School Board Meeting February 14, 2008

Special Meeting February 14, 2008
4:00 PM Midtown Center Meeting Room

Minutes

Chair Edie Brooks called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Trustees Vern Newby, Sid Fredrickson, Diane Zipperer and Christie Wood were present.

Approval of the Agenda: Motion by Mr. Newby, second by Mr. Fredrickson to approve the agenda as presented, passed 5-0.

Consideration of Action/Information Items:

School Plant Facilities Levy Recommendation
Superintendent Harry Amend introduced architect Mike Patano, who spoke about the decision to build the new school at the back of the existing school site. Students may continue to attend while construction is underway. He showed a rendering of the proposed building which will be three stories due to the small size of the site. A preliminary construction timeline was also shared. They will pursue the necessary permits upon successful passage of the levy. Bids would be opened at the end of June, 2008 with plans to move in Fall 2009. A consulting firm was used to update and revise the costs. Mrs. Wood noted the look of the building and the positive impact it will have on the neighborhood.

Other discussion centered around asbestos removal, the shop building and steps taken to keep students safe during construction. Mr. Patano felt that the construction process may be used as a learning tool for students. Mrs. Zipperer asked about costs that will be incurred prior to the election. Approximately $23,400 would be expended out of funds that have been currently set aside for the project. Mrs. Brooks asked about the size of the field and if it could accommodate simultaneous multiple activities. Depending on the activities, it may or may not be able to accommodate, the playground area is smaller than at other middle schools. Assistant Superintendent Hazel Bauman thanked Mr. Patano for his work on the project. Community members spoke loud and clear to keep downtown neighborhood schools and not to build on Persons Field and the district is honoring those wishes.

Other components of the proposed levy include: technology for all seventeen schools across the district and a new elementary school to be built in the Northshire area. Money is saved by using the same plan as our other newer elementary schools; this saves approximately $250,000 in design costs. Also included will be property acquisition citing favorable market conditions for real estate purchases and shrinking availability of large parcels of land. If the district is able to save money in construction, funds saved will be earmarked for property acquisition.

Mrs. Wood asked if we know how much of the population falls into the median range of property value. She acknowledged all the efforts made through the survey and community/staff presentations, however, she remains concerned about the tax climate. How will this be received by the community and is the support there for the whole package? She feels it may be wise to remove property acquisition from this menu. She asked about the possibility of utilizing property already owned by the district or the possibility of the sale of some property? Mr. Amend noted that the district owns 10 acres on Thomas Lane (being held until the district needs a school in that portion of the district). The district owns half of Persons Field (3 acres), 1 acre at Bryan field, and one additional 5 acre site.

Property needs to be large enough to build a new high school and middle school; property of that size is getting more difficult to locate. Mrs. Brooks noted how quickly property costs escalated, which may stabilize this year but all indications are that we will see an increase in the future. Mr. Fredrickson added that large tracts are getting difficult to find within the district boundaries. Mrs. Wood finds value in each project but she is mindful of our constituents. Mr. Newby has been photographing buildings within the State of Idaho as a special project for the Idaho School Board Association. Some of the buildings are older than Winton but none need more attention than Winton. He hopes the district can move forward with needed improvements; however Winton should be on the priority list.

Following are recommendations for the School Plant Facility Levy (SPFL):

Option A
*Replace (rebuild) Lakes Middle School $19,156,309
Technology 1,600,000
New Elementary School 7,900,000
Property Acquisition 2,400,000
Total $31,056,309

Option B
*Replace (rebuild) Lakes Middle School $19,156,309
Technology 1,600,000
New Elementary School 7,900,000
Property Acquisition 1,400,000
Total $30,056,309

*The probable cost for Lakes Middle School based on 2008 bid costs is $23,656,309. This amount less $4,500,000 currently reserved for this project equals $19,156,309.

Motion by Mr. Newby to accept SPFL recommendation Option A, second by Mr. Fredrickson, passed 5-0. The date for this levy election will be May 20, 2008 to coincide with trustee elections in Zones 4 and 5.

Make up Emergency Closure Plan
Assistant Superintendent Hazel Bauman presented the following recommendation to make up for the emergency closure day – January 31, 2008.

Elementary/Middle School
• Pre-K through Grade 8 will attend all day on April 25 (originally scheduled as a “no school PD Flex Day”)

Secondary (LCHS, CHS, Bridge Academy, Project CDA)
• Students will attend all day on March 7 and April 25 (originally scheduled as early release days)
• Additional time will be needed through passing time, lunch and/or extended school days.

Motion by Mr. Fredrickson to accept the recommendation as presented, second by Mrs. Zipperer. Mr. Newby suggested an amendment to the motion by removing the option to gain additional time for secondary through passing time. Mr. Fredrickson amended the motion per the recommendation, second by Mrs. Zipperer, passed 5-0.

Meeting adjourned at 5:01 p.m.

Edie Brooks, Chair
Board of Trustees

Lynn M. Towne, Clerk
Board of Trustees

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