Board Meeting - March 6, 2006

Regular Meeting March 6, 2006
4:00 PM Midtown Center Meeting Room

MINUTES
At 4:00 pm, Chair Wanda Quinn called the meeting to order. Trustees Newby, Wood, Fredrickson, and Zipperer were also present.

Motion by Mr. Newby, second by Mrs. Wood for Executive Session: Idaho Code 67-2345, Subsection (a) to consider hiring a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent; (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.

At 5:00 pm, the meeting returned to open session, and Chair Quinn led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of Minutes - Motion by Mr. Fredrickson, second by Mrs. Zipperer to approve the minutes of February 27, 2006 (2:00 pm), passed 4-0-1, Mr. Newby abstained. Motion by Mrs. Wood, second by Mr. Fredrickson to approve the minutes of February 27, 2006 (3:00 pm), passed 5-0. Motion by Mr. Newby, second by Mr. Fredrickson to approve the minutes of February 24, 2006, passed 5-0. Motion by Mrs. Wood, second by Mrs. Zipperer to approve the minutes of February 21, 2006, as amended, passed 4-0-1, Mr. Fredrickson abstained. Motion by Mr. Fredrickson, second by Mr. Newby to approve the minutes of February 16, 2006, passed 4-0-1, Mrs. Zipperer abstained. Motion by Mr. Fredrickson, second by Mrs. Zipperer to approve the minutes of February 8, 2006, passed 4-0-1, Mr. Newby abstained.

Board Recognition - The Board recognized the efforts of Panhandle Health District and Jeanne Bock, director. She was applauded for the leadership and cooperation between the health district and school district during the tuberculosis screenings at Coeur d’Alene High School. Ms. Bock introduced Laura Whelan, Director of Family and Community Health, and commended the school staff for their efforts.

Approval of the Agenda and Possible Addendum – Motion by Mr. Fredrickson, second by Mrs. Zipperer to approve the agenda as presented, passed 5-0.

Identification of Citizens Wishing to Address the Board - none

Coeur d’Alene Education Association Report – Barbara Crow, President, reported that the CEA had voted to support the School Plant Facilities Levy and would participate in calling to remind voters about the election. She handed out copies of the Memorandums of Agreement. Ms. Crow added that the CEA and IEA are working on the public school initiative, collecting signatures. The retirement dinner is being planned, bargaining teams are being formed, and watching the wrap up of the legislative session. Ramsey Elementary School teacher Chris Inlow spoke about the progress on the Ramsey remodel and what that means to the students and staff. She said they are so encouraged after their tour last year. It will be a big difference in the learning environment. Teaching around buckets in the classrooms is about to end. She said she hopes the SPFL passes because other schools that have have the problems of old buildings would benefit.

High School Student Body Reports – Amanda, a senior at The Bridge Academy, said her education had been difficult in the regular high school. She really enjoys The Bridge, the environment, and the system all work well for her and how she learns.

Approval of Consent Agenda Items:
A. Personnel
Certificated
Individual Action Position Facility Effective Date
Barbara Orton Retirement Special Education Teacher Woodland Middle School August 31, 2006

Extra Curricular
Individual Action Position Facility Effective Date
Amy Stranger Hire Assistant Softball Coach Coeur d’Alene High SY 05-06
Jonathan M. Cook Resignation Assistant Softball Coach Lake City High School SY 05-06

Classified
Individual Action Position Facility Effective Date
Kathy Schmidt Hire I.R.I. Reading Assistant Hayden Meadows Elem. SY 05-06
Debra Creamer Hire Anchor House Assistant Anchor House SY 05-06
Cassie Palmer Hire School Plus Assistant Hayden Meadows Elem. SY 05-06
Patricia Withycomb Hire Teachers Aide Sorensen Elementary SY 05-06
Robin Sullenberger Hire 1:1 Aide Woodland Middle School SY 05-06
Linda Turner Retirement Food Service Director District September 1, 2006

B. Approve Accounts Payable Check List Dated March 1, 2006
C. Approval of Clerks and Judges for March 14, 2006, School Plant Facilities Levy Election
D. Right of Way Contract and Warranty Deed for Government Way Improvement Project

Mr. Newby requested that future agenda items related to properties include maps or a small sketch for a visual of the proposal.

Motion by Mr. Newby, second by Mr. Fredrickson, to approve the Consent Agenda, passed 5-0.

Consideration of Action/Information Items:

Board Policy 522 – Student Attendance – Revision of Procedures – Judy Drake spoke of the habitual truancy law and the need to revise our procedures to address the requirements of referral to the county prosecutor’s office. Her research with Elaine Eberharter-Maki and the prosecutor’s office shows this proposed procedure reflects the requirements to inform the courts. The letters and documents that will be used will be added to the procedures as forms and exhibits and effective immediately. As procedures, Board action is not required.

Authorize Affidavits of Habitual Truancy Designation for Students A, B, and C - Mrs. Drake referred to the confidential files the Board reviewed earlier and asked for authorization to forward these Affidavits of Habitual Truancy to the prosecutor’s office. The administration will develop a plan for Board members confidential review of the Affidavits. Motion by Mr. Fredrickson, second by Mrs. Zipperer to authorize the Affidavits of Habitual Truancy be forwarded to the prosecutor’s office, passed 5-0.

Sister School Agreement – Mike Nelson, Coeur d’Alene High School Spanish teacher, has been invited to join a delegation from the State Department of Education on their trip to Guadalajara, Mexico. This goal is to create more than a sister school with Coeur d’Alene High School and the school in Talaquepaque. The program would also go along with the goals of the International Baccalaureate. Goals include points of mutual interest, the exchange of ideas in language programs, exchange of letters, professional development, and use of the video conference lab, and a focus on with them student-to-student relations. There is no financial reasonability to the District for this.

Board Policy 551P Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Use - Mrs. Drake presented selected pages from the policy/procedures, including a copy of the athletic contract as is exists for the two large high schools. The question raised is whether the procedure of drug testing is being applied equally at both schools, and it appears this is not the case. Fall of this year both schools will have the same practice. Currently, testing is voluntary. Mr. Newby asked about making it mandatory for participating in activities to have random drug testing a requirement. The policy committee might want to involve a number of people including students. Mr. Fredrickson asked about the costs of mandatory testing. Who is this impacting? What activities would this impact? This discussion would go to the policy committee.

Finance Report – Chief Financial Officer, Steve Briggs shared the January financial information, noted the change in revenues, said the budget is fairly tight, and additional analysis is underway. Mrs. Wood appreciates the work of Julie Day and the information provided on the checklist. Mr. Briggs responded to her question about portable classrooms in the district.

At 5:45 pm, Mrs. Wood left the meeting.

Call for Committee Reports – Mrs. Zipperer said the Report Card committee has been working the past several weeks. A new math report card is expected by fall. They are addressing the revision one subject at a time. Mr. Newby reported on the Levy Steering committee meetings and tasks are going well. Chair Quinn said the Nutrition committee is re-evaluating the next steps. It seems School District 271 has become a model in the state with the restrictions placed on carbonated beverages and addition of more healthy snacks. Kudos again to the work of Linda Turner and Cindy Perry. Students at the high schools are very supportive, with credit to Mr. Briggs, food service staff, nurses, and principals in the secondary schools, and the cooperation of the DECA program leaders.

Superintendent’s Report – Harry Amend thanked Chris Inlow for the Ramsey School construction progress report. He will travel to Boise tomorrow with Stephanie Bennett, Director of The Bridge Academy, to testify to the House and Senate Education committees on The Bridge, at their request. Mr. Briggs shared information on an opportunity for French students, sponsored by EWU, saying there may be some dialogue on this at the next meeting.

Board Comments and Information – Chair Quinn commented on pending legislation for growing school districts and shared that Meridian is asking for some support from the north.

At 6:00 pm, the meeting adjourned.

____________________________
Wanda C. Quinn, Chair
Board of Trustees

____________________________
Fran Bischof, Clerk
Board of Trustees

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