MINUTES
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
    Washington County School District   
121 W. Tabernacle, St. George, Utah 84770
February 8, 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 Christiansen
     Reverence – Member Blake
 

CONSENT AGENDA
     A. Minutes:
          1.  January 11, 2011
     B.  Purchases over $10,000
     C.  Personnel Items
     D.  Early Retirement Applications
     E.  Sabbatical/Leave of Absence Requests
     F.  Sunrise Ridge Intermediate School LAND Trust Change

Brent Bills explained that the Snow Canyon High School expense was for damage to the building from the hailstorm.  The insurance will be paying for the damage.  The expense for the Korean intern program was to pay for the student housing and is just a pass-through expense.  The expense for WCSD carpet removal was to clean up from an asbestos problem that was found at the old Dixie High Seminary building.
Member Morris presented a motion to approve the Consent Agenda items A through F with the exception of the Sabbatical request included under item E.  Member Seegmiller seconded the motion that passed unanimously.


PUBLIC COMMENT ON BOARD ACTION ITEMS
No comments were given.


BOARD ACTION ITEMS
Priorities Projects
Brent Bills explained the process for determining the priorities.  After going through all the schools to look at the needed projects they are classified by need.  His recommendation is for the Board to approve the category A projects.  The total cost of the projects would be 2.3 million.  The District will need an additional amount to cover the cost of some of the category B projects that end up requiring replacement before next year.  The Arrowhead Elementary drinking fountains cannot be repaired because the company went out of business and parts are not available.  Asphalt work is done on a maintenance basis to extend the life of the asphalt.  Some of the larger expenses mentioned were the Desert Hills Middle School geothermal vault being moved, Dixie Sun Elementary rooftop A/C unit replacements and the Dixie High School press booth, which needs to be replaced for safety issues.  Wendell Gubler suggested having the school booster club could help raise funds.  The replacement will be a one-story premade building similar to Desert Hills High School.
Member Seegmiller presented a motion to approve the Priorities Projects.  Member Durfey seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

Superintendent Contract Renewal
Laura Hesson said the Board would like to extend the contract an additional two years.
Member Christiansen presented a motion to approve the renewal of Superintendent’s contract for an additional two years.  Member Seegmiller seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

Resolution confirming the sale and authorizing the issuance of up to $27,000,000 general obligation bonds of the Board, and providing for related matters
Dustin Matsumori, George K. Baum & Company, said the bond would be in the amount of $25,270,000 to continue the construction of Hurricane High School and refinance some of the outstanding bonds.  He said that the District maintained a strong financial rating.   The rating is a reflection of the management and financial stability of the District.  He mentioned that two of the rating agencies recalibrated and gave a higher rating.  Seventeen bids were received at 3.62%.  The index priced right on top.  The District saved $286,000 dollars.  His recommendation to the Board would be to adopt the resolution and lock into rates at 3.258%. 
Member Blake presented a motion to adopt the Resolution confirming the sale and authorizing the issuance of the bond.  Member Gubler seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

Policy 1910 Student Internship/Practicum Policy
Lyle Cox said he has received some comments on the policy.  It was suggested to change the application deadline under 3.2.1 and 3.3.6 to April 1st for priority consideration.   He said applications have already been received for the administrative internships.
Member Durfey presented a motion to approve Policy 1910 Student Internship/Practicum Policy as explained.  Member Blake seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

April Board Meeting Date Change
Laura Hesson said the Board has proposed a date change for the April Board Meeting from April 12, 2011 to April 5, 2011.
Member Blake presented a motion to approve changing the April Board Meeting date to April 5, 2011.  Member Morris seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

Architectural Services for Miscellaneous Priorities
The committee recommendation would be to select Naylor Wentworth Lund Architects.
Member Seegmiller presented a motion to approve the selection of Naylor Wentworth Lund Architects for the architectural services contract.  Member Morris seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

Geotechnical Engineering Consultant
The committee recommendation would be to select Applied Geotechnical Engineering Consultants (AGEC).
Member Seegmiller presented a motion to approve the selection of Applied Geotechnical Engineering Consultants for the geotechnical services contract.  Member Blake seconded the motion that passed unanimously.


DISCUSSION ITEMS
Student Achievement – Changes to State Testing – Brad Ferguson
Brad Ferguson reported on the future of assessment.  Currently the teachers use formative assessments (discussion questions, quizzes, essays, projects, and program assessments).  School-based and WCSD benchmark assessments are also done throughout the year.  The action for the future includes using assessments that are aligned with the common core.  It will require more innovative and efficient use of technology.  The assessments must improve teaching and learning to define high expectations and engage higher education.  Many states have come together to create the SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium to develop a student assessment system.  Utah is one of the governing states.  If all the states are using the common core, we don’t need to create our own assessments.  The summative assessments will become computer adaptive assessments.  The District will need a bigger testing window to get all students tested.  Performance tasks will be incorporated to get a better picture of student progress.  Brad Ferguson said that more professional development would need to be provided for teachers.  High education should also be participating in the design and development so their standards will be met.  The assessments will be a more involved process to provide a more accurate measure of student growth.  More multiple choice questions and on-track or career-ready terminology will be used.  The development and pilot will begin in 2011-12.  Full implementation of the summative elements won’t be completed until 2014-2015.  The ACT test may be a part of the summative test if it meets the core.  Brad Ferguson said that Hurricane High School and Hurricane Middle School are giving the ACT to all students as part of the pilot for this notion.

Health Education Compliance – Adoption information 53A-13-107
Marshall Topham said this would need to go into effect next year.  A committee will be organized to put the information in place.  The USOE will have the curriculum by fall.

Board Resolution for PLC
Lyle Cox said he has received comments that this is the way we should go.  It has been sent out to all administrators and will the 30-day comment period.  Laura Hesson said the Board feels this is the best thing to do for students.

Policy 1101 Criminal Background Check and Employee Reporting of Arrests
Lyle Cox said this policy has become a budget issue.  Previously the state code said that the District had to pay for the cost of the eight-state check or the national FBI check for classified employees.  The eight-state check doesn’t include Arizona or California.  The FBI background check gives a lot better information on arrests.  The legislature has now changed the code allowing the responsibility to shift to the employee.   The cost would be $45 dollars for classified employees every five years.  The cost for certified employees is still higher.  Before hiring a new employee, a background check is done before making a contract.  It is the same with renewal.  Employees must report any arrests and complete a background check before the contract is renewed.  All employees will have had a check within five years.  The employee will need to pay the cost upfront.  It was also mentioned that the District could explore the idea of taking the cost directly from the employees check.

Policy 1120 Teacher on Special Assignment
Lyle Cox said the policy recommendation is inline with the PLC.  It outlines what the staff developer should know and their need to be focused on PLC work.  Richard Holmes said most of the staff developers are already doing that but this will step the level of expertise up.  The Teacher on Special Assignment Policy originally included a three-year limit.  Some of the schools would like to leave those who are experienced in the position.  Richard Holmes pointed out that one benefit is the level of training that staff developers receive, which could help give them a better opportunity to become a principal.  The administration will come back with a recommendation. 


INFORMATION AND REPORTS     
District Recognitions and Awards:   
     Superintendent’s Award for Excellence
        Megan Bracken, Teacher, Hurricane Middle School
        Grethel Jackson, ESL Paraprofessional, Hurricane Middle School
        Miki Rowan, Teacher, Hurricane Elementary School
        Jennifer Shepherd, Sped Severe Paraprofessional, Hurricane Elementary School
     Volunteer of the Month
        Robbie Elison, Hurricane Middle School
        Mildred Fuller, Hurricane Elementary School
     Bob Sonju, Fossil Ridge Intermediate – 2010-2011 Middle School Principal of the Year

Superintendent Max Rose reported on the award presentations at Hurricane Middle School and Hurricane Elementary School.  He also reported on Bob Sonju receiving the 2010-2011 Middle School Principal of the Year award.  This is the first time an intermediate school principal has been awarded the recognition.


Reports:
Superintendent

Board

Association
Kathleen Wagner, WCEA, said their focus is on the legislation.  She said there are 52 education related bills and she said that unlike the past, it is happening now.  She said that Parents for Choice has set up an office there.  Educators need to contact the legislators on how the cuts have affected students.

Curtis Cozzens, AFT, said that negotiations went good.  He is excited about the Energy Education program and saving the District money. 

PTA/PTO/Community Council

               
PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD – 3 min. each
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