HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011_03_22 Board MinutesMarch 22, 2011
12:00 Noon
Present from the Board of Trustees
Dave Lent, Chairman
Jerry Wixom, Vice Chair
Ernest Jensen, Treasurer
Present from the Administration:
George Boland, Superintendent
Guy Wangsgard, Director of Business
Trina Caudle, Director of Secondary Education
Deidre Warden, Clerk Karla LaOrange, Director of Elementary Education
Lisa Burtenshaw, Member Gail Rochelle, Director of Student Achievement & Prof Dev
Margaret Wimborne, Communications Specialist
Carrie Smith, Coordinator of Human Resource
Debbie Wilkie, Recording Clerk
Dave Lent, Board Chair, called the meeting to order at 12:01 PM.
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Jerry Wixom.
Ernest Jensen made a motion to amend the written agenda to add Senate Bill 1184 Discussion, as an action item and the
first item on the agenda, in order to provide pertinent information to Senator Dean Mortimer and Senator Bart Davis
prior to the 1:00 p.m. legislative session in Boise. SB 1184 is the technology piece of State Superintendent Luna's
education reform package.
Lisa Burtenshaw seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
ACTION ITEM
a. Senate Bill 1184 Discussion
After a discussion was held regarding SB 1184, Ernest Jensen moved to have the administration send via email
the results of the discussion regarding the Board's position on SB 1184.
Deidre Warden seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Debbie Wilkie emailed, and faxed, the following statement to both senators:
As members of the Idaho Falls School Board, we support the Legislature in its efforts to
balance the state's budget, and we are preparing to make necessary reductions to reflect
funding. However, we cannot support SB1184 with the additional expenditures for
technology at the expense of teachers and class size.
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With large reductions in the k-12 appropriations over the past few years, districts need time
to implement the changes that reflect this new reality. One-time moneys from fund balances
and ARRA funds have propped up many districts as they have tried to weather the storm. It is
increasingly obvious that economics and increased academic standards will not allow districts
to return to "business as usual."
We agree that technology in the classroom can both increase the efficiency and effectiveness
of instruction. However, spending a few months in a collaborative effort with stakeholders to
draft a new plan will produce a better product that teachers, trustees, parents,
administrators, and business leaders can support.
Sincerely,
Idaho Falls District #91 Board of Trustees
Dave Lent —Chairman
Jerry Wixom - Vice -Chair
Ernest Jensen
Deidre Warden
Lisa Burtenshaw
WORK SESSION'
a. Board In-service
Dave Lent asked board members to read the Board of Trustees Self -Assessment he had emailed them. Dave
stated the self -assessment is a measure of the standard of excellence for boards that he would like to use it to
help identify areas they feel the board could work on together as part of their continuous improvement efforts.
He asked them to send their responses to Debbie Wilkie when they have it completed.
b. Legislative Discussion
Superintendent Boland reviewed the legislative changes in the reprinting of SB 1184 and the impact it could
have on the district's budget over the next six years if the bill passes. He reviewed the "use it or lose it" and
what flexibility, if any, it will have with respect to salary based apportionment. The last change he discussed
was the elimination of an online graduation requirement in statute and what form it will take going forward.
c. Policy Development Planning
Superintendent Boland reviewed changes that will need to be implemented in response to 1108, which in
essence eliminates the continuation of the Negotiated Master Agreement, with the exception of salary and
benefits. There are numerous references within Board Policy to the Negotiated Master Agreement therefore
policy will need to be reviewed to identify those items currently in place that will need to be repealed,
eliminated or modified. The Negotiated Master Agreement will also need to be reviewed and provisions
identified that should be placed in policy. A discussion was held regarding the timeline and committee
assignments for implementation of those changes.
ACTION ITEM
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a. Resolution to Adopt Statutory Compliance Language
Superintendent Boland read the following resolution addressing the newly enacted educational reform
package affecting the contract rights, collective bargaining rights and timing of various employment related
issues involving Idaho school districts. The resolution would allow the superintendent to draft, for Board
consideration, new and /or revised policies to read consistently with the statutes enacted by the 2011 Idaho
legislature as well as preexisting statutes of the State of Idaho. The superintendent stated that adopting this
resolution is on advice of legal counsel to make sure if there is currently something in board policy in violation
of that statute, with this resolution, it would become null and void should a legal challenge arise.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS the Idaho legislature has enacted an educational reform package
affecting the contract rights, collective bargaining rights, and timing of various
employment related issues involving Idaho school districts; and
WHEREAS the School District has enacted certain policies and procedures
in handbooks, correspondence, official school district policies and other documents
which also address various employment related issues between employees of the
school district and the school district itself, and
WHEREAS it is critical that the legislative mandated changes be followed
affecting conditions of employment between Board and employees of Idaho Falls
School District #91; and
WHEREAS there exists insufficient time for the school district to examine
each and every policy that may be affected by recent legislative changes.
NOW THEREFORE it is hereby resolved that any inconsistent requirement,
condition, time deadline or other matter inconsistent with the Idaho legislative
changes regarding employment relationships, collective bargaining, employee rights,
and any other condition including any such inconsistency which gives greater rights
than is permitted by existing statute shall be hereby rescinded and the superintendent
is directed to draft for Board consideration new and/or revised polices to read
consistently with the statutes enacted by the 2011 Idaho legislature and as well as
preexisting statutes of the State of Idaho.
Lisa Burtenshaw moved to adopt the resolution as presented. Deidre Warden seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
b. Resolution to Redefine and Change Trustee Zones
Superintendent Boland reviewed that Idaho school districts are required, as per Idaho Code, Section 33.313,
to present to the State Board of Education within 120 days following the release of the decennial census data
a proposal for change which will equalize the population in each zone in the district. A proposal to redefine
and change trustee zones shall be initiated by its board of trustees at the first meeting following the report of
the decennial census.
Jerry Wixom moved to accept the resolution to redefine and change trustee zones as presented. Ernest
Jensen seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
c. Development Workshop, Inc. Janitorial Services Contract
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Superintendent Boland explained that after several retirements in the custodial department across the district
and being approached by a private provider for janitorial services he directed Dana Wood, Director of
Operations, to pursue a feasibility study to restructure the custodial department exclusive to Clair E Gale
Junior High. The department would retain one full-time custodian and the part-time 1 custodial position and
along with the private provider could create a cost savings of approximately $50,000 annually. The
Superintendent introduced Mike O'Bleness, President, Development Workshop, Inc. to answer any questions
the board may have. A discussion was held regarding the contract services with DWI.
Deidre Warden made a motion to accept the janitorial contract with Development Workshop, Inc. as
presented. Lisa Burtenshaw seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Jerry Wixom moved to enter Executive Session. Ernest Jensen seconded. A roll call vote was taken:
Dave Lent —yes
Deidre Warden — yes
Lisa Burtenshaw - yes
Jerry Wixom — yes
Ernest Jensen — yes
EXECUTIVE SESSION
[IDAHO CODE §67-2345 (1) (b), Personnel]
Jerry Wixom moved to return to Open Session. Deidre Warden seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Jerry Wixom moved to adjourn. Ernest Jensen seconded. Meeting adjourned at 1:28 PM.
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