HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-19-2025 Minutes Work MeetingDr. 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
Wednesday, March 19, 2025, 11:30 AM
PLC Building
3442 E Iona Rd
Idaho Falls, ID 83401
I. Call to Order
Chairman Jenkins called the meeting to order at 11:32 a.m.
II. Roll Call
Mindy Clayton: Present
Carissa Coats: Present
Richard Hess: Absent
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 Carissa Coats and seconded by Randy Smith, Passed.
III.B. Welcome Visitors and Delegations
Chairman Jenkins welcomed everyone in attendance to the meeting.
IV. Superintendent Reports and Recommendations
IV.A. Calendar Recommendations
IV.A.1. Revised 2025-2026 District Calendar (Action Item)
Superintendent Woolstenhulme presented to the Board a revised 2025-2026 district calendar. The revisions
shifted the end of the trimester from November 13, 2025, to November 14, 2025, moving the teacher workday
from Friday, November 14, to the following Mo nday, November 17. This change was intended to simplify
scheduling for families and staff. The revised calendar redistributed trimester days more evenly: 57 days in the
first, 56 in the second, and 57 in the third, compared to the previously approved 56, 5 7, and 37.
Motion: To approve the revised 2025-2026 district calendar as presented. This motion, made by Mindy
Clayton and seconded by Carissa Coats, Passed.
IV.A.2. Revised 2025 Board Calendar (Action Item)
A proposal was presented by the board clerk to switch the work session and regular board meeting. It was
suggested to hold the work session on May 7, 2025, and the regular meeting on May 14, 2025, to avoid
confusion. A confirmed switch of student council p resentations was also noted, with TCHS switching with
Bonneville High School. Despite concerns about having two large schools present on the same night, the
group agreed to keep the current presentation schedule.
Motion: To approve the revised 2025 Board Calendar as presented. This motion, made by Carissa Coats and
seconded by Mindy Clayton, Passed.
V. Planning and Personnel Reports and Recommendations
V.A. Future Boundary Changes
The board discussed future boundary changes in preparation for the opening of Willow Creek Elementary in over
a year. Planning was expected to begin in the summer, with the intention of creating long -lasting boundaries that
could remain in place for the next decade due to slower projected growth. Superintendent Woolstenhulme
recommended starting from a clean slate and having the executive team lead the process rather than using
committees, to avoid overly personal input. The board emphasized the importance of setting clear priorities
before drawing boundaries—such as proximity, neighborhood cohesion, socioeconomic balance, alignment with
secondary schools, and safety concerns like avoiding major road crossings. They discussed gathering community
input on what priorities should guide the process, rather than specific boundary lines. They also acknowledged
current challenges, including misaligned elementary and high school boundaries, open enrollment impacts, and
limited Title I funding due to fewer schools qualifying. Overall, the board agreed that safety should be the top
priority and supported gathering input to guide future decisions.
V.A.1. Praxium and Ammon Elementary Discussion
The board discussed the proposal to re-purpose Ammon Elementary as the new home for Praxium Mastery
Academy. This move would allow Praxium to expand from a 7 -8 program into a full 7-12 grade program,
addressing the high demand and offering students more co ntinuous learning experience. The shift would also
free up space at Rocky Mountain Middle School, which is nearing capacity, and better balance classroom
usage across elementary, middle, and high schools. Currently, Ammon Elementary has a relatively small
student population (around 303) and sits in a central location near several other elementary schools, making it
a practical site for repurposing. Renovations would be needed to accommodate older students, including
updates to science labs, bathrooms, HVAC systems, and possibly parking and accessibility improvements.
Financially, the move would result in estimated annual savings of around $250,000 by avoiding the need to
hire additional administrative and support staff, while also maximizing existing facility use. The board
acknowledged potential community concerns about closing a long-standing neighborhood school and
emphasized the need for clear communication and public input. A decision would ideally be made by June to
inform boundary planning for the district.
V.A.2. Special Education Programs
The board discussed the district’s growing special education needs, with a focus on expanding autism support
programs. Wendy shared that the autism program saw increased enrollment and required more differentiated
instruction rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. The goal was to better serve students by placing them in
programs closer to their home schools, reducing long transportation times, and aligning them with
neighborhood schools. They considered relocating some special education teachers and prog rams to new or
different school sites—such as Willow Creek and schools on the south end —to balance access across the
district. Discovery Elementary would continue hosting the most intensive program due to its specialized
facilities, while additional programs would be added in other schools to alleviate strain on general education
classrooms and support greater inclusion. Overall, the discussion emphasized strategic realignment of
programs to support student needs, reduce transportation burdens, increase inc lusion, and ensure students
could attend schools with their peers and siblings.
V.B. Parent Drop Off Safety
The board discussed proposed changes to parent pick -up and drop-off loops at several schools due to growing
safety concerns, particularly after a student was struck (but not seriously injured) in a church parking lot near
Rimrock. Drone footage was reviewed to highlight unsafe behaviors, such as parents using unofficial pick-up
zones, children walking through busy lots, and traffic congestion. They explored potential redesigns, especially at
Iona Elementary, including adding a second loop, redirecting traff ic flow, and raising sidewalks to separate
pedestrians from vehicles. Similar concerns were noted at Cloverdale and other schools. The board emphasized
the need to prioritize low-cost, efficient, and safe solutions, as well as coordinating with church lead ership and
city officials. A phased approach starting with the highest traffic schools was suggested.
VI. Learning and Instruction Reports and Recommendations
VII. Closing Board Business
VII.A. Upcoming Events and Travel
VII.A.1. Praxium, TCHS and Elevate Tour Planning
The Board reviewed the schedule for an upcoming Board tour of Elevate Academy, Technical Careers HS,
and Praxium Academy on April 2nd.
VII.A.2. ISBA Convention - November 12 – 14, 2025 (Coeur d’Alene)
The Board and the Executive Team discussed travel options for the November Idaho School Boards
Association convention in Coeur d'Alene. The Board will let the Board Clerk know if they are going to attend,
and how they will travel.
VII.A.3. 2025 ISBA Leadership Institute - May 7, 2025 - Idaho Falls
Due to scheduling conflict the Board will not attend the ISBA institute.
VII.B. Request for Agenda Items for Upcoming Meetings (Action Item)
There were no requests for upcoming Board agenda items for future Board meetings from the public. The Board
and the Executive Team requested the following agenda items for upcoming board meetings:
• Spanish Immersion Program
• Federal Programs overview
• D93 projects and their costs
VII.C. Adjournment (Action Item)
Motion: To adjourn the meeting. This motion, made by Carissa Coats and seconded by Randy Smith, Passed.
The meeting adjourned at 1:10 p.m.
APPROVED: ______________________________________
Chairman
ATTESTED: _______________________________________
Clerk
DATE: ___________________________________