Minutes of April 23, 2007

Regular Meeting April 23, 2007
Midtown Center Meeting Room 5:00 PM

Minutes
At 5:08 p.m. Chair Vern Newby called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Trustees Edie Brooks, Diane Zipperer and Sid Fredrickson were in attendance. Trustee Christie Wood was absent.

Approval of Minutes: Motion by Mr. Fredrickson, second by Mrs. Brooks to approve the minutes of April 9, 2007, passed 4-0. Motion by Mr. Fredrickson, second by Mrs. Zipperer to approve the minutes of April 10, 2007, passed 4-0.

Approval of the Agenda: Motion by Mrs. Zipperer, second by Mr. Fredrickson to approve the agenda as presented, passed 4-0.
Trustee Wood arrived at 5:20 p.m.

Identification of Citizens Wishing to Address the Board
Debbie Morris, Sundown Drive, Coeur d’Alene believes they have identified some communication obstacles regarding pending complaints about books containing objectionable language. She quoted from “Board of Education vs. Pico” a case that supports school boards authority regarding any curriculum in order to protect minors from vulgar and offensive expression in written or verbal form in schools. The district complaint form only addresses library materials, not curriculum. The district needs a form to address supplemental materials i.e. required reading lists.
Jennifer Symons, Coeur d’Alene, is a student who has been asked to step out of class while material deemed inappropriate is being read. She feels punished for choosing not to hear vulgar language; citing Board Policy 240 and 1014. She stated that students would feel more comfortable if teachers would skip over parts containing inappropriate language.
Mary Jo Finney, 6451 E. Kingswood Lane, Coeur d’Alene said that parents have concerns that need to be addressed before they can support the levy. Previously, complaints were received about “Fallen Angels” and after subsequent review, the book was placed on a restricted list at the middle school level. The School Board has the responsibility to protect minors from adult reading materials. She requested that a student be present on a review committee when there is a challenge about adult content and age appropriateness in reading materials. Mrs. Finney voiced concerns about the health curriculum and believes the district is out of compliance with federal policy and code.

Winton & Dalton Students Presentation – Nancy Mueller introduced Keith Dixon from Architect’s West and John Mueller from HatchMueller who have been working with students from both schools and have been involved in this project since January. They are growing a college landscape architecture program; looking to address the shortage of future landscape architects. Students took part in brainstorming ideas, visited the site, and voted to name the park “Fun Bark Dog Park”. Board members enjoyed a demonstration of Google Earth and a program “Sketch-Up”, used to design three-dimensional projects. Students spoke about math skills used to manipulate the program. Students will also present to the City Council in May. Students showed a scrapbook that was created and announced that John Mueller will take this project to a board meeting in Washington DC. The hope is that students will continue on this path toward architecture.

Recess at 6:00 p.m. Reconvened at 6:05 p.m.
Approval of Consent Agenda Items:
A. Personnel
B. Approve Affidavit of Habitual Truancy
C. Approve Permission to Use Athletic Protective Equipment
D. Approve Contract with Empire Vending
E. Bid Award (per Governing Board Authorized Official)
Regarding Item D, Mrs. Brooks asked if snacks provided for middle and high school are healthy. Mr. Briggs noted that the district has ensured that all vending items meet the wellness policy. The vendor complied with wellness standards. Mrs. Brooks asked for list of items provided by the vendor. Item D will be tabled until May 7.
Mrs. Brooks asked about the difference between semi-formal and formal bids. Mr. Fredrickson stated that a recent change in the law should be reflected in contracts. Mrs. Brooks asked if the roofing project (Item E) was published for bids. Mr. Briggs recapped the changes that took place in light of the difficulties encountered to obtain services. State statute was followed and bid information sent to 3 contractors with only 1 response which was within the budget. District policy will be revised to reflect the state statute. Mrs. Brooks would feel more comfortable in receiving 3 bids rather than 1, more responsible to the taxpayers. District followed state statute but not board policy. Mrs. Wood recommended that policy must be changed in light of this oversight and recommends that policy is followed. Mr. Briggs was operating under authority granted to him last June. The Governing Authority comes into play when it’s difficult to find a vendor.
Motion by Mr. Fredrickson, second by Mrs. Wood to approve the consent agenda (with the exception of Item D) passed 5-0.

Consideration of Action/Information Items:
Board Recognition: Staff, Students and/or Community
2007 Prudential Spirit of Community Award – Aubrey Neal, an 8th grader at Woodland Middle School was named one of Idaho’s top two youth volunteers for 2007 by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism. As a State Honoree, Aubrey will receive $1,000 and an all-expense paid trip to Washington D.C. to attend several days of national recognition events. A representative from Prudential presented Aubrey with an engraved silver medallion.

Levy Update – Assistant Superintendent Hazel Bauman reported that more than 100 volunteers showed up this past weekend to take part in the effort to call voters. By Wednesday, more than 14,000 homes will have been contacted. Blue 541 is donating the cost of photo shoots featuring the levy theme “Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Workforce”. Many presentations have taken place and the reception has been positive. Mr. Fredrickson noted that the LCDC Board was impressed with a recent presentation. The Levy Steering Committee has raised more than $9,000 to date.

Sorensen Magnet School Update – Director of Elementary Education Pam Pratt shared an update about fundraising and community partnerships. Several of the Sorensen staff will travel to Boise in June for training specific to their magnet program.

Approve 2006-2007 Amended Budget – Motion by Mr. Fredrickson, second by Mrs. Brooks to approve the amended budget as presented, passed 5-0.

Board Policy Approval - Mrs. Wood asked about the dress code policy, and Superintendent Amend replied that though this is ongoing and challenging, admin. teams work to maintain a positive environment. Mrs. Zipperer asked if the Board is notified of all suspensions and should Policy 543 be changed to reflect superintendent or designee rather than Board. The verbiage will be changed and brought back for action at a future meeting.

506 – Student Harassment
517 – Student Dress Code
520 – Open Enrollment
541 – Prohibition of Weapons
543 – Student Suspension
545 – IDEA Discipline
550 – Assault & Battery
551 – Drug, Alcohol & Tobacco Use
560 – Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
564 – Health Records & Emergency Care
600 – Philosophy
606 – Elementary Required Instruction

Motion by Mr. Fredrickson, second by Mrs. Brooks to approve all of the policies presented with the exception of Policy 543, passed 5-0.

Field Naming Opportunity – Chair Newby asked if this action could be taken at a later meeting. Superintendent Amend explained that even though the field dedication may be held next year, it is important to approve the recommended name so plans can be made prior to the event. Motion by Mrs. Zipperer, second by Mr. Fredrickson to name the field at Coeur d’Alene High School in honor of Former Coach A, passed 5-0.

Call for Committee Reports - Mr. Fredrickson reported that he attended a Technology Advisory Committee presentation by the Kootenai Shoshone Library Director.

Superintendent’s Report – Superintendent Amend presented a check received by the district in the amount of $36,035.57; funds received from Kootenai County Solid Waste from district recycling efforts. He attended the first ever North Idaho Job Fair at Templin’s spearheaded by Chuck Kinsey of the Lakeland School District. More than 100 potential employees attended this worthwhile event. The “Shred Identity Theft” event was held on Saturday. The Teacher Retirement/Recognition dinner will be held on May 8th.

Board Comments and Information - Mrs. Wood appreciated information received about the results of drug testing and recommended future recognition of the 9th grade Baseball team who participated 100% in the testing.
Mrs. Brooks recently returned from the NSBA conference in San Francisco. She brought information to share with fellow board members. Upon hearing former President Clinton, she asked about a focus on PE, Mrs. Zipperer interjected that this is being discussed within the wellness committee to get kids active who aren’t involved in sports. Clerk Towne added comments about the sessions she attended while at NSBA and Education Law Institute in Boise.
Mrs. Zipperer asked to follow-up on number of seniors and seat time (in class). Are we conducting random exit interviews with seniors. Mrs. Brooks asked if counselors are following up with students who exhibit indicators within writing or interaction with other students to avoid violent situations. Secret Service has published a video for teachers, Mrs. Wood noted that a secret witness program may be offered “guns in schools”, information would be acted upon immediately.

Motion by Mr. Fredrickson, second by Mrs. Wood 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; (f) to consider and advise its legal representative in pending litigation or where there is a general public awareness of probable litigation: Roll Call Vote: Newby, Brooks, Wood, Fredrickson, Zipperer, each “yes”

The meeting returned to open session at 8:10 p.m.

Motion by Mr. Fredrickson, second by Mrs. Brooks to table pending tort claim, passed 5-0.

Meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m.

Vernon L. Newby, Chair
Board of Trustees

Lynn M. Towne, Clerk
Board of Trustees

Summary Statement of Executive Session
At 8:00 PM, in accordance with Idaho Code 67-2345, Subsection (b) the Board held an Executive Session 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 students and Subsection (f) to consider and advise its legal representative in pending litigation or where there is a general public awareness of probable litigation.

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