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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-05-2025 Minutes Amended Regular Executive Session Board 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 Amended Regular Meeting Wednesday, November 5, 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 at 6:00 p.m. II. Roll Call Carissa Coats Present Randy Smith Present Mindy Clayton Present Richard Hess Present Paul Jenkins Present III. Amend the Executive Session Agenda (Action Item) Pursuant to Idaho Code §74-204(4)(a), the Board is amending the agenda for this meeting to add the following item. To add: Student Suspension Report under Student Recommendations. Motion: To amend the agenda. This motion, made by Carissa Coats and seconded by Mindy Clayton, Passed. IV. Approve the Agenda (Action Item) Motion: To approve the agenda. This motion, made by Randy Smith and seconded by Carissa Coats, Passed. V. Executive Session (Action Item) The Board will enter into 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 Randy Smith 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 6:03 p.m. V.A. Student Recommendations V.A.1. Student E-2026 (Action Item) Motion: To approve suspension only for student E-2026 as recommended. This motion, made by Carissa Coats and seconded by Richard Hess, Passed. V.A.2. Student F-2026 (Action Item) No action taken. V.A.3. Student Suspension Report Superintendent reviewed the suspension report with the Board. V.B. Employee Recommendations V.B.1. Leave Without Pay Executive Director Heath Jackson reviewed information on the following employees. These employees are on the consent agenda for approval. No action taken. Employee P-2026 Employee Q-2026 Employee R-2026 Employee T-2026 V.B.2. Employee Background Checks Executive Director Heath Jackson reviewed the employee background checks with the Board. V.B.3. Release of Contract - Employee S-2026 Executive Director Heath Jackson presented information on Employee S-2026. This item is on the regular agenda for approval. No action taken during Executive Session. V.C. Cases and Litigations - Case #26-02 Superintendent Woolstenhulme review case #26-02 with the Board. VI. Close Executive Session (Action Item) Motion: To close Executive Session. This motion, made by Carissa Coats and seconded by Richard Hess, Passed. The Board closed Executive Session at 6:43 p.m. VII. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chairman Jenkins. VIII. The invocation was offered by Paul Jenkins. IX. Chairman Jenkins called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. X. Roll Call Carissa Coats Present Randy Smith Present Mindy Clayton Present Richard Hess Present Paul Jenkins Present XI. Board Opening Business XI.A. Welcoming of Delegates and Visitors Chairman Jenkins welcomed everyone in attendance to the meeting and reminded those who would like to speak to the Board to sign the public input sheet. XI.B. Amend the Regular Agenda (Action Item) Pursuant to Idaho Code §74-204(4)(a), the Board is amending the agenda for this meeting to add the following item. To Remove: HHS IHSAA 5A State Volleyball Champions from the Student/Staff Recognitions section. To add: BHS IHSAA 5A State Volleyball Academic Champions under Student/Staff Recognitions. Hillcrest Volleyball had a conflict and couldn't attend. The Board will recognize them in December. Motion: To amend the regular agenda. This motion, made by Carissa Coats and seconded by Mindy Clayton, Passed. XI.C. Approve/Amend the Regular Agenda (Action Item) Motion: To approve the Regular Agenda. This motion, made by Carissa Coats and seconded by Richard Hess, Passed. XI.D. Staff/Student Recognition TRHS — The Board of Trustees honored Thunder Ridge High School senior Justin Anderson for winning the 6A Boys Golf State Championship—his second consecutive state title. With classifications shifting this year, Justin currently stands as the only 6A individual golf champion in Idaho. Coach Danny Allen and Justin’s family joined him at the meeting, not only his outstanding skill on the course, but his leadership, humility, and sportsmanship. Coach Allen shared that Justin set the tone for the entire team, leading them to a strong season, including a district title and top four finish at state. Justin will continue his golf career next year at Boise State University. TRHS — The Board of Trustees recognized Zac Lords, Assistant Principal at Thunder Ridge High School, for being named the 2025-2026 Outstanding Secondary Assistant Principal of the Year for the State of Idaho by the Idaho Association of Secondary School Principals. Mr. Lords is known for his unwavering commitment to students, staff, and school community. Since joining Thunder Ridge seven years ago, he has consistently stepped up to serve wherever needed, supporting students and teachers daily to contribute to district-level responsibilities, including Title IX investigations. Colleagues describe him as dependable, humble, and deeply student-centered. During the recognition, Mr. Lords expressed his appreciation for the Thunder Ridge staff, district leadership, and his family, noting that this honor reflects the collective dedication of the entire school community. BHS — The Board of Trustees applauded the Bonneville High School Volleyball Team for being named the IHSAA 5A Academic State Champions. The team earned this award by achieving an outstanding combined weighted GPA of 3.932, demonstrating excellence both on the court and in the classroom. Coaches shared that while the Bees are known for their strong volleyball program and competitive spirit, this year’s recognition highlights the players’ dedication to their studies, teamwork, and character. Despite facing injuries and a young roster, the team continued to support one another, compete with heart, and represent Bonneville with pride. Congratulations to these student-athletes and coaching staff for modeling what it means to be committed, resilient, and well-rounded. XI.E. Public Input: Pursuant to Board Policy #4105 Public Participation in Board Meetings, Public Input shall be held to a maximum of one (1) hour and will provide an opportunity for any Board Member, administrator, staff member, student, or patron to raise issues of interest. The Board will receive such input without comment, except to ask germane questions of those speaking. Comments should be limited to three (3) minutes. The Board will take no action related to any items during the meeting unless on the agenda but may direct the Superintendent to report such items at a subsequent meeting. Mike Armstrong expressed deep gratitude for the education he received in District 93, noting that the skills and opportunities he gained—from welding to mathematics—laid the foundation for his success. After graduating from District 93, he earned a business degree from a respected university and has been successfully self- employed for 41 years. He credited his education for making that possible and emphasized how essential it was to his life and career. Armstrong also shared that his father had served as a superintendent, making education an important and frequent topic in their household. He closed by thanking the Board and applauding their continued commitment to education. XI.F. Approve Consent Agenda (Action Item) Motion: To approve the Consent Agenda. This motion, made by Randy Smith and seconded by Richard Hess, Passed. XI.F.1. Minutes of Previous Meetings Regular Board Meeting/Executive Session - 10-08-2025 Board Work Meeting - 10-22-2025 XI.F.2. Financial XI.F.2.a. Accounts Payable $15,101,085.88 XI.F.2.c. Surplus Items TCHS - Book - Surplus TRHS - Light Fixtures - Surplus Transportation - Bus - Surplus Cloverdale - Books - Surplus XI.F.3. Employees XI.F.3.a. Alternative Authorizations XI.F.3.b. Conditional Employment XI.F.3.c. Leave Requests Employee P-2026 Employee Q-2026 Employee R-2026 Employee S-2026 XI.F.3.d. Resignations and Terminations XI.F.3.e. Retirements XI.F.3.f. Stipends XI.F.3.g. Transfers XI.F.4. Students XI.F.4.a. Early Graduation Requests XI.F.4.b. Club Requests BHS Discussion Club HHS Interact Club HHS Military Leadership Club Thunder Ridge Clubs 2025-2026 XI.F.4.c. Trip Requests BHS Bands to Perform At Disneyland - Anaheim, California - 06-01-2026 to 06-06-2026 TRHS Speech and Debate to Rim2Rim Debate Tournament - Twin Falls, Idaho - 12-12-2025 to 12-13- 2025 TRHS Speech and Debate to Blacksnake Speech and Debate Tournament - Pocatello, Idaho - 01-09-2026 to TRHS Vivace Choir to Tour Music Places - Salt Lake City, Utah - 04-09-2026 to 04-11-2026 HHS Speech and Debate to Twin Falls Tournament - Twin Falls, Idaho - 12-12-2025 to 12-13-2025 XI.F.5. School Support Organizations BHS - Bonneville Cheer Booster Club HHS - Hillcrest Knights Baseball Boosters HHS - Hillcrest Knights Band Boosters HHS - Hillcrest Boys Basketball Booster HHS - Hillcrest Dance Team Boosters HHS - Hillcrest Girls Soccer Boosters HHS - Hillcrest High School Legion Board Boosters HHS - Hillcrest High School Volleyball Boosters HHS - Hillcrest Knights Girls Basketball Boosters TRHS - Thunder Ridge High School Softball Boosters Tiebreaker Elementary PTO Woodland Hills Elementary PTO Hillview Elementary PTO XII. Items Moved From the Consent Agenda There were no items moved from the Consent Agenda. XIII. Finance and Operations Reports and Recommendations XIII.A. Request to Purchase Two Seventy-Seven Passenger School Buses (Action Item) Guy Wangsgard, Executive Director of Finance and Operations, requested that the Board approve the purchase of two new school buses. He explained that the purchase would be funded using state depreciation reimbursement funds received for prior bus purchases. The total cost for the two buses is approximately $346,000. These buses will replace two older buses that are nearing the end of their service life. Due to current supply timelines, the new buses are expected to arrive around June. Motion: To approve the purchase of two new school buses through Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Contract #063020-BBB (Blue Bird -Corporation), pursuant to Idaho Code §67-2803. This motion, made by Richard Hess and seconded by Mindy Clayton, Passed. XIII.B. Bond Refunding Resolution (Action Item) Guy Wangsgard, Executive Director of Finance and Operations, presented a bond refinancing resolution to lower interest rates on previously issued district bonds, resulting in an estimated $3.5 million in savings for taxpayers over the remaining term of the bonds. Representatives Chelsea Porter (Bond Counsel), Eric Herringer (Piper Sandler), and Michael Keith (Municipal Advisor) presented the refinancing plan, which leverages favorable market conditions and the district’s strong credit rating. The refinancing will reduce total debt payments without extending the repayment period or increasing district debt, thereby lowering the property tax burden for District 93 residents. The Board expressed appreciation to the district’s finance team and partners for their continued fiscal stewardship. Motion: To approve the Bond Refinancing Resolution as presented. This motion, made by Richard Hess and seconded by Mindy Clayton, Passed. XIV. Superintendent Reports and Recommendations XIV.A. Open Enrollment Report Superintendent Woolstenhulme presented the annual Open Enrollment Report, which is now required both for Board review and submission to the State Department of Education under Idaho Code §33-1402. He explained that this law requires districts to allow open enrollment and to report related data annually. For the 2024-2025 school year, the district received: • 408 new in-district open enrollment applications approved and 129 denied. • 124 new out-of-district applications approved and 64 denied. Applications in progress or withdrawn were also noted, as the district accepts open enrollment throughout the year. Superintendent Woolstenhulme reviewed data by school level: • High Schools: Enrollment patterns remain balanced among Bonneville, Hillcrest, and Thunder Ridge. Bonneville continues to receive more transfers from Thunder Ridge than it sends. • Middle Schools: Black Canyon Middle School continues to receive the most open enrollment requests, likely due to students from split elementary feeder patterns. • Elementary Schools: Woodland Hills sees the highest number of out-of-district enrollments, especially from families near the District 91 boundary. Factors influencing enrollment include daycare pickup routes and staff employment within the district. He clarified that state law allows open enrollment denials only for three reasons: lack of space, a significant disciplinary history, or chronic absenteeism. Most denials are due to limited space. Discussion followed about tracking the number of district employees with children enrolled through open enrollment, the impact of daycare transportation zones, and community interest in District 93 schools. Superintendent Woolstenhulme noted that these trends reflect both district capacity and community preference, and he will provide additional data in future reports. XV. Planning and Personnel Reports and Recommendations XV.A. Release of Contract for Employee S-2026 (Action Item) Motion: To release Employee S-2026 from their contract contingent on hiring a suitable replacement. This motion, made by Randy Smith and seconded by Richard Hess, Passed. XV.B. Certified Staff Transfers Resolution for Final Review (Action Item) Heath Jackson, Executive Director of Planning and Personnel, presented the Certified Staff Transfer Resolution and recommended that the Board approve it. The resolution outlines the voluntary, and if necessary, involuntary certified staff transfer process connected to boundary adjustments, the opening of Willow Creek Elementary, and the repurposing of Ammon Elementary. He shared that district leadership reviewed the resolution with the Bonneville Education Association (BEA), which expressed support. One clarification regarding transfer eligibility was requested and has since been addressed. The resolution ensures a clear, fair, and transparent process for certified staff transfers and supports consistent communication throughout upcoming staffing changes. The voluntary transfer window will open this spring, and additional guidance will be provided to staff. Motion: To approve the Certified Staff Transfers Resolution as presented for final adoption. This motion, made by Richard Hess and seconded by Mindy Clayton, Passed. XV.C. Ammon Honors Academy NBW Architect Contract (Action Item) No action taken. XV.D. RMMS NBW Architect Contract (Action Item) No action taken. XVI. Learning and Instruction Reports and Recommendations XVI.A. Special Education XVI.A.1. Proposed Policy 2400 Provision of Special Education for Public Review (Action Item) Motion: To approve Proposed Policy Provision of Special Education for public review. This motion, made by Carissa Coats and seconded by Richard Hess, Passed. XVI.A.2. Explanation of Adult Student Revocation of Consent for Public Review (Action Item) Motion: To approve the Explanation of Adult Revocation of Consent for public review. This motion, made by Richard Hess and seconded by Mindy Clayton, Passed. XVI.B. Fall Literacy IRI Outcomes Jason Lords, Executive Director of Learning and Instruction, presented an overview of the Fall 2024 Idaho Reading Indicator (IRI) results and the state’s transition to a new assessment platform, Amira. He explained that all K-3 students take the IRI each fall and spring to measure early literacy skills, but this year’s results are not directly comparable to past data because the state replaced the previous Istation test with Amira. Amira differs from past assessments by using voice recognition to record and analyze students’ reading aloud, allowing for more detailed feedback on skills such as phonemic awareness, fluency, and vocabulary. It also screens for dyslexia indicators, eliminating the need for separate testing. Teachers and administrators worked collaboratively to determine appropriate testing settings for each grade level, and the rollout went more smoothly than anticipated. Preliminary results showed overall reading proficiency rates similar to prior years, with approximately 55-69% of students scoring proficient depending on grade level. Mr. Lords noted that these results will serve as a new baseline under the Amira system. He and Superintendent Woolstenhulme emphasized that the new assessment provides richer diagnostic data, helping teachers target interventions for students who are below grade level. They also discussed the district’s continued focus on strengthening foundational literacy instruction through phonics-based programs, updated ELA curriculum in grades K-3, and future plans to adopt new materials for grades 4-6 to support vocabulary and comprehension growth. Discussion among Board members included topics such as testing in dual immersion programs, readiness activities for incoming kindergarteners, and how developmental differences among young learners are considered in assessment interpretation. Mr. Lords concluded that the district is encouraged by the transition and expects improved insight and instructional alignment as teachers and students become more familiar with the new IRI system. XVI.C. Proposed Policy 2700P1 Comprehensive High School Graduation Requirements for Public Review (Action Item) Motion: To approve Proposed Policy 2700P1 Comprehensive High School Graduation Requirements for public review. This motion, made by Carissa Coats and seconded by Mindy Clayton, Passed. XVI.D. Proposed Policy 2700P2 Alternative-Specialty High School Graduation Requirements for Public Review (Action Item) Motion: To approve proposed policy 2700P2 Alternative-Specialty High School Graduation Requirements for public review. This motion, made by Carissa Coats and seconded by Mindy Clayton, Passed. XVII. Board Closing Business XVII.A. 2026 Board Meeting Calendar (Action Item) Motion: To approve the 2026 Board Meeting Calendar as presented. This motion, made by Mindy Clayton and seconded by Richard Hess, Passed. XVII.B. ISBA Convention Travel Plans The Board Clerk reviewed the itinerary for the upcoming ISBA Convention in Coeur d'Alene with the Board and Executive Team. XVII.C. Request for Agenda Items for Upcoming Meetings (Action Item) Board Members requested the following future board agenda items: • Construction update and plans for HB 521 funds received from the state for facilities. • ICE protocol XVII.D. Adjournment (Action Item) Motion: To adjourn the meeting. This motion, made by Carissa Coats and seconded by Mindy Clayton, Passed. The meeting adjourned at 8:59 p.m. APPROVED: ______________________________________ Chairman ATTESTED: _______________________________________ Clerk DATE: ___________________________________