MINUTES
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Washington County School District
121 West Tabernacle, St. George, Utah  84770
December 14, 2010

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, Carole Morris, Laura Hesson, Travis Christiansen, 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 – Kelly Blake
     Pledge of Allegiance – Member Hesson
     Reverence – Member Morris
 
Preston Kirk, George K. Baum & Company, reviewed the bond resolution.  He said that the start of the year is an optimal time to issue bonds.  A bond hearing could be held in January.  He anticipates the borrowing cost would be in the 3.5% range, which would bring a savings to the District.  Brent Bills said other bonds would be callable in the 2012-2013 SY but he is hoping to wait and reissue them in a year. 

Member T. Christiansen presented a motion to authorize the parameters resolution and issue up to $27,000,000.  Member Seegmiller seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

CONSENT AGENDA
A.    Minutes:
    1.  November 9, 2010
B.    Purchases over $10,000
C.    Personnel Items
D.    Coral Cliffs Elementary School LAND Trust Plan Change
E.    Red Mountain Elementary School LAND Trust Plan Change
F.    150-Mile Requests
G.    Panorama Elementary School LAND Trust Plan Change

Member Morris presented a motion to approve the Consent Agenda items A through G including approval of the termination benefit as discussed with personnel.  Member Hesson seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

PUBLIC COMMENT ON BOARD ACTION ITEMS
No comments were given.

BOARD ACTION ITEMS
Policy 1330 Employee Leave
Lyle Cox briefly reviewed the change, which will provide comparative leave benefits to all eligible benefited employees.

Member W. Christiansen presented a motion to approve Policy 1330 Employee Leave as recommended.  Member T. Christiansen seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

DISCUSSION ITEMS
Consider adoption of a resolution authorizing the issuance of up to $32,000,000 principal amount of general obligation bonds, and related matters.
Discussed at the beginning of Open Session.
  
ESL Student Report – Randy Richardson
Randy Richardson reviewed the ALS Identification and Placement flowchart included in the Board packet showing the process and steps for a student to be identified and placed in the ESL program if there is a limitation.  Through the intake process there are specific requirements that must be complied with.  Each level of English language proficiency has standards that identify the language proficiency level of a student.  Randy Richardson also reviewed what curriculum being used for the program in elementary schools and at the secondary level.  He said that “immigrant students” are those between the ages of 3 to 21 who were not born in any state and have not attended any school in the states for more than three years.  He stated that our District currently has 133 “immigrant students.”  The number of students exiting the program but still in the school system, since using the state-approved measurement UALPA test, is 774.  Randy Richardson reviewed the UALPA test results.  The majority of our non-speakers are students in grades K-2.  He also reviewed data from the 2010 CRT tests.  LEP students in 3rd-5th grade in our District scored 54% on the Language Arts CRT while the state average for LEP students was at 28%.   For grades 3rd-8th our District LEP students scored 56% while the state average was 26%.  In math, LEP students in 3rd-5th grade in our District scored 41% while the state average was 38% and LEP students in Math 6, Math 7, and Pre-Algebra in our District scored 39% with the state average for LEP students being 28%.  Randy Richardson said that our District has been focusing on the math area.  He said that the programs are being used in every school.

INFORMATION AND REPORTS     
District Recognitions and Awards:   
     Superintendent’s Award for Excellence
          Becky Reed, Teacher, Pine View High School
        Kyle White, Custodian, Pine View High School
        Darlene Mertin, Teacher, Coral Canyon Elementary
        Dawn Rotert, Secretary, Coral Canyon Elementary

     Volunteer of the Month
        Steve Allred, Pine View High School
        Valerie Scott, Coral Canyon Elementary

     Snow Canyon High School Administration and Staff Recognition       
   
Superintendent Max Rose reported on the awards presented at Pine View High School and Coral Canyon Elementary.  He also mentioned that a Snow Canyon High School administration and staff were recognized earlier in the meeting for their immediate action after students were struck by lightening.  He said that students all over the District also pitched in to lend aid to the boys.

Reports:
Superintendent
Superintendent Max Rose said that the legislature would be coming tomorrow for a luncheon with school district officials from Southern Utah.  He also mentioned that the Board is gearing up attend the USBA Convention in Salt Lake City next month.  He said that District administration has been working with the two associations to give teachers and staff a payout right away from the federal education money.

Board
Kelly Blake recognized Travis Christiansen and expressed appreciation for the service he has given while on the Board.  He also recognized the newly elected official, Cal Durfey.

Association
Kathleen Wagner, WCEA, mentioned appreciation for the time spent working with the District on the education jobs funding.  She said that the association met with District administration this last month and is looking forward to future meetings.

Doug Drake, AFT, thanked the Board and the administration for their work and the extra being given in checks this month.

PTA/PTO/Community Council
Superintendent Max Rose said a PTA member contacted him and encouraged the District to offer more dual immersion programs.
               
PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD – 3 min. each
No comments were given.

ADJOURNMENT