Regular School Board Meeting
January 17, 2011
7:00 p.m.

1. Call to Order - At 7:03 p.m. Chairman Ken Gordon called the regular school board meeting to order. Superintendent John McFarlane and Clerk Cindy Hunter were present.

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Establish Quorum – Present: Chairman Ken Gordon, Trustee Lisa St. Claire, Trustee Mary Jo Sexton, Trustee Brent Adamson, and Trustee Theresa Pledge.

4. Consent Agenda - approved as presented.

a. Minutes – approved as presented.

b. Financial Reports - approved as presented.

1. Clerk’s Report - Clerk Cindy Hunter reported that she has completed the year ending balancing and has sent out the W2's.

5. Reports -

a. Maintenance – The Board of Trustees discussed the State Facilities Safety Inspection Report and the many corrections that have been made to respond to the report. The dryer winter has made it possible for the maintenance staff to complete their tasks earlier this winter.

b. Transportation – Supervisor Dowain Geesey was not present. Chairman Ken Gordon asked for clarification on the transportation report in regards to the difference between regular and safety student data. Superintendent John Mc Farlane will inquire with Supervisor Dowain Geesey as to what the difference means.

c. Special Education – Special Ed. Director Beth Woodruff told the board that teacher Pamela Dougherty will be going on maternity leave at the end of the month. She expressed her appreciation of Pamela's hard work and dedication to her students.

d. Food Service - The board of trustees welcomed Food Service Supervisor Cyndi Watson to the board meetings. She will be submitting a monthly report. Chairman Ken Gordon asked her to share with the board what her biggest problem is for her department. She discussed that she has frustration regarding the amount of time it takes to contact parents for past due payments of their children's lunch bill and that the location of the school district makes it difficult for storing frozen food items in the freezer because of the limited space in the walk in freezer.

e. Administration Reports - Complimentary comments were made for teachers Tammie Ogden and Teresa Brown for their hard work developing and presenting the Math Strategies workshop for parents. Counselor Berta Huffman has been working remotely and making sure everything is completed in a timely manner. She will be back on campus Wednesday and Friday for most of the weeks until the end of the year. The BLM Land Committee members are working to acquire a grant for a trail they want to build this spring. Committee member John Fiedler has agreed to help with a market survey to identify potential user groups that would be willing to pay to use the facilities. The committee has a goal that the Idaho Center for Outdoor Education be self sustaining. A discussion was held concerning parent communication and the importance of the staff to always remain professional. Chairman Ken Gordon will be sending an e-mail to the staff showing the board of trustee's support for their professionalism and to outline a procedure to help with difficult resolution and problem solving situations.

6. Old/New Business

a. Forest Funds – No new updates

b. Discussion of the implementation of policy 910 – Clarification concerning the use of school Facilities was talked about. Per the discussion the board will revisit the policy at the February board meeting.

c. Auditor Contract – Superintendent John McFarlane notified the board that the district signed a three year contract with auditor Tim Folke.

d. Strategic Planning - The board of trustees reflected on their December strategic planning training with the ISAB trainer Jackie Hopper. The board is currently working on their mission statement, goal statement and vision statement. Chairman Ken Gordon suggested that a committee be created consisting of board of trustees, community members, students and parents to work on strategic planning. Superintendent John McFarlane will e-mail suggestions of potential members to the board. The ISBA Annual Day on the Hill is scheduled for February, 14 and 15. The board of trustees will inform Clerk Cindy Hunter if they will be able to attend the sessions.

7. Chairman’s Update – Chairman Ken Gordon discussed the Superintendent evaluation changes after June 30, 2012. Parent input will be part of the Superintendent evaluation after the June date. The ISAB currently has a new evaluation tool for a Superintendent evaluation that will be available this year. Chairman Ken Gordon talked about the ISBA’s Day on the Hill where the board gets the chance to meet with the legislators and he encouraged all the board members to attend if they could.

8. Superintendent Update – Superintendent John McFarlane went over the four phases of the Idaho Center for Outdoor Education projects and their time lines. The BLM Committee feels that the phases could be accomplished ahead of schedule. Policy 445 evaluation of teachers won't have clarification with the legislation until June, 2012. Trustee Lisa St. Claire made a motion to make the current policy 445 dates changed from February 1, 2012 to February 1, 2013. Trustee Brent Adamson seconded the motion and all voted aye. Motion carried. Due to severe weather conditions Superintendent John McFarlane suggested that the Board close the school the next day. Trustee Brent Adamson made a motion to close school on Wednesday, January 18th. Trustee Lisa St. Claire seconded the motion and all voted aye. Motion carried.

9. Public Items- No public items.

10. Executive Sessions per Idaho Code 67-2345 – At 8:50 p.m., Trustee Lisa St. Claire made a motion to go into Executive Session per Idaho Code 67-2345 to discuss personnel issues as per subsection two. Trustee Mary Jo Sexton seconded the motion and all voted aye. Motion carried. At 9:27 p.m., the regular board meeting resumed.

11. Adjournment - At 9:30 p.m., Trustee Lisa St. Claire made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Theresa Pledge seconded the motion and all voted aye. Motion carried.

 

ATTEST:

______________________________          _______________________________________

Cindy Hunter, Clerk                                    Ken Gordon, Chairman