School Board Meeting - February 20, 2007

Regular Special Meeting - February 20, 2007
5:00 PM Midtown Center Meeting Room

MINUTES

At 5:02 p.m. Chair Vern Newby called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Trustees Edie Brooks and Diane Zipperer were present. Trustees Sid Fredrickson and Christie Wood were absent.

Approval of Minutes:
Motion by Mrs. Brooks, second by Mrs. Zipperer to approve minutes of February 5, 2007 as corrected, passed 3-0.
Motion by Mrs. Zipperer, second by Mrs. Brooks to approve minutes of February 7, 2007, passed 3-0.
Motion by Mrs. Brooks, second by Mrs. Zipperer to approve minutes of February 8, 2007, passed 3-0.

Approval of the Agenda: Motion by Mrs. Brooks, second by Mrs. Zipperer to approve the agenda, passed 3-0.

Identification of Citizens Wishing to Address the Board: None
Approval of Consent Agenda Items:
A. Personnel
B. Approve Affidavit of Habitual Truancy
C. Approve Pitney Bowes Postage Meter Lease for LCHS

Mrs. Brooks asked about the difference in costs between US Postal Service and Pitney Bowes regarding the Postage Meter Lease for Lake City High School. This item will be tabled until these questions can be addressed. Motion by Mrs. Zipperer, second by Mrs. Brooks to approve the consent agenda as amended, (remove Item C) passed 3-0.

Consideration of Action/Information Items

Sorensen Magnet School Update – Director of Elementary Education Pam Pratt has been working closely with Principal David Miller and staff; they currently have 21 applications for the magnet school; 9 of those are students who are new to the district. Many teachers participated in Marti Gras last weekend, a community art event. So far, $2,000 has been raised for the magnet school. They are working to finalize a collaboration schedule as they try to balance the need for collaboration for staff with the least amount of impact on staff and families.

Winton Park Property jointly owned by School District 271 and City of Coeur d’Alene trade with private party – Superintendent Harry Amend provided an overview of the proposed exchange. The District received a request to exchange two parcels of land adjacent to Northwest Boulevard and Highway 95. An appraisal was requested by John Beutler which concluded “The proposed exchange appears to be mutually beneficial to both parties. The topography of both parcels is uneven, with a steep slope along the west boundary of Parcel B that wraps around the hill and across Parcel C. Including Parcel C with the school district ownership will give it greater utility just as combining Parcel B with the Landmark parcel will make it more usable.” The full appraisal report is attached to the original minutes.

Mrs. Brooks asked about the site location and access for children. Mr. Briggs noted that the parcels are undeveloped and are not able to be developed. We are, in essence, replacing a parcel with a like parcel, and will see no adverse affect. Mrs. Brooks asked if there is a fence along the highway. John Buetler noted the existence of a fence along the property. Mrs. Brooks asked the administration to check for any potential safety issues. Motion by Mrs. Brooks to approve the property trade with Buetler and Associates after an inspection to determine the existence of a fence, second by Mrs. Zipperer, passed 3-0.

Supplemental Levy Planning Recommendation– Superintendent Amend offered a public thank you to the community for their input via a questionnaire about areas of programming impacted by the supplemental levy. He highlighted some components of the existing levy, passed in May 2005. The proposal for this levy includes an increase to cover cost of living, technology support, class size reduction, professional development, advanced learning program and other building staffing. The additions total $1,524,137 for a recommended Supplemental Levy total of $8,828,687. Assistant Superintendent Hazel Bauman noted that the district is aware that 8.8 million is quite a bit of money however, every component is essential. Mrs. Brooks noted that the public wants to know how this levy will impact their taxes. Superintendent Amend demonstrated, using a chart showing a home valued at $275,000 (taxable amount 200,000 after the homeowners exemption). He showed comparisons beginning in September 2002 and using that year’s taxable assessed value, an annual tax amount of $199. The levy amount increased in 2005 and as of September 2006, the annual tax amount for the same home has dropped to 171. He explained the effect of the increase in our local tax base and that the effect is lower property taxes.

Chair Newby noted that he and Mrs. Brooks were recently in Boise with Idaho School Boards Association members and learned that 50% of school districts in Idaho run supplemental levies to assist with programs. Mrs. Brooks said that the supplemental levy gives our district the opportunity to offer value-added programs, and that Coeur d’Alene is considered a leader in the state. Additional funds asked for in this levy would cost a homeowner about the same as a latte a month and she feels good about giving up one latte a month to provide additional funds for the school district. Mr. Newby asked about the proposed class size reduction and Ms. Bauman said the district wishes to wait until registration and therefore, may be able to extend some of those funds to secondary schools. Mr. Newby noted that some secondary classrooms are at maximum of class loads. Ms. Bauman asked for time to allow the administration to work with high school administrators to come up with solutions; the district is committed to getting core class sizes down. Mr. Newby advocates for an increase in funding toward class size reduction. A high salary projection for a new teacher is $60,000 including benefits. Mrs. Zipperer said at the time of the Board workshop, the recommended levy amount seemed reasonable and she advocates staying with that amount. Mr. Fredrickson spoke to Mr. Newby about increasing the amount. Mrs. Brooks agreed with Mrs. Zipperer to keep with the recommended amount and not take the chance of not getting public support. Chair Newby asked if professional development funds will be available for the Board; Superintendent Amend noted that Board members are part of the district leadership team; high quality Board training is vital, therefore funds will be made available.

Motion by Mrs. Zipperer to set the Supplemental Maintenance and Operations Levy at $8,828,687 each year for 2 years (2007-2008 and 2008-2009 school years). The date for this levy election will be May 15, 2007 to coincide with the Trustee Elections for Zones 2 & 3, second by Mrs. Brooks, passed 3-0.

Board Policies for Second Reading & Adoption – Human Resource Director Kelly Ostrom noted the changes to the following policies and added that these policies have completed the entire review process.
412 – Personnel Promotion: Motion by Mrs. Zipperer, second by Mrs. Brooks, passed 3-0.
480 – Definition of Classified Personnel: Motion by Mrs. Brooks, second by Mrs. Zipperer, passed 3-0.
483 – Classified Evaluation: Motion by Mrs. Brooks, second by Mrs. Zipperer, passed 3-0.
487 – Classified RIF: Motion by Mrs. Zipperer, second Mrs. Brooks, passed 3-0.
488 – Discharge Classified Personnel: Motion by Mrs. Brooks, second by Mrs. Zipperer, passed 3-0.

Board Policies for Information– Ms. Bauman brought the following policies for information. They have been looked at by a committee and will be sent for 30 day building review and input. Board members offered additional input.
517 – Student Dress Code 543 – Suspension
550 – Assault/Battery 551 – Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco
564 – Health Records & Emergency Care 652 – Library & Resource Center
696 – Computer Assisted Instruction 698 – Computer Network Services

Hiring Practices Update – Kelly Ostrom shared information per a request from the Board. Included in her packet was Idaho Code highlighting Board responsibility about the hiring process and Board Policy 409, 440 and 440-P., employment requisition and samples of postings, application and reference forms, a sample letter offering employment contingent upon board approval and the final checklist. Mrs. Brooks asked about how gaps in employment history are addressed on the application. Mrs. Ostrom replied that the reference checks and subsequent interviews help to answer these questions. Ms. Bauman acknowledged that these steps are followed, and this department has done a credible job for many years.

Call for Committee Reports – Mrs. Brooks mentioned that much lively discussion has taken place around the high school schedules and they have a long way to go.

Superintendent’s Report – Mr. Amend started by congratulating the two high school girls basketball teams who played for the state title last week. LCHS won the title, CHS team and fans won the sportsmanship award. As we look for authentic ways to have performance based assessment to measure proficiency, this tournament did the trick. He also persuaded the two teams to have a group picture taken in the name of sportsmanship.

Mr. Amend attended the State Superintendents meeting and attended a special meeting called by a group of legislators. He commended Bob Nonini who was key to make this meeting happen. Mr. Amend also met with 4 legislators and State Superintendent Tom Luna.

The administration is excited to get the word out about the levy and come up with strategies to educate people about the levy. Mrs. Brooks asked about the process of forming the levy committee and who will act as the chairperson. Mr. Amend stated that a preliminary discussion will be held in cabinet. Jill Neal will lead the team along with Hazel and possibly another community member.

The Inland Empire Sportscaster and Broadcasters recently recognized Van Troxel as Coach of the Year, and the Timberwolves were selected as Team of the Year. A new award inspired by Shea Vucinich, CHS student was unveiled.

Board Comments and Information – Chair Newby said he has never seen a proposed state superintendent’s budget as closely aligned with the governor’s budget in all the years of following school finance. Mrs. Brooks commented about attending Day on the Hill activities which included a House Education Committee session. She also had the opportunity to be part of a team with IEA representatives, Roger Snyder, Denny Webster, and Kristi Nivette. They met with house and senate members. She wants to see support for Mr. Luna’s budget and asked that everyone contact their legislators and ask for their support.

Mrs. Zipperer asked about drug testing and if the district is seeing ½ of the participants taking part. Mr. Amend said we would double check and learn if once they volunteer, are they following through to be tested.

Mrs. Brooks said that she found the new BoardBook electronic packet easy to use. She had questions about some possible functions of the program; Ms. Towne will follow up.

The Board did not meet in Executive Session.

Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

Vernon L. Newby, Chair, Board of Trustees

Lynn M. Towne, Clerk, Board of Trustees

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