HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-15-2020 Minutes Emergency 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 Amy Landers Chad Dance Greg Calder Paul Jenkins Scott Lynch
Bonneville Joint School District No. 93 is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Emergency Meeting
March 15, 2020
5:30 PM
District Board Room
I. Call to Order
A. Emergency Meeting
Chairman Amy Landers called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. She stated that this Emergency Meeting has been called this
afternoon to discuss and take action regarding the COVID-19 Coronavirus Action Plan. She also stated that there would not be
any public input at this meeting. Patrons will be able to speak in public input at the April 8, 2020 Regular meeting.
II. Roll Call
Chad Dance present
Greg Calder present
Paul Jenkins present
Scott Lynch present
Amy Landers present
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, Energy Education Specialist Don Trauntvein, Community Relations & Communications
Phil Campbell, D93News Samantha Williams, Food Services Supervisor Heather Plain, and Board Clerk Mary Hansen.
III. Action Items
A. COVID-19 Coronavirus Action Plan
a. Attendance Policy
Chairman Landers turned the meeting over to Dr. Scott Woolstenhulme to lead the discussion regarding the COVID-19
Coronavirus Action Plan. Dr. Woolstenhulme informed the Board a community meeting held Friday afternoon with local health
leaders and hospital administrators, city administrators, other school districts, emergency response officials and Eastern Idaho
Health to review the mutual responsibilities are in this crisis. District 93 and District 91 are the largest childcare providers in the
city of Idaho Falls and surrounding communities. School closures would have a great impact on the healthcare and childcare in
our community. Dr. Woolstenhulme believes that decisions need to be made in accordance to the other agencies as a
community response and following the guidelines set by the CDC and Eastern Idaho Public Health. His recommendation is to
keep schools open at this time, keeping schools clean and sanitized, encouraging frequent handwashing with students and staff,
and emphasizing that students and staff remain home if they are ill. Many parents are concerned to send their students to
school. As a school district, we need to be mindful of those concerns. This creates a challenge, to find a balance between
supporting families and to lessen the burden on the teachers. He recommended to waive a portion of the 3050 Attendance
policy for the remainder of the school year. Moving forward, the District will follow the recommendations provided by Eastern
Idaho Public Heath. He noted although children are asymptomatic to the virus, they can contract the virus and pass it on to
others who are more susceptible. School closures could put many grandparents acting as caregivers, in harm’s way. Teachers
under contract are required to be at work; for those with specific circumstances can request accommodations through the
American Disability Act with proper medical documentation. The district would need to take extra measures to educate students
with disabilities who require special services and who choose not to attend school.
Dr. Woolstenhulme stated the concern of the burden placed on teachers when students are not in attendance. He explained
how district teachers use the online platform, Google Apps for Education, utilizing Google Classroom, already in use in their
classrooms. This program would allow the teachers to instruct students who do not attend school. He proposed to shorten the
upcoming week for students and create teacher Professional Development days for Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 20
for teachers to create lesson plans to be used within the Google Classroom platform. One hurdle would be petitioning the State
for additional non-instructional days due to the time lost with the weather closures. The District would be contacting the State for
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approval to use these two days as professional development days. Chrome books will be available for students if necessary. If
connectivity is not available for students at home, parents can contact teachers and pick up assignments from the school. His
recommendation was to change the school calendar to include March 19th and 20th, 2020 as professional development days for
teachers and staff and as non-student days.
MOTION: Paul Jenkins moved to waive the 90% attendance requirement in policy 3050 Attendance for the remainder of the
school year as presented. Chad Dance seconded. Motion carried.
MOTION: Greg Calder moved to designated March 19th and 20th, 2020 as professional development days for all staff. Paul
Jenkins seconded. Motion carried.
Dr. Woolstenhulme stated the administration has met with the principals and for the board to plan on meeting often throughout
this time. Chairman Landers expressed her appreciation to the administration for their dedication and time spent this weekend in
behalf of the students and their families. Trustee Lynch requested attendance reports be sent to the Board.
IV. Adjournment
Chairman Landers adjourned the meeting at 6:10 p.m. MOTION: Chad Dance moved to adjourn. Greg Calder seconded. Motion carried.
APPROVED: ______________________________________
Chairman
ATTESTED: _______________________________________
Clerk
DATE: ___________________________________