MINUTES
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Washington County School District
August 12, 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 Blake
Reverence-Member Seegmiller

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

MINUTES
June 10, 2008
Member Blake presented a motion to approve the minutes from the June 10, 2008 Board Meeting as written.  Member Hesson seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

DISTRICT BUSINESS
Purchases for over $10,000
Personnel Items
The Board stated their decision to appoint Jim McKim as Director of Special Education.
The intern program with SUU and DSC were reviewed.  Teachers in the program are paid ½ the regular teacher salary for the year.  They will start to receive their salary in November.
Expulsions
Member Seegmiller presented a motion to approve the District business and appoint Jim McKim as the Director of Special Education.  Member Christiansen seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Senate Bill 281  
Richard Holmes reported that funding has been significantly cut so the District plan was modified.  The plan includes recognition of teams.  Mr. Holmes said that two observations would be done by the principal, two by a staff developer and two are done through self-assessment.
Elementary schools will be focusing on literacy.  The secondary focus will be on teaching skills.

Robert Proffit said that teachers in our District reported seeing a perfect fit with PLC plans.  The program integrates well.  Mr. Proffit mentioned that the District is looking at setting up advisory panels.  The District is calling the program “PLC Implementation.”  Information on the plan was included in the Board packet.

It was mentioned that it has been planned to put the extra funds not given to teachers back into the schools but it is still pending on how this year works out.  A cap has been set at $500 per teacher.

Richard Holmes reported that our District plan was presented by the state as a model plan.

Adult Education Registration Fee
Superintendent Rose reported on the need to increase the Adult Registration Fee (from $40 to $60) to help offset cost of the program.

Policy 1330 – Employee Leave
Lyle Cox reviewed a change of dates in the policy.  It was proposed to move the end date from August 1st to September 1st allowing 243-day employees to use time after schools are open.  The date change would also align better with the fiscal year and medical insurance contract date.

Policy 3700 – Technology Acceptable Use Policy
Rex Wilkey reviewed proposed changes allowing purchases to be made over the Internet.  A lot of purchases are being done on the Internet and can be very cost effective.  The proposed changes also remove restrictions of multi-user domains.  
      
INFORMATION ITEMS:
Team of the Year Video Presentation (If time allows)
A CD copy will be given to each Board member to review at their convenience.

ACTION ITEMS:
Policy Updates:
1.  1120.3.1 Teacher on Special Assignment
2.  1200.3.2.7, 3.3.6, 3.3.9, 3.4.7.2, 3.4.14 Pay Policy
3.  1320.3.6.3 Early Retirement
4.  1432.3.7.2, 3.7.3 Educator Evaluation
5.  3700.3.10 Technology Acceptable Use Policy
6.  7000 3.4 Scheduling Transportation Personnel
7.  9400.3.6 Challenge to Emphasize a Full School Year of Meaningful Education for all  students
Lyle Cox reviewed the changes to the policies listed above.  These policies were discussed in the June Board meeting.  Mr. Cox reported that he received no updates to any of the proposed changes.  Mr. Cox noted one additional change on Policy 1200 allowing supervisors to approve accrual of overtime to 240 hours before comp time must be compensated.  
Member Seegmiller suggested removing “of” before the portion of policy 1200.3.4.7.2 being deleted to make sentence grammatically correct.
Member Blake presented a motion to approve the Policy updates as presented with the additional change in Policy 1200.3.4.7.2 as stated above.   Member Seegmiller seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

Adult Education Registration Fee
Member Christiansen presented a motion to approve the increase of the Adult Education Registration Fee to $65.00.  Member Morris seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

Snow Canyon High School Addition Bid
Mel Ashcraft stated that the recommendation of the Building Committee would be to award the contract to Watts Construction with the condition that the adjustment listed in schedule E be accepted.
Member Seegmiller presented a motion to award the bid to Watts Construction at rate listed including adjustment in schedule E.  Member Hesson seconded the motion that passed.  Member Gubler abstained from voting due to a conflict of interest.

RECOGNITIONS    
Mark Hoss – Earned designation of Certified Professional Public Buyer            
Wes Christiansen recognized Mark for the certification earned.
Brent Bills said that Mark Hoss has been working for the past two years to earn this designation.  The tools Mark now has are a real benefit to WCSD.
                                
REPORTS:
Superintendent
Superintendent reported on the start of school today.  District administrators visited schools this morning and said that each cone site opened smoothly.  Desert Hills High School had a student count of 751 for the first day.  Superintendent also expressed appreciation to Alyson Van Duesen, Spectrum, for her reports on the new schools, Sunrise Ridge Intermediate and Desert Hills High.

Board
Laura Hesson mentioned attending the USBA delegate assembly.  She said the USBA approved the request for Washington County to become a separate region.  Brent Bills has the meeting information.

Associations
Kathleen Wagner, WCEA, said the association is looking forward to the start of the new school year.  She mentioned that dates have been set to meet with Superintendent Rose and the District.  She said that the association is keeping tabs on specific legislative bills.  She also clarified that interns do receive a full salary after November 1st not ½ salary.  This does not include the S.E.E. students.

Allen Frei, AFT, said he had nothing to report but felt that things went well today with the start of school.

PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD

Rusty Taylor, SCMS Principal, reported on a forum held on June 6th to close the school campus.  He said a letter is being submitted to Superintendent Rose for approval.  Students will have lunch items available from local vendors on campus.  Mr. Taylor said that the public response has been very positive.   

Member Christiansen presented a motion to reconvene to a work session until time for the tax hearing.  Member Morris seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

TRUTH IN TAXATION HEARING - 6:00 P.M.
Board President Welcome - Wes Christiansen

Wes Christiansen asked that comments be kept brief and for participants to not repeat items already discussed.  He stated that the meeting would end at 7:10 p.m.

Brent Bills reported that the Washington County School District 08-09 budget included the proposed property tax rates.  He stated that property taxes overall were going down comparing last years rate at .005565 and the current year at .005637.  Mr. Bills reviewed the tax levies, revenue, expenses, debt, bonds and capital projects of the District.  He reviewed the anticipated budget of $263 million next year.  He explained the certified tax rate set by the state.

Public Opportunity to Address the Board

Shane Swensen – suggested that the Board should have chosen a different night other than a Back to School night for the hearing.  Parents were unable to be both places.  He is not in favor of any tax increase this year as the cost of living has increased this year.

Travis Christiansen responded that Board meetings are scheduled the 2nd Tuesday of month.

Jennifer Woodland – quoted information from the newspaper about the tax increase.  Her children attend a charter school.  She feels that the primary reason for the tax increase is the legislative bill requiring funds to go to charter schools.   She said she appreciated seeing the School District expenditures as presented by Brent Bills.  She feels the District has had the benefit of receiving funds for children that were not attending public schools.  She would like to see the District tighten the budget.

Kelly L. Gates – asked the Board to lower taxes.  She said the assessed value of her home only increased $1000, but her taxes increased 100%.

Craig Seegmiller responded by saying if the tax evaluation increased, citizens need to appeal to the county.

Sue Lewis – said her property values went down but her taxes increased.

Craig Seegmiller said that doesn’t make sense, she would need to go to the county offices.

Sheri Larsen – said she has a rental home in Washington where the value has decreased but taxes increased.  

Craig Seegmiller said she would need to take that problem to the county.  It is not a School District issue.

Brent Bills said the property tax should be the assessed value of home x .55 x the tax rate of .005637.

Cal Robinson, County Official, said that if property changed from primary residence to non-primary it would cause a tax increase.  He said individuals would need to submit an application to the county office.

Mike Jenson – said his property at Anderson Junction has a $700 tax increase.

Craig Seegmiller pointed out that his concern is a county issue not a School District issue.
Brent Bills mentioned that Legislator Dave Clark has been trying to address the tax shift.  Each year only part of the county is assessed.

Clo Jensen - Did not address the Board.

M Hancock –is surprised that we are asking for more money when home values have increased.  She suggested the School District take a good look at their budget after the article in the paper said the District is over budget, before approving the budget for this year.  She asked the Board to compare salaries and home values in area.  She said things are tough right now and suggested it is not the time to raise taxes.

Brent Bills stated that the District cannot take more on the increased value without a Truth in Taxation hearing.   He said that the District is not over budget but that one program was over budget.  Other funds were used to cover that deficit.

Wendell Gubler pointed out that fuel prices have increased the transportation costs for the District.

Wes Christiansen said that the Board reviews the finances on a monthly basis.  Our District has kept the per pupil spending one of the lowest in the state.  The Board looks at what is going to be best for our students.

Luke Rowley – Did not address the Board.

Beverly Rowley – asked about the Snow Canyon High School expansion.  She asked why the District would expand Snow Canyon when the enrollment at Desert Hills High is low.

Brent Bills said the expansion would add additional programs such as welding at that site.  Snow Canyon High is the smallest of the high schools.  He said it is more cost effective to add additional classrooms now while doing other construction projects at the school.   He mentioned as stated earlier that Desert Hills High School opened today with 750 students.  

Jerry Border – Did not address the Board.

Elve Border – Did not address the Board.

(Additional participants who had not signed up to speak were allowed to address the Board.  Individuals were asked to state their name prior to speaking.  Some names were difficult to hear or were not given and may not be completely correct.)

M. James – said that the Board Members are representatives of schools.  He wanted to know what the differences are between last years budget and this years budget, about raises approved for Superintendent and the Business Administrator, how many teachers are not certified, bonuses given to teachers, and if the District is top heavy.

Brent Bills briefly explained the budget and addressed bonds.  He mentioned that 35 teachers are working on the ARL program.  The Alternative Route to Licensure is a state approved program allowing teachers to work under a temporary license up to three years while in the program. Brent also explained that bonus money for teachers comes from the State Department of finance.

Wes Christiansen pointed out how many employees and students Superintendent Rose is responsible to manage.

Doug Holladay – said he had worked for a school district previously and that there are always wasted funds.  It seems funds are spent with a “use it or loose it” attitude.  He hopes the District is looking for ways to reduce wasted funds.

Craig Seegmiller said the Board is always looking for ways to reduce wasted funds.

A.J. – Santa Clara – asked about getting copies of the School District budget sheets.  Still had questions on proposed tax showing an increase.

Brent Bills stated that copies could be obtained from the District.  He said he would try to get budget information as well as compensation and vendor payment information on the website.   He mentioned again that the certified tax rate is calculated by the state and that the District cannot take more on the increase without a Truth in Taxation hearing.  It is the State Tax Commission that determines the amount the School District will get.  

Brad Harr – Small Business Owner, wanted information on how businesses would be affected with the proposed tax rate.

Brent Bills said that businesses are taxed on the assessed value of the business.

(Name Unknown) – asked what percentage of students are illegal residents in our schools?  He said that businesses are being told they have to show that their employees are here legally.  He asked the Board to consider that as contractors or businesses are hired to do work for the District.  Make sure only those who are not hiring illegal immigrants to work are used.  

Brent Bills said the District couldn’t legally answer the question on students.

Wes Christiansen said the Board would look into the hiring issue.

(Name Unknown) asked the Board to represent those who have addressed them.  The District has been given an increase over the years.  Stated that when the funding comes from property tax some districts get more than other districts.  He suggested that the District needs to be more efficient in their spending and suggested possibilities such as eliminating benefits to give teachers a salary increase, finding ways to reduce utility costs, etc.

Travis Christiansen said he should talk to the legislature on other funding sources.

Wes Christiansen – Concerned that we all get caught up in the fad of what is going on.  Our administrators make less than others in the State.  Supt. and Brent have made tremendous differences in our District.  He said it is important that our education keeps teaching the American way and continues teaching morals.  

(Name Unknown) stated to get quality people you have to pay the salary.

(Name Unknown) asked the Board to remember those stuck on a fixed income.

Brent Bill stated that most of increase is in new growth.  He agreed that the way the tax notice is written make it confusing.  He said that 1.04% is the actual revenue the District will collect off the properties.

Travis Christiansen pointed out that a large part of the tax bill is for bonding to build new buildings.  

ACTION ITEMS
Approve 08-09 Budget – Brent Bills
Member Christiansen presented a motion to approve the new 2008-09 Budget as proposed.  Member Gubler seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

Member Christiansen presented a motion to adjourn the School Board meeting at 7:40 p.m.  Member Blake seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT