Thursday, January 10, 2008

Board of Trustee Regular Meeting 5:30 p.m.

Location: Boundary County Middle School Library

The Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Boundary County School District No. 101 was convened at the above stated time and date, pursuant to authority provided by Section 33-510 and 67-2345, Idaho Code, and pursuant to affirmation by the clerk that written notice was conspicuously posted at the District Administration Office, Valley View, Naples, Evergreen, and Mt. Hall Elementary Schools, Bonners Ferry High School, Boundary County Middle School, Riverside High School, Bonners Ferry Herald Office, Boundary County Courthouse, and the KBFI/KPND Radio Station (PSA) on Thursday, December 20, 2007, Monday, January 7, 2008 & Tuesday, January 8, 2008.  Trustees had actual notice of the time and date of meeting via verbal and written communication.

Board Members Present:  Chairman Melanie Staples, Vice-Chairman Tim Bertling, Trustees Maria LaBarbera, Gil Hagen and Sulét Hiatt. 

Superintendent Don Bartling, Clerk Diane M. Cartwright and Assistant Clerk Laurie Smith-Tremble were also in attendance.

Others Present:  Donna Capurso, Vicki D. Downing, Chuck Quillin, Dick Behrens, Cindy Orr, Angela Armstrong, Jay Cohn, Erik Ketner, Alec Grow, Mark Grow, Mike Merrifield, Carrick Remaley, Gwen Albers.  Exhibit I.  (Clerks Note:  At the request of Patron Ingrid Pavia her name has been added to those in attendance.  Her late arrival prohibited her from signing the Sign In Sheet.)

5:30 p.m.  Regular Meeting

I. Opening by Chairman - Meeting Announcements -  

Chairman Staples noted the reason for the change of time of the meeting was so everyone could attend the Choir Concert at the high school at 7:30 p.m.   Chairman Staples shared the Board’s priorities, operational methods and strengths of each of the trustees.  The Board’s number one priority is the district’s students and the budget is second.  The Board has a strong desire to work with and be open and available to the community.  The Board follows Parliamentary Procedure in its operation.  Chairman Staples stated the trustees put in a lot of extra hours in preparation and educating themselves on policy, by-laws, state procedures and regulations.  Chairman Staples said Trustee Gil Hagen is a wealth of information and is definitely here for the kids and spends many hours volunteering at all the schools.  Trustee Maria LaBarbera is appreciated for her honesty, zest for knowledge and commitment.  Education is very important to Trustee Sulét Hiatt and is commended for her involvement with her kid’s scholastic needs and athletic endeavors.  Vice Chairman Tim Bertling is a busy worker, board member and father and stands behind what he says.  Chairman Staples’ goal is to do what is right and stated the past few months have been tough but she thinks that the Board has come together as a team and have accomplished a lot of really good things.  The Board has outlined goals for the short and long term and is here for the students and the community.      

II. Visitors (None)

III.   Superintendent Report/Business Report    

Attendance & Enrollment  - Exhibit II

Dr. Bartling reported on December’s enrollment of 1618 and attendance of 1508 for the last school day of December, which is a slight gain over last year’s figures of 1570 for enrollment and 1434.5 for attendance.  Exhibit II.

MRSA Update 

Dr. Bartling stated no new cases of MRSA have been reported since October 30, 2007 within the school district as well as with Panhandle Health.  Dr. Bartling said the staff has done an excellent job of educating the students.  The school district has spent $7,100 in prevention materials. 

IV. Consent Agenda (Please call ahead regarding questions, changes or corrections)

     A. Approval of Minutes: December 11, 2007, December 7, 2007 Workshop

     B. Approval of December, 2007 Accounts Payable

     C. Approval of In-Lieu-Of Transportation

     D. Personnel

1.      Approval of Personnel List

·        Approve additional 1.5 hours per day for Jeanne Kelly effective 1-7-08 due to needs of special education student. Title 6B Funds.

·        Approve maternity leave for Lyndsay Hart effective January 7, 2008 – returning February 25^th, 2008.

·        Accept the resignation of Laura Nishek as Family and Consumer Sciences instructor effective January 25^th, 2008.

·         Approve Melanie Schreiner as Family and Consumer Sciences instructor effective January 23, 2008; BA+0 w/0 yrs. – 79 contract days remaining: $15,025 with benefits. Boundary County School District made a good faith effort in attempting to hire someone with the appropriate certification when replacing the current Family and Consumer Sciences instructor at BFHS who has resigned. The Board approves applying to the State Department of Education for a Provisional Authorization/Alternate Route to Certification. Ms. Schreiner has a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood development.

·        Approve the following as substitutes:

Teachers:                                  Food Service:

Cynthia Dalrymple                    Leah Anderson

Dawn Carpenter

·        Approve Adam Hiatt as Social Studies/English instructor effective January 24, 2008; Category I, MA+0 w/0 yrs experience, 6/7 FTE $13,331 with benefits.

   E. Acceptance of Fall Activity Evaluations

   F. Approval of Extended Reading Intervention Program (ERI) at Valley View & approval to hire- Exhibit III.

   G. Approval of Extended Reading Intervention Program (ERI) at Evergreen & Naples – Exhibit IV.

Jim Nash, Evergreen Principal, stated funding is provided by the state and is determined by the Idaho Reading Indicator Assessment.  For all students K-3 who receive a score of 1 on the assessment, the state will provide around $150 to the district to offer an intervention program. 

Chairman Staples asked if there was any dissension, with none expressed, Chairman Staples approved the Consent Agenda.   

V.  Administration/Staff/School Committees/BCEA Reports & Input -  (None)

VI. Action Agenda                                                                                                      

   A.  Correspondence/Personnel/Negotiations (None)   

   B.  Approve/Disapprove Classified Part-time Position at RHS   - Exhibit V.

Vicki Downing presented month end average enrollment and attendance figures for Riverside High School.  This year’s average enrollment is 39 and attendance average of 37 compared with last year’s average enrollment of 28 and attendance of 27.   Ms. Downing and the staff at RHS are requesting an additional part-time position for the remainder of the school year to help monitor the Idaho Digital Learning Academy (IDLA) courses.  Ms. Downing stated that students have to be monitored at all times and they don’t have many places to put them.  IDLA provides instruction in classes that RHS does not offer.  Greg Springett is currently monitoring one class and the secretary is monitoring one class.  Ms. Downing said all of her students are succeeding because they do not allow failure; they don’t stay if they don’t want to work.  Tim Bertling asked if this is for only the remainder of this school year.  Ms. Downing stated yes, for this year.  Dr. Bartling stated position would cost the district $2200.  Ms. Downing thanked the Board for the location of RHS and stated if you build they will come.  Gil Hagen moved to approve the Classified Part-time IDLA Monitor postion at Riverside High School for the remainder of the 2007-08 school year.  Maria LaBarbera seconded.  Motion carried.   

A.     Approve/Disapprove Reverse Osmosis Water System for Mt. Hall – Exhibit VI.

       Dr. Bartling presented a report prepared by Jim Wilson from the Rural Community Assistance   Corporation offering a solution to the current Mt. Hall water situation.

 Proposed Interim Solution: 

            The EPA approves the use of ion exchange, coagulation/filtration, electrodialysis, lime softening and             reverse osmosis as available technologies to meet the treatment standard.  For small systems, ion             exchange and reverse osmosis are the two technology options that meet EPA best available             techgnology (BAT) and small system compliance technology (SSCT) requirements.  Due to the      complexity of residuals management, reverse osmosis is selected as the proposed treatment.  RO will generate a reject stream that can reasonably be expected to be discharged to the school’s on site     wastewater treatment system.

            Dr. Bartling commended Mr. Wilson for his very thorough work.  Dr. Bartling noted Mr. Wilson is        very familiar with all the companies contacted for bids and spoke with them personally.  Mr. Wilson recommends the quote from King Water Systems of a RFP minimum flow of 130 gallon per          day/40 gallon per hour and 720 gallon per hour production capacity for the kitchen and 360 gallon per hour for the gym.  Dr. Bartling spoke with Jim Bace and they think the 720 capacity for the             kitchen is bigger than is needed and the 360 capacity would be adequate.   Erik Ketner, Panhandle             Health District, said his concerns are that the system meets required standards.  Mr. Ketner has             received some phone      calls from parents concerned about reusing the water bottles, so would like to    see water piped to the drinking fountains.  Mr. Ketner said he could look into what additional   plumping would be required.  Tim Bertling asked if it was possible to go with a smaller system for      the gym.  Dr. Bartling said yes, that may be possible.  Ms. Staples asked what water usage is in the          gym.  Angela Armstrong stated that there is a water fountain and restrooms.  Dr. Bartling stated that         he would like to move forward with the proposed cost from King Water Systems of $3781 for the             school and $3781 for the gym, which is the 360 gallon capacity for both locations.  Gil Hagen stated he             agrees with that direction.  Chairman Staples said we should have Erik check on plumbing code for        plumbing water to the drinking fountains.  Gil Hagen asked if the 360 gallon capacity system is used          and that water is plumbed to the fountains, would there be waste.  Dr. Bartling said a larger storage   capacity could be used.  Chairman Staples stated the money saved from not having to buy water would    offset the money to go into the water fountain plumbing.  Dr. Bartling said it is not known how long it will take Mission Creek Water Association to resolve the water issue; it could be a couple of years.           Tim Bertling moved to have Erik Ketner from the Panhandle Health District contact a plumbing inspector regarding costs and requirements and to contract with King Water      Systems to install the quoted $3781.46 system in the school.  Gil Hagen seconded.  Motion       carried.  Dr. Bartling noted the system can be installed in 4 to 6 weeks. 

     D.  Resolutions

1.      BCSD #101 Election Consolidation Position Statement 08-01 – Exhibit VII.

Chairman Staples stated the issue of Election Consolidation was discussed at the Idaho School Board Association (ISBA) Annual Meeting. Conclusion of the Election Consolidation Resolution:

            It is unclear why there are legislative discussions regarding taking away the election authority from         the locally elected officials running our schools when there is no evidence that there is a problem.      On the             contrary, there is clear evidence that school districts conduct excellent elections in a manner        and within timeframes that provide the most effective stewardship of district resources. 

Gil Hagen visited with Eric Anderson and he is going to work on it and discuss it with other legislators.

2.   Idaho Code 33-802 - Supplemental Maintenance & Operation Levy 08-02 – Exhibit VIII.

      Chairman Staples said this was all discussed during the ISBA Annual Meeting and that other school districts are using this resolution.  Dr. Bartling stated this is an existing law and the Board did approve this a year ago and sent it our legislatures at that time.  Dr. Bartling said the supplemental levies in the state have increased from 59 million in 2002 to 101 million this year.  60 school districts out of 114 utilize a supplemental levy.  This resolution is asking to amend an existing law to state:

                        1.  Increase the length of a supplemental levy, that has been in place for less than seven                          years, from two years to five years, subject to approval by a majority of the district electors                   voting   in an election held pursuant to Chapter 4, Title 33, Idaho Code.

                        2.  Allow any Supplemental Levy, that has been in place for more than seven years, to be                                  made permanent, subject to approval by a majority of the district electors voting in an                            election held pursuant to Chapter 4, Title 33, Idaho Code.

                        3. Allow that board of trustees of any school district may increase the levy amount yearly by                  a growth factor not to exceed three percent (3%).

Maria LaBarbera asked what the 3% is.  Chairman Staples said that is a cap and the district can’t go above 3%.  Gil Hagen stated it was 1% at one time and that was a disaster.  Ms. LaBarbera asked if this was merely going as a resolution.  Dr. Bartling said yes, he will send it to the legislature and the governor and ask for their assistance.  Tim Bertling moved to approve Resolutions 08-01, Election Consolidation Position Statement and 08-02, Supplemental Maintenance & Operation Levies.  Gil Hagen seconded.  Maria LaBarbera voted to approve Resoultion 08-01 but not approve 08-02.  Motion carried. 

E.  Policies

                        1. 1^st Reading - Policy 5705 – Substitute Teacher Pay Schedule  - Exhibit IX.

            Diane M. Cartwright stated the current substitute teacher’s pay is a set per day figure and is in need       of an increase when comparing it hourly with the other substitute positions in the district.  Dr. Bartling said it keeps getting pushed to the back burner and needs to be brought up to speed.  Tim   Bertling stated that the Board should not be addressing this issue at this time.  Chairman Staples      stated   it is another increase on top of the other bills and it should be discussed during the budget process.  Gil Hagen agreed that the discussion should be held during budgeting for next year.  Chairman Staples             stated the Board would make this a priority in the budget process.   

            2.  2^nd Reading & Approval - Policy 1520-2 - Public Participation at Board Meetings-Exhibit X.

            Chairman Staples stated the current changes begin with line 28 and 40 which were removed because     they were redundant and line 47 is being amended to indicate the allotted time the Board currently             allows, twenty minutes.  Line 52 is changed to read Wednesday as the day to have information to the      district office.  Maria LaBarbera said if we have the community attending the meetings they should be          allowed to speak and not have a restriction placed on their input.  Tim Bertling stated the only time any input has come close to an hour was when the Board was discussing a coaching change; twenty minutes is fine.  Ms. LaBarbera said the Board should be flexible when there is a topic that may             require greater input and not cut people off.  Mr. Bertling said the Board usually doesn’t; we let             them     say their piece.  Chairman Staples stated it sets boundaries, especially if a person is addressing an issue        over and over and it becomes redundant.  Patron Ingrid Pavia stated many people in the community have experienced being cut off and she is trying to not take it personally but when she takes it       personally it is hard to swallow.  Patron Pavia said the Board all has important things to accomplish but         she would like to address the issue of the special meetings when the Board does not want to allow any          participation.  Chairman Staples stated the Board used to have two meetings a month.  Diane M.             Cartwright stated that for about 8 months a year there were two meetings a month and the second         meeting was called an alternate meeting; if a meeting needed to be called it was a special meeting.      Patron Pavia said when the Board had a special meeting; the Board did not want to hear other people’s     concerns.  Chairman Staples stated the Board did hear input at the first meeting and the second meeting     was to address the petition and there was no input necessary for the process.  Patron Pavia stated if the        Board does not want to hear input at the special meetings do they want to hear it at the regular        meetings.  Gil Hagen said the Board has heard this over and over here and in the press through the             editorials and guest opinions; it has been heard.  Chairman Staples said the Board needs to control the   meetings so topics are not gone over and over and over.  Jim Nash stated the process of representation        by an elected member is why we have zones and regions and the community needs to contact their          board member.  Mr. Nash said what occurs is the board meetings become a forum for topics to be   repeatedly and repeatedly presented.  Chariman Staples agrees that the public should contact their   board member and go thru that process.  Patron Pavia asked how she could discuss topics without being    able to present materials to her board member.  Chairman Staples said to provide the materials to all             board members at the same time and then share your concerns with your board member and they would             contact Dr. Bartling.  Patron Chuck Quillin asked how to contact the individual board members.  Tim     Bertling said it is on the district’s website.  Patron Pavia said it states that she can’t give board           members materials, only to the clerk.  Chairman Staples said it means not to bypass the chain of           command.  Diane M. Cartwright said if a decision needs to be made; all members would need the             material.  Mr. Bertling said talk with your board member and go to the district office to have any     information distributed.  Tim Bertling moved to approve the second reading and approve Policy            1520-2 - Public Participation at Board Meetings.  Sulét Hiatt seconded.  Maria LaBarbera voting nay.   Motion carried. 

VII.    Trustee Input/Future Agenda Items

Special Workshop Meeting on January 18, 2008 at 7:00 a.m. at the district office.

IX.     Adjournment

Maria LaBarbera moved to adjourn at 6:43 p.m.  Tim Bertling seconded.  Motion carried. 

_______________________________                      ____________________________

Chairman Melanie M. Staples                                       Assistant Clerk Laurie Tremble

_______________________________

Clerk Diane M. Cartwright