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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-30-2014 Minutes Work SessionL 1 11 T 3497 North Arrinnon Road, Idaho Falls, Idaho, 83401 (208) 525-4400 Fax (208) 529-0104 vvvvvv.c193schooIs.org Di. J, Shock"JI, Sklprl iwon&,m rA,1fjo,)n McConnr!11, De,} uiy Work Session of the Board of Trustees April 30, 2014 Lincoln High School Room 3 11:30 AM L Call to Order Chairperson Winchester called the meeting to order at 11:35 a.m. Principal Gordon Howard welcomed the Board and administration to Lincoln High School. IL Roll Call Those Board members in attendance were Chairperson Annette Winchester, Vice-chairperson Kip Nelson, Treasurer Amy Landers, Trustee Brian McBride, and Trustee Jeff Bird arrived at 11:43 a.m. Others in attendance were Deputy Superintendent Marjean McConnell, Director of Human Resources Shalene French, Director of Operations Todd Hicks, Director of Technology Services Scott Woolstenhulme, Director of Curriculum and Instruction Michaelena Nix, Director of Plant Facility/Purchasing, Principal Gordon Howard, and Board Clerk Valerie Messick. Chairperson Winchester stated that Dr. Shackett was attending meetings in Boise. 111, Welcominq Visitors and Delegates Chairperson Winchester welcomed Mr. Fred Adams and the students. She then asked the students to introduce themselves and let the Board know of their former schools. Jose Diosdado is a senior from Templeview, Jade Loftus is from Hillcrest, and Jackie Bejar is from Skyline. Others welcomed were Stephanie Gifford, Karla Harris, Renee Cook, Tammie McCammon, and Becky Foster. IV, Lincoln High School Student Council Presentation Mr. Adams asked the students what they like about Lincoln. Jackie likes having only one class per block. She doesn't want to change to two classes. She has been at Lincoln for two years. Mr. Howard stated that Lincoln will change to two tracks instead of one block next year. They will start later in the morning and go later in the afternoon. The schedule will give more options. Some students are having a hard time with 5.5 hours concentrating on one Subject. There is concern with the attention rate and the ability of teachers to teach one subject for that amount of time. Mr. Adams stated that he can only use the time if he has the student's attention. From the Students' point of view, it is hard to focus on more than one subject. From the teachers' point of view it is hard to effectively use a big block of time. Mr. Howard believes the students will adjust. Mrs. McConnell stated that one of the advantages for Students is that they can take advantage of Technical Careers High School classes. They are hoping to give a chance more options to take professional technical classes. There was a question regarding whether there will be busing available to get to Technical Careers classes. Mrs. McConnell stated that the District will look into busing to provide those Opportunities. Mr. Adams asked Jackie about her future plans. She wants to go to ISU and Study dental hygiene. Chairperson Winchester Suggested that she became familiar with the program. Take time to go into the labs. Jose likes the fact that everybody has friends at Lincoln. He grew Lip in Texas in a bad neighborhood. Here ate Lincoln people are friends with everyone. He likes that he can focus on one thing and get it done. The next block is his last one. He feels that the schedule change Would be ok. Most kids will complain but, after lunch you could go to the eCenter or to work. He wants to go into criminal justice at ISU. When asked if anything needs to improve at Lincoln, he stated that it is good the way it is. Jadon likes the fact that during classes he gets better help here. He likes the two class schedule change. It will open more doors. He is planning on going to the military. Mr. Adams stated that the seniors are certain of what they want to do. They have become very serious and ready to move ahead, Chairperson Winchester asked if the students know what a school Board does. There was a question regarding who the people on the back row were. They are concerned patrons. The meetings are all open to the public. So they come to understand what is going on. Chairperson Winchester asked those patrons to introduce themselves. Stephanie Gifford, Becky Foster, Tammy McCammon, and Renee Cook, Chairperson Winchester explained that school board members are Volunteers. They manage the policies and the superintendent, They are voted into office by patrons in the District. Chairperson Winchester stated that Lincoln is her favorite school to come to. Students all have a focus and their own story. They have made choices to direct their life. She stated that she is proud of the students and the choices they have made. Mr. Nelson wants to reiterate what Chairperson Winchester said. This school is also his favorite place to come. He is aware that the kids here understand the true worth of education. With that understanding, there is no stopping you. Mrs. Landers has a little brother that was kicked out of regular school. She is grateful that we have a system to help kids in Our District. She is glad that the students enjoy being here at Lincoln. Mr. Adams enjoys these kids. It is a classroom of adults because they have made the step to become adults and they act as such. Mr. McBride was impressed with the focus the Students have. He admonished them to stay with their hopes and dreams. If You see it through, it will make a difference in your life. So work to keep the drive and focus alive. Mr. Adams stated that Jose has come a long way. He used to drop every other block. He has been in jail. He thought a lot while there and has decided to come to school and graduate. He can do a lot with the information he has. He can help other guys get the same focus that he has. Mrs. McConnell appreciates the student comrade. it is like a family not cliques. The students make kids feel welcome. She appreciate what they do to help kids feel welcome and accepted. Mr. Howard said that Jose was a frequent flyer in his office for a while. Now he doesn't see him much anymore because Jose was willing to turn around. Chairperson Winchester thanked Jadon for making the choice to Support LIS in the military and thanked Mr. Howard for allowing the Board to meet with the students, ,�W� I'd o; ;�J,ip) ["JI 'I k� K Items for Discussion A. MathAdootion - MichaoleoaHix Mrs. Nix stated that she wants to let the board know what is going with the new adoption. Hills they felt Math it) Focus also known as Sinuanore Math was the best choice. Because we had bond money at that time we were able to purchase the math program. Tile state is giving us extra money to buy common core curriculum this year. We will use plant facility money along with state money to adopt K-6 mathematics. At first we were only going to adopt K-3 but the teachers and principals wanted to adopt through sixth grade. So we can adopt Curriculum that will better meet Our needs and address the standards in a better way. She started the process Of putting a committee together consisting of 14 teachers, two from every grade level, They spent a day looking at the programs. Singapore, Investigations, and Engage New York. We discarded Investigations because we are using it at the STEM school, Mountain Valley, The teachers used the rubric to look at the two programs. There was a strong feeling that they wanted to look at the digital resources for Math in Focus before making a decision. After tallying the rubrics, there was a strong focus toward Math in Focus. She brought back the original 14 teachers in the morning and they reviewed the digital resources, A new group Of 13 teachers were brought in for the afternoon to score both programs with the same rubric. Brenda Curtis looked at Engage New York in depth. It is totally online and we would need to print the materials. The kids would not get a textbook. That Would be very costly for the District. Chairperson wondered if that came from New York. They actually had a whole department Put the program together. They have been using it for three years and it has a research base but not as large a base as Math in Focus, The teachers were given a ballot to vote and hand in to Michaelena. Rimrock and Mountain Valley looked at the two programs longer. They should know by the end of the day which they think is the best fit. Based on their vote, she will recommend to the Board on May 141h the best Math program to adopt for the District. Mrs. Landers asked if there were any teachers at any of the schools that didn't like either program. Some kindergarten teachers wanted to stay with Saxon Math. When Mrs. Nix came to the District, teachers were using different programs, So, she brought teachers together and decided that Saxon was the best program to use at the time because it spiraled and it was a good fit for our District. It was adopted in 2004 been so we have been using it for a long firne, All the Curriculum work we have done has been based around Saxon. It is hard to develop a unit with Saxon, Engage New York is presented in modules which are units. They develop the unit but everything is online. Chairperson Winchester asked if you have to pay extra to use resources online. We don't have to pay if we use it online. With Math in Focus each student will get a textbook but is online as well. For Our parents, Mrs. Hix believes students need a textbook so they can take it home so parents know what the kids are learning, Having textbooks as well as digital over the next five or six year may be our best alternative. The teachers were concerned about that as well, eu*x is looking at professional development for next year. k will ho based the math program and the shifts in math required by the common core. Mrs. Winchester asked how this shift will affect 711 and 811 grade. Either of these programs teach the concepts more deeply. So the kids really understand what the logarithms mean can really apply the information to the new tasks. That has been an issue for our students for a long time. On the new tests, kids will have to apply in a real life scenario how to use the math. When the kids get to middle school, hey hit the wall because they don't have a deep conceptual understanding of the concept when the math becomes more abstract with algebra, geometry, etc. Mr. McBride asked if the adoption was a result of common core. That is correct. Chairperson Winchester has noticed that Students who score high can't maintain that level in middle school. Elementary scores are high but there is a huge drop in middle school. Mr. Woolstenhulme stated that he had a discussion with Mrs. McConnell the other day about this concern. There is something different with our middle schools because there is a huge drop compared to others around, This could be the right step to help kids to do better in algebra. Mrs. McConnell stated that algebra is so important. When kids don't have a basic conceptual understanding, when they get to algebra it becomes so abstract to them. This is a good step in terms of having Our kids obtain a deeper understanding. This will help it not to be so abstract. It is hard to do higher math and this will help them make the transition. It is fairly typical that the kids score well in elementary. They have learned the facts and now they have to look at algebra in a different way. Mr. McBride wondered how the kids will respond. It has been very positive at Summit Hills. Kids are doing more at an earlier age. It is harder for 5th and 6Lh graders because they have been taught that there is just way to the answer. We want kids to Struggle with math so they can figure out a problem and persevere, There was a study where children were given a very difficult math problem to solve. American children left the table after 10 minutes and Asian children sat for over an hour to figure Out the problern. One of the shifts is to help children persevere. Chairperson Winchester stated that it is important to have a math book so parents can help and work on the same process and philosophy, Mrs, Nix tied all open house so parents could come and look mthe programs. We had teachers come as well, There was ugood turnout. There were two parents that didn't approve dEnaaae New Yonk they were concerned because there was no textbook. Mrs. Nix bpretty confident that we will adopt Max m Focus. Sinveofe Math and Math in Focus are tile same. |n the 1980's Singapore's students were scoring in the middle ofthe pack on the TIMMS so they took Our research from the US and developed this program where they taught deeper math. Three or four years after they implemented this program, they have scored in the top 3 in TIMSS. This program was in place before Common Core and they looked at those concepts m develop the Common Core, District 91 adopted Math i` Focus based on the time their teachers spent with those o| Summit Hills. Mw. Landers asked about when the parents came io and wondered what their consensus was, One individual wanted m know why wo were moving away from Saxon. || has been good for our parents and teachers m take a look at what nm are doing. 0e had teachers from Summit Hills Wanswer questions. We had Rimrock teachers who were advocates for Et)aaqe New York there to answer questions. When people have used the program, they can answer questions better for Our parents. We will have parent universities, times when parents can come into tile schools so they can see what we are doing and see how they can help. She wondered if it is a possibility to have a portal for the parents to go to so they look at the program and gain an understanding. Mrs. Landers asked i/ the parents had m consensus for Singapore. Mrs, Nix hasn't had o lot of parents contacting her. But, parents may be contacting Board members. Mr. McBride asked if there is still uconsideration to keep Saxon. No, teachers have been asking for a new program for the last Couple of years, Now that we have the money, kis our greatest need. Mrs. Hix has been so concerned because when she looked at the standards mtile beginning, there is more rigor in the common core. It pushes kids to learn concepts earlier. Chairperson Winchester stated that it pushes the kids to learn for themselves. It is a different way of looking at problems and thinking about a Solution and trying to understand the order to do the steps while figuring out how to get from A to B, We as a society want quick answers and don't want to sit down and think about solutions. Chairperson Winchester state that she knows a teacher at Hillcrest who gave three steps to students but not the order and asked them to figure the order to use the steps to solve the problem. They wouldn't do it because they have to figure it out in their mind, Mrs. Landers asked if there is any way to keep hold with some of the Saxon stuff and continue it along with the Singaoore to give students both, Can we do that financially? Mrs. Nix stated that we still have Accelerated Math that we will continue to use. Mr. Woolstenhulme stated that we have two more years on existing contract with Renaissance, It will be there, At Summit Hills this year, they didn't use it at all. We would have to figure out professional development and how it fits in. We will probably pull Saxon out of the schools because the new program is really a different philosophy. It won't be one worksheet after another and quickly go through concepts. They may spend two or three weeks on a concept. Mr. McBride would like to understand why the kindergarten teachers wanted to stay with Saxon. Mrs. Hix speculated that it Could be because they have collected a lot of resources and material to supplement Saxon over the last 10 It is what they comfortable with. After they start this program, they will find other resources. Mr. McBride wanted to clarify that the adoption will be K-6 district-wide other than Mountain Valley because they are a STEM program. We don't know what they will do. We will work with them because Investiciations is problem solving, If they choose to go away from Investiqations we will probably keep it as a resource for enrichment. Mr. McBride wondered what it would cost the District to adopt the math program, It is down $300,000 from the first proposal and Mrs. Hix is still working with the publisher. It is expensive. There was discussion regarding where the money will come from. We will receive $154,000 from state for common core curriculum and some money from plant facility. Chairperson Winchester clarified that we used money from bond to buy the curriCUlum for Summit Hills, Mrs, Landers clarified that Singapore was in affect long before the Common Core standards were adopted. She asked Study the texts. The Common Core was based on this program, Mrs, Hix also has information from Enqaqe New York. The Board can take a look because it is all online. Whatever program we buy, Mrs. Hixwill supply the research base, Mrs. Landers wondered if there would be any focus on memorizing the facts. Yes there is an A and a B book for each grade level. Would you start advanced children in the B book? No, probably not, Mrs. McConnell stated that it is real common for 41h 5th 61h grade to struggle with a new adoption, It takes about a year for the kids to adjust. Mr. McBride asked if this will be in effect for next year. Yes, Every teacher in the District will have the teacher copies before we leave for summer break. There will be webinars available for them as well. Mrs. Hix will Put together a class for teachers this summer to help with the implementation. Mr. Nelson asked if the teacher syllabus is comprehensive. He isn't efan of Saxon. Kthe teacher isn't sure, Kwill be hard mteach the children, Especially K they are not math specialists. Mr. McBride wondered if there will be professional development to help teachers resolve their concerns, Mr. Nelson wondered if we are we giving our teachers all the resources possible to help them deliver the content. We will have time in August and October to help them, The MTI class team will come in and work with Our teachers. The focus will be on math for elementary teachers. Then we will bring along our high school teachers as well. Teachers at Summit Hills will be available to help since they have gone through extensive professional development. Mr. Rapp is very positive about it, Several have looked at this prior to Common Core and were sold on it because it made sense. We will offer a separate class this summer. We will use Summit Hills teachers this August and October. There will be breakout classes for each grade level in August and October. There will be a lot of support, There will be support in the following years as well. Mrs, Landers wondered how the kids have handled the change at Summit Hills, The K-3 kids have done well. Kids in 4-6 want to get the answer quickly. Have you looked at research from districts who have used this program for a while? As the kids get older, do they do ok? The kids do better in the middle school and high school after using these programs. Mrs. Hix will get the research to the Board members. The kids are better able to apply concepts when they get to middle school and high school, She will send out results in the newsletter. She will send the research in the Board packet and research how it has affected scores. Mrs. Hix should know tonight what the direction will be. Chairperson Winchester stated that this policy is still in the adoption stage and should be ready for initial review mthe May Regular Board meeting. Patron Committees — Annette Winchester Chaimersu08nchwte,mateduhewantotohave committees of patrons and parents m work independently and tobring ideas and research m the administration and Board regarding how wm can solve our crowding situation, She asked Mrs. Landers i( she had some thoughts on this concept. She was in Boise this last weekend for ISBA and talking to other districts about their struggles with bonds and boundaries, It is nice to sit and talk to others across the state and discover different ways to do things. They have through th things i through. She believes we can do things differently in the future that would help bring our Community in. We can give patrons an opportunity to come up with a solution. We will need to set parameters where we are willing to give or not. We don't know what a year-round school is going to look like. The boundary change that happened last week was not something we could change, Parents in the Caribou Meadows square mile are meeting to decide whether to move to Bridgewater or Rimrock, They need to get that decision to LIS so we can vote on it on May 141h. If committees did research and brought KWthe administration, their we Would have patron input. The administration will have hmeet with the committees initially, We don't want people mdua lot W work and then tell them it is not feasible, on You xwant m give Lis alist of committees you Would like to see happen, We would need a board member and administrator initially. Especially for the schedule change, we need a lot of people to work through the needs i(wn can't pass abond. We would like to have thern come back with several options so the Board can look at different things. Chairperson Winchester asked how we should move on this. The administration Would like a list of committees and suggestions. She asked the administration to have Wendy Norman put it out oil Facebook that we Would like committees to look at year rOUnd-school options and the bond issue. Anything coming up on future agendas that are emotional topics, we need to allow public input. We need to utilize our patrons the best that we can. Tammie McCammon is very interested in year-round school schedule, We may need a split session committee. We are starting with looking at year round but, we don't know where i| will end. k could bp split sessions. Wo have w have a direction m begin with. Mr. McBride wondered ifthe administration is Putting together a plan of what options the committees can decide upon, Let the committees can only Uoun much. 0e can let then) have the opportunity mdn the research and bring the Board options. There iaan issue with parameters. Wa need m give them tile requirements. wo have that information already, Then the committee can work on it and bring their suggestions back to administration. That waythey can boinvolved. Chairperson Winchester will work to put together some ideas. She asked Board members to call her if they have ideas for different committees. Mm. McConnell asked that we wait until the Board knows what committees they would like, Specifically we want information on the high school schedule, year-round school and a bond committee. Mr. Bird wondered |/ they are looking ata few committees o, sub committees. We are looking ot things in the future that are hot topics like another boundary shift. Right now, we don't know what is coming. We can form those committees in the future. Things will come LIP in work sessions initially, We often have 6-8 months to make a decision. The committee can talk to people and see what the feelings and concerns are. We need tohe open m what the committees decides. Mm, McConnell ix concerned that we Could disenfranchise people i( we don't work on their Suggestions, When you work on something like that, we will not be able to incorporate everything. They could present at a Board meeting, Ne would need a spokesperson from each committee, We will have to figure out some processes. The Board is trying to make the administrative job better, Mr. Wn |steohu|monmted|hatNohighoohno|snhnuo|oisax|mme|yinmoete.Pnmntsmoynmundnrstaou.wenaedm have administration m work aide'by*ido, We need to involve people or vat what will be realistic and then have them see what they will support. It will take o while mdo the ground work. VI. Board Training A. Board Self-Evaluation - Annette Winchester Chairperson Winchester asked the Board members to complete the self-evaluation and bring them to the May 141h meeting. Chairperson Winchester won't be here next week. The Board will just meet with Hillcrest's student council next week and not have anything else on the agenda Mr. Bird left the meeting at 1:08 p.m There was some discussion regarding whether there is anyone from the District that can train the Board on strategic planning. Mrs. McConnell stated that se focus on student achievement and we are looking at the Board's Goals. This has been a good focus for the administration. We would like to continue to focus people in that direction. She asked if we can use the Structure we have in terms of the Board, Administration, and schools focusing on how PI-Cs are going how we hold people accountable. The state doesn't give a clear focus. We will do what You Would like us to do. Mr. Woolstenhulme stated that we have been working at implementing PLC language and framework. If there are things on the ISBA training that support PI-Cs, it Would be good to paqicipate. We want to drive the car and not allow the State Department or ISBA to do so. The Board Could do some of these things at our retreat. Finance, ethics and governance, and Board Goals should be topics for discussion, Chairperson Winchester asked for discussion regarding a date for a Board Retreat in June or July. It was decided to schedule Tuesday June 24 at the Technical Careers High School Multipurpose Room. We will arrange for breakfast and begin at 8:00 a.m. We will also provide lunch. Mrs. Messick will check with Doug Nelson and ask him to train the Board on Ethics and Governance. We will ask Mrs. Burton to present some training on finance before the budget hearing. The retreat should contain discussions regarding Board ethics and governance, finance, and board goals. The work session agenda should contain Supplemental levy and bond discussions. The District picnic will be Thursday, June 511. That day will be a half day of school with no kindergarten. Kindergarten will be right at the state mandated amount of time. In August, the Board will schedule a picnic and maybe attendance at a ballgame. Chairperson Winchester has a template for opening and closing graduation talks. She will get that to the Board members. The talks should be 3 to 5 minutes, All Board members should attend all graduation ceremonies. Please wear Your graduation gown to each ceremony. We will get graduation gowns for those who don't have them. Dr. Shackett has one in his office, Mrs. Messick will check on obtaining two additional robes. B. BudQefina Information - April Burton Chairperson Winchester stated that Mrs. Burton was out of town so this agenda item will be discussed at a later date. Chairperson asked if any Board member Would like to add any agenda item to an upcoming meeting. VII. Call for Aqenda Items for Upcominq Meetinqs A. Work Session with Hillcrest Student Council - Wednesday, May 7, 2014 - Hillcrest High School Media Center . 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. B. Regular Meeting - Wednesday, May 14, 2014 - 7:00 p.m. C. Work Session with BOS and TCHS Student Councils - Wednesday, May 28, 2014 • District Board Room -11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. D. BHS Seniors Graduation - Tuesday June 3, 2014 E. HHS Seniors Graduation - Wednesday, June 4, 2014 F. LHS Seniors Graduation - Thursday, June 5, 2014 - 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Hillcrest G. TCHS and BONS Seniors Graduation - Thursday, June 5, 2014 - 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at Rocky Mountain Middle School H. District Picnic - Thursday, June 5, 2014 • Bonneville High School Cafeteria 11:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m. I. Regular Meeting (Budget Hearing) - Wednesday, June 11, 2014 - 7:00 p.m. VIII. Executive Session Chairperson Winchester stated that the Board will enter into Executive Session pursuant to Idaho Code Section 67-2345 (1)(c) To conduct deliberations concerning labor negotiations or to acquire an interest in real property which is not owned by a public agency. The Executive Session will be closed to the public as permitted by law. She then asked for a motion to enter into executive session. MOTION: Amy Landers made the motion to move into executive session for the reasons stated. Kip Nelson seconded. The roll call vote was Jeff Bird not available Amy Landers yes Brian McBride yes Kip Nelson yes Annette Winchester yes IX Move Back in to Open Meetina Chairperson Winchester asked for a motion to move back in to open session at 2:05 p.m. MOTION: Brian McBride made the motion to move back into open session. Amy Landers seconded. The vote was 4 in favor with 0 opposed and 0 abstentions Motion passed. Mr. Hill will meet with the architects in the morning to look at the high school site and put together a site plan. Chairperson Winchester stated that it will help to have the architects available when we meet with the neighborhoods near the school site. It might be well to have a site plan prepared before that meeting. She requested a site plan for the middle school. K Adiournment Chairperson Winchester then asked for a motion to adjourn at 2:06 p.m. MOTION: Kip Nelson made the motion to adjourn. Brian McBride seconded, The vote was 4 in favor with 0 opposed and 0 abstentions Motion passed. APPROVED: Chairperson ATTESTED: JAR Clerk Date: