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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021_12_08 Board MinutesIDAHO FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT #91 BOARD BUSINESS MEETING 6PM (Wednesday, December 8, 2021) Generated by Jessica Means Board Members present: Administration Present: Elizabeth Cogliati, Trustee Dr. Jim Shank, Superintendent Hillary Radcliffe, Vice Chair Kelly Coughenour, Assist. Supt. Elementary Education Lara Hill, Chair Dan Keck, Assist. Supt. Secondary Education Larry Wilson, Treasurer Angela Pendlebury, Director of Finance Paul Haacke, Clerk Heather Wade, Director of Human Resources Margaret Wimborne, Director of Communication IFEA Present: Jessica Means, Deput y Clerk, Recording Julie Nawrocki, President Shannon Taylor, Director of Student Services Morgan Hammon Tito Paredes, Director of Technology Ralph Frost, Director of Transportation Special Guests: Kris Smith, Director of Curriculum and Professional Development Dixon Family Nichols' Family Board Business Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM by Chairwoman Lara Hill. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Trustee Larry Wilson. ADOPT AGENDA Chairman Hill requested a motion to adopt the agenda. Motion by Hillary Radcliffe, second by Larry Wilson. Final Resolution: Motion Carried, Voting Aye: Elizabeth Cogliati, Hillary Radcliffe, Lara Hill, Larry Wilson, Paul Haacke REPORTS/INPUT/INFORMATION A. Student Reports Compass Academy - Student Representative Ben Orr reports Honor Society at Compass had a food drive, providing about a metric ton of food for the local food banks. Next he reports the Spanish Honor Societ y has started their yearly food fundraisers, such as making churros in the Culinary arts center. The Chemistry class is presenting their atomical dolls to present the elements starting next week. Freshman class presented last week including presenting historically accurate stories via Podcasts. He then reports the Drama class is starting Shakespeare's "Midsummers' Night Dream" that will be lead by a student director as part of their senior project by Natalie Haws. Costume design is by Olivia Washburn for her Senior Capstone Project. Lastly, he reports Student Government is working on Compass Congress. 4th and 5th hours are the House of Representatives and 1st and 2nd hour are representing the Senate. He states they have pressed many bills on how Compass is run and altered certain things for the best of Compass. They are working on cross-checking all the bills to make sure they are appropriate to pass. They have been voted on and amended and will continue the process and hope to have the rest of the Senate bills passed by next week. Trustee Hill asks when the play will be on, Ben states in early March before the District Musical. Trustee Hill asks if we can come back to the next student reporter when they arrive. Idaho Falls High School- Student Representative Paige Stembridge reports that they had Winter Ball on December 4th, a girl's choice dance. Student Government has also been working on dress up days for the week before Christmas Break and preparing for the annual Christmas assembly on the 17th. They are also working on Souper Bowl and introduce the freshman class officers to help with the activities. Trustee Hill asks on the dates for the Souper Bowl, Paige states the end of January and beginning of February. B. Celebrations Ethel Boyes PTO Celebration presented by Principal Andrea Williams Ethel Boyes parent recognition Kelly Coughneour, Assist. Supt. Elementary Education introduces Principal Andrea Williams, and she recogniz es the Nichols' Family. They have been anonymously donating coats, gloves, and winter gear for years. They ask what the needs are and bring in new items to give to the students at Ethel Boyes. She reports the great impact that is makes on their school. She then celebrates Megan Dixon, PTO President for running the PTO for the last four years. She states that Megan and her husband are always willing to help and most recently put all the outside benches and tables together b y themselves. They continually provide constant service to our school, and they are appreciated. C. Superintendent's Reports Superintendent Shank reports there are a few items on his agenda. He has given the Board a printout of the Fall IRI data as a baseline to compare in the Spring. He also states this provides a quick snapshot on how our district is performing in comparison to the state. He thanks Renee Nelson for gathering the information and asks Kelly Coughenour, Assist Supt Elementary Education, if he had any information to add. Kelly states there were many things to review, for instance where the kids reported in the spring compared to this fall. Also, where they were last fall compared to this fall, looking at Kindergartners last fall and how they did this fall as first-graders. He said the data was just put out last week and will continue to review and work on it. Superintendent Shank states that IRI is one of the areas in the Continuous Impro vement Plan, so we will monitor that through the year and have a lot of great things for intervention for growth. He then states that he has provided another print out to the Board for the overlook of the fields by Dora Erickson and Compass Academy. He states the district owns and operates these fields and the City is asking for an easement around the field. He states this is a legacy decision and is asking the board for direction and how they would lik e to manage it. Trustee Cogliati asks the impact on the track and Superintendent Shank states it should not affect the track. Trustee Paul Haacke states that if we give them the easement, we would need to give them very specific guidelines on what they can do on the easement to not hinder the rest of the grounds. Superintendent asks that we move to put this on the agenda for January and ask the city to come and present. Dan Keck, Assist Supt Secondary Education, states he has a meeting with them and that ma y address the easement. Superintendent Shank asks Dan to ask them to report at our next meeting. Superintendent Shank turns the time over to Longfellow Elementary for their HRS Presentation. Principal Steve Andrews of Longfellow Elementary presents a PowerPoint, which is attached. Superintendent Shank introduces Taylorview Middle School. Principal Kathy Smith and Vice Principal Stacey Barrett present their HRS PowerPoint presentation for Taylorview Middle School, which is attached. Trustee Hill welcomes Director for Compass Academy, Shelly Smede to present information on moving 7th and 8th graders to join the population for Compass Academy. She presents a PowerPoint, which is attached. Trustee Haacke asks if the plan would be to have 7th graders in the same classroom as the older students. Shelly stated that is not the plan, they will be in separate classrooms and area. She does envision the students that are ready for the higher math classes could potentially have the opportunity to take those higher math classes. Trustee Haacke asks how many 7th and 8th grades are being recommended to attend. Shelly states the plan would be 100 students per grade level. Trustee Haacke asks what is the minimum to start the grade levels. Shelly states minimum 100 combined 7th and 8th graders to start. Trustee Hill asks if she would work with the Middle Schools for good candidates to move to Compass. Shelly states she has already spoken with the principals to work with them and they stated there are lots of students that would benefit to these different instructional strategies. Kathy Smith, Principal from Taylorview Middle School, states there is a student population that would benefit and do well to have the opportunity to learn differently. She states they piloted a similar project based learning team a few y ears ago, and it did well with a certain group of students, however they could not sustain doing both learning strategies at the middle school level. She is excited about this opportunity at Compass Academy. Superintendent Shank asks what would be needed to move forward for approval, for instance the timeline. Shelly Smede responds that they would need to start with getting the right people in the right positions b y starting with what courses students would like to take and finding the teachers to facilitate those courses. She states she has spok en with her staff and there is a lot of interest in moving to teach the 7th and 8th graders. Trustee Hill asks about electives options. Shelly states there will be choices just for those grade levels, however there are some electives that will be interrogated into other classes. For instance, English and Art History are a combined course. She states that choir and band are only offered at the home school and will not be offered at Compass, just like the high school kids. They have to travel to their home school to take those electives. Shelly stated that parents would need to know the options of courses ahead of time, to know what would be best for their student. She also states this could provide relief for the population in this middle school as well as give those middle schoolers an opportunity to attend Compass Academy. Trustee Radcliffe asks about costs and utilization of facilities and the effects on this move. Shelly states the costs will not change because they already pay for a package of resources in the New Tech program and will be able to utilize the networking in the other middle schools to help with the process. Trustee Radcliffe asks what the thought process is on getting students in 7th grade before they develop middle school friendships and this commitment rather than waiting until 9th grade. Shelly responds that she thinks that there are a lot of students that would love the opportunity, and it would benefit them by coming earlier. Superintendent Shank asks Shelly if the board chooses for this to be an action item, what would be the last absolute date she would need a decision. Shelly states January meeting to start thinking about transfers and hiring. Trustee Haacke states that seems too soon to move to action. The board discusses they could discuss in January work session for February board meeting. Trustee Wilson asks if a survey could go out to parents asking if there would be an interest and how much interest for 7th and 8th graders to attend Compass Academy. He thinks this would give a better understanding of the number of students interested. Shelly thanks the Board for their time. D. Patron Input (Sign-in required) No comments were provided. E. IFEA Report -Julie Nawrocki, President reported. F. Curriculum Report Kris Smith, Director of Curriculum and Professional Development, reports on the curriculum, to start the communication process and to keep the Board regularly informed about curriculum adoption and updates. He states their main focus is transparency and being active with involving parents and the community in the process. He refers to a handout he presented to the Board regarding the process of curriculum adoption. He explains the process starting with the needs assessment. He also states they are establishing a timeline for a current assessment and will also establish a committee, he welcomes the Board to participate in that committee. The committee will continue with the process with research which will be identif ying priority standards, reviewing the scope and sequence, establishing the criteria for curriculum selection, and narrowing the possibilities. He then states the committee with move to examine the resources, so they will have the resources available to parents at the schools and the community display possibly at the library. Kris states they will then have a public meeting for feedback and then they will narrow to the final choice before it is presented to the Board. The Board will then decide on whether the curriculum is adopted. He states next month there should be a recommendation for 7th World Geography curriculum that has already followed administrative procedures. He then reviews recommendation and adoptions timeline over the next couple of years. Trustee Haacke states that curriculum is becoming a sensitive topic and he would like to make sure that we provide a diverse group when gathering the committees for the curriculum adoptions. G. First Reading - Board Policy Revisions & Review Section 121.0 Smoke Free Buildings and Vehicles - Review Section 201.0 Administrative Goals - Revise Section 202.0 School Superintendent - Revise Trustee Hill introduces the first reading of the policy revisions and review and ask the Board if they ha ve any questions or comments. Trustee Haacke asks that we revise Section 121.0 title to read Smoke Free Campus instead of Smoke Free Building and Vehicles, to ensure the campus stays smoke-free. Trustee Cogliati states she had concern with Section 202.1, which states the Superintendent needs to be of good character and of unquestionable morals and integrity. She stressed the definition of morals being different to all people and requested we review that language and possibly add to it or change it. Trustee Haacke states that he does not think the line needs to be changed. The Board discusses the definition of mor als and the language for the policy. Superintendent Shank states this language comes from ISBA and we can hold on this policy and discuss the language change. H. Other Items Monthly Budget Report Annual Board Reorganization Meeting - January 12th CONSENT AGENDA Chairman Hill requested a motion to approve the Consent agenda. Motion by Hillary Radcliffe, second by Larry Wilson. Trustee Cogliati asks about the surplus property of Ethel Boyes and shows a concern with the discard of their items. Superintendent Shank states there is a process prior to the surplus request and all schools are giv en the opportunity to request the items prior to them being put on the surplus property list. Trustee Cogliati states her understanding to the process. Final Resolution: Motion Carried, Voting Aye: Elizabeth Cogliati, Hillary Radcliffe, Lara Hill, Larry Wilson, Paul Haacke A. Approval of Minutes November 10, 2021, Board Business Meeting B. Review of Payment of Claims/IFEA Leave Invoices November 2021 Bill List $$4,060,803.33 C. Staff Actions New Hires: Name Position Location Emergency Hires: A hiring emergency exists, as declared by the Board of Trustees, for the following positions: Name Position Location Brandi Cheney 5th Grade teacher Temple View Elementary D. Matching Funds Fox Hollow Elementary - Water Bottle Fillers $2974.24 E. Early Graduation Student 2021-2022 D, Idaho Falls High School Student 2021-2022 E, Skyline High School F. Other - Surplus Property IT to recycle listed technology items Ethel Boyes Elementary to donate and discard surplus items Child Nutrition to donate and discard kitchen stove G. Approval of Consent Agenda Motion was made to approve Consent Agenda 4A through 4F. PROPOSALS A. Second Reading- Board Policy Revisions & Review Section 109.0 Policy Dissemination - Revised Section 111.0 Administration in the Absence of Policy - Revised Section 505.0 Public Solicitations, Corporate Sponsorships, and Advertising in the School - Revised Superintendent Shank ask if the Board has any questions on the second reading of the policies 109.0, 111.0, and 505.0. Trustee Cogliati asks for a clarification for 505.4 regarding solicitation in the schools. Superintendent Shank states that it is in reference to doing business in the schools. The Board responds with no other questions and Superintendent Shank recommends second approval on these policy revisions. B. New Course Proposals 2022-2023 Trustee Hill asks the Board if there are any questions on the new course proposals. The Board discusses the ex citement of some new courses being proposed. No further discussion. C. School Calendar Recommendations for SY 2022-2023, 2023-2024, and 2024-2025 Superintendent Shank states the Calendar recommendations are being presented to the Board with options for the next three years. He goes on to explain that the process after their review will go out to the public for review and input and then it will be presented to the Board in January for approval. He asks the Board if they have any questions. Kris Smith, Director of Curriculum and Professional Development states a committee was put together to provide the calendar options. Trustee Haacke asks who was represented in the committee. Kris responds with teachers, representativ es from the IFEA, Elementary and Secondary principals, Director of Transportation, and himself. He states the difference in the calendars is the parent teacher conferences designated times. Trustee Haacke states he likes option 1 and 2, both ending prior to Memorial Day. Trustee Cogliati asks the difference between Option 1 and 2. Kris states the difference is the Option 2 mo ves the October Professional development days to August and have traditionally been in October. Trustee Hill asks if there is still October State In-service offered. Kris states that there are still State in-service options but not man y people utilize them. Superintendent Shank states we will gather input and present it to the Board in the January Board meeting for consider ation. ACTION ITEMS A. Resolution Call for School Plant Facilities Levy Election Representative Nick Miller, the district bond attorney presents the School Plant Facilities Levy Election document and explains the funding over the 10-year period. The recommendation is to keep the amount the same as it has been for the previous levies. He explains the approval of this levy will be for the same amount and last time had a great outcome with this amount. He did state in 2019 the legislature passed the requirement to disclose the tax impact on the ballot. He stated they had worked on language that states we are just renewing a levy, so it is not presented as a brand-new tax. However, this year the legislature has provided specific language that has the tax disclosure and states the proposed levy replaces the existing levy that cost $45.00, if the proposed levy is approved the tax is not expected to change. Nick Miller asks if the Board has questions. Trustee Haacke asks about the property value going up and the request of the levy amount. Angela Pendlebury, Director of Finance answers that we have no control over the assessment the county makes on the property values. We can only provide the levy rate and the disclosure that we do not anticipate there will be a change. Angela states that in September 2021 that is the current certified levy rate based on the current collection. Superintendent recommends approval of the Resolution Call for the School Plant Facilities Levy Election, as presented. Trustee Wilson states the motion, I move to approve the School Plant Facilities Reserve Fund Levy in the amount of up to Two Million Four Hundred Forty Thousand Dollars ($2,440,000) for Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2022, and continuing each year in the amount of up to Two Million Four Hundred Forty Thousand Dollars ($2,440,000) for ten (10) years, for the purposes permitted by law for school plant facilities levies. That a school plant facilities reserve fund levy election (the “Plant Facilities Levy Election”) be and the same is hereby called to be held in the District on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, for the purpose of submitting to the qualified electors of the District the question set out in the form of the ballot appearing in Section 5 of the Resolution. That pursuant to Section 34-1401, Idaho Code, the Clerk of Bonneville County, Idaho (“County Clerk”) shall administer the election, including scheduling the polling times; preparing and printing the ballots; and preparing and publishing notice of the Plant Facilities Levy Election and the sample ballot. That in compliance with Section 34-1406, Idaho Code, the Clerk of the District shall notify the County Clerk that the District has called the Plant Facilities Levy Election by delivering to the County Clerk a copy of this Resolution, including the form of the ballot for the Plant Facilities Levy Election set forth in Section 5 hereof and the form of the notice of the Plant Facilities Levy Election set forth in Section 6. Section 4. That said election shall be conducted as other school elections b y the County Clerk in accordance with Title 34, Idaho Code. Section 5. That the District hereby approves the following forms of ballots for purposes of the Plant Facilities Levy Election for the Projects Motion by Larry Wilson, second by Hillary Radcliffe. Final Resolution: Motion Carried, Voting Aye: Elizabeth Cogliati, Hillary Radcliffe, Lara Hill, Larry Wilson, Paul Haacke B. Section 804.0 Performance Evaluations - Revised Superintendent recommends approval of Board Policy Section 804.0 Performance Evaluations, as presented. Motion by Paul Haacke, second by Hillary Radcliffe. Final Resolution: Motion Carried, Voting Aye: Elizabeth Cogliati, Hillary Radcliffe, Lara Hill, Larry Wilson, Paul Haacke C. Section 1002.0 Attendance - Revised Superintendent recommends approval of Board Policy Section 1002.0 Attendance, as presented. Trustee Cogliati states her concern for parents that may not be ready for this attendance policy to go into effect. Dan Keck, Assist. Supt. Secondary Education, states the attendance policy has been in review for three months and families should communicate with the schools if there are any issues that need to address with attendance. Superintendent Shank states the appeals process does work and recommends approval. Motion by Paul Haacke, second by Hillary Radcliffe. Final Resolution: Motion Carried, Voting Aye: Elizabeth Cogliati, Hillary Radcliffe, Lara Hill, Larry Wilson, Paul Haacke D. Section 108.0 Formulation of Policy - Revised Superintendent recommends approval of Board Policy Section 108.0 Formulation of Policy, as presented. Motion by Paul Haacke, second by Hillary Radcliffe. Final Resolution: Motion Carried, Voting Aye: Elizabeth Cogliati, Hillary Radcliffe, Lara Hill, Larry Wilson, Paul Haacke E. Memo of Understanding for Evaluations Superintendent Shank states with the assistance of the IFEA they created the Memor andum of Understanding for the Evaluations procedures. Superintendent recommends approval for the Memorandum of Understanding on Evaluation Procedures, as presented. Motion by Larry Wilson, second by Paul Haacke. Final Resolution: Motion Carried, Voting Aye: Elizabeth Cogliati, Hillary Radcliffe, Lara Hill, Larry Wilson, Paul Haacke F. New School Bus Purchase Superintendent recommends approval for the New School Bus Purchase, as presented. Motion by Hillary Radcliffe, second by Larry Wilson. Final Resolution: Motion Carried, Voting Aye: Elizabeth Cogliati, Hillary Radcliffe, Lara Hill, Larry Wilson, Paul Haacke ADJOURN A. Adjourn Chairman Hill requested a motion to adjourn. Motion by Paul Haacke, second by Elizabeth Cogliati. Final Resolution: Motion Carried, Voting Aye: Elizabeth Cogliati, Hillary Radcliffe, Lara Hill, Larry Wilson, Paul Haacke