October 16, 2006 Board Meeting

Regular Special Meeting - October 16, 2006
4:00 PM Midtown Center Meeting Room

Minutes

At 4:05 PM, Chair Vern Newby called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Trustees Edie Brooks, Sid Fredrickson and Diane Zipperer were present. Trustee Christie Wood was absent.

Approval of Minutes: Motion by Mr. Fredrickson, second by Mrs. Zipperer to approve the minutes of October 2, 2006, passed 3-0-1 (Mr. Fredrickson abstained).

Approval of the Agenda and Possible Addendum: Motion by Mr. Fredrickson, second by Mrs. Zipperer to approve the agenda with the addition of an addendum item added as Consent Item D: utility easement, passed 4-0.

Trustee Wood arrived at 4:15 p.m.

Identification of Citizens Wishing to Address the Board:
Kristi Nivette, 8207 Ridgewood Drive, Hayden Lake spoke about Proposition 1; that it’s good for kids and schools. It provides a way to get funding across the state, including smaller districts that do not have the same tax base as Coeur d’Alene. Approximately 80,000 signatures were collected in March, and the response has been great from the public. Essentially, one cent would be earmarked for public education; this is not an additional penny, instead it asks for 1 cent of the current 6 cent sales tax. Many district programs were cut this year and passage of Proposition 1 would help alleviate budget shortfalls. Support from the Board is requested.

Marty Meyer, 225 E. Harrison Ave. CDA, spoke in favor of Proposition 1 and talked about the amount of money spent on each child who attends public school. The Idaho PTA strongly supports this proposition and he urged Board members to support Proposition 1; individually and as a Board.

Michelle Williams, 1723 W. Durham Drive, CDA reiterated that in light of the current budget situation, funds from Proposition 1 would benefit the district and students. She asked Board members to stand together and take a positive position of support; both individually and as a group.

Chair Newby said he has requested a study session before taking action. Mrs. Wood supports the proposition. Mrs. Brooks also supports it; her only reservation is what effect it might have at supplemental levy time. Mr. Fredrickson and Mrs. Zipperer also agree that additional funding is necessary. Mr. Newby reiterated that funds are necessary but has concerns about where funds will come from, e.g. Health &Welfare, Corrections, etc. He wishes to research this matter at length prior to giving his opinion and asking for Board endorsement.

Approval of Consent Agenda Items:

A. Personnel
Classified
Individual Action Position Facility Effective Date
Janet Flerchinger Hire Remediation Assistant Hayden Meadows Elementary SY06-07
James Ospal Hire Part-time Custodian Sorensen Elementary SY06-07
Therese Rape Hire Part-time Custodian Fernan Elementary SY06-07
Julie O’Shea Hire School Plus Assistant Borah Elementary SY06-07
Shelley Rowe Hire School Plus Assistant Skyway Elementary SY06-07
Patricia Medeiros Hire Title 1 Assistant Atlas Elementary SY06-07
Melissa Wells Hire Remediation Assistant Ramsey Elementary SY06-07

A. Personnel (continued)
Michel McGaffee Hire Certified Nurse Assistant Skyway Elementary SY06-07
Michael Farrow Hire CDA4Kids Paraprofessional Atlas Elementary SY06-07
Katie Newman Hire CDA4Kids Paraprofessional Atlas Elementary SY06-07
Glenda Cote Hire Playground Assistant Bryan Elementary SY06-07
Tiffany Hochberger Hire General Aide Dalton Elementary SY06-07
Janet Plowman Hire Title 1 Aide Ramsey Elementary SY06-07
Serena Watson Hire General Aide Winton Elementary SY06-07
Kim Edmiston Hire Certified Nurse Assistant Dalton Elementary SY06-07
Carol Klemm Hire School Plus Assistant Hayden Meadows Elementary SY06-07
Jewelldean Hull Hire Remediation Assistant Winton Elementary SY06-07
Tim Jones Hire IBI Paraprofessional Canfield Elementary SY06-07
Brooke Eaton Hire IBI Paraprofessional Atlas Elementary SY06-07
Nora Desautel Resignation Crossing Guard/Playground Assistant Fernan Elementary 09-08-06
Kristy Wemhoff Resignation Custodian Skyway Elementary 10-06-06
Tami Kowsky Resignation School Plus Assistant Skyway Elementary 10-05-06
Sheila Korn Resignation General Aide Borah Elementary 10-05-06
Denise Wetzel Resignation Food Service Assistant Coeur d’Alene High 09-08-06
Scott Ross Resignation Resource Aide Woodland Middle School 10-25-06
Allison Miller Resignation General Aide Skyway Elementary 09-07-06
Kyle Erickson Resignation Gym monitor District 09-15-06
Maggie Bertram Resignation School Plus Assistant Skyway Elementary 09-29-06
Susan Oakes Resignation Paraprofessional Lake City High 10-02-06
Renee St. Peter Resignation School Plus Assistant Atlas Elementary 10-12-06
Jennie Potts Resignation Secretary Atlas Elementary 09-19-06

B. CHS DECA Field Trip Request
C. Authorize Declaration of Habitual Truancy for Student A
D. Utility Easement Agreement

Motion by Mr. Fredrickson, second by Mrs. Brooks to approve consent agenda with the addendum, passed 5-0.

District Audit Report – Chief Financial Officer Steve Briggs introduced Michelle Schini-Mitchell from Magnuson McHugh who shared that CDA School District received an unqualified (clean opinion) audit. She briefly highlighted some areas including property, enrollment and budget. Other programs highlighted were Wellness, International Baccalaureate, and Attendance Zones.

Mrs. Wood commended Mr. Briggs and his staff for their hard work and attention to detail. Superintendent Amend noted that new staff members have embraced change and staff are held accountable under Julie Day’s leadership. Motion to accept the Audit Report by Mr. Fredrickson, second by Mrs. Wood, passed 5-0.

Annual Financial Report – Mr. Briggs reviewed the Annual Financial Report which reflects all the financial activity that was part of the audit report. He shared an analysis by program/function. The Finance Department is currently implementing a new model for publishing information in a more user friendly document. We have seen a decrease in the budget for facilities as we increase sites and buildings. Fund transfers-out have increased significantly due to increased spending in special services. All of the fund balance has been put toward contingency/reserve. Mr. Briggs expects to see improvement in the fund balance next year. Enrollment is good this year, however cohort numbers for the future do not look as positive. We could see a significant decrease in future years. Mr. Briggs commended the finance staff and district for helping to end the year on positive note, and he thanked the CEA membership for a positive outcome on negotiations. Mr. Newby thanked Mr. Briggs for his understandable explanation of a complicated report.

Approve Excel Foundation Grants – Superintendent Amend publicly thanked Excel Board Members for their hours of volunteering and fundraising. He mentioned that teachers will be notified of their grant status by October 25. The awards ceremony is scheduled on November 2 at 4:00 p.m. at Project CDA and Board Members will receive an invitation to attend.

Motion by Mrs. Brooks, second by Mr. Fredrickson to approve the Excel Foundation Grants as recommended and deemed appropriate by the Excel Board, passed 5-0.

Discretionary Funds Resolution as proposed by Post Falls SD – Motion by Mr. Fredrickson, second by Mrs. Zipperer to support the resolution as presented, passed 5-0.

Call for Committee Reports – Mrs. Wood volunteered to serve on Policy Committee Section 500. She replaces Mrs. Zipperer.

Superintendent’s Report – Mr. Amend spoke about plans to meet with Dave Patzer, Long Range Planning Committee Chair this week to plan for their next meeting. He noted his excitement as he and the administration work with the new leaders in the district. Our focus on communication within the district and community has increased thanks to work done by Janet Feiler. We strive to communicate with the community and work on the district’s strategic plan.

Board Comments and Information – Mrs. Brooks asked about a recent report sent on random drug testing and Mr. Amend stated that both high schools tested approximately the same number of students, with negative results. Additional testing for students (sports and other) are currently taking place. The testing is voluntary, given without prior notice over a period of a couple of weeks. Some groups participated at 100 percent.

Mrs. Wood recently attended a workshop (as a North Idaho College Board member) where some discussion revolved around K-12 education. She was happy to report that we are ahead of the curve since School District 271 and North Idaho College are already collaborating. Mr. Newby encouraged board members to become familiar with Dr. Marilyn Howard’s proposed budget. Mr. Amend thanked Tom Hobson for his assistance with preparing technology at many meetings, including the recent State Department Budget Presentation.

At 5:30 p.m., the meeting was adjourned.

Vernon L. Newby, Chair
Board of Trustees

Lynn M. Towne, Clerk
Board of Trustees

Home