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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-12-2025 Minutes Board Regular 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 Regular Meeting Wednesday, March 12, 2025, An Executive Session will begin at 6:00 p.m. Public portion of meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. District Office 3497 N Ammon Rd Idaho Falls, ID 83401 I. Welcome Chairman Jenkins welcomed everyone to the meeting. II. Call to Order Chairman Jenkins called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Roll Call Mindy Clayton: Present Carissa Coats: Present Richard Hess: Present Paul Jenkins: Present Randy Smith: Present III. Items on the Consent Agenda to Discuss in Executive Session. There were no board members who requested items from the consent agenda to be discussed in the Executive Session. IV. Approve/Amend the Executive Session Agenda (Action Item) Motion: To approve the Executive Session agenda. This motion, made by Randy Smith and seconded by Carissa Coats, Passed. V. Executive Session (Action Item) The Board will enter into an Executive Session pursuant to Idaho Code 74 -206 1(a) to consider hiring a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, wherein the respective qualities of individuals are to be evaluated in order to fill a particular vacancy or need and (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 Richard Hess and seconded by Mindy Clayton, Passed. Roll Call Vote Carissa Coats yes Randy Smith yes Mindy Clayton yes Richard Hess yes Paul Jenkins yes The Board entered Executive Session at 6:02 p.m. V.A. Student V.A.1. Student 25-H (Action Item) Motion: To accept the recommendation to expel 25 -H from Sandcreek Middle School and Hillcrest High School through February 2026 and the conditionally readmit Student 25 -H to Bonneville Online High School under the supervision of an assigned support professional. This motion, made by Carissa Coats and seconded by Richard Hess, Passed. V.A.2. Student 25-I (Action Item) Motion: To accept the recommendation of no expulsion for Student 25-I. This motion, made by Carissa Coats and seconded by Mindy Clayton, Passed. V.A.3. Request for Award of High School Diploma: Jolene Brewer The Board and the Executive Team discussed a request that was submitted to the district regarding a diploma for a former student. V.B. Employee Recommendations V.B.1. Leave Without Pay Employee AE-2025 Employee AF-2025 Employee AG-2025 Employee AH-2025 Heath Jackson, Executive Director of Planning and Personnel, asked the Board if they had any questions or concerns with the employees seeking leave without pay. These individuals were on the consent agenda for approval. No action taken during Executive Session. V.B.2. Release of Contract Employee AB-2025 Employee AC-2025 Employee AD-2025 Heath Jackson, Executive Director of Planning and Personnel, asked the Board if they had any questions or concerns with the employees asking to be released from their contracts. These individuals were on the consent agenda for approval. No action taken during the Executive Session. V.B.3. Scott Thunstrom Voluntary Request for Instructional Assignment The Board and the Executive Team discussed a voluntary request from Scott Thunstrom. V.B.4. Director of Maintenance and Facilities Recommendation The Board and the Executive Team discussed the hiring committee's recommendation for the Director of Facilities and Maintenance. V.B.5. Hillcrest High School Principal Recommendation The Board and the Executive Team discussed the hiring committee's recommendation for Hillcrest High School's principal. V.C. 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 7:09 p.m. VI. Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chairman Jenkins. VII. Invocation was offered by Randy Smith VIII. Chairman Jenkins called the meeting to order at 7:16 p.m. IX. Roll Call Carissa Coats present Randy Smith present Mindy Clayton present Richard Hess present Paul Jenkins present X. Board Opening Business X.A. Welcoming of Delegates and Visitors Chairman Jenkins welcomed those in attendance to the meeting and reminded those who would like to participate in any of the public inputs need to sign up. X.B. Amend/Approve the Agenda (Action Item) Motion: To approve the agenda. This motion, made by Carissa Coats and seconded by Mindy Clayton, Passed. X.C. Staff/Student Recognition TRHS IHSAA 6A Girls Wrestling Coach of the Year, and National Wrestling Coaches Association Section 8 Girls Coach of the Year - Jody Webb TRHS IHSAA 6A Wrestling State Champion in the 185 Weight Class - Shauna Anderson BHS IHSAA 5A Wrestling State Champion in the 165 Weight Class - Madix Jones HHS IHSAA 5A Wrestling State Champion in the 285 Weight Class - Austin Reeves Jody Webb, Thunder Ridge High School's wrestling coach, was honored with two major awards: Girls 6A Wrestling Coach of the Year for the State and National Wrestling Coaches Association Section 8 Girls Coach of the Year. These prestigious recognitions highlight his outstanding contributions to coaching and wres tling. Travis Hobson, speaking as the athletic director, praised Jody as one of the best coaches he has worked with, emphasizing his ability to see the big picture for all students. He noted Jody’s exceptional talent for recruiting and inspiring students to join wrestling, calling it a remarkable skill. Jody humbly expressed gratitude, stating that winning Coach of the Year is only possible because of the people around him. He credited his success to his assistant coaches, administration, and the support of the entire program, emphasizing that real recognition belongs to them. The recognition highlighted Jody Webb’s leadership, dedication, and impact on student -athletes, making him a well-respected and admired coach in the Thunder Ridge community. Shauna Anderson, a junior at Thunder Ridge High School, was recognized for her second state wrestling championship, marking an impressive achievement in her high school career. Notably, she dominated her finals matches in both state titles, spending a combined total of less than a minute and a half on the mat, showcasing her skill and dominance in the sport. Her coach praised her calm, collected, and focused demeanor, emphasizing how she consistently takes care of business with confidence. He also highlight ed the strong support from her family and expressed excitement for her senior year, where she has the opportunity to become Thunder Ridge’s second three-time state champion. Shauna thanked her supporters and credited her success with her hard work, dedication, and after-school training. She also shared her hope of continuing her wrestling career at the collegiate level. Madix Jones - Madix Jones was recognized for his State Championship title at 165 pounds and his incredible work ethic, determination, and respectfulness. His introduction highlighted his strong character, dedication to his goals, and the support of his parents, makin g him a standout student and athlete. His perseverance was particularly praised, as he overcame a knee injury and remained fully committed to his training. A story was shared about how, even at a championship event, Madix was already in bed earl y the night before his match, demonstrating his focus and discipline. Madix expressed gratitude to his coaches, administration, teachers, parents, girlfriend, teammates, and friends for their support. He credited his visualization techniques and mindset as key to his success, always picturing himself winning the championship. X.D. Student Council Reports Hillcrest High School Bonneville Online High School Hillcrest High School - The Hillcrest High School Student Council presented their annual report to the board, highlighting key activities and initiatives. They emphasized their efforts to support the community, including fundraisers for cancer patients, outreach to feeder elem entary schools with food and winter clothing drives, and supporting teachers and students affected by tragic events. They also focused on teacher appreciation through handwritten notes and organized a "Heat from Hillcrest" project, providing donated coats to those in need. The council expressed gratitude for their advisor, Amanda Wade, who is stepping down, and shared excitement for the incoming leadership. Bonneville Online High School - The Bonneville Online High School Student Council presented their report, highlighting efforts to build community and engagement among both in-person and remote students. Activities included a Senior Sunrise, Halloween cookie decorating, Thanksgiving food drive, and helping the Idaho State Police distribute Christmas food baskets to families in need. They also hosted a Christmas luncheon with support from local businesses, a movie day to lift spirits after the holiday break, and Valentine’s Day treat distribution. Upcoming events include an Easter activity, teacher appreciation, an end -of-year barbecue, and a graduation celebration for seniors. The council continues to focus on creating social opportunities for students who may struggle with interaction. X.E. 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 agenda 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 q uestions. X.F. Consent Agenda Public Input There was no one who was signed up for consent agenda public input X.G. Approve Consent Agenda (Action Item) Motion: To approve the consent agenda. This motion, made by Richard Hess and seconded by Carissa Coats, Passed. X.G.1. Minutes of Previous Meetings Regular Board Meeting/Executive Session - 02-12-2025 Work Board Meeting - 02-26-2025 X.G.2. Financial X.G.2.a. Accounts Payable $15,774,385.51 X.G.2.b. Contracts X.G.2.c. Surplus Items X.G.3. Employees X.G.3.a. Conditional Employment X.G.3.b. Leave Requests Employee AE-2025 Employee AF-2025 Employee AG-2025 Employee AH-2025 X.G.3.c. Release of Contract X.G.3.d. Resignations and Terminations X.G.3.e. Retirements X.G.3.f. Stipends X.G.4. Students X.G.4.a. Early Graduation Requests X.G.4.b. Club Requests TRHS Art Club X.G.4.c. Trip Requests HHS Track and Field to Boise Relays Varsity Invitational - Boise, Idaho - 04-04-2025 to 04-05-2025 TRHS FCCLA to State Competition & Conference - Boise, Idaho - 04-16-2025 to 04-18-2025 TCHS SkillsUSA Competition - Meridian, Idaho - 04-07-2025 to 04-09-2025 TCHS FFA to Career Development Competition - Twin Falls, Idaho - 04-01-2025 to 04-05-2025 RMMS National History Day - Caldwell, Idaho - 04-04-2025 to 04-05-2025 Praxium Mastery Academy - National History Day - Caldwell, Idaho - 04-04-2025 to 04-05-2025 X.G.5. School Support Organizations TRHS Baseball Boosters XI. Items Moved From the Consent Agenda (Action Item) XII. Planning and Personnel Reports and Recommendations XII.A. Planning and Personnel Reports and Recommendations Public Input XII.B. Hillcrest High School Principal (Action Item) Tyler Mills has been selected as the next Principal of Hillcrest High School, succeeding Ty Salsbery, who has chosen to transition to Mountain Valley Elementary to spend more time with his family. We are incredibly grateful for Ty’s dedication and leadership at Hillcrest and fully support his decision to take on this new role. The selection process for Hillcrest’s next principal was highly competitive, as we had one of the strongest and most qualified pools of applicants we’ve seen in recent years. After an extensive interview process involving a committee of teachers, administrators, directors, and parents, Tyler Mills emerged as the best candidate to lead Hillcrest into the future. Tyler brings a wealth of experience to this position. He began his career a s a teacher at Rocky Mountain Middle School before moving into administration in the Hagerman School District. He later returned to the Idaho Falls area, where he served as an administrator at White Pine Charter School before joining District 93 as an Assistant Principal. Over the past seven years, Tyler has demonstrated unwavering dedication, energy, and passion for education, making a lasting impact on students and staff alike. Upon his appointment, Tyler shared his enthusiasm for this new chapter: "I am incredibly honored and blessed by this opportunity. Hillcrest holds a special place in my heart—I love our students, our staff, and our community. I’ve been fortunate to work with amazing mentors throughout my career, and I am excited to continue ser ving Hillcrest in this new capacity. This is one of the greatest joys of my life, and I look forward to the journey ahead." Motion: To approve Tyler Mills as the principal at Hillcrest High School. This motion, made by Carissa Coats and seconded by Mindy Clayton, Passed. XII.C. Director of Maintenance and Facilities (Action Item) We are pleased to announce that Cody Jackson has been selected to serve as the next Director of Facilities and Maintenance, replacing John Pymm beginning next year. This decision was not an easy one, as we had an outstanding pool of candidates, all of whom currently serve in administrative roles within our district. Each brought unique strengths and experiences to the table, making this a highly competitive process. After a thorough review, both the selection committee and district leadership felt that Cody Jackson was the right candidate for this important role. Cody has been a dedicated and hardworking member of our district for many years. He currently serves as an Assistant Principal at Thunder Ridge and has previously worked as an Athletic Director and a teacher within our schools. Beyond his administrative experience, Cody has a strong background in construction and facilities management, having worked in the field for nearly two decades. He has served as a general contractor, supervised large-scale projects, and played a key role in rebuilding efforts after the major hailstorm our community endured several years ago. His deep understanding of facilities maintenance, problem -solving skills, and ability to collaborate with our maintenance team will be invaluable in this new position. As our schools continue to grow and evolve, we know Cody will provide the leadership and expertise needed to ensure our facilities remain in top condition for students and staff. Motion: To approve Cody Jackson as the Director of Maintenance and Facilities. This motion, made by Richard Hess and seconded by Randy Smith, Passed. XII.D. Scott Thunstrom Voluntary Request for Instructional Assignment (Action Item) Scott Thunstrom, who has served as principal for the past two years, has requested a voluntary reassignment to return to the classroom as an instructor for personal reasons. He has performed exceptionally well at Rocky Mountain, and, given his past success in the classroom, the board is being asked to approve his reassignment from an administrative role to an instructional position within the district. Motion: To approve the voluntary request for an instruction assignment. This motion, made by Carissa Coats and seconded by Mindy Clayton, Passed. XII.E. Release of Contract XII.E.1. Employee AB-2025 (Action Item) Employee AC-2025 (Action Item) Employee AD-2025 (Action Item) XII.F. Bonneville High School HVAC Contract (Action Item) John Pymm, Director of Maintenance and Facilities, asked the Board to consider the HVAC contract for approval. The contract is for a new chilling tower at Bonneville High School as part of planned renovations. Of the three proposals received, only one was compatible with the school's system, and since both the vendor and the district are part of a government bidding cooperative, the board is opting to use this process to expedite approval instead of going through a traditional bidding process. The chilling tower functions like a large evaporative cooler, improving climate control, particularly in office areas. The project is part of a phased renovation, with future plans to replace the boiler and other related systems. Motion: To approve the Bonneville High School HVAC contract as presented. This motion, made by Mindy Clayton and seconded by Richard Hess, Passed. XII.G. Standard Agreement Between Owner and Architect (Action Item) John Pymm, Director of Maintenance and Facilities, requested the Board to approve the contract between the school district and VCBO Architects for renovations at Bonneville High School. VCBO was previously selected through a formal process, but the project was delayed due to fun ding issues. With new state funding, the district is proceeding with a scaled-down version focused on essential repairs, including HVAC and flooring. Mr. Pymm recommended moving forward with VCBO as the project architect, and the Board approved the agreeme nt. Motion: To approve the standard agreement between owner (Bonneville Joint School District 93) and VCBO Architects as presented. This motion, made by Randy Smith and seconded by Mindy Clayton, Passed. XII.H. Update on Thunder Stadium Bleachers John Pymm, Director of Maintenance and Facilities, updated the Board on repairs to Bonneville High School’s stadium bleachers. Damage occurred when a backhoe accidentally struck a support structure. A structural engineer assessed the situation, and while initial concerns were significant, repairs were less extensive than expected, requiring only the replacement of a few cross beams. The total cost was below the district’s insurance deductible. The issue was caused by sand and salt storage under the bleacher s, which led to an employee mistakenly backing into a cross beam. Plans are in place to relocate the storage to prevent future incidents. Repairs have been completed and certified by structural engineers, ensuring the bleachers are safe for use. XIII. Learning and Instruction Reports and Recommendations XIII.A. Learning and Instruction Reports and Recommendations Public Input There was no one who signed up for Learning and Instruction Reports and Recommendations public input. XIII.B. Student Travel Ratification XIII.B.1. HHS Band to Boys State Basketball Competition - Boise, Idaho - 03-06-2025 to 03-08-2025, HHS Cheer to Boys State Basketball Competition - Boise, Idaho - 03-06-2025 to 03-08-2025, TRHS Band to Boys State Basketball Competition - Ontario, Oregon - 03-06-2025 to 03-08-2025, TRHS Cheer to Boys State Basketball Competition - Ontario, Oregon - 03-06-2025 to 03-08-2025 (Action Item) Superintendent Woolstenhulme explained to the Board that Thunder Ridge High School and Hillcrest High School's band and cheer had a quick turnaround with going to state to support their boys’ basketball teams at state. So, he requested the Board to approve the ratification of both student travel requests. Motion: To approve Hillcrest and Thunder Ridge's cheer and band's travel to the Boys Basketball state tournament. This motion, made by Carissa Coats and seconded by Mindy Clayton, Passed. XIII.C. K-3 ELA Adoption (Action Item) Jason Lords, Executive Director of Learning and Instruction, requested board approval for adopting Amplify CKLA as the K-3 English Language Arts curriculum. The decision follows a multi -year evaluation process, including pilot programs in seven schools, committee reviews, and teacher and parent feedback. The curriculum integrates science and social studies into literacy instruction and aligns well with the Science of Reading principles. While some concerns were raised about the skills component, teachers fo und it engaging and beneficial. The committee reached a consensus, and Mr. Lords recommended approval to ensure materials are available before summer break. Motion: To accept the ELA Curriculum Committee's recommendation of adopting Amplify CKLA for K -3 English Language Arts. This motion, made by Randy Smith and seconded by Carissa Coats, Passed. XIII.D. Proposed Board Policy 3385 Extra Curricular Activity Participation for Initial Consideration There were no changes made to this policy. No discussion needed. XIII.E. Proposed Policy 2380 Homebound, Hospital, and Home Instruction for Public Review (Action Item) Motion: Motion: To approve Proposed Policy 2380 Homebound, Hospital, and Home Instruction for public review. This motion, made by Carissa Coats and seconded by Mindy Clayton, Passed. XIII.F. Proposed Policy 3530 Suicide, Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention for Public Review (Action Item) Jason Lords recommended sending Policy 3530: Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention for public review. After previous revisions, the policy is now in a finalized state. Key changes include adjustments to the notification process, particularly for after-hours alerts (9 PM - 7 AM), allowing notifications to be forwarded to law enforcement when necessary. These updates were made in consultation with principals to ensure timely and appropriate responses. Lords asked for board approval to move the pol icy to public review. Motion: To approve proposed Policy 3530 Suicide, Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention for public review. This motion, made by Mindy Clayton and seconded by Randy Smith, Passed. XIII.G. Proposed Policy 2350 Student Religious Activity at School for Final Adoption (Action Item) Jason Lords, Executive Director of Learning and Instruction, requested the Board to approve proposed Policy U - 4350: Student Religious Activity at Schools for public final adoption. The policy underwent some revisions. Key changes included clarifying that school employees cannot organize or approve student-led prayers at school- sponsored events while acting within their job responsibilities. However, spontaneous student prayer is permitted, as long as participation is truly voluntary. A board member suggeste d adding an exception for school board functions to allow prayer. The policy was refined to ensure equal treatment of all beliefs, prevent coercion, and provide clear guidelines for staff and administration. The revisions aim to balance religious freedom w hile ensuring no one is put in an unequal position regarding personal beliefs. Motion: To approve Proposed Policy U-4350 Student Religious Activity at School with the added corrections for final adoption. This motion, made by Richard Hess and seconded by Mindy Clayton, Passed. XIV. Finance and Operations Reports and Recommendations XIV.A. Finance and Operations Reports and Recommendations Public Input There was no one who was signed up for Finance and Operations Reports and Recommendations public input. XIV.B. Emergency Closure for Hillcrest High School (Action Item) Guy Wangsgard, Executive Director of Finance and Operations asked John Pymm to explain the emergency closure of Hillcrest High School on February 26 due to an HVAC system failure caused by a malfunctioning air compressor. The issue was quickly repaired, and plans are in place to upgrade to digital HVAC systems. The closure did not impact on instructional hours, as the state allows 11 emergency closure hours, and the district has extra hours built in. Mr. Wangsgard requested board approval to submit the clos ure to the state. Motion: To approve the emergency closure on February 26, 2025, for Hillcrest High School. This motion, made by Randy Smith and seconded by Carissa Coats, Passed. XV. Superintendent Reports and Recommendations XV.A. Superintendent Reports and Recommendations Public Input There was no one who was signed up for Superintendent Reports and Recommendations public input. XV.B. Request for Award of High School Diploma: Jolene Brewer (Action Item) Superintendent Woolstenhulme requested board approval to grant Jolene Brewer a diploma from Lincoln High School. Brewer, a former student, lost her diploma in a fire and needed it for employment. However, since she attended the mid-1990s, before centralized digital records, the school could not definitively confirm her graduation due to incomplete records. Given her educational history and circumstances, the administration determined it would be appropriate to award her a diploma with a graduation date of J une 1, 1997. Motion: To approve the request to grant Jolene Brewer a diploma from Lincoln High School with the graduation date of June 1, 1997. This motion, made by Randy Smith and seconded by Richard Hess, Passed. XV.C. Negotiations Teams (Action Item) Superintendent Woolstenhulme requested authorization for himself and the Executive Team to enter into labor negotiations on behalf of the board. While negotiations with the teachers' association won’t officially begin until after the legislative session concludes—when the budget and potential compensation changes are finalized—the goal is to move quickly. This would allow for timely ratification of the master agreement and ensure teacher contracts are issued before summer break. Superintendent Woolstenhulme offered to take on the assignment or delegate it as needed. Motion: To authorize Superintendent Woolstenhulme and the other members of the Executive Team to enter into labor negotiations on behalf of the Board. This motion, made by Carissa Coats and seconded by Mindy Clayton, Passed. XV.D. Proposed Policy 9805 Memorials on School Grounds for Public Review (Action Item) Motion: To approve Proposed Policy 9805 Memorials on School Grounds for public review. This motion, made by Richard Hess and seconded by Carissa Coats, Passed. XVI. Board Closing Business XVI.A. Request for Agenda Items for Upcoming Meetings (Action Item) There were no requests submitted for board agenda items from the public. So, no action was needed. The Board and Superintendent Woolstenhulme asked the clerk to note the following items for future Board meetings. I. Work Meeting A. Parent drop off loop at Iona Elementary B. Review of Elevate Academy C. Tours of TCHS, Praxium, and Elevate Academy XVI.B. Board Tour of Elevate, Praxium/BOHS, TCHS Planning The tours have been postponed until April 2, 2025. XVI.C. ISBA Leadership Institute Conference - Idaho Falls - 05-07-2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Board will let the clerk know if they would like to attend the ISBA Leadership Institute Conference. This will be discussed in the work session. XVI.D. Adjournment (Action Item) Motion: To adjourn the meeting. This motion, made by Carissa Coats and seconded by Randy Smith, Passed. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. APPROVED: ______________________________________ Chairman ATTESTED: _______________________________________ Clerk DATE: ___________________________________