HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-09-2020 Minutes Public Input Meeting (BHS)Dr. Scott Woolstenhulme, Superintendent
3497 North Ammon Road, Idaho Falls, Idaho, 83401 (208) 525-4400 Fax (208) 529-0104 www.d93schools.org
Board of Trustees Paul Jenkins Amy Landers Chad Dance Greg Calder Scott Lynch
Bonneville Joint School District No. 93 is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Public Input Meeting
January 9, 2020
7:00 PM
Bonneville HS Theater, 3165 E Iona Rd, Idaho Falls, ID
I. Call to Order
Chairman Amy Landers called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m.
II. Roll Call
Chad Dance present
Greg Calder present
Paul Jenkins present
Scott Lynch present
Amy Landers present
III. Welcome Visitors and Delegations
Others in attendance were Superintendent Dr. Scott Woolstenhulme, Chief Financial/Operations Officer Guy Wangsgard,
Executive Director of Instruction & Learning Jason Lords, Executive Director of Planning & Personnel Heath Jackson, Director of
Maintenance & Operations John Pymm, Director of Safe Schools & Technology Gordon Howard, Director of Secondary Special
Education and Federal Programs Julian Duffey, Director of Elementary Special Education and Federal Programs Rex Miller,
Community Relations and Communications Phil Campbell, Bonneville High School Principals Levi Owen and Ben Parker; IT
Supervisor Crieghtob Harris, Patrons Chelle & Mark Sorenson, Tyler and Tracy Butikofer, Edee Ulrich, Mary Wilding and
Lorraine Schaerer, and Board Clerk Mary Hansen.
Chairman Landers stated the purposes of this meeting were for the District Administration to present boundary change proposals
and reasons for the need changes and for the Board to hear from the patrons. She stated that no decisions would be made
tonight. Chairman Landers then introduced each Board member and the Administration.
IV. Proposed District Boundary Presentations
Chairman Landers invited Heath Jackson, Executive Director Personnel and Planning to present research on proposed boundary
changes. It appears that growth is occurring on the outskirts of the District, while the older schools in the center are declining.
Many of the Districts older schools have lost enrollment numbers, while many have increased enrollment. The purpose of these
boundary changes are to reduce enrollment in the fastest growing schools to allow for growth and to utilize all available
classroom space, including use of modular trailers. Boundary changes also will help balance the socioeconomic demographics
of each school (determined by the percent of students on free or reduced lunch). The number of classrooms determines capacity
of a school with 25 students each. Each school uses two classrooms for Special Education classrooms.
V. Public Input
Chairman Landers reviewed the protocol for Public Input and turned the time over to the patrons.
Patron Questions/Comments and District Response:
How can parents ensure safety of students crossing busy streets near Falls Valley?
• Crosswalks and signals determined by Bonneville County. District hires crossing guards.
If students move to another school, what options are available to keep them where they are now?
• Open Enrollment is open to all students and the deadline will be extended to March 1st; Parents responsible to
transport children.
Students in Falls Valley require higher level of teaching and have smaller classes
• Boundary changes will not affect Student-teacher ratio or classroom capacity.
Can District move sixth grade students to the middle schools?
• Moving 6th graders to middle schools would causing overcrowding at that level.
Third time to move…important to know teachers and school
• The District understands the difficulty for families by changing boundaries. As growth continues, boundary changes are
still a possibility.
Is the funding the same for all schools?
• The district’s average daily attendance determines State funding.
Is the teacher training the same for all teachers in the District? Classroom management training?
• All professional in-service days are District wide. Each school’s Professional Learning Committees (PLC) or teacher
teams work together to help all students. Many professional development opportunities are available to the teachers
throughout the summer.
How does the District help with struggling students so they do not affect those who are stronger?
• Principals, teachers and school staff help create a healthy environment where all students can succeed. Specific
programs and intervention practices are in place.
Can taxes be used for building schools?
• To pay off current levies and bonds, the District uses tax revenues from property taxes. The only way to obtain monies
for building new schools is for the community to vote for a bond. Increased taxes allows District to pay off their debt
faster.
Is it possible to keep current students from the same school together in the new school classrooms?
• Classroom placement will be considered.
How does the socioeconomics of a school affect student behavior?
• Socioeconomic status (SES) is defined as the “social standing or class of an individual or group,” which is “often
measured as a combination of education, income and occupation.” Family status can have a significant impact on a
student’s capacity to achieve in a formal school setting.
VI. Adjournment
Chairman Landers shared her appreciation for those who attended and shared their thoughts and concerns. She mentioned the
next Public Input meeting will be Tuesday, January 21, 2020 7:00 p.m. at TRHS Auditorium.
She adjourned the meeting at 8:22 p.m.
MOTION: Chad Dance moved to adjourn. Greg Calder seconded. Motion carried.
APPROVED: ______________________________________
Chairman
ATTESTED: _______________________________________
Clerk
DATE: ___________________________________