May 11, 2010 Board Meeting Minutes

MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF
BLAINE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 61
TUESDAY, MAY 11, 2010 - 6:30 P.M.
DISTRICT OFFICE

Board Member Mari Beth Matthews made a motion to convene to Closed Executive Session pursuant to Idaho Code §67-2345(1)(a) to consider hiring a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, Idaho Code §67-2345(1)(b) for the discussion of personnel, and Idaho Code §67-2345(1)(c) for the discussion of property.  The motion was seconded by Dan Parke and passed unanimously.

I.        Closed Executive Session

The Board discussed personnel and property matters.  

There being no further business to discuss in Closed Executive Session, Board Member Dan Parke made a motion to convene to Regular Open Session.  The motion was seconded by Paul Bates and passed unanimously.

II.       Convene to Open Session

Board Member Mari Beth Matthews made a motion to accept Matt Murray’s resignation as Director of Curriculum/Dual Language Learners, effective June 30, 2010.  The motion was seconded by Steve Guthrie and passed unanimously.  

A motion was then made by Board Member Mari Beth Matthews to approve the placement of a continuing contract professional employee of the District on continued probation and directed that notice be given to said employee together with a written Program of Supervision and Evaluation and that a copy of said Notice and Program be placed in said employee’s personnel file.  The motion was seconded by Dan Parke and passed unanimously.  

A motion was then made by Board Member Mari Beth Matthews to add an additional school bus backing location in the Yale area.  The motion was seconded by Dan Parke and passed unanimously.  

A motion was then made by Board Member Dan Parke to approve the sale of 2721 Winterhaven Drive, Hailey, Idaho.  The motion was seconded by Steve Guthrie and passed unanimously.

REGULAR MAY BOARD MEETING

III.      Call to Order and Welcome 

IV.      Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Hailey Elementary School 4th grade student, Nick Smith.  

The Trustees and meeting audience were then treated to a stunning performance by Colla Voce.  The Wood River High School’s choral music group, under the direction of Max Stimac, sang True Colors and I Hope You Dance.  

Colla Voce 2009-2010:

1st Sopranos:  Brita Gaeddert, Isabelle Taylor, Mia Jefferson, Chloe Barrymore
2nd Sopranos:  Alex Kuntz, Jonnie Pedersen, Morgan Brunker, Anne Polichetti
Altos:  Mariah Davis, Steph Sloan, Anastasia Maricich, Lina Klumpp

V.       Accolades

I received the following email from a parent of a Wood River High School student.

Dear Dr. Barber,  

I am sure that you hear your share of complaints in your position, but today I would like to give you a very positive report of a job well done!  Due to a family move, we needed quite a bit of "above and beyond" help from our guidance counselor, Kimberly Hochendoner.  We needed to get our very successful daughter to a place where she could finish her last few credits without having to go to a whole new high school.  Suffice it to say; we were in a quandary.  Ms. Hochendoner is a very determined counselor; she pulled out all the stops for us and we feel very appreciative!  

I want to thank you, and most especially Kimberly Hochendoner, for her fantastic and caring job in handling our difficult and unusual situation.  Thank you!  

Michael J. Foley

Debi Gutknecht, Director of Student Services, submitted the following letter to the Board regarding three members of our Special Education Department.

Dear Dr. Barber and Members of the Board,  

It is with great honor that I write this accolade to three members of the special education department of Blaine County School District.  Ken Ward, School Psychologist, Susan Cooper, Occupational Therapist, and Sandy Schroeder, Speech and Language Pathologist are an amazing team.  I have just returned to my office after spending the past two and one half hours in an Eligibility Meeting to determine if a student meets the criteria for special education services.  I must let you know that the cooperative, empathetic, and sincere professionalism that were exhibited by the team was a thing of beauty and grace.  

Let me begin by telling you the process and the journey that led to this meeting.  The student was experiencing difficulty in the school setting.  Although interventions by the classroom teacher and other district personnel were put into place, the child continued to struggle.  The special education team was called into service to determine if an evaluation to consider special education eligibility was warranted.  With gentleness and thoughtfulness, the team visited with parents, answered their questions, and secured consent to begin assessment.  That is only the beginning. Assessments were given over a 2-month time frame.  Hours of time were spent with the student to determine present levels of strengths and weaknesses, parents were interviewed and completed rating scales, and assessments were scored and analyzed.  At this point, one might think that the bulk of the endeavor was completed.  But no.  This team met, reviewed the data, pondered, questioned, and pursued further testing to find the answers to best help this child succeed in school.  Finally, a comprehensive eligibility report was written and a time to review the information with parents was scheduled.  

This is the point that the pure magic of collaboration and the professional manner of Ken, Susan, and Sandy were truly evident.  As a parent, it is often difficult to hear the results of an evaluation that might suggest the true struggles of your precious child.  This team handled that challenge with sensitivity, intuitiveness, and a passion for helping children that I would not hesitate to say they are they represent the finest special educators in the state.  It pleases me beyond words to be the supervisor, colleague, and friend.  

So, it is with great pride, that I ask you to honor Ken Ward, Susan Cooper, and Sandy Schroeder in providing excellence in special education support and services to students within Blaine County School District.  I have no doubt that this child, as well as the parents are in good hands and progress for success will be evident.  

Sincerely,
Debi Gutknecht, Director of Student Services

As you may remember, Nicholas Smith, a 4th grade student at Hailey Elementary School, delivered his first public comment at last month’s Regular Board meeting.  Nicholas, his mom, Levie Smith, and several of his friends have put an accolade together for one of their favorite people, Doug Shiner, Custodian at Hailey Elementary.

To whom it may concern,  

On behalf of many Hailey elementary students, faculty and parents, I want to acknowledge a very special employee at Hailey Elementary, Mr. Doug Shiner.  Like his name, he shines on all around him!  

Doug has a gift of supporting the students whenever he comes into their contact.  He is never without a smile or kind word.  It does not matter if it is a cold winter morning when he is greeting students at drop off, or a warm afternoon in the cafeteria helping create a clean, safe environment.   

Doug is always with a smile!  Doug has a smile that is contagious and encourages you to share it with the next person you see.  It is truly a gift to be in his presences and pay forward his great energy.  

Doug is not only a conscientious custodian, he is also a counselor, entertainer, comedian and singer.  On several occasions I have witnessed Doug put on his "other hat" while at school.  It is fun to watch as he serves as a mediator to girls in a spat at lunch over a boy, or assists a student avoid tears who has just dropped his lunch tray all over the floor. It is not uncommon to see him as entertainer; he has a great voice and likes to sing silly songs for the kids.  

Doug demonstrates time and time again his diligent work ethic.  He is never too far away to assist in the most difficult messes; like the science class erupting volcanoes or a leaking roof from snow fall.  It is fun to see the teachers share their appreciation for Doug.  Like the time Ms. Pierson and her class called to Doug in a panic and said they needed him right away and had a problem in the room with a leak. Doug arrived immediately only to find the class had sprinkled the floor with chocolate kisses for him in appreciation of his hard work!

Student Comments about Doug:  

Nick Smith said, "Doug supports us in many things, he is kind, caring and he will motivate and support whatever you are trying hard to do or believe in.  I look up to him, and not sure I want to do his job, but he is very nice to all of us at school.  He supported me to talk to the Education Board; I was still scared though.  Next time I will bring him with me.  When I asked him to sign my petition on my idea of a four-day school week, he did not laugh at me.  He took me seriously and asked how he could help.  He made me feel special; I will always look up to Doug and hope to be like him when I grow up.”  

Audrey Nelson said, “Doug always gives good advice at school. If we have a problem with friends you can go to him and he will help us work it out.  He is like the most awesome custodian ever!!"  

Anika Lyon said, "I think Doug has a good sense of humor!  He makes you cheer up if you are sad or gloomy.  Today he sang a funny song about a burrito and made me laugh."  

Levie Smith said, "I am proud to know that my son has so many great resources at Hailey Elementary and nothing is greater than a wonderful mentor, thank you Doug."

Wood River Middle School Students Isabel Kirk, Martin Mosqueda, Lisa Hart, Daniel Owens, and Max Mauldin presented the annual Student Leadership Report.

Please click here to view the Wood River Middle School Student Leadership Report.

Board Member Paul Bates recused himself from voting on the Consent Agenda concerning item “e”.  

Item “e” was amended to state:  Hire Continuing Contract Teachers, Non-Continuing Contract Teachers, and Administrators for the 2010-2011 School Year

Special Meeting of April 6, 2010
Regular Meeting of April 14, 2010
Special Meeting of April 29, 2010

Please click here to view the April 2010 Financial Reports.

Caitlin Olson, Hemingway Elementary School Teacher            
Kate Heinecke, Administrative Assistant, District Office            
Diane Myers, Special Education Paraprofessional, DS-SS

Classified Staff – Exiting  

None

Classified Staff – Recommending for Hire

Jon Thomas – Maintenance Custodian, DSB – Buildings and Grounds

Certified Staff – Exiting  

Mark Bucknall – 1.0 FTE Secondary Math Teacher, Wood River High School 

Board Member Mari Beth Matthews made a motion to approve items “a” through “g” of the Consent Agenda.  The motion was seconded by Dan Parke and passed unanimously. 

VIII.    Public Comments

a.       Nick Smith – Hailey Elementary School 4th Grade Student

My name is Nick Smith and I want to thank the School Board for their time.  I would like to talk about the four-day school week.  Did you hear about the Riggins School District?  It’s pretty cool!  The Riggins School Board voted last week 3-0 t0 change to a four-day school week saving $42,000 a year.  Just think of the money this School District could save!  

What is a four-day school week? It first started in New Mexico in the early 1970’s because of the energy crisis.  The National School Board Association states that about 100 districts in 17 states are operating on a four-day school week.  Fifteen school districts and two charter schools are currently operating on a four-day school week in Idaho.  

School districts with five-day weeks have six-hour days for 165 school days to reach 990 hours a year.  A four-day school week scheduling seven-hour days for 142 school days decreases school days be 23 days a year.  

How to save money:  It has been reported that transportation costs can be reduced by about 20 percent.  A 20 percent savings has been reported in food service programs.  Four days instead of five is usually because of declining budgets and enrollment.  It is used by school districts to avoid cutting programs like music, art, dram, physical education, and more.  

Many districts report an increase in learning time because of less athletics, doctor and dentist appointments.  In reviewing Idaho’s ISAT and IRI tests, students who attend a four-day school do not do any worse or any better than their peers in most cases.  

Child care is often a concern for parents who work outside of the home.  However, many parents say that it is easier to find a babysitter for one day per week rather than a few hours every day.  A four-day school week has been a solution to the “latchkey” issue.  

That is my presentation.

Research shows that the single biggest predictor of student achievement is teacher quality.  The quality of public education in Blaine County matters to everyone.  The Blaine County Education Foundation Thank a Teacher campaign provides a way for all members of the community to participate in honoring teachers and helping to improve academic achievement.  

There are over 300 teachers in the Blaine County School District and countless other paraprofessionals, support staff and administrators who are making a difference every day in the lives of our children.  May is Thank a Teacher Month!  Join us in thanking the professionals in the Blaine County School District for their hard work and dedication to our youth.  There are many great ways to thank teachers.  Here are a few ideas:  

• Send them a note!  It may sound simple but teachers appreciate knowing how they make a difference for your child.  Send a free e-card through the Blaine County Education Foundation website, www.supportbcef.org, or pick up a postcard at your local school.

• Sign one of the many “Thank a Teacher” posters you will see in businesses and schools across the community.

• Donate to a classroom or school.  Teachers often reach into their own pockets to provide supplies needed for classrooms, especially at the end of the school year.  Ask your teacher what supplies he or she needs most in the classroom, or contact the Education Foundation to make a donation in honor of a teacher.

• Become a school volunteer.  Contact the Education Foundation or your school principal for details.

• Join a parent or community organization that supports our schools.

• Share an inspiring story.  We have all had at least one teacher we remember because he or she inspired us, made learning fun, or expressed a genuine interest in our lives.  The Education Foundation is collecting stories about favorite teachers on their website, www.supportbcef.org.  Stories will be published on our website an in various local media throughout the month of May.

Few other professionals touch as many people as teachers do.  Thank a Teacher Month is a good time to learn about the contributions educators make to our community.  They are role models dedicated to making great public schools for every child.  To quote Lee Iacocca, “In a completely rational society, the best of us would be teachers and the rest of us would have to settle for something less.”  Teachers deserve the best, including the best community support possible.  Join us in thanking teachers in the Blaine County School District.

Hi, my name is Millie Reidy.  I'm a big supporter of public schools and I've shown my support by getting involved.  I've been on PTAs, the Education Foundation and numerous committees and councils.   

For the last few years, I have been on the WRHS Academic Council.  We have seen two needs emerging; gaps in learning and limited elective availability due to our current tri-semester system. (Remember, "electives" includes not only art and music, etc., but also every single AP we offer.)   

An example of "gaps in learning" can be seen in many subject areas.  My daughter experienced it in Spanish.  She would have it first tri and then last tri or worse, 1st and 2nd tri with nearly six months in between.  She said it was hard to remember everything and had to learn it all over again.  Chemistry is another good example; Mr. Philips says students (who have it 1st and 3rd tri) take at least two weeks to review and get up to speed with others that had it 2nd and 3rd tri.  When we went to the tri system, chemistry chapters had to be thrown out ...there wasn't enough time to cover the material.  These "gaps in learning" are not acceptable.

Examples of "limited elective availability" would include many students and this will only increase.  My own son's schedule would never work unless teachers were willing to teach two classes at once because he was in an academy and AP.  More and more students are signing up for APs and with Dual Immersion coming to the high school, this will only increase.  We have simply out grown our current schedule of tri-semesters.  

I ask you tonight to seriously consider moving to a new schedule that will be presented to you tonight.  Thank you for your time. 

I wish to commend the Board for the foresight in achieving a great academic milestone with the Dual Immersion program moving to the High School.  

As the program has been growing exponentially over the years, now encompassing over 600 students, and as we have seen a continued interest from the community via the strategic planning voice of the taxpayers, I feel that it is time for some strategies for true success.  The Program and Staffing Committee report lists some of the problems the program is facing and I would like to suggest some solutions.  

There have been numerous studies to show that for a program to work there needs to be complete support from school staff, parents, administrators and teachers.  Since our program is unique because it is spread out among our regular traditional education classes and not in just one school, there is no cohesiveness.  This has caused division among teachers and staff and will surely weaken the program as studies have proven.  I would like to request that you consider the following:  

1. Appoint an administrator for just the Dual Immersion Program; I am recommending Matt Murray for that position, this person would appoint teachers and oversee parental issues.

2. Try to focus the Dual Immersion program into one school or have every school incorporate the dual immersion for every student.  This allows for collaboration and cohesion and also allows effective looping of teachers.

3. Do not place ESL students into the Dual Immersion program any later than 2nd grade.  This should be an enrichment program and not remedial.

4. Do not incorporate AR reading as curriculum for students in Dual Immersion.

Hello my name is Sue Garing, I have a student at Wood River High.  I have been actively involved for 11 years with Blaine County Schools, serving on the Education Foundation, PTA Boards and Academic Council.  

At our first meeting of the year for Academic Council we adopted the quote: “Student Learning will be our filter for discussion for 2009-2010. Meaning, topics that will support or increase student learning.”  

To this end we broke into groups, picked different schedules, and started our research.  

The most important items that came up consistently revolved around gaps in learning, integrating Dual Immersion, folding in Middle Years I.B. and increasing elective options for all students.  

With the increase in the popularity of A.P. classes and the increased requirements for Graduation, many students are finding they can’t fit in any electives or only 1 or 2 throughout high school.  

The challenges students face when their subjects are broken up with the winter tri off, or when the subject is taught only 6 months like language or math, add another level of difficulty to achieving good grades and mastery of the material.   

I hope you give careful consideration to all the hard work that went into our recommendation for Wood River High School.

My son, now a senior, had Algebra II B last spring.  It was not until this spring that he was able to take Algebra II C. (Because it was not offered until spring.)  This one year time lapse is very frustrating as many skills are lost.  This lack of continuity in a core class is a huge set-back.  Many colleges have a requirement that students must finish Algebra II C.  Counselors from our high school find themselves constantly on the phone trying to explain our system to keep our graduates from being rejected.  Thank you for your time and please consider carefully the Academic Council’s proposal that you will hear later tonight.

In America, every generation has lived longer than the last.  It’s hard to believe, but the kids that are born today will be the first generation that will not live as long as we have.  This statistic is true.  What’s happened to our diets is “convenience.”  What do you want for dinner?  Its reservations; or you pick it up on your way home.  A lot of processed food gets consumed.  Childhood obesity is really a problem.  I met John Turenne through a meeting at Rotary.  John Scherer is also here from Sawtooth Produce.  One thing about sustainable foods is the food we eat is involving the community.  If you buy something from large corporations like Cisco or Kraft, they will send you fabulous stuff that’s easy. Staffs can, without thinking, make this food and serve it up.  Its high carb, high fat, and convenient.  The convenience issue of going through McDonalds or Pizza Hut is also in our school district when they are buying a lot of pre-prepared foods to serve to our children.  John has a way of inclusion and buy-in and really owns what they are doing.  He’s very sincere; he’s been through the process a number of times.  I know it’s real easy to take on a task like this as do it yourselfers; we can do it internally.  But I think that this is so crucial.  I have no idea what his fee is or anything like that, but it seems like it would be a small price to pay if we could really get a buy-in.  In my generation or my parents’ generation, we would never go to restaurants.  I don’t know what the percentage is, but I think nationwide there are a tremendous number of people going out to restaurants.  This is kind of like taking back our culture, taking back our health.  

Another Rotary spokesman is Jody Stanislaw, a naturopathic doctor.  She brought up the fact that if we changed our diet, we could really lower our costs by a third.  Just think, one third of what it costs us today could be saved just by changing our diet.  I would hope that you take John’s proposal seriously.  I think it is something that is really good for our school district and our children.  Moreover, it’s good for people like John here, who have had local produce for 31 years.  Instead of sending money to Cisco or somewhere else, it stays here.  Thank you.

a.        G.A.T.E. Program Update

Matt Murray, Kristi Turco, Hailey Elementary School G.A.T.E. Teacher, Fritz Peters, Wood River Middle School Principal, and John Blackman, Wood River High School Principal, reported on the District’s G.A.T.E. Program.  This report was given to a group of 100 parents last month.  A survey of parents in the program was conducted at the end of the last school year.  One of the resounding comments made was that they felt there was some information and some programs lacking at the middle and high school levels.  The committee spent almost their entire time on developing a growth program that built on the successes and the foundation of the elementary school program to operate in the middle and high school levels.  The symbol of the tree in the presentation is the idea of roots, a trunk, and branches coming out (Elementary, Middle, and High School).

Please click here to view Matt Murray’s G.A.T.E. Program presentation.  

b.        Dual Immersion Handbook

Matt Murray, Alicia Hollis, Hemingway Elementary School Bilingual and Dual Immersion Program Teacher, Deborah VanLaw, Woodside Elementary School Bilingual and Dual Immersion Program Teacher, and Raul Vandenberg, Wood River Middle School Bilingual and Dual Immersion Program Teacher, unveiled the new Dual Immersion Handbook, which will be updated yearly.  A special thank you is given to Darlene Kisler, District Office Administrative Assistant.

Please click here to view the new Dual Immersion Handbook.

a.        Board Calendar

Chairman Dahlgren:  

Last month the Board asked for a calendar of events that we can sign up for; if three of us attend an event it must be noticed.  Kate Heinecke worked very hard and now we have a Google Calendar in which we can accept invitations.  There are a lot of places to be this month; concerts graduations, great things to see.  We know everything that’s coming up now and we appreciate having the calendar.

b.        BCSD/BCEA Contract Announcement

Chairman Dahlgren:  

As the Chair of the Board of Trustees I am pleased to report that negotiations were a team effort with the Blaine County Education Association, representing all teachers, and the Board.  This is the second year in a row that there has been no raise on the base salary. 

c.         NSBA Annual Conference Report  

Board Chair Julie Dahlgren, Vice Chair Dan Parke, Trustee Steve Guthrie, Board Clerk Laurie Kaufman, and Superintendent Dr. Lonnie Barber attended the annual National School Board Association conference in Chicago this year.   

Chairman Dahlgren premiered the first PREZI report shown at a Board meeting highlighting some of the NSBA attendee’s experiences at NSBA.  

Board Member Dan Parke addressed 21st Century Skills, Board Member Steve Guthrie addressed Governance, and Board Clerk Laurie Kaufman shared a diverse list of websites attained in the technology section of the conference.

XI.        Information

Please click here to view Team 21’s 21st Century Learning Update and Action Plan.

Please click here to view the Blaine County Program and Staffing Committee Update.

John Blackman, Wood River High School Principal, Amy McGraw, Wood River High School English Teacher, and parent Carole Punnett represented the Wood River High School Academic Council by presenting a recommendation to the Board regarding a possible master schedule change at the High School for the 2011-2012 school year.  A Flex Variable semester schedule is proposed to replace the current tri-semester schedule.  

Please click here to view the Flex Variable Schedule proposal presentation.  

The Board agreed that additional time and information is needed before action will be considered.

Katie Palmer read through the policy committee’s recommended revisions of the following Blaine County School District policies.  The annual policy revisions have gone through two committees and are ready for the Board’s review.  Action to approve the policy revisions will not be taken until the Regular June Board meeting.  

●   203.2     Procedures of Operation – Formulation and Revision of Policy
●   408.3     Leaves – Personal Leave With Pay
●   412.1     Insurance – Group Insurance
●   417.2     Professional Conduct – Code of Ethics
●   507.11   Behavior & Discipline – District Network Policy
●   419        Reduction in Force – General Statement of Policy
●   424.2     Employee Compensation – Insurance
●   425.4     Leaves – Personal Leave With Pay
●   901.8 & 500.14     Sex Offenders
●   500.2     Attendance – Student Attendance and Enrollment
●   500.6     Attendance – Residency
●   510        Graduation Requirements
●   601.1     General Organization – Type of School Organization
●   602.11    Instructional Arrangements
●   900.7     Public Communications – Parental Involvement

XI.      Information/Action - implementation

Please click here to view the Announcement for Requests for Qualifications for Architectural Services (published in the April 7 and April 14, 2010 issues of the Mountain Express).  

Nine architectural firms submitted proposals for the four listed projects.  The Architects Committee ranked and tabulated the companies to select the top five.  All five were interviewed by the Committee and four local firms were chosen as follows:

1. Vital ink (Jolyon Sawrey) – A new Maintenance Facility;

2. Ruscitto/Latham/Blanton – Cafeteria/multipurpose and classroom/ extended resource center/computer lab addition for Bellevue Elementary School;

3. Wright, Bryant & Johnson – Kitchen remodel at Hailey Elementary School;

4. Michael Doty & Associates – Architectural Design to collaborate with the School District and its Energy Service Company to devise applications to complement high efficiency HVAC installations, safety and security measures, fire sprinklers, lighting retrofits, ceiling/door/window details, and other duties at the discretion of the School District.

Board Member Dan Parke made a motion to accept the selection committee’s choice of architectural firms, Vital ink, Ruscitto/Latham/Blanton, Wright, Bryant & Johnson, and Michael Doty & Associates.  The motion was seconded by Mari Beth Matthews and passed unanimously.

There was a much higher response rate to this year’s survey of parents and School District staff regarding Teacher Collaboration Days.  Last year 450 parents responded; this year 575 parents responded.  Last year 145 staff members responded; this year 260 staff members responded.  This year the survey asked which school level people were responding from (Preschool, K-5, 6-8, 9-12).  Parents were very consistent in the low to upper 70 percents in favor of the District continuing the collaboration days.  More variations were found in the staff responses.  Parents overwhelmingly chose Friday as their preferred collaboration day.   

Please click here to view the Teacher Collaboration Day Survey results.

Dr. Lonnie Barber: 

The one thing that we have to do is make these days even more impactful for teachers, and they have to be better planned than we planned this year.  We have only done this for a year.  I think that through the comments, we know how to structure collaboration days better this year, and I think we will get better as we go along.  We need to do a better job as administrators at making it real tight in what we’re going to be doing for teachers.   

Board Member Mari Beth Matthews made a motion to approve the implementation of collaboration days.  The motion was seconded by Dan Parke.  

Board Member Paul Bates: 

I really would like to understand what we’re going to do to try and utilize this data so that we know we’re on the track to improve it.  It is improved from last year, but not much.  I don’t see the teacher data as being tremendously stronger percentage-wise.   

Mari Beth Matthews:

The response rate is much higher.  

Paul Bates:

Knowing that there is going to be a continuing effort and a strategy to continue to go after that 30 percent; at least identify whether they are interested or not.  

Board Member Dan Parke: 

Isn’t that what I just heard?  

Paul Bates: 

Yes, but I’d like that in writing.  

Chairman Dahlgren: 

I think I heard that from Dr. Barber, as chief administrator here, that we are going to make an effort to do this.  The Middle School has had a history of collaboration for many years; but they may need another type of collaboration.  

Principal Angie Martinez: 

The move with 21st Century Skills will be a very focused area of time where teams need to get together to plan for project based learning.  They are going to see the value because that’s going to be the specifically targeted time that they can do this good work.  I believe that is one specific thing that we will be doing that will lead to that.  

Principal Fritz Peters:

Board Member Bates, I just want to say that this year’s schedule has a whole year’s worth of collaboration days in half a year.  There were many of them that were just two weeks apart with very short intervals between them.  So I think with the dates already set on the calendar, with you guys having the ability to look at these dates well ahead of time, and not having those dates so close together, I think it’s going to be much more beneficial.  We will have much more time to actually plan activities and involve staff more in planning those activities.   

Board Member Steve Guthrie: 

I understand where Trustee Bates is coming from.  I feel comfortable with what Dr. Barber says; as long as we are monitoring the progress on an annual basis.  

Dr. Barber: 

We want these days to be the most effective they can be; we don’t want collaboration days that teachers don’t believe are effective for them.  We talked at the Ad Council last week about it and I gave them the survey comments and asked them to read them, because the comments from the teachers will help us zero in on what they want and need.  That’s the step we’re at right now.  

Board Member Mari Beth Matthews: 

We’re all on the same page here.   

Chairman Dahlgren asked for a vote from the Board regarding the seconded motion to implement collaboration days.   

Mari Beth Matthews:  Aye
Steve Guthrie:  Aye
Dan Parke:  Aye
Paul Bates:  Aye  

The Teacher Collaboration Days are approved officially and they are already on the master Schedule.

Chairman Dahlgren: 

I have moved this action item off the agenda for the following reasons.  We have been studying the sustainable foods model, and seeing how it fits in with our current food service.  Our current food service provider, Chartwells, has an identical program of which we are paying for.  The assessment piece, the implementation piece, the measurement and the growth, are all part of the systems of Chartwells.  We have confidence in Chartwells and we really want to give them a chance to demonstrate this. It is in line with our strategic planning, our desire for healthy food, and our desire to use local markets.  We appreciate John Turenne’s program; it has been a smash success at the hospital.  We feel economically and goal-wise that Chartwells can provide us with a successful program.

Mike Chatterton asked the Board for permission to publish the 2010-2011 School District Budget in the Mountain Express in the issues of May 26 and June 2, 2010.  The Annual Budget Hearing Workshop is scheduled June 1, 2010 at 5:30 p.m. in the District Office Board Room.  

Board Member Dan Parke made a motion to grant permission to publish the 2010-2011 School District Budget in the Mountain Express.  The motion was seconded by Paul Bates and passed unanimously.

The Bid Opening for the Purchase of Two School Busses was held on May 5, 2010.  Two bids were received and it is recommended that the bid be awarded to Lake City Companies.  

Please click here to view the Bid Summary for the purchase of two school busses.  

Board Member Mari Beth Matthews made a motion to award the bid to Lake City Companies for the purchase of two school busses in the amount of $84,775.00 per bus.  The motion was seconded by Dan Parke and passed unanimously.

Taken from the Open House Reception invitation:  

An Open House Reception celebrating the completion of the first house built by the Jim Woodyard Construction Academy students at Wood River High School will be held May 11, 2010 at 3:30 p.m.  Come tour the home, enjoy some refreshments, and learn about this quality home!   

From the Turkish travertine entry to the cherry cabinets throughout, this 3 bedroom, 2 bath home boasts quality.  The ICF construction, R-49 insulation and 95% efficient furnace spell energy efficiency and a quiet interior.  Come visit and let us know who you think might like to buy this home.  Offered at $245,000.   

SOLD!  A full cash offer of $241,000 and it will close next week!   

Please click here to view 2721 Winterhaven Drive.  

Board Member Mari Beth Matthews made a motion to accept the $241,000 offer for the sale of the first house built by the Jim Woodyard Construction Academy students at Wood River High School.  The motion was seconded by Dan Parke and passed unanimously.

Claire Murray:  

I just wanted to say that I have sat on the Academic Council for two years, and I’ve sat on it this whole year with an incredible team of teachers and heads of departments and every question that Ms. Matthews asked, we have answered.  So, I just wanted you to know that sitting in the audience and having done all this work, and Principal Blackman has been so kind to give you a heads-up about this huge chunk of work that we are going to introduce to you.  I just wanted you to know that we are looking for direction and what you wanted, and that you would accept our proposal in a positive light so we know we could go forward.  We would be happy to provide you with a working schedule and a workshop.  Because the meeting has gone on so late tonight, and by the time they got up, there’s been a sense of urgency to present quickly.  All that information and documentation has already been done.  

Board Member Mari Beth Matthews: 

That’s great. There certainly was, I think, excitement from everybody on the opportunity.  It’s just an educational process in getting that information to us so that we can move forward and make the proper decisions.  

Sheri Thomas:   

Is there a possibility of getting a person that is a parent involved in the Program and Staffing Committee?  

Board Member Mari Beth Matthews: 

That’s an Administrative Council committee; that’s why we hire the experts.  We have parents that usually work on hiring committees for the Superintendent and the Assistant Superintendent, but we don’t have a precedent here of having parents decide staffing recommendations, as long as I’ve been on the Board.  As far as hiring and firing, I think that would be something that we would have to discuss.  

Paul Bates: 

I think it would be worth discussion at some point; to talk about how we structure committees.

Dr. Barber: 

That’s the Administrative Council; we didn’t put a committee together.  We just asked the Council, which one of these groups do you want to work on?  We’re still in the preliminary stages.  We’ll bring that forward to the Board this summer when we do that work for recommendations.   

Sheri Thomas:   

I realize committees are difficult.  In my property management business we have our Board of Directors and when we form committees, members of the association are part of the committees just to have a viewpoint and to create buy-in of certain things that do happen along the way.  As a taxpayer, it would be something for the Board to consider, I think.  It would be nice to be involved in some of the committees; or at least to have our say as to who will be on the committees.  I appreciate the Board and I see the time and energy put into so many of these things tonight.  The 21st Century is coming, we’re here.  It’s a big world out there; lots of languages, and I’m excited for what’s going on and I really hope that Flex Schedule goes in there.  Thank you very much.  

There being no further business to discuss, Board Member Mari Beth Matthews made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  The motion was seconded by Dan Parke and passed unanimously.  

The Regular May meeting of the Board of Trustees of Blaine County School District No. 61 adjourned at 10:30 p.m.