May 1, 2006, Board Meeting

Minutes of May 1, 2006 Regular Meeting
Executive Session 4:00 PM Open Session 5:00 PM
Midtown Center Meeting Room

MINUTES

At 4:20 pm, Chair Wanda Quinn called the meeting to order. Trustees Newby, Wood, and Zipperer were present; Trustee Fredrickson was absent.

Motion by Mr. Newby, 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; roll call vote, Quinn, Newby, Wood, Zipperer, each “yes”.

At 5:00 pm the meeting returned to open session, was recessed and then reconvened at 5:05 pm. Chair Quinn led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of Minutes - Motion by Mrs. Wood, second by Mrs. Zipperer to approve the minutes of April 5, 2006, passed 4-0.
Motion by Mrs. Wood, second by Mrs. Zipperer to approve the minutes of April 17, 2006, passed 3-0-1; Mr. Newby abstained, as he did not attend that meeting.
Motion by Mr. Newby, second by Mrs. Zipperer to approve the minutes of April 19, 2006, passed 4-0.

Approval of the Agenda – Motion by Mr. Newby, second by Mrs. Wood, passed 4-0.

Identification of Citizens Wishing to Address the Board - Mary Jo Finney, E. 6451 Kingswood Lane, Coeur d’Alene, commented on books in schools she feels are inappropriate, and that the established policy and procedures regarding selection of appropriate books may have been overlooked. Superintendent Harry Amend thanked Mrs. Finney and the other individuals who met with him last week about their concerns and to begin the process that is prescribed under board policy to look at those materials.

Rusty Reyes, 1836 Northwest Blvd., Coeur d’Alene, read a message to the Board on his proposal to solicit donations for the replacement of the gym floor at Coeur d’Alene High School, and to honor the contributors. This topic is an agenda item later in the meeting.

Coeur d’Alene Education Association Report – Barbara Crow, President, said the initiative for reinstating the 1-cent sales tax for education has qualified for the ballot in November and was celebrated at the IEA delegate assembly last week. CEA members hope to meet individually with board members to provide information. The CEA negotiating team will be Kristie Nivette, Marty Meyer, Royce Johnson, Cathy Jones and Nicole Keihl. The Retirement and Recognition dinner is tomorrow evening.

High School Student Body Reports - Steve Casey, principal of Coeur d’Alene High School, introduced ASB officers for next year. President Danny Paige and Vice President Mike Armon mentioned things they are looking forward to next year. Halei Schreiber of The Bridge Academy said her presentation at this meeting represents her last assignment for school; she will graduate May 30 along with 100 others. Thirty to 40 students may participate in the Relay for Life. The school has won money again from Idaho lottery scratch tickets. The senior trip to Silverwood is May 25th.

Approval of Consent Agenda Items:
A. Personnel
Certificated
Individual Action Position Facility Effective Date
Lisa Wickel Resignation Psychologist District 08-24-06
Debera Gambles Resignation English Teacher Riverbend P-T 08-24-06
Myra Prado Resignation Special Education Teacher Canfield Middle School 08-24-06
Ronald K. Fisher Retirement 4th Grade Teacher Sorensen Elementary 08-24-06
Dian Hanson Retirement 1st Grade Teacher Sorensen Elementary 08-24-06
Ann Porter-Brown LOA 1 mo 1st Grade Teacher Winton Elementary September 2006
Wendi Eva .2 LOA Art Teacher Ramsey Elementary SY 06-07
Classified
Individual Action Position Facility Effective Date
Emily Parks Resignation School Plus Assistant Bryan Elementary 05-18-06
David Larson Hire Bus Driver Transportation SY 05-06

B. Approve Accounts Payable Check List Dated April 28, 2006
C. Approve Rehire of Certificated Staff for 2006-2007 School Year per lists attached
D. Authorize Affidavits of Habitual Truancy for Students A and B
E. Approve Judges and Clerks for Zone 1Trustee Election May 16, 2006
F. Approve Travel for Coeur d’Alene High School Rocketry Club to National Competition

Motion by Mr. Newby, second by Mrs. Zipperer to approve item A of the Consent Agenda, passed 4-0.
Motion by Mrs. Zipperer, second by Mrs. Wood to approve the Consent Agenda items B through F, with two changes to the certificated staff rehire list for Sorensen Elementary to reflect the retirements of Ron Fisher and Dian Hanson, passed 4-0.

Consideration of Action/Information Items:

Board Policy 1045 Prohibiting Registered Sex Offenders From Entrance to School Premises or Activities – First Reading – The draft policy was in the buildings for the 30 day review. Additional edits reflect the new language in the law passed by the legislature this session. A letter to parents is being drafted as a part of the procedures. Chair Quinn asked what steps would be taken to assure that registered sex offenders are aware of the policy and with geographic information system, would there be a doable way to mail notices to registered sex offenders living within 500 feet of a school. Mrs. Wood suggested that probation officers have copies of the policies to share with clients. Chair Quinn suggested adding this policy to the annual board review of policies. Policy 1045 will come for a second reading and adoption at the May 15th meeting.

Board Policy 569 Extracurricular Student Activities – Mrs. Drake presented the new opt out policy for parents to indicate they do not wish their students to participate in activities. It may be difficult to monitor all activities for students who may attend as a visitor, but the schools would be able to review membership lists. This draft policy will go to the buildings for review for 30 days. Mrs. Zipperer suggested a name change in the policy title before releasing it to the buildings. Chair Quinn also asked that the Policy Advisory Committee be called together for a meeting.

Attendance Zone Public Forum Information – Steve Briggs informed the Board of the May 10 Elementary Attendance Zone Public Forum at be held at 7:00 pm at Skyway Elementary. The areas of change include Oakcrest Mobile Home Park and Grouse Meadows and nearby areas. A press release is being prepared informing interested parties.

K-12/Higher Ed Committee Report – Rosie Astorquia reported she and teachers have met twice with staff at North Idaho College and are creating a process to compare curricula between the two levels to assure that students are taking classes for college credit and not remediation. NIC math staff and district staff were making comparisons of their courses and saw they were closely aligned. The group is committed to working further in language courses. Chair Quinn expressed an interest in the same type of comparisons in skill set areas.

Drug and Alcohol Policies – Superintendent Amend reported on his meetings with parents interested in the drug testing policy and its implementation in schools. Coaches are planning a letter at the beginning of each season encouraging students to take part in the drug-testing program. The parent group was focused on policy implementation, but Mr. Amend suggested the Board discuss and consider a suggestion that the policy development group look at mandatory drug testing for all activity participants. The schools are now required to test those who have volunteered, on a random basis. Mrs. Wood would like information on what it would cost. The committee will research a mandatory participation policy, the pricing and scope. Language in the current consent form may be modified to be more specific.

Student Travel Policy – Superintendent Amend said the Board has had questions when teams travel outside the area. Many are events that are part of the IHSAA approved schedule. He asked for input. Some trips are paid by team fundraisers and do not impact the building or district budgets. Mr. Newby felt it a good idea for the Board to see the travel proposals. He asked about student time away from school, value of the travel, and expenses incurred. Mrs. Wood asked for guidelines on how the travel comports with curriculum. Chair Quinn thought expenses might be in two categories: district funds and donations or fundraisers. Any policy changes would have to be initiated soon to have in the buildings by fall.

Memorial Proposal – Superintendent Amend updated the Board on the efforts of an individual seeking to provide a wall ball wall playground memorial for Dylan Groene at Fernan Elementary. Conversation followed about the plaque being on the school grounds or at the Human Rights Education Center. Parent Steve Groene addressed the Board and supported the memorial and plaque at the playground, a place where Dylan played and had good times. Mr. Newby asked what we are approving and where this will lead. Chair Quinn offered that any survey of parents would be at the discretion of Mrs. Hamilton, the school principal. She suggested the memorial plaque with appropriate wording be handled as others on school properties have been handled. There was agreement from the other three board members.

Sponsorship of Coeur d’Alene High School Gym Floor Replacement – Superintendent Amend and Steve Briggs presented information on the status of the heavily used gym floor at Coeur d’Alene High School; the floor needs to be repaired. Mr. Reyes had shared his awareness of the tight financial situation in the district, and there may be some merit to looking at his proposal to solicit donations for the floor replacement. There is a question as to how donors might be recognized. Vinyl wall and fence signs are now used in our gyms and fields. The proposal calls for small floor decals for the major donors. Mr. Newby said he was not enamored with recognition decals on the floors, and he wondered if the project could be done this summer with SPFL dollars. Mrs. Wood agreed with the replacement if levy dollars could cover this maintenance, which is a district responsibility. She appreciates Mr. Reyes fundraising efforts, and would like to see him join forces with the Booster club, a group organized for such things. Mr. Amend said he would talk with Mr. Reyes to see if we can pull it together under those guidelines. Chair Quinn said we know the need and perhaps should look at both options. Mr. Briggs said this project would be in competition with other district projects already targeted. Chair Quinn suggested a facility and maintenance needs list be prioritized.

She added that while individuals are well intended, it is not always in the best interest of the district to carry on individual campaigns. If there is something proposed for an individual school, the proposal should go there, have that school look at it, and determine it is their choice. Perhaps this project should go to the school and have the blessing of the Booster Club or PTO. The district would look at funding we have available and be sure this is what the school wants.

Finance Report – Mr. Briggs said the amended budget date would be coming soon. The budget is fairly well in line. We will decide in the next few days on any need for the tax anticipation note for the month of July. There are some changes in the structure of finances next year, so this may be the last opportunity to not have one, looking into the future.

Call for Committee Reports – Mr. Newby reported on the Tech Advisory Committee meeting discussion about the fewer number of computers to purchase this year with the levy not passing. In Mr. Fredrickson’s absence, it was reported that the Attendance Zone Committee has developed a final recommendation for the elementary zones adjustments and is starting on a potential adjustment in middle school attendance zones for next year. The committee is meeting tomorrow night, and again May 9. The intent is to come back with a recommendation that can go to the public the same way as the elementary recommendation. The timeframe is certainly an issue. There will be a further report to the Board at the May 15th meeting.

Superintendent’s Report – Superintendent Amend acknowledged the Kroc Center announcement today as a significant achievement for Coeur d’Alene. The Center will be a 60 million dollar project, with a 14-month construction window. Robinson Research has been hired by the County to survey the community and they will include questions about the failed school levy. The process includes focus groups to develop questions to be asked in 600 phone surveys. Results are anticipated before school is out. Getting the word out to the community will help the survey process. Chair Quinn suggested some questions and commented she would like to see the draft. Superintendent Amend said that the first financial literacy week in this community was just completed. Darin Hayes took the lead, arranging speakers and programs in our classrooms.

The retirement and recognition dinner is tomorrow and two weeks from tonight will be the community workshop titled School Budget 101, from 4pm to 6pm, in the auditorium, possibly at Coeur d’Alene High School. The board meeting will follow at 6:00 pm. Graduation dates are: Bridge Academy, May 30th, at 7:00 pm at Boswell Hall, NIC; Project CDA is Thursday, June 8th at 7:00 pm in the NIC Gym; Coeur d’Alene High School June 9, at 7:00 pm at Jordan Court, CDA High School, and June 10th is Lake City High School in the school gym at 6:30 pm. Senior Projects start at Coeur d’Alene High School at 8:00 am on May 26th.

Board Comments and Information – Mrs. Wood thanked Harry Amend for his work on the Kroc Foundation Committee and representing the district and the community. Mr. Newby asked about notification of IB status, and when that might come.

Motion by Mr. Newby, second by Mrs. Wood for Executive Session: Idaho Code 67-2345, Subsection (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”.

Returned to Open Session and Adjourned at 8:05pm

_____________________________
Wanda C. Quinn, Chair
Board of Trustees

_____________________________
Fran Bischof, Clerk
Board of Trustees

Summary Statements of Executive Session

At 4:20 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.

At 7:30 PM, the Board held an Executive Session, Idaho Code 67-2345, Subsection (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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