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3497 North Ammon Road, Idaho Falls, Idaho, 83401 ": (208) 525-4400 v Fax (208) 529-0104 www,d93scfiools.org
<br />Dr. Charles 1. Shackett, Superin tend e nt Marjean McConnell, Deputy Superintendent
<br />Board Retreat
<br />July 17, 2013
<br />District Board Room
<br />11:30 a.m.
<br />I. Call to Order
<br />Chairperson Annette Winchester called the meeting to order at 11:55 a.m.
<br />Roll Call
<br />Those Board members in attendance were Chairperson Annette Winchester, Vice-chairperson Kip Nelson, Treasurer Amy Landers, Trustee Brian McBride, and Trustee Jeff
<br />Bird. Others in attendance were Superintendent Chuck Shackett, Deputy Superintendent Marjean McConnell, Chief Financial/Operations Officer April Burton, Technology and
<br />School Improvement Director Scott Woolstenhulme, Curriculum Director Michaelena Hix, Human Resources Director Shalone French, and Board Clerk Valerie Messick.
<br />111, Items for Discussion
<br />A. Initial Board Traininq Presented by District Legal Counsel, Douq Nelson
<br />Mr, Nelson stated that he Would discuss Powers, Duties, Governance, and Ethics with regard to Board members. He presented each with a Board of Trustee Training
<br />Manual that he compiled for the retreat from information contained in Law of Education in Idaho and Idaho Code as a the Board. Reference tool,
<br />He stated that the Board's purpose is to enrich educational opportunities of students in the District. He discussed the assumption of office, the Trustee Oath, and the
<br />duty to attend meetings, Attendance at meetings is a statutory duty. A Trustee may forfeit the office of trustee if he /she fails to attend four (4) consecutive regular
<br />meetings of the Board and these absences are not excused by a majority of the Board. If a Trustee needs to miss a meeting, contact the clerk to make arrangements to
<br />attend in an alternate way. All decisions are by simple majority except executive session and that requires a 213 vote by roll call vote,
<br />You can willfully abstain from a vote. Your choices are yes, no, or I abstain. You should state the reasons for abstaining. The reasons for abstention could be because
<br />of a direct or indirect financial benefit, personal association, relatives, etc. You need to disclose and then step away from the vote. Mr. Nelson then discussed nepotism.
<br />If a relative is being discussed and voted upon, the trustee Must be disqualified from voting. You can't be biased when a decision is made. Board members act in the
<br />role of executive, legislative, and judicial depending their duty at the time. Policy is the Board's primary duty. Earlier today the Board was acting as a judge. Trustees
<br />need to expect that each member is unbiased when a case comes before the Board. Each person must avoid bias as well as the appearance of bias. You need to
<br />remain impartial. You can request that patrons take complaints to the administration so you won't become biased. The iEA trains their people to get board members in
<br />discussions and use that information to claim bias. You must assume that phone calls on sensitive issues will be recorded. The IEA has a playbook of tricks to be used
<br />when involved with negotiations.
<br />Secret ballots are prohibited. The Board can ask for a consensus in a closed setting. But they then must reconvene in open session to make the final decision. Be
<br />Cautious about asking someone how they are going to vote. Don't have a decision made before you come to a meeting. You may have dialogue but, be careful. Don't
<br />lobby for votes, Exchange of information is common but be very careful,
<br />Trustees have an entity duty. They need to look at the broader scope of the education of the kids and should not be influenced by special interest groups, The Board
<br />makes policy and the Superintendent administers policy in the District. Be aware of the Chain of Command and be careful of possible bias. Remember, confidentiality
<br />and that information cannot be shared. Don't blind side fellow board members or administrators.
<br />General Powers and Duties
<br />The Superintendent and administration are your key advisors. You are the decision makers so long as you are consistent with the laws, rules, and regulations of State
<br />Board of Education and your own policies.
<br />Board Policies
<br />You have the right to enact policies that govern the District. You are responsible to adopt policies and are required to follow them. The District administration enacts the
<br />Board's policies, You should not micromanage. It is the Board's right to evaluate the administration an enactment of policy. A trustee cannot act individually because
<br />you are an entity. Policy 1430 Board - Superintendent Relationship is key to what happens in this District.
<br />Policy 1465 Board Use of Electronic Mail and Social Media. Be aware that these communications between certain people on certain subjects can be a public record
<br />and subject to public records requests. You communications will be known to the world and to the judge. You don't have an expectation of confidentiality. Don't use
<br />email or social media as a substitute for transacting business that should be handled in an open board meeting. Communications could be subject to FERPA action if
<br />you are sharing information regarding students, Be careful,
<br />Policy 1500 Board Meeting Procedures. The Board is required to publish and post notices of meetings. You need to move to amend the agenda and ratify those
<br />amendments at the next meeting. You need to post an amended notice with regard to agenda items not necessarily specifics under the agenda item. Don't try to
<br />disguise an important agenda item to act on at a work session or special meeting of the board.
<br />Mr. Nelson interrupted his presentation at about 1:30 p.m. so the directors and managers of the District could introduce themselves to the Board. Those who attended
<br />for the purpose of introductions were, Don Traunivein, Energy Education Specialist, Louanna Bunn, Custodial, John Pymm, Director of Safe Schools, Rex Miller,
<br />Director of Elementary Special Education and Federal Programs, Julian Duffey, Director of Secondary Special Education and Federal Programs, Karen Judy,
<br />Board of Trustees Annette Winchester t> Kip Nelson Amy Landers ':, Brian McBride 0, Jeff Bird
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