School Board/City Council Joint Workshop

CDA City Council and School District 271 Joint Workshop
April 17, 2008 5:00 P.M. CDA Library Community Room

Minutes AMENDED

5:00 P.M. Mayor Bloem called the meeting to order and all city council members were noted present. CDA School District Board Chair Edie Brooks also called the meeting to order with Trustees Christie Wood, Vern Newby, Sid Fredrickson, and Diane Zipperer present.

A. Safe Routes to School/Snow Challenges
Steve Briggs commented on the unusual winter and complimented the city for their help in the snow removal. Some of the challenges included narrow streets, parking, difficulty getting buses to and from schools, walkways, snow removal, the underpass work near I-90, and pedestrians vs. cars. One solution discussed between bus transportation and school administration is the “walking school bus” in which parents take kids in mass in their own cars.
The City welcomes any suggestions from the transportation director and has a representative attending a snow conference at this time. They tried to keep the 15th street underpass a priority for repairs. Mrs. Wood brought up a grant the City received to improve safe routes to school. The grant will pay for a sidewalk to be installed on 15th Street, North of I-90. Mr. Newby passed out safe route information as well as a flyer on CDA Walk/Bike to School Day, May 16. Mr. Newby would also like to see the city provide for the clearing of snow berms from arterials and bus routes.

B. Partnership for Professional Technical Training
Assistant Superintendent Hazel Bauman expressed her full support for more professional technical training and was very pleased with the recent Hard Hat, Hammers & Hot Dog event held at the fair grounds. One idea the district has is to look for partnerships within the city to let students in businesses to see what/how things work. Ms. Bauman would like to see more classes like welding, drafting, and shop available in our schools as well as apprenticeships with businesses. It is expensive but results show that only 20% across the nation go on to get a 4-year degree. There has been discussion of working together with Post Falls and Lakeland on this subject. Mrs. Brooks would like to see students get opportunities to work with city professions as well.
Mr. Hassel suggested it would be a wonderful opportunity for students to visit chemical labs such as in wastewater plant. Mr. Fredrickson explained how he had a student successfully use the wastewater treatment plant for his senior project.

C. Workforce Housing
Ms. Bauman feels strongly about working with the City on workforce housing as the District has a large number of employees not able to afford housing locally. The District has representation on the board of workforce housing and is looking at sharing land to make this work. Teachers and staff living here can connect more with kids and be more involved in community. The rising cost of housing has forced employees to look elsewhere then the commute/gas and wages drive them out. Ms. Bauman thanked the City for their leadership and getting workforce housing going.
Mr. Kennedy stated that he met with developers to talk about the City’s process to speed up the Idaho housing coalition. He stated the local workforce target of household income is between 30,000 and 60,000 and we would want to match our areas affordability and sustainability. Community land trusts and home equity partnership are two things we need. We will engage with the school district and work together on this important issue.

He stresses the importance of educating the community with workforce housing and possibly offer homebuyer education because these are people we need in our community such as nurses, teachers, and police officers. Mr. Kennedy looks forward to some real projects to use for the education to define criteria and allow developers to understand the need for sustainability.
Mr. Gridley asked supporters to come to the public hearing on the first Tuesday in June.
Mr. Kennedy talked about the need to define workforce housing so we are all dealing with the same thing. In some cases it involves rentals, townships, apartments, or ownership. Midtown is working on one idea of workforce housing. Boise and Pocatello have had great success.

D. School Plant Facilities Levy
Superintendent Harry Amend spoke on how the District is getting the word out on the SPFL including a video to run soon on TV and a fact sheet sent to all registered voters in the District. For the financial part of the levy, our present tax rate is 1.15 per 1,000 of assessed home value, which ranks us low compared with other districts in the state. We rank 97 out of 115 Districts in Idaho. The average tax rate in larger schools is $2.96. Our highest tax rate occurred in 1990/91 at 7.27 per 1,000. In the summer of 2005/06 the legislature transferred the property tax to the mandated .01 sales tax. Two years ago the levy failed and did not add to tax base. This levy will cost 1.60 per 1,000 and will likely lessen as growth comes during the two years of projects. The levy is a “pay as you go” which means that when the projects are finished they are paid for. The tail end of the LCHS bond is all that remains. Ms. Bauman reported where the money will go. The left over monies from the 2002 levy (4,500,000) will go toward Lakes new building cost of 19,156,309 for a total of 23,656,309; a new elementary school (7,900,000) at District-owned property on Nez Perce and Atlas Roads; property acquisition for future building sites (2,400,000); district-wide technology at a cost of 1,600,000.
The District is working with parents and staff of about 200 to get the word out by Radio, TV, presentations, bulk mailing and a community forum to be held on April 29 at Lakes Middle School. There are 20 polling sites for voting on May 20 and we need 55% in favor for passage. All agreed that the quality of public education makes for a vibrant community.

E. Sorensen Magnet School Update
Ms. Bauman spoke about the success of Sorensen Magnet School for the Arts and Humanities in the downtown area. Before the elementary was transformed into a magnet school, enrollment was down and the school was slated for closure. Ms. Bauman said the school is attracting 50 students from outside the District as well as kids from other school zones within the district. She explained what makes a magnet school; the day is extended, a fine arts block is added and the District’s regular curriculum is also included in their arts lessons. There is talk of possibly making Lakes a magnet school. Other districts in the state have made magnet schools with emphasis on Language, Math, and technical trades to allow different choices for the public.

F. Impact of School on Downtown Vitality
Studies have defined downtown vitality by the schools. Just as Sorensen was to be closed, the families and community came up with a plan to keep it open. Families want neighborhood schools.

G. Thanks to City for Their Role in the 100% Team Participation Certificates for Activities/Programs Drug Testing
The District is thankful for the City partnership with recognizing teams with 100% volunteer drug testing and the City appreciates the District in allowing the testing within the schools.

H. School Resource Officer for Lakes Middle School
Police Chief Longo expressed the need for a full time SRO at Lakes and feels it should be looked at. Mr. Amend stated we are reviewing the budget and now is the time to look at this. Our relationship with SRO’s is vital to the community in and out of school and this would be the 7th SRO for the District.

I. Facility Use Agreement
Mr. Anthony talked of the special relationship with the District that include agreements for sharing facilities and are close to an agreement for another 10 years. We should have the agreement ready this summer and will work to keep kids active. Chief Financial Officer Steve Briggs described the crown jewel of a relationship through city participation, little league, and soccer clubs. The 1st agreement signed was a good time to get acquainted and now our work will be greater and stronger and our youth will benefit from this. Mr. Briggs thanked the city for their relationship.
Ms. Goodlander reported that other districts in the state are amazed at our unique relationship with the school district. The City has helped finance some facilities like the Woodland Middle School gym for shared usage.

J. Property Partnership Opportunities
Mr. Tymesen, City Finance Director, is working on property near the District’s garage as well as other properties of interest that may not meet our needs and is happy to assist in coming up with ideas and looking forward to adding to District properties. He suggested that the City and schools talk about Persons Field; possibly form a committee to come up with agreement on the property.

Mr. Edinger recognized Mr. Amend’s service to the schools and community during his years as Superintendent and thanked him for all that he has done. Mr. McEvers thanked the District for getting their Board meetings televised. This gives him more of a perspective of how the District works and hopes that the District sticks with that.

The City and the school district will meet two times a year for joint workshops.

The City recessed at 6:51
The School Board adjourned at 6:51

Edie Brooks, Chair
Board of Trustees

Glenda Pope, Acting Clerk
Board of Trustees

Home