MINUTES
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Washington County School District
October 7, 2008
OPEN MEETING
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. President Wes
Christiansen called the meeting to order and welcomed all visitors.
Board members present were Wendell Gubler, Craig Seegmiller,
Kelly Blake, Carole Morris, Laura Hesson, and Travis Christiansen.
Staff members present were Superintendent Max H. Rose and
Business Administrator Brent Bills.
Board President Welcome - Wes Christiansen
Pledge of Allegiance - Member Morris
Reverence - Board President Christiansen
PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
Kathleen Wagner – Addressed the Board on the Association
representation included on the agenda. She requested that the
agenda item be tabled allowing time for collaboration and to talk about
changes and address holes.
Board members mentioned that there is 30 days to allow discussion and
changes. The item could be tabled next month if needed.
MINUTES
September 9, 2008
Member Seegmiller presented a motion
to approve the minutes from the September 9, 2008 Board meeting as
written. Member Blake seconded the motion that passed unanimously.
DISTRICT BUSINESS
Purchases for over $10,000
Personnel Items
Safe School Issues
Enrollment
School LAND Trust Change Request – Fossil Ridge Intermediate
School LAND Trust – Washington Online School
Craig Seegmiller asked for more information on online school.
Superintendent said the online school provides an additional option for
students instead of home school. Content is provided for the
students. Students still take the end-of-level test as
traditional students. A link is available on the District website
to the online program.
Member Seegmiller presented a motion
to approve the District business. Member Morris seconded the
motion that passed unanimously.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
09-10 Calendar
10-11 Calendar
Calendars discussed in the work session. No further discussion at this time.
Policies:
1200 Pay Policy
1330 Employee Leave
1401 Tobacco-Free School Policy
1600 District Association Recognition Policy
1900 Professional Development
Lyle Cox discussed the proposed policy changes including stipend
payments for coaching situations. There have been problems when a
coach receives a stipend at beginning of year, but due to changes does
not end up coaching. Coaches would perform the responsibilities
first and then be paid.
Changes to the Employee Leave Policy better clarify leave privileges for qualified employees.
Problems indicated by the state with regard to Associations. The
change would allow a majority of eligible employees to determine the
Association representation and makes the process more consistent with
state laws. Anyone interested can participate in that dialog.
Clarifies exceptions made for professional development classes counting towards lane change.
The Tobacco Policy outlines conditions allowing the District to have
tobacco free properties. Visitors would also be subject to
criminal prosecution if they are found in violation. Lyle Cox
will look at conditions for schools still under construction.
Superintendent Rose said it may not take effect until a school is
completed and the District take ownership. Notice must be
provided and training will be needed as well.
INFORMATION ITEMS
Enrollment – Marshall Topham
Marshall Topham reported that the school enrollment is above the
numbers staffed at but mentioned that we are not growing at the same
rate. When schools are overstaffed elementary schools have some
flexibility to move teachers. Secondary teachers can’t be
moved as easy since most teach subject specific classes so classes end
up smaller.
Mr. Topham mentioned that Millcreek is full this year.
Physical Facilities Report
Not much has changed. Mel Ashcraft will report next month.
ACTION ITEMS
Special Education Procedures Compliance – Karen Bess
Karen reviewed the Special Education procedures manual. The
manual includes revisions made to be in compliance with federal and
state laws and rules as issued. Ms. Bess reviewed how numbers
have to be reported for homeless or parentally placed students, student
conduct, intervention model, evaluation processes, funding,
professional development, employee requirements, and grants. She
said that TAT Teams, school Psychologist, and others at the school help
with evaluation of the students. Due to the large turn over
rates, a committee has been organized to work on finding ways to help
with aide retention.
Member Christiansen presented a motion
to approve the Special Education Policies and Procedures as
written. Member Gubler seconded the motion that passed
unanimously.
Intermountain Healthcare Clinic
The Board suggested to table approval until the District has a chance
to provide further information as discussed during the work session.
Member Christiansen presented a motion
to table the Intermountain Healthcare Clinic approval. Member
Morris seconded the motion that passed unanimously.
Attendance Policy Pilot
Marshall Topham requested the approval of the Board in allowing all
secondary schools to abide by the attendance pilot program used at
Dixie High School last year for the remainder of this year.
Mr. Topham said he would clarify the information on the website until the policy can be studied for changes.
Member Seegmiller presented a motion
to allow the secondary schools to follow the Attendance Pilot program
procedures for the remainder of this school year. Member Morris
seconded the motion that passed unanimously.
Marshall Topham informed the Board members that the PLC Team of the Year video is now available on the District website.
RECOGNITIONS
Kris Cunningham – Selected by
the Board of Directors of the Utah Council of Teachers of Mathematics
for the 2008 Muffet Reeves Award.
Superintendent briefly explained the award Kris received. He said
the award shows the respect Kris Cunningham has in the State of Utah.
(Awards Presented at Schools)
Superintendent’s Award for Excellence
Lorri Munro, Teacher – Fossil Ridge Intermediate School
Peggi Leavitt, Food Service Manager – Fossil Ridge Intermediate School
Ellen Bennett, Teacher – Coral Canyon Elementary
Nicco Leatherman, Secretary – Coral Canyon Elementary
Volunteer of the Month
Christine Gafa – Fossil Ridge Intermediate School
Heather Bagnall – Coral Canyon Elementary
REPORTS
Superintendent.
Board.
Craig Seegmiller had questions about a level-4 math teacher not
receiving funds from the state pool because the teacher’s
original degree was in elementary education.
Lyle Cox said he would have to check into the situation.
Associations.
Kathleen Wagner, WCEA – Reported that the legislature has
directed to outsource the Teacher Salary Supplement program to the
Department of Human Resources Management (SB 2). Cactus numbers
are being used as the identifier. If a teacher’s cactus
number doesn’t reference one those license areas a teacher cannot
even get on to the system to access the application. Additional
compensation is only given to teachers of specific math and science
courses. Biology is excluded.
Kathleen also asked if the school reps could attend the Kelly Services
training and take the information back to the other teachers at the
school rather than having all teachers attend.
Lyle Cox said they do need to attend to understand how to use the new
software. They can attend at any of the training locations.
He will send an email to the administration addressing the issue.
Kathleen Wagner also stated that the pilot attendance program
doesn’t work at Millcreek. She said that the mid-term
report has language stating “Under current policy.”
Marshall Topham said he would work with Lawrence Esplin to make the needed changes.
It was also mentioned that the Praxis training in preparation for the
test would be done next month. The training is available to all
teachers in the District.
Dave Gardner, AFT – said that the attendance program has been
very effective at Dixie High School. He expressed appreciation
for the progress being made with Para-professionals. He also
mentioned that he is still working with Lyle on Kronos problems.
PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
No one signed to address the Board.
Carole Morris reminded Board members of the Literacy Committee meeting presentation. An email will be sent with the time.
Member Christiansen presented a motion
to adjourn the School Board meeting at 5:01 p.m. Member Hesson
seconded the motion that passed unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
