan D
Walker, Kevin N
Vocal Music
5th Grade
6th Grade
Taylorview Jr High
Theresa Bunker Elementary
Longfellow Elementary
Buzard, Amy A
Keck, Amy L
Walker, Renee J
2nd Grade
Special Education
Reading
Linden Park Elementary
Eagle Rock Jr High
Clair E Gale Jr High
Carroll, Christina M
Maitland, Adam M
Zohner, Sydney
Kindergarten
Special Education
C.N.A. Instructor
Longfellow Elementary
Edgemont Elementary
Skyline High School
Chestnut, Amanda L
Miller, Scott A
Youinou, Heather M
Social Studies
Principal
English
Eagle Rock Jr High
Skyline High School
Clair E Gale Jr High
Cross, Marie Estelle
Nelson, Rebekah A
Webster, David E
Special Education
Art
Counselor
Longfellow Elementary
Idaho Falls/Skyline
Edgemont Elementary
Davidson, Janine P
O'Neill, Kimberly D
Art
Special Education
Eagle Rock Jr High
Clair E Gale Jr High
Davis, Clarissa A
Rapp, Mark Russell
5th Grade
Special Education
Linden Park Elementary
Idaho Falls High School
7/13/2010 District 91 Board Minutes Page 4 of 5
PROPOSALS
Second Reading Board Policy 407 —Transportation
The revised policy has been available for review since the first reading on June 8, 2010. No
comments have been received to date. This will be posted as an action item on the August 10,
2010 agenda for a Board decision.
b. Osgood Joint Use Agreement
Guy Wangsgard stated this is in regards to the ball field adjacent to the Osgood School building
and the Osgood L.D.S. Church. Church officials would like to formalize an agreement with a
written contract. Discussions were held regarding what benefits a Joint Use Agreement would
have, leaving things as they are or is it time to sell the property. The Board asked the
administration to do some preliminary work, without going to any great expense, before a
decision is made.
ACTION ITEMS
a. Student 2009-10B Re -admittance Decision
Lisa Burtenshaw moved to reinstate Student 2009-10B, in District 91, for the 2010-11 school
year. Deidre Warden seconded. Five aye votes. Motion carried.
b. NSBA Nation Affiliation Membership
Jerry Wixom made a motion to maintain the membership affiliation with the National School
Board Association. Ernest Jensen seconded. A discussion was held regarding the benefits
received from the affiliation with the NSBA. Five aye votes. Motion carried.
c. Emerson High School Lab Chair Purchase
Jim McCubbin, a teacher at Emerson H.S., attended an auction held at EITC in June and was able
to purchase 24 lab chairs at $4 each for a total of $96.00. Heidi Crouch, Emerson H.S. Principal, is
asking for approval to reimburse Mr. McCubbin for the purchase of the chairs which will be used
at Emerson. Lisa Burtenshaw moved to reimburse Jim McCubbin $96.00 for the purchase of the
chairs. Deidre Warden seconded. Five aye votes. Motion carried.
Deidre Warden moved to enter Executive Session. Jerry Wixom seconded. A roll -call vote was taken:
Dave Lent —yes
Ernest Jensen — yes
Jerry Wixom — yes
Deidre Warden — yes
Lisa Burtenshaw —yes
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Jerry Wixom moved to return to Open Session. Lisa Burtenshaw seconded. Motion carried.
Lisa Burtenshaw moved to adjourn. Deidre Warden seconded. Meeting adjourned.
7/13/2010 District 91 Board Minutes Page 5 of 5
Suketu Gandhi's Comments6 _�g=�July13, 2010
Every student in the district should have access to very challenging instructions. Schools need to
facilitate such access by continuing to identify suitable topics in various courses, provide
challenging homework assignments and stimulate thinking by asking the right questions. In this
regards, mathematics courses offered at the AP level need to be reevaluated.
Recent actions on mathematics at both the District and the State levels justify this action. District
91 has made a correct decision to see to that all of the core courses are full year. Idaho State
Department of Education is evaluating the new standards for the mathematics curriculum. They
should determine whether the proposed standards are adequate, or they need to be made stronger.
(For your information, concerned officials of the State and the District have been provided with
specific comments on the specific ways to improve mathematics education.)
In a few years down the road, as students enter their senior year, they will have had taken full
year of core courses throughout high school years. Full year math course should help students to
retain the materials taught, and should substantially reduce the failure rate in any of the college
bound mathematics courses. A few years after more higher caliber mathematics curriculum is
incorporated, students should be in position to handle very tough AP math course. The most
challenging AP math course is the curriculum for Calculus BC. At the present, the District offers
Calculus course that prepares them to undertake Calculus AB examination.
There are significant differences between the content of Calculus AB and Calculus BC courses.
A few examples of the topics found exclusively in Calculus BC include parametric and polar
equations, L'Hdpital's rule, Taylor's series. These topics are utilized in AP Physics (C) course.
Taking this course helps the students score high on the standardized mathematics tests for
college admissions (i.e., ACT & SAT/Math and SAT Subject/Test Mathematics Level 2).
This is not to say that those who take AP Mathematics with Calculus AB will be unable to be
admitted from a college (to pursue studies in sciences, engineering and mathematics). What I am
saying is that those students, who wish to study at those universities that provide strong
curriculum in science, mathematics and engineering fields, will need to take challenging courses.
Those students who demonstrate that they have taken and are capable of handling very rigorous
courses will find it easier to access admission to number of universities that have demanding
curriculum for science, engineering and mathematics majors. Admission to outstanding state
universities outside of Idaho would admit out of state students who have far superior academic
qualifications than the corresponding instate students. Certain private universities naturally give
a serious consideration to those students who have strong academic preparation to handle
science, engineering and mathematics courses. When the District offers the mathematics course
that prepares them take Calculus BC examination helps those students who seek admission to the
universities that provide very rigorous education in sciences, engineering and mathematics.
The District should address the issue raised here: In a few years down, will students be able to
handle a course that prepares them for AP Calculus BC examination? If not, what corrective
actions are needed so that students are prepared to handle the course, and there is a larger pool of
students who would end up taking Calculus in high school years. When corrective action is
taken, should a math course be offered that prepares students for Calculus BC examination?