MINUTES
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Washington County School District
November 11, 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
Wes Christiansen took a moment to recognize Veteran’s Day and give special recognition to those who have served for our country.
     
Pledge of Allegiance - Member Hesson
Reverence – Member Blake

PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
Wendy Sandberg – Requested that the School Board change the start date of school from August 13, 2009 to August 17, 2009.  She said that the Washington County Fair is always the second weekend of August.  She said that many of the youth are involved in activities and help with the fair in various ways.  She is concerned that families will not attend the fair.  She asked the Board to please reconsider the 2009 starting date of school.

MINUTES
October 7, 2008
Member Morris presented a motion to approve the minutes from the October 7, 2008 Board Meeting as written.  Member Hesson seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

Action Items:
Resolution confirming the sale and authorizing the issuance of $20,000,000 General Obligation School Building Bonds (Utah School Bond Guaranty Program), Series 2009 of the Board; and providing for related matters.
James Matsumori reviewed the bond information and set the date as December 9th.  January 13th would be the opening date and January 28th the delivery date.  The interest rate is not to exceed 5.9% with an anticipated rate of approximately 4.8%.
Member Christiansen presented a motion to approve the Resolution confirming the sale and authorizing the issuance of $20,000,000 General Obligation School Building Bonds, Series 2009 of the Board.  Member Seegmiller seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

Resolution to adopt the Airport CDA Plan and Budget/Benefit Analysis for a term of 20 years through participation in an Interlocal Agreement between WCSD and the St. George Redevelopment Agency.
Deanna Brklacich briefly reviewed the proposal of the St. George Airport CDA.  
Board members discussed approving with three added addendums: city provide a left turn lane on Brigham Road to the bus garage, land in development for a future school site, flashing speed signs on Bloomington Hills Drive and Elm Street.
Member Seegmiller presented a motion to approve the Resolution to adopt the Airport CDA Plan and Budget/Benefit Analysis for a term of 20 years with the added three addendums as discussed.  Member Blake seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

DISTRICT BUSINESS
Purchases for over $10,000
Personnel Items
Safe School Issues
The personnel hired for Special Education under the District are working in the schools.  This allows the District to keep them mobile and move them where they are needed. 
Member Seegmiller presented a motion to approve the District business.  Member Blake seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

DISCUSSION ITEMS
Washington Online School – Laura Belnap
Laura Belnap reviewed what the online school is and how the school runs.   She shared a copy of a daily plan and a weekly plan for the lessons and courses.  The plan gives the student direction and guidance.  Ms. Belnap gave an overview of the student activities, scoring, and lessons presented online.  She mentioned that other materials arrive at their home to use off-line.  Kits vary according to the lesson.  The program is very measurable and shows the progress and mastery level of the students.
Students work with a placement counselor/teacher and are required to have testing and assessments.

Laura Belnap said that the students have a broad range of needs for online school participation.  Some of the current students are actors, involved in sports, musicians, struggling with illnesses or other various family reasons.  Students statewide are participating in our program as not all districts have a program available.  Student’s request to participate.  There is no recruiting of students.

Ms. Belnap said that teachers are located centrally for the students that they have.  The student teacher ratio is currently 80:1.  Students do have face-to-face contact with the teachers through activities and final assessments.

Prevention Programming Grant – Teresa Willie & Logan Reid
Teresa Willie introduced those working at the Southwest Center and reported how the program dollars are being spent. They are providing a student assistance program.  Students with academic issues or students struggling with other problems participate in a Life Skills course. 
The center still assists with Red Ribbon Week programs through awareness campaigns.
Ms. Willie said if the District notices any gaps or services they could help with to let them know.

Logan Reid said that the programs they use are based on previous research.  Mr. Reid is involved with the research.  He mentioned that the State of Utah is focusing on prescription substance abuse.  He said that they would be doing research on programs to help.  The state has chosen to work on educating parents and the community.  Mr. Reid said he would like to come back and update the Board after more research is done.  The center won’t implement a program unless research shows it works and provides results.

Mr. Reid suggested that the District could help by participating in education seminars with other agencies and by providing more information to help educate parents. 

The center is struggling to help provide all needed services with the growth of the District and the small amount of staff available.  Southwest does contract with the District at an amount of $50,000 per year.  Board members received a list of services provided.  Schools have also contacted them to ask for services and they do provide as much help as possible.

Bob Green said the mental health is another issue being looked at by several organizations in the community.

Policies:
1330 Employee Leave
Lyle Cox explained that the changes to the policy allow employees to request an extended leave of absence for longer than one year.  To qualify, an employee must have worked eight years of continuous service.   The return placement rights are only for the first available vacancy to which the individual is qualified.  There is a provision allowing them to accept a different position if no vacancies are available in the qualified areas.

2920 Student Enrollment
Brad Ferguson reviewed HB349, which changed the open enrollment laws.  Dr. Ferguson said that with all the language changes he felt it would be better to delete the open enrollment section of the policy and create a new open enrollment section.  Those wishing to change schools will be required to submit their intention in writing by February.  Parents will be responsible for transporting the student to the school.  If a student transfers, eligibility for sports participation will have to be determined.  The student can continue in the open enrollment school as long as they are not suspended or expelled.   When a student is ready to move to the next feeder school, the student would have to reapply unless an exception is allowed for specific circumstances. 

2350 Handling Students with Lice Infestation
LuAnne Forrest explained that the changes allow the principals to handle situations at their school using their discretion.  The principal can determine if it would be best to keep the student in school until the end of the day or send the student home during school.   The policy already includes protecting the dignity of the student.   A change is also included to say that schools may establish a team where the PTA is available.

The policy states ½ inch from the scalp as once the nit is at that point it has either hatched or is an empty shell.  An information sheet and a brochure on lice will be given to parents.

2900 Attendance Policy (Elementary)
Rex Wilkey explained that the policy is being adjusted to work with PowerSchool.  He will be reviewing the policy with the principals this month.

Three Critical Commitments – Rex Wilkey
Rex Wilkey reviewed the Three Critical Commitments information by Robert Marzano as the District is looking at ways to tighten up student performance and achievement.  After attending the Marzano training, the administrative group felt that this is the next direction for our students.  Some of the benefits include being able to get quicker feedback on student progress, ensure that effective teaching is happening in every classroom through observations and training, building a better background knowledge for all students, uniformity in the District, better organization and information.  Principals who attended the training came back and worked with groups of principals in the District and have been receiving great feedback.

INFORMATION ITEMS
Dove Center Prevention Program
Sherri Michel-Singer, Director, introduced the program members with her who have been working with the state on a prevention program. 

Lynne Lindley shared information from their annual report.  She said that sexual abuse is a growing problem in the area.  She asked the Board to help with their program by writing a letter of support and by allowing them to present their program in the schools.   She said that the elementary level has two prevention programs.  The younger students participate in a 30-minute program helping them understand abuse.  Children would also receive a book entitled “My Body Belongs to Me.” The older children in 4th and 5th grades have a presentation on the anatomical parts of the body.  The secondary program focuses on violence in dating situations and teaches awareness and prevention.

ACTION ITEMS
Open Enrollment Declarations for 2009-10
Hurricane Intermediate was not included on the list, pending the possibility of 5th grade being temporarily moved.  Hurricane Intermediate has 415. 
Member Seegmiller presented a motion to approve the Open Enrollment Declarations for 2009-10 with the addition of Hurricane Intermediate.  Member Morris seconded the motion that passed.  One member abstained from voting and stating that he doesn’t like being told what to do by the legislators.

Resolution confirming the sale and authorizing the issuance of $20,000,000 General Obligation School Building Bonds (Utah School Bond Guaranty Program), Series 2009 of the Board; and providing for related matters.
Board approved earlier in the meeting.

Resolution to adopt the Airport CDA Plan and Budget/Benefit Analysis for a term of 20 years through participation in an Interlocal Agreement between WCSD and the St. George Redevelopment Agency.
Board approved earlier in the meeting.

Hurricane Elementary School Bid
Mel Ashcraft said that the suggestion of the committee would be to award the bid to Bud Mahas Construction. 
Member Morris presented a motion to accept the bid received from Bud Mahas Construction for the Hurricane Elementary School.  Member Hesson seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

2009-2010 Calendar
Craig Hammer said that the only suggestion received was to change the Fall break to a Friday/Monday and the concern shared earlier with the start date at the same time as the county fair.  Mr. Hammer explained the longer Christmas break allowing time for the Technology Department to move.  He also pointed out that it is hard to have the Christmas break in the middle of the semester.  The scheduled Quality Teaching day on January 4th will also allow one extra day for the Technology Department move.  He mentioned that state tournaments will always be the last week of May so that will be an issue if any of the 4A teams are in the finals. 

Marshall Topham said that the starting date has overlapped with fair before and allowances were made for those in royalties, etc.
Member Christiansen presented a motion to approve the 2009-2010 Calendar with the August 13th start date but changing the fall break to Friday, October 16th and Monday, October 19th.  Member Seegmiller seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

Craig Hammer said he would communicate with Wendy Sandberg to explain why the start date was left as August 13th.

2010-2011 Calendar
Craig Hammer said that the only difference in the calendar from 2009-2010 is starting school on a Monday which elementary principals do not like. 
Betty Barnum said it is hard on elementary students to start back to school on a Monday and have a whole week of school after the summer break.
Member Christiansen presented a motion to table the 2010-2011 Calendar until next month.  Member Seegmiller seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

Policies:
1200 Pay Policy
1330 Employee Leave
1401 Tobacco-Free School Policy
1600 District Association Recognition Policy
1900 Professional Development

Lyle Cox briefly reviewed the policies.  He said that no additional comments were received on policy 1200, 1330 and 1900.
Member Seegmiller presented a motion to approve policies 1200 Pay Policy, 1330 Employee Leave and 1900 Professional Development as written.  Member Morris seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

Lyle Cox said a request was submitted on policy 1401 to include under 3.5 a reference for where to obtain support. 
Member Morris presented a motion to approve policy 1401 Tobacco-Free School Policy with the recommended change giving a reference where to obtain support.  Member Blake seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

Lyle Cox said that many discussions and changes have been made to policy 1600.   Changes were suggested on conducting the election, increasing the filing fee, security and year limitations.  It was also changed to state that participating individuals (50% +1) could vote in favor of representation or no representation.  Mr. Cox said that changes were made to be more consistent with Utah Code.  Personalized letters and envelopes will be sent to eligible employees.

Kathleen Wagner said there is concern that without a “50% +1” favored representation selected, no association would represent.  She suggested in 6.3 to keep the original language using the highest count returned.  Ms. Wagner fears that many of the employees will toss the information aside and not submit a vote.

Lyle Cox said that teachers do not have to join to have their voice heard.  He said that the Human Resource Directors in the state looked at how to combat the issue and came up with the wording.  Mr. Cox said that the policy is detailed and teachers will know the steps.  If no association is voted in the School Board can decide whether to use an association or establish a committee for negotiations. 

It was mentioned that 400 employees would be excluded because their contract is temporary which makes them ineligible for that year.  Kathleen Wagner feels that if most of those contracts end up being provisional the next year they should have a chance to give their vote.

Lyle Cox said by allowing them to vote it gives the implication that employment will be continued.  He pointed out that this process will be a big deal and could be a huge distraction every year.  Mr. Cox expressed appreciation for both Kathleen Wagner and Dave Gardner who were very helpful throughout the process.

Dave Gardner said he likes that everyone is given a voice.  He said he could see both sides of argument for the temporary/At-will employees.  He said that with “50% + 1,” the associations will have to work to make it happen. 
Member Gubler presented a motion to approve policy 1600 District Association Recognition Policy as discussed with the changes made during the last month.  Member Blake seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

RECOGNITIONS

Ferron Holt, District Fine Arts Coordinator –  recipient of the Governor’s Leadership in the Arts Award through the Utah Art Council.

Jim Brey, Dixie Middle School Special Education Teacher – Excellence in Teaching Award.

(Awards Presented at Schools)     
Superintendent’s Award for Excellence
Terry Bergeson, Secretary, Little Valley Elementary
Joanne Lancaster, Teacher, Little Valley Elementary
Robert Davis, Custodian, Sunrise Ridge Intermediate
Emily Stam, Teacher, Sunrise Ridge Intermediate

Volunteer of the Month                                           
Tammy Tremea, Little Valley Elementary
Mindy Williams, Sunrise Ridge Intermediate
       
REPORTS
Superintendent
Board
Associations
Kathleen Wagner expressed concern that the fall break change to a Friday/Monday did not have a thirty-day period for teacher comments.

PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
No requests to address the Board.

Member Morris presented a motion to reconvene to a work session at 5:58 p.m.  Member Christiansen seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

Member Gubler presented a motion to adjourn the School Board meeting at 8:05 p.m.  Member Hesson seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT