HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010_02_23 Board Minutes
IDAHO FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT 91
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
WORK SESSION
CLAIR E GALE JR HIGH AUDITORIUM - 7:00 PM
February 23, 2010
Present from the Board of Trustees: Present from the Administration:
Dave Lent, Board Chair George Boland, Superintendent
Jerry Wixom, Vice Chair Gail Rochelle, Director of Secondary Education
Ernest Jensen, Treasurer Karla LaOrange, Director of Elementary Education
Deidre Warden, Clerk Guy Wangsgard, Director of Business
Lisa Burtenshaw, Member Camille Wood, Director of Technology
Dana Wood, Director of Operations
Margaret Wimborne, Communications Specialist
Debbie Wilkie, Recording Clerk
Board Chair, Dave Lent called the meeting to order.
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA:
Ernest Jensen made a motion to amend the agenda by tabling item a. The Key Work of School Boards
until the next board meeting and in its place start with a presentation from the Facilities Committee.
Jerry Wixom seconded the motion to amend the agenda as proposed. Five aye votes. Motion carried.
WORK SESSION
a.Facilities Committee Presentation
Lisa Burtenshaw shared information gathered from the voter survey recently conducted. After reviewing
the information the Facilities Committee, Ernest Jensen - Chair, Deidre Warden – Vice Chair and Lisa
Burtenshaw would like to recommend a proposal for a phased bond approach. The committee hopes
that using a phased approach for completing the scope of work will get voter approval. The Committee’s
presentation outlined the two phases as follows:
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Phase 1 includes:
Rebuild our neediest elementary schools: Ethel Boyes, Edgemont, Longfellow and Dora Erickson
Make improvements to Theresa Bunker
Upgrade science wing, add energy efficiencies like new windows, doors at Skyline High School
Add 4 new science labs, replace school lockers, add energy efficiencies to Idaho Falls High School
Upgrade science rooms, HVAC system at Clair E. Gale
Add new classrooms to reduce use of trailers at Eagle Rock plus new fire suppression system, HVAC
upgrades
Upgrade battery backup and cooling system for district’s data center
Lighting upgrades at Taylorview, Bush, Fox Hollow, Westside, Linden Park, Sunnyside and Temple
View
Equipment and technology
Phase 2 includes:
Gymnasiums/lunchrooms for 4 elementary schools
Classroom additions at Sunnyside and Westside
Upgrade/remodel Emerson High School
Upgrades to athletic facilities at Ravsten Stadium
New elementary school south of town to accommodate future growth
Board Chair, Dave Lent thanked the committee for their hard work and the extensive research they have
done to be able to move forward. A discussion was held regarding the proposed plan, growth and
enrollment, creating 3-by schools vs. 4-by (3 or 4 classes per grade level), the neighborhood school model,
and the proposed two-story building plans. The committee members stated that they feel good about
moving forward with the bond election. They have done everything possible to get the most accurate
estimates available at this time and bond rates are staying relatively flat at around four percent. Mr. Lent
asked if there were any questions at this time regarding the information presented.
Q. When you said 25% of patrons are not registered voter, could you clarify?
A. Of the 15,000 random voters that were selected for the survey roughly 25% were in the age range to
have elementary age children.
Q. Do the estimates include both demolition and construction cost.
A. Yes and also landscaping.
Q. The district will be asking for another supplemental levy in another year or two. How are you going to
educate the patrons when you have a bond (for Phase 2) and a supplemental levy?
A. We are now under the Election Consolidation Act which only allows four election dates per year.
Supplemental levy would have to trump bond at least at for that period of time until we could hold
another election.
Q. What is the proposed plan to educate the public about the difference between a bond election and the
supplemental levy election? Most people do not know the difference and will think the district is just
asking for more money.
A. It is very confusing. The need to educate patrons is constant and ongoing with regards to the difference
between the supplemental levy and a bond. We continually do everything possible to clarify the
difference; there is also a plant facility levy to throw in the mix.
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Q. Is there somewhere that the details of the new building are listed, specifically what technology?
A. The new schools, when they open, will have technology equivalent to what they currently have in place.
Q. Formulas are only good if they are working. When it comes to dispersing technology, are the district’s
formulas working?
A. In the mid 90’s the Technology Allocation Committee was formed to help disperse technology funds. We
soon found out that there was not enough funding to keep up with the changing technology.
Superintendent Boland asked this patron to come by the district office and he would share the
information regarding the district’s formula with her.
Q. When will the Supplemental levy be set again?
A. Because the Election Consolidation Act will go into effect on January 1, 2011 the next date would be
March or May of 2011.
Q. How did you determine the neediest schools? How did you determine the two phases and when will
Phase 2 happen? Why do you think it was a good way to break it down?
A. Right now there are so many kids being bussed around the district and students in mobile classrooms the
committee does not think putting 5 to 6 millions into Theresa bunker and then in three years repurposing
it does not seem to be a very good use of taxpayer money. There are problems with Ravsten, the one area
doesn’t even have toilets. We are going to be careful; we do not want to endanger Phase 2. The
committee is hopeful that growth will be a big factor in getting it done. We would love to go for the total
amount but cannot risk the bond election not passing again and miss out on another building season, low
bond rates and favorable construction rates. We need to get the work started with Phase 1 and then
hopefully Phase 2 will come with the growth. Also, science labs are in desperate need in order to
accommodate the new state requirements they are a key component of the designation of the projects in
the two phases.
b.Bond Scope – Patron Input and Board Discussion
Patron input:
Spencer Blanding, patron – stated that the district is considering this fairly large bond and reminded the
Board that buildings don’t teach students teachers do. Benefits for employees were reduced last year
and it’s not likely to be any better this year. In this troubled economy Mr. Blanding stated he would like
to see this Board commit to the supplemental levy and programs before committing to this bond.
Ethan Hansen, Skyline student –he knows from experience that science labs and upgrades are truly
there. Also, as a former Eagle Rock student he sees the need to replace trailers with permanent
classrooms. Ethan commented that he definitely sees the need for the Bond and said he was going to do
what he can to help get it passed.
Melinda Cebull, patron – Would like to see more technology included into the bond. She expressed her
concern that she doesn’t like the fact that the PTO’s are helping to fund technology. She expressed
concern that the current equation for dispersing technology throughout the district is really working.
Wade Lenon, IFHS student – Shared that he is currently taking science classes at Idaho Falls High School
and with the humongous class sizes more than half of the students are out in the halls working because
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the labs are not functional. Wade stated that he doesn’t see how they can accommodate everyone’s
science requirements without the additional rooms.
A Dora Erickson teacher invited parents and patrons to come spend a day at their school and experience
what they deal with on a daily basis. She also thanked the Board and the Superintendent for what they
are doing to try and fix things.
After the discussion, Ernest Jensen stated it is the recommendation of the facilities committee that we
move forward with approving a bond resolution.
ACTION ITEMS
a.Ratification of telephone poll for network equipment bid award.
Jerry Wixom moved to approve the network equipment bid award as recommended.
Deidre Warden seconded the motion. Motion carried.
b.Bond Resolution
Lisa Burtenshaw moved to accept a resolution calling a special election to be held
for the purpose of submitting to the qualified electors of School District No. 91,
Bonneville County, Idaho, the proposition of the issuance of up to $57,500,000
negotiable bonds of School District No. 91, and in providing for the issuance of
such bonds, the levy of a tax to pay such bonds.
Deidre Warden seconded the motion. Dave Lent, Board Chair, called for a discussion.
Jerry Wixom stated that this Board cannot speak for future boards, Phase 2 waits for another board to make a
decision, but tonight he is in support this amount of 57.5 million.
Deidre Warden stated again that the Board would rather run the entire amount but cannot take the risk of it not
passing again. She plans to run for her board seat again and hopes to be there to see Phase 2 happen.
Lisa Burtenshaw also stated that she would have liked to see the entire amount, but doesn’t feel we can take that risk.
The age of technology is here, buildings don’t teach kids but buildings supports education, that’s why we should move
forward with the bond.
Ernest Jensen stated that he would like to go for the entire bond amount again but after working with the others he
feels the phased approach is what needs to happen to get some projects started. The committee is ready to go to
work.
Dave Lent stated he has considered what it means to be a board member and said sometimes the word trustee is
referred to when speaking of a board member. He expressed that the Board has been entrusted with the future of
the students of this district the decisions that they make will affect not only the current students but the future of
many students to come and added his support for the proposed resolution.
Five aye votes. Motion carried
Jerry Wixom moved to adjourn. Ernest Jensen seconded. Meeting adjourned.
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