(For complete
minutes, please contact the Business Department)
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Gifted and Talented Conference Summary
Teri Pay reported that the turn out for the
Gifted and Talented Conference was great. Scott Hunsaker was the
conference keynote speaker. She mentioned that advocates from
around the state and our area were in attendance. Since the
conference, two affiliate groups are being started in the area.
Teri also said that the feedback from parents who attended was
good. She said that ten breakout sessions were held for
teachers and administrators but that many parents attended those as
well. Teri said that the feedback from those sessions was
very positive as well.
Teri and Amy Salyer distributed a copy of the newsletter for the Board
to review. A synopsis of the newsletter was sent electronically
to principals to be included in the school newsletters. The Board
asked for electronic copies of the newsletter to be sent to each of
them as well.
Teri and Amy estimated that 1500 students have been impacted by the
Gifted and Talented program. The services may not be direct, but
through teachers that have received differentiated instruction.
They reported that only three elementary schools have not been involved
yet. Amy feels that timing may be an issue for those schools.
Amy said that another conference is planned for this fall.
Teri and Amy said that there are five areas of gifted. The plan
in our District is to touch on all five areas. They mentioned
that extended learning programs reach the most students. They are
working to make sure there is a very strong understanding of
differentiated instruction by the teachers. They said that the
endorsement program would help. They reported that 13 teachers
are currently in the endorsement program and 15 more are signed up to
participate with the next cohort. They said that teachers are
also getting involved through the PLCs.
Teri and Amy mentioned that they would be presenting at the state
Gifted and Talented Meeting on the tiered program, which is considered
to be cutting edge.
3rd Quarter Enrollment
Marshall Topham reported that enrollment reports
show declining numbers in the District. He said the District is
down by 52 elementary students, which is not typical. He said
that secondary students seem to drop each year due to early graduation,
drop out, students going to the Focus Center, or moving out of the
area. He said this drop in elementary is unusual and the
District will need to make adjustments.
Board members suggested that open enrollment should be left closed but
boundaries in all areas should be looked at. The Board determined
that only opening it to seniors could raise numbers a little without
creating too many problems. The Board will make a decision
whether to open enrollment to seniors only in the May Board Meeting.
Dixie Downs Elementary Name Change Request
Bethany Twitchell, PTA President at Dixie Downs
Elementary, requested that the School Board consider allowing Dixie
Downs Elementary to make a name change.
Aja Eyre, Community Council Chair, referenced the dual immersion
program and the Fine Arts programs that are growing in the
school. She said that they would like to change the school name
to reflect the focus of achievement with dual languages. She also
pointed out that the school includes students from outside the Dixie
Downs area. She asked the Board to consider allowing the name
change and feels that the community would accept a name change.
Dale Porter, Principal, said he would like to involve the community in deciding a new name for the school.
The School Board said that they would look at the reasons suggested for
the name change. They have concerns with the fact that the
bilingual school is still in a trial period and if the school
doesn’t remain a bilingual school due to data reports, the name
change may be premature. They suggested looking at names that
will bring pride to the school but not reflect the dual immersion
program. Various sources will be used to gather data on the
program and approval for continuation won’t be decided until
summer. The Board gave a directive allowing an exploration of
possible name changes for the school.
INFORMATION ITEMS
Physical Facilities Updates
Information included with the Board agenda attachments.
SIS/PowerSchool User Group Update – Sandy Ferrell
Sandy Ferrell explained that the reason the user
group was set up was to make whichever program was selected work.
She reviewed the training information included with the Board agenda
attachments. She said that the student information system should
be moved over to PowerSchool on June 13th. Powerschool training
will then begin for administrators and teachers.
ACTION ITEMS
Safety Sign Policy
Member Christiansen presented a motion to approve the Safety Sign
Policy and Sign as written. Member Hesson seconded the motion
that passed unanimously.
Medical Insurance Renewal Rates
Brent Bills said that the insurance rates have
increased 12% for medical and 4% for dental. Life insurance will
remain the same.
Member Gubler presented a motion to approve the Medical Insurance
renewal rates. Member Blake seconded the motion that passed
unanimously.
RECOGNITIONS
Calleen Durfee, Diamond Valley Elementary – 2008 Classified Employee of the Year
(Awards presented at schools)
Superintendent’s Award for Excellence Alicia Gubler, Secretary, Panorama Elementary
Cathy Aitken,
Secretary, Panorama Elementary
Kris Sewell,
Teacher, Panorama Elementary
Peter Skouson,
Teacher, Sandstone Elementary
Beckie
Adamson, Spec. Ed. Asst., Sandstone Elem.
Volunteer of the Month Jocelyn Kaetzer, Panorama Elementary
Jodie Campbell, Sandstone
Elementary
REPORTS:
Superintendent
Board
Travis Christiansen said he appreciated the
support of teachers and students on law day. He mentioned that
scholarships were given to students.
Associations
Brent Bills reported on the transportation audit. He said that
our School District will be the model of how a school transportation
department should be run.
