MINUTES
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Washington County School District
September 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 Business Administrator Brent Bills.
Board President Welcome-Wes Christiansen
Pledge of Allegiance-Member Christiansen
Reverence-Member Gubler
PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
Adrian Yearsley – Addressed the Board with several questions on
the Special Education budget, hiring of personnel and salary schedules.
Superintendent Rose recommended that Ms. Yearsley meet with Brent Bills, Business Administrator to answer her questions.
Wes Christiansen said that the Board oversees the programs in the
District. He said that in hiring for Special Education positions,
the District is starting with the needs of the children to make sure
they are serviced then building up.
Amanda Condie, LaVerkin Elementary PTO President – Expressed
appreciation to the Board for time spent making our schools
better. She expressed her concern over the large growth in the
Hurricane area. She said that there are 665 students at
LaVerkin but that the school was built for a smaller student
enrollment. She asked the Board to consider a proposed
expansion to LaVerkin Elementary or suggested building a new
school. (Handout of proposed expansion given to Board members.)
Wes Christiansen said that the Board has been looking at the growth and
has been working on plans for a new elementary school to help all of
the schools in the Hurricane area.
CeAnn Workman, high school student – Introduced the
representatives of an Anti-Tobacco Group. Ms. Workman said the
group was here to ask the Board to look the Tobacco Policy.
Laura Hesson said that the District is looking at a Tobacco Policy.
Stefani Johannsen, high school student – Feels that the current
policy does not provide help for those who are caught. She said
students are suspended and made to feel bad about themselves.
Kelsey Jetter, high school student – Asked the Board to consider
a policy change. She feels that other ways need to be found to
help them quit. She said most youth in this area don’t know
they can get help.
David Hansen, high school student – Feels the current system is
counter-productive to the students. He feels the school system
should help students overcome their addiction through counseling and
other programs.
Paul Bevan – Concerned about the safety hazards at Riverside
Elementary School. He said the school is built between two open
canals with no culverts. Mr. Bevan said that the principal has a
policy not allowing bikes on the campus so the kids leave their bikes
by the canal. He also said he is concerned that there are no
reduced speed signs or cross walks at the school. There is
currently construction work being done on the new preschool.
Heavy trucks are coming in uncovered and are dropping items all along
the road. He said there has not been control signs put up with
the construction. He mentioned that six inspectors are
required on the job but there is not one on the project.
Mr. Bevan said with the preschool opening it will put special needs children in the busing area.
He asked the Board to look at all of the safety concerns at Riverside
Elementary. He said letters are being sent to multiple agencies
for review as well as the school and the District.
MINUTES
August 12, 2008
August 21, 2008
Member Christiansen presented a motion
to approve the minutes from the August 12, 2008 and August 21, 2008
Board Meetings as written. Member Morris seconded the motion that
passed unanimously.
DISTRICT BUSINESS:
Purchases for over $10,000
Personnel Items
Expulsions
UHSAA 150 mile Forms
School LAND Trust Change Request – Hurricane Elementary
Member Seegmiller presented a motion
to approve the District business. Member Gubler seconded the
motion that passed unanimously.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
07-08 Assessment Summary – Brad Ferguson
Brad Ferguson reviewed the District assessment information at the close
of last school year. He mentioned that the state level
information has not yet been released.
End of Level (Criterion Reference) –
Brad Ferguson mentioned that there are only a few exemptions and that
the majority of the students take the test. He said that the
District is seeing more stability in the grade levels. Last year
the District average for Language Arts was 79% and this year it
increased to 80%. He pointed out that looking at grade levels
last year and diagonally this year (2nd grade to 3rd grade) students
are also showing an increase. The math scores in most grades show
good gains as well. The District average jumped from 73% last
year to 77% this year. The science scores saw a decrease from 69%
to 68%. Dr. Ferguson pointed out that the District is putting
more focus on reading and math. With this information schools are
able to focus on students not achieving. He then shared the
scores broken down by ethnicity. Although Caucasian students seem
to remain pretty steady, Hispanic and Indian populations are lower.
Iowa Reading Test -
Brad Ferguson also reviewed the Iowa Reading Test. The test is a
legislatively mandated test all 3rd grade students are required to
take. The national average is 50%. Most of our schools had
averages above the 50%. Four schools ranked below. He also
reported on the gains from fall to spring, which indicate that 93
students moved from below grade level to on or above grade level.
Dr. Ferguson said the scores show that the majority of 3rd grade
students are on or above reading level. This information has been
shared with the principals and they are making goals and plans to help
their students.
Kindergarten Assessment –
Brad Ferguson said the kindergarten program assessment is done through
a different program including pre and post-tests. The results
show that all kindergarten students, whether in extended day, full day
or half-day programs, showed similar progress. Students in
half-day kindergarten started and ended with the highest rating.
Students in an extended day kindergarten showed the greatest
gains. Dr. Ferguson reported that 693 students could not write
their name coming into school indicating that they are not as prepared
when entering. At the end of the year 35 students still could not
write their first name.
Fee Schedule – Marshall Topham
Marshall Topham stated the need to approve an addition to the fee
schedule with regards to school clubs. The change would address
national or state affiliated clubs that have required due
assessments. He also mentioned that there are a number of
inconsistencies in the application of the fee policy and would like to
spend time rewriting the schedule. The fee schedule may show more
expenses but will be a better disclosure. Mr. Topham also
mentioned that the Fee Policy might need to include consequences and
enforcement mechanisms.
INFORMATION ITEMS:
Enrollment – Marshall Topham
Marshall Topham said that the District did not see an increase in
student enrollment between the opening of school and Labor Day as
usual. He said our District appears to be experiencing a down
turn in the enrollment. Mr. Topham stated that the October 1st
count would be submitted to the state.
Physical Facilities Report
Mel Ashcraft reported that all the projects are in good shape.
The Desert Hills High School Theater is ready to punch. The
Riverside Preschool is progressing on schedule. Mr. Ashcraft
mentioned that everything is ready to begin the Snow Canyon High School
remodel. He also said that the Enterprise High School gym and
parking are on schedule and the greenhouse is almost ready to begin.
ACTION ITEMS:
Policies:
1. 1330 – Employee Leave
2. 1200 – Pay Policy
3. 3700 – Technology Acceptable Use Policy
Lyle reported that no changes were received in the last month.
Member Blake presented a motion to
approve the policy changes listed above. Member Christiansen
seconded the motion that passed unanimously.
Fee Schedule
Member Christiansen presented a motion
to adopt the change on clubs as presented. Member Hesson seconded
the motion that passed unanimously.
Technology and Post High Building
Member Seegmiller presented a motion
to approve the development of a technology and Post High
building. Member Morris seconded the motion that passed
unanimously.
RECOGNITIONS
(Awards Presented at Schools)
Superintendent’s Award for Excellence
Terry Seegmiller, Teacher, Arrowhead Elementary
Phyllis Lefler, Media, Arrowhead Elementary
Carmel Bozarth, Staff Developer, Red Mountain Elementary
Sherri Lords, Staff Developer, Red Mountain Elementary
Jeff Wittwer, Custodian, Red Mountain Elementary
Volunteer of the Month
Mariann Amidan, Arrowhead Elementary
Cathy Baker, Red Mountain Elementary
REPORTS:
Superintendent
Superintendent reported that Tonaquint Intermediate School was
recognized in the summer edition of District Administration
Magazine. The article will be sent to the Board.
Board
Carole Morris said she has received calls from individuals who do not
like the new math program. It was suggested to hold a parents
meeting for those who have concerns about the program. Parents
and school personnel with questions or experiencing problems could be
invited to attend. Wes Christiansen said the District should keep
programs simple so they can be administered. Craig Seegmiller
pointed out that this program requires students to use some great
thinking skills. Laura Hesson said there is still concern that
multiplication facts are not being learned by the sixth grade.
Associations
Kathleen Wagner, WCEA said teachers have still expressed concern with
basic math facts since using Growing with Math. She said some
teachers say they are being told not to supplement the program while
others are being told it is okay. She said it appears that lower
level students seem to be struggling while those on higher levels are
doing fine. She also said some teachers’ feel they are not
getting the support needed and that the program moves too fast.
If students are having a hard time with a concept, there is no time to
go back and address that concept later.
Allen Frei, AFT – said there are still some concerns with the new
time clock system. He is hearing a lot of complaints. He
said that some employees feel like it is not being handled fairly or
that some are being targeted more than others.
PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
No requests were received to address the Board.
All Board members reconvened to a work session at 5:05 p.m.
Member Seegmiller presented a motion
to adjourn the School Board meeting at 5:51 p.m. Member Morris
seconded the motion that passed unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
