MINUTES
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Washington County School District
January 13, 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.  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 – Member Gubler
Reverence – Member Morris
Induction of New President and Vice President
Kelly Blake announced the reorganization of Board and expressed appreciation to Wes Christiansen for his time and work in behalf of the students of Washington County.

PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
Lisa Rutherford, Citizens for Dixie’s Future - Asked the Board to offer support for clean energy in our schools.  She said that the secondary education and elementary education offices have been contacted.  She has also looked at the curriculum available on the web.  She said that clean energy deals with our water, land, and air issues.  She feels it should be part of the student curriculum and would be willing to help find curriculum as well as help with presentations in the classrooms.  She mentioned some of the things being done in other school districts related to energy including the use of solar panels.  She said that the group would like to be put to use.  Ms. Rutherford shared the website address for more information – www.citizensfordixie.org.

Travis Christiansen said that all of the new school buildings having underground heating and cooling which is more energy efficient.

MINUTES
December 9, 2008
December 10, 2008
Member Seegmiller presented a motion to approve the minutes from the December 9, 2008 and December 10, 2008 School Board meetings as written.  Member T. Christiansen seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

DISTRICT BUSINESS
Purchases for over $10,000
Personnel Items
Enrollment
Enterprise High School LAND Trust Change
Santa Clara Elementary School LAND Trust Change
Hurricane Elementary School LAND Trust Change
Superintendent Max Rose reported on the purchase of clickers being used in principal trainings and in the classrooms.
Brent Bills said that there were two lists provided due to switch to new system.  One list included all of the purchases and the other list included items over $10,000.
Member T. Christiansen presented a motion to approve the District business.  Member Hesson seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

DISCUSSION ITEMS
Vending Machine Policy – Brent Bills
Brent Bills reviewed the Vending Machine Policy.  As stated in R277-719, the District must have a policy in place that states Board approval, how money is to be spent, accounting policies and how often reporting is due to the District.  Non-reimbursable food sales must be done the same.  The policy follows the District accounting procedures.  
Non-reimbursable food vendors will be required to contract with the District.

2009-2010 Enterprise Schools Calendar
The 2009-2010 Enterprise schools calendar was included in the Board packet and will have a 30-day review period.   The District administration reviewed the calendar to make sure all days needed and other requirements are included.

INFORMATION ITEMS
Mentoring Grant (National Mentoring Month) – Chris Snodgress
Chris Snodgress introduced Joan Runsthrough who is running the Mentoring program.
Joan Runsthrough reviewed the program and how students are working with technology.  She said that students have been involved making films, have participated in Reflections, and at the Washington County Fair.  She said that counselors or others refer students to the program.

Fran Stucki, Teacher, addressed some ways the program helps children who have fallen through the cracks.  The program helps with things they may not get at home.  It helps to build their self-esteem.  She said that students work with an aide in small group instruction, helping them build skills and learning.  She said that she highly recommends the program and encourages volunteers to get involved.

Chris Snodgress said that the program currently serves three schools with almost 100 students involved.  Aides are hired through the AmeriCorps program.  She said that the more involved everyone becomes, the more students can be served.  Ms. Snodgress asked the Board members to support the program and volunteer two hours on an evening to come and help.

Julie Hawk said she has daughters involved in the program.  She said it has helped her students with media literacy and that her children have taken what they have learned and applied it at home.  She feels it has broadened her children’s horizon.  Socially, her children have really been helped and her older child is now helping as a mentor.  She has seen impressive results with what her children knew and what they have learned in the past year.

ACTION ITEMS
2010-2011 Calendar
Board members discussed input received and the two options presented including the start day and Fall Break.  Craig Hammer suggested the Board at least look at approving the start day and look at the Fall Break later.
Member Seegmiller presented a motion to approve option 2 as the 2010-2011 Calendar with a modification to revisit the Fall Break and Spring Break at a later time and to make accommodations for students who may be involved in the County Fair.  Member Hesson seconded the motion that passed.  
Member T. Christiansen opposed the motion and stated he prefers option 1.

Hurricane Elementary Boundaries
Rex Wilkey reviewed the boundary proposal.  Students north of State Street will attend Hurricane Elementary.  Students south of State Street will go to Three Falls Elementary.  Students in Toquerville Heights will stay at LaVerkin Elementary.  Students in Cholla Creek and north will attend Hurricane Elementary.  The Sky Ridge development will change from Coral Canyon to Hurricane Elementary. Kelly Blake said the change would allow students a closer proximity to school.  Travis Christiansen said he had only received comments from residents in Toquerville but that most are okay with going to a new school.  Wes Christiansen said the only comments he received were positive.
Craig Hammer said that the District needs to look at what will happen with the current Hurricane Elementary property.  It is hopeful that Hurricane City might be interested.   He said that the substantial completion for the new Hurricane Elementary is set for the end of November 2009 and that students start in the school January 2010.
Member Seegmiller presented a motion to approve the Hurricane Elementary Boundaries as described.  Member Morris seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

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.
Dustin Matsumori, George K. Baum & Company, presented the bond information.
He stated that the parameters resolution was adopted a month ago.  Mr. Matsumori reported that seven bids were received.  Our rate at 3.32% was lower due to the higher District rating.  He stated that comparing our rate today with the last Utah school bond issued last year, there is a 1.8 million dollar difference.  He made a recommendation for the Board to adopt the resolution.  
He pointed out that the bond rate saved taxpayers a significant amount of money.

Wes Christiansen thanked the financial institution of George K. Baum & Company and our District finance department for their fine work resulting in the financial savings.
Member W. Christiansen presented a motion to approve the 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 as stated.  Member Gubler seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

Member T. Christiansen presented a motion to approve April 10, 2009 as a minimum day make-up day for the December snow day school closure.  Member Morris seconded the motion that passed unanimously.
Travis Christiansen said if the legislative session eliminates a school day, no school will be held on that day.

RECOGNITIONS
(Awards Presented at Schools)    
Superintendent’s Award for Excellence
    William Stucki, Teacher, Dixie High School
    Patti Harris, Secretary, Dixie High School
    Emily Taylor, Special Ed. Teacher, Sunset Elementary School
    Susan Ellison, Secretary, Sunset Elementary School

Volunteer of the Month
    Char Black, Dixie High School
    Erin Jepsen, Sunset Elementary School
    Kim Jepsen, Sunset Elementary School    

Special Student Recognition – Bill Lundin
Bill Lundin explained that last year some computers were stolen from the warehouse.  He reported that a couple of students found the computers and returned them to the District recovering $4000 of the lost of equipment.  Mr. Lundin praised the students, Spencer Lynn and Jacob Summerhays, and presented them with a certificate to honor them and a gift card to a local restaurant.

Brent Bills, Business Administration – Recognition for Excellent Financial Management relating to the District Bond Rating Increase
Kelly Blake expressed the Board appreciation to Brent Bills for his excellent financial management of the School District.
                                        
REPORTS
Superintendent
Board
Travis Christiansen asked about an article dealing with school kitchen inspections.  Brent Bills said that the District had received a bill from the Department of Health for services they have previously provided.  He said that no other districts are being charged for inspection services.  Mr. Bills said that the kitchens are up to code.  The District is checking to see if inspections must be done by the Health Department or if it could be done by another agency.
Associations
Kathleen Wagner, WCEA – said that they understand the pressure the Board is under with the economy and legislative cuts.  The Association appreciates the efforts of the Board in keeping teachers a priority.

Dave Garder, AFT – mentioned meeting with Superintendent Rose and Lyle Cox.  They appreciate the help of the Board to keep whatever transitions happen as pleasant as possible.

PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
Gail Jensen, a parent from the Bloomington PTA requested a bus be provided to take Bloomington students to Desert Hills.  She said with the open enrollment, many in their area have expressed a desire to have their students attend Desert Hills.

Kelly Blake said that the Open Enrollment Policy states that parent provide their own transportation.

Brent Bills said that the state will only fund busing if over two miles.

The Board reconvened back to a work session 4:31 p.m.