REGULAR MEETING -- AUGUST 20, 2008
Kaaron Jorgen called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm with Board members Kaaron Jorgen, Bryon Walston, Ron Olsen, Deb Hren and Jim Webster present, along with Superintendent Margaret Hopkin, Secretary Becky McCormick, Principals Sherrie Buckingham, Melinda Snow, Robert Farnsworth, Steve Hren, Taryn Kay, GEA representative Catherine Sturman, GCEA President Patti Jones. Also in attendance were Heidi White, Ayni Henderson, Miles Nelson, Flo Saggboy, Sam Sturman and Audrey Graham. Bryon Walston led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance.
RECOGNITIONS
All school secretaries were awarded Blue Ribbon Awards for their dynamic District Secretarial Team. Heidi White and Ayni Henderson were in attendance to receive their awards. (Libby Vaccaro, Sherry Mathson, Kathie Holyoak, Sue Cook, Ginger Torres, Sherrie Zufelt, Heidi White and Ayni Henderson).
Patti Jones received a Blue Ribbon Awards for her outstanding job as GCEA President for the past two years.
PRESENTATIONS
No presentations.
Kaaron Jorgen moved the agenda from Staff Reports to Information and Reports.
INFORMATION & REPORTS
C. Grand County Special Education Policy and Procedure Manual New State Special Education Policies include case loads, guidance and classifications. Effective September 30, 2008; policies will be posted for a month.
Miles Nelson Vice President CEU presented Facility Requirements for College of Eastern Utah's CTE Programs in Moab. Miles expressed his appreciation of the partnership.
Kaaron Jorgen moved the agenda back to Staff Reports.
STAFF REPORTS
A. Superintendent Margaret Hopkin gave an update on Focus Groups. MHTN will be here August 28 and 29 to meet with all Focus Groups.
B. Business Administrator Doug Cannon read the 2008-2009 Negotiated Agreement with GCEA and GCSD Board of Education. Kaaron Jorgen moved this item to Action Items.
C. Red Rock Principal Sherrie Buckingham reported they had their first staff meeting August 19 lasting all day. End of the year Core test results showed 86% proficiency. The second grade enrollments are at twenty seven in each class. The new Drop Off Zone is completed. Alot of new and good energy in the building. Having the new TA office position has been great. Red Rock's Focus Group meeting is Wednesday, August 22 at 3:30.
Helen M. Knight's Principal Robert Farnsworth reported thirty new enrolled students and four exiting students. Tiered programs continues adding comprehension piece. This year as students go into computer class they will take a five question quiz preparing them for UTIP.
Middle School Principal Melinda Snow reported they have six new staff members. Student Orientation was a success. Melinda said she presented each staff member a tool kit Tools for the Trade. They have a new schedule, Friday advisory.
High School Principal Steve Hren said ninth grade orientation went well. Focus Group is Tuesday, August 26 at 2:50 in Mecham's room for the CTE Learning Center.CRT scores up in math.
GEA Catherine Sturman, working on negotiations.
GCEA Patti Jones thanked Doug and Denese for being patient and working with her on negotiations. Flo Saggboy and John West are next year's co-presidents. Patti said the best action the School Board ever did was to hire Margaret as Superintendent.
INFORMATION AND REPORTS
A. Hal Adams- Denver, Obama Speech trip cancelled.
B. Freedom Writers Margaret Hopkin referred the Board to page 5 in their packet. Principal Hren gave a presentation on Freedom Writers in support of the curriculum. Margaret Hopkin said she supported the class only if parents attend a meeting with Mr. Anderson where he gives full disclosure of the course and text and signed parent permission is obtained. Ron Olsen supports the concept of the class, but did not support using the text. Bryon Walston said there will be a lot of controversy about the class, he is in favor of the class, but he is opposed of using the text. Deb Hren spoke of foster children she has had in her home that would really benefit from the class. Catherine Sturman spoke to the Board as a kindergarten teacher that the class would be a wonderful tool. Kaaron Jorgen asks how Mr. Anderson would present sensitive subject matter to parents. She said he must give full disclosure to students and parents.
G. Cell Phone Policy Update High School Steve Hren said High School teachers were concerned about monitoring cell phones used while students were involved in activities; such as bus trips, etc. After much discussion Margaret Hopkin and Steve Hren will define SOP for cell use during activities.
D. Issuance of Bond Resolution Business Administrator, Doug Cannon read the following resolution: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF UP TO $36,000,000 AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF GRAND COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT, GRAND COUNTY, UTAH; FIXING THE MAXIMUM AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THE BONDS, THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF YEARS OVER WHICH THE BONDS MAY MATURE, THE MAXIMUM INTEREST RATE THAT THE BONDS MAY BEAR AND THE MAXIMUM DISCOUNT FROM PAR AT THICH THE BONDS MAY BE SOLD; PROVIDING FOR THE PUBLICATION OF A NOTICE OF BONDS TO BE ISSUED; PROVIDING FOR THE RUNNING OF A CONTEST PERIOD; AURHORIZING THE CIRCLUATION OF AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT WITH RESPECT THERETO; AND PROVIDING FOR RELATED MATTERS.
Doug Cannon said that Tye Burgess Vice President of Public Finance for Wells Fargo will be at the next Board Meeting on September 17, 2008. Doug Cannon also reported that the issuance of the Bond Resolution will be held September 9, 2008 at 5:30 pm at the District Office. On September 30, 2008 the Bonds will be sold. The interest rate is 4.6. Doug Cannon said MHTN fee for the K-6 School is 5.6% of the $22 million, and for the CTE Learning Center the fee is 6.6%of the $6 million. Combined the total is $1.5 million. Doug Cannon has verified that the fees are reasonable.
F. Reaffirm Certified Tax Rate Margaret Hopkin reported that in all the publications concerning the Bond, it was pointed out to her that there was one error. One sentence in a brochure misstated how the property tax is applied to a county resident's home value. Margaret Hopkin said she wrote an article for the Times Independent owning up to the mistake and saying it was an honest error.
H. Insurance Survey - postponed due to computer problems.
I. Staffing Update Margaret Hopkin referred Board to page 21 in their packet District fully staffed for certified.
K. Mailing to Community Margaret Hopkin reported she had compiled a letter to the community to keep them abreast of School happenings. Mailer to go out today.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
Deb Hren moved to accept the minutes of the Board Meeting on July 16, 2008 with 3 corrections. On page 25, paragraph 8, changing to to and and changing to to on . On page 26, paragraph 1, changing the to to . Bryon Walston seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously by Kaaron Jorgen, Bryon Walston, Ron Olsen, Deb Hren and Jim Webster.
V. ACTION ITEMS
B. Freedom Writers Bryon Walston made a motion to okay the course not using the Freedom Writer's text. Ron Olsen seconded the motion. There was no discussion. In favor of the motion were Bryon Walston and Ron Olsen. Not in favor of the motion were Kaaron Jorgen, Deb Hren and Jim Webster. The motion failed.
Deb Hren made a motion to approve the Freedom Writers course using the text, mandatory parent permission and full disclosure of complete course to parents and students. Jim Webster seconded the motion. Discussion from the Board followed. In favor of the motion were Kaaron Jorgen, Deb Hren and Jim Webster. Not in favor of the motion were Bryon Walston and Ron Olsen. The motion passed.
C. Issue of Bond Resolution Ron Olsen made a motion to approve the Issuance of the Bond Resolution. Jim Webster seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously by Kaaron Jorgen, Bryon Walston, Ron Olsen, Deb Hren and Jim Webster.
D. MHTN Architect's Fee Deb Hren made a motion to accept MHTN fee for building the new elementary school and the CTE Learning Center. Bryon Walston seconded the motion. In favor of the motion were Kaaron Jorgen, Bryon Walston, Ron Olsen, Deb Hren and Jim Webster. The motion passed.
The fee for the K-6 School is 5.6% of the $22 million, and for the CTE Learning Center the fee is 6.6%of the $6 million. Combined the total is $1.5 million.
E. Cell Phone Policy Deb Hren made a motion to accept the Cell Phone Policy with 1 change. On page 2 under number 5. Strike When the vehicle is stopped and where the electronic communication device is owned by the District and used as a digital two way radio; and add when a bus driver requires communication using a two-way radio to carry out school-related tasks. Ron Olsen seconded the motion. In favor of the motion were Kaaron Jorgen, Bryon Walston, Ron Olsen, Deb Hren and Jim Webster. The motion passed.
F. Policy 4076 A & B (change to 3600) Rental Agreement Policy there was a change to the Rental Policy. Adding 4.5.3 The District may grant limited rental fees to the above groups when the total rental hours exceed 10 hours per day. This limited fee or capped fee' is designated on the Facilities Rental Agreement.
Bryon Walston made a motion to post the Building Rental Agreement for one month and vote on it next month. Deb Hren seconded. In favor of the motion were Kaaron Jorgen, Bryon Walston, Ron Olsen, Deb Hren and Jim Webster. The motion passed.
Posting of Grand County Special Education Policy and Procedures Manual Ron Olsen moved to post the Special Education Policy and Procedures Manual. Jim Webster seconded the motion. In favor of the motion were Kaaron Jorgen, Bryon Walston, Ron Olsen, Deb Hren and Jim Webster. The motion passed.
Reaffirmation of Certified Tax Rate Truth In Taxation . Doug Cannon reported the increase in tax rate to provide $326,00 for the budget. Byron Walston made a motion to reaffirm the certified tax rate, Jim Webster seconded the motion. In favor of the motion were Kaaron Jorgen, Bryon Walston, Ron Olsen, Deb Hren and Jim Webster. The motion passed.
GCEA Ratify 2008-2009 Negotiations
Grand Classified Employees Association & Grand County School District Board of Education
2008-2009 Negotiated Agreement
• The District will fund a 2.1% cost of living adjustment to the salary schedule.
• The District will fund the health insurance for eligible employees.
• The District will fund steps for eligible employees.
• The District will increase the current $10.00 subsidy per day to classified employees who substitute for a teacher to $10.00 per half day and $20.00 per full day (in addition to the employee's daily pay per hour).
• The District agrees to continue on-going subcommittee work (GCEA and Board Teams) on Insurance, Professional Growth Incentives and Salary Study.
• The District agrees to add $40,000 to the salary schedule to make adjustments for the lowest ranked positions; with the intent to fund the amount in future years to equalize all positions within the District to increase salaries to more closely match those of other districts in the State.
• The District and the GCEA agree to increase the Provisional Employee status form one (1) year to three (3) years.
• The District agrees to become more aggressive in substitute recruitment.
• The District and GCEA agree to rescind a 2007-2008 negotiated agreement of a $200 sick leave incentive to be paid in June of each year to each classified employee who does not use any sick days for that entire year. Money used to fund the incentive will be placed on the salary schedule.
Signed: Patti Jones, GCEA President Bryon Walston, GCSD Board
Ron Olsen made a motion to accept the GCEA GCSB Negotiated agreement for the 2008-2009 school year. Bryon Walston seconded the motion. In favor of the motion were Kaaron Jorgen, Bryon Walston, Ron Olsen, Deb Hren and Jim Webster. The motion carried.
VIII. Advance Planning GEA and Board will meet Friday, August 22, 2008 at 4:30 pm for negotiations. There is a CIB meeting at the Grand Center on Monday, August 25, 2008 at noon.
At 9:15 pm Kaaron Jorgen asked for a motion to go into executive session. Byron Walston made the motion to go into executive session and Jim Webster seconded the motion. In favor of the motion were Kaaron Jorgen, Bryon Walston, Ron Olsen, Deb Hren and Jim Webster. The motion carried.
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EXECUTIVE SESSION - AUGUST 20, 2008
Meeting called to order at 9:15 pm with board members Kaaron Jorgen, Bryon Walston, Ron Olsen, Deb Hren and Jim Webster present, along with Margaret Hopkin. Meeting called to discuss personnel and legal matters. Meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.