HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010_10_26 Board MinutesOctober 26, 2010
12:00 Noon
Present from the Board of Trustees
Dave Lent, Chairman
Jerry Wixom, Vice Chair
Deidre Warden, Clerk
Lisa Burtenshaw, Member
Ernest Jensen, Treasurer
(arrived later)
Dave Lent, Board Chair, called the meeting to order.
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Trina Caudle.
Present from the Administration:
George Boland, Superintendent
Guy Wangsgard, Director of Business
Trina Caudle, Director of Secondary Education
Karla, LaOrange, Director of Elementary Education
Gail Rochelle, Director of Student Assessment & Prof Dev.
Dana Wood, Director of Operations
Camille Wood, Director of Technology
Margaret Wimborne, Communications Specialist
Debbie Wilkie, Recording Clerk
Jerry Wixom moved to amend the agenda to add board in-service. and to accept the amended agenda as posted.
Deidre Warden seconded the motion. Motion carried.
WORK SESSION'
a. 2010 Audit Report —Judy Brower, Galusha Higgins & Galusha
Judy Brower provided an overview of the 2010 Management Report for Idaho Falls School District 91.
Judy had previously met with the Budget Committee, on October 14, 2010, to go over the report in detail.
Judy stated her company audit's several districts and School District 91 is the only district, that she works
with, that has so little debt. Judy commended Guy Wangsgard, Director of Business, the Administration
and the Board for making good business decisions for students, patrons and employees of the district.
Jerry Wixom also commended Guy Wangsgard for his excellent management skills. The 2010 Audit Report
will be placed on the November 2, 2010 agenda for a vote of acceptance by the Board of Trustees.
b. Board In-service
Dave Lent led a discussion with the Board reviewing Idaho Open Meeting Laws. Dave would like to
continue the Board In-service discussions at each monthly work sessions to sharpen their skills.
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c. Presentation -Tim Urling
Mr. Urling, a parent and patron of District 91, Mr. Urling stated he has always been interested in public
education in relation to the proper role of government. He asked board members to accept a copy of a
book called FedEd he brought for each of them. Mr. Urling stated it helped him understand what is
happening to our schools and what some of the sources of the problems are for public education. Mr.
Urling shared that he had taken part in the district's community conversation meeting held on September
21, 2010 and feels that another school bond is on deck. He would like to give the Board something to
think about.
Looking at the big picture he believes the problem, in public schools, are the predictable consequence of
too much government control and interference primarily at the Federal level. Federal mandates tie the
hands of school boards and administrations. He stated the idea of Idaho refusing Federal money for
schools is probably a dream but he feels it would solve many of the problems. He also stated that no one
can take care of Idaho Falls schools better than the people of Idaho Falls and it should be done at that
level.
Dave Lent thanked Mr. Urling for his time and stated his comments are valuable to the board.
d. Emergency Contingency Plans
Karla LaOrange, Director of Elementary Education, and Trina Caudle, Director of Secondary Education,
shared with the Board plans of what school would look like if for any reason the district had to close a
building for any length of time. There are many variables that would have to be looked but both
Directors' have a plan in place, working out student schedules, transportation scheduling and building
usage to minimize any negative impact on learning.
e. Jobs Bill Funds
Superintendent Boland reviewed that the Jobs Bill Funds the district is scheduled to receive,
approximately 1.7 million, must be utilized to retain jobs or makeup for reductions that have taken place.
He stated it is the districts intent to use it for these things but it is not clear when the money will come in
or if it will be a reimbursement of funds similar to the ARRA funds.
Jerry Wixom moved to adjourn. Ernest Jensen seconded. Meeting adjourned.
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