HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018_04_20 Board Minutes
IDAHO FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 91
BOARD OF TRUSTEES -- ANNUAL BOARD RETREAT
DISTRICT OFFICE – 12:00 P.M. NOON
690 JOHN ADAMS PARKWAY
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018
Present from the Board of Trustees: Present from the Administration:
Lisa Burtenshaw, Chair George Boland, Superintendent
Dave Lent, Member Carrie Smith, Director of HR & Finance
Deidre Warden, Clerk Debbie Wilkie, Board Secretary, Recording
Larry Haws, Vice Chair
Larry Wilson, Treasurer
Guests:
Mike Clements, CEO, Bateman-Hall & CMGC
Parents/Patrons: Matt and Ann Traynor, Lisa Keller, Jay Doman
Chairman Burtenshaw called the meeting to order at 12:07 PM.
ADOPT AGENDA
Trustee Warden made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. Trustee Haws provided the second. Motion
carried 5 ayes, 0 nays.
BUDGET UPDATE
Carrie Smith reviewed that the FY18 budget is on track and revenues are coming in as anticipated at about
$300,000 more than what we had budgeted. Carrie stated the district would look at paying some one-time
expenditures with any remaining funds. Carrie provided handouts and reviewed the FY19 general fund and
classroom technology estimated revenues, as well as the preliminary Fund Balance Projection Model. Discussions
were held regarding teacher salaries, career ladder, flow-through monies, state reimbursement for
transportation, funds reserved for potential land purchases and employee insurance rates.
STAFFING UPDATE
Superintendent Boland provided updates regarding staffing for the 2018-19 school year stating he anticipates
about 40 vacancies to fill. At the elementary level it looks like about twenty-four vacancies, including some added
positions like the addition of two combination classes at Sunnyside to accommodate growth. The superintendent
stated four teachers from Temple View will be moving to Ethel Boyes with the boundary changes that will take
place in the fall. Both Kelly Coughenour and Sarah Sanders have been working hard to fill the vacancies, 40
vacancies out of 560 teaching positions in the district, from a percentage standpoint is not too bad. The
Superintendent stated one thing we struggle with is attracting and retaining substitute teachers and bus drivers.
Discussions were held regarding contract negotiations, recruiting retired workers to be substitute teachers and
the open administrative positions at Theresa Bunker Elementary and Compass Academy High School.
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FACILITY AND HIGH SCHOOL REDESIGN DISCUSSION
Chairman Burtenshaw led a discussion regarding facility updates, and the high school redesign projects. Mike
Clements provided a handout and reviewed the transportation facility progress report. Parents and patrons Matt
and Ann Traynor, Lisa Keller and Jay Doman were invited today to share their perspectives on the proposed high
school projects. Discussions included:
Property taxes, construction management process, value engineering, the benefit of bringing on a
construction manager who knows the actual costs of materials and being able to set the maximum
guaranteed price which happens after the design specifications are known. Over the past twenty-five
years the district has had two bonds, in 1991 it was not Bateman-Hall that was selected, the other in
2012, Bateman-Hall was selected.
In the educational profession, what are the structural requirements needed in order to support the
processes that teachers are going to use to produce the knowledge, skills and attributes that are
necessary today? It looks different today than it did in 1950. Larger classrooms, flexible space and
collaboration are some of the things, parents, teachers and students asked for when this process
started 2-3 years ago.
Space is really the issue. In the next 10 years we could possibly have another 1000 students going to
high school in District 91, we may be able to remodel Idaho Falls High School but it cannot handle
another 1000 students. It doesn’t make sense to put 30 or 40 million into IFHS and turn around in 10
years and still not have the space. The plan is to repurpose IFHS and house the Career Technical High
School programs, adding capacity in a similar model that the Board did with Compass a few years ago.
There is no doubt we can get electronics and power with a remodel at IFHS but it cannot handle that
many students.
Wanting to keep the traditions of Idaho Falls High School at Idaho Falls High School, if it has to be
used as something else keep it education based. Each group of students have the right to build their
own traditions no matter where they attend school. The district need to put a concerted effort into
telling patrons what the plan is for repurposing IFHS.
Tax rate may not go up but it will go longer. Be up front, give examples of what taxes look like if the
district does not do a bond, then give examples of what their taxes will look like if a bond is passed.
The more people understand it, the more likely they will be to say ok.
Board members reviewed parent and patron feedback from the survey that was conducted after the
November 2017 bond election failed which included: reduce the amount, run a tiered ballot to add
one auditorium and a practice gym at IFHS, field work, auditorium usage, providing tours of the
current facilities, use of reserve funds, and what can be done to get more parents out to vote.
Chairman Burtenshaw asked board members if they felt like they would be ready to vote on a bond resolution at
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the next meeting on May 9. A discussion was held. Board members decided it would be helpful to meet again
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before May 9 to go through the numbers one more time. A meeting was scheduled for Thursday, May 3, 2018 at
5:30 p.m. at the district office, each board member will present their individual proposals then as a group work
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through the proposals to come up with a resolution to present on May 9.
Chairman Burtenshaw called for a motion to adjourn. Trustee Wilson made the motion to adjourn. Trustee
Warden provided the second. The meeting adjourned at 5:37 PM.
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