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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020_08_12 Board Minutes IDAHO FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 91 BOARD OF TRUSTEES -- BOARD BUSINESS MEETING COMPASS ACADEMY AUDITORIUM 955 GARFIELD STREET, IDAHO FALLS, ID 7:00 P.M. -- WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2020 Present from the Board of Trustees: Present from the Administration: Lara Hill, Chair George Boland, Superintendent Hillary Radcliffe, Vice Chair Kelly Coughenour Assist Supt Elementary Education Larry Wilson, Treasurer Dan Keck Assist Supt Secondary Education Paul Haacke, Clerk Carrie Smith, Director of HR & Finance Elizabeth Cogliati, Trustee Gail Rochelle, Director of Student Achievement & School Improvement Shannon Taylor, Director of Student Services Margaret Wimborne, Director of Communications & Community Engagement Ralph Frost, Director of Transportation Brandi Moreno, Recording Clerk Chairman Hill called the business meeting to order at 7:03 PM and requested a motion to amend the agenda. Trustee Radcliffe made a motion to amend the agenda to include in the Executive Session and add Action Item - Employee 2020-2021 C. Trustee Haacke provided the second. Motion carried 5 ayes, 0 nays. ADOPT AMENDED AGENDA Chairman Hill requested a motion to adopt the amended agenda. Trustee Cogliati made a motion to adopt the amended agenda as presented. Trustee Wilson provided the second. Motion carried 5 ayes, 0 nays. REPORTS/INPUT/INFORMATION a. Superintendent’s Report Superintendent Boland reported the Sunnyside addition is currently on schedule to be completed before the start of school. The project did slow down due to COVID issues with material delivery but the project manager was able to work through those issues. There are a few items that will not be in place at the start of school such as window blinds and some furniture but we are optimistic the addition will be ready for the start of school. The Skyline High School track replacement project is under way and the Idaho Falls High School auto shop improvements are underway and the auto shop should be ready at the start of school. Today the district stopped the collection of activity participation fees, not because we aren’t going to have activities, but because we had an issue last spring when the activities were cancelled and there were a large number of refunds, it’s easier not to collect the activity fees now in the event there could be a cancellation. An update on the D91 Online Academy, as of this evening we have 281 elementary students and 176 secondary students registered. The online academy is partnering with two organizations, at the elementary level Florida Virtual utilizing our staff which we fully intend to build the capacity to meet the need and at the secondary level Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (IDLA) who we’ve had a partnership with for a number of years and if we have 12 or more students in a given course, IDLA will create a District 91 cohort facilitating more collaboration in learning. Superintendent Boland has been invited to attend a City Council Work Session on August 24, 2020 to answer questions in regards to some of the issues the district is addressing and likely questions on how the district is opening school. 08/12/2020 D91 Board Minutes Page 1 of 5 The Governor announced there will be a Special Session of the Legislature and they are still identifying what specific topics will be addressed. Superintendent Boland has been in contact with Senator Lent on potential topics that may come up, like liability associated with COVID, a significant issue of funding in terms of how the Average Daily Attendance (ADA) will be calculated as there currently isn’t any mechanism within statute or state board rule that facilitates the integration of all the different online and face-to-face possibilities into counting students present or absent. Finally, Superintendent Boland thanked people for taking the time to come to tonight’s meeting and the approximate 200 emails received providing input. He stated there were some organized advocacy efforts and some similarities and he also stated whatever decision the board makes tonight, it is not a final decision because we don’t know what will happen going forward. He stated there is a plan and different scenarios associated with the plan and those scenarios may change somewhat based upon the discussion of the board. The decision that’s made tonight, is how we open, where we go from there depends upon the circumstances associated with lots of different factors. b. IFEA Report – Angela Gillman, IFEA President stated they were highly successful in posting their report last week on the IFEA’s Facebook page and thinks there will be even more viewers with the conditions and the importance of people not being able to feel like they can safely come to board meetings. IFEA will continue to record IFEA reports and post the reports on their Facebook page. Angela stated she wants to make one thing very clear tonight, to every person who is listening, and that is that every teacher wants to return to the classroom, but teachers are afraid. Staff are afraid. Teachers always have and always will continue to do whatever it takes for public education but the price or gamble for returning to school this year has never been this high. Angela shared survey results in regards to District 91’s reopening plans. Angela’s written report is attached. Discussion was held including how many people participated in the survey, clarifications of teachers concerns, open communication to support our teachers, and accommodations to retain teachers. CONSENT AGENDA Trustee Wilson made a motion to accept the Consent Agenda as presented. Trustee Radcliffe provided the second. No further discussion. Motion carried 5 ayes, 0 nays. Items approved included: a. Approval of Minutes i. July 15, 2020 Board Business Meeting b. Review of Payment of Claims i. July 2020 Bill List $3,993,020.26 c. Staff Actions New Hires: Name Position Location th Tami Leroux 6 Grade Edgemont Elementary Sharon Eplion ESCE Hawthorne Elementary st Cydney Chapman 1 Grade Linden Park Elementary Jerri Lynne Wood Counselor Westside Elementary Emergency Hires: A hiring emergency exists, as declared by the Board of Trustees, for the following positions: Name Position Location Pat Gyles Administrator Online Academy Resignations: Name Position Location th Anne Marie Taylor 6 Grade Edgemont Elementary 08/12/2020 D91 Board Minutes Page 2 of 5 d. Other Items i. Surplus/Discarded Equipment  Idaho Falls High School – discard 24 broken classroom desks  Idaho Falls High School – sell/donate 6 classroom tables PROPOSALS a. Second Reading – Board Policy Revisions and New Policy i. Section 118 – Policy of Non-Discrimination in the Workplace Superintendent Boland stated this policy was presented as a first reading in the last board meeting, this is the second reading, this revision will bring the policy in compliance with the state and federal guidelines, no public input has been received, this policy will carry forward to the September board meeting for the final reading for adoption. No further discussion. ACTION ITEMS a. 2020-2021 SRO Agreement with the City of Idaho Falls Police Department Superintendent Boland stated this agreement with the City of Idaho Falls Police Department is to provide four School Resource Officers (SRO) in our schools and the terms and conditions associated with that. We’ve had a longstanding relationship with the Idaho Falls Policy Department and the individuals that serve in these roles have been a tremendous asset to our schools. A discussion was held about complaints with SROs. Trustee Wilson made a motion to approve the 2020-2021 SRO Agreement with the City of Idaho Falls Police Department. Trustee Haacke provided the second. No further discussion. Motion carried 5 ayes, 0 nays. b. 2020-2021 Transportation Agreement with American Heritage Charter School Superintendent Boland stated we’ve had an agreement with American Heritage Charter School since its inception. There has been a new section added to this agreement that addresses COVID parameters. It is the recommendation of the administration to approve the agreement with American Heritage Charter School as presented. Trustee Haacke made a motion to adopt the 2020-2021 Transportation Agreement with American Heritage Charter School as presented. Trustee Radcliffe provided the second. No further discussion. Motion carried 5 ayes, 0 nays. c. 2020-2021 Safety Bussing Zone Recommendations Superintendent Boland stated this item is brought before the board annually. Ralph Frost, Director of Transportation provided a list of the current safety bussing zones that was included in the board packet for the Board’s review. Superintendent Boland stated Ralph Frost is here tonight and has indicated there were no changes from the previous year and deferred any questions the board may have to Ralph. It is the recommendation of the administration to approve the Safety Bussing Zone Recommendations as presented. No further discussion. Trustee Radcliffe made a motion to approve the 2020-2021 Safety Bussing Zone Recommendations as presented. Trustee Wilson provided the second. No further discussion. Motion carried 5 ayes, 0 nays. d. New Board Policy – Section 813.0.1 Employee Telework During Health Emergency Superintendent Boland stated this is a new proposal for new board policy with regard to teleworking during health emergencies. This is a model policy from the Idaho School Board Association that has had legal review and because of the timing, we ask the board waive the three-reading review process and move to approve 08/12/2020 D91 Board Minutes Page 3 of 5 this policy as presented. A discussion was held clarifying what type of employee this policy could apply to and who will approve employee teleworking. Trustee Haacke made a motion to approve through a single reading the New Board Policy – Section 813.0.1 Employee Telework During Health Emergency as presented. Trustee Wilson provided the second. No further discussion. Motion carried 5 ayes, 0 nays. e. Reopening Status Discussions were held including the district’s three phase reopening plan, the number of in-person instructional days, face mask mandates, and a proposal to add a fourth phase to include the same points as the green phase, and add grab-n-go meals. Trustee Haacke made a motion to approve the risk level that would be determined by Eastern Idaho Regional Public Health COVID-19 Response Plan be used as a tool to determine when the district will transition between the phases of the Idaho Falls School District reopening plan, adding an additional Blue Phase th between the Green and Yellow phases that allows students, grades Kindergarten through 12, go to school in person Monday through Thursday with Friday as an online learning day, and include the special COVID leave for district 91 employees. Trustee Wilson provided the second. A roll call vote was taken: Lara Hill – nay Hillary Radcliffe – nay Larry Wilson – aye Elizabeth Cogliati – aye Paul Haacke – aye Discussions were held including the fluidity of the reopening plan, special board meetings, duration of the opening phase, staff training, lesson development, family planning and safety of students, teachers and the community. Trustee Haacke made a motion, based on the current Eastern Idaho Public Health COVID-10 Response Plan, District 91 open August 26, 2020 in the Blue Phase continuing for the first six weeks of the school calendar. Trustee Wilson provided the second. No further discussion. A roll call vote was taken: Lara Hill – aye Hillary Radcliffe – nay Larry Wilson – aye Elizabeth Cogliati – nay Paul Haacke – aye Discussion was held including clarification with regard to when the Superintendent can close individual schools, a cluster of schools or all schools district wide due to COVID. Trustee Wilson moved to grant Superintendent Boland the authority to close one school, if it is COVID related, for one day and then call a special meeting of the board to discuss any lengthier school closure. Trustee Radcliff provided the second. Motion carried 5 ayes, 0 nays. f. Athletics & Activities Plan Approval The Athletics & Activities Plan was included in the board packet for the board’s review. Dan Keck, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education and Gregg Baczuk, Skyline High School Athletic Director answered board trustee questions including clearance to return to activities, use of district facilities during the different Getting Back to School phases, and transportation plans. 08/12/2020 D91 Board Minutes Page 4 of 5 Trustee Radcliffe made a motion to approve the Athletics & Activities Plan as presented. Trustee Haacke provided the second. A discussion was held regarding band and music plans. Motion carried 5 ayes, 0 nays. Chairman Hill called for a motion to go into Executive Session. Trustee Haacke made a motion to go into Executive Session pursuant to Idaho Code §74-206 (1) (b) Personnel. Trustee Wilson provided the second. A roll call vote was taken: Lara Hill – aye Hillary Radcliffe – aye Larry Wilson – aye Elizabeth Cogliati – aye Paul Haacke – aye EXECUTIVE SESSION The Board of Trustees met in Executive Session for discussions regarding personnel matters. ACTION ITEMS g. Employee 2020-2021 A h. Employee 2020-2021 B i. Employee 2020-2021 C Trustee Wilson made one motion to release Employee 2020-2021 A, Employee 2020-2021 B, and Employee 2020-2021 C from their contracts. Trustee Radcliffe provided the second. No further discussion. Motion carried 5 ayes, 0 nays. Trustee Wilson made a motion to adjourn. Trustee Cogliati provided the second. Motion carried 5 ayes, 0 nays, the meeting adjourned at 10:36 PM. 08/12/2020 D91 Board Minutes Page 5 of 5 IFEA School Board Report August 2020 D91 School Board Let me make one thing very clear to everyone listening. Every teacher wants to return to the classroom, but teachers are afraid. School staff is afraid. Teachers always have and will continue do whatever it takes for public education. But the price or gamble for returning to school this year has never been this high. We surveyed our members about D91’s reopening plans. Out of the 101 members who responded:  76% have strong to very strong concerns for returning to work  D91s reopening plan reducing concerns 52% disagree or strongly disagree with 18% neutral  When asked if they had adequate opportunity for input, the graph looks like a bell curve: 26% disagreed, 27% were neutral, and 38% agreed  When asked if D91 is keeping staff as safe as possible, 42% disagreed, 26% were neutral, and 33% agreed  77% say masks should be mandated  81% say they should have the right to mandate masks in their classrooms  Staff ready to transition to online learning should the immediate need arise 45% agreed, 29% disagreed, while 27% were neutral  When asked if staff will have adequate time provided to prepare their classrooms for COVID safety recommendations before school starts, 28% agreed, 46% disagreed, while 27% were neutral  Confidence in D91 safety measures rated at 17% agreed, 51% disagreed, while 13% were neutral  As far as board meeting attendance, 10% said they would attend in person and 76% are watching online The need for streaming of board meetings is substantially high and members are asking if you would habitually live steam first so they can see what is happening at our board meetings but secondly so they can view board meetings safely. Our survey we will send out next will reflect our members views of building plans. Principals are expected to have final building plans for staff after their meeting tomorrow. Last night IEA live streamed a statewide Town Hall meeting. The topic was the bill legislators are wanting to hold an extraordinary special session to create: a liability waiver bill This bill would be detrimental and crippling to everyone….this law will eliminate legal accountability for school districts to ensure safe and healthy working and learning conditions. School districts would no longer be able to be held liable to any safety plans, not liable for any negligence, and would create the inability to hold any district to standards of protection. Safety plans will turn into guidelines. There would be no teeth to any violations of these plans. They should be focusing on safe schools: school schedules, remote learning, substitute teachers, classified staff, and other much needed supports during this pandemic. Actually this bill would not be detriment to everyone…it benefits big business and insurance companies. Few insurance claims could filed at all…..they simply would not have grounds to have to pay out. As board members, please join us in contacting our legislators about this harmful bill. If liability is such a massive issue, shouldn’t our priority be in keeping people safe, rather than not holding anyone accountable or reliable. 77% AGREED OR STRONGLY AGREED 10% NEUTRAL 13% DISAGREED OR STRONGLY DISAGREED 21% AGREED OR STRONGLY AGREED 28% NEUTRAL 52% DISAGREED OR STRONGLY DISAGREED 38% AGREED OR STRONGLY AGREED 27% NEUTRAL 26% DISAGREED OR STRONGLY DISAGREED 33% AGREED OR STRONGLY AGREED 26% NEUTRAL 42% DISAGREED OR STRONGLY DISAGREED 77% AGREED OR STRONGLY AGREED 13% NEUTRAL 11% DISAGREED OR STRONGLY DISAGREED 81% AGREED OR STRONGLY AGREED 8% NEUTRAL 11% DISAGREED OR STRONGLY DISAGREED 45% AGREED OR STRONGLY AGREED 29% NUETRAL 27% DISAGREED OR STRONGLY DISAGREED 28% AGREED OR STRONGLY AGREED 27% NEUTRAL 46% DISAGREED OR STRONGLY DISAGREED ***This question will be asked again on the next survey….when teacher will have been provided with their individual materials and equipment 7% AGREED OR STRONGLY AGREED 23% NEUTRAL 71% DISAGREED OR STRONGLY DISAGREED 17% AGREED OR STRONGLY AGREED 33% NEUTRAL 51% DISAGREED OR STRONGLY DISAGREED 21% AGREED OR STRONGLY AGREED 22% NUETRAL 58 % DISAGREED OR STRONGLY DISAGREED 11% Yes 13% No 76% Only if a virtual livestream is available