OFFICIAL MINUTES

JT SCHOOL DISTRICT #342

CULDESAC, ID 83524

The Board of Trustees held their regular meeting on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 in the School Library at 7:00 p.m. as posted. Those in attendance were Chairman Cecil Martin Vice-chairman Lori Zenner, Trustees Richard Grant, Kathryn Bomar and Bryce Scrimsher, Superintendent Darrell Olson, Principal Loretta Stowers, Clerk/Treasurer Loretta Hammond-Nichols, three staff members, three patrons and guest local reporter.

ORDER/SALUTE

Chairman called meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. and those present joined in the flag salute.

SUPERINTENDENT REPORT

*Budget Status for November 2011 review included budgeted amount for revenue and expenditures in comparison to year to date figures. The budget is a close one this year with little left by end of the year as fund balance has been covering expenses to fill the holes that revenue did not cover in the budget for wages/benefits and curriculum as discussed in earlier meetings. Erate reimbursement will cover most of the expenses for the network upgrades needed.

*Technology Plan has been prepared by certified staff member Jeremy Cerovski. He has developed a comprehensive plan to be implemented for the fiscal years 2011-2014.

Mr. Cerovski reviewed some highlights of the draft and asked the Board to read through the material and come back with any questions they might have at the next meeting. The plan concentrates on staff training to utilize the existing technology that is in place. Technology with the upgrades to be done is sufficient for both the students and staff. The next step by the State Department of Education is to go wireless within the school network. The last few years the plan has not been updated and the only funding has been from Erate reimbursement.

Chairman remarked that the plan shows many hours of preparation.

Principal Stowers commented that the Board needs to develop a cell phone policy within the next few months to deal with the cell service tower being placed in the City of Culdesac. We will no longer be a dead zone.

Superintendent Olson explained that the State wireless proposal is for the 2012-2013 year. Days will be needed for staff training to implement this technology that is being mandated by the state. It has been a shell game with the State Department with the finances as traditional funds are transferred to cover other mandates without any new money to cover the expenses results in actual reductions. The comment of a 3% reduction for next year funding was mentioned at the Superintendent meeting during a discussion with Tim Hill with the SDE Finance Division, at which time no comment or objection was made in reply from him which only silently confirms the estimate in reduced funding for next year. The surplus funds from revenue this year are planned to replenish the reserves in the SDE Budget that have been depleted over the past several years.

WISE TOOL – District Improvement Plan needs to be started with a committee of the following staff: Trustee Kathy Bomar could represent the City as she sits on the City Council, Parent volunteer from the PTSA group is needed, Jaclyn Smith as staff member who has helped with the WISE Tool on the School level committee will help tie the two levels of the plan together and myself as Superintendent to represent the District. We can meet after school on Tuesday and/or Wednesdays each week during January. The plan will be submitted to the Board for review at the February meeting for any tweaks before submission to the state. March 1 is the deadline. We will still need one Board member to volunteer to represent the Board. - Trustee Bryce Scrimsher volunteered for the District WISE Tool committee member.

PRINCIPAL REPORT

Winter Music Program – The program is December 15^th at 7:00 p.m. in the gym. K-6^th grades perform with additional presentation of student performing on the Fiddle and staff member doing a musical number as well. Santa will be visiting the event with his bag of goodies.

BOARD MINUTES: DECEMBER 14, 2011 PAGE 1

Pay for Performance (PFP) Update – Principal Stowers provided elementary reports from student assessment scores for the Board to review with explanation of percentile versus percentages in the scoring. Students need to show improvement or growth from the fall to winter scores. Those students who do not show progress will be receiving services either through Special Education or Title I Program. Additional math texts/resources have been purchased to help remediate students down to the 3^rd grade to help with fluency and comprehension. Most students are making progress except for a small handful. The Secondary are implementing collaborative measures across all the curriculum contents areas.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

The levy amount needs to be explained to people to help pass it. If the information is not given out, the levy will fail. We need to explain if the levy is for two years that each year the tax amount will be the same for two years. The cost of the levy to the pocketbook is going to be tough. Patron concern was that if the levy fails, does the school need to look at consolidation or try to run another levy at a later date for a smaller amount and without levy funds, does that jeopardize the accreditation of the school in meeting requirements for students wanting to go onto college. Some patrons feel that $200,000.00 will max them out in supporting the levy. The $250,000.00 request has already failed once.

Trustee Richard Grant agreed that he had the same concerns.

Chairman commented that a Plan B does need to be discussed and recognize when that discussion needs to take place. The local school support group needs to do the footwork necessary to get the word out about a levy for two years and the need is really closer to $350,000.00 or higher for each year, but the Board did not feel that request was affordable for the patrons. A $250,000.00 request is basically status quo with some cutbacks. It is not in the best interest of the students if the school can’t make accreditation. The focus needs to be a quality education for the students. The multi year levy will give focus and hopefully last until the economy turns around. It would be nice if we had additional funds to restore our reserves that will be depleted by the end of this year. Our savings will be gone which is a bad situation and without those reserves a problem with the boiler, roof or plumbing will be impossible to fix. We have continually cut programs, staffing and now the number of school days for the past several years. We don’t have much further left to cutback. People need to understand that the quality of education is going to suffer with any other cutbacks if it hasn’t yet.

Superintendent replied that he would put together the cutbacks that have been made during the last three years.

BOARD COMMENTS

Chairman remarked that the staff received a great meal prepared by the Cook, Debbie Marker, that was sponsored by the Board as a thank you to the staff in appreciation of their hard work and efforts at which time each staff also received a ham and turkey with potatoes, gravy and vegetable.

Bryce Scrimsher commented that he and Trustee Richard Grant attended the GEAR UP College Night event. The Program works with 7^th through 12^th graders and their parents to educate them on college choices and steps to prepare them to continue their education.

Richard Grant asked that the patrons contact the legislature to support education. Tough economic times and state cuts in funding has put the burden on the patrons to step up and support the school through local tax levies. Students leaving the district have done so in search of larger class size due to our small numbers.

Bryce Scrimsher informed the Board that Highland School will be looking to increase their levy about another $100,000.00 this year which brings their request to about $409,000.00.

Kathryn Bomar explained that if patrons don’t support our levy they will be supporting the levy where the students end up going to school.

BOARD MINUTES: DECEMBER 14, 2011 PAGE 2

Chairman noted that last year only five graduated from Culdesac. These small numbers do not compare to other surrounding small schools that have 25 or 50 students. When the students go onto college or a university of thousands of students in attendance it is overwhelming. Small schools have both pro and cons in an education setting.

CONSENT AGENDA (AGENDA/MINUTES/FINANCE REPORT/CURRENT BILLS/EMPLOYEE LEAVE REPORT)

Lori Zenner moved to approve the revised agenda as presented/Seconded by Richard Grant/Motion passed. (Revised items added to agenda: Technology Plan, WISE Tool and Surplus student desk bid)

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

SET LEVY ELECTION – DATE & AMOUNT

Trustee Richard Grant explained that he and Trustee Bryce Scrimsher will be meeting with Superintendent Olson to review the budget items and cut one-time expenditures to reduce the levy request to $250,000.00. This amount will be workable for the next two years even if the existing budget eats up the fund balance and meet accreditation each fall.

Superintendent Olson did not have the specifics, but was confident that the $250,000.00 for the next two years would get us through without risking accreditation, but the reserves will be gone. The curriculum needs are being addressed by the Principal this year at about $30,000.00. Next year an additional $30,000.00 maybe needed to complete the curriculum updates.

Trustee Bryce Scrimsher noted that this amount would only fund a status quo budget.

Chairman remarked that he had concerns in Administration funding for next year.

Superintendent explained that Administration expenses were cutback to state funding this year for part-time in both Principal and Superintendent positions. It is questionable if you will be able to hire full time staff with state funds and include benefits. Other schools are paying over above state funds for administrators. The school has been operating on barebones budget for the past three years.

Clerk noted that with additional state cuts this next year the levy will not fill all the holes and cutbacks will be necessary.

Principal Stowers noted that the accreditation report was honestly answered noting several areas of weakness. The school received approval this year and next year is the on-site review that will determine any areas that will need improvements. We show several areas on the report this year as in progress for school improvement. Accreditation is important for students seeking scholarships to attend college. It is good to have Ag back as an elective as that is one area we struggle in offerings for classes.

Trustee Bryce Scrimsher commented that IDLA options could be used.

Principal Stowers explained that not all students are successful with on-line learning. However, we are looking at offering more math and science electives for next year. We have combined several math and science classes due to the small numbers in the secondary. Our Counselor does need an additional hour versus just one for her work load.

Superintendent informed the Board that this spring, staff needs will be reviewed for next year.

Chairman noted that the at-risk student with high needs puts the district in financial stress. It is scary to be out of reserves and trying to run a school on barebones budget with a levy that only provides status quo and further cuts.

Superintendent reminded the Board that out of district students who request special need services must be evaluated and if the program is full, by district policy, that request can be denied.

Principal noted that it is necessary to do student background checks before admitting them and follow your policy.

BOARD MINUTES: DECEMBER 14, 2011 PAGE 3

Trustee Richard Grant agreed that a $250,000.00 levy does not cover all the needs but with this economy we can’t afford to run a levy for more and have it fail. We could try again next year for less if the economy improves.

Richard Grant moved to run a M&O Supplemental levy for $250,000.00 for one year in March 2012/Seconded by Bryce Scrimsher.

Discussion: Bryce Scrimsher thought that at the public meeting the patrons favored a two year levy to show more stability in the school for the staff and students. Mr. Scrimsher asked for an amendment to the motion from a one year levy to a two year levy for $250,000.00 each year/Seconded by Richard Grant/Board agreed.

Trustee Richard Grant amended his motion to move that a General M&O Supplemental Levy for $250,000.00 for two years at $250,000.00 per year be run in March 2012./Seconded by Bryce Scrimsher/Motion passed.

EXTRACURRICULAR AGREEMENT WITH HIGHLAND

Superintendent Olson reported that Highland is the host school for the athletic coop. It is their responsibility to contact IHSAA if they would like to continue the coop. Bryce Scrimsher has contacted a member of the Highland School Board who thought we should talk with the Superintendent if we are interested in the coop for next year.

Principal Stowers thought we should wait until after winter sports to initiate the coop discussion. This year many transportation issues had to be worked out which in the end turned out were fine. If we continue the same coop as this year the students will be participating as Highland Husky players. The AD for Highland is Loren as a contact for a letter.

Chairman asked that the Superintendent contact Highland by letter to encourage and continue the coop.

SURPLUS DESK BID FROM PREVIOUS YEAR ITEMS

Superintendent Olson received a bid of $20 per student desk for a total of two desks on previous year surplus items that were not sold last year.

Lori Zenner moved to accept the bid as presented for surplus school desks/Seconded by Bryce Scrimsher/Motion passed.

NEW BUSINESS

STAFF RESIGNATION

Chairman read the Superintendents’ resignation to be effective June 30, 2012. Chairman extended his appreciation for the many extra hours that Mr. Olson has worked for the school. Mr. Olson has gone above the call of duty and working with him has been enjoyable. - Mr. Olson thanked the Board in return.

Lori Zenner moved to accept Mr. Olsons’ resignation as presented/Seconded by Richard Grant/Motion passed.

Richard Grant moved to enter executive session as per Idaho Code for personnel/Seconded by Lori Zenner/Board Poll: Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes and Yes/Affirmative response.

INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION: 9:00 P.M.

Personnel issue discussed with Superintendent and Clerk.

OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION: 10:22 P.M.

No decisions were made during executive session.

PERSONNEL

Lori Zenner directed Clerk Loretta Hammond-Nichols to advertise for a part-time Superintendent position/Seconded by Kathryn Bomar/Motion passed.

ADJOURMENT: 10:25 P.M.

_______________________________ ________________________________

Chairman Clerk