MINUTES
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Washington County School District
121 W Tabernacle, St. George, Utah 84770
March 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 Morris
Reverence – Member Hesson
CONSENT AGENDA
A. Minutes:
1. February 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 two Leave of Absence requests under personnel. Member
Morris seconded the motion that passed unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON BOARD ACTION ITEMS
Mark
Owens, Landmark Testing & Engineering, said he has not heard any
reply to his request on the geotechnical services. He feels there
should not be a single source solicitation. On the last contract
bid, he heard there was only .4 of a point difference. He said he
met with Mel Ashcraft and Craig Hammer and was told that they don’t
want to train anyone else. Laura Hesson explained that a
committee meets and puts together the final number. It was
mentioned that he could meet with Mark Hoss to obtain a copy of the
RFP. Mark Owens said that his company is the only
locally owned Geotechnical Company. Brent Bills said that this
RFP was specifically for the priorities projects. An RFP is done
for each large project. Mark Hoss said that on the Hurricane High
project, the bid was received after the deadline. Mark Owens said
he doesn’t agree that the solicitation for the bid did not include that
this was for one year.
BOARD ACTION ITEMS
CTE Priorities
Dave
Gardner said he is holding off on equipment priorities until the
legislation is done. He asked that the Board just approve the
computer piece of priorities for now.
Member
Seegmiller presented a motion to approve the CTE computer component
under the CTE priorities. Member Blake seconded the motion that
passed unanimously.
Board Resolution for PLC
Lyle
Cox briefly reviewed the Board Resolution for PLC. With the few
changes made he has received favorable comments from all those who have
reviewed it.
Member Durfey
presented a motion to adopt the Board PLC Resolution. Member
Gubler seconded the motion that passed unanimously.
Policy 1101 Criminal Background Check and Employee Reporting of Arrests
Lyle
Cox said comments have been received on the policy change.
Concerns included employee paying the cost of a full check when the
District had only been paying $25.00 for the lesser check.
Changes were made to reduce the cost from $45 back down to $20 for
employees. The District will still run the full FBI check and
will continue to pay $25.00 toward the cost. Employees will be
required to pay $20.00 for the check every five years.
Member
Blake presented a motion to approve Policy 1101 Criminal Background
Check and Employee Reporting of Arrests as discussed. Member
Durfey seconded the motion that passed unanimously.
Policy 1120 Teacher on Special Assignment
Lyle Cox recommended waiting one more month for the committee to make some additional changes.
The policy approval was shelved until next month. No motion required.
Voice Over IP
Charlie
Roberts asked for approval to move forward on with e-rate funding for
next year. Brent Bills said the committee recommendation would be
to award the RFP to Valcom.
Member
Seegmiller presented a motion to award the RFP for Voice Over IP to
Valcom. Member Durfey seconded the motion that passed unanimously.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Student Achievement – Brad Ferguson
Brad
Ferguson reported on implementation of the secondary math benchmark
assessment. The District created test aligns with the core.
He showed an example of the teacher report. Kris Cunningham said
that a committee of teachers was put together to work on the
benchmark. They used UTIPS to create the benchmark test.
The benchmark will show how the student should do on the CRT.
First test is given in the fall, the second during winter and a third
in the spring. The goal is to include the same in science and
language arts next year. Teachers use these tools to have better
information on how students are doing. Teacher reports can be
generated by class, school or special population.
Medical Insurance Renewal
Brent
Bills reviewed the insurance committee proposal. He said the
insurance rate is increasing due to the American Health Act. This
year the insurance benefits will be on an 11-month calendar, which
creates an advantage for new teachers starting. As employees
leave the District the change will create a cost savings for the
District. There will also be some changes in insurance coverage
including an increase in the deductible and a $5.00 increase to the
copay. The insurance will still be paid 100% by the
District. There will also be a dramatic increase in long-term
disability. The insurance carrier will not change. Brent
Bills said that the dental cost did not increase. The
Insurance Committee agreed unanimously in the changes.
Information is being sent to all employees to explain the changes and how it will affect them.
It was also mentioned that the District did work with the associations on changes to the insurance calendar.
Washington Online School
Laura
Belnap thanked the Board for being visionary with an online
school. She shared on clip video clip showing the online choir
learning songs in a virtual classroom. Students all get together
to perform. Laura Belnap reported that there are over 1000
students in the Washington Online School. Three students came to
share their performance from the Poetry Festival:
Sailor Mylorie – “I Wonder Why Dad is Thoroughly Mad”
West Mylorie – “When I Was Your Age”
Melody Morrise – “Jimmy Jet and His Television Set”
Artwork by Jansen Sorensen was also shown.
Marshall Topham said online curriculum is being purchased to help with students displaced from the Hildale community.
Title I Update
Kathy
Petersen gave an update on Coral Canyon. It is a requirement to
report on the progress. She said they have completed the
implementation. The school has been provided with professional
development for teachers including training on technology and core
reading.
Pre and post-tests are being given on unit tests. The
school is seeing an increase of 25% in 3rd–5th grade. She
is very optimistic about their ability to move out of program
improvement.
Gifted & Talented Program
Judy
Eacker reported on the things schools are doing related to advanced
learning options. A packet of information was included in the
Board packet for review showing what each school is doing with Response
to Intervention (RTI). The RTI is meeting needs of students at
both ends of the spectrum. Judy Eacker mentioned that after
school courses are being offered for teachers with ideas they can take
back and put in place in their classroom.
2011-2012 Board Meeting Dates
The
Board reviewed the 2011-2012 calendar for Board Meeting dates.
The March 2012 Board Meeting will need to be changed to March 6, 2012
due to Spring Break.
INFORMATION AND REPORTS
District Recognitions and Awards
Superintendent’s Award for Excellence
Lisa Young, Staff Developer, Bloomington Hills Elementary
Sheree Berryessa, Computer Lab Paraprofessional, Bloomington Hills Elementary
Gigi Sonju, Media Paraprofessional, Sunrise Ridge Intermediate School
Cheryl Cozzens, Teacher, Sunrise Ridge Intermediate School
Volunteer of the Month
Rebecca Gregoire, Bloomington Hills Elementary
Dave Krepela, Sunrise Ridge Intermediate School
Charlie Roberts - UCET 2011 Utah Technology Leader of the Year
Superintendent
Max Rose mentioned the recognition received by Charlie Roberts.
Charlie was selected as a top technology leader. He has moved the
implementation and use of technology forward with his insight and
vision. Charlie Roberts is seen as a leader in the state.
Reports:
Superintendent
Board
The
Utah Symphony is playing for the elementary students at Desert Hills
tomorrow, 9:00 a.m., if Board members would like to attend.
Association
Peri Edwards, WCEA distributed a copy of a letter in the Desert News entitled, “School bills don’t represent Utahns.”
Doug Drake, AFT – Expressed appreciation for the change on background checks.
PTA/PTO/Community Council
PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD – 3 min. each
Ross
Rohn briefly presented his proposed T-Ball program. A copy of his
proposal was given to the Board members. He said it is not a
recreation program. It provides educational concepts.
The league is a mixed program for boys and girls. Competition is
done on a friendly basis with kids are helping other kids. He
said the program would not cost the District anything. He intends
to provide 50-60 copies of program for the schools. He also
mentioned that the program is not based on winning or losing.
Member Seegmiller presented a motion to adjourn at 5:10 p.m. Member Blake seconded the motion that passed unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
