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Special Meeting/Workshop
January 29, 2007
Midtown Center Meeting Room 5:00 PM
MINUTES
At 5:08 p.m. Chair Vern Newby called the meeting to order and led the
Pledge of Allegiance. Trustees Edie Brooks, Sid Fredrickson, and Diane
Zipperer were present. Christie Wood was absent.
Superintendent Harry Amend provided an update about the recent
situations at both high schools. The Crisis Assistance Team responded
and members were available over the weekend at each school. Principals
at both schools met with their staff members this morning and shared a
statement for students to be read during first period. Team members were
available for students as needed during the day as well.
2005 Supplemental Levy Budget Overview: Steve Briggs, CFO said he
has been able to identify approximately $5 million in program funding
that has been supported by the levy. It is difficult to identify all
funds because they have been embedded in the budget for so many years.
Funds allocated by program areas were shown on a spreadsheet.
Information included total budget, portions of that budget allocated to
supplemental levy funds, and percent of budget. He highlighted each
program item, line by line. He identified those funds easily
identifiable; additional program support funds are those items not as
easily identifiable. For example, instructional programs are impacted to
some degree by levy funds. Therefore, based on this discussion, he
arbitrarily cut $7.3 million from the budget and produced a sample list
of what these cuts might look like. These programs would no longer be
funded by the general fund. By doing this, Mr. Briggs was able to show
expenditures of $5.4 million dollars; this shows just how important
these levy funds are. Assistant Superintendent Hazel Bauman added that
the reality is there are only a few categories that the district can
cut; and what is shown on the sample list are those areas. The Board can
choose to assign percentages of cuts. Coeur dAlene School District
patrons have given us the ability to enhance programs. These value added
programs would be gone if the levy fails.
Mr. Amend reviewed the process used in planning for the levy: a
questionnaire was posted on the web site for community members and
staff; responses totaled more than 1,000. Admin. Council (50 members)
dedicated their December meeting to sharing ideas and input for the
levy. 104 people attended an input forum in January where they met in
small groups to offer solutions to challenges and ways to overcome them.
They were also asked about a recommended amount. Administrators met
separately with CEA membership and PTA Alliance. Some areas where the
responses are consistent: support for overall programs offered in the
district, recommended amounts range from $7.3 to $10 million.
Assistant Superintendent Hazel Bauman identified areas of need in
addition to the current $7.3 million.
ALP elementary is doing well but they still have some challenges.
Facilitators are equally deployed regardless of school size. Three grade
levels are served by the facilitator, and augmentation is needed. Add 2
FTEs to the elementary program to enable better growth.
Remediation programs materials, professional development and
teachers are needed.
Curriculum materials additional materials are needed.
Professional development we previously cut mentoring and the TOSA
program and we cant go another year without professional development.
All staff are affected; training must be continuous.
Academic shortfalls we have seen a flattening of scores.
Special programs counseling/guidance, transition programs, and trail
creek are all important programs to reinstate if possible.
Class size when teaching positions were cut, class sizes increased.
We should target certain grade levels to get class size down by
increasing FTEs.
Contract teachers deserve a raise.
Co-curricular programs how can we expand intramurals, clubs and
activities to include low income families. There is a strong correlation
that kids in co curricular typically come from middle income families.
Technology - all of the state assessments are done using computers and
its critical to include technology in our areas of need. The last SPFL
provided $700,000 per year.
The Board and administration may want to think about reallocating future
resources to address the issues listed above.
Board Levy Input: Chair Newby said that based on the recent joint
meeting with the City Council, we may want to consider televising our
Board meetings. Public Information Officer Janet Feiler is on the CDA TV
committee and she will ask for an estimate. Startup costs (1 time
only) are potentially $12,000 to $60,000. Chair Newby would like to move
ahead as soon as possible. Using the list provided by Ms. Bauman,
discussion followed to identify dollar amounts needed to fund these
items:
Technology funding = $750,000
Advanced Learning = $150,000
COLA (cost of living) 3% + 3% = $445,000
Class Size Reduction (is it possible to redeploy some administrative
positions in order to accomplish this) This would be helpful in light of
new graduation requirements. At elementary for example, to increase from
29 to 37 sections of first grades would reduce class size to 19. Cost =
$360,000
Professional development = $250,000
The SPFL is a better vehicle for providing technology support however,
we must consider including it in the supplemental so we dont fall
behind. How much will it take to keep us up to date. Chair Newby asked
where we are now and where were we four years ago as far as technology.
Technology Director Jean Bengfort will provide information at a future
workshop. Everything within the levy has increased in costs by at least
3%.
A Board Work Session has been scheduled for Feb. 8th to continue the
discussion for levy and technology needs. The meeting will begin at 5:00
p.m.
Recess at 7:05 p.m.
Reconvened at 7:20 p.m.
Executive Session: Motion by Mr. Fredrickson, second by Mrs.
Brooks for Executive Session: Idaho Code 67-2345 (b) to consider the
evaluation, dismissal or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or
charges brought against a public officer, employee, staff member or
individual agent or public school student; Roll Call Vote: Newby,
Brooks, Fredrickson, Zipperer each yes. Trustee Wood was absent.
Christie Wood arrived at 7:30 p.m.
Returned to open session at 9:50 p.m.
No action was taken.
Meeting adjourned at 9:51 p.m.
Minutes 01-29-07
Page Three
Summary Statement of Executive Session
At 7:20 p.m. in accordance with Idaho Code 67-2345, Subsection (b), the
Board held an Executive Session to consider the evaluation, dismissal or
disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against a
public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent or public
school student.
Vernon L. Newby, Chair, Board of Trustees
Lynn M. Towne, Clerk, Board of Trustees
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