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Tuesday- June 12, 2007 - 6:30 p.m.
Board of Trustee Meeting/Budget Hearing
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, June 7, 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: Robert C. DelGrosso, Doris Matz, Jim Bace, Mary Mendenhall, Angela Armstrong, Glory Rossbacher, Grace Siler, Stan Christopherson, John Niewieroski, Chuck Quillin, Cynthia Stovall Sanders, Kim Norwood, Linda Haraldson, Debbie Flory, Tama Bergstrand, Ken Olson, Dick Behrens, Jim Nash, Ted Reynolds, Sulét Hiatt, Kathy Schnuerle, Cindy Olson, Gail Reoch, Tanya Morgan, Francine Santoro. Exhibit 1
I. Opening by Chairman - Meeting Announcements
ISBA Board of Trustees Training Session
Melanie Staples announced that the Board of Trustees Training Session with Renee Sessler from the Idaho School Board Association (ISBA) is scheduled for June 25th at 4:00 p.m. Ms. Sessler and ISBA are providing this service free of charge.
ISBA Negotiations Workshop
Ms. Staples also announced in September ISBA are presenting a Negotiations Workshop in Boise and she would like to attend and asked if any other board members would be interested. Tim Bertling stated he would like to attend. Ms. Staples stated she would like to know in July who else is planning on attending.
II. Budget Hearing
Melanie Staples: It is a Budget Hearing and we are here to take your input. No decisions are going to be made at this point. If you have something to say about the budget during this hearing, you need to step up to the microphone and state your name for our recorder. Is there anybody that has anything? Ok, Bob.
Bob DelGrosso: I have three items…
Melanie Staples: If you would come up here, you need to stand right here so it can record.
Bob DelGrosso: Ok, my name is Robert C. DelGrosso and my residence is Deep Creek just outside of Bonners Ferry. I have three items I want to bring up on the public hearing. First, was a point of order and I was checking on Title 33-801 of the Budget and Tax Levy Idaho Statute, and I was checking all of your previous minutes, and I don’t see a motion that was made by this school board to hold a public hearing. The, within the law, in terms of the documents you present at the public hearing, the budget, which you passed two documents out, it says that such statements shall show amount actually expended for the two previous years for the same classification for purposes of comparison. You have only got this year, the proposed year, and last year. So, I just want to bring this up as a point of order. Are we allowed to continue with this hearing? Because no..the board actually never actually motioned this public hearing.
Diane Cartwright: We did make a motion and I had to let the county clerk know prior to Aril 30th. Your tax notices you got show that date. We made the motion for the hearing in a separate meeting than your motion to publish the budget because of having to notify the county clerk by April 30th.
Bob DelGrosso: Ok, then you say we should continue...Chairman?
Melanie Staples: Yes.
Bob DelGrosso: Ok, there’s two items I would like to propose for the hearing or for the upcoming budget, and that would be a legal contingency fund. I sort of picked out a figure of $30,000. My basis for my recommendation is the district does not now have legal council to defend it against suits from local suitors. I do understand that there is a lawyer that is in Boise that takes care of the legal matters for the district as a whole, but my understanding is that should a citizen or group within this community sue this school for any reason, is that we do not have any money in the proposed budget to actually pay for an attorney. As I understand it the last attorney the district had was Attorney Randy Day and since his passing no other attorney was hired because of the costs. I understand it was like $110 to $120 for a lawyer, so based on that and inflation it is..I figured that $30,000 would be approximate, would buy approximately 200 hours of attorney representation at about $150 an hour. The school budget is a $10.7 million upcoming and when you talk to the county we have a County Attorney hired to take care of matters that may be addressed legally against the county. We have the, we have the City of Bonners Ferry that also has an attorney to defend itself against suits. And, with Bonners, with the school district being the first or second largest employer and organization within the county, I think they are taking some very high risks by not having, not having a lawyer, not necessarily on the payroll but accessible with money to pay a lawyer. So, basically, that concerns me very much. The scuttlebutt within the community has it that there is an organization or a person or persons who will be suing the county, or suing the district this year, so, if the rumor comes out to be true or has any credibility is that I think it would behoove the board to start setting aside a contingency to cover ourselves in legal matters. The next recommendation I have is to increase district school security and I picked out an amount of $35,000 pretty much out of my head but based on the amount of money that was spent on the high school surveillance system which is either in place or to be in place. My greatest concern when you look at the various incidents we’ve had in schools in the United States is it is either a student or a locally known person who has been able to get into the schools, take hostages, and kill. That was true of the Amish situation back in Pennsylvania. We have the Columbine incident in Colorado and the recent University situation back in Virginia and there are others. But, basically the way it usually goes, is that somebody has access into the schools, gets into a classroom and whatever happens there, happens there. I am mostly concerned about the element to the outlying elementary schools. I do know that one school, Naples, because that is my zone that I am from, is you can simply walk into the school and walk into the classroom and nobody will stop you and this is especially if the secretary has gone home for the day because there is no one at the door. It is my contention that we need to install a surveillance system within the elementary schools so that in some sort of a system to where we can slow down or something intruders coming into the school for good purposes or bad. But, the most important thing that I see is that if we have surveillance, a camera either at strategic places or in the classrooms even so that if an intruder does get in the school is that you can monitor who is in the classroom, what students are in the classroom with the intruder and also to help, to help plan a strategy to alleviate the situation when the police arrive at the scene. I don’t know if you have any confidential security systems here, I’m not worried about that, I don’t know about that, but I really think that our, our, we should be given a very high priority to security within our schools. We are very vulnerable and these are our kids and once their gone, their gone. So, those are the two suggestions I have.
Melanie Staples: Ok, thank you.
Bob DelGrosso: Thank you.
Melanie Staples: Do we have anybody else that would like to address the budget? Ok, thank you.
Clerk Note: Setting of the Time, Date & Place of the Budget Hearing was on the March 13, 2007 Board of Trustee Regular Meeting Agenda and was decided upon during the Action Agenda portion of said meeting.
III. Visitors
John Niewieroski - Lacrosse
John Niewieroski introduced himself as the Bonners Ferry Lacrosse Coach. He took on the position after several students interested in forming a team learned of his prior playing experience approached his wife. It was a nine month operation getting the program up and running. Coach Niewieroski stated that interest in the sport has advanced from the Ivy League schools in the east to what is now an up and coming nationwide sport offering collegiate scholarships. Coach Niewieroski outlined his request to the board for permission to utilize the district’s playing fields for practice and game play. Coach Niewieroski expressed his appreciation to the Boundary County Parks & Recreation District for the use of the fields at the fairgrounds, but noted it is an accident prone field and he would like to offer his kids a decent field to play on. Coach Niewieroski stated they currently have six home games. Dr. Bartling asked when the lacrosse season is. Coach Niewieroski said it begins in February and continues through May with the schedule determined in December, so there would be plenty of notice for scheduling around conflicts. Craig Wheatley asked what percentage of the players are high school students. Coach Niewieroski stated the players range from 9th to 12th graders and about six to eight are from BFHS with the rest from the academies in the area. Maria LaBarbera noted the ruggedness of the sport and inquired about insurance coverage. Coach Niewieroski stated they have a $2 million policy which covers coaches, participants, referees, trainers during play and to and from the field at home and away. Melanie Staples inquired regarding coverage for play on school grounds. Ted Reynolds stated they would not be covered under catastrophic insurance and they would be able to come back and counter sue. Coach Niewieroski noted the fact that the adult soccer league currently plays on the schools soccer field. Dr. Bartling stated they sign a waiver. Ms. Staples said if they are not an affiliated sport we would not have any control. Coach Niewieroski stated he has leased classrooms for in-house training and stressed to the players that they are to act like guests and treat the surroundings respectfully. Patron Bob DelGrosso asked if the increased use would create additional maintenance needs. Coach Niewieroski stated at the fairgrounds field there is a two foot square which shows wear and he has planted seed to remedy the situation. Patron Mr. DelGrosso asked about the lights on the field. Coach Niewieroski stated the only night games they play are at Gonzaga Prep in Spokane and the rest of the games are scheduled accordingly. Coach Niewieroski said a sponsor has provided $4000 in equipment to begin a feeder program for the middle school aged kids for both boys and girls. Craig Wheatley stated there is volleyball in the gym at night. Mr. Reynolds repeated that a waiver can be broken. Mr. Wheatley asked how come the volleyball and soccer leagues get a free shot. Dave Gause noted that flag football and legion baseball also use the fields. Mr. Wheatley asked what the difference is. Tim Bertling stated he doesn’t see any difference. Mr. Reynolds said this sport runs when our spring sports run and if you put cleats on the soccer field too soon and due to run-off it would ruin the field. Mr. Reynolds also stated the football field receives tons of use and needs that time to recover and we try to keep everyone off those fields until May. Ms. Staples stated she is not against it but does have concerns regarding liability. Coach Niewieroski stated that the fairgrounds fields have the same spring run-off issues and Parks & Rec give them the go ahead to play mid March, but stressed they would of course abide by the use time line provided by the district for their fields. Mr. Wheatley said there should be the same guidelines for all sports using the fields. Ms. Staples asked Coach Niewieroski if Mr. Reynolds and Dr. Bartling could do some further research and place the request on the agenda for August. Coach Niewieroski stated that would be fine.
The Parents Support Group
Mary Mendenhall representing the Parents Support Group for parents of children with various Special Needs and Disabilities read a statement expressing their goals, questions and concerns. Exhibit 2. Melanie Staples said time would be needed to address the questions and the Board will place the group on the agenda for July. Dr. Bartling stated Ken Olson, Special Education Director, will be gone and unavailable until August and suggested some answers could be addressed in writing by the July Board Meeting. Ms. Staples then stated placement would then be on the August Agenda. Ken Olson said many of the questions concern his staff and their input is necessary and they would also be unavailable until August. Ms. Mendenhall asked when the Board would be able to have a more thorough answer. Mr. Olson stated the last week in August. Ms. Staples said it appears that to provide an informed and thorough response it would need to be in September as we don’t want to leave anything unaddressed. Ms. Mendenhall stated they would like to have what Mr. Olson is able to prepare as soon as possible as the parents want to plan accordingly for the next school year. Ms. Mendenhall stated the Parent Support Group would also like the opportunity to present individual testimonials. Ms. Staples stated we could have something in writing by August. Dr. Bartling said some information could be provided by the July Board Meeting. Ms. Staples stated the Group would be placed on the agenda for the September Board Meeting. The Group stated it would be nice to have answers sooner. Tim Bertling said the ball is getting rolling a little late to cover all the answers at this time due to summer vacation. Ms. Staples said the Board would have something to present to the Group in July and placed on the Agenda for September. Ms. Mendenhall stated many of the parents have worked with the Special Education Department and they want to follow protocol.
IV. Superintendent Report/Business Report
Boundary County Education Foundation
Dr. Bartling pointed out the “Thank-You” sign behind the Board from the promoted eigth grade students thanking the Boundary County Education Foundation for the dictionaries. Dr. Bartling reported on the flyer which will be mailed out the end of June requesting donations. Dr. Bartling stated they would begin with the graduates from the 40’s and 50’s and hope to generate money for school purposes in the form of scholarships or projects as the need arises. Dr. Bartling wanted to thank Bobbie Bowen and John Lindberg for their fine work
Transportation Handbook
Dr. Bartling reported work on the Transportation Handbook has begun and that it will include all of our policies regarding transportation. Dr. Bartling has given a copy to Art Linnemeyer the Transportation Supervisor and will bring the handbook to the September Board Meeting.
Summer School 2007
Dr. Bartling presented the current list of students signed up Summer School 2007 and stated at this time we have teachers for English, math and social studies but need to find a teacher for science if one more student signs up. Ms. Staples asked if you could balance it out between all subjects. Dr. Bartling said yes, you can average out to reach the needed 12 students. Dr. Bartling stated he advertised for the Summer School Administrator and no one applied, so he asked Ted Reynolds if he would be interested and Mr. Reynolds said yes.
V. Consent Agenda
A. Approval of Minutes: April 19, 2007, May 8, 2007, May 17, 2007 – April 19, 2007 Minutes removed to Executive Session.
B. Approval of May, 2007 Accounts Payable
C. Personnel
1. Approval of Personnel List – Item #26 removed to Executive Session.
1. Accept resignation of Andrew Tuttle from custodian position at the Boundary County Middle School effective May 31, 2007.
2. Accept resignation of Kristy Kellogg from special education para-professional position at Mt. Hall effective the end of the 2006-07 school year.
3. Approve Marlaina Davy as district wide summer school special education assistant; 84 hours at current rate of pay, beginning 6/18/07 and ending 8/9/07. (Summer school only) Title VI-B Funding.
4. Approve Devonna Dixon as district wide summer school special education assistant; 84 hours at current rate of pay, beginning 6/18/07 and ending 8/9/07. (Summer school only). Title VI-B Funding.
5. Approve Teri Roney as special education resource room teacher at Valley View effective 2007-08 school year. BA+0 with 0 years experience: $31,000 with benefits. VI-B Funding.
6. Approve Darla Evans as a school year part time library aide at Valley View. 18 hours per week, 4.5 hours per day, $8.78 per hour, without benefits, effective 2007-08 school year. General Fund.
7. Approve Michell Behrens as a school year part time computer lab assistant at Valley View. 18 hours per week, 4.5 hours per day, $10.38 per hour, without benefits, effective 2007-08 school year. General Fund.
8. Approve Valerie Sorenson as school year Secretary I at the Boundary County Middle School. 9 hours per day,
155151 days, 1359 total hours, 3 years experience, $9.38 per hour, includes benefits. General Fund.9. Approve Mary Fitzpatrick as 1.0 fte 6th Grade language arts and social studies teacher (K-8 position) placement as per negotiated salary schedule once all transcripts have been received, five years experience, effective 2007 – 08 school year.
10. Approve Jesse Butler as 1.0 fte 6th Grade language arts and social studies teacher (K-8 position) placement as per negotiated salary schedule BA+0 with 0 years experience, $31,000, affective 2007 – 08 school year.
11. Approve Adam Ineck as 1.0 fte high school vocational ag science teacher, placement as per negotiated salary schedule once all transcripts have been received, BS + 5 years experience.
12. Approve Joyce Phalen as school year (one year only) instructional assistant – oversized classroom for 4th grade at Naples, 4.5 hours per day, 4 days per week, $9.78 per hour, no benefits. General Fund.
13. Approve Amanda Hittle as substitute summer program kitchen helper at $7.75 per hour.
14. Approve the retirement of Jaylyn Hayden after 32 years of service effective the end of the 2006-07 school year.
15. Approve Lyndsay Hart as migrant summer school teacher at $20.00 per hour without benefits. Title I-C funds.
16. Approve Noah Grand as migrant summer school teacher at $20.00 per hour without benefits. Title I-C funds.
17. Approve Jenna Hays as migrant summer school assistant at $11.53 per hour. This is a classified temporary position without benefits.
18. Approve Nelda Sanchez as migrant summer school assistant at $11.53 per hour. This is a classified temporary position without benefits.
19. Approve Lisa Allegretti as migrant summer school assistant at $11.53 per hour. This is a classified temporary position without benefits.
20. Approve Paula Petesch as migrant summer school assistant at $11.53 per hour. This is a temporary position without benefits.
21. Approve Noah Grand as .5 fte kindergarten teacher at Mt. Hall; MA+0 with 0 years experience; $15,500 with benefits. General Fund.
22. Approve Noah Grand as Title I assistant at Mt. Hall. This is a classified part-time one year only position, 18 hours per week (4.5 hours per day) at $12.19 per hour. Title – I funds.
23. Approve Brenda Kerttu as 1.0 fte 7th grade life science teacher FY 2007-08; BA+0 with 0 years of experience; $31,000 with benefits. This is a one year position.
24. Approve Anne McClintock as 1.0 fte Life Skills Special Education Teacher at Valley View effective 2007-08 school year; BA+0 with 3 years of experience; $31,000 with benefits.
25. Approve transfer of Ron Large from 19.5 hours per week at the Boundary County Middle School to a 36 hour per week, calendar year, 12 month custodian at BCMS; $9.58 per hour effective 7-1-2007, with benefits which includes vacation after 1 year of full time work.
25. Approve Ted Reynolds as summer school administrator; one hour per day for each two week session. No additional pay for those days he is still under school year contract (first summer school session); possible 4 sessions total depending on number of students, so maximum additional pay would be 30 hours at $36.46 per hour for a total of $1,094.
26. Approve Angela Armstrong’s request for extended stipend from $4,000 to $10,000 for the regular school year; funding from LEP/Migrant funds.
2. Approval of Extra-Curricular
D. Approval of 2007-08 Physical Therapy Services Contract (Annual)
E. Approval of 2007-08 School Based Children’s Mental Health Services Contract (Annual)
F. Approval of Standard Insurance (Life) Amendment
G. Approval of the Emergency Use of Facilities & Equip.through U.S. Forest Service & Idaho Dept. of Lands
H. Approval of In-Lieu-Of Transportation
Tim Bertling moved to approve the Consent Agenda without the April 19, 2007 Minutes and Item #26 on the Personnel List. Gil seconded. Motion carried.
VI. Administration/Staff/School Committees/BCEA Reports & Input – No presentations.
VII. Action Agenda
Correspondence/Personnel/Negotiations – No presentations.
Adoption of the 2006-07 Amended Budget and the 2007-08 Budget
Maria LaBarbera inquired about what kind of representation Steve Meade provides the district. Dr. Bartling stated he represents the district in any and all liabilities. Diane Cartwright stated our liability insurance company, Idaho Counties Risk Management Program (ICRMP) also have attorneys which represent us if a tort claim is filed. Maria LaBarbera moved to establish a Contingency Fund. Ms. Cartwright said there is a $200,000 Contingency Fund in this current budget and $30,000 in the General Fund on the Professional Services Line Item. Craig Wheatley asked how that $200,000 is funded. Ms. Cartwright stated it is money left over from the sale of land. Mr. Wheatley inquired as to how the Board determined the $200,000 Contingency Fund. Ms. Staples stated we don’t have that in the plan, but that we do need to do that. Tim Bertling stated that would be an item to address at the August workshop. Dr. Bartling said August would be a good time to address that issue so it is in place when they start the budget process in January and February. Craig Wheatley asked Ms. Cartwright if there were any problems in this budget. Ms. Cartwright stated the budget addresses all the laws that were changed. Dr. Bartling agreed and that this is the best budget we have ever seen. Craig Wheatley moved to Approve and Adopt the 2006-07 Amended Budget and Approve and Adopt the 2007-08 Budget. Maria LaBarbera seconded. Motion carried.
Softball Field
Dr. Bartling handed out a map of the proposed Girl’s Softball Field. Dr. Bartling stated a well was drilled in 2004 and at the time it was hoped to be for the whole site, but the architect for the new high school recommended connecting to city water. Dr. Bartling said recently they had pumped the well for 16 hours and found the 37 gallons per minute adequate capacity for the current fields and proposed softball field and it is his recommendation to install a pump and utilize it to save money. Dr. Bartling calculated a possible savings of $5,881 using past usage from the City of Bonners Ferry. Dr. Bartling stated the money is in Jim Bace’s current Maintenance Budget. Craig Wheatley asked Jim Bace if there is money in the budget to accomplish this. Mr. Bace responded stated his maintenance request from the last Board Meeting had to be scaled down from $118,000 and he got it down to $65,000 and that is all he can do. Mr. Bace stated the approximate cost to install the water line and power line to pipe water to soccer field is $1,500. Melanie Staples clarified that the idea is to run off the well and not city water. Maria LaBarbera noted it was her understanding last month we didn’t have the money. Dr. Bartling said we agreed to not have anything done yet, but we need to have the pump in to save the $5,800. Dr. Bartling stated if we do have a problem with the well in the future, we can just hook back up to city water. Ms. Staples stated one of the thoughts had been to get donations for the seeding. Dr. Bartling said he did have a verbal commitment for the seeding to be donated. Ms. Staples asked what the sprinkler system would cost for the new softball field. Dr. Bartling said he had received a bid from Horizon Landscape originally and it had been amended to $8,240 and have turned the bid over to the tribe to see if there is any interest in paying for the installation. Tim Bertling said the tribe may be willing to contribute if this is just a softball field with a permanent fence installed. Craig Wheatley thought the Board had agreed not to proceed because there is no money to pay for it. Ms. Staples stated she had spoken with Dr. Bartling and that it would be completed through donations and we could start it as donations become available and finish it later. Craig Wheatley said he understands the water issue, but when we discuss a fence and it is money being put out we don’t have, he doesn’t agree. Ms. Staples stated Forest Funds can be used for maintenance projects. Maria LaBarbera said we are still taking away from the main schools. Ms. Staples stated we are not talking about funding the entire project. Ms. LaBarbera said the Board never voted to have the field constructed. Dr. Bartling responded the Board voted in 2002. Craig Wheatley stated if the Kootenai Tribe said yes, of course we would say yes. Ms. Staples noted again the district would save around $6,000 in paying the city by using our well. Mr. Wheatley stated we have competing opportunities for limited resources and we were just trying to decide what walls to paint. Mr. Reynolds stated the Board needs to be aware the team is currently playing illegally due to the field being used is a community field and have been written up for playing on an illegal field. Mr. Wheatley said he is not against a good field but not at the detriment to other projects. Debbie Flory stated she wanted to disagree with something Mr. Reynolds had said in that Riverside High School had asked for a sprinkler system and we were told we didn’t have enough money and I am questioning where the money comes from now. Dr. Bartling stated we are asking for donations for the sprinkler system. Patron Bob DelGrosso said it was distinctly said at the last meeting to only proceed with donations only. Ms. Staples said the $6,000 paid out to the city would be paid out for the pump. Mr. Wheatley stated the first issue is saving money by using the well and not city water and the second issue is the board agrees to spend budgeted money. Dr. Bartling stated he has not asked for any money, the Board asked me for a plan so a plan is being presented. Mr. Bertling said we need to approve the money for the well. Mr. Wheatley stated the well is not an issue. Dr. Bartling stated we need to approve the bid from Minden for the pump installation. Tim Bertling moved to accept the bid from Minden Water Wells, Inc. for the installation and activation of the well pump. Mr. Wheatley inquired about the trenching needed. Mr. Bace stated the power for the pump is included in the cost. Ms. LaBarbera noted she did not see a breaker on the bid. Mr. Wheatley again asked how much more digging needs to be done to switch. Mr. Bace stated about 100 to 150 feet to add a line from the well to the soccer field to southside of football field. Mr. Bace said you need to figure an additional $5,000 a year in mowing and $500 to $1,000 in sprinkler heads and stressed the need to look at all the expenses including fertilizing, weed kill, mowing and that does add up to an additional $4,000 to $5,000 in additional maintenance. Mr. Bace also said in the long run with city water being so expensive that needs to be factored in as well. Mr. Bertling asked Mr. Bace if indeed the cost would be $5,000 in additional maintenance just for that field. Mr. Bace responded at least $3,000 to $5,000 and to remember we fertilize our fields twice a year. Mr. Reynolds said there is not much grass on that field, probably 50 square yards approximately. Mr. Bace said he thinks we should take the time to review some of those figures but he thinks the pump is going to compensate in the long run and save money. Mr. Bertling said to add piping to the motion. Mr. Wheatley again asked about the trenching and Ms. Staples asked Mr. Bace if he needed Ed Minden to pipe. Mr. Bace responded that no, Mike Kelly will provide that service. Dr. Bartling stated the district needs to bring lines up. Ms. LaBarbera noted there is also a need for a counselor for the elementary schools as well as other needs. Mr. Wheatley stated we need to draw a line that the field is being built by donations only. Mr. Bertling withdrew previous motion. Tim Bertling moved for Minden Water Wells, Inc. to install a pump in the well and run a water line to the new softball field. Motion died without a second. Craig Wheatley moved to have Minden Water Wells, Inc install the pump as a cost saving measure for the district, but not to put a water line to the new softball field as the new field should be a donated item only. Gil Hagen seconded. Motion carried with 3 yays and 2 nays. Motion carried. Dr. Bartling asked the Board if this continues to appoint someone to help Mr. Reynolds and myself to help solicite donations. Mr. Bertling said he would help. Dr. Bartling stated he would like this to be a quality project. Ms. Staples recommends Mr. Bertling to work with Dr. Bartling.
Decision Regarding Continuation of Professional Development Support with Dr. Cynthia Thomas
Melanie Staples explained the teacher’s recommendation to continue with the Professional Development Support with Dr. Cynthia Thomas. Exhibit 3. Jim Nash added that Dr. Thomas is very outstanding presenter and has an extreme amount of knowledge and background and he fully endorses the program. Mr. Nash also stated the presentations at the schools provide a mode for good instruction and teachers can watch and collaborate and Dr. Thomas has also volunteered to some parental involvement nights. Dick Behrens echoed all that Mr. Nash had said and that this is the first year that the entire district is following the same math program and we need to continue this math curriculum. Mr. Wheatley asked if this is funded through Brenda Walter’s budget. Ms. Staples said yes and the teachers do receive in district credits. Ms. Staples also noted we may want to stipulate this is the last year and that Ms. Walter spend these funds elsewhere next year. Mr. Hagen added that he has been a part of this program and it would be good to have another year. Craig Wheatley moved to authorize Brenda Walter to extend a contract to Dr. Cynthia Thomas for one more year out of Ms. Walter’s budget. Gil Hagen seconded. Motion carried.
Approval of Vocational Incentive Program (VIP) Credits – Ken Olson
Dr. Bartling stated this item is to approve students receiving credits for work experience. Mr. Olson added that some of the Special Education Secondary students programs provide for work experience and this would allow them to earn school credit for that time and I am in complete support. Gil Hagen moved to approve the Vocational Incentive Program (VIP). Tim Bertling seconded. Motion carried.
Approval of Ten Year Facility Plan
Dr. Bartling presented his 10 Year Facility Plan and wanted to thank Jim Bace for all his hard work. Dr. Bartling stated that as the Board reviews the plan they should find it quite thorough and it provides a good analysis of each of our buildings. Dr. Bartling suggested the Board review it at their leisure. Craig Wheatley asked if we are losing grounds on the maintenance of our buildings. Mr. Bace stated he thinks we are actually a little bit above average and we have made leaps and bounds. Mr. Wheatley added a thank you to Mr. Bace for all his hard work. Maria LaBarbera moved that the Board has received the 10 Year Facility Plan but have not reviewed it. Gil Hagen seconded. Motion carried.
8:37 p.m. Melanie Staples called for a 10 minute break.
8:45 p.m. Melanie Staples called the meeting back to order.
Policies
Students - Freedom of Expression & Student Publications-Policy 3240 – 1st Reading
Distribution and Display of Materials-Policy 3250 - 1st Reading.
Community Relations - Use of Private Automobiles for Trips-Policy 4222 - 1st Reading
School Facilities - Use and Abuse of District Property (NEW)-Policy 9110 – 1st Reading
Maria LaBarbera suggested shortening lines 6 through 9 as these items already appear in other policies. Tama Bergstrand said students basically have the right to demonstrate with the permission from the principal, but not in the hallways as that would disrupt the education process. Ms. LaBarbera stated if the students want to demonstrate maybe the district would put them some place that would not be effective. Ms. Bergstrand again stated it can not distract from the educational process. Dr. Bartling stated he would rather err on the side of clarity. Ms. Bergstrand said those four lines are new and not in any other policy and we came up with the process. Melanie Staples stated she agrees with the policy. Craig Wheatley said is does not say they need permission to do it. Ms. Bergstrand said they don’t necessarily need permission, but they need to go to the Adminstrator first. Mr. Wheatley said it doesn’t say that and if the intention is they need to have consent first it should say that. Ms. LaBarbera stated these are civil rights here, freedom of speech. Ms. Bergstrand stated it says district officials dictate time and place. Mr. Hagen noted it takes away from the demonstratin if district set time and place. Dick Behrens said if kids do a walk out, they can be punished for walking out, but not for protesting. Ms. LaBarbera stated she has a problem with governing the setting of time and place. Tim Bertling moved to approve the First Readings 1 thru 3, Freedom of Expression & Student Publications-Policy 3240, Distribution and Display of Materials-Policy 3250, Use of Private Automobiles for Trips-Policy 4222, Use and Abuse of District Property (NEW)-Policy 9110 . Craig Wheatley seconded. Ms. LaBarbera had some questions regarding Community Relations Policy 4222 – Use of Private Automobiles for Trips and asked what constitutes a volunteer. Ms. Bergstrand stated she views a volunteer as a parent. Mr. Reynolds stated anytime he uses a volunteer a list is submitted to the Board for approval and coaches are not allowed to drive students to any activity. Mr. Reynolds also stated students are signed out to parents and the form goes in the students file. Ms. LaBarbera asked if the volunteers all have background checks. Ms. Staples commented that would be quite costly. Mr. Reynolds stated he would not submit them to the Board if was not confident in their integrity. Ms. Bergstrand stated she is the Chairperson of the Ethics Committee and agrees volunteers need to be fingerprinted but that would be another policy. Ms. Staples asked if she meant all volunteers in district. Ms. Bergstrand stated if they are supervised volunteers probably ok, but if not they need to be fingerprinted. Dick Behrens stated we never allow teachers to transport students. Mr. Reynolds said we do rent vans and the coach/teacher is covered according to insurance to drive the rented van as long it is not their own vehicle. Dr. Bartling stated the school insurance would be the secondary carrier. Ms. LaBarbera said we could then sue the volunteer for crashing. Ms. Staples asked if Ms. LaBarbera is saying no volunteers. Ms. LaBarbera said definitely not, just more detailed guidelines are needed. Ms. Bergstrand said we might ask attorney Steve Meade how much insurance we need to have. Ms. Bergrstrand asked the Board if they would like her to do some more research. Ms. Staples stated yes, and that Ms. Bergstrand would get back to them for the second reading. Motion Carried.
Handbooks-Policy 3208-1 – 2nd Reading & Approval
a. High School d. Naples Elementary g. Valley View Elementary
b. Boundary County Middle e. Evergreen Elementary
c. Riverside High School f. Mt. Hall Elementary
Ms. LaBarbera would like to bring the High School Handbook grievance portion in line with the District Policy Manual. Dr. Bartling stated the handbook should be directed to district policy and policy supersedes the handbook. Ms. LaBarbera stated again the handbook should match the policy. Mr. Reynolds stated he would make the change and add the six (6) days time frame to the handbook tomorrow. Debbie Flory from RHS stated she would make the change as well. Dick Behrens stated for a cost saving measure they are given a copy of policy as needed if it is a grievance offense. Mr. Reynolds noted the only change was the Advisory Period from Wednesday morning to Wednesday afternoon. Mr. Reynolds stated to be more cost effective they will have the Staples print the handbook for about $1,500 vs the $3,500 cost from last year.
Personnel - a. Work Day-Policy 5210 – 1st Reading
b. Leaves of Absence-Policy 5400 – 1st Reading
c. Vacation Leave-Policy 5450-1 – 2nd Reading & Approval
Ms. LaBarbera requested the addition of the word “hour” to line 19 of Policy 5210-1. Ms. LaBarbera questioned line 40 of the Leaves of Absense Policy 5400 specifically the usage of the term bona-fide. Ms. Bergstrand stated the example of foster children and step children. Patron Bob DelGrosso stated bona-fide should be strictly defined. Ms. LaBarbera said it is adding increase to our budget. Dr. Bartling stated the definition of bona-fide is done or made in good faith or genuine. Dick Behrens stated there has to be some discretion by the building administrator to make the decision and believes the leave taken due to bereavement is minimal. Ms. Staples stopped discussion on the policies and asked for a motion. Tim Bertling moved to approve items 4 & 5 the first readings of Work Day-Policy 5210 & Leaves of Absence-Policy 5400 and the second reading and approval of the Vacation Leave-Policy 5450-1. Craig Wheatley seconded. Ms. LaBarbera voted yes to handbook but no to bereavement leave as it stands. Motion carried.
Noninstructional Operations - Beverages-Policy 8250-2 - Ted Reynolds
Mr. Reynolds stated it is his understanding that the district would take Pepsi out and quit selling pop. Mr. Reynolds stated he hates that economics drive issues, but the district pays for extracurricular transportation and coaches but the high school has to cover everything else. Mr. Reynolds said these funds are generated through ASB card dollars and sale of pop, Gatorade, water and other vending items and prior to the changes they received around $30,000 a year from these machines. Mr. Reynolds stated after having to remove initially one machine and then a second machine they have less than $10,000 in revenue. Mr. Reynolds said he can not fund about 50 to 60% of the activities, officials, etc and he called other schools and they are not taking out their machines. Mr. Reynolds stated he watches the students walk to BTC to buy pop and bring back 6 packs and either sell it or drink it all on campus, so they are going to drink pop anyway. Ms. LaBarbera said the school should provide and environment promoting health. Mr. Reynolds said we can still provide a wellness program and sell pop. Ms. LaBarbera said you are putting children at risk so some can play sports. Craig Wheatley said that student has to make the decision to drink pop. Gail Reoch, Food Services Supervisor, said the 4 day school week affects revenue and these wellness issues will be mandated by the state in the next 5 years, which include penalties if not observed. Ms. Reoch stated everyone was invited to attend the Wellness Committee meetings and the committee agreed to remove the pop machines. Ms. Reoch stated she is presenting what the Wellness Committee voted. Mr. Reynolds stated he does not disagree with any of this, but I can try and teach my kids but they still make their own decisions and we are going to come back in the future and ask the Board to approve another pop machine. Ms. Bergstrand stated it is a kid’s choice and if we limit the choices they will make better choices. Ms. Reoch stated we are out of protocol and our committees work very hard. Craig Wheatley asked if it states pop is not offered or not allowed on school property. Dr. Bartling stated “not allowed” needs to be defined. Ms. Reoch asked how do you police all this and it is the example of the school to follow guidelines. Dr. Bartling said let’s leave as is and make sure we are in compliance and ask the Executive Council to address the wording of “be allowed”. Mr. Reynolds asked when that might happen. Mr. Bertling said we will need to address this again at M&O. Ms. Staples stated Diane Blanford contacted other school nurses and the responses varied. Ms. Reoch stated 87% of schools addressed guidelines for beverages they provide. Debbie Flory said kids are a risk because of childhood diabetes and obesity and we need to walk the walk. Ms. Staples said the hard part is where is the money is going to come from. Ms. Reoch stated it is unfortunate that it has come down to this. Craig Wheatley stated when we are federally mandated ok, but now it is our job to counsel on what decision to make. Dr. Bartling again stated to leave the policy as is and send it to Executive Council and let the high school have one machine but not to add additional machines.
Northern Idaho Regional Food Services Bid
Gail Reoch said this is an annual bid and what the food service providers need from us. It is a group of districts which allows them to bid for all our food, paper products, staples, frozen, etc. and it is a big bid and since we have joined the group our costs have gone down. Craig Wheatley moved to authorize Gail Reoch to participate in the Northern Idaho Regional Food Services Bid. Gil Hagen seconded. Motion carried.
VIII. 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 Craig Wheatley and seconded by Tim Bertling, 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 9:53 p.m. Tuesday June 12, 2007 and returned at 10:28 p.m. Tuesday June 12, 2007.
Tim Bertling moved to approve Personnel Item #26. Gil Hagen seconded. Motion carried.
Gil Hagen moved to authorize Dr. Bartling to present a contract to Greg Springett for Riverside High School of .75 FTE Construction Trades Standard Teacher’s Contract for $23,250 and .25 FTE IDLA Coordinator/Monitor Category 2 Contract for $7,750 for a total salary of $31,000 with a ten (10) day response time required. Tim Bertling seconded. Motion carried.
Tim Bertling moved to approve the April 19, 2007 Board of Trustee Meeting Minutes. Gil Hagen seconded. Motion carried with Maria LaBarbera voting nay.
IX. Trustee Input/Future Agenda Items
Craig Wheatley
Craig Wheatley wanted to share some of his ideas and hopes regarding the future of the Boundary County School District #101. First, is the establishment of a Contingency Fund as it would be fiscally irresponsible not to. Regarding the teachers contract being one of the earliest ratified in the state, continue to offer them what the state gives the district. Acknowledge the ability of the community to come out and vote for the last levy, and say thank you by not coming back with a figure that is too high in the future. The community needs to feel it is an ally of the school district. Also, if the district could somehow come up with a Vocational Education program and make the RHS shop available to the High School it be very beneficial to many students. The truth is they are not prepared to make a living if they are not going to college. RHS should be more integrated with the high school. I recommend an Education Development Center (EDC) program with Mike Sloan for a mentoring program for kids to work and learn job skills. I have noticed other boards in the community don’t have to look at the minuscule things this board has to waste their time on. We are bogged down with paperwork. I would encourage the board to free up time and spend time more time on important things. Also, instead of a 4 year term, how about placing the newly elected members in an advisory chair capacity, so no new member is dropped in cold and having to vote on issues without being fully informed. I believe Ms. Staples is going to check with Renee Sessler at ISBA regarding this. Finally, I would encourage the board to increase the web page and incorporate it into the curriculum. I am truly grateful for all of your indulgences and God Bless you all for what you do.
Boundary County Education Foundation Placement on Web Page
Dr. Bartling asked for permission to add the Boundary County Education Foundation information to the districts web page. Mr. Wheatley stated it needs to also include the Booster Club and all other activities. Dr. Bartling would place the donation forms on the web page.
Lighthouse Project
Melanie Staples asked the board their opinions of the Lighthouse Project. Ms. LaBarbera stated it would be bit much for me and too much time involved to accept the responsibility and 5 years is too much. Ms. Staples stated it is what you would choose to do with it. Craig Wheatley stated he is already struggling.
X. Adjournment
10:50 p.m. Ms. LaBarbera moved to adjourn. Craig Wheatley seconded. Motion carried.
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Chairman Melanie M. Staples Assistant Clerk Laurie Tremble
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Clerk Diane M. Cartwright