OFFICIAL MINUTES

JT SCHOOL DISTRICT #342

CULDESAC, ID 83524

The Board of Trustees held their annual meeting on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 in the School Library at 8:00 p.m. as posted.  Those in attendance were Chairman Cecil Martin, Vice-chairman Lori Zenner, Trustees Richard Grant and Kathryn Bomar, Superintendent Darrell Olson, Clerk/Treasurer Loretta Hammond-Nichols, four staff members and two patrons.

ORDER / SALUTE

Chairman called the meeting to order and those present joined in the flag salute.

OATH OF OFFICE

The Clerk administered the Oath of Office to declared elected Zone #5 Trustee Cecil Martin and at-large appointment Zone #4 Trustee Bryce Scrimsher.

REORGANIZATION OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Superintendent Olson opened the floor for chairman nominations.

Trustee Richard Grant nominated Cecil Martin.

Superintendent hearing no other nominations asked for a vote:   4 yes / 1 abstain – Cecil Martin elected as chairman.

Chairman Martin opened the floor for vice-chairman nominations.

Trustee Kathy Bomar moved to nominate Lori Zenner with a second by Bryce Scrimsher. 

Chairman hearing no other nominations asked for a vote:   no objections – vote passed-Lori Zenner elected as vice-chairman.

Lori Zenner moved to appoint Loretta Hammond-Nichols as the District Clerk/Treasurer for the 2011-2012 year.  Seconded by Kathy Bomar/Motion passed.

MEETING DATE & TIMES

Richard Grant moved to meet on the second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. except in July and August at 8:00 p.m.  Seconded by Kathy Bomar/Motion passed.

BANK ACCOUNT SIGNATURES APPROVAL

The school does their banking business with Potlatch #1 Federal Credit Union at the Culdesac Branch in town.  All accounts require two signatures.  The current signatures for the account will remain the same except for removal of Principal Jon Hussman effective June 30, 2011 for the Student Account.  Principal Loretta Stowers will be added to the Student Account effective July 1, 2011.

Lori Zenner moved to accept the list of account signatures as presented.  Seconded by Richard Grant/Motion passed.

SUPERINTENDENT REPORT

Budget Status – June 2011 report is good since revenue is up and expenditures have been held below budget.  The District will be receiving the MOE (Maintenance of Effort funds from the state for ARRA Federal Funds) additional funds in July which will help offset some Special Education expenses.  Hopefully, the funds will give us additional reserve.  This has been a close budget year and next year will be as well. 

Summer Cleaning Schedule -This summer we cut back our summer maintenance help and hired a professional to clean the carpets.  The carpets were dry within one day which made this process more efficient.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Patron explained that in attending a previous meeting the audience seemed upset that the Board was not listening or following the patron suggestions in the direction regarding decisions being made.  Several meetings since, it seems that

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the Board has opened up with additional information that has resolved the unrest.    Many times people don’t realize that the Board has to make unpopular decisions upon facts and information that can’t always be shared.  Failure of the levy, calendar change and staffing issues all brought about emotional issues with the community.  The baseline budget required the Board making decisions that were not well received.  It seems that the public comments have turned around once you were able to explain the reasons for your decisions.

Chairman thanked the patron for the comments for understanding the difficulty the Board has to change directions when they are not at liberty to share information until all the ducks are in a row to make the tough decisions.

PTSA member offered to help fund some activities that were cut out of the baseline budget for the students.

Chairman thanked them for the offer and agreed that the students would appreciate it.

Patron asked what the Board planned with the District house when the Principal moves.

Chairman noted that could be discussed at the August meeting.

BOARD COMMENTS

Chairman asked that the Clerk contact the ISBA and order Trustee Bryce Scrimsher a New Board Packet which will provide some helpful information regarding duties and responsibilities.  Mr. Chairman thanked Mr. Scrimsher for volunteering and that he will find the position challenging and rewarding.  The mileage for travel can be documented and used as a tax break.  Under the new law change, you are probably the first at-large appointment in the State.  The ISBA, Nezperce County Commissioner Doug Zenner and our Board first initiated the resolution to get this legislation passed.

Trustee Lori Zenner was thankful for a full Board again.

CONSENT AGENDA (Agenda/Minutes/Finance Report/Current Bills/Levy Publication Approval)

Kathy Bomar moved to adopt the revised consent agenda as presented.  Seconded by Lori Zenner/Motion passed. (Volleyball issue was addition to revised agenda under unfinished business)

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

PUBLIC LEVY DISCUSSION

The August 30th General M&O Supplemental Levy request for $250,000.00 for one year only will be mail in ballot.  Nezperce and Lewis County will be mailing out the ballots about the second week of August.  The election is run by the County Clerk due to the new election laws.  They provide the legal publication for the ballot and levy election.  Additional dates that the school can run an election besides May and August is November and March.  The baseline budget did not include the levy of $350,000.00 that failed in May or the $250,000.00 levy request in August since the Budget had to be adopted in June and submitted to the SDE by July.  The County has 10 days to certify election.

Clerk will be posting locally the information for the August levy and printing additional notice in the Tribune to help remind patrons to vote.  The Levy Budget request will be published in the Tribune to meet the requirement of budget publication as it is separate from the original budget adopted.  If the levy passes the County Certification paperwork will need filed with both Nezperce and Lewis County to submit to the State Tax Commission and SDE.

LUNCH RATE INCREASE DISCUSSION

The reimbursement rates are going to increase this next year for Food Service Program.  If the rates are above the amount charged for meals, the District will need to raise the prices.  Currently the Elementary pay $2.50 and the Secondary pay $2.75 with Adults at $4.00 for lunch.  The Reduced rate for students who qualify is .40 cents.  The new rate has not been published yet.  August Board meeting will be the second discussion regarding the rates as the Board will need to decide if the price has to be raised.  Publication of rate increases will be sent out in the back to school

 newsletter in August and published in the Tribune along with local postings to meet the legal requirements for

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fee increases.  The Child Nutrition Department recommends that an annual increase of 5 to 10 cents be implemented versus waiting several years and increase the cost significantly.  Our Free and Reduced student qualification is at 70%.

TRUSTEE REZONING

Superintendent reported that the rezoning of Trustee borders was changed to balance the allowed percentage difference with the new census information.  The Trustees received the new zones with changes as being approved by the SDE.

VOLLEYBALL ISSUE

Parent requests to use the van to transport students to Highland to participate in Volleyball in August.  No sports are currently in the budget to help pay costs.  If the levy passes in August, extracurricular is one item that will be put back into the budget.  Parents would be willing to pay for the fuel if using the van.  An employee will need to drive the van for insurance coverage.  Last year the vans were used for Volleyball and Junior High Football in the fall.

Lori Zenner was concerned with the insurance coverage.

Cecil Martin asked that the parent pay the mileage rate versus the gas to help offset the wear and tear of the vehicle and tire expenses.

Bryce Scrimsher noted that the parent needs to know the cost up front to use the van with a payment made ahead not afterwards to help avoid collection later if the student changes their mind about participating.

Lori Zenner mentioned that some students want to participate at different schools since we don’t have a coop with Highland.  Highland had invited students to participate but as Highland Huskies.  Some students are looking at going to Lapwai to play Basketball.  We will be having vans going several directions.

Kathy Bomar moved to give Mr. Olson the authority to allow parents to use the van at the federal mileage rate for sports with employee as volunteer to drive and payment received up front monthly.  Seconded by Bryce Scrimsher/Motion passed.

NEW BUSINESS

CONTRACT APPROVAL FOR CERTIFICATED STAFF

Superintendent informed the Board that Principal Loretta Stowers after interviews and screenings recommends the following staff:  Shannon Morris (Ag/Science), Jeremy Cerovski (Secondary Humanities, German, Technology, Journalism, and English), Laura Morgan (English/PE), Carson Kachelmier (Math/Science), Ashley Long (Elementary/Literacy), Joann Bricker (Elementary/Literacy) and Allison Parker (Elementary).   Next month you will receive a Social Studies recommendation.  We went from eight secondary staff to five secondary with the remaining three for Elementary.  SDE was contacted to verify the FTE shift to better fit the needs of the students.  K-12 Literacy is going to be a big focus.

Kathy Bomar asked if Kindergarten will be available.

Mr. Olson replied that K/1 class will be offered as at least one Kindergarten student has been identified.

Chairman commented that a full staff will be ready for school after hiring the Social Studies teacher next month.

Lori Zenner moved to accept the certified contracts for approval as presented for the 2011-2012 school year.  Seconded by Kathy Bomar/Motion passed.

Richard Grant mentioned that parents were pulling kids since the publication that Junior / Senior High School was not going to be offered at Culdesac.  Now that staff is hired and we are keeping the Junior/Senior High students, it is important to get letters home and let parents know.  We are offering Ag again and that will help draw students back. 

The news reporter and paper need contacted to get the information out that K-12 will be at Culdesac School.

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The Back to School Newsletter will need to be sent out with information regarding the new staff and classes.

Superintendent Olson reported that one student who takes on-line classes will be eligible for the college dual credit classes this year as passed by the legislature for senior year students who qualify.

Chairman asked that the news people be contacted regarding the school offering K-12 programs this year.

Richard Grant asked that open enrollment be revisited at the August meeting to discuss options for out of district students.

ADJOURNED:  9:25 P.M.

___________________________________                                                                   ________________________________

Chairman                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Clerk

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