MINUTES
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Washington County School District
April 14, 2009

A regular meeting of the Board of Education of the Washington County School District was held after due, legal, and timely notice being given to all members and interested parties.  Board President Kelly Blake called the meeting to order and welcomed all visitors.  Board members present were Wendell Gubler, Craig Seegmiller, Wes Christiansen, Carole Morris, Laura Hesson, and Travis Christiansen.  Staff members present were Superintendent Max H. Rose and Business Administrator Brent Bills.

OPEN MEETING - 3:30 p.m.

Board President Welcome – Kelly Blake
Pledge of Allegiance – Member Morris
Reverence – Member W. Christiansen
 
Board President Kelly Blake said that the District has to make cuts to programs.  Cuts to sports include a reduction in all sports programs across District and will include coaches and travel.  Fees for participating in sports is also being increased.  Booster clubs and the increase in fees will make up the difference.

MINUTES
February 26, 2009
March 10, 2009
March 26, 2009
Member Seegmiller presented a motion to approve the minutes from the February 26, 2009, March 10, 2009, and March 26, 2009 School Board meetings.  Member W. Christiansen seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

INFORMATION ITEMS
Enrollment
Marshall Topham said that our enrollment is down nine students from last month.  Our enrollment numbers are down by 222 from the projected enrollment.  The online school has made up some of the adjustments in our enrollment.  Over 1000 students have signed up for the online school from all over the state.  

ACTION ITEMS
District Business
Purchases over $10,000
Personnel Items
Springdale Elementary School LAND Trust 2008-09 Change
Member T. Christiansen presented a motion to approve the District business.  Member Hesson seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

Bid for IT/Post High Building
Mel Ashcraft reported on the bids for the IT/Post High building.  The committee recommendation would be to award the contract to Bud Mahas Construction.  The bid is almost a million dollars less than the original estimate.  Mel Ashcraft said that building at this time will save the District money and will also help to stimulate our economy.
Member Seegmiller presented a motion to award the bid for the IT/Post High building to Bud Mahas Construction.  Member Morris seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

DISCUSSION ITEMS
Policy 1332 – FLMA/ADA/Sick Leave
Lyle Cox discussed the policy modifications to make our policy more compliant with new revisions to FMLA.   These changes give protection and benefits to military employees and their dependents, make modifications on leave time for those new to the District, donated leave and options allowing employees to purchase additional short term disability insurance.   

Policy 3400 – School Fees
Marshall Topham reviewed the school fee policy.  Principals and faculty will receive a copy next week for review.  Some of the changes include language clarifications.   A new mailing fee is being added for individuals who request paper copies rather than electronic copies of information and grades.  This fee applies to secondary schools only.  A science lab consumable fee for high schools has also been added, as the science materials are very expensive.  Sports participation fees under 3.7.5 have been increased to cover the cost of those programs.  

Optional items such as lunch were taken off the list and included in a section on optional expenses.  These items are not required by the school and are provided as a service to the community.

A new fee has also been added for a math calculator rental fee.  

The disciplinary transfer fee under 3.7.2.5 was approved earlier put was not included in the fee policy.

Wes Christiansen suggested having students pay the fee for AP exams up front.  Marshall Topham mentioned that AP and biology classes also have a fee increase to cover the cost of consumables.

The cost for competency exams is only the cost of the exam.

2008-09 School LAND Trust Progress Reports and 2009-10 School Plans
Copies were given to the Board for review.  Some changes are still needed to the plans and Kajsia is working with the schools.

Dixie Downs Extended Year Option and Name Change
Dale Porter asked for the Board to approve an extended year program using federal grant funds.  The school would extend into summer an additional month with an intersession program.  Dixie Downs is a high impact school according to free lunch, ethnic, transition rate, and single parent statistics.  He said that research shows that the chances of failing in school are higher with high-risk students.  The program meets the criteria for the grant funds.  Mr. Porter said that although the grant drops in amount the last two years he has balanced it over the next four years.   He said that they expect high attendance during the intersession.  Children at lower levels will be asked to participate in the July summer intersession program.

The School Board asked for a proposal to be put together for public review.  Laura Hesson also asked that busing be included in the proposal brought back with the extended year proposal.  

Dale Porter also discussed the request for a name change of the school.  He mentioned the letters submitted by faculty and Community Council members stating the name that they preferred.
Names include: Dixie Sol, Dixie Desert, Snow Canyon, and Dixie Bilingual.  He reported that most faculty and Community council members want Dixie Sol.

Proposed 08-09 Final Budget and Proposed 09-10 Budget
Brent Bills reviewed the proposed 08-09 budget.  The final draft will come back to the Board in June.  He briefly reviewed the cuts happening in maintenance operations fund the fund notice money received.  He said that in years with a budget cut, carry over budgets would be taken and pooled to help balance out the cuts.

The proposed 09-10 budgets will also be brought to the Board in June after getting the tax information.

Brent Bills said that $2.3 million would be cut this year.  The next two years will have cuts just under $7.5 million.  Stimulus funds have been added to help with the cuts.  The state also put in some one-time program funds towards the cuts.  The District had some reserve funds that are helping also but cuts are still being made to capital outlay, technology and equipment budgets.  The District is trying to keep from having any one program take all the cuts.   Schools were asked to give input on those cuts.  If things don’t pick up after these next two years, more cuts will be needed.  

RECOGNITIONS
 (Awards Presented at Schools)    
Superintendent’s Award for Excellence
      Dana McConnell, Activity Director, Desert Hills High School
      Alan Martin, Custodian, Desert Hills High School
      Susan Bruschke, Teacher, Bloomington Hills Elementary
      Theresa Lisardo, Secretary, Bloomington Hills Elementary
    
Volunteer of the Month
      Sydne Davies, Desert Hills High School
      Amy Brinkerhoff, Bloomington Hills Elementary

District Employee Recognitions and Awards Received
     None reported.
                                            
REPORTS  
Superintendent
Superintendent Max Rose said he appreciates the Board and their involvement with the budget cuts.  The Board allowed the each school athletic program to give direction where to make the cuts.  G & T program will not be cut.  It will still be able to function but will be losing some personnel.

Board

Associations
Kathleen Wagner, WCEA – expressed appreciation for the Board and their work with the budget cuts and spreading the cuts out.  She mentioned some concerns with Policy 1332.  Under section 3.1.8., she said that in the past, teachers could use sick leave up front so employees were not docked pay.  Now it states that they will not allow those days to be paid up front.  She asked that this statement be removed and continue with the current process.   She also mentioned leaving 3.6. dealing with donated days the same, more leeway under 3.7.1.4. to provide certification required and leaving the association involved with the selection of provider under 3.7.6.  Kathleen Wagner will meet with Lyle Cox on some of the other policy concerns.

AFT did not have a representative report.

PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
Kristine Wagner asked for an explanation on what the sports cuts mean.  
Board Members explained that it would be up to the schools to make a decision on how and where to make cuts in their sports programs.  She should check with the school on what is being done.

Buck Cowdin, a parent and an assistant coach, asked if the budget cut of $150,000 would be cut equally to schools or by the amount of students.  
Brent Bills said Enterprise High is the only school that will be slightly different.  
He said he appreciated the Board looking at suggestions and finding ways to resolve without cutting sports.
Craig Seegmiller said a positive way to approach the Board is to offer suggestions.

Ray Hosner, Pine View High School coach, said as a parent he is concerned with amount of games being played due to 3A classification.  With schools approaching the 1000 range, the state had said if the Board would commit to balancing enrollment the schools could play together in a region.  He feels it would give students better opportunities.  
Travis Christiansen said all but one Board member signed a resolution to UHSAA to balance out the numbers, but the UHSAA refused to approve.

Todd Abelhouzen, parent, feels athletics is important with education and that athletics can save some of the students academically.  He said that students have to have good grades in order to play sports.   He said that sport programs have a huge effect on our community as well.  He feels it is worth the expense to save one student.
Kelly Blake mentioned that the original report was not presented exactly the way the Board had agreed.  Freshman sports would have been restructured and included with JV.  The city had also agreed to run a program.  
Kelly Blake also mentioned that the recent NCLB report received states that the District office is under staffed.  Cuts are being made that affect every level.

Wes Swaney, local business owner said that he has contributed to almost every school in the district. His spouse is a teacher in the District.  He is concerned as a parent about the cuts to the Gifted & Talented program.  He mentioned his student being identified as G&T but nothing more happened over the last three years.  He said he is more upset about the cut to sports.  He is impressed with coaches/teachers in sports.  He said that when more students participate, there are more funds available to support the program.  He said that with future cuts down the road, he feels the community would be willing to pay for students to play.

Tracy Hokanson thanked the Board for saving the sports programs and giving the opportunity for sports to stay.  The community may have to be used as a resource.
Travis Christiansen mentioned that funds can be donated through the Foundation and can be earmarked for specific purposes.

Judy Eacker, Gifted & Talented program, said she is grateful that something has been left.  She mentioned that the District was just getting the program going and that they have been working hard to get the program running.  She said that the schools are also working hard to help students at the other end of the spectrum.  She would like the program to keep moving forward now that students are being identified.  She asked the Board to keep seeking a way to bring back the team to help meet the needs of the teachers and students.  She said that next year the District would only be servicing 4 & 5 grade students.

Debra Purdy said she moved here to have her student involved in freshman sports.  She has previously signed her student up in city leagues, but they don’t compare to the coaches and programs in the schools.  When students play up, it eliminates the number of students that can play.  She also mentioned that colleges won’t look at them if they only have a two-year program.  
Kelly Blake said that all teams will still exist but schools will decide where to cut.  Participation fees are being raised.  Most responses received included support to pay additional charge for program.
Superintendent Max Rose said that Craig Hammer would take charge to make sure that there is some consistency in the District.

Cindy Chamberlain suggested the Board look at the money that is being spent on things.  She said that students learn from the programs and the teachers.  

Laura Najera, Dixie Downs PTA, shared concern with the $5.00 fee to send copies to parents.  She said that the fee is too high for some parents.  She is concerned that many parents won’t receive information from school, as they won’t look at Internet.
She also addressed the extended program proposal for Dixie Downs Elementary.  She said that we need to provide the best education for them that we can while they are young. She asked the Board to support the extended year program and name change and make things best for our children.

Melinda Peacock was told by transportation that the District has to go by the guidelines set for busing students.  She said that some students are being compensated in free lunch to drive students to school.  She said that half of a street might qualify to ride the bus when the other half does not.  She feels it could save the district funds to eliminate buses for half streets.  
Brent Bills said we are required to provide buses by state law, but when enough students are not located at one stop funding is compensated for parents to provide the transportation.
Travis Christiansen encouraged her to contact our legislators.

Melinda Peacock also asked about the funding from School Trust Land money.
Brent Bills said funds go to the state and are distributed to the schools.  He said that we don’t control those funds.

Grant Needam, booster president at Desert Hills High School, said he is concerned about the building that is still happening, yet the District is cutting staff and programs.  He said that ticket sales for sports ends up being the key revenue for those programs.  He feels the District needs to be wiser with the budget.  Making the boundaries even, then promoting when the schools were playing each other to bring parents out would increase the funds raised.  He said he is also concerned with the safety issue of combining age groups to play.  He said that many people in the community want to be involved.  He suggested tapping into the retired groups as well.
Brent Bills said that the program money and construction money are two different funds.  


BOUNDARY HEARING
Kelly Blake opened the Boundary Hearing.
Travis Christiansen explained the need to have dual boundaries.
Brent said dual boundaries would be between Dixie Downs, Sunset, Arrowhead, and Coral Cliffs.

Michelle Joines, parent, said that not all students are able to participate.  The proposed change would help clear up boundaries for those who move in the area and cannot qualify to participate.

Dale Porter mentioned that those in the boundary would be given preference.  English speakers would only be able to participate if it is within their first three years of school.  Spanish speakers could participate regardless of grade level.

Brent Bills explained the two maps and Launi Schmutz briefly explained the busing.
Launi explained busing

ACTION ITEMS
Dixie Downs Elementary School Boundary Designation

Member T. Christiansen presented a motion to approve the Dixie Downs Elementary School boundary designation adjustment.  Member Hesson seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

The Board reconvened to a working session.