School Board Meeting February 8, 2007

Special Meeting/Workshop - February 8, 2007
5:00 PM Midtown Center Meeting Room

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 Christie Wood were also present. Diane Zipperer was absent.

Superintendent Harry Amend began by thanking the members of Core Cabinet (Steve Briggs, Pam Pratt, Hazel Bauman, Rosie Astorquia, Tom Trotter and Kelly Ostrom) for time spent over the last few weeks meeting about the levy

Technology Director Jean Bengfort presented an overview of how technology funds have impacted the district. Technology has a positive effect on students and enhances the roles of teachers. Our student-to-computer ratio has greatly improved from 1:6.7 to 1:3.8 with a goal of 1:1. The district has acquired 1,535 computers, and equipment; software and licenses are currently standardized.

Diane Zipperer arrived at 5:30 p.m.

First year funding through SPFL funds paid for the lease/purchase of 600 computers, and they will be 5 years old next year and should be rotated. Much of our equipment has been under warranty for repairs, which has saved costs to building budgets. The majority of computers in the district have been upgraded to Windows XP. Mrs. Bengfort provided an update of current technology and technology needs regarding computers, laptops (mobile labs), servers, wiring closets, and peripherals. Additional laptops for mobile labs will be needed due to a change in the testing window. Projected totals show that it will take approximately $750,000 to replace equipment every 6 years. Based on that, we would purchase 417 desktop computers per year, and 48 laptop computers. Jean presented a proposed technology budget for 2007-2008 using levy funds.

The needs far outreach the resources. Technology is an integral part of what we do and by presenting this level of detail provides a clearer picture for the Board. Mrs. Brooks recommended a 2-year bridge through the supplemental levy until a new SPFL can be run. Mrs. Wood commended Mrs. Bengfort on the level of information she brought to this meeting.

Mr. Briggs shared budget allocation figures for 2006-07 with the additional allowance for inflation. Additions to the levy funding list are: Staff Development, Advanced Learning Program teachers, Class Size Reduction, Increased Personnel/Staffing, and Technology. When it’s all added up, the current levy of 7.3 million would increase to 9.2 million. Mrs. Wood asked how many families are in the 500,000 homeowner property value vs. how many families are in the 100,000 category; thinking that this would be good information for the Board to learn the impact of the levy on taxpayers. She went on to state that it’s critical to maintain what we have, this proposal adds additional funds and it may not make sense in the current tax climate. Mr. Amend explained how the core cabinet worked through those questions as they approached recommending a levy amount. Ms. Bauman added that they looked at the previous years cuts in staffing, and the amount being recommended adds back some of the programs, though not all of them.

Mrs. Zipperer shared some concern over the increase in the amount. She asked for clarification about the increase for Advanced Learning at the elementary level. Ms. Bauman responded that the current configuration of one ALP teacher per building is not equitable. Hiring some additional teachers will assist the larger schools population. The district will establish criteria for being placed in the ALP program and assign teachers based on that information. If enrollment stays the same, then a large school could use 2 teachers for ALP.

After lengthy discussion, the Board indicated interest in reinstating a transition program (similar to Trail Creek), offering the same experience at all three middle schools. Funds from Safe & Drug Free Schools may be used to help offset the costs. Some ongoing issues are students requiring specialized medical care and a location.

Mr. Fredrickson asked if the proposed $9.2 million includes contract negotiations. Mrs. Brooks recommends using what the state gives us for salary and not depend on levy dollars. Mr. Briggs noted that the supplemental levy is to make available these value-added programs, and since the state does not fund remediation for districts, we feel strongly about what is being asked for within the supplemental levy. Everyone agrees that the district has to be transparent when it comes to where the money is spent in order to regain some credibility within the community. Board members agreed to consider funding two half-time (.5) elementary vice-principal positions, and the addition of funds to continue the current cycle of technology replacement needs.

In order to save money, the proposed date for the levy will be May 15, 2007, to coincide with the trustee election.

Mr. Amend concluded by stating that the district will produce a document addressing “most commonly asked questions” to respond to such questions as Lakes Middle School, Budget Projections, Student enrollment vs. Hiring of Staff and District Office Staffing.

The Board did not meet in Executive Session.

Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

Vernon L. Newby, Chair, Board of Trustees

Lynn M. Towne, Clerk, Board of Trustees

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