HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021_03_04 Board Minutes
IDAHO FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 91
BOARD OF TRUSTEES -- SPECIAL BOARD MEETING \[IDAHO CODE, §74-204 (2)\]
WEBEX VIDEO STREAM FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WEBSITE
DISTRICT OFFICE BOARD ROOM 690 JOHN ADAMS PARKWAY IDAHO FALLS, ID
1:00 P.M. -- THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021
Present from the Board of Trustees: Present from the Administration:
Lara Hill, Chair George Boland, Superintendent
Hillary Radcliffe, Vice Chair Margaret Wimborne, Director of Communication
Larry Wilson, Treasurer & Community Engagement
Paul Haacke, Clerk Brandi Moreno, Recording Clerk
Elizabeth Cogliati, Trustee
Guests:
Karen Echeverria, Executive Director ISBA
Krissy LaMont, Leadership Development Director ISBA
Chairman Hill called the meeting to order at 1:01 PM and asked for 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. 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, Section 74-206 (1)(a). Trustee Radcliffe provided the second. A roll
call vote was taken.
Elizabeth Cogliati – yes
Paul Haacke – yes
Lara Hill – yes
Hillary Radcliffe – yes
Larry Wilson – yes
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Karen Echeverria, Executive Director ISBA, Krissy LaMont, Leadership Development Director ISBA and the
Board of Trustees met in Executive Session regarding superintendent candidates until 2:41 pm.
DISCUSSION
Chairman Hill turned the time over to Karen Echeverria, Executive Director of ISBA and Krissy LaMont,
Leadership Development Director of ISBA.
a. Superintendent Interview Logistics and Process
Karen Echeverria suggested the board conduct virtual interviews with candidates to narrow down the
finalist list even further. She stated ISBA can create an interview schedule, provide interview
questions, provide a process and protocol to the board chair. She then suggested once those
interviews are completed, the board schedule their next step of brining finalist candidates in-person
for interviews and a public meet-n-great with a virtual option all on the same day. In the virtual meet-
n-great, patrons would type in their questions and ISBA would read those to candidates and at the
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end, there would be a survey for patrons with the survey results available for the board to review
along with information from the meet-n-great.
b. Superintendent Finalist Travel Stipend
Krissy LaMont shared a document that included local and out of state candidate information and
estimated travel costs that included airfare, lodging, and mileage. Karen Echeverria suggested the
board offer candidates a travel stipend.
c. Next Steps in the Superintendent Search Process
Karen Echeverria stated the next steps in the search process were covered under item a.
ACTION ITEM
a. Determine Superintendent Finalists
Trustee Radcliffe made a motion to move forward with Eric Pingrey as a semifinalist and stated the
board has heard good information about things he has done in his district, relationships he’s built with
his community, struggles he’s helped overcome, and his implementation of the High Reliability Schools
in his district. Trustee Haacke proved the second. No further discussion. Motion carried 5 ayes and 0
nays.
Trustee Wilson made a motion to move forward with Dr. Mathew Neal as a semifinalist and stated
after reference checks, the board’s discussion and reviewing his application, Trustee Wilson thinks his
vast experience in a very unique situation and the way he has directed his school district remotely is
impressive. Trustee Radcliffe provided the second. Trustee Haacke made one point of clarification
that many people thought Mr. Neal was located in Kuwait, and although the school is in Kuwait, he has
had to work remotely from Colorado. Motion carried 5 ayes and 0 nays.
Trustee Cogliati made a motion to move forward with Kelly Coughenour as a semifinalist and stated he
brings a lot of institutional knowledge and knowledge of High Reliability Schools to this process.
Trustee Radcliffe provided the second. No further discussion. Motion carried 5 ayes and 0 nays.
Trustee Haacke made a motion to move forward with Sylvia McNeely as a semifinalist and stated she
has a track record of turning schools around, she is very collaborative with teachers, administration,
and the community, and she has built strong teams in a sensitive and competitive area. Chairman Hill
provided the second. No further discussion. Motion carried 5 ayes and 0 nays.
Trustee Wilson made a motion to move forward with Dr. James Shank as a semifinalist and stated after
information from the references, he is impressed with the level of respect, integrity, and the way in
which he garners trust from his colleagues, staff, community, and students. Trustee Radcliffe provided
the second. No further discussion. Motion carried 5 ayes and 0 nays.
b. Determine Interview Logistics and Process
Discussion was held on dates and times to schedule the next interview meetings.
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Trustee Wilson made a motion to schedule semi-finalist interviews via WebEx on Wednesday March 10
and Thursday March 11 both starting at 4:00 pm. Trustee Radcliffe proved the second. No further
discussion. Motion carried 5 ayes and 0 nays.
Discussion was held about scheduling the semi-final in-person interviews, in-person/virtual meet-n-
greets and school tours with the candidates.
Trustee Radcliffe made a motion to utilize March 29 and March 30 for the next steps of the
Superintendent process to include the interviews, meet-n-greets, and final Superintendent decision.
Trustee Wilson provided the second. No further discussion. Motion carried 5 ayes and 0 nays.
c. Determine Finalist Travel Stipend
Trustee Wilson made a motion that those finalists traveling out of state are reimbursed for travel
expenses not to exceed $1200 and those traveling in state will be reimbursed for their mileage.
Trustee Radcliffe provided the second. No further discussion. Motion carried 5 ayes and 0 nays.
Trustee Wilson made a motion to adjourn. Trustee Radcliffe provided the second. Motion carried 5 ayes, 0
nays. Meeting adjourned at 3:22 PM.
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