Board Meeting May 25, 2006

Minutes of May 25, 2006, Special Meeting
5:00 PM Midtown Center Meeting Room

MINUTES

At 5:05 PM, the meeting was called to order by Vice-Chair Vern Newby. Trustees Fredrickson and Zipperer were present. Wanda Quinn and Christie Wood were absent.

Award Computer Bid per Recommendation: This item was removed from the agenda and no action was taken.

Discussion of Middle School Attendance Zone Changes: Chief Financial Officer Steve Briggs shared information from a public forum held this week at Lake City High School. Elementary and Middle School Attendance Zone Committee proposals will be presented to the Board for approval on June 5th. Originally, the committee felt that a zone adjustment could wait until the year of construction and timed with opening of a new Lakes Middle School. After the defeat of the levy, the need to address the imbalance in enrollment is apparent. The southern end of district is losing population while north and west are gaining. Committee members reviewed several plans and concluded with Plan E. He shared the identified study areas: Emerald Estates and Pineview Estates and the area east of Hwy 95 currently attending Woodland Middle School. Also studied was an area west of Hwy 95, currently attending Woodland Middle School and if space was available at Canfield, relief would be provided by this move alone. However, Canfield cannot take this additional population. Net effect by Plan E zone change is: Canfield 739 to 785, Woodland 859 to 742 and Lakes 583 to706.

At 5:20 PM, Mrs. Wood joined the meeting.

Mr. Briggs said the Middle School Attendance Zone Public Forum held last Monday at LCHS was well advertised; information was posted on school reader boards, on the district website and in multiple press releases. Issues discussed at the forum included:
a) safety of students crossing Hwy 95: there are currently 97 students who are bussed to Woodland who will no longer take the bus. The trade-off is for 50 students who will bus to Canfield. No students will be required to walk across Hwy 95. Buses rarely cross the highway and if necessary, only at signaled intersections. Buses may turn onto Hwy 95 and turn if needed at the next available signaled intersection.
b) the district cannot generalize that students with an IEP or a 504 plan should not change schools however, that could be a consideration.
c) ISAT performance and test scores were not a consideration within attendance zones.

Mr. Briggs added that the Attendance Zone Committee is made up of parents representing their schools. Members have developed an expertise in this area. Their experience is that when multiple plans are reviewed, there is a need for much discussion. Decisions are not easy; concerns brought forth by patrons have a great deal of merit. When change is necessary, they look at entire picture, bring a plan to the community, and make the recommendation.

Grandfathering/Transition is being considered to allow incoming 8th graders to remain at their “home” school. These families may be able to choose which school they attend. They may not be able to grandfather siblings who are not in their final grade at an elementary school. The committee meets again May 30th at 4:00 PM to plan their final recommendations for both elementary and middle school.

Mrs. Wood said she is encouraged by ongoing talk of a transition plan. She shared her personal experience as a parent and moving her child due to changing her residence. She reiterated that children are resilient and will succeed no matter what facility they attend. Mr. Briggs talked about the history of prior moves to study areas and a desire to not create too many changes for families. This plan will last depending on growth patterns of the district. Students will be able to tour their new school prior to the end of the school year. Mr. Newby asked about special needs students and whether they are given priority. Mr. Briggs replied that these cases will be dealt with on an individual basis.

Anita Barrons, 1221 Elderberry Circle, Coeur d’Alene, spoke about her concern that students attending Lakes will automatically attend LCHS and that she has heard many negative things about Lakes Middle School. Mr. Newby explained that high school boundaries are not changing. Mrs. Wood commented that the perception about Lakes is troubling and based on personal knowledge, Lakes has no more or less problems than other schools in the district. Ms. Barrons asked why the Lakes boundary will take in students so far to the north. Currently, Borah students are split and have not always been able to attend same middle school. The proposed plan helps to create stability, by keeping Borah students together through the system.

Edie Brooks spoke about her son who attended Lakes and is now at USC. When he attended, the problems were more from overcrowding, before Woodland was built. The teachers and programs are very good and she was pleased with his education. Mr. Fredrickson shared positive comments regarding his grandson who also attends Lakes.

Mr. Briggs thanked the Board for the opportunity to share information and will ask for approval of the final committee recommendations at the meeting June 5th.

At 5:55 PM, the meeting was adjourned.

Vern Newby, Vice-Chair
Board of Trustees

Lynn Towne, Acting Clerk
Board of Trustees

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