MINUTES
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Washington County School District
121 W Tabernacle, St. George, Utah 84770
April 5, 2011
4:00 p.m.

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

OPEN MEETING – 4:00 p.m.
      Board President Welcome – Laura Hesson
      Pledge of Allegiance – Member Gubler
      Reverence – Member Durfey
 
CONSENT AGENDA
A.    Minutes:
    1.  March 8, 2011
B.    Purchases over $10,000
C.    Personnel Items
D.    150-Mile Requests
Member Blake presented a motion to approve the Consent Agenda items A through D including the early retirement request under personnel.  Member Durfey seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

PUBLIC COMMENT ON BOARD ACTION ITEMS
No comments were given. 

BOARD ACTION ITEMS
2011-2012 Annual Board Meeting Dates
Member Durfey presented a motion to adopt the schedule for the 2011-2012 Board Meeting Dates.  Member Gubler seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

Health Curriculum Compliance – Marshall Topham
Craig Hammer said the Board only has to approve any additional items being taught outside of the core.  As no petitions were received to teach items outside the core, no approval was needed.

Medical Insurance Renewal
Brent Bills said the rates came back at about 12% higher than projected.  Some of the changes include adjusting the calendar year, an increase in deductibles and an increase in the co-pay.
Member Seegmiller presented a motion to approve the Medical Insurance Renewal as explained.  Member Christiansen seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

Policy 1120 Teacher on Special Assignment
Lyle Cox requested to postpone approval another month to allow time to work with principals.  No action was taken by the Board.

CTE Priorities
The items on the list include priority upgrades, replacements and purchases of priority CTE items.
Member Seegmiller presented a motion to approve the CTE Priorities.  Member Blake seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

DISCUSSION ITEMS
Student Achievement - Student Survey Results
Brad Ferguson shared results from the student survey.  The survey was similar to the parent survey completed last year.  The survey was completed anonymously online by 3rd – 12th grade students in the school labs from December through February.  Approximately 71% of the students participated in the survey.  The survey showed the following:
Grades 3-5
50 % of the students say they feel safe at school.
57 % of the students know what to do if there is an emergency.
41 % of the students feel when rules are broken the situation is taken care of.
75% of the students feel their teacher treats them with respect.
27% of the students feel challenged by the work given at school.  (35% responded they do most of the time.)
44% of the students look forward to coming to school.
19% feel students treat each other with respect.  (44% said sometimes students treat each other with respect.)
77% feel they have friends at school.
73% know the mission or motto of the school.
57% of the students know why they are learning the things they are being taught.

Grades 6-12
56% of the students feel safe at school.  (The middle school level dropped a little but picked back up in high school)
52% of the students know what to do if there is an emergency.
34% feel behavior problems are handled by the staff.
51% of the students feel teachers treat them with respect.  (At this level students are responding about more than one teacher.)
25% of the students feel challenged by the work at school.
45% feel the principal shows that learning is a priority.
29% of the students feel they are treated fairly at school.
20% of the students look forward to coming to school.
12% feel students treat each other with respect.
79% feel they have friends at school.
62% know the mission or motto of the school.
Principals were given the information from their school.  They can look at the information and find things to emphasize as goals.  They should also be sharing the results with parents and with their community councils.  Wes Christiansen suggested emphasizing how students treat each other at the schools.  Cal Durfey suggested putting the survey results on the district website.  Parent and student surveys could be put side-by-side to show the comparison.  Schools could also put their own results on their school website.

Policy 0002 Board Meetings
Lyle Cox said the current policy gives all the requirements for a board meeting but does not give policy guidelines on the public addressing the Board.  Changes being made to limit discussion or complaints about specific individuals during public comment portion of the meeting. 

School LAND Trust Plans
The Board received copies of the School LAND Trust plans to review.  School plans should be educational and measurable. 

INFORMATION AND REPORTS     
District Recognitions and Awards:
     Superintendent’s Award for Excellence
     Terri Lusk, Teacher, Dixie Middle School
     Judi Schofield, Secretary, Dixie Middle School
     Merlin Weber, Counselor, Coral Cliffs Elementary
     Jill Alford, Media Assistant, Coral Cliffs Elementary
     Volunteer of the Month
     Janette Stratton, Dixie Middle School
     CeCe Lehr-Erbele, Coral Cliffs Elementary
     Tonaquint Intermediate – Designated one of “Utah’s Schools to Watch”
     Enterprise High School – 2011 2A State Girls’ Basketball Champion
     Student Recognition
Superintendent Max Rose reported on the District recognitions and awards.  The Superintendent’s Award for Excellence and the Volunteer of the Month awards were presented at the schools.  Tonaquint Intermediate was designated as Utah Schools to Watch school for the 2nd time.  The schools selected “are academically excellent, responsive to the developmental changes of young adolescents, and socially equitable, with high expectations for all students.”  Tonaquint Intermediate will be honored at a national recognition in Virginia.  The Enterprise High school girls’ basketball team was recognized for winning the 2011 2A State Girls’ Basketball championship.  Superintendent Max Rose also received information from Mrs. Lusk at Dixie Middle School about a student who will be attending the International Science and Engineering Fair.

Reports:
Superintendent

Board

Association
Kathleen Wagner, WCEA said things are winding down from legislation.  She appreciates the change to Board Policy 0002.  She said they were looking forward to negotiations on April 18.  She also expressed appreciation the time to meet with the administration.  She said she would reschedule the last meeting that was missed.  Superintendent Max Rose mentioned a representative from the Board would also like to attend.

Tony Barlow, AFT just thanked the Board for their support.  He said they are also looking forward to negotiations. 

PTA/PTO/Community Council
               
PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD – 3 min. each
No comments were given.

Member Christiansen presented a motion to adjourn at 4:52 p.m.  Member Blake seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT