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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020_11_18 Board Minutes IDAHO FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 91 BOARD OF TRUSTEES -- BOARD BUSINESS MEETING WEBEX VIDEO STREAM FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WEBSITE HTTPS://BIT.LY/DISTRICT91 DISTRICT OFFICE BOARD ROOM 690 JOHN ADAMS PARKWAY IDAHO FALLS, ID WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2020 At 6:17 pm Chairman Hill called for a motion to go into Executive Session. Trustee Wilson made a motion to go into Executive Session pursuant to Idaho Code §74-206 (1) (b) Personnel and Student. 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) regarding personnel and student matters. BUSINESS MEETING Present from the Board of Trustees: Present from the Administration: Lara Hill, Chair George Boland, Superintendent Hillary Radcliffe, Vice Chair Brandi Moreno, Recording Clerk Larry Wilson, Treasurer Paul Haacke, Clerk Present via WebEx from the Administration: Elizabeth Cogliati, Trustee Dan Keck Assist Supt Secondary Education Kelly Coughenour Assist Supt Elementary Education Present via WebEx from Eastern Idaho Public Health: Carrie Smith, Director of HR & Finance Geri Rackow, District Director Gail Rochelle, Director of Student Achievement & James Corbett, Community Health Division Director School Improvement Shannon Taylor, Director of Student Services Present via WebEx from IFEA: Margaret Wimborne, Director of Communications Angela Gillman, President & Community Engagement Julie Nawrocki, President-Elect Ralph Frost, Director of Transportation Shelly Smede, Principal Compass Academy Joshua Newell, Principal Skyline High School Dave England, Principal Idaho Falls High School Michael Keyes, Principal Emerson High School Lisa Armstrong, Curriculum Coordinator Chairman Hill called the business meeting to order at 7:08 PM ADOPT AGENDA Trustee Wilson made a motion to adopt the agenda. Trustee Radcliffe provided the second. Motion carried 5 ayes, 0 nays. 11/18/2020 D91 Board Minutes Page 1 of 7 REPORTS/INPUT/INFORMATION a. Student Reports i. Compass Academy - Representative Andrew Jenkinson reported in late October they held a Halloween costume contest and had great student participation. For Veteran’s Day they were planning to play a video but it wasn’t completed in time so they will save the video for the anniversary of Pearl Harbor. Sources of Strength held activities for mental health awareness. The Booster Club is holding a “no cooking” raffle giving away restaurant gift cards. National Honor Society is holding a turkey food drive for families in need this Thanksgiving. Compass Congress and Executive Board are planning their 12 Days of Christmas to include online and remote activities for the learn at home days. Chairman Hill asked to clarify where people can drop off the food for the turkey drive, Andrew stated food can be dropped off at Compass Academy’s main office. ii. Skyline High School - Representative Erin Walsh reported via WebEx that they completed their Operation Gratitude where they wrote several hundred letters to fire stations across the east coast and received very good responses. Student Government had a guest speaker talk about climate change and they plan to complete a project on this later in the year. They are preparing for the Souper-Bowl canned food drive where they’ve contacted business and are working with schools. They have an Angel Tree where they will shop for kids in need. Trustee Haacke asked if the Souper Bowl is still connected to Idaho Falls High School. Erin responded that both schools are doing their own Souper Bowl and compare the results at the end to see who gathered the most food. Chairman Hill asked if community members could choose families from the Angel Tree and Erin responded that it’s only Skyline’s Student Government who is choosing four families and are purchasing items. iii. Emerson High School – Representative Paul Rohe reported school culture is great, teachers and students are working together to get through these times, he reported that he’s noticed a lot of friendships starting up this year. Students and staff are very careful to follow mask and social distancing regulations as they are taking COVID seriously. Paul is proud to report they are working on service projects as part of their annual Thanksgiving celebrations including painting artwork for the Haven, making bird feeders for the neighborhood, recording encouraging messages for senior citizens, and writing letters to deployed Idaho Falls soldiers. Emerson is handling these crazy times very well. Emerson is small but awesome. iv. Idaho Falls High School – Chairman Hill read aloud a written report from representative James Okeson – the written report is attached. b. Superintendent’s Report Superintendent Boland reported so far this week there have been 28 students who have a confirmed positive COVID test which is the highest number of cases in a week, there have been 13 staff cases this week so far with 370 individual staff members year to date who’ve had to quarantine. To date we’ve been able to continue to function operationally but we continue to be 11/18/2020 D91 Board Minutes Page 2 of 7 concerned about substitutes. In November to date we’ve had 125 employees absent (59 elementary 28 middle school and 38 high school) with 376 total absences. We’ve been able to cover in some way or another, if not with substitutes, then with paraprofessionals or teachers covering other teacher’s classes. Superintendent Boland shared a comparison of staff absences from September 2019 and September 2020. Superintendent Boland stated the IT Department developed a new PowerSchool student attendance dashboard district wide and school by school. Since October 12, 2020 when the high schools went to the hybrid phase, there is very little difference in the percentage of absences, what we are seeing is a change in the nature of how those absences are coded. We are seeing twice as many unverified absences as verified absences. We are seeing a lot less school directed isolation absences and more parent directed isolation absences. There is a consistent elevated student absence rate of 18% - 24% over the year where typically it’s in the single digits. Superintendent Boland shared survey results from a high school parent and student survey. He reported on the below survey questions. o How satisfied are you with how the 2020-2021 school year is progressing?  High School Students – 56% were satisfied or extremely satisfied and 44% not at all satisfied  High School Parents – 53% were satisfied or extremely satisfied and 47% not at all satisfied o Overall how satisfied are you with the level of support you are receiving from your teachers?  High School Students – 50% were satisfied or extremely satisfied, 3% not at all satisfied and 47% depends on the class  High School Parents – 48% were satisfied or extremely satisfied, 16% not at all satisfied and 36% depends on the class o How would you rate the protocols that District 91 has put in place to try and minimize the spread of COVID-19 and protect students and staff?  High School Parents – 38% the level is appropriate, 27% the level is neutral and 35% the level is too extreme Superintendent Boland stated in the survey to the elementary and middle school levels, this same question varied with Elementary Parents – 55% and Middle School Parents – 42% that the level is appropriate. Discussions included sharing the survey results with parents, the number of survey participants (3,000+), reports of confirmed COVID cases and notifications from individual schools, and Online Academy School enrollment numbers. c. Patron Input – written comments were provided via emails to the board prior to the meeting. Comments were in relation to the potential COVID-19 Operational Plan phase changes. d. IFEA Report – a written report is attached. Angela Gillman reported that Carrie Smith joined the IFEA rep meeting and informed them about the new Employee Assistance Program. IFEA held two webinars on member benefits – loan forgiveness assistance and money saving benefits. Another benefit through the local State Association are IEA Professional Development classes. She reported they have finalized the Joint IFEA/District committees, they distributed member appreciation gift cards and she expressed their deep appreciation for the COVID money distribution from District 91 that was approved by the School Board. 11/18/2020 D91 Board Minutes Page 3 of 7 e. Proposed 2020-2021 School Calendar Superintendent Boland shared a proposed draft calendar that included the first day of school on August 25, the last day of school on June 2, one week off in November for Thanksgiving, two weeks off in December for Christmas, one week off in March for Spring Break, no school on Labor Day, October 7 & 8 Teacher Inservice Days, Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, and st graduation commencements during the last week of school. He stated the breakdown is 60 days 1 ndrd trimester, 58 days 2 trimester, and 57 days 3 trimester. Not included are late start Monday’s or late start Friday’s as there has been discussion changing the late start days which will be brought back in the second reading in December as a recommendation. Another recommendation is to no longer hold traditional parent teacher conferences as teachers can be contacted at any time and parents can request a conference at any time and this would give two additional instructional days. This proposed calendar will be posted on the district website for community input. This calendar aligns with Bonneville School District 93’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Spring Break dates. f. Other Items i. Corporate Sponsorship Report. There are no new sponsorships at this time. Discussion th included the status of the development at the 49 property. ii. Monthly Budget Report – included in packet. No further questions. CONSENT AGENDA Trustee Radcliffe made a motion to accept the Consent Agenda as presented. Trustee Cogliati provided the second. No further discussion. Motion carried 5 ayes, 0 nays. Items approved included: a. Approval of Minutes i. October 7, 2020 Board Business Meeting ii. October 28, 2020 Board Work Session iii. November 3, 2020 Special Board Meeting b. Review of Payment of Claims i. October 2020 Bill List $4,319,734.90 c. Staff Actions Emergency Hires: A hiring emergency exists, as declared by the Board of Trustees, for the following positions: Name Position Location Sarah Chapman Sped Ed – Category 1 Alternate Auth Eagle Rock Middle School Kathryn Daum Reading – ABCTE Alternate Auth Taylorview Middle School Transfers: Name Position Location Jennifer Gose From: Paraprofessional From: Linden Park Elementary To: .49 FTE Reading To: Linden Park Elementary 11/18/2020 D91 Board Minutes Page 4 of 7 d. Matching Funds i. Eagle Rock Middle School LED Display Marquee $18,898.44 e. Early Graduation i. Student 2020-2021 D Compass Academy f. Other Items i. Surplus/Discarded Equipment  Erickson Elementary – sell or donate 8 computer tables ACTION ITEMS a. High School Science Course Sequencing Superintendent Boland stated based on the survey results from the parents and teachers, it is the recommendation of the administration the board approve a recommended High School Science Course sequencing of Biology, Chemistry and Physics but students would have the option of determining which specific science courses they would want to take to meet the state requirements. Discussion was held in regards to the benefits of the sequencing and the state standards. Trustee Radcliffe made a motion to recommend the High School Science Course sequence of Biology, Chemistry and Physics but do not require this specific course sequence. Trustee Cogliati provided the second. Discussion was held including clarification of course sequencing and the state graduation requirements. Motion carried 5 ayes, 0 nays. 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 final reading and these four policy revisions and new policies bring us into compliance with the US Department of Civil Rights as presented. Trustee Wilson made a motion to approve the four board policy revisions and new policies with regard to Sexual Harassment as presented. Trustee Cogliati provided the second. No further discussion. Motion carried 5 ayes, 0 nays. nd b. Attendance Policy Changes for 2 Trimester Superintendent Boland stated last spring the board approved changes in the attendance policy emphasizing the allowance for students to stay home if they were ill without penalty. There was a request to revisit the attendance policy and reinstate the code with the penalty clause associated with a maximum number of 5 unverified absences per trimester in hopes to help with the high absenteeism of unverified absences at the high school level. 11/18/2020 D91 Board Minutes Page 5 of 7 Trustee Haacke made a motion to include LCA’s for 5 or more unverified absences as part of the attendance policy for School District 91. Trustee Wilson provided the second. Discussion included asking High School Principals if they see this as a solution and when this would be effective. nd Trustee Haacke amended the motion to include the policy change effective 2 trimester. Trustee Wilson provided the second to the amendment. The Amended Motion carried 5 ayes, 0 nays. c. Potential COVID-19 Operational Plan Phase Changes Superintendent Boland stated Geri Rackow and James Corbett from Eastern Idaho Public Health have been invited to discuss the transition of Bonneville County moving from the COVID-19 yellow moderate risk level into the orange high risk level. Geri reported on November 5, 2020 the Eastern Idaho Public Health Board made some additional changes to their COVID Response Plan adding a level of active rate that would move a county into a critical risk area where previously this was solely based on hospital capacity and crisis standard of care being implemented. To reach the Critical Risk area, it added a rate of 45 per 10,000 population, it also increased the Moderate Risk from 10 to 15 per 10,000 population, and High Risk is 30 per 10,000 population. She stated things are changing rapidly, we haven’t been at the High Risk level for very long and yesterday we hit over the 45 per 10,000 and tomorrow if we hit that rate again, we will move into the Critical Risk level. Another change the Eastern Idaho Public Health Board made was to take out the foregone mandates and are focusing on the key prevention strategies that they are asking everyone to follow. Hospitals are reporting they are being stretched as health care workers are being exposed potentially in the community which takes them out of the workforce. She reviewed the Governor’s order and stated they are following the order and have included in their plan the gathering restrictions from the Governor’s order. James reported when looking at community spread, they look at the rate of spread per 10,000 population. He reported there is a substantial increase in the number of active cases in the community. Geri reported that Bonneville County’s rate for today is 54.6 per 10,000 population and today is the highest number of cases reported at 303 of which 170 being in Bonneville County. Discussions included the spread of COVID in schools, community spread, close contact spread, what the community can do to keep students in school, CDC isolation guidelines and COVID-19 contraction timelines, and other school district isolation timelines. Superintendent Boland stated as Director Rackow reported, the numbers are such that there is a high probability that we will be in the Critical Risk level, and after the Thanksgiving break it will be hard to predict. He stated, we do know that operationally, even with the increase in cases, we are able to maintain while being in the Hybrid phase in the High Schools as we are better able to socially distance and the number of students we are having to contact to quarantine is dramatically less. Superintendent Boland stated it is the recommendation of the administration that we make no changes in terms of the phases we are currently in and we remain in the Blue Phase at the Elementary and Middle School levels and remain in the Hybrid (Yellow) Phase at the High School level probably until mid-January because if we see an increase, it will likely be through the holidays. We have a board meeting December 9, 2020 and another the second Wednesday in January, it would be prudent to continue having this item on the agenda as we track numbers. Discussions were held including changing the plan, increasing support for remote learning during the Yellow st Phase, remediation on Fridays with students, an analysis of the 1 trimester grades, multiple 11/18/2020 D91 Board Minutes Page 6 of 7 factors currently influencing low grades nation-wide, functional operations within schools, and continued low substitute teacher retention. Trustee Cogliati made a motion to table the Potential COVID-19 Operational Plan Phase Changes. Trustee Radcliffe provided the second. Discussion was held concerning changing the Operational Plan to adjust the quarantine period. Motion carried 3 ayes, 2 nays. Trustee Radcliffe made a motion to adjourn. Trustee Cogliati provided the second. Motion carried 5 ayes, 0 nays, the meeting adjourned at 9:09 PM. 11/18/2020 D91 Board Minutes Page 7 of 7