July 14, 2009 Board Meeting Synopsis

ANNUAL MEETING

I. Call to Order and Welcome

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

Present were Vice Chairman Julie Dahlgren and Board Members Mari Beth Matthews, Dan Parke, 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.

Vice Chairman Dahlgren stated that a quorum was present.

II. Pledge of Allegiance

III. Oaths of Office

Board Clerk Laurie Kaufman administered the Trustee’s Oath of Office to the School District’s newly elected Trustees, Steve Guthrie (Zone 2) and Paul Bates (Zone 4).

IV. Elect Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Blaine County School District #61 for the 2009-2010 School Year

Julie Dahlgren was unanimously elected Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Blaine County School District #61 for the 2009-2010 school year.

V. Elect Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Blaine County School District #61 for the 2009-2010 School Year

Dan Parke was unanimously elected Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Blaine County School District #61 for the 2009-2010 school year.

VI. Appoint Mike Chatterton as School District Treasurer of Blaine County School District #61 for the 2009-2010 School Year 

Mike Chatterton was unanimously appointed School District Treasurer of Blaine County School District #61 for the 2009-2010 school year.

VII. Appoint Laurie Kaufman as Clerk of the Board of Blaine County School District #61 for the 2009-2010 School Year

Laurie Kaufman was unanimously appointed Clerk of the Board of Blaine County School District #61 for the 2009-2010 school year.

VIII. Appoint Adam King as School District Attorney of Blaine County School District #61 for the 2009-2010 School Year

Adam King was unanimously appointed School District Attorney of Blaine County School District #61 for the 2009-2010 school year.

IX. Appoint Director of Student Services, Debi Gutknecht, as LEA Rep for Title I for the 2009-2010 School Year

Debi Gutknecht was unanimously appointed LEA Rep for Title I for the 2009-2010 school year.

X. Establish Dates, Times, and Places of Regular School Board Meetings for the 2009-2010 School Year

Dates, times, and places of the Regular School Board Meetings for the 2009-2010 school year were established:

Click here to view the 2009-2010 School Board Meeting Schedule

XI. Designate Public Places for Posting of Public Notices

The front door of the District Office, Wood River Middle School, the Hailey Post Office, and the Community Campus were designated the public places for posting all public notices. In addition, notices will be posted by the Principals of Hemingway Elementary School and Carey School at the front doors of their respective schools.

XII. Adoption of Code of Ethics for School Board Members for the 2009-2010 School Year

The Code of Ethics for School Board Members (School District Policy No. 202.1) was adopted for the 2009-2010 school year.

Please click here to view the Code of Ethics.

XIII. Approval of 2009-2010 School Board Calendar

The 2009-2010 School Board Calendar was approved as presented.

Please click here to view the 2009-2010 School Board Calendar.

XIV. Legislative Report – Adam King, School District Attorney

Adam King reported on the Idaho Legislative Session rulings that have direct effect on the Board of Trustees. There are new rules that apply to Executive Session Board meetings. Effective July 1, 2009, an Executive Session requires a roll call vote, the specific statute must be stated as the reason for going into Executive Session, and final actions must be made in the public (open) session. Once in Executive Session, only the topic for which going into Executive Session must be considered. There is a fine for violating the Open Meeting Law but there is also a self-cure process in place. The Legislature enacted 33-503A changing the term limits of Trustees to four years and aligning the elections with general elections every two years. The effect of 33-503A is that Dan Parke and Mari Beth Matthews, elected in 2007, will have four-year terms that end in 2011. Julie Dahlgren, elected in 2008, will also end her three-year term in 2011. Paul Bates and Steve Guthrie will have four-year terms instead of three-year terms ending in 2013. Basically this ruling unifies local elections with state-wide general elections. Senate Bill 1142 also takes effect July 1, 2009 and states that there is now a process to amend agendas during meetings. Adam will conduct a Trustee Workshop on July 20, 2009 detailing the decisions made in the Idaho Legislative Session as they apply to the School District and Board of Trustees.

There being no further business to discuss, action was taken to adjourn the Annual Meeting.

REGULAR JULY SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

XV. Accolades

a. Blake Walsh, Student Services Director and Gary St. George, Principal of Woodside Elementary School

Dr. Barber read a heart-felt letter received from Woodside Elementary School Occupational Therapist Susan Cooper, Special Education Teacher Sara Gilman, Developmental Preschool Teacher Cathy Lind, and Speech Language Pathologist Maura Pfeiffer regarding their feelings for Blake Walsh and Gary St. George.

We would like to take this opportunity to express our genuine appreciation to Blake Walsh and Gary St. George for their tireless support of children with special needs in our schools. Both Blake and Gary have continually advocated for strong programs that support this diverse population’s academic, social emotional, and communication goals. When Woodside Elementary was built, it was decided that the District would centralize its elementary Extended Resource Rooms and Developmental Preschool at the new facility. This vision has allowed special educators, therapists, and general education teachers to provide comprehensive learning opportunities all day long to students with special needs, instead of offering isolated services at the child’s neighborhood school. This model has helped each child make measureable progress across all developmental domains and has decreased the need to hire student-specific paraprofessionals in each neighborhood school to support individual students’ unique needs. We thank Blake for developing and supporting this vision, and we thank Gary for creating a culture at Woodside Elementary where all children are supported and celebrated. Children who previously may have been seen walking down the hall with an adult in close proximity are given the dignity of risk to navigate their school environment with independence and confidence. This has made a world of difference in these students’ lives.

Woodside Elementary is a school with a truly diverse population that faces many challenges. We are a school with a large English Language Learner population, and we have many students who face socio-economic and social/emotional adversity every day. To embrace a large special needs population in addition to this at-risk demographic is both admirable and inspiring. Thank you, Blake and Gary, for taking this risk. Because of you, Woodside Elementary has become a truly amazing place for all children.

Blake Walsh commented, “I truly would like to say that it was always a pleasure working with Gary and I really respected the fact that he would tell his staff that compliance is not a choice. It’s been a joy seeing the program that’s so strong in Woodside and it’s always a pleasure to work with people who work there. I hear comments all the time about what a tremendous program there is in that school; I am very proud of those people that make it work.”

XVI. Consent Agenda

a. Consideration of Minutes

Annual Budget Hearing and Regular Meeting of June 9, 2009
Special Meeting of the Board of June 29, 2009

b. Acceptance of Monthly Financial Report – Payment of Bills

Please click here to view the June 2009 Financial Reports.

c. Approval of Request for Up to Twelve-Week Family Leave for the 2009-2010 School Year

Amy Backus, Kindergarten Teacher – Carey School

d. Approval of Pre-Clinical Teaching Experience

Erikka Gray under the Supervision of Tom Bailey at Hailey Elementary School

e. Approval of Personnel – Exiting and Entering

Classified Staff – Exiting

Wendy Petzke – Student Services Paraprofessional, Wood River Middle School (Hired in Certified Position)

James Lecrone – Custodian, Wood River High School

Classified Staff – Recommending for Hire

Diane Hassall – Paraprofessional, Hailey Elementary School

Carolyn Halopoff – Preschool/Reading Clinic Paraprofessional, Hailey Elementary School

Mike Stemp – Student Services Paraprofessional (BASE Program), Hailey Elementary School

R. Scott Manning – Security Director, DSB – Buildings and Grounds

Certified Staff - Exiting

Helga Gabrielli – 1.0 FTE 5th Grade Teacher, Bellevue Elementary School

Joyce Lewis – 1.0 FTE 6th Grade Math/Science/Health Teacher, Wood River Middle School

Certified Staff – Recommending for Hire

Caitlin Lampl – .5 FTE Preschool Teacher/.5 FTE Kindergarten Teacher, Hemingway Elementary School

Kelly Chroma – 1.0 FTE Parental Liaison/Information Center Coordinator, DSB – Student Services

Natalie Green – 1.0 FTE 6th Grade Math/Science/Health Teacher, Wood River Middle School

Administrative Staff – Recommending for Hire

Lynn Seifert – Silver Creek High School/Academies/Community Campus Administrator, Silver Creek High School (District Support Building)

Bradley Henson – Principal, Woodside Elementary School

Items “a” through “e” of the Consent Agenda were approved.

XVII. Public Comments

None.

XVIII. Construction Report – Howard Royal, Director of Buildings and Grounds - Information

a. Silver Creek Project Update

Howie reported on the progress of the Silver Creek Project.

Please click here to view the construction report update and photos.

XIX. Information Agenda

a. Strategic Plan Goal #5 Presentation – “Our students demonstrate healthy social and emotional behaviors with the support of parents and community.” – Blake Walsh, Director of Student Services

Please click here to view the Strategic Plan Goal #5 Presentation. 

b. Special Education Report Card – Blake Walsh, Director of Student Services

Please click here to view Blaine County School District’s Special Education Report Card.

c. Strategic Plan Goal #3 Presentation – “Our students are prepared for a multicultural and multilingual world.” – Matt Murray, Director of Curriculum/Dual Language Learners, Molly Michalec, Latino Services Coordinator, Darlene Kisler, Administrative Assistant

Please click here to view the Strategic Plan Goal #3 Presentation.

d. Strategic Plan Goal #9 Presentation – “Our facilities, grounds, and classrooms promote sustainability and provide for optimal learning.” Mike Chatterton, School District Treasurer

Please click here to view the Strategic Plan Goal #9 Presentation.

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

NSPRA (National School Public Relations Association) 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 will follow making recommendations on how to improve communications with the District’s patrons.

No action is requested regarding the proposal at this time. Dr. Barber asked that the Board review the proposal in the next month and to call him if they have questions. The NSPRA’s Communications Audit will be placed on the August Regular Board meeting’s Action Agenda.

Please click here to view NSPRA’s Communication Audit Proposal for Blaine County School District.

f. Partnership with City of Ketchum for “Pump Track” on School Lots 5-8, Block 53, City of Ketchum – Permission to enter into Memorandum of Understanding and Conditional Use Permit – John Gaeddert, School District Land Planner, Jen Smith, Ketchum Parks Department

Please click here to view the Bike Park Pump Track Proposal by City of Ketchum and the Pump Track Park License Agreement.

Board Member Paul Bates requested that the “Pump Track” Information Agenda item be moved to the Action Agenda.

Action was taken to move the Bike Park Pump Track Proposal to the Action Agenda.

 Action was then taken to grant permission for Blaine County School District to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding and Conditional Use Permit with City of Ketchum for “Pump Track” on School Lots 5-8, Block 53, City of Ketchum.

XX. Action Agenda

a. Approval of Bradley Henson as Principal of Woodside Elementary School – Dr. Lonnie Barber, Superintendent of Schools

Dr. Barber explained the interview and selection process as follows. Each selection committee member read and rated all of the paper applications. The Human Resources Department then combined the committee’s ratings to reveal the top eight applicants. All eight applicants were interviewed by the committee over a two-day period.

Dr. Barber then introduced the selection committee’s top choice for Principal of Woodside Elementary School, Bradley Henson.

Action was taken to hire Bradley Henson as Principal of Woodside Elementary School.

b. Approval of Dr. Lynn Seifert as Silver Creek High School/Academies/Community Campus Administrator – Dr. Lonnie Barber, Superintendent of Schools

Action was taken to hire Dr. Lynn Seifert as Silver Creek High School/Academies/Community Campus Administrator.

c. Permission to Award Bid for the Sale of Three School Busses – Rex Squires, Director of Transportation

The Bid Opening for the sale of Bus No.’s 5, 6 and 21 was held July 1, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in the District Office. One valid bid was received.

Please click here to view the Bid Summary and Recommendation for the sale of three school busses.

The sale of Bus No. 5 to Western Mountain Bus in the amount of $3,000.00, Bus No. 6 to Western Mountain Bus in the amount of $2,500.00, and Bus No. 21 to Western Mountain Bus in the amount of $3,000.00 was approved.

d. Permission to Advertise for the Purchase of School Activity Busses – Rex Squires, Director of Transportation

Please click here to view Rex’s memo regarding the Request for Permission to Bid Activity Busses.

Action was taken to approve the advertisement of a Call for Bids for the purchase of school activity busses.

e. Permission to Advertise for the Purchase of Gasoline, Diesel, and Biodiesel for the 2009-2010 School Year – Rex Squires, Director of Transportation

Please click here to view Rex’s memo for the amount of gasoline, diesel, and biodiesel he anticipates using in the 2009-2010 school year.

Action was taken to approve the advertisement of a Call for Bids for the purchase of gasoline, diesel and biodiesel for the 2009-2010 school year.

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

In prior years it has been anticipated that 40, 000 gallons of propane would be used to get Carey School through the year.

Action was taken to approve the advertisement of a Call for Bids for the purchase of propane for Carey School for the 2009-2010 school year.

g. Approval of NAAN (National Affiliate Advocacy Network) Board Representative – Julie Dahlgren, Trustee

The Board’s NAAN designee serves as a liaison between the Blaine County School District Board of Trustees and the National School Boards Association’s (NSBA) Advocacy Office and receives briefing papers and calls to action on national education issues that impact Blaine County School District. Board Member Julie Dahlgren has been serving as the Board’s NAAN designee and asked the Board to nominate a Trustee to take over her duties as the new NAAN Board Representative.

Board Member Paul Bates suggested that Mari Beth Matthews become the new NAAN Board Representative. Mari Beth Matthews agreed to be the NAAN representative if Paul Bates would consider becoming the Public Relations Board Representative for NSPRA’s Communications Audit.

Action was taken naming Mari Beth Matthews as the new NAAN Board Representative and Paul Bates as the Board’s representative for NSPRA’s Communications Audit.

h. ISBA New Board Members Workshop – Laurie Kaufman, Board Clerk

The District’s newly elected Board Members, Steve Guthrie and Paul Bates, attended the 2009 ISBA New Board Member Workshop on July 17, 2009 at the Owyhee Plaza Hotel in Boise, Idaho. Both Board Members agreed that the time was well spent in the Workshop.

The ISBA New Board Member Workshop Agenda covered the following topics:

● ISBA and its Resources 
● Basic School Finance
● Trustee Roles and Responsibilities
● Open Meeting Law
● Resolutions & Legislation
● Creating & Following Board Policy
● Superintendent/Board Teams – Teamwork Building Strategies
● Parliamentary Procedure

The Regular July meeting of the Board of Trustees of Blaine County School District No. 61 adjourned at 10:00 p.m.