Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-30-11_Work_SessionDr. Charles J. Shackett, Superintendent Dr. Bruce Roberts, Deputy Superintendent 3497 North Ammon Road, Idaho Falls, Idaho, 83401  (208) 525-4400  Fax (208) 529-0104  www.d93.k12.id.us Board of Trustees  Craig Lords  Annette Winchester  Wendy Horman  Kip Nelson  DeVere Hunt Bonneville Joint School District No. 93 is an Equal Opportunity Employer Marjean McConnell, Assistant Superintendent Minutes Work Session November 30, 2011 I. Call to Order Chairman Lords called the meeting to order at 11:47 a.m. Board Members present: Chairman Craig Lords, Vice Chairman Annette Winchester, Treasurer Wendy Horman, Trustee Kip Nelson and Trustee DeVere Hunt Others in attendance were Superintendent Chuck Shackett, Deputy Superintendent Bruce Roberts, Assistant Superintendent Marjean McConnell, Chief Financial/Operations Officer April Burton, Director of Operations Todd Hicks, Directo r of Plant Facilities/Operations Roger Hill, Health and Safety Coordinator Guy Bliesner, Energy Education Specialist Don Trauntvein , Administrative Assistant Jodi Barnes, Rimrock Principal Dan Page, Rimrock Secretary Carol Arpke, and Board Clerk Valerie Messick. II. Items for Discussion A. Bonding Issues – April Burton Mrs. Burton presented three bonding scenarios prepared by Seattle Northwest. They were charged with determining the size of bond that cou ld be added without increasing the combined tax rate and when it would be feasible to bond for a $50.0 million high school without increasing the combined tax rate. She stated that the Board needs to decide what they want to borrow and then structure a deal for the bond. There is a cash flow issue if we bond so the current bonds will need to be restructured. Michael Keith from Seattle Northwest was available via telephone to answer the Board’s questions regarding the bonding scenarios. The consensus of the Board was that a new high school is off the table for a March bond. The discussion centered on waiting to see what the economy will do. It is evident that the tax rate will need to be raised when we do build a high school. Mrs. Horman asked if reducing the supplemental levy would help the cash flow problem. We need the supplemental for operating costs so it would not be feasible to reduce it. Chairman Lords asked the administration to decide what is needed and hold off on some things until the economy improves. He o ffered his vision of what should happen for the bond election. 1) Build an elementary school, 2) Relieve pressure at the high schools with a Professional Technical sch ool using existing buildings. 3) Remodel Bonneville and Hillcrest to utilized space freed up by moving the professional technical programs. 4) Maybe everything else can wait until we are ready to raise taxes to build a high school the right way. He asked if the roof at Sandcreek is essential and how many busses were required. Mrs. Horman stated that she would rather spend money to construct a new building for the professional technical high school rather than piece -meal existing buildings. She state that she has plans from Blackfoot Charter school that cost only $2 - $3 million to build. Mr. Hill stated that the roof at Sandcreek is essential but that it could be replaced in smaller portions over the years using Plant Facility funds. Mr. Hicks stated that he needed no less than six busses because he needs to decommission the gas busses in the fleet. The professional technical high school will create a need for more busses. The state reimbursement does not help with purchases. B. Facilities Planning Committee Recommendation – Chuck Shackett Dr. Shackett asked if there were any questions regarding the Facilities Planning Committee recommendation to the Board. He stated that the meetings went well and that there was good public input. He led a discussion about the possibility of creating a Technical high school using existing vocational buildings behind Rocky Mountain Middle School and the transportation buildings. This would move Technical programs out of the existing high schools and free up space in those buildings. Craig Miller is looking at different options for scheduling. Students could be allowed to attend half day at the Technical high school and half day at their regular high school. Only one bus would run between the high schools during the day. The sc hedule would probably not be a block schedule. We would take care of our own students first and then recruit students from other districts to participate. There is a lot of money available if you have a multi-district consortium. These have been successful around the State. Mrs. Horman asked if there was any other location that is more central. Dr. Shackett answered that if we use another location it would not be cost effective. Using the existing structures, could be operational this fall. The programs are already in place, they would just be relocated to one place. The roof and a multipurpose room at Sandcreek Middle School and enlarging the lunchroom at Hillcrest High School were discussed. Mr. Bliesner stated that there are currently fire code issues in multiple high school classrooms. With an increase in enrollment the fire code issues will also increase. Chairman Lords asked to schedule another work session on December 7th at 10:00 a.m. He asked the administration to come to that meeting with a prioritized list of their needs. C. Legislative Luncheon Topics – Chuck Shackett Possible topics for the Legislative Luncheon were discussed. District 91 will want to talk about their new high school. Mr. Lords and Mr. Lent will discuss the consolidation study. The legislators will be encouraged to take some of the requirements from last year out of statute. Hopefully they will repeal the liability insurance tracking requirement and maybe modify the request for personnel records. We will update the District’s brag sheet for that meeting. D. 2011-2012 Calendar Drafts – Bruce Roberts Dr. Roberts presented two drafts of the 2012 - 2013. He explained that the State requires hours of instruction and not days. He stated that we may need to add some early release time so teachers can work with the data that is available to inform instruction. Mrs. Horman stated th at we may need additional professional development time. Dr. Roberts will talk with a small committee regarding the calendars and make a recommendation to the Board at a future meeting. III. Policy for Initial Consideration – Bruce Roberts A. 3105 Service Animals on School Premises B. 3105P Service Animals on School Premises Procedures C. 3105F Request for Service Animal to Accompany a Student on School Premises Dr. Roberts stated that there has been a request from a parent for a service animal to accompany a student to school. The ADA requires us to modify policies to allow individuals with disabilities to be accompanied by a service animal. Schools have a little more latitude in our requirements. We have also involved the parent in proofing the draft and have addressed some of the concerns with the policy. We will put the policy, procedure, and form on the December 14th agenda for 30-day review IV. Executive Session Chairman Lords asked for a motion to enter into executive session. MOTION: Annette Winchester made the motion to enter into Executive Session per Idaho Code Section 67-2345 (1)(c) To consider deliberations to acquire an interest in real property which is not owned by a public agency. Kip Nelson seconded. The vote was: Wendy Horman – Yes DeVere Hunt – Yes Kip Nelson – Yes Anette Winchester – Yes Craig Lords – Yes Land Purchase Discussion – Roger Hill Mr. Hill stated that the pit area has not been compacted as it was pushed in. There three options that could happen to make it acceptable for building. 1) Take the top 10 – 12 feet off and replace and compact. 2) Place 250 micro piles per building into the ground. 3) Build heavier footings and the n provide fill. When asked to compare the Armstrong property with the pit property, Mr. Hill stated that they both have two accesses and are both in the county . His recommendation would be to renegotiate on the Armstrong property. Chairman Lords called for a motion to return to open session. MOTION: Annette Winchester made the motion to back in to open session. Kip Nelson seconded. The vote was 5 in favor with 0 opposed and 0 abstentions. Motion passed. V. Call for Agenda Items for Upcoming Meetings 1. Legislative Luncheon - December 7, 2011 - 11:30 a.m. - District Office Board Room 2. Regular Meeting - December 14, 2011 – 7:00 p.m. - District Office Board Room 3. Regular Meeting - January 11, 2012 – 7:00 p.m. - District Office Board Room X. Adjournment Chairman Lords called for a motion to adjourn at 2:30 p.m. MOTION: Annette Winchester made the motion to adjourn, Kip Nelson seconded. The vote was 5 in favor with 0 opposed and 0 abstentions. Motion passed. APPROVED: _____________________ Chairperson ATTESTED: __________________________ Clerk Date: ___________________