Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-23-2024 Minutes Work 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 Work Meeting/Executive Session Wednesday, October 23, 2024, 11:30 AM Pine Basin Lodge Forest Road 40911+Pine Creek Road Swan Valley, ID 83428 I. Call to Order at 11:34 p.m. II. Roll Call Mindy Clayton: Present Carissa Coats: Present Richard Hess: Present Paul Jenkins: Present Randy Smith: Present III. Opening Board Business III.A. Approve/Amend Agenda (Action Item) Motion: To approve the agenda. This motion, made by Richard Hess and seconded by Carissa Coats, Passed. III.B. Welcome Visitors and Delegations Chairman Jenkins welcomed everyone to the Pine Basin and thanked them for making the drive. IV. Finance and Operations Reports and Recommendations IV.A. Pine Basin Financials Jessica Bradshaw, the administrative assistant to John Pymm, the district's director of facilities and maintenance, reported to the Board the state of Pine Basin Lodge. She explained that since early 2022, the maintenance department has completed several renovations focusing on health and safety, responding to issues identified by state inspectors. Upgrades included installing a new kitchen hood for safety, replacing damaged flooring, adding new staircases, and installing durable tables with a 50-year warranty. In 2022, they welded and reinforced bed frames and added new mattresses, including protective covers to maintain hygiene. Further improvements in 2023 include window replacements, new insulation, sheetrock, and trim for enhanced energy efficiency. They renovated the parking lot and road, installed a fireplace screen, and refurbished amphitheater benches. Current projects include building a fire pit, relocating the volleyball net, and gathering historical information on the lodge. Additional upgrades h ave provided new furniture, internet, security cameras, and better ground maintenance. Future renovation plans involve finishing window replacements, adding a pavilion, removing non -native trees, and upgrading the cabin's exterior. These improvements aim to maintain a safe and attractive facility for rentals and summer camps, balancing expenses with rental income to cover costs. V. Superintendent Reports and Recommendations V.A. Policy 5240 Professional Conduct Superintendent Woolstenhulme explained that at the last Board Work Meeting it was decided to keep working on the Policy 5240 Professional Conduct. The district focused on an updated professional conduct policy, replacing the previous personal conduct policy. Key changes included merging the former conflict of interest policy and refining the confidential information section. The professional interactions section was overhauled to establish expectations for supervisors on respectful conduct toward employees, addressing prior concerns about workplace dynamics, and promoting a collaborative culture. The policy also expanded guidelines on interactions with students. Previously, it narrowly prohibited physical aggression, but the updated policy now covers all forms of aggression, including non -physical behaviors. It prohibits physical, verbal, or virtual intimacy with students, as well as taking, possessing, or sharing student images in non-public settings without parental consent. This change responds to parent concerns over unauthorized classroom photos by teachers or substitutes, especially at the high school level, emphasizing the need for transparency and parental authorization. Public events, such as plays or extracurriculars, are exempt, but classroom photo-taking requires parental approval. In the recent meeting, district leaders, including BEA representatives Danny Gutierrez and Bret Weber, discussed the new policy on district property use. This policy restricted classroom structural modifications and prohibited using public facilities to advance personal political, social, or religious beliefs. The board highlighted this policy's response to parental concerns over classroom displays unrelated to the curriculum. The last part of the conversation focused on the rainbow flag, which some teachers dis played to support LGBTQ students and foster a sense of safety and belonging. The BEA representatives emphasized that, for certain students, seeing the flag provided emotional support and contributed to suicide prevention efforts. Some board members raised concerns about the potential politicization of such symbols, stressing a desire for an inclusive environment that avoids divisive symbols. They discussed finding alternative ways to signify safe spaces without specific flags to maintain neutrality while supporting all students. The Board suggested that the district gather additional input from other districts and further refine the policy, ensuring a balance between inclusivity and maintaining a politically neutral learning environment. VI. Planning and Personnel Reports and Recommendations VI.A. FY26 Budget and Staffing Outlook The Executive Team and the Board discussed the FY2026 budget. The district is aiming to reduce staff positions to balance the budget, even as the need for mental health support for students is clear. Although they felt adequately staffed with counselors, there had long been a desire to add certified social workers in high schools and middle schools to support students with high needs. Limited funding has delayed such initiatives, even as the demand for mental health support grows. The district is considerin g using savings to ensure necessary staff are in place, particularly if the upcoming levy is renewed. They also discussed potentially offsetting costs by obtaining Medicaid reimbursements and exploring a model where community mental health workers could pr ovide on-site services. This plan aims to strategically address student needs without burdening the budget, ensuring a more sustainable approach for future financial planning. VII. Closing Board Business VII.A. Request for Agenda Items for Upcoming Meetings The Board and the Executive Team would like to have an ISBA Conference debrief. VII.B. ISBA and National Conventions Travel Plans The Board discussed who would like to attend the upcoming NSBA and COSSBA conventions in March/April. Chairman Jenkins would like to attend the NSBA, and the other trustees are going to get back to the Clerk to let her know if they would like to attend either conference. VIII. 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 discipline of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member, or individual agent, or public school student and (d) To consider records that are exempt from disclosure as provided in chapter 1, title 74, Idaho Code. 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 Mindy Clayton, Passed. Roll Call Vote Randy Smith yes Carissa Coats yes Mindy Clayton yes Richard Hess yes Paul Jenkins yes The Board entered the Executive Session at 2:42 p.m. VIII.A. Student Recommendations VIII.A.1. Student 25-B (Action Item) Motion: To accept the recommendation of not suspending Student 25 -B as presented. This motion, made by Richard Hess and seconded by Randy Smith, Passed. VIII.A.2. Student 25-C (Action Item) Motion: To approve expulsion with conditional readmittance for Student 25-C. This motion, made by Richard Hess and seconded by Randy Smith, Passed. VIII.A.3. Student 25-D (Action Item) Motion: To approve the recommendation of denying enrollment with conditional admission for Student 25 -D as presented. This motion, made by Randy Smith and seconded by Richard Hess, Passed. VIII.B. Employee Recommendations VIII.B.1. Employee B-2025 The Board and the Executive Team discussed Employee B-2025. VIII.C. Litigations & Complaints Case # 23-03 Case # 25-01 Case # 23-02 The Executive Team updated the Board on the ongoing cases and Litigations that are still open. VIII.D. Emergency Response Plan: Authorizing Firearms VIII.D.1. Emergency Response Plan The Executive Team and the Board discussed the District's Emergency Response Plan. VIII.D.2. Social Media Threat Evaluation The Executive Team and the Board discussed the Thunder Ridge Social Media Threat and the implementation of updated procedures. IX. Close Executive Session (Action Item) Motion: To close Executive Session. This motion, made by Mindy Clayton and seconded by Randy Smith, Passed. Executive Session closed at 3:19 p.m. X. Adjournment (Action Item) Motion: To adjourn the meeting. This motion, made by Carissa Coats and seconded by Richard Hess, Passed. The meeting adjourned at 3:19 p.m.