August 11, 2009 Board Meeting Synopsis

SYNOPSIS
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF
BLAINE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 61
TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2009, 6:30 P.M.
DISTRICT OFFICE

Action was taken to convene to Closed Executive Session pursuant to Idaho Code §67- 2345(1)(b) to hear a Blaine County School District student’s request to re-enroll in the District.

The Board of Trustees conducted a Request to Re-Enroll Hearing for a Blaine County School District student. After hearing testimony from the student, his mother, and Wood River High School Administration, action was taken to convene to Regular Open Session.

Action was taken to allow Student No. 2008-09:10 to re-enroll in the Blaine County School District at the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year under certain conditions.

REGULAR AUGUST SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

Chairman Julie Dahlgren called the Regular August meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and welcomed everyone in attendance.

Present were Board Members Mari Beth Matthews, Steve Guthrie, and Paul Bates. Also in attendance were Dr. Lonnie Barber, Superintendent of Schools; Matt Murray, Director of Curriculum /Dual Language Learners; Mike Chatterton, School District Treasurer; and Laurie Kaufman, Board Clerk.

Chairman Dahlgren stated that a quorum was present.

Dr. Barber stated that he received an extremely complimentary email from Matt Murray, Blaine County School District’s Director of Curriculum/Dual Language Learners, regarding Darlene Kisler.

Matt writes:

No matter the project, Darlene approaches it knowing she will succeed and enjoy doing it. When I work with her, I know I have an ally, one who will do her best to help me. This is recommendation in itself, but I'd like to recognize her particularly for her work in helping to create the recently completed video and PowerPoint titled "Dual Immersion in Blaine County".

As you are aware, our dual immersion program was recognized as the outstanding program of its kind by the state of Idaho at its Title I conference in April. The award came with a check for $20,000. Our dual immersion program goals are no less lofty than the District's as a whole, and that is to be a model for others. Before and since the reception of the award, several districts have contacted us to inquire about our program. We recognized that it was high time to present ourselves as the model we strive to be, and so we set about creating the power point/video, to provide parents and other educators with information about the program. The result, which we will view briefly later in the meeting, is a product to be proud of, one that is worthy of our aims. It is succinct, visually appealing, and incorporates the faces and words of the parents, staff, and students who comprise our program. Its quality is due in large part to Darlene's efforts, and it is effort like hers that enables our District to really have a shot at being the model for others.

b. Raul Salinas – Wood River High School Student and Construction Academy Graduate

Dr. Barber stated that the District’s Board Clerk, received two complimentary letters from Howard Royal, Director of Buildings and Grounds. Howie has great things to say about two special people he has had the privilege of working with this summer.

Howie writes:

This summer has been a whirlwind of activity for the Buildings and Grounds Department. In addition to the regular summer projects, this year we took on the partial conversion of the District Support Services (DSS) building to the new Silver Creek High School, and the major renovation of turning the old Alternative School into the new Technology Building. While gearing up to start in late spring, an idea was put forth to try to utilize some of the talent coming through the Residential Academy. This is how I came to meet Raul Salinas.

Raul came to us through Mike Walsh, the Residential Academy Instructor, and Greg Urbany, who worked with Raul on occasion during the school year on Academy projects. Greg is currently our onsite supervisor at the new Technology Building. Both Mike and Greg agreed that Raul could be of assistance during the summer. We decided to give it a try, but had no idea what a great decision we had made. Raul came to us ready to go to work. He has a solid understanding of his roles and responsibilities in the construction environment. His knowledge and skill base have made him a valuable and integral part of this undertaking. Greg has commented a number of times that he only needs to show Raul something once and he can run with it. Raul has also demonstrated the ability to problem- solve; and he has a solid work ethic.

What a great success story for the District to be able to bring a student through one of the Academies, and then be able to employ him through the summer on our building project. It is a bit like a mini “grow your own” program. I would like to acknowledge Mike Walsh and his program for bringing these students to a level of competence that makes them viable employees right out of school. But most of all, I would like to make sure that we recognize Raul for his unwavering positive attitude and tireless commitment to this project.

Laurie, please let the Dr. Barber and the Board of Trustees know how much we appreciate having the opportunity to have Raul work with us this summer. He a great example of the success that can be achieved through the programs offered by the District, but he is also a fine example for the youth of today, and should be very proud of his success this summer.

The District’s vision to optimize learning opportunities for all of its students helped to endorse the decision to move the Silver Creek Alternative School closer to the main high school campus. This will provide these students with more curricular options while maintaining the essence of the alternative setting.

The District Support Services (DSS) building will fit this need to near perfection with a little bit of remodeling. Since it was originally built as a classroom structure, there are relatively few changes that need to be made. Relocation of the Silver Creek High School will require that the Technology Department move to the existing Alternative School location. This has required a significant change of use for that building.

When we realized the scope of work that was going to need to be completed, and that the clock had already started ticking, we began to discuss our options. During one of the brainstorming sessions we realized that we had an unutilized resource right under our nose. Greg Urbany, who came onboard as a bus driver, is a building contractor who has also helped out with our Construction Academy. Since bus driving is seasonal, Greg agreed to assist us through the summer to help run the New Technology Building project. Greg has been irreplaceable. He has a vast and diversified background including commercial and high end residential experience. He has ties to all of the various trades, and has great relationships with the local building officials. His organizational skills are as honed as his carpentry talents.

Greg has also taken one of the School District’s programs to the next level. The Residential Academy moves students through classroom applications and then gives them field experience building a house. Greg thought it would be a great opportunity to give a student a “real life” experience working on a true construction remodel project with Greg as the supervising mentor. I think it’s probably a tossup as to who is enjoying it more.

Laurie, please take the time to let Dr. Barber and the Board of Trustees know how much I appreciate the effort that Greg has put into the Technology Building project this summer. I truly believe that without him the project would be lagging far behind and at a significant cost increase to the Blaine County School District. I can’t begin to explain how comforting it is to know that he is taking care of every aspect of the job, including hands on construction, job costing, quality control, and being a mentor to a young man that is having a great experience. I would like to commend Greg for his commitment to this project and to the Blaine County School District.

Annual and Regular Meeting of July 14, 2009
Special Meeting/Trustee Workshop of July 20, 2009

None.

Robert Buck – Custodian, Wood River High School

John Galgano – Special Education BASE Paraprofessional, Wood River High School

Maria Roldan – ENL Paraprofessional, Hemingway Elementary School

Hal Bingham 0 1.0 FTE Spanish/ENL/GATE Teacher, Carey School

Wendy Petzke – 1.0 FTE 7th Grade Special Education Resource Room Teacher, Wood River Middle School

Jodi Barsch – 1.0 FTE 3rd Grade Teacher, Hailey Elementary School

Nicole Howe – 1.0 FTE 1st Grade Dual Immersion (Spanish Section) Teacher, Bellevue Elementary School

Sarah Parker – 1.0 FTE 3rd Grade Dual Immersion (English Section) Teacher, Hailey Elementary School

Anna Auseklis – 1.0 FTE Roaming Guest Teacher, District-wide

Erin Leady – 1.0 FTE Preschool Teacher – Hailey Elementary School

William Cantrell – 1.0 FTE 5th Grade Teacher, Bellevue Elementary School

Mendy Benson – 1.0 FTE ESL Teacher, Wood River High School

d. Approval of extension of Kathleen Diepenbrock’s supervised Internship at Woodside Elementary School as part of her graduate work in Counseling for the 2009-2010 school year.

a. Dr. David Holmes, Director of Lee Pesky Learning Center

Dr. Holmes stated, “I would like to speak to the Strategic Plan and it is my understanding that you will be considering it at some point this evening. I had a chance to work with school districts and schools all over the country over the last few years and I’ve also had the opportunity to be a part of the Strategic Planning process. I want to comment that it is one of the most impressive processes and outcomes that I’ve ever seen of this kind. First of all we have a strategic plan; most school districts do not have strategic plans. The fact that we’re looking down the road and shaping our future to me is extremely important. Secondly, I have been very impressed by the degree of participation on the part of the people in Wood River Valley; both by the numbers of people directly involved in the process, and the amount of information that flowed in both directions over the last several months. The third part that I think is very, very impressive is the fact that it deals with educational issues. So frequently I’ve found that strategic plans really are just facility plans. In my view, the fact that our Plan for our County addresses really crucial, educational issues for the next several years; is very important. Finally, the impressive part for me is the fact that it is going to be implemented; there is an action plan that goes along with what’s been created. Frequently, in my experience, strategic plans at school districts end up on a shelf. What I have seen are very specific and concrete proposals for implementing the principles that are part of the Plan. In summary, I simply want to say that I believe it’s very impressive, and among the school districts that I’ve worked with, it is actually quite unique in terms of the perspective that it brings to bear, and the quality of the work that has gone into it. Thank you.”

VIII. Curriculum Report – Matt Murray, Director of Curriculum/Dual Language Learners – Information

a. State of Dual Immersion in Blaine County School District

The Dual Immersion committee spent much of the year developing an articulated K-12 plan for the Dual Immersion program, as well as creating a video/PowerPoint defining the program and its implementation. The video was presented at the state Title I conference in April, at which time Blaine County School District was recognized as having established the outstanding dual immersion program in the state.

The video is now available on the Blaine County School District website, where it will serve as a resource for parents interested in the program, as well as for districts interested in starting or improving their dual immersion programs.

Please click here to view the Dual Immersion PowerPoint presentation.

a. Chartwells Food Service Program – Duane Sorenson, Director of Dining Services

Duane Sorenson reported on all aspects of Chartwells, Blaine County School District’s Food Service Program.

Please click here to view the Chartwells PowerPoint presentation.

b. Connections Program Update – Julie Carney, Wood River High School Social Worker, Cynthia Carr, Connections Program Director, Teresa Espedal, Chief Juvenile Probation Officer, John Blackman, Wood River High School Principal

An overview of the 2008-2009 Connections Program was presented by Julie Carney.

Please click here to view the Connections Program presentation.

c. Silver Creek Update Report – Howard Royal, Director of Buildings and Grounds

 Howard Royal updated us on the Silver Creek Project.

Please click here to view Howard’s Silver Creek Update Report and construction photographs.

d. Strategic Plan Goal #4 Presentation – “We work as a community to develop and support the whole child.” – Debi Gutknecht, Student Services Director and Lynn Fuger, Wood River High School Assistant Principal

Debi Gutknecht and Lynn Fuger presented Strategic Plan Goal #4.

Please click here to view the Goal #4 PowerPoint presentation.

e. Strategic Plan Goal #7 Presentation – “We put into practice state-of-the-art technology that provides students and staff with full working and learning capability.” – Jerry Hutchins, Director of Technology, Testing and Database Management, Don Haisley, Hemingway Elementary School Principal, and Leslie Dilley, Parent Goal #7 Committee Member

 Jerry Hutchins, Don Haisley and Leslie Dilley presented Strategic Goal #7.

Please click here to view the Goal #7 PowerPoint presentation.

X. Action Agenda

a. Approval of Strategic Plan Goals #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, and #9 (Strategic Plan Goal #1 will be presented for approval in September 2009) – Dr. Lonnie Barber, Superintendent of Schools

• Strategic Plan Goal #2 – “Every student receives a rigorous curriculum that prepares them for college and is supported by challenging, inspiring, and relevant instruction.”

• Strategic Plan Goal #3 – “Our students are prepared for a multicultural and multilingual world.”

• Strategic Plan Goal #4 - “We work as a community to develop and support the whole child.”

• Strategic Plan Goal #5 – “Our students demonstrate healthy social and emotional behaviors with the support of parents and community.”

• Strategic Plan Goal #6 – “We actively recruit, retain, and develop highly competent, caring, and student-focused staff.”

• Strategic Plan Goal #7 – “We put into practice state-of-the-art technology that provides students and staff with full working and learning capability.”

• Strategic Plan Goal #9 – “Our facilities, grounds, and classrooms promote sustainability and provide for optimal learning.”

Please click here to view the summarized Strategic Plan.

Action was taken to approve Strategic Plan Goals #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, and #9.

For the record, Board Member Mari Beth Matthews stated that all future dollars spent on new positions, as proposed in the approved Strategic Plan, will be evaluated/decided by Dr. Barber and Mike Chatterton as the needs arise.

b. Permission to Award Bid for the Purchase of Gas, Diesel, and Biodiesel for the 2009-2010 School Year – Rex Squires, Director of Transportation

The Bid Opening for the purchase of gasoline, diesel and biodiesel was held on August 5, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. in the District Office.

Please click here to view the Fuel Bid Summary.

Action was taken to award United Oil the fuel bid for gasoline, diesel, and biodiesel in Hailey with a margin of 8 cents, and to award Adamson’s the fuel bid for gas and diesel in Carey with a margin of 6 cents.

c. Approval of Bus Routes, Non-Transportation Zones, Authorized Backing Areas, and Safety Bussing - Rex Squires, Director of Transportation

Please click here to view Rex Squires’ memos concerning bus routes, non-transportation zones, authorized backing areas and safety bussing.

Action was taken to approve the bus routes, non-transportation zones, authorized backing areas and safety bussing as presented.

d. Permission to Award Bid for the Purchase of Propane for Carey School for the 2009-2010 School Year – Howard Royal, Director of Buildings and Grounds

The Bid Opening for the purchase of propane for Carey School for the 2009-2010 school year was held on August 5, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in the District Office.

Please click here to view the Propane Bid Summary.

Action was taken to award the bid to Valley Co-Op in the amount of $1.30 per gallon.

e. Approval of Agreement between Blaine County School District No. 61 Board of Trustees and South Central Public Health District for use of Blaine County School District Facilities in the Event of a Health Emergency – Mike Chatterton, School District Treasurer

Mike Chatterton stated that the annual Agreement between Blaine County School District and South Central Public Health District allows South Central Public Health District to come to the Community Campus in case of a health crisis.

Please click here to view the Agreement between Blaine County School District and South Central Public Health District.

Action was taken to approve the Agreement between Blaine County School District and South Central Public Health District.

f. Review and Approval of Tax Levy Certification - Mike Chatterton, School District Treasurer

Mike Chatterton presented the annual Tax Levy Certificate to the Board for approval. The Tax Levy Certificate is an annual certificate that is filed with the County to show levies the School District will be asking for from property taxpayers for the coming fiscal year. The Budget Stabilization Levy is a fixed dollar amount of $29,520,054. The Tort Levy is to pay for liability insurance the District incurs and is allowed to increase at 3% per year. The dollar amount is $52,742. The Tuition Levy is to pay for tuition expenses we pay other school districts to educate students residing in Blaine County that attend schools in other districts. The dollar amount is $22,287. The Supplemental (Override) Levy is a fixed dollar amount of $2,600,000. The Bond Levy is to pay for bond and interest payments from Wood River Middle School in the amount of $2,250,199, and the School Plant Facilities levy is to pay for loans to build Wood River High School, Carey School and Woodside Elementary School. The amount of this levy is $3,995,653.

Please click here to view the Tax Levy Certificate.

Action was taken to approve the Tax Levy Certificate. 

g. Approval of NSPRA’s Communication Audit Proposal for Blaine County School District – Dr. Lonnie Barber, Superintendent of Schools

NSPRA’s (National School Public Relations Association) Communication Audit Proposal for Blaine County School District was presented at the Regular July Board meeting. NSPRA would conduct a Communications Audit by putting focus groups together of various stakeholders/citizens of the community and work with the School District to point out the District’s strengths and weaknesses in communication with the public. A report would follow making recommendations on how to improve communications with the District’s patrons.

Please click here to view NSPRA’s Communication Audit Proposal.

Action was taken to approve NSPRA’s Communication Audit Proposal for Blaine County School District.

XI. Board Discussion a. Board Venue and Outreach /Additional Meetings / Straw Poll of Board – Julie Slocum Dahlgren, Chairman, Board of Trustees

 (Paraphrased:)

Chairman Dahlgren stated that due to new Board Members’ platforms, the District is open to discussing Board venues that could change. The topic of additional Board meetings will also be discussed.

Board Member Steve Guthrie stated that we may have grown out of the District Board Room facility for monthly Board meetings and suggested that each school in the District host a monthly Board meeting. He said this would be good public outreach in that it would give the monthly meetings the extra room that is needed as well as give the community and Board the opportunity to visit the schools.

 Chairman Dahlgren stated that some of the reasons for having Board meetings in the same location are that everyone knows exactly where the meeting is month to month, the Hailey District Office is centrally located in the District, and it takes a lot of work to set up the meetings each month. Will more people attend the meetings if they are held in the schools? Howard Royal addressed that question by stating that there used to be one meeting at each school and there was very little participation from the public at those meetings. He said that it was pretty much just the Board and people listed on the agendas that showed up. When the District Office building was built it was decided to hold all of the Board meetings at that location. He said there was a collective sigh of relief knowing that the meetings were going to be in the same place. It was also a pretty big deal for the Board Clerk to pack up everything in her car, unload it in the building and break it down at the end of the meeting. From Howie’s perspective, alternate locations didn’t really add attendance to the meetings.

Board Member Mari Beth Matthews stated that it is an interesting idea and knows that community outreach is one of the platform items the new Board Members campaigned on. She said that she thinks the District Office facility really works well and it’s also the center of the community with all of our schools in the area. Sometimes we are crowded, but usually it’s hard to get turnout for PTA or Board meetings no matter where they are located. Maybe going to Carey once a year would be a good idea so the Carey people wouldn’t have to drive to Hailey each month? Maybe the two new Board Members could speak to the fact that they were out there campaigning on this platform yet their supporters have not come to the meetings, excluding the first one to cheer them on.

Mike Chatterton stated that one of the biggest complaints heard about rotating Board meetings throughout the District years ago was that people were confused as to where or when the meetings were going to be held. Many patrons wanted to attend meetings and were showing up at wrong locations. The major part of the decision to have the meetings at one central location was to take the confusion and second-guessing out of the meetings schedule.

Don Haisley, Hemingway Principal, stated that eight years ago there were no more people attending the Board meetings at Hemingway than at the District Office. He said that times may have changed and Hemingway parents are wrapped up in after-school sports/activities with their kids. Based on this it is hard for him to predict if there would be increased attendance at Board meetings.

Board Member Paul Bates addressed the possibility of additional meetings. He stated that the monthly Board meeting is absolutely necessary for the District’s business but it is not the friendliest venue for communication to occur; for the Board to be able to listen to what the public might have to say. Unless a meeting is conducted, there doesn’t seem to be a place for the School Board to sit and hear what its constituents have to say. One possibility would be for the School Board to attend each school at a PTA meeting and participate in that meeting. This monthly meeting is, by and large, is very public unfriendly; -- we’re buying propane. The one thing we’re talking about tonight that is about the public and communication is occurring at 9:40 p.m. I’m talking about the School Board sitting here and listening to its constituents; the people that are paying the bills. More time of the Board would be required. We should start with a format that forces the Board to be subject to what the people need to say. If we need to limit their time, fine. If no one shows up, we’ve learned something. We will have begun the process. Everything that I heard through the election was that people didn’t feel like anybody was listening to them. Their most important representatives are us. We need to satisfy the public’s view that they are being listened to.

Chairman Dahlgren stated that the meetings that are held every second Tuesday are not public meetings; they are meetings that are held in public. While Paul’s idea is noble, I would never force any of my fellow School Board Members to attend another meeting.

Brad Henson, Woodside Principal, suggested that, as in his previous school district, Board Members make themselves at least visible in the schools. One Board Member would be present at parent-teacher conferences or open houses at every school for a few hours and be available for questions.

Chairman Dahlgren stated that perhaps the NSPRA will also give the School Board suggestions following their Communications Audit.

Mike Chatterton stated that he would hope that if the PTAs or anyone had questions about the decisions the District is making or thoughts on where the budget should be or any kind of a financial question that they would call me and invite him to a PTA meeting for discussion. He said that he gets plenty of calls from the public already and for him to attend another evening meeting is just not that big of a deal. He said he doesn’t get those calls to attend PTA meetings. That tells him that they don’t feel comfortable calling him or it’s just not that big of a deal to them.

Chairman Dahlgren then asked the Board for a straw vote concerning their support or non-support of the upcoming Plant Facilities Levy.

Julie Dahlgren: support
Mari Beth Matthews: support
Steve Guthrie: support
Paul Bates: support

The Regular August meeting of the Board of Trustees of Blaine County School District No. 61 adjourned at 10:05 p.m. Action was then taken to return to Closed Executive Session pursuant to Idaho Code §67- 2345(1)(c) for the discussion of property.

XII. Return to Closed Executive Session

The Board of Trustees discussed property issues.

Action was taken to return to Open Session.

XIII. Return to Open Session

Action was taken to grant permission for Blaine County School District to enter into negotiations with the developers of the Waterford Subdivision in Carey, Idaho to purchase two lots, not to exceed $100,000, for the Construction Academy’s use.