OPEN MEETING - 3:30 p.m.

Board President Welcome – Kelly Blake
Kelly Blake noted appreciation to schools for their comprehensive guidance displays.  Displays show that great things are happening in the schools.

Pledge of Allegiance – Member Hesson
Reverence – Board President Blake
 
MINUTES
April 14, 2009
Member Gubler presented a motion to approve the minutes from the April 14, 2009 School Board meeting.  Member Morris seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

INFORMATION ITEMS
Enrollment
Marshall Topham said information shows that enrollment is down about 50 students.

History Fair – Student Achievement
Kathryn Leany, District History Fair Coordinator, reported on student participation in the History Fair.  Sixteen schools participated in the local and regional fairs.  Four of the schools had full grade or full school participation.  Our District had 250 students continue on to the regional level.  She reported that Washington County students took 60% of the awards in three divisions.  All students participating at the state level received excellent, two students received a request to display their work, two received cash awards and two students will continue on to compete in the national fair.  Kathryn Leany is hoping our District can continue to be involved and would like to incorporate participation at the high school level.

Comprehensive Guidance Program
Displays reviewed before open session.

ACTION ITEMS
District Business
     Purchases over $10,000
     Personnel Items 
     Personnel change to 2009
Member T. Christiansen presented a motion to approve the District business with one correction to the personnel items changing the effective date to August 2009.   Member Gubler seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

Policy 1332 – FMLA/ADA/Sick Leave
Lyle Cox said the changes to the policy have been an item of discussion. 

Kathleen Wagner expressed concern with the change to 3.1.8 not allowing the ten sick days to be used up front as allowed before.  She suggested adding language that would allow taking from the last paycheck if needed.

Lyle Cox said the practice was previously allowed because there was no other way to deal with it.  He said we now have a policy on donated leave and short-term disability.  He said if a new teacher became seriously ill, leave could be donated to cover until it could go into the short-term disability or even long term.

Kathleen Wagner pointed out that short-term disability could be purchased but won’t cover pre-existing conditions.  She said that new teachers seem to be sickest the first year.

Kathleen Wagner also expressed concern with the donated days being limited to ten.  She suggested that if people are willing to donate days, why should we limit the amount of days.  She feels it helps with benefits and moral of the employees.

Lyle Cox the District has created a good health benefit for employees.  He said we could compromise this year to see if donated days would cover, after that we would follow policy and employees could purchase the short-term disability.  He agreed that pre-existing conditions are not covered for the year.  He suggested giving a grace period for that first year.  He pointed out that by limiting the days, it leaves a pool of days available for anyone needing the donation, not just one or two using them all.  He said we could do a memorandum of understanding for one year but recommended implementing as stated.  The memorandum of understanding would not cover new employees that are hired after this first-year and would be just for pre-existing conditions.

Lyle Cox also mentioned the state rule relating to funeral leave and said changes would add grandparents or grandchildren funerals as well.

Kathleen Wagner said that the short-term disability will help with the use of donated days needed and would help to build up the pool.  Donated days are only for FMLA qualifying event.

Member W. Christiansen presented a motion to approve Policy 1332 FMLA/ADA/Sick Leave allowing ten days of sick leave to be used up front during the first year of employment.  Member Gubler seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

Policy 3400 – School Fees
Marshall Topham said that feedback received was reflected on the copy attached to agenda.
Member Hesson presented a motion to approve Policy 3400 - School Fees.  Member T. Christiansen seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

2008-09 School LAND Trust Progress Reports and 2009-10 School Plans
Laura Hesson said that schools are making corrections to items in question. 
Member Hesson presented a motion to approve the 2008-09 School LAND Trust Progress Reports and 2009-10 School Plans will the corrections from the schools being submitted to Kajsia Boyer.  Member Morris seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

Dixie Downs Extended Year Option
Member Morris presented a motion to approve the Dixie Downs extended year option as presented.  Member Gubler seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

Dixie Downs Name Change
The Board asked to table this item until next month allowing time for parents to be surveyed.
Member Morris presented a motion to table the approval of the Dixie Downs name change.  Member T. Christiansen seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

Comprehensive Guidance Program
Member T. Christiansen presented a motion to approve the District Comprehensive Guidance Program.  Member W. Christiansen seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

Enterprise High School Vocational Building Contract Award
Member T. Christiansen presented a motion to award the Enterprise High School Vocation Building contract to Bud Mahas Construction.  Member Gubler seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

Priorities Budgets
Member T. Christiansen presented a motion to approve the Priorities Budgets.  Member Gubler seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

Rewiring of Intercom System
Member T. Christiansen presented a motion to approve the rewiring of the intercom system.  Member Gubler seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

Hurricane Elementary Fiber Line
The Board asked that this item be tabled until next month.
Member Morris presented a motion to table the approval of the Hurricane Elementary fiber line.  Member T. Christiansen seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

DISCUSSION ITEMS
Policy 4010 – Student Aide
Marshall Topham has been reviewing the policies relating to secondary schools.  The title of this policy made no sense and the form included is obsolete.  The policy change requires that students take an afterschool course before becoming a student aide.  Marshall Topham said he would have the curriculum for the mini course included with the policy for approval next month.  The changes will help set the parameters for what students can and cannot do. 

RECOGNITIONS
(Awards Presented at Schools)     
Superintendent’s Award for Excellence
    Annette Graff, Teacher, Washington Elementary
    Shelle Kreitzer, Computer Lab Assistant, Washington Elementary
    Jessica Nelson, Teacher, Riverside Elementary
    Nancy McAllister, Media Assistant, Riverside Elementary
   
Volunteer of the Month
     Jennifer Feltner, Washington Elementary
    Lewis Fish, Riverside Elementary

District Employee Recognitions and Awards Received
Superintendent Max Rose mentioned the following awards and recognitions received.
Randy Richardson – Received recognition from USOE following the Title III Audit.

Enterprise Elementary and Hurricane Elementary received High Performing Awards.

Lulu Beltran, Dixie Downs Elementary student – AAA School Safety Patrol Lifesaving Medal

30-Year Service Awards
    Janet Morwood, Santa Clara Elementary
    Nadine Hancey, LaVerkin Elementary
    Steven Melessa, Desert Hills High School
    Anreta Frei, Tonaquint Intermediate
    Keith Bracken, District Transportation,
    Gai Robinson, Pine View Middle School               

REPORTS
Superintendent

Board
Travis Christiansen mentioned attending the ROTC recognition at Dixie High School.  He said that there are some great things going on through the program.

Associations
Kathleen Wagner, WCEA, thanked the Board for their support.

PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
Kelly Blake asked for individuals to keep statements to three minutes.

Melinda Telford, a parent of students at Heritage Elem, read a prepared statement expressing gratitude for the positive changes happening at Heritage Elementary.  She stated the Board should keep Mr. Scott Smith at Heritage to keep continuity at the school.  She said Mr. Smith will step back allowing Principal Gregoire to lead and that both Mr. Smith and Principal Gregoire are willing to work together.  She said that Mr. Smith is willing to teach growing with math during math time and would teach the other program after school.  She said Mr. Gregoire said he would be willing to work with Mr. Smith.  She quoted from the District letter sent to parents on the reason the District was making the changes but felt issues had been resolved and asked the Board to leave Mr. Smith as he understands the students.  With all the changes she asked that they let the school at least have Mr. Smith.

Valerie Smith, read a statement from Mr. Scott Smith.  It stated that he had inquired into the criteria used to make the move but was given no answer.  It mentioned that administrators told parents they do understand all the reasons for the move, which leaves parents to wonder.  The statement included his sincere regret that the best interest of students has been set aside.
Valerie Smith continued by saying that Scott Smith has been dedicated to students over the years.  He loves to teach and help prepare students to go into the 6th grade.  She asked the Board for answers as to why he is being moved from Heritage and why he is being changed to teach a different grade.

Kaydn Ence, a former student of Mr. Scott Smith, shared his experience with learning disabilities.  He said that Mr. Smith cared and helped him succeed.  He mentioned that Mr. Smith helped him put a plan together and took time afterschool and during the summer to tutor and help him learn and do testing.  He stated that he has now made the honor role and has also started his own business.  He said his self-esteem increased through Mr. Smith’s devotion. 

Martin Peterson said that he feels they have been discriminated against at Heritage Elementary.  He read statements he was told Kelly Blake had said during a meeting with Mr. Smith.  He said that Mr. Smith loves the students at Heritage Elementary.  He also stated that he felt Kelly Blake should not have been on committee as his student attends Riverside Elementary.  He said that in a meeting with the District, he was told by administrators Lyle Cox and Rex Wilkey, that teachers do not make an impact on students.
Kelly Blake denied making the statements as accused.
Travis Christiansen said that information could not be publically shared, as it was a closed meeting.
Lyle Cox said that no statement was made that teachers do not make a difference. 

Laura Najera, Dixie Downs PTA, thanked the Board for their support of the extended year program.  She invited the Board to come and see the students and visit the school.  She said that the students are succeeding because of the programs at Dixie Downs.

Rick Erickson, Heritage parent, said he understands that the District has already made the decision to move Mr. Smith.  He feels that parents should be allowed to have a voice in who teaches their children and is frustrated with the disconnect between the parents and the District.  He said that parents need to be heard.  He said there needs to be a greater accountability and transparency between the District and parents.  He said they want to be allowed to share in the decisions affecting their students.

Joshua Erickson, asked the Board to allow Mr. Smith stay at Heritage.  He said that Mr. Smith has helped him and made the class a fun place to learn.  He said that other students will miss out on having him as their teacher.

Travis Christiansen stated that by law we cannot publish information on why we are moving teachers because of employee privacy rights.  Even if the employee waives the right allowing information to be shared he suggested that our legal council would probably advise against it.

Steve Urquhart asked that the Board retain Scott Smith at Heritage.  He asked for the District to be more responsive to parents and include them in decisions.  He said that parents are frustrated and feel that they have been disrespected.  Parents feel that they are not part of the process.  He feels that the problems could have been avoided if parents were listened to and made partners in the process.

Kelly Blake pointed out that this is a difficult issue.  He stated that he did not know where Mr. Smith was going and he was not involved in the transfer decision.  He pointed out that the Board looks at issues from perspectives district-wide.  He said that the information must stay private and decisions are made after looking at all the facts.  He said the Board discussed it in the last meeting and did use public input.  He expressed that he is sorry that public feels like they are not being listened to.  He said that the Board is trying to do the best they can and do what is best for the students in the District.

Brad Harr said his student who had earned an associate degree, but did not have all the credits needed for a high school diploma, was not being allowed to walk at graduation.  He said as parents, they have been involved in their student’s education and with the school.  He pointed out that Washington County School District even paid for some of the student’s classes.  He asked that Board to accept a policy allowing students who earn an associate degree and participate at a high school to walk at graduation. 

Laura Hesson thanked the parents for coming to support a teacher that they love.  She agreed that there is room for better communication with parents.  She pointed out that if a school is in need of improvement, things need to happen.  She said that the bottom line is for all students in the District to succeed.  She appreciates the deep concern the parents have for their child’s education as well as other children’s education.

Travis Christiansen said the Board would welcome a phone call early on if an individual sees a problem.  It was pointed out that the District plans to make teacher transfers every year.

The Board reconvened to a closed session.