Home

Thursday - August 16, 2007 - 6:30 p.m.

Board of Trustee Meeting

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 Wednesday, August 8, 2007.  Trustees had actual notice of the time and date of meeting via verbal and written communication.

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

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

Others Present:     Curt Randall Bayer, Scott Soults, Lisa Robbe-Soults, Tanya Morgan, Ted Reynolds, Elsie Hollenbeck, Grace Siler, Linda Haraldson, Cynthia Stovall Sanders, Ken Olson, Cindy Olson.  Exhibit 1

6:30 Regular Meeting

I.    Opening by Chairman

II.  Visitors

Parents Support Group - Mary Mendenhall

Mary Mendenhall read a letter to the Boundary County School District #101 Board of Trustees expressing the Parents Support Group’s concerns regarding questions presented to the Board at the June 12, 2007 Board Meeting, which remain unanswered.  Exhibit 2.   Melanie Staples stated the Board understands their concerns and reassured Ms. Mendenhall that the Board and the School District are taking them very seriously and are currently addressing their questions. 

III.   Superintendent’s Report/Business Report

Opening of School - Special Dates & Events

Dr. Bartling reported the Administration Team will meet next Monday, August 20^th.   Dr. Bartling also stated the teachers will officially return to work on August 27^th with a welcome back presentation at 8:00 a.m. with Mayor Darryl Kerby, Chairman of the County Commissioners Ron Smith, Bonners Ferry Chamber of Commerce President Jack Douglas and BCSD #101 Chairman Melanie Staples also attending.  The Chamber will be providing doughnuts.  Dr. Bartling said this will start off a week-long In-Service training for the teachers and school will begin for the students Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Boundary County Education Foundation (BCEF)

Dr. Bartling stated the BCEF’s Annual Meeting is scheduled for September 27, 2007 at 4:30 p.m. at the Bonners Ferry Visitor’s Center.  It will be pretty informal and probably last about 1 hour.  Dr. Bartling said the BCEF has submitted a request to the Wells Fargo Bank Foundation for a grant in the amount of $63,000.  Dr. Bartling stressed these monies are being granted to the Boundary County Education Foundation and not the School District.  The BCEF will then donate to the students with an emphasis on at risk youth, and to school programs in need of extra funding.  Dr. Bartling noted this will be the Foundations first large grant.

Girl’s Softball Field

Dr. Bartling said the sprinkler system has been approved and that the Kootenai Tribe will be covering the cost.  Dr. Bartling reported the trenches have been dug for the fencing which was delayed due to the field not being completely level and Foust Logging has remedied this problem.  The water pipe from the soccer field to the softball field has been laid and will be connected next year when the pump is installed in the well.  Dr. Bartling said all the projects are moving along and doing well.  Melanie Staples stated Tim Bertling has been very busy making calls and keeping tabs on all the projects as well.

Bus Driver's Handbook

Dr. Bartling stated Art Linnemeyer, Transportation Supervisor, and himself are continuing to work on the Bus Driver’s Handbook and will present a rough draft at the September Board Meeting with the final draft being presented for approval in October.

IV. Consent Agenda

            A.  Approval of Minutes: July 10, 2007 Annual Meeting

            B.  Approval of July, 2007 Accounts Payable                 

            C.  Annual Approval of 2007-2008 In-Lieu-of-Transportation Requests

            D.  Personnel

                        1.  Approval of Personnel List

                        a.  Accept resignation of Terry DeGroot as music teacher effective

                        July 22, 2007.

                  b.  Accept resignation of Garry LaPlante as band teacher effective end of 2006-07 contract year.

                  c.  Accept resignation of Mary Fitzpatrick as 6^th grade teacher at the Boundary County Middle School effective July 22, 2007.

                  d.  Approve Robin Merrifield as 6^th grade teacher at Boundary County School District for the 2007-08 school year. BA+0 with 0 years experience,   $31,000.

                  e.  Approve Alternate Authorization Teacher to Certification Certificate for Boundary County  Middle School Counselor Kim Norwood for the 2007-08 school year. (3-Year Plan)
                f.  Approve Substitutes
              1. Teachers -    Anderson, Sharlene                        Aos, Janet                           Awbrey, Barbara

                                      Bauer, Christ                                  Branson, Coral                   Cavendar, Bethany

                                      Chrisman, Charlotte                        Clausen, Tina                      Clizer, Theresa

                                      Colson, Julie                                   Cowin, Janice                     Hagen, Gil

                                      Heigel, Beverly                               John, Janice                        Johnson, Laura

                                      Kent, Everett                                  King, Kristina                     Lysiak, Candice

                                     Miller, Sherri                                   Petesch, Paula                     Saboe, Robert

                                     Sandake, Alice                                Schmitz, Joy                       Spangler, Kelly

                                     Wooten, Donna                               Briggs, Cathy

                              2.  Cooks -                  Cowin, Janice

                                                                  Dirks, Sharon

                                                                  Keslar, Marilyn

                                                                  Johnson, Jeanie(Mt. Hall)

                                                                  White, Wendy

                              3.  Custodians -            Johnson, Jeanie(Mt. Hall)

                                                                   Tuttle, Arnold              

g. Accept the resignation of Cindy Garmon as a para professional in the Special Education   program effective 8/14/2007.

h. Deny the request for leave of absence for Laura Nishek as librarian aide at the BCMS first September 4, 2007 through December 20, 2007 as per District Policy due to the fact Ms. Nishek has not been employed for the minimum requirement of 3 years. 

      i.  Approve the following as volunteer assistant coaches for the 2007-08:

      1.         Mike Tymrack – Cross-country

      2          Shaun Cozart – Football

      3.         Jolene Avelino – Volleyball

j.  Approve Bethany Cavendar as Instructional/Extended Reading Program (ERP) assistant at Naples; step two classified at $12.19/hour; 3 hours/day without benefits, one year only, 75% Title I-A and 25% ERP funding, as funding allows.

k.  Approve Amy Robertson as 1.0 fte Family and Consumer Science Teacher at BFHS with Full  benefits; BA+0 with 0 years experience. State minimum $31,000. GF.  Approve Amy Robertson’s request for Provisional Authorization Certificate from the State Department of                                      Idaho.

      l.  Approve Rachel Gordon as 1.0 fte BFHS/BCMS Band Teacher; BA+0 with 0 years experience;  Full benefits; State minimum $31,000. GF

      m.  Approved the following: hiring of qualified music and/or drama teachers as per administrator and superintendent recommendations and approve requesting a  provisional certificate(s) if needed. Per ID Code 33-514A, the Board can issue category I conntracts after August 1. Category I contracts are one year only contracts. A copy of the code is included for your convenience.

            E.  Annual Approval of 2007-2008 Bus Routes & Turn-Arounds  Exhibit 3.

            F.  Annual Approval of 2007-2008 Bus Bids Publication - Two 71-Passenger Buses Exhibit 4.

            G.  Annual Approval of North Idaho College Improvement Network (NIIN) Consortium FY2007-08

            H   Permission to purge the following District Documents:

                        a. Checking/Bank Statements FY 2001-02

Melanie Staples asked if there was any dissension regarding the Consent Agenda and having none expressed approved the Consent Agenda. 

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

Review Emergency Plan Protocol & Revised Quote for Auditorium Curtains – Curt-Randall Bayer

Mr. Bayer reported that last year a quote was received and approved for the “Legs” (curtains) in the high school auditorium and a new quote was received which is $60 less than the original quote.  Mr. Bayer reported there is a new problem in the auditorium in which the primary mother board for the lighting system has blown out and everything has to be operated manually.  The cost to repair the mother board would be around $250 and would be performed by the same company and that some of the equipment is still under warranty so, the cost may be less.  Mr. Bayer is requesting the ok to include repairs and have the cost absorbed in the savings received on the new quote.  Ms. Staples asked the board for their agreement, all agreed. 

Mr. Bayer reported there is currently no candidate for the 2/7^th Drama Teacher position and we have come up with two alternatives if no successful applicants are received. First option would be to cancel drama and reset the students currently enrolled or convert drama into two classes of P.E.  There is a current P.E. teacher that would like to go full time.  Mr. Bayer stated it is not his goal to convert that into a permanent P.E. position, but only to accommodate the lack of a Drama Teacher for the first semester.  Mr. Bayer also reported they tentatively have the Choir Teacher position filled but it is not a sealed deal.  Sulét Hiatt asked if there were no substitutes that could fill the position.  Mr. Bayer said there are none that are qualified to do so on a permanent basis.  Ms. Hiatt asked what happens to those students enrolled in the Drama and Choir classes as honors students and would it affect the honors program for graduation.  Mr. Bayer stated an exempt spot would be created for those credits affecting students currently enrolled in those courses. 

  Ms. Staples asked if the board was in agreement with Mr. Bayer’s alternatives for the Drama Teacher situation.  All board members agreed. 

Mr. Bayer reported that the Freshman Orientation has been revised due to budget constraints.  Mr. Bayer stated he and Vice Principal Ted Reynolds would be flipping the usual burgers at the Welcome BBQ on August 30, 2007 at 6:00 p.m

Mr. Bayer informed the Board of the Emergency Simulation to test the Incident Command System on August 25, 2007 at 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the high school.  County entities involved include:  Sheriff, Police, Fire, Hospital, EMT’s, Homeland Security, etc.  There will be no weapons involved.  The simulation will be performed in real time after a call is placed to 911 with volunteers and staff simulating differing casualties.  Mr. Bayer was originally approached by Mr. Bob Graham of Homeland Security. 

VI. Action Agenda       

A. Correspondence/Personnel/Negotiations  - None discussed.

B.  Policies

                        1.  Personnel 

                                                      a. Criminal History/Background Checks – Policy 5110 – UPDATED 2^nd Reading & Approval    

                              Ms. Staples postponed discussion and decision on Policy 5110 until the September 11, 2007 Board Meeting due                               to Tim Bertling’s absence as he has some suggestions and recommendations. 

                  C.  Approval of Increase to Travel Reimbursement Costs – In Alignment with the State for Mileage & Meals

                  Ms. Staples asked if there were any questions regarding the increase.  Maria LaBarbera moved to approve the increase to the travel reimbursement costs and bring the district in alignment with the State for mileage & meal reimbursement costs.  Gil Hagen seconded.  Motion carried. 

VII.    Trustee Input/Future Agenda Item

Board Workshop/Planning Session

Dr. Bartling stated the Board Workshop/Planning Session is scheduled for Tuesday, August, 28, 2007 at 7:00 a.m. at the Bonners Ferry Visitor’s Center.  Dr. Bartling asked the Board Members to each bring 3 to 5 short term goals and 3 to 4 long term goals.  Dr. Bartling said we can then put together a Board Statement outlining the goals for the future.  Ms. Staples stated it would be a wonderful thing for the public to know.

ISBA Convention –November 14-17, 2007 at the Coeur d’Alene Golf & Spa Resort in Coeur d’Alene

Ms. Staples reminded the Board to keep the ISBA Convention on their calendars and to let the District Office know ASAP if you will be attending.

ISBA Region I Meeting

Ms. Staples said the Region I Meeting is scheduled for October 3, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. at the Coeur d’ Alene High School.  Ms. Staples it would be a good opportunity and the trustees could travel together.  Ms. Hiatt noted she will be out of town at the time. 

Patron Input

Patron Grace Siler wanted to make sure she understood that Ken Olson is going to meet with his staff at the end of the month, and will then be able to address, in at least some portion, some of our (Parents Support Group) questions.  Ms. Staples stated yes some of the questions will be addressed. Mary Mendenhall asked if they need to request to be on the September Agenda or are we already on it?  Ms. Staples stated that the Parents Support Group is already on the agenda for September

VIII.    Executive Session: Idaho Code 67-2345(a)(c) Personnel/Legal Report

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 Maria LaBarbera 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 7:09 p.m. Thursday, August 16, 2007 and returned at 9:00p.m. Thursday, August 16, 2007. 

Special Meeting

Gil Hagen moved to schedule a Special Meeting for Monday, August 20, 2007 at 7:00 a.m. at the District Office to discuss the BFHS 2007 Football Schedule.  Maria LaBarbera seconded.  Motion carried. 

IX. Adjournment

Gil Hagen motioned to adjourn at 9:05 p.m.  Sulét Hiatt seconded.  Motion carried. 

_______________________________                                  ____________________________

Chairman Melanie M. Staples                                                                Assistant Clerk Laurie Tremble