04-29-2015 Minutes Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

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Dr. Charles J. Shackett, Superintendent 3497 North Ammon Road, Idaho Falls, Idaho, 83401  (208) 525-4400  Fax (208) 529-0104  www.d93schools.org Board of Trustees  Annette Winchester  Kip Nelson  Amy Landers  Brian McBride  Jeff Bird Bonneville Joint School District No. 93 is an Equal Opportunity Employer Marjean McConnell, Deputy Superintendent Work Session of the Board of Trustees April 29, 2015 Lincoln High School Room #3 11:30 AM I. Welcome Visitors and Delegations Chairperson Winchester welcomed the following: Micknley Cheney, Samatha Casper, Julessa Beltran, Emily Freeman, Dakota Maughan, and Renee Cook, II. Lincoln High School Student Council Presentation Chairperson Winchester asked members of the student council to discuss their accomplishments for this year. They talked of their goals and asked about changes to some of the school’s rules. Mr. Howard expressed appreciation to the students and all the things they have done for the school this year. Chairperson Winchester expressed her appreciation for the student’s high expectations. They do well and accomplish a great deal because those expectations. The students expressed a desire to be able to hold a dance once in a while. Mr. Howard responded that Lincoln provides a good basic education for the students. They don’t really have the means for adequate chaperones of these types of activities at the school. They still have activities. Mr. Howard appreciates that the student council is willing to try new ideas and their creativity trying to do those things at the school. Their Easter egg hunt is an example of one of those activities. They are able to do many activities at the school. They are also proposing a tailgate party on the last day of school before graduation. That will need to be planned and then proposed before it will be able to happen. Chairperson Winchester asked how many seniors would graduate this year. There should be around 60 graduates. Dr. Shackett wondered what the percentage of graduates versus those that are seniors is. It is hard to calculate because the students come and go so fast it is hard to calculate. Chairperson Winchester explained that there are different ways for students to graduate in the District. The Lincoln High School, the eCenter, Bonneville Online, and the Technical Careers High School have all been established to help students to graduate in a different way that is compatible with their learning style. The change in schedule to allow two classes per day has been really helpful to the students. Many people realize that Lincoln is a great school, others do not believe the same. The students want to change the public’s perception of the school but are not quite sure how to go about it. Chairperson Winchester suggested that they talk to people about the school. Lincoln is an accredited high school and there are not that many that are accredited. Mr. Nelson stated that Lincoln is an alternative just like online is an alternative. People don’t understand when they hear the word alternative high school and that is unfortunately why they have the perception that they do. But now that Lincoln is fully accredited, hopefully that perception is changing. It will take a little time for people to understand and accept that concept. The students at Lincoln see the importance of earning a diploma and attending classes as required to do so. Knowing that the teachers at Lincoln care about the students makes it easier to attend regularly. Chairperson Winchester let the students know that the Board has heard many great things about Lincoln High School. When it is all said and done, it doesn’t matter where you have graduated but the fact that you have graduated. The Board loves the opportunity to come to Lincoln and meet with the students. According to the students, one of the good things about the school is that you are required to make up time or credit is lost. That teaches the students to be accountable. The students also like that if you need help you can get it at Lincoln. Chairperson Winchester asked what the students plans were after graduation. Some want to work and earn money to attend college. Mr. Howard told the Board that the students have come up with some fun activities for the students at the school that haven’t been tried in the past and that is a great thing. He is glad to have these students here because they represent the school very well. There is good communication between them and Mr. Howard and he really appreciates what they have accomplished this year. Chairperson Winchester thanked the students for talking to the Board about what they think and feel in a very respectful manner So many times, students won’t open up in that way. The students expressed that they had previous concerns about meeting with them the Board. They were grateful for the Board’s support of the school. They have been taught self-respect through the dress code at Lincoln and the students appreciate that. Most teachers at Lincoln do not favor one above the other and that is great. Everyone introduced themselves and told what their responsibility is at the District level. The students then asked about each individual’s responsibility as well. The Board makes district policy for the administration to follow. The members of the Board are all volunteers. Most kids don’t understand how much time the Board puts in for the students. The pay that the Board gets is when the watch the students graduate. Graduation will be held a 7:00 on June 4th. There was a question regarding the ability to wear hats at school. That is a district policy and has to do with safety. Students were encouraged to talk to their principal about that concern. III. Call to Order . Chairperson Winchester asked if there was anything else the students would like to talk about. Hearing none, she told the students that they were welcome to stay for the rest of the meeting if they would like. She then called the Work Session to order. IV. Roll Call Those Board members in attendance were Chairperson Annette Winchester, Vice-chairperson Kip Nelson, and Trustee Brian McBride. Treasurer Amy Landers and Trustee Jeff Bird were excused. Others in attendance were Superintendent Chuck Shackett, Director of School Improvement and Technology Scott Woolstenhulme, Communications Liaison Phil Campbell, Director of Human Resources Shalene French, Director of Plant Facility/Purchasing Roger Hill, Chief Financial/Operations Officer April Burton, Director of Safe Schools/Maintenance/Operations John Pymm, Director of Curriculum and Instruction Michaelena Hix, Principal Gordon Howard, and Board Clerk Valerie Messick. V. Items for Discussion End of Year Calendar - Marjean McConnell Chairperson Winchester asked Mrs. McConnell to discuss the proposed end of the year calendar with the Board. Mrs. McConnell discussed the need to add time to the kindergarten schedule. Each school will be handling the requirement in a different manner so the kindergarten has the required time in class. They are doing this so we can have the last day of school be a ½ day and so we can also have our annual barbeque. For next year, we have added two (2) minutes to the morning and afternoon sessions of kindergarten they will have more instructional minutes and we won’t have to make adjustments at the end of the year. They are still working on the details of the schedule.