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Thursday, May 17, 2007
6:00 p.m. Workshop/Special Meeting
Boundary County 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 Thursday, May 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, Gil Hagen and Craig Wheatley.
Superintendent Don Bartling, Clerk Diane Cartwright and Assistant Clerk Laurie Smith-Tremble were also in attendance.
Others Present: Ken Olson, Cynthia Olson, Robert DelGrosso, and Jim Nash. Exhibit 1.
I. Opening by Chairman – Meeting Announcements
Lighthouse Project
Melanie Staples stated she had received information regarding the Lighthouse Project, which is a program exploring what is possible to accomplish when local boards of education, school administrators, and Idaho School Boards Association work together for district-wide improvement of teaching and learning. Ms. Staples said more information would be forthcoming.
ISBA Renee Sessler
Ms. Staples reported that Renee Sessler, Associate Executive Director of the Idaho School Board Association, would be willing to present a workshop for the Board of Trustees in Bonners Ferry and the possible dates are July, 10, 11 or 12, 2007.
I. Approval to Publish 2007-2008 Budget - Exhibit 2
Diane M. Cartwright, Clerk/Business Manager, is very happy to present a balanced budget. Ms. Cartwright noted this budget was created on the new software program and the balance due remaining on the purchase of the program will come out of the estimated carry forward figure. Ms. Cartwright stated budgeting for the school’s revenue is difficult due to a large portion of the revenue received from the state is based on the Average Daily Attendance (ADA), therefore, can only be estimated. Ms. Cartwright noted some legislative changes that need to referenced: HB 1, which was passed in the special Legislative session in August 2006, resulted in the Maintenance & Operation Levy being removed from the county levies and transferred to the state level with payment being received out of funds generated from the 1% increase in sales tax; HB 743, Maintenance of Student Occupied Buildings, requires school districts to annually deposit to the school building maintenance fund an amount equal to at least two percent of the replacement value of school buildings, which for Boundary County School District #101 is approximately $450,000. Ms. Cartwright stated we are supposed to be receiving monies faster from the state to increase our interest earning potential. Ms. Cartwright said it is a $10.7 million budget and would appreciate some flexibility for line item errors due to the numerous background calculations required for each. Ms. Staples stated we can amend the budget to account for any changes. Ms. Cartwright said right now what is needed is approval to publish the budget and the amended budget will include such items as sale of property and grant budgets. Craig Wheatley inquired as to why the “rents” were so low. Ms. Cartwright stated the Board decided that the money received can stay at each building for the administrator to decide on its distribution. Tim Bertling moved to approve the publication of the 2007-2008 Budget. Gil Hagen seconded. Motion carried.
III. Action Agenda
Policy – Personnel – Vactation Leave Policy 5450-1 – 1st Reading – Exhibit 3
Dr. Bartling stated this is in regards to what qualifies and who quailifes for vacation leave and adjusting for the change to the 4 day school week. Tim Bertling noted the old policy was for 5 days. Melanie Staples asked if there are people currently employed that fall under the old parameters that will be affected by the change. Diane M. Cartwright stated yes and they will be “Grandfathered” in regarding their vacation leave earned, but when the “Grandfathered” employee is replaced, the new employee will fall under the guidelines of the changed policy accounting for the 4 day school week. Tim Bertling moved to accept the 1st reading of the Personnel – Vacation Leave Policy 5450-1. Gil seconded. Craig Wheatley asked how many readings. Ms. Staples stated there will be more language on the policy presented at the June 2007 meeting. Motion carried.
Correspondence/Personnel/Negotiations
Ken Olson presented his request for Special Education Resource Room and Life Skills Teacher at Valley View Elementary to accommodate the areas increase in population. Melanie Staples asked if the cost would come out of his budget. Mr. Olson stated it would be funded with some General Fund money through Maintenance of Effort and some Special Education money. Ms. Staples asked for confirmation that this is already allotted money. Mr. Olson stated the percentage obligated out of General Fund for Special Education Maintenance of Effort can only be changed for very specific reasons. Mr. Olson stated he felt the best way to address the issue at Valley View is by hiring a Highly Qualified Teacher as defined by the Idaho State Department of Education and this is the best option for the long term. Melanie Staples asked if the district is required to provide so many people per student. Mr. Olson stated no, a lump sum of money is received and we decide what gets the funding. Mr. Olson said because of the increase in the county’s population the likelihood of greater numbers of students with special needs will also increase. Ms. Staples asked if additional help would be required for this requested teacher and Craig Wheatley asked if the need would be better provided for by one teacher or three paraprofessionals. Mr. Olson stated it is his strong opinion the best option is to hire an additional special education teacher who has the background to design and implement a program. Mr. Olson also stated that does not detract from the need of the parapros as they are much needed. Jim Nash added the district is blessed with extremely high quality parapros but with the increased liabilities we don’t want to over stress the staff as the position already has an incredible burnout rate. Ms. Staples said we should approve the position if the funds are found in the budget. Ms. Cartwright said it is doable at this time and we are required by law to provide for these challenging cases. Gil Hagen moved to approve the position of Special Education Teacher at Valley View as the Elementary School Resource Room and Life Skills teacher if it falls within the current constraints of the 2007-08 Budget. Tim Bertling seconded. Motion carried
IV. Executive Session: Idaho Code 67-2345(a)(c) Personnel/Legal Report/Negotiations or Adjournment
Chairman Staples announced the next order of business would be discussion of personnel, negotiations and legal matters. After a full and complete discussion upon a motion duly made by Tim Bertling and seconded by Gil Hagen, the following resolution be adopted:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of Boundary County School District No. 101 recess from a public meeting into an executive session pursuant to Section 67-2345, Idaho Code, for discussion of personnel.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that following the executive session the board will reconvene in regular session for the purpose of conducting further business or for adjournment of the meeting. Vote being had on the above and foregoing resolution and the same having been counted and found to be no less than two-thirds (2/3) of the membership in favor thereof, the chairman declared said resolution adopted.
The trustees entered an executive session at 7:40 p.m. Thursday, May 17, 2007 and returned at 8:20 p.m. May 17, 2007.
Craig Wheatley moved to approve the salary increase of 2.5% for the fiscal year for the Classified Supervisors. Gil Hagen seconded. Motion carried.
Craig Wheatley moved to approve the salary increase of 2.5% for the fiscal year for the Administrators. Tim Bertling seconded. Motion carried.
Craig Wheatley moved to approve the salary increase of 3% for the fiscal year for the Classified Staff and 5% salary increase for the fiscal year for the bus drivers. Gil seconded. Motion carried.
Craig Wheatley moved to authorize Angela Armstrong to allocate up to $6000 out of the LEP funds base with approval from Dr. Bartling and successful continuation of federal funding and not to be paid out of General Fund. Tim Bertling seconded. Motion carried
Tim Bertling moved to authorize Dr. Bartling to offer Greg Springett a Construction Trades teaching position at .75 FTE and the IDLA Coordinator/Monitor position at .25 FTE. Craig Wheatley seconded. Motion carried.
V. Adjournment
8:28 p.m. Maria LaBarbera moved to adjourn. Gil Hagen seconded. Motion carried.
_______________________________ ____________________________
Chairman Melanie M. Staples Assistant Clerk Laurie Tremble
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Clerk Diane M. Cartwright