HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999_01_12 Board MinutesBOARD OF TRUSTEES
IDAHO FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 91
Board Meeting Minutes
January 12, 1999
Closed Session: Section 67-2345(b), (Idaho Code -Personnel: The Board of Trustees
met in closed session to review a personnel item.
OPENING CEREMONIES
Pledge of Allegiance -John Murdoch led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Special Orders of the Day
Employee of the Month: Sherry Clements, Counselor's Secretary at Taylorview Junior
High School, was honored by the Board of Trustees as Employee of the Month for
December.
Public Information Officer Suzanne Hobbs was formally introduced to the Trustees.
Adoption of the Agenda: It was moved by Jerry Wixom and seconded by Ernest
Jensen to adopt the agenda with no changes. Motion passed.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Minutes: It was moved by Sharon Parry and seconded by Ernest Jensen to
approve the minutes of December 8, 199$ with one correction. Motion passed.
Payment of Claims: It was moved by .Ernest Jensen and seconded by Sue Fineman to
approve payment of claims in the amount of $1,934,704.07. Motion passed.
Matching Fund Request: Principal Rodger Barlow presented a request for matching
funds in the amount of $3,229.65 for the purchase of playground equipment for Osgood
Elementary School.
It was moved by Jerry Wixom and seconded by Sue Fineman to approve the request far
matching funds in the amount of $3,229.55 for playground equipment at Osgood Elementary.
Motion passed.
Total amount of matching funds awarded to date: $39,114.55
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Page Two -Board Meeting Minutes
January 12, 1999
REPORTS
Patron Input
Tammv Sorensen spoke on behalf of the District P. E. teachers and asked the Trustees to
consider the following additional questions/options regarding the Physical Education
program:
• Are the criteria for all other classes the same?
• Has there been research done to support the proposal to reduce credits?
• Is the decision based upon the smaller percentage of students who are concerned
about their GPA? Would it help to grade P.E. as a pass/fail course?
• The Physical Education teachers are willing to make necessary changes to preserve
the current program.
+ The Physical Education staff is proud of this district and feels that the District should
be increasing the credits and the program.
Sandy Enyeart: Students should have the option to take Physical Education. She felt that P.E.
should not be a required course.
Kaye Wessman; Supports reduced P.E. credit and would like to propose a waiver of the P.E.
requirement if student is involved in sports outside of the school setting. Believes the elementary
P. E. program should be expanded.
Terry Jensen: Initially, the State Department of Education set the P. E. requirements. This
district has worked hard to coordinate the programs for students K-12 and has continued to offer
P.E. after the State dropped the requirement. The P. E. staff has developed a coordinated
program and curriculum. Students need health instruction, lifetime fitness and physical skills as
well as academic skills.
Dave Erickson: District 91 is a leader in total education. The district must continue to educate
the body as well as the mind and continue to improve the total program in all aspects.
Dr. Evan Thomas: Physical Education is needed for social balance and productivity in school.
If P.E. is diminished, it diminishes learning skills. Do not reduce one curriculum area in favor of
another.
Susan Schultz: Presented results of a survey that indicated a majority of parents who were in
favor of maintaining a Physical Education program, P.E. provides activities for those students
who would not receive the chance otherwise. P.E. is needed for economic/social reasons and
health benefits.
Page Three -Board Meeting Minutes
January 12, 1999
Superintendent's Report:
+ The Building Technology Conference is Monday, January 18, 1999 at Skyline High School.
The Trustees are invited to attend.
• The Long-term Planning Committee is preparing a report to the Board of Trustees that will
identify objectives and recamrnendations. Copies of the objectives will be sent to the Board
of Trustees.
• Integrated High Schaal: A team of teachers is working to develop a professionaUtechnical
high school that will focus on science, economics, technology and a variety of subjects. A
report will be made to the Board of Trustees as soon as the information is available.
INFORMATION/DISCUSSION ITEMS
Policies -1st Reading: Board member Sharon Parry reviewed the following proposed and
revised policies:
• Charter School Policy: this policy is being developed to comply with state requirements.
• Public Complaint about Instruction Materials: minor revisions have been made to this
existing policy.
• Graduation Requirements: The P.E. credit would be reduced from 2 credits to 1 credit
effective with the graduating class of 2002.
• Two (2) credits of Technology would be required beginning with the graduating class of
2003. Students could test out of the basic technology classes or present a portfolio and take
other technology classes as offered.
• Career Preparation: One (1) credit of career preparation would be offered to allow students
to make informed choices. The business community and universities are requesting that
students have additional information so they are better prepared to make choices. This credit
would be effective with the graduating class of 2003. It would provide complete information
regarding careers (financial opportunities, required skills, availability, etc. j A student could
provide a portfolio to satisfy the requirements of this class.
Member Sue Fineman felt there was room to keep the two P.E. credits now required and still
increase the graduation requirements to SO instead of 49 by 2003.
Member Sharon Parry asked if it was possible to allow waivers for P.E. to accommodate students
and provide flexibility with P.E. requirements. She also felt that additional P.E. time was needed
at the elementary level.
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Page Four -Board Meeting Minutes
January 12, 1999
IFHS Travel Request: Parent Carrie Tew made a request on behalf of the Idaho Falls High
School cheerleaders regarding travel to Las Vegas NV to participate in the Jackpot Classic
Competition from February 18 - 21. One day of school would be missed and the cast per
participant was estimated at $250.00. The cheerleaders have adequate funds to pay for the travel.
Trustees discussed the request noting that approval would overrule the principal's decision. This
concern was discussed anal a motion was made by Sharon Parry and seconded by Jerry Wixom to
grant the travel request. The following vote was recorded:
Alan Reed voted no.
Ernest Jensen voted no.
Sharon Parry voted in favor of the motion.
Jerry Wixom voted in favor of the motion.
Sue Fineman voted in favor of the motion.
The motion passed by a 3-2 vote.
Date for Closed Session/Work Session: At 5:30 P.M. on Wednesday, January 27, 1999, the
Board of Trustees will meet in Closed Session to discuss the annual evaluation of the
Superintendent, as listed in Section 67-2345(b), Idaho Code. Following the Closed Session, the
Board will return to an open work session to discuss boardsmanship and procedures of the Board
of Trustees.
ACTION ITEMS
Retaining Pond -City of Idaho Falls: Assistant Superintendent Ken Schow reviewed a
request from the City of Idaho Falls to place a storm water retention pond on the practice field
behind Idaho Falls High School to control flooding.
It was moved by Jerry Wixom and seconded by Sue Fineman to approve the tentative plans for a
storm water retention pond as proposed by representatives from the City of Idaho Falls. This
motion was made subject to administrative approval of a Memorandum of Agreement
concerning the details of construction, ownership and future liability. Motion. passed.
Juvenile Detention Center Classroom Addition: Trustee Jerry Wixom presented the rationale
for adding a transition classroom to the 3-B Juvenile Detention Center. The three participating
counties would share the cost and Bonneville County would provide repairs and maintenance.
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Page Five ~-Board Meeting Minutes
January 12, 1999
Assistant Superintendent Ken Schow requested permission to engage an architect to determine
the feasibility of this proposal and obtain additional information.
It was moved by Jerry Wixom and seconded by Ernest Jensen to direct the Administration to
work with Bonneville County in securing the services of an architect to do preliminary work
related to construction of classroom additions to the existing 3-B Detention Center. The motion
included a request that this preliminary study be presented to the Board of Trustees before any
financial participation in the construction is approved. Motion passed.
Administrative Office Remodeling: Ken Schow reviewed the proposal. It was moved by Jerry
Wixom and seconded by Sharon Parry to direct the Administration to secure the services of an
architect related to a proposed remodeling of the Administration building with a formal report
back to the entire Board on February 9, 1999. Motion passed.
Emerson Multi-purpose Room: It was moved by Jerry Wixom and seconded by Sue Fineman
to direct the Administration to proceed with working drawings for the Emerson addition as
presented with the appropriate add-alternates. Final approval as to the actual construction to be
undertaken will be a matter of action for the entire Board on March 23 when. formal bids are
presented. Motion passed.
Clair E. Gale Jr. High School Remodel: Ken Schow requested authorization to make an
addition to the Home Economics department at C. E. Gale Jr. High Schoal. The addition would
enlarge the cooking and sewing labs into one area and would benefit the entire Home Economics
program.
It was moved by Ernest Jensen and seconded by Sharan Parry to direct the Administration to
secure the services of an architect related to the proposed remodeling. Motion passed.
ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Jerry Wixom and seconded by Sue Fineman to adjourn the meeting. Time:
2:07 P.M. Motion passed.