MINUTES
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Washington County School District
December 9, 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 Budget Analyst Amy Booth.

Board President Welcome - Wes Christiansen
Pledge of Allegiance - Member Seegmiller
Reverence – Member Christiansen

PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
Sheila Farnsworth – Said she attended one of the school meetings on boundary changes in the Hurricane area.  She is opposed to moving the Toquerville students to Hurricane.  She asked the Board to consider other options such as year round school.  She is concerned about the extra distance required for students to be bused.  She also asked the Board to consider moving the Virgin students or other students to Hurricane rather than Toquerville.

MINUTES
November 11, 2008
Member Hesson presented a motion to approve the minutes from the November 11, 2008 Board meeting as written.  Member Morris seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

DISTRICT BUSINESS
Purchases for over $10,000
Personnel Items
Safe School Issues
Amy Booth explained that the high ability expense is part of a state grant that the District was awarded for the Gifted & Talented endorsement programs.  Amy Salyer is directing the program.

Board members also had a question on one of the Safe School Issues.  Craig Hammer is aware of the situation and will answer questions at a later time.
Member Blake presented a motion to approve the District business except one Safe School Issue needing additional information.  Member Seegmiller seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

DISCUSSION ITEMS
Public Hearing:
Conducting a public hearing to receive input from the public with respect to the issuance and sale of up to $20,000,000 general obligation bonds, for the purpose of (1) raising money to purchase one or more school sites, buildings and furnishings and improve existing school property under the charge of the Board, (2) paying the costs incurred in connection with the issuance and sale of the general obligation bonds and (3) the potential economic impact that the facilities will have on the private sector.

Time was opened for the public to comment on the sale of the $20,000,000 bond. 
No public comments were received.

Dustin Matsumori reported on the District rating increase as presented to the Board.

Amy Booth presented an affidavit of publication from The Spectrum newspaper and from the Utah Public Meeting Notice website.  Time was opened again for public comment on the sale of the $20,000,000 bond.
No public comments were received.

The public hearing was officially concluded.

Travis Christiansen noted that the bond would be issued in the next meeting. 
Craig Seegmiller pointed out that the District would only sell the bonds if the market were right.
    
Hurricane Elementary Boundary Discussion
Rex Wilkey reviewed the proposed boundary changes as presented to the Board during the work session.  He said the District could look at moving the Virgin students as proposed in the public comments. 

It was mentioned that the new Hurricane Elementary had been delayed but is now back on track.  The substantial completion date for the new school is December 1, 2009.

INFORMATION ITEMS
No information items were presented.

ACTION ITEMS
2010-2011 Calendar
Member Blake presented a motion to table this item until January allowing more time for open discussion.  Member Christiansen seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

Policies:
1330 Employee Leave
2920 Student Enrollment
Brad Ferguson said that the policy was presented to the principals and the enrollment has already been opened as required.
2350 Handling Students with Lice Infestation
2900 Attendance Policy (Elementary)

No additional comments were received on any of the above policies.
Member Seegmiller presented a motion to approve policies 1330, 2920, 2350, and 2900 as written.  Member Morris seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

Amend Motion on Airport CDA
Board members decided that the District needs more time to look at the CDA.  It was stated that the City Council did not approve some the conditions presented by the District in the last meeting.
Member Christiansen presented a motion to withdraw the Board approval and table the decision until next month.  Member Blake seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

RECOGNITIONS

(Awards Presented at Schools)     
Superintendent’s Award for Excellence
Teresa Peterson, Counselor, Pine View High School
Lesa Griffin, Secretary, Pine View High School
Peri Edwards, Staff Developer, Heritage Elementary School
Glenna Hatsis, Special Education Aide, Heritage Elementary School

Volunteer of the Month
Darin Walker, Pine View High School
Linda Johnston, Heritage Elementary School                                               

REPORTS
Superintendent
Superintendent Rose mentioned meeting the superintendents, board members and legislators from the Southern Utah area.  He said it was a good meeting and felt like the legislators understand the education concerns.
Board
Wes Christiansen reported that it appears that the legislators may turn budget decisions to local school boards.
Travis Christiansen briefly mentioned an article in Time Magazine on a New York superintendent.
Associations
Kathleen Wagner, WCEA, said that teachers are very thankful for the upcoming Christmas bonus.  She suggested that we encourage the legislators to make cuts to the frills.
Superintendent Rose mentioned that the lowest priority cuts would be to reduce classes or teachers.

Tony Barlow, AFT, said that the classified employees also appreciate the Christmas bonus.

PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
No additional comments received

Member Christiansen presented a motion to adjourn the public session of the School Board meeting and reconvene to a closed session at 4:11 p.m.  Member Seegmiller seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

Member Christiansen presented a motion to adjourn the meeting at 4:44 p.m.  Member Gubler seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT

ANNUAL BOARD CHRISTMAS DINNER held at 6:30 p.m.