MINUTES
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Washington County School District
February 10, 2009

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.  Board President Kelly Blake called the meeting to order and welcomed all visitors.  Board members present were Wendell Gubler, Craig Seegmiller, Wes Christiansen, Carole Morris, Laura Hesson, and Travis Christiansen.  Staff members present were Superintendent Max H. Rose and Business Administrator Brent Bills.

OPEN MEETING - 3:30 p.m.

Board President Welcome – Kelly Blake
Pledge of Allegiance – Board President Blake
Reverence – Member W. Christiansen
 
PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
Matt Hamlin – Tonaquint Data Center – asked for information on the cost of building the new IT building.  The Board said the bid is not out yet.  Mr. Hamlin would like to see if it is a cost savings to build a new building rather than storing it in their data center.  Travis Christiansen said the Board looked at information and determined it was significant enough to pay for the building in ten years.  Brent Bills said the funding source also makes the difference.  Mr. Hamlin feels that the capital for equipment will be high, as the District would need to replace it every five years.  

He was directed to contact Mel Ashcraft for the information on building costs.

MINUTES
January 13, 2009
Member Seegmiller presented a motion to approve the minutes from the January 13, 2009 School Board meeting including the amount correction submitted by Brent Bills prior to the meeting.  Member Hesson seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

DISTRICT BUSINESS
Purchases for over $10,000
Personnel Items
Enrollment
Fossil Ridge Intermediate School LAND Trust Change
Sunrise Ridge Intermediate School LAND Trust Change
150-Mile Approval Requests

The Board asked if the Sunrise Ridge Community Council was aware of the budget changes, as no signatures were included on the page.  Kajsia Boyer will check with the principal.

The 150-mile requests are for varsity games.

Member T. Christiansen presented a motion to approve the District business.  Member Gubler seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

DISCUSSION ITEMS
No discussion items.

INFORMATION ITEMS
No information items.

ACTION ITEMS
2009-2010 Enterprise School Calendar
Craig Hammer reported that no comments were received and that the school Community Council has approved the calendar.  It was also their choice to have a Friday/Monday Fall Break.
Member Hesson presented a motion to approve the 2009-2010 Enterprise School Calendar.  Member Gubler seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

3320 – Snacks, Treats, and Competitive Foods (Vending Machine Policy)
Brent Bills reported that no comments were received on the policy addition.  He mentioned that the state board requires a board policy on vending and non-school lunch vending.  As contracts are renewed, they will be brought to the School Board.  He said that the policy includes everything the schools are currently spending funds on so it really should have no affect on the principals.

Wendell Gubler asked if schools are following the current policy by not allowing food for classrooms to be brought from home due to food handling permit requirements.  The District is not aware of problems.  Schools are aware of policy.
Member T. Christiansen presented a motion to approve Policy 3320 Snacks, Treats, and Competitive Foods (Vending Machine Policy).  Member Morris seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

RECOGNITIONS
(Awards Presented at Schools)    
Superintendent’s Award for Excellence
    Jody Ballard, Secretary, Hurricane Middle School
    James Fitzgerald, Teacher, Hurricane Middle School
    Heidi Elison, Title I Paraprofessional, LaVerkin Elementary School
    Jennifer Christiansen, Staff Developer/Teacher, LaVerkin Elementary School

Volunteer of the Month
    Michelle Imlay, Hurricane Middle School
    Amanda Condie, LaVerkin Elementary School

Superintendent Max Rose and the School Board congratulated the following individuals for their awards and accomplishments:
Claudia Empey, East Elementary - National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification

Cheryl Cox, Pathways Coordinator – Human Rights Award for 2009

Nadine Hancey, LaVerkin Elementary – Outstanding Principal from a Small/Rural School or District

Superintendent Rose also mentioned that the District finance department received the Ameritious Budget Award again for the 4th year.   Brent Bills said the award is really due to the efforts of Amy Booth.                                

REPORTS
Superintendent
No reports given.

Board
No reports given.

Associations
Kathleen Wagner, WCEA – said that the federal economic stimulus package was voted on today. She mentioned that there are some local bills to keep an eye on including a bill to change community councils to eight parents and one teacher.  Community councils would have the power for all budgets and hiring and firing of principals and teachers.  She also mentioned SB 48 allowing individuals to claim competency to teach, take a test, and become a teacher.  There is also a change with orderly termination making all employees at-will.  Brent Bills said the individual who wrote the bill is rewriting it.  She asked the Board to actively contact our legislative reps and let them know those bills won’t work.

Superintendent Max Rose mentioned a bill to eliminate impact fees for schools and suggested that the bill would be helpful.

Information on legislative bills is available on the web.

Tony Barlow, AFT – thanked the Board for all they are doing to save jobs.  He mentioned that the AFT is willing to work with the District on the budget cuts.

Superintendent Max Rose said that both groups have been willing to work with the District on the budget cuts.

PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
Ferron Holt, District Fine Arts Specialist – reported that the two of the largest art and music associations hold their annual conventions in St. George.  He said that seven of our teachers were clinicians at the art convention.  The teachers are nationally recognized and were invited to show their techniques.  He pointed out that we need the arts equipment so we can keep the good people we need.  

The Music Education Conference was held last week.  Mr. Holt mentioned that teachers and students in our area are doing really well.  He said that last week five of our groups including the Snow Canyon High School Band, Santa Clara Elementary Choir, Pine View High School Choir, Sunrise Ridge Intermediate Orchestra, and the Lava Ridge Intermediate Band were invited to perform.  The national president of the association was very impressed with our District and wondered what was making us so successful.  Mr. Holt told her that the comradery with the teachers and administration has been helpful.   

Member T. Christiansen presented a motion to reconvene to a work session.  Member Morris seconded the motion that passed unanimously.