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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-11-2024 Minutes Regular Board Meeting Executive SessionDr. Scott Woolstenhulme, Superintendent 3497 North Ammon Road, Idaho Falls, Idaho, 83401  (208) 525-4400  Fax (208) 557-6800  www.d93schools.org Board of Trustees  Paul Jenkins  Carissa Coats  Randy Smith  Mindy Clayton  Richard Hess Bonneville Joint School District No. 93 is an Equal Opportunity Employer Executive Session / Regular Meeting Wednesday, September 11, 2024, Executive Session will begin at 6:00 p.m. Public Business will begin at 7:00 p.m. District Office 3497 N Ammon Rd Idaho Falls, ID 83401 Present: 4, Absent: 1. I. Welcome Chairman Jenkins welcomed everyone to the meeting and took roll. Mindy Clayton: Absent Carissa Coats: Present Richard Hess: Present Paul Jenkins: Present Randy Smith: Present II. Items on the Consent Agenda to be discussed in the Executive Session. Not needed III. Approve/Amend the Executive Session Agenda (Action Item) Motion: To approve the Executive Session Agenda. This motion, made by Carissa Coats and seconded by Randy Smith, Passed. Mindy Clayton: Absent, Carissa Coats: Yea, Richard Hess: Yea, Paul Jenkins: Yea, Randy Smith: Yea Yea: 4, Nay: 0, Absent: 1 IV. Executive Session (Action Item) The Board will enter into an Executive Session pursuant to Idaho Code 74 -206(1)(b) to consider the evaluation, dismissal, or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member, or individual agent, or public school student. The Executive Session will be closed to the public as permitted by law. Motion: To enter Executive Session. This motion, made by Carissa Coats and seconded by Richard Hess, Passed. Mindy Clayton: Absent, Carissa Coats: Yea, Richard Hess: Yea, Paul Jenkins: Yea, Randy Smith: Yea Yea: 4, Nay: 0, Absent: 1 Roll Call Vote Carissa Coats Yes Randy Smith Yes Mindy Clayton Excused Richard Hess Yes Paul Jenkins Yes IV.A. Student Recommendations IV.A.1. Student 25-A (Action Item) The Board and the Executive Team discussed Student 25-A. Motion: To accept the recommendation to conditionally readmit Student 25 -A to Sandcreek Elementary on the conditions prescribed in the contract for enrollment. This motion, made by Richard Hess and seconded by Randy Smith, Passed. Mindy Clayton: Absent, Carissa Coats: Yea, Richard Hess: Yea, Paul Jenkins: Yea, Randy Smith: Yea Yea: 4, Nay: 0, Absent: 1 IV.B. Employee Recommendations The Board and the Executive Team discussed Employee C-2025, D-2025, E2025, and 23-03. IV.B.1. Employee C-2025 IV.B.2. Employee D-2025 IV.B.3. Employee E-2025 IV.B.4. Employee 23-03 V. Close Executive Session (Action Item) Motion: To close Executive Session. This motion, made by Richard Hess and seconded by Randy Smith, Passed. Mindy Clayton: Absent, Carissa Coats: Yea, Richard Hess: Yea, Paul Jenkins: Yea, Randy Smith: Yea Yea: 4, Nay: 0, Absent: 1 VI. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chairman Jenkins. VII. Invocation The invocation was offered by Pastor Paul Kreuger from Christ Alone Lutheran Church. VIII. Call to Order Chairman Jenkins called the meeting to order at 6:37 p.m. IX. Roll Call Carissa Coats Present Randy Smith Present Mindy Clayton Excused Richard Hess Present Paul Jenkins Present X. Board Opening Business X.A. Welcoming of Delegates and Visitors Chairman Jenkins welcomed everyone to the public business of the meeting. He reminded those in attendance to sign the form to participate in public input. X.B. Amend/Approve the Agenda (Action Item) Motion: To approve the agenda. This motion, made by Randy Smith and seconded by Richard Hess, Passed. Mindy Clayton: Absent, Carissa Coats: Yea, Richard Hess: Yea, Paul Jenkins: Yea, Randy Smith: Yea Yea: 4, Nay: 0, Absent: 1 X.C. Staff/Student/Patron Recognitions District 6 Distinguished Service Award for the LoAnn and Evan Belnap. Heath Jackson, Executive Director of Planning and Personnel explained to the Board that In July, the Idaho High School Activities Association held their annual Hall of Fame Banquet, recognizing many individuals throughout the state for their services to children and youth. Evan and LoAnn were honored with the District 6 Distinguished Service Award, a nomination made unanimously by the District 6 Boar d of Control, including Heather Johnson, Doug McLaren, and others. Nearly 40 years ago, Mike Jorgensen, a boys' basketball coach at Bonneville High School and soon-to-be athletic director for the Bonneville School District, initiated a youth basketball lea gue with Evan and LoAnn as partners. The league, which began as a program for 4th, 5th, and 6th graders, eventually evolved into an elite basketball league for 7th and 8th -grade boys and girls. The league ran both fall and spring sessions, adapting to the schedules of junior high seasons. Thousands of young athletes participated in the league, benefiting from its competitive environment and the values taught. Evan and LoAnn dedicated countless hours each week to organizing and managing the league, making significant contributions to their community. They even drew teams from as far away as Montana and Logan and Utah, due to the league's reputation for high -level competition. Evan and LoAnn expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to work with youth and for the support they received from the community and local schools. They emphasized that the league was always about the kids, not financial gain, and expressed their willingness to do it all over again if given the chance. Deb Sorenson will be recognized in the October Regular Meeting. X.D. Consent Agenda Public Input: Pursuant to Board Policy #4105 Public Participation in Board Meetings, The Board will accept public input on any item listed on tonight's agenda. State law prohibits comments on matters not on the agenda. Public input will be heard at the start of each ag enda section and before any action is taken. Please limit comments to three minutes to allow everyone who desires the opportunity to participate. The Board will listen but will not engage in discussion, though members may ask clarifying questions. Chairman Jenkins opened the floor for consent agenda public input. There wasn't anyone who signed up so he asked for a motion to approve the agenda. X.E. Approve Consent Agenda (Action Item) Motion: To approve the consent agenda. This motion, made by Carissa Coats and seconded by Richard Hess, Passed. Mindy Clayton: Absent, Carissa Coats: Yea, Richard Hess: Yea, Paul Jenkins: Yea, Randy Smith: Yea Yea: 4, Nay: 0, Absent: 1 X.E.1. Minutes of Previous Meetings Amended Regular Meeting/Executive Session - 08-14-2024 Special Meeting - 08-16-2024 Special Meeting/Executive Session - 08-28-2024 X.E.2. Financial X.E.2.a. Accounts Payable 5,547,577.87 X.E.2.b. Contracts eLuma Contractual Agreement with Bonneville Joint School District 93 X.E.2.c. Surplus Items Transportation - Bus - Surplus Transportation - Bus - Surplus Transportation - Bus - Surplus Maintenance - Cargo Trailer - Surplus X.E.3. Employees X.E.3.a. Alternative Authorizations X.E.3.b. Conditional Employment X.E.3.c. Leave Requests Employee E-2025 X.E.3.d. Release of Contract X.E.3.e. Resignations and Terminations X.E.3.f. Retirements X.E.3.g. Stipends X.E.3.h. Transfers X.E.4. Students X.E.4.a. Club Requests BOHS - eSports Club HHS - Military Leadership Club BCMS - Friendship Club XI. Items Moved From the Consent Agenda XII. Finance and Operations Reports and Recommendations XII.A. Finance and Operations Public Input There was no one signed up for public input. XII.B. School Facilities Fund Guy Wangsgard, Executive Director of Finance and Operations, gave updates regarding property taxes and school funding. Since the last meeting, it was reported that the school received $6.8 million in facilities funding from the state, up from just over $5 million last year. This increase would result in drawing between $500,000 and $750,000 from the savings account for the year. However, the district no longer received lottery money in the General Fund, and the bond levy equalization funding of $2.3 million was also lost. Despite the increase in school facilities funding, the overall result was still a decrease due to the loss of these two funding sources. The board approved $6 million for property -related expenses, and the additional amount would help extend the life of the savings account. XII.C. Enrollment Report Guy Wangsgard explained to the Board that enrollment for the first week of the current school year was down by eight students compared to the same time last year, staying close to the previous year's numbers. However, the attendance rate improved slightly, rising from 94.9% to 95.7%, partly due to adjustments at the secondary level to better account for Monday schedules. Although the district did not reach the expected enrollment, the higher attendance rate was positive news. Despite not using the emergency levy, the district would have qualified for an additional $200,000 to $300,000 due to improved attendance. The attendance has gradually improved over the past three years, especially after changes to the Monday schedule that helped capture full attendance . XIII. Planning and Personnel Reports and Recommendations XIII.A. Planning and Personnel Public Input There was no one signed up for public input. XIII.B. Employee / Staff Turnover Report Heath Jackson, Executive Director of Planning and Personnel presented to the Board the employee turnover and staff retention report. He stated that two reports were used to collect data. One from principals detailing reasons for employees leaving, such as moving to other districts or staying home, and another from exit surveys offering specific feedback on satisfaction and areas for improvement. The district saw a slight decrease in turnover, with 68 certified and 108 classified employees leaving this year, compared to higher numbers previously. A $4 -per- hour pay increase for classified staff improved retention, raising the overall retention rate from 83% last year to 87% this year. Key reasons for leaving included pay disparities, relocation, and the appeal of a four -day workweek in other districts. Some teachers left due to personal reasons, relocation, or leavi ng the profession entirely. The district aimed to refine data collection to better address employee concerns. Mr. Jackson covered reasons for departures based on a Qualtrics survey, with a response rate of about 50 -55%. Efforts were planned to increase participation. The main reason for leaving was pay, especially among classified staff who left for higher - paying jobs outside education. Insurance was the second major reason, despite efforts to provide options like health reimbursement and savings accounts. High family insurance costs remained a challenge, as other districts or jobs offered lower premiums. About 20% of employees reported being somewhat or extremely unhappy with their employment. While employees generally felt happy working for the district, t hey often left for better benefits. About 50% expressed interest in returning, and around 60% would refer others to work there. To improve feedback, the district planned to adjust the survey by allowing employees to authorize HR follow -ups. Teacher retention rates were highlighted based on effectiveness, with nearly 100% of highly effective teachers staying, 91% of highly effective, and 86% of effective teachers remaining. None of the minimally effective or ineffective teachers stayed, as the district helped them identify strengths and opportunities for improvement, leading some to leave the profession or move elsewhere. The district stressed the importance of effective evaluation tools for growth and retention. Classified employee turnover was fluid, with frequent role changes across departments. Maintenance and transportation, in particular, struggled to hire specialized roles, prompting adjustments in job descriptions to attract candidates. Despite challenges, the district managed to maintain adequate staffing, particularly in transportation. The special education department faced high turnover due to its size and varying student needs, requiring regular hires for roles like paraprofessionals and nurses. Recruiting specialized staff, such as nurses, was difficult due to pay competition with the private sector. Staffing assignments were frequently adjusted based on student needs. Additionally, 22 teachers were on alternate authorizations, working toward full certification, down from 32 last year, indicating improved retention. The district successfully recruited a mix of new and experienced teachers. Employee recognition showed many had long tenures, with some serving over 30 years. The district focused on strategies to attract and retain quality employees, emphasizing a positive work environment, supportive relationships, and job satisfaction. They acknowledged funding constraints but aimed to be competitive and create a pleasant workplace to retain staff despite higher offe rs elsewhere. Plans included employee recognition events and exploring exit surveys for students to understand and improve retention. Surveys for graduating students and those transferring out were considered to enhance the district’s culture and environment, aiming to identify and address issues affecting both staff and student retention. XIV. Learning and Instruction Reports and Recommendations XIV.A. Learning and Instruction Public Input There was no one signed up for public input for Learning and Instruction. XIV.B. Professional Learning Report Jason Lords, Executive Director of Learning and Instruction presented his report on professional development that occurred after last school year and throughout the summer. The district's professional development included major sessions as well as ongoing activities at schools, such as book studies and collaboration on Mondays. The focus was on helping teachers improve through team learning, where effective classroom strategies were shared among peers. The district also worked on ways to enhance teaching by leveraging insights from district leadership and planning personnel. This year, the district purchased tables and chairs to facilitate professional development in larger district spaces, avoiding the need to rent external venues. Teachers need to recertif y every five years, requiring six credits that can be earned through college courses, book studies, or other approved professional activities. The district offers various opportunities to help teachers accumulate these credits, sometimes covering the costs for specific training, such as courses for new teachers. Funding for professional development came from state and federal sources, including Title II funds, which required an annual plan outlining the intended use of funds. This year, significant training included behavior solutions workshops attended by teams from each school, aimed at developing behavior plans for their respective schools. This initiative continued with follow-up training planned for the next year. Additionally, the district organized a PLC Institute, bringing together board members, district leaders, and principals for collaborative discussions. In August, the district held literacy-focused professional learning sessions tailored for elementary and secondary teachers, featuring expert speakers and breakout sessions. Classified staff also received targeted training, including presentations on district cornerstones and practical aspects of their roles. Ongoing professional development efforts include required trainings for new teachers and administrators, such as phonics and evaluation courses. The district also introduced an online dyslexia course developed by trained staff members to meet certification requirements for K-3 teachers. Overall, nearly 700 professional development credits were earned by teachers last year, reflecting the district's commitment to providing ample opportunities for professional growth and recertification. XIV.C. Parent's Rights in Medical Decision-making Act for Public Review (Action Item) Superintendent Woolstenhulme started by saying the technology used to send out 15,000 text messages was not flawless, but about 11,000 parents responded and provided consent, which was very helpful for following up with the remaining parents. Around 100 out of 14,000 parents declined consent, which clarified their stance, allowing the district to handle those cases if they arise. The board was asked to approve the proposed amendments to the policy for emergency treatment to comply with the Parent Rights in Medical Treatment Act. Motion: To approve the proposed amendments to Board Policy 354 Emergency Treatment to comply with Parent's Rights in Medical Decision-making for public review. This motion, made by Randy Smith and seconded by Richard Hess, Passed. Mindy Clayton: Absent, Carissa Coats: Yea, Richard Hess: Yea, Paul Jenkins: Yea, Randy Smith: Yea Yea: 4, Nay: 0, Absent: 1 XIV.D. Curriculum Committee Recommendations Mr. Lords had two requested curricular resources to the Board. Bonneville High School submitted a play script titled "12 Angry Men" for use, which the speaker had previously encountered in a professional development session focusing on teamwork and collaboration. The Curriculum Committee recommends the Board to approve the play for high school. XIV.D.1. 12 Angry Men (Action Item) Motion: To accept the Curriculum Committee's recommendation to approve 12 Angry Men script for a high school play. This motion, made by Carissa Coats and seconded by Richard Hess, Passed. Mindy Clayton: Absent, Carissa Coats: Yea, Richard Hess: Yea, Paul Jenkins: Yea, Randy Smith: Yea Yea: 4, Nay: 0, Absent: 1 XIV.D.2. Skyward (Action Item) A middle school English language arts teacher requested approval to use the book "Skyward" by Brandon Sanderson in their curriculum. Teachers often rely on established materials but are seeking to incorporate popular books that students enjoy teaching essential standards. If approved, "Skyward" would be used in middle school English language arts classrooms. Motion: To accept the Curriculum Committee's recommendation of approving Skyward for middle school English Language Arts. This motion, made by Carissa Coats and seconded by Richard Hess, Passed. Mindy Clayton: Absent, Carissa Coats: Yea, Richard Hess: Yea, Paul Jenkins: Yea, Randy Smith: Yea Yea: 4, Nay: 0, Absent: 1 XV. Board Closing Business XV.A. ISBA Recess Time Resolution (Action Item) Superintendent Woolstenhulme explained that the typical process for ISBA resolutions involves submitting them to the ISBA, where their executive board reviews and makes recommendations. This resolution was initially brought to the board last summer but was not submitted to the ISBA in time for the fall conference. It was resubmitted this year, and the ISBA returned with no recommendation, stating that there were higher priorities. Superintendent Woolstenhulme also agreed, noting that given the many issues a t the legislative level, it might not be worth investing time and energy on a relatively small matter. The recommendation to the board was to withdraw this resolution and allow the ISBA to focus on more important priorities. Motion: To withdraw our Recess Time Resolution Recommendation from the ISBA Resolutions. This motion, made by Richard Hess and seconded by Randy Smith, Passed. Mindy Clayton: Absent, Carissa Coats: Yea, Richard Hess: Yea, Paul Jenkins: Yea, Randy Smith: Yea Yea: 4, Nay: 0, Absent: 1 XV.B. Request for Agenda Items for Upcoming Meetings (Action Item) The Board Clerk received a request from the Idaho Falls Art Museum to speak to the board at a future meeting. The recommendation was to direct the museum administrators to meet with either the learning instruction team or school principals rather than presenting to the board, emphasizing a more appropriate forum for such discussions. The board agreed that while maintaining accessibility to the public is essential, these matters could be better handled at the administrative level first, with the option for further board involvement if necessary. XV.B.1. Opportunity for Students at The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho (Action Item) Motion: To move that we do not add the request from the Art Museum of Eastern Idaho to a future board agenda at this time. However, the Art Museum is encouraged to present their information at a principal or learning and instruction meeting. If, after meeting with the principals, the Art Museum wishes to present to the Board, they would welcome their presentation at that point.". This motion, made by Richard Hess and seconded by Randy Smith, Passed. Mindy Clayton: Absent, Carissa Coats: Yea, Richard Hess: Yea, Paul Jenkins: Yea, Randy Smith: Yea Yea: 4, Nay: 0, Absent: 1 XV.C. Adjournment (Action Item) Motion: To adjourn the meeting at 8:35 p.m. This motion, made by Carissa Coats and seconded by Richard Hess, Passed. Mindy Clayton: Absent, Carissa Coats: Yea, Richard Hess: Yea, Paul Jenkins: Yea, Randy Smith: Yea Yea: 4, Nay: 0, Absent: 1 APPROVED: ______________________________________ Chairman ATTESTED: _______________________________________ Clerk DATE: ___________________________________