Board Meeting April 3, 2006

Minutes of Regular Meeting - April 3, 2006
4:00 Executive Session 5:00 PM Open Session Midtown Center Meeting Room

MINUTES

At 4:12 pm, Chair Wanda Quinn called the meeting to order. Trustees Newby, Wood and Zipperer were present; Mr. Fredrickson was absent.

Motion by Mr. Newby, second by Mrs. Zipperer for Executive Session: Idaho Code 67-2345, Subsection (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; (c) to conduct deliberations concerning labor negotiations or to acquire an interest in real property which is not owned by a public agency; roll call vote: Quinn, Newby, Wood, Zipperer, each “yes”. At 4:20 pm, during Executive Session, Mr. Fredrickson joined the meeting.

At 5:00 pm, the meeting returned to open session and recessed. 5:05 pm Chair Quinn called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of Minutes: Motion by Mr. Newby, second by Mr. Fredrickson to approve the minutes of March 20, 2006, with a correction in a name, passed 5-0. Motion by Mr. Fredrickson, second by Mrs. Zipperer to approve the minutes of March 22, 2006, passed 5-0. Motion by Mr. Fredrickson, second by Mrs. Zipperer to approve the minutes of March 23, 2006, passed 5-0. Mr. Newby thanked the other members of the board for their willingness to review the matter taken up at the March 23rd meeting.

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

Identification of Citizens Wishing to Address the Board – Randy Tetzner , 1318 E. Locust, Coeur d’Alene, addressed his concerns regarding sexual predators working in the school district, and the policies he would like to see in place to prevent that. He referenced the fingerprint background checks the district uses as only one system. He spoke of the agencies that may work in the district with students and that background checks on these people may not be done. He identified policy 402 he says is deficient regarding background checks, and said the agency S.L. Start does not follow the law. Mr. Tetzner suggested the district’s Medicaid billing process is not efficient. He appealed to the board’s “duty to protect the moral health of students” and that it should verify that all outside contractors have a criminal background check.

Mike White, 12561 N. Sherwood, Coeur d’Alene, expressed his concerns and those of his wife, Denise White, who served on the high school principal interview committee. He identified issues about the process, asked the board to address the issues, and said he feels steps in the process were not followed as they had been outlined. Board Chair Quinn advised there would be a discussion of the process at this meeting prior to any action being taken.

Coeur d’Alene Education Association Report – Barbara Crow, President, reviewed some of the legislative activity of interest to the Association and referenced a packet of policy and procedures she hopes to review with the board. CEA is tracking the funding situation and actions during the last week of the legislature. The bargaining team is being formed and a contingent is preparing for IEA delegate assembly to be held in Boise at the end of the month. May 2 is the retirement and recognition dinner. Ms. Crow said her CEA days are afternoons Tuesdays and Wednesdays and all day Fridays.

High School Student Body Reports - Kailey from The Bridge Academy described their Scratch-for-Schools lottery competition that netted $653 for the school. School will be open spring break giving students the time to complete more course work. Ashley reported she appreciates the opportunity to make up credits toward graduation and she appreciates the teachers who really care. Students show respect for one another, and she is looking forward to college. She believes The Bridge is the future for high schools. Summer school will be offered for student with three or fewer credits to complete June 13 to July 7. A career day is planned in May.

Approval of Consent Agenda Items:
A. Personnel
Certificated
Individual Action Position Facility Effective Date
Vanessa Gerads Resignation Vocal Music Director Coeur d'Alene High SY 05-06
Leslie Kline Resignation Special Education Sorensen Elementary SY 05-06
Sheila Sonntag LOA/1day wk 2nd Grade Bryan Elementary SY 06-07 only
Randy L. Russell Hire Principal Coeur d’Alene High SY 06-07
Extra Curricular
Individual Action Position Facility Effective Date
Katie Copeland Hire Assistant Track Coach Canfield Middle School SY 05-06
Classified
Individual Action Position Facility Effective Date
Victoria Schultz Hire Food Service Assistant Canfield Middle School SY 05-06
Gayle Turner Hire Food Service Assistant Coeur d'Alene High SY 05-06
Sally Hinders Hire Office Manager Sorensen Elementary SY 05-06
Mallory Nelson Resignation School Plus Assistant Ramsey Elementary SY 05-06
Jerry Ryen Resignation Custodian Sorensen Elementary SY 05-06

B. Approve Accounts Payable Check List Dated March 28, 2006
C. Authorize Declaration of Habitual Truancy for Students A, B, and C

Mrs. Wood asked about the hiring process for the high school principal position. She knew community involvement had been a part of the process, and the board expected the administrative team to make the decision based on all the input. She received some calls of concern. Chair Quinn referenced committees as a part of hiring key positions. Some members of the committee were very conscientious and diligent about their work and took it very seriously. The concerns brought to the board and administration have been considered, more information was sought where we thought it necessary. She added that the board is about continuous improvement, and will consider those valid concerns that might be addressed in future situations.

Superintendent Amend agreed that the importance of this hire was why the committee represented many interested groups. It was emphasized the committee was advisory to the administration, saying the district administration would be making the final decision. Sixteen applications were screened; there were four interviews, with two finalists having “comeback” interviews. All parts of the process were considered including the written feedback and both interviews, leading to this recommendation tonight to hire Randy Russell as principal at Coeur d’Alene High School.

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

Consideration of Action/Information Items:

Approve Emergency Closure at Lake City High School March 23 and 24, 2006; Report of SERP Response – Superintendent Harry Amend reviewed the incident resulting from the identification of mercury in a classroom at Lake City High School. He shared a letter that was sent home with students, reviewed the individuals and agencies involved in the process. Fran Bischof identified how the School Emergency Response Plan preparation was implemented and what the current efforts are in that direction, with the tactical response planning as a part of the grant to establish the Rapid Response software for our district and area emergency responders. Steve Briggs said the district would debrief more fully in days to come on the lessons learned. We have a sizable deductible, and our insurance agency will send their risk manager Pat Pinkham from Boise in near future.

Chair Quinn responded that some credit would surely go to the level of preparedness in the district and with our community partners. On behalf of the board, this is deeply appreciated. All the work that is done behind the scenes becomes evident when there is an incident like this.

Mr. Fredrickson commented on the CDC standards on chemical exposures and levels of care used as being the more stringent, NIOSH being more stringent than OSHA. This is the level we would want.

Motion by Mr. Fredrickson, second by Mrs. Wood to approve the emergency closure of Lake City High School March 23 and 24, 2006, passed 5-0.

Finance Report – Steve Briggs, Chief Financial Officer, presented the reports for February. These budget figures are reflective of the budget established in June last year, yet to be amended. The finance department is rapidly coming to the point of a budget amendment recommendation. There will be more dialogue before the end of the month on this. Mr. Newby had questions about the graph. Mr. Briggs said the pace of expenditures is coming down to the end. Buildings have been notified that the cut off date will be April 21. This will allow time to close out the year. The viability of any carryover may have changed things in the buildings, perhaps a re-evaluation of their expenditures. The amended budget will allow us to look at these adjustments and get a clearer picture.

Call for Committee Reports - None

Superintendent’s Report – Superintendent Harry Amend advised that man in North Carolina had inquired about installing a memorial to Dylan Groene on the playground at Fernan Elementary; a wall ball wall. The question that comes to the board is about the location of a memorial plaque; on the playground, as the donor would want, or, as an option, at the Human Rights Center, where they would welcome it. The board concurred that the Human Rights Center would be their preferred location for the plaque. Superintendent Amend read a press release announcing the district was chosen an Education Quotient Blue Ribbon winner, selected by Expansion Management, a publication helping growing companies evaluate future locations.

Board Comments and Information - None

At 6:15 pm, the meeting was adjourned.

_______________________________
Wanda C. Quinn, Chair
Board of Trustees
_____________________________
Fran Bischof, Clerk
Board of Trustees

Summary Statement of Executive Session

At 4:12 pm, the Board held an Executive Session, Idaho Code 67-2345, Subsection (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; (c) to conduct deliberations concerning labor negotiations or to acquire an interest in real property which is not owned by a public agency.

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