REGULAR MEETING -- DECEMBER 19, 2007
Meeting called to order at 6:00 p.m. with all board members, Kaaron Jorgen, Bryon Walston, Ron Olsen, Deb Hren and Jim Webster present. Also attending were Superintendent Margaret Hopkin, Business Administrator Doug Cannon, Secretary Pat Nielsen, Principals Sherrie Buckingham, Robert Farnsworth, Stephen Hren, Taryn Kay and Melinda Snow, Association Representatives Joanne Savoie and Patty Jones, Cory Williams, Kama Brewer, Verna Butcher, Brittney, Colleen and Greg Tibbetts, Grace Tyler, Sarah Bauman, Craig Hibberd, Stephen Stocks, Debbie Rappe, Luke, Dave and Dina McCandless, Stephen, Mary and Danny Key, Logan Key, Ron Georg, Emily and Pam Lopez, Diane, Keith and Dayna VanArsdol, and Montez Steele.
Robert Farnsworth led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
RECOGNITION
Blue Ribbon awards were given in recognition of the safe and correct actions taken by an employee, a member of the community and several students when coming to the aid of GCSD students during a critical time in their lives; awards were also given in recognition of high achievements while participating in sports, etc.
PRESENTATION
Sarah Bauman introduced Craig Hibberd who spoke to the board about the possibility of GCSD becoming a pilot program for Global Environmental Options. Giving a brief explanation and citing other entities that have joined in the effort, he said that when faced with building new schools, the coordination of efforts to reduce the carbon footprint could pay off in the long run.
STAFF REPORTS
Mr. Cannon reported the audit has been completed and the report will be forthcoming. He then went on to explain the possibility of saving money by refinancing the existing bond to a lower interest rate.
Principals spoke about a recent debate meet hosted by GCHS; the beginnings of a program to help students getting D’s or F’s; submission of a trust land budget for approved; the possibility of exchanging secondary music teachers to teach their “specialty” at the other school; a “battle/rattle” assembly to help students to not be frightened by, but to stay out of the way of police officers doing their jobs during a crisis situation; work to transfer curriculum maps to templates; and a donation of scrap book materials that were sold in a fund raiser that netted the school $2000 to help purchase some software. Also reported was work on virtual tours of the school buildings that will be posted on the District’s web site to help educate the public about the need to bond. Also highlighted was the November issue of the Utah Special Educator, that included an article about HMK’s 3-Tiered Model of Instruction.
INFO & REPORTS
Travel Requests: GCHS Art Teacher, Christa Jensen, and Social Studies/Debate Teacher, Hal Adams have submitted out-of-state student travel requests. Ms. Jensen’s request required additional information and will be held over to the January 8th work meeting. Mr. Adams’ request is the standard one submitted each year for the debate and history trips, and was put on the action agenda.
Adult Ed Invitation: On behalf of Tiffany Swafford, Adult Ed Director, Superintendent Hopkin invited the board to attend a GED completion/recognition ceremony and potluck on Thursday, December 20, at 6:00 p.m. at Arches Education Center.
Comprehensive Communications Plan: Taryn Kay updated the board on what the District’s needs are (i.e., purchase more frequencies, etc.) in order to facilitate communications with emergency response providers in an emergency.
Policy 4114 B: Item briefly discussed and moved to action agenda.
Policy 4122 B: Policy is still awaiting a template from USBA.
Cell Phone Policy: Samples of policies handed out for review.
Revision of Letters of Intent: Samples of new Letters of Intent given with revisions as to more explicit deadlines for plans to return or not for the upcoming school year.
District in Need of Improvement: GCSD is designated “District in Need of Improvement” status by the state due to Limited English Proficiency Math scores falling below AYP requirements. The decision was made to help pilot the state’s alignment program to help such districts, and to welcome the process to help us improve. The team plans to visit on January 14-16 and meetings with various groups will be scheduled.
CNP/Charter Partnership Status: Referring to a letter regarding the Charter School’s lunch program, there is a dilemma in meeting state requirements as to portion sizes, leftovers, servers with food handlers permits, etc. The District does not provide the personnel only the food to the Charter School. Therefore, the Charter School would need to hire personnel to be accountable or the School District will not be able to provide the food.
Interlocal Agreement: Superintendent Hopkin asked if there were any board members that would be interested in serving on this committee. Deb Hren and Bryon Walston volunteered to help.
Master Plan Update: Doug Cannon presented a handout and explained the amount available for bonding, etc. Board members and others were asked to review and critique the work done by Dan McNeil to explain the schools needs and the bond issues before it is linked to the District’s website.
Superintendent Evaluation Time-line: Discussion held and plans made to review the evaluation tool and get it in place in January, then begin the process in February. Item to be placed on the January agenda.
NSBA Convention: Decision made and moved to action agenda.
ACTION AGENDA
Consent Agenda: Jim Webster moved to accept the consent agenda as presented (minutes and financial report for November; hiring of Diane Green, CRS Sp Ed Para-ed and Barbara Dominick, CNP Server) seconded by Deb Hren and passed unanimously by Kaaron Jorgen, Bryon Walston, Ron Olsen, Deb Hren and Jim Webster.
HS Trust lands Budget: Bryon Walston moved to accept the GCHS Trust lands budget (recognizing changes to the budget upcoming due to Kevin Hines move), seconded by Jim Webster and passed unanimously by Kaaron Jorgen, Bryon Walston, Ron Olsen, Deb Hren and Jim Webster.
Policy 4114 B: Ron Olsen moved to post Policy 4114B for review of proposed changes, seconded by Deb Hren and passed unanimously by Kaaron Jorgen, Bryon Walston, Ron Olsen, Deb Hren and Jim Webster.
Travel Request: Bryon Walston moved to approve the travel request submitted by Hal Adams, with the understanding that it will be fully funded by the individual groups, seconded by Jim Webster and passed unanimously by Kaaron Jorgen, Bryon Walston, Ron Olsen, Deb Hren and Jim Webster.
NSBA Convention: Deb Hren moved to approve sending Superintendent Hopkin and one other board member to the NSBA Convention in March, seconded by Bryon Walston and passed by Kaaron Jorgen, Bryon Walston, Deb Hren and Jim Webster, with Ron Olsen voting nay. Discussion held and Jim Webster will also attend.
BOARD COMMUNICATIONS
Jim gave an update regarding the governor’s budget and said we need to keep an eye on this item and speak out on the WPU issues.
Deb Hren reported a resource that is making money available to help old schools.
Advance planning reminders given.
At 9:02 p.m. Bryon Walston moved to go into executive session to discuss personnel and legal matters, seconded by Deb Hren and passed unanimously by Kaaron Jorgen, Bryon Walston, Ron Olsen, Deb Hren and Jim Webster.
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EXECUTIVE SESSION
Meeting called to order at 9:08 p.m. with Kaaron Jorgen, Bryon Walston, Ron Olsen, Deb Hren, Jim Webster, Margaret Hopkin, and Doug Cannon present. Meeting called to discuss personnel and legal matters and adjourned at 9:40 p.m.