HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020_10_07 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, OCTOBER 7, 2020
At 6:33 pm Chairman Hill called for a motion to go into Executive Session. Trustee Cogliati made a motion
to go into Executive Session pursuant to Idaho Code §74-206 (1) (b) Personnel. Trustee Radcliffe provided
the second. A roll call vote was taken:
Elizabeth Cogliati – aye
Paul Haacke – aye
Lara Hill – aye
Hillary Radcliffe – aye
Larry Wilson – aye
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Superintendent Boland and the Board of Trustees met in Executive Session pursuant to Idaho Code §67-
2345 (1) (b) Personnel regarding personnel matters concerning Employee 2020-2021 G and Employee 2020-
2021 H.
BUSINESS MEETING
Present from the Board of Trustees: Present from the Administration:
Lara Hill, Chair George Boland, Superintendent
Hillary Radcliffe, Vice Chair Dan Keck Assist Supt Secondary Education
Larry Wilson, Treasurer Carrie Smith, Director of HR & Finance
Paul Haacke, Clerk Gail Rochelle, Director of Student Achievement &
Elizabeth Cogliati, Trustee School Improvement
Margaret Wimborne, Director of Communications
& Community Engagement
Brandi Moreno, Recording Clerk
Chairman Hill called the business meeting to order at 7:00 PM and reminded everyone this is a meeting of
the board held in public not a public meeting. She stated there is an opportunity for patron input so
everyone who filled out the patron input sheet will have 3 minutes this evening and she asked everyone be
respectful and please silence their cell phones during the business meeting.
ADOPT AGENDA
Chairman Hill requested a motion to adopt the agenda. Trustee Radcliffe made a motion to adopt the
agenda. Trustee Wilson provided the second. Motion carried 5 ayes, 0 nays.
REPORTS/INPUT/INFORMATION
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a. Student Reports
i. Skyline High School - Representative Ashlee Fransen reported Student Government has
undertaken Operation Gratitude where they write 200 letters of support and
encouragement to fire stations and fire fighters in California. They are preparing for the
Emotion Bowl where they gave away 1,400 customized game day shirts to students,
teachers, staff and sponsors, painted windows in businesses around town and decorated
the school. They’ve started their sources for strength training to promote mental health
within the school and their first project is creating positive affirmation boxes placed around
the school so students, teachers and staff can fill out affirmations that will be read aloud
for a positive booster for the school. They held Homecoming week where they held spirit
week and held coronation ceremonies for royalty.
ii. Idaho Falls High School - Representative Crew Peterson reported – a written report is
attached
iii. Compass Academy - Representative Katrice Jacobson and Kailey Johnson reported the past
two months have been filled with immeasurable joy despite the current conditions. Their
first project was a one-shot video capturing all of their students in safety protocols
including a drone shot showing students standing 6 feet apart holding paper that spelled
out Rise Up. This past week the school has shown school spirit by decorating and will hold
events on Thursday as well as the Emotion Bowl. This year they’ve faced challenges with
COVID restrictions but Compass has handed it very well, the Compass Director sends
guidelines in a weekly email. Every Tuesday & Wednesday food vendors have come to
campus and commented how well Compass students are doing with the restrictions and
wearing masks.
b. Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Boland reported he was approached this afternoon by a coalition of parents and
businesses who are interested in the feasibility of creating a private public partnership to develop
th
athletic fields on the property on 49 street, just east of Holmes Avenue which the district
purchased a few years ago. The district will bring forward a proposal from that group at a future
board work session.
At the last board meeting, there were questions and discussion with respect to social, emotional
and mental wellness of our students and what we have in place and perhaps areas we might need
to expand. Superintendent Boland reported we have three trained groups within our current
configuration of secondary counselors that include a Crisis Team, a Suicide Team and a Threat
Assessment group that deals with situations where we may have a threat with respect to students
or the student body. These structures have been in place for some time and are ongoing groups to
address those issues. Also, within our high schools, we have a number of initiatives or groups that
are active in terms of being proactive with respect to social, emotional, and mental health needs
with the focus at this time on QPR which stands for Question Persuade and Refer and you may have
seen something on Idaho Education News that referenced the state had purchased 10,000 licenses
of which 8,000 are still available, this is a program our district has been engaged in for a couple of
years. We do have counselors that are certified trainers within that program and we did undergo
staff training in January and will do so again in December. Also, within the schools we have a
program called Sources of Strength that focuses on the social and emotional needs of students. At
Compass Academy, a program that’s been underway for a number of years is More Than a Stigma
again which is another mental health awareness program to address needs of students. The district
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has a number of things in place with regard to addressing the social, emotional, and mental health
needs of students.
Another question that came up at the last board meeting had to do with an employee assistance
program. Superintendent Boland reported in the past, we did not have a formal employee
assistance program and it was handled more on a case by case basis as needed. The district is
looking into programs that are currently used by the City of Idaho Falls, Bonneville County, and
other school district and are investigating those programs and has requested quotes with regard to
those programs. What we are seeing is not only would they address the individual needs of
employees but also the employee families as well and we will have more information coming to the
board with respect to those. Obviously, this is a time that is very stressful for everyone and if there
is a resource that we can provide to our employees and their families then we would want to make
that available.
The district is also in a continued partnership with Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center and
looking at expending the program where we have virtual presentations with a Q &A’s on topics that
could include “What to do if a parent thinks their child has become isolated”, “Making healthy
connections”, “Teaching children resiliency”, “Normal teen rebellion and dangerous behaviors”,
and “How to help children when the world around them seems out of control”. The district is
continuing to network with Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center to provide these resources for
parents and families.
Superintendent Boland stated the Governor’s office received monies with respect to providing
assistance in terms of dealing with COVID and our portion would be about 3.2 million dollars that
has to be expended by the end of this calendar year, he then turned the time over to Carrie Smith,
Director of HR & Finance to provide more information. Carrie Smith shared a handout that
included the Coronavirus Funding including ESSERF (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency
Relief Funds) and Coronavirus Relief Funds. Carrie also presented the Governor’s Special
Distribution - Spending Plan that included proposed expenditures and identified expenses that
could be allocated to ensure all funds are obligated by December 30, 2020.
Trustees requested clarification from Superintendent Boland that included internet connectivity,
teacher workload providing face-to-face and online learning at the same time, attendance reports
for trustees and meals served to the community.
c. Education Foundation Report – written comments, if provided are attached.
Margaret Wimborne reported the District 91 Education Foundation is a 5013c that’s supported by
donations from individuals as well as community partners like EIRMC, Fluor Idaho, INL, Teton Auto
Group, and the Maeck Family Foundation. Like every organization, they’ve had to change some of
the things they’ve done this year, but they are still very focused on their mission of supporting
teachers and inspiring students in the district. Recent projects include, awarding $90,000 in
teacher grants from the Maeck Family Foundation and rolling out applications for the Fluor Idaho
teacher mini grant program. They also support a number of student scholarship programs with last
spring, awarding $19,000 where all six of the scholarships were claimed and are currently being
used. The foundation continues to support a number of different special events including, the
Drive-In graduations last May, Welcome Back bags for all teachers this fall and the cost to live-
stream the Emotion Bowl through Idaho Sports for the entire community this weekend.
d. IFEA Report – a written report is attached.
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e. Patron Input (Sign-in required) – written comments, if provided, are attached
Patrons provided comments including the district’s hybrid Yellow Phase, COVID restrictions,
expectations of the board, teacher status, support of the board, split sessions, returning to the
district’s Blue Phase, improvements to online learning, safety in schools, close contact guidelines,
home learning day, and quarantine time.
CONSENT AGENDA
Trustee Radcliffe made a motion to accept the Consent Agenda as presented. Trustee Wilson provided the
second. Discussion was held concerning surplus property – discarding a centrifuge at Idaho Falls High
School. Motion carried 5 ayes, 0 nays.
Items approved included:
a. Approval of Minutes
i. September 9, 2020 Board Business Meeting
ii. September 17, 2020 Special Board Meeting
iii. September 23, 2020 Work Session
iv. September 30, 2020 Special Board Meeting
b. Review of Payment of Claims
i. September 2020 Bill List $4,133,827.59
c. Staff Actions
New Hires:
Name Position Location
Sarah Chapman Sped Ed Eagle Rock Middle School
Emergency Hires: A hiring emergency exists, as declared by the Board of Trustees, for the following
positions:
Name Position Location
th
Tyler Belnap Alternate Authorization 5 Grade Hawthorne Elementary
Transfers:
Name Position Location
Jennifer Luu From: S pec Ed From: Eagle Rock Middle School
To: Reading Interventionist To: Eagle Rock Middle School
d. Early Graduations
i. Student 2020-2021 A
Idaho Falls High School
ii. Student 2020-2021 B
Idaho Falls High School
iii. Student 2020-2021 C
Compass Academy
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e. Other Items
i. Surplus/Discarded Equipment
Idaho Falls High School – discard outdated centrifuge
Idaho Falls High School – donate bookcase
ii. Employee Acquisition Disclosure
Bush Elementary – catering from an employee’s spouse
PROPOSALS
a. Second Readings – Board Policy Revisions and New Policies
i. Section 118 – Sexual Harassment, Discrimination and Retaliation (New)
ii. Section 813.4 Employee Sexual Harassment (Revised)
iii. Section 1005.8 Student Rights & Responsibilities (Revised)
iv. Section 1005.17 Education & Discipline Student Conduct (Revised)
Superintendent Boland stated this is the second reading of these four policies, no public comments have
been received to date. These four policies will be placed on the November agenda for the third and final
reading.
ACTION ITEMS
a. Employee 2020-2021 G
Superintendent Boland stated it is the recommendation of the administration the board approve
the request to release Employee 2020-2021 G from their contract.
Trustee Wilson made a motion to approve Employee 2020-2021 G be released from their contract.
Trustee Radcliffe provided the second. No further discussion. Motion carried 5 ayes, 0 nays.
b. Employee 2020-2021 H
Superintendent Boland stated it is the recommendation of the administration the board approve
the request to release Employee 2020-2021 H from their contract.
Trustee Wilson made a motion to approve Employee 2020-2021 H be released from their contract.
Trustee Radcliffe provided the second. Motion carried 5 ayes, 0 nays.
c. Home Learning Day – November 3, 2020
Superintendent Boland stated it is the recommendation of the administration the district work with
the Bonneville County Elections Office to conduct the elections in a manner that allows for
appropriate social distancing by having a Home Learning Day on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
Discussion was held including shifting the learning day to Friday and the election office working
with building principals for locations within the schools for polling.
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Trustee Wilson made a motion to approve Tuesday, November 3, 2020 as a Home Learning Day to
accommodate the Bonneville County Elections. Trustee Cogliati provided the second. No further
discussion. Motion carried 5 ayes, 0 nays.
d. Governor’s Special Distribution Spending Proposal
Superintendent Boland stated during the Superintendent’s Report Carrie Smith walked the board
through the different designated allocations for the funding associated with COVID monies. He
stated it is the recommendation of the administration that the board adopt the spending plan as
presented this evening.
Trustee Radcliffe made a motion to adopt the Governor’s Special Distribution Spending Proposal as
presented. Trustee Cogliati provided the second. No further discussion. Motion carried 5 ayes, 0
nays.
e. York and Osgood Property Disposal Proposal
Superintendent Boland stated that at the Osgood property, which we currently lease to Migrant
Head Start, it has come to our attention there are a number of upgrades that are necessary at this
facility, we have ongoing issues including well water quality, HVAC, and roofing issues. We are at a
point where we are questioning whether the value of the lease is worth the retention of the
property in terms of the time and recourse necessary to maintain it. The other property is the York
property where our south bus lot was and we’ve vacated that property. We did entertain a
company leasing the property but we haven’t had contact with that company in a long time. We
are asking the board to proceed with the process to dispose of these two properties per required
statute.
Trustee Wilson made a motion to authorize the administration to proceed with the disposal process
of the York and Osgood properties. Trustee Radcliffe provided the second. No further discussion.
Motion carried 5 ayes, 0 nays.
Chairman Hill asked for clarification from trustees on the date of the next board work session. Discussion
was held to move the work session from October 21, 2020 to October 28, 2020 at 4:30 pm.
Trustee Cogliati made a motion to adjourn. Trustee Radcliffe provided the second. Motion carried 5 ayes, 0
nays, the meeting adjourned at 9:33 PM.
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D91 Education Foundation Update
10/7/2020
Appreciate the opportunity to provide updates from the District 91 Education Foundation
The foundation is a 5013-c supported with contributions from individuals and community partners
such as EIRMC, Fluor Idaho, INL, Teton VW & Teton Toyota and the Maeck Family Foundation.
we remain focused on our
Recent projects include:
o GRANTS:
Through our partnership with the Maeck Family Foundation we just awarded
$90,000 in grants to schools, teachers and programs around the district.
wide range of STEM and literacy projects
In the next few weeks we begin accepting applications for our Fluor Idaho Teacher
Mini Grant program, and hope to get those grants awarded around Thanksgiving.
o SCHOLARSHIPS:
The foundation manages three different scholarship programs that provide
scholarships to D91 graduates or former graduates.
This spring we warded $19,000 in scholarships through our partnerships with the
Maeck Family Foundation, Odd Fellows and the Rahl Family.
All six of the scholarships awarded this spring have been claimed, and those
students are currently enrolled in college, which is especially rewarding considering
all the challenges those seniors faced in the spring.
o SPECIAL EVENTS & PROGRAMS:
The foundation has tried to support the district with some of the unexpected
challenges this year has brought including:
Underwriting the major costs like AV, Fireworks, etc, of the drive-in
graduation ceremonies in May
In collaboration with the district, we provided Welcome Back Gift Bags for
all our teachers in lieu of our annual Back to School BBQ
This weekend we are very pleased to underwrite the costs of streaming the
Emotion Bowl so everyone will have an opportunity to watch the game in
spite of the limited numbers of vouchers and tickets available this year.
Ms. Angela Gillman
nd
Westside 2 Grade
IFEA President
ifeapresident@gmail.com
208-270-2989
IEA Region 6 BOD