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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-25-2023 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 Session October 25, 2023 11:00 AM PLC Building 3442 E Iona Rd Idaho Falls, ID 83401 I. Chairman Jenkins called the meeting to order at 11:02 a.m. II. Roll Call Carissa Coats present Randy Smith present Mindy Clayton present Richard Hess present Paul Jenkins present III. Executive Session (Action Item) Chairman Jenkins stated that the Board will enter 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, wherein the respective qualities of individuals are to be evaluated in order to fill a particular vacancy or need. The Executive Session will be closed to the public as permitted by law. Motion: Carissa Coats moved to enter Executive Session. Randy Smith seconded. The roll call vote was Roll Call Vote Carissa Coats yes Randy Smith yes Mindy Clayton yes Richard Hess yes Paul Jenkins yes The Board entered Executive Session at 11:03 a.m. A. Student 24-D (Action Item) Jason Lords, Executive Director of Learning and Instruction and Levi Owen, Principal at Bonneville High School presented information and a recommendation for Student 24-D. The recommendation is to conditionally admit Student 24-D to Bonneville High School. Chairman Jenkins asked for a motion. Motion: Randy Smith moved to approve conditional admission at Bonneville High School for Student 24-D. Richard Hess seconded. Motion approved. B. Employee H2024 Chairman Jenkins invited Executive Director Heath Jackson to present information on Employee H2024 to the Board. This was just a discussion and update for the Board. No action was taken. C. Complaint 24-05 Executive Director Heath Jackson informed the Board of a complaint that was issued to the Board Clerk. This was a discussion only. No action was taken. IV. Close Executive Session (Action Item) 2 Chairman Jenkins asked for a motion to close Executive Session. Motion: Mindy Clayton moved to close Executive Session. Richard Hess seconded. Motion carried. At 11:44 a.m. V. Opening Board Business A. Approve/Amend Agenda (Action Item) Motion: Carissa Coats moved to approve the agenda. Mindy Clayton seconded. B. Welcome Visitors and Delegations Chairman Jenkins welcomed all in attendance to the meeting. VI. Planning and Personnel Reports and Recommendations A. New Elementary Naming Process Chairman Jenkins invited Heath Jackson, Executive Director of Planning and Personnel to present to the Board. Mr. Jackson reveiwed and explained Naming of Schools and Educational Support Facilities to the Board. Mr. Jackson then moved the discussion to naming a new elementary school in the Bonneville Joint School District 93. The district used a social media approach with ThoughtExhange to gather suggestions and preferences for the school's name and mascot. The top name that emerged from this process is "Willow Creek," and there was a discussion about whether to proceed with this name or put the top three names to a survey for further community input. Mr. Jackson also asked the Board about the need for a naming committee. Some board members feltl that the social media approach had already gathered sufficient community input and that a committee might not be necessary, while others suggest that putting the top three names to a survey could help ensure a broader range of opinions are considered. It was decided to survey the community one more time with the top three names. The choice of a mascot will be addressed at a later time. The survey will be available in the Family Update Newsletter. The hope is to have a name narrowed down at the next regular scheduled board meeting. B. New School Off-Site Improvements Chairman Jenkins invited John Pymm, Director of Facilities and Maintenance. Mr Pymm’s report revolved around three primary tasks related to water, power, and sewer infrastructure for the new elementary school. He discussed the need to bring sewer services from west of Willow Creek to the end of the property. They also mentioned the power extension to access three-phase power from two power poles to the west. The conversation explored the use of natural gas and the possibility of incorporating renewable energy sources such as solar panels. The cost and logistical aspects of implementing these systems were considered, along with potential grants and funding opportunities. The conversation emphasized the importance of exploring energy-efficient options and seeking financial incentives for sustainability projects. In addition to ulitilities, the conversation also focused on infrastructure and road development. Like who should have to bear the expenses for expanding the road infrastructure. There was mention of a five-lane road and concerns about its impact on the school's surroundings. The discussion then transitioned to project budgeting, with an emphasis on owner's costs, including design, contingency, materials testing, and commissioning to ensure the quality and functionality of the building. It highlighted the importance of a commissioning agent in overseeing and ensuring the project's compliance with specifications. Trustee Smith offered to accompany Mr. Pymm to the commisioners office for further discussion. C. Property Appraisals and Next Steps (Action Item) Mr. Pymm continued with the next item on the agenda. His report and the discussion revolved around property appraisal and potential land acquisition for future construction opportunities. The first property, referred to as the Fred Adams property, consisted of 19 acres on 52nd East, appraised at $570,000 or $30,000 per acre. The second property, a 13-acre piece on 65th South, was appraised at $520,000, while the third property, owned by Liberty/Rockwell adjacent to Bonneville High School, comprised 20 acres and appraised at $800,000. There were concerns about the property's frontage and access to the highway. The conversation shifted to the need for better access to the highway, potential property acquisition to facilitate this, and the importance of having control or access for the school campus. Concerns were raised about the unattractive approach to the school between existing businesses and the desire for two lanes in and out for better access. The appraisal indicated that the negotiation may not be favorable, but there was a recognition that the conversation needed to continue. The discussion also touched on unused land near Bonneville and its potential value in the negotiation. A final point emphasized that all pieces must work together to make the campus functional and attractive. Chairman Jenkins asked for a motion. Motion: Randy Smith Authorized the district administration to continue negotiations with the property owners to exchange like properties that meet the district’s financial requirements. Mindy Clayton seconded. Motion carried. 3 D. Headwaters Contract Discussion Mr. Pymm continued with his last report. The discussion was in the final stages of negotiation regarding a proposed contract from Headwaters Construction. The contract had been reviewed by the attorney handling contract matters, and his suggested changes had been responded to. The main sticking points involved two issues. First, an escalation clause was being considered due to volatile pricing. This clause was seen as protecting both parties, as it would ensure costs were reasonable. The second point was the contract's structure, with potential multiple Guaranteed Maximum Prices (GMPs) for different phases. Headwaters was concerned about possible losses on one GMP and savings on another and suggested a way to balance this over the entire project. The issue of how to structure the contract and align it with the phased nature of the project was discussed. The idea was to ensure fairness to both parties and avoid losses for Headwaters or excessive gains for the district on specific GMPs.The board members expressed a desire to have their attorney ensure the contract's language addressed these concerns and was fair to both parties. The goal was to create an agreement that allowed the project to proceed efficiently without causing significant financial risk for Headwaters and the district. Chairman Jenkins thanked Mr. Pymm for the update. The hope is to have a finalized contract at the next board meeting. E. STEP Program Relocation Discussion Chairman Jenkins invited Mr. Jackson to present a relocation update to the Board. Mr. Jackson explained that the Step Program, currently located at Bonneville High School and later at the Campbell gym, has been under discussion for relocation. The primary reasons for considering this move included improving accessibility for the 18 to 21 -year-old program's students, providing access to more business locations, and enhancing transportation options within the City of Idaho Falls. Public transportation wasn't available at Bonneville High School, making it challenging to transport students from there. After discussions and an ongoing conversation, a proposal was made to relocate the Step Program back to the Campbell gym. While there was some debate about this move initially, it's now considered a favorable option. At the time of the proposal, there was no certified teacher for the program at the Campbell gym, with the certified teacher being at Bonneville High School. However, after being at Bonneville High School for over a year, the recommendation is to proceed with the move. It was emphasized that this was not an action item but an update on the intent to relocate the Step Program. This move would involve moving some furniture and equipment, which could be done on scheduled workdays before Thanksgiving. The main concerns driving this decision were the community's accessibility and the challenges of transportation for the program's participants. The recommendation had the support of Rachel Schultz, the program's teacher, and Lindsay Stouffer, who also worked in special education. This program typically served students aged 18 to 21. Chairma Jenkins thanked Mr. Jackson for informing the Board of this change. VII. Finance and Operations Reports and Recommendations A. Electric Buses Discussion Chairman Jenkins asked Guy Wangsgard, Executive Director of Finance and Operations to present to the District. Board members inquired about electric busses. Mr. Wangsgard and Pam Cripps, the Transportation Manager discussed the possibility of acquiring electric buses, but it was clarified that the district isn't currently on the prioritized list for grant funding for electric buses. As a result, they would have to cover the entire cost themselves, which is approximately three times the cost of diesel buses. Additional information regarding electric buses was presented, highlighting several factors to consider. The cost of an electric bus is $400,000, with a grant potentially covering $370,000, leaving a shortfall. Charging stations cost around $30,000 per bus, but it was uncertain whether the grant would cover this expense. Charging stations can charge one bus for 120 miles, which might not be sufficient for buses with longer routes. Electric buses also have reduced mileage in colder weather, as using heaters cuts their efficiency in half. Moreover, each bus requires two batteries, and the cost of a single battery is expensive. The lifespan of these batteries wasn't provided. The discussion pointed out that the primary reasons for considering electric buses were to meet renewable energy goals and to stay at the forefront of technological advancements for educational purposes. However, it was suggested that the district might not be ready to implement electric buses operationally, given the current challenges and uncertainties associated with electric buses. Educational partnerships and cooperation with neighboring communities could be beneficial in the long run. There were also suggestions to prepare infrastructure with larger conduit sizes to accommodate power requirements for electric buses. The Board thanked Mr. Wangsgard and Ms. Cripps and decided to not go this route right now. B. General Obligation Bond Document Mr. Wangsgard continued with a brief discussion on the General Obligation Bond document in preparation for the upcoming bond sale in November. The document was shared with the board for review before being publicly posted for investors to examine. Mr. Wangsgard asked the Board if they had any questions or concerns. Hearing none Mr. Wangsgard continued with the rating scorecard discussion item. 4 C. Rating Scorecard Mr. Wangsgard explained that the document indicated that the district's bond rating is AA3, which is considered a high rating and better than average. The discussion also touched on the fact that AAA would be the highest rating possible. The board recognized that the rating is determined by various factors, with the local economy being a significant driver, and they discussed the influence of the district's fund balance on the rating. Despite the AA3 rating, the district benefits from credit enhancement from the state of Idaho, which allows them to secure the highest rating available. Chairman Jenkins thanked Mr. Wangsgard for his reports. VIII. Learning and Instruction Reports and Recommendations The board discussed a set of policies, particularly the first four of them, which have been created in response to new laws and regulations. They noted that these policies are related to student interviews and interactions with external entities, such as police or resource officers. The board expressed the desire to initiate public review for these policies and aim to finalize them during the next regular board meeting. It was mentioned that there have been conversations and discussions regarding these policies, especially concerning the role of resource officers and recent legislative changes. Laura Wallace was acknowledged for her work on these policies, and it was emphasized that the district has been actively working on various policy updates. A. Proposed Policy 3375 Student Interviews by District Staff for Public Review (Action Item) Motion: Carissa Coats moved to approve Proposed Policy 3375 Student Interviews by District Staff for Public Review. Randy Smith seconded. Motion carried. B. Proposed Policy 3377 Investigations for Public Review (Action Item) Motion: Carissa Coats moved to approve Proposed Policy 3377 Investigations for Public Review. Mindy Clayton seconded. Motion carried. C. Proposed Policy 5210 Reporting Abuse, Abandonment, or Neglect for Public Review (Action Item) Motion: Carissa Coats moved to approve Proposed Policy 5210 Reporting Abuse, Abandonment, or Neglect for Public Review. Randy Smith seconded. Motion carried. D. Policy 3281 Gender Identity for Public Review (Action Item) Motion: Carissa Coats moved to approve Policy 3281 Gender Identity for Public Review. Randy Smith seconded. Motion carried. E. Policy 3515E Directions for Using Epipen Update for Final Adoption (Action Item) Jason Lords, Executive Director of Learning and Instruction discussed an exhibit related to the use of EpiPens. The district's nurses reviewed the exhibit and determined that the instructions for using EpiPens were outdated. As a result, an updated version of the exhibit was presented to the board for final adoption. Motion: Carissa Coats moved to approve Policy 3515E Directions for Using EpiPens for final adoption. Mindy Clayton seconded. Motion carried. IX. Closing Board Business A. ISBA Resolutions Discussion Chairman Jenkins asked if any Board members had any questions on the proposed resolutions for the ISBA convention in November. There were no questions or concerns. B. Call for Agenda Items for Upcoming Meetings Chairman Jenkins asked if there were any agenda items for upcoming Board meetings. He reminded the Board of the complaint hearing. It was suggested to have a report on the conditional adminssion process and program of expelled students at a future meeting. These items were noted by the Board Clerk. Complaint Hearing - 11-01-2023 - 6:30 p.m. - District Board Room Regular Board Meeting - 11-08-2023 - 6:00 p.m. - District Board Room Board Work Meeting - 11-29-2023 - 11:30 p.m. - PLC Building Regular Board Meeting - 12-13-2023 - 6:00 p.m. - District Board Room 5 C. Adjournment (Action Item) Chairman Jenkins asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion: Randy Smith moved to adjourn the meeting. Carissa Coats seconded. Motion carried. APPROVED: ______________________________________ Chairman ATTESTED: _______________________________________ Clerk DATE: ___________________________________