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Tuesday- January 16, 2007 - 6:00 p.m.

Board of Trustee Meeting/Workshop

Location: Middle School Library

The Regular Meeting/Workshop 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, Bonners Ferry Herald Office, and the Boundary County Courthouse on Wednesday, January 10, 2007.  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 and, Trustees Maria LaBarbera and Gil Hagen.  Trustee Craig Wheatley was absent.

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

Others Present: Robert DelGrosso, Dick Behrens, Jim Nash, Chuck Quillin, Tom Oxford, Melissa Johnson, Walt Pippo, Jillian Anderson, Angela Armstrong, Brenda Walters, Ken Olson, Francine Santoro.      Exhibit 1

6:00 p.m. Board Workshop

STD DVD Presentation

Dr. Bartling asked the board members if there were any questions now that everyone has viewed the presentation and Diane Blanford with Panhandle Health has revised the DVD by removing a couple of the photos.  All board members agreed the revised presentation is much improved.  Chairman Melanie Staples noted due to Craig Wheatley’s absence he wished to have his positive opinion noted and shared with the board.

Audit Follow-up 

Melanie Staples stated that the school administrators will be presenting their Audit Update at the February School Board Meeting.  Dr. Don Bartling added the Administration Team will be discussing the update at their meeting on Wednesday, January 17, 2007. 

BCSD #101 Monthly Receivables

Maria LaBarbera would like the board to receive a monthly receivables report at each board meeting to better understand where the money is coming from.  Ms. Staples shared her understanding of the complicated nature of compiling this report in a manner to be easily understood and noted the Clerks diligence in tracking the budgets percentage expended.  Diane M. Cartwright, Clerk/Business Manager, shared her experience that a month can not be closed out until all revenues have been received.  Some revenues, in particular LGIP Interest from the State, are not received until the later part of the following month making it difficult to present an accurate picture at the time of the meeting.  The new accounting software program will, in the near future, make the generation of this information easier.  However, time is required to learn the system and set up the parameters necessary for this report.  Ms. Cartwright will be happy to present all figures as accounted for at the time of future meetings with notations, if needed, to explain any outstanding revenues.

Five Powers of Boundary County Meeting

Dr. Bartling reminded the board that the Five Powers of Boundary County which consists of the Boundary County Commissioners, Bonners Ferry City Council, Moyie Springs City Council, Boundary County School District #101 and the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho will be meeting on January 30, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. at the Kootenai River Inn.  Clerk Note:  The Boundary Community Hospital has been added to the list of entities involved. 

Upcoming Supplemental Maintenance & Operation (M&O) Levy

Dr. Bartling addressed the upcoming M&O Levy in the spring and noted he will be working with the

school administrators to see what their needs are.  Typically the M&O Levy has been run at end of March.  Dr. Bartling addressed some of the current issues he is aware of particularly at the middle school in providing a full curriculum, which would mean adding Home Economics and TECH/Industrial Arts providing more electives and options for the students.  The board already has approved a library aide.  Current options now available to students are band, chorus and art.  Dr. Bartling stated the middle school already has the facilities available.  Dr. Bartling also noted the need for an additional 5^th grade teacher at Valley View Elementary.  Currently, there are only two 5^th grade teachers with an aide position.  Dr. Bartling stated if we would ever consider getting Northwest Accreditation, these needs and a media position in the middle school library would have to be addressed.   Dr. Bartling would like to put these concepts together in the next month.  Melanie Staples stated at the February 6^th Board Meeting the Administrators would present their budget requests.   

BCSD Website

Maria LaBarbera requested the website be updated to include a picture of the current board.

Senate Education Committee

Ms. Staples asked if anyone else had read in the papers the Idaho Senate Education Committee voting 7 to 1 to increase the curriculum requirements to 3 years for both math and science.   Dr. Bartling is curious to see if they will fund the increase; hopefully if they expect it they will fund it.   Dr. Bartling noted most school districts have accepted the changes. 

Substitute Custodians

Maria LaBarbera requested clarification on how the substitute custodians are managed.  Melanie Staples stated they are not a salary position and are for fill-in only, in essence requesting to be placed on a list for possible fill-in hours.

Bullying and Harassment Policy

Ms. LaBarbera requested some help in understanding the difference between bullying and harassment and when does bullying become harassment which requires litigation, etc.  Ms. LaBarbera believes a clear cut definition needs to be provided in the policy addressing these issues.   Dick Behrens, Middle School Principal, stated he sees no difference between bullying and harassment and views them as any unwanted word, act or deed.  Mr. Behrens stated there are different levels of addressing these issues; if a person is doing something unwanted and the person does not stop, the person being bullied is to go to an authority figure; if the offense continues a No Contact Contract is signed and if the contract is not honored the police are then contacted.  Mr. Behrens stated most cases are resolved at the first level.

6:30 p.m.  Regular Meeting

I.  Opening by Chairman - Meeting Announcements

II. Visitors (No Visitors Present)

III. Superintendent Report/Business Report

Dr. Bartling reported the December 2006 enrollment was at 1570, which is up from last year’s total of 1560, but we did lose 9 students from last month.  Average Daily Attendance (ADA) dropped in December.   Dr. Bartling stated the ADA is reported on the last day of the month and due to Winter Break, the reporting date was the last day before vacation and probably affected the figure.  Dr. Bartling said the School District receives funding from the state based on ADA over extended period of time, but noted that attendance has slipped in the last couple of months.   Dr. Bartling stressed he will be keeping a close watch on attendance as always. 

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

     A. Approval of Minutes: December 12, 2006

     B. Approval of December, 2006 Accounts Payable

     C. Approval of In-Lieu-Of Transportation

            Matthew, Thomas & Natalie Neumayer

     D. Approval of Personnel List

Marilyn Piippo as computer lab assistant at Valley View on Mondays and Thursdays, 16 hours per week, $9.13 per hour – three years of experience, effective date of hire: 1/8/07; paid from General Fund – no benefits.

Jeannie Robinson as cook assistant at BCMS not to exceed 19.5 hours per week at $7.75 per hour effective date of hire: 12/13/2006; paid from Food Service Fund 290 – no benefits.

Bethany Cavender as Extended Reading Program (ERP) instructional assistant at Naples effective 1/29/07, 2.5 hours per day for remaining 2006-07school year at $11.73 per hour, General Fund - no benefits.

Kris Schulte’s resignation as Title I assistant at Valley View effective 1/8/2007.

Michelle Hammond’s resignation as Mount Hall maintenance/custodian effective 1/4/2007.

Dottie Gray’s retirement at the end of the 2006-07 school year after 33 years of service with the district. (Current position: elementary teacher at Valley View.)

Vicki Blake’s retirement from the high school as choral instructor effective the end of the 2006-07 school year.

Travis Hinthorn’s resignation as high school assistant football coach effective immediately.

Caleb Arceneaux’ resignation as Head High School Football Coach effective immediately.

      E. Acceptance of Fall Activity Evaluations

Tim Bertling moved to approve the Consent Agenda.  Gil Hagen seconded.  Maria LaBarbera abstained, but amended her vote to yes, all others yes.  Motion carried.

V.  Administration/Staff/School Committees/BCEA Reports & Input

A.      Everyday Math – Curriculum Director Brenda Walter

 Brenda Walter presented the board with teacher feedback regarding the new Everyday Math curriculum, which was implemented at the beginning of the school year.  She is extremely encouraged with the positive feedback received from the teachers and how the students are embracing the new program.  Teachers are with students for 90 min of math instruction each day.  Melanie Staples noted the only negative she found expressed in the feedbacks was the preparation time required.   Ms. Walter said the first year is always difficult until they become familiar with the material, but it will get easier and easier.  Overall, the teachers are pleased with their progress for this time of the year.  Ms. Walter asked for additional comments from the school administrators.  Walt Piippo, Valley View Principal, stated how excited the kids are about math now and how the Everyday Math program offers different approaches and solutions, it is not just slice and dice.  It also presents the material in a spiral manner so the information will be covered again ensuring it will be understood.  Mr. Piippo stated it is the best program he has seen in his four decades of being an educator and it will pay huge dividends.  Jim Nash, Naples and Evergreen Principal, agrees with Walt especially in seeing the excitement in the kids.  He was amazed with how fun the 3^rd graders were having.  The program does not tell kids exactly what to do and opens their thinking to various methods of doing math, which allows for different learning styles.   Angela Armstrong, Mt. Hall Principal, is thrilled because the students are working through the problems with each other and received a comment from a 3^rd grader saying they have never had so much fun doing math.  Gil Hagen, saw evidence of this while substituting.  Francine Santoro, Evergreen Elementary Teacher, stated it is a mathematics program not arithmetic and kids are choosing to do math during free time.  Ms. Walter noted the a benefit of the 4 day school week provides teachers time to meet and work together outside of their own school.  Ms. Walter wanted to commend the administrators and program consultants on their active participation in the learning process and collaboration days.  Ms. Staples asked if we have everything we need for the new program?  Ms. Walter stated she is completing the purchasing after having the teachers in December re-address their needs and comparing those with what remains in the budget. Ms. Walter noted that the process of replacing an outdated curriculum, the old math program was 13 years old, takes at least two years and this program was a district wide appropriation and is next looking ahead to upgrade the Science curriculum with the Reading program to follow.  However, when there are cuts to be made in the budget, textbooks are the first item to go which is a huge disservice to the students using books published in the 1980’s.  Ms. Walter also noted the difficulty meeting the Federal Government requirements when there is no funding available to comply.  It is a constant battle due to being under funded by the State making it necessary for school districts to run M&O elections.  The Idaho Standardized Achievement Tests are mandated by the State and not a dime is funded by the State, all these cost, which are escalating due to a testing change, are absorbed by the individual school districts.

B.     Rural Elementary & 6^th Grade Counselor – Melissa Johnson

Melissa provided a handout outlining her programs.  Her personal goal is being active in the classroom providing skills for students.  Ms. Johnson believes bullying and harassment originate with low self esteem and if you can address these issues at the younger grades, they will have skills prior to reaching the grades where it is most needed.  She stressed they need to know who and how to ask for help.  Ms. Johnson has sent a form with information and a hotline number home with the students.  She has asked for parent’s signatures hoping to initiate some discussion on these issues.  Ms. Johnson stresses the need for open communication and that the elementary level is the time to practice and learn how to work things out.  Ms. Johnson is very appreciative of the teacher’s flexibility in allowing her classroom time and their understanding of how important these issues are    

VI. Action Agenda                                                                                                       

     A. Correspondence/Personnel (None)

     B.  Decision on STD Presentation

Melanie Staples stated due to Craig Wheatley’s absence, he wished to have it noted that he is in favor of the STD Presentation being approved. Maria LaBarbera moved to approve the revised Sexually Transmitted Disease DVD to be presented to the Boundary County Middle Shool by Diane Blanford.  Gil Hagen seconded.  Motion carried.

     C.  Approval of Early Graduation Request

Discussion was held regarding early graduation request and requirements.  Tim Bertling moved to approve the early graduation request submitted by Nicole Poppino dependent upon administration consent and her completing all requirements. Gil Hagen seconded.  Motion carried.                      

VII.    Trustee Input/Future Agenda Items

     A.   February 6, 2007 - Board/Admin. Budget Meeting

Melanie Staples wanted to remind everyone of the date change to February 6, 2007.

Ms. Staples passed on the request for all the board member to be present at the Five Powers meeting on January 30, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. at the Kootenai River Inn.  Ms. Staples stated it will be a great time to present our ideas.  Dr. Bartling noted he has prepared a Power Point presentation and will send it out to the board prior to the meeting and that this is a huge step in confirming an already positive working relationship with these other entities.   Gil Hagen stated he talked with Mayor Kerby and it all sounds really good. 

Dr. Bartling let the board know of the passing of Chief Raymond Abraham of the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho and the members requested a sympathy card be sent

VII.     Adjournment

7:16 p.m. Tim Bertling moved to adjourn.  Gil Hagen seconded.  Motion carried

_______________________________                      ____________________________

Chairman Melanie M. Staples                            Assistant Clerk Laurie Tremble

_______________________________

Clerk Diane M. Cartwright