10-12-10 Board Meeting Minutes

MINUTES
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Washington County School District
121 W. Tabernacle, St. George, Utah 84770
October 12, 2010
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 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. Board member Wes Christiansen was excused. 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 Gubler
      Reverence – Member T. Christiansen

CONSENT AGENDA

A. Minutes:
1. September 14, 2010
B. Purchases over $10,000
C. Personnel Items
D. Pine View Middle School LAND Trust Plan Change
E. Desert Hills High School LAND Trust Plan Change
F. Dixie High School LAND Trust Plan Change
G. Title I Instant Response System Purchase
H. Sunrise Ridge Intermediate School LAND Trust Plan Change
I. Bloomington Hills Elementary School LAND Trust Plan Change

Member T. Christiansen presented a motion to approve the Consent Agenda items A through I. Member Seegmiller seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

PUBLIC COMMENT ON BOARD ACTION ITEMS
No comments were given.

BOARD ACTION ITEMS
A. 2011-12 Calendar
Travis Christiansen said he has heard that families don’t like having Fall Break on Friday/Monday. They feel it is hard to get away for travel and would prefer Thursday/Friday. Others said they have heard similar comments. Nadine Walters said that Friday/Monday is better for teachers but they can do either. Superintendent Max Rose said that college does have their break scheduled on Thursday/Friday, which doesn’t line up with our District. He also mentioned that the District is looking for ways to offer teachers additional training on those days. He said that it would be easier to offer workshops on Thursday/Friday.

Member T. Christiansen presented a motion to approve the 2011-2012 Calendar with the exception of the Fall Break, which will be changed back to Thursday/Friday. Member Seegmiller seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

B. Energy Education RFP Proposal
Brent Bills said that an RFP was put out for Energy Education to help save money on energy costs. Energy Education, Inc. has had experience with other districts in the nation. No negative information was found when checking references. Brent Bills briefly reviewed the contract received and mentioned the guaranteed savings. The District will need to hire two people to manage the program. Those hired need to come from staff that are respected in the District.
Brent Bills said it is recommended that the Board accept the Energy Education contract.

Member T. Christiansen presented a motion to accept the proposal and the RFP of Energy Education. Member Morris seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

C. Hurricane High School Bid
Mel Ashcraft said the committee recommendation is to award the contract to Bud Mahas Construction and to accept the bid alternates #1 – 4 and the schedule E alternate which provides a savings to the District.

Member T. Christiansen presented a motion to grant the proposed contract for the construction of Hurricane High School, with the alternates as explained to Bud Mahas Construction. Member Seegmiller seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

Kelly Blake mentioned that the architect had estimated the building cost at 36 million. Due to funding with the bond, the District was able to issue it at a 3%, savings tax payers a couple million dollars. The District is also putting people to work in community.

DISCUSSION ITEMS
2012-2013 Calendar
Travis Christiansen suggested setting the Fall Break around the dear hunt. Brent Bills said that the hunt would not be determined until November. It was suggested to push Fall Break back a week to Thursday/Friday, October 18-19. Superintendent said that the college tries to follow our lead on the calendar.   Laura Hesson said we do want to look at the input from the survey. The start date will remain August 15th. Craig Hammer will have the survey changed to 2012-2013. Carole Morris suggested taking the two-day Easter Break at the end of the quarter. Superintendent Max Rose pointed out that it might conflict with the college schedule. Craig Hammer will change the Fall Break to Thursday/Friday but leave the Easter Break as scheduled.

CARP Plans
The school Child Access Routing Plans (CARP) were included in the Board packet for review.

CSIP Plans
The Comprehensive School Improvement Plans (CSIP) were included on a Board secure site for Board review.

INFORMATION AND REPORTS
District Recognitions and Awards:
   1. Superintendent’s Award for Excellence
        Julie Ellett, Secretary, Lava Ridge Intermediate School
        Thomas Gubler, Teacher, Lava Ridge Intermediate School
        Kim Thomas, Custodian, Diamond Valley Elementary
        Darlene Tanner, Teacher, Diamond Valley Elementary
   2. Volunteer of the Month
        Cinthanie Crenshaw, Lava Ridge Intermediate School
        Sabrina Prince, Diamond Valley Elementary
   3. Gold Medal from Utah Council for Worksite Health

Superintendent Max Rose reported on the award presentations. The staff at the two schools seemed to appreciate the refreshments. Superintendent Max Rose mentioned the District recognition for the 2010 Healthy Worksite Award. Tammara Robinson received the award for the District. Tammara Robinson said only three districts received the award this year. The award is based on the mission statement, policy info structure and outcome. It includes everything from flu shots, our health fair, Health Risk Assessments, and the support of the administration.

Reports:
   1. Superintendent
Superintendent Max Rose mentioned the death of Elwood Graf, Snow Canyon High School. His funeral is scheduled for tomorrow.

The two lightening strike victims are progressing as well as can be. One has taken a turn for the worse due to an infection. The blog site is updated every day. Laura Hesson said a bucket was passed around at the football games to raise funds for the families. Kelly Blake said it was the resource officer and employees who really saved those kids.

   2. Board

   3. Association
Kathleen Wagner, WCEA, said she appreciated the time she had during the Work Session. She mentioned that three teachers from our District, Amy Lasater, Katie Wood, and Susan Bruschke, would be honored during UEA. Kathleen Wagner shared a synopsis of the book, Stop the Madness, by Diane Ravitch. It contains her thoughts on ‘No Child Left Behind’ and testing.

Doug Drake, AFT, just thanked the Board for the time they put in.

   4. PTA/PTO/Community Council

PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD – 3 min. each
No comments were given.

ADJOURNMENT