REGULAR MEETING - JUNE 16, 2008
Kaaron Jorgen called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm with Board members Kaaron Jorgen, Bryon Walston, Ron Olsen, Deb Hren, Jim Webster, and Ryan Burraston present, along with Superintendent Margaret Hopkin, Business Administrator Doug Cannon, Secretary Becky McCormick, Principals Sherrie Buckingham, Melinda Snow, Robert Farnsworth, Stephen Hren, and Joanne Savoie.
Kaaron led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance. Kaaron Jorgen turned the time over to Doug Cannon for the Budget Hearing.
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BUDGET HEARING JUNE 16, 2008
Doug Cannon referred the Board to GCSD Revenue Report of June 10, 2008. Doug Cannon told Board members he would be glad to go over budget, page by page with individual board members. Bryon Walston made a motion to accept the amended 2007-2008 Grand County School District Budget. Deb Hren seconded the motion. It was unanimously passed by Kaaron Jorgen, Bryon Walston, Ron Olsen, Deb Hren and Jim Webster. Jim Webster made a motion to accept the 2008-2009 Grand County School District Budget. Ron Olsen seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously passed by Kaaron Jorgen, Bryon Walston, Ron Olsen, Deb Hren and Jim Webster. Kaaron Jorgen thanked Doug Cannon and Margaret Hopkin for their extensive work on the budget.
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REGULAR MEETING - JUNE 16, 2008
RECOGNITIONS
Blue Ribbon Award was given to Steve Hren and his Administrative Support Team at GCHS for impressive costs saving to the District for the 2007-2008 school year. Other members of the Team will be recognized at a later board meeting.
Ryan Burraston, High School Board representative and Student Body President introduced himself.
PRESENTATIONS
Bond Issues – 147 residents have already voted.
STAFF REPORTS
Superintendent Margaret Hopkin reported that legislators will be receiving information on the Bond, including a letter from her.
High School Principal Steve Hren said he had received a lot of positive feedback on High School Graduation. All High School staff positions are filled except Title VII. He is working on the schedule. Football Camp is July 14-18. Seekhaven would like to do a presentation on Date Rape at Football Camp. Ron Dolphin and John Huitt are working on an evaluation tool for coaches and advisors. The High School is creating a committee for hiring of coaches. Steve Hren and Ryan Burraston have talked about enlarging student group beyond Student Council. The concept is so students have a bigger voice at the High School.
Middle School Principal Melinda Snow reported she had completed next year's schedule for Middle School. She said there are still five staffing positions open. Parent-Teacher conferences will look different next year – Student Celebrations with students leading the conferences. Ms Snow asks if the District paid for USBA dues. Margaret Hopkin said the District pays for one organization membership for each principal.
Helen M. Knight Principal Robert Farnsworth said HMK is almost fully staffed. Neil Robbins, custodian is back on duty from recent illness.
Red Rock Principal, Sherrie Buckingham reported they still have a few staff positions to fill. Raw spring testing scores look good for Senate Bill 238. Red Rock Leadership Retreat is June 30 at City Council Chambers from 8:00 – 3:00. Sherrie said she is drafting the Tiered Instruction schedule. First graders will be in session next year until 3:15. Joanne Savoie talked about having more instructional time with the first graders.
Joanne Savoie, GEA representative reported that Melissa Meldrum, Robyn Johnson and Ryan Anderson had been to UEA training at Snowbird. Joanne said she had mailed 1,000 postcards today encouraging citizens to vote for the Bond. Margaret Hopkin said she had talked to Ron Georg and he remarked that he had heard more negative comments about the Voted Leeway than about the Bond.
INFORMATION AND REPORTS
Nutrition and Wellness: Margaret Hopkin referred to the Nutrition and Wellness Survey on pages 5-9 in board packet. Margaret complimented Deb Rappe, Child Nutrition Coordinator on her amazing work this year. The improved quality of food costs more money. District lunches will be increased by 50 cents next year. Deb Rappe is coordinating a District Nutrition Committee.
Higher Ed Foundation: Jim Webster talked about the Foundation for Higher Educatation. Steve Hawks and Sam Sturman are interested in establishing a destination campus in Moab. Jim said that CEU would like to re-establish itself in Moab. The Foundation committee is looking at how do GCSD, CEU, and USU relate to each other. The committee has been interviewing local businesses about vocational training that would be useful – custom fit courses for Moab, i.e. Utah Wildlife Recreation Management. Jim said there is land available south of Moab. Melinda Snow asked if she should continue grant writing for monies for students college bound. The Board responded affirmative. Jim said there is a HEAT meeting July 11 at noon, at the City Hall, at which the President of Utah State University will be in attendance.
Green Schools Committee: Jim Webster reported at their last meeting they discussed sustainable construction and energy efficiency. Jim said the committee met on June 14. Myron Wilson with MHTN talked about what we want when looking for an architect for new the school.
Cell Phone: Margaret Hopkin asked Board to look at page 10 in packet “Proposed Cell Phone Standard Operating Procedures for Staff and Students for Grand County School District”. Margaret said the Cell Procedures is modeled after one from Carbon that seems to be working well. Deb Hren suggested that there might be a grace period at the beginning of the school year for violations. Ryan Burriston also suggested that students be allowed to use their cell phones during lunch. Margaret said we would continue to discuss at the July Board meeting and make it a line item.
Insurance Findings: Margaret Hopkin said Edward Keys was compiling surveys and we would have results in July.
Cost Savings/Revenue Enhancement: Margaret Hopkin reported that Craig Hibbert, a member of the Green Committee, had offered to do an energy analysis for the District.
Staffing Update: Margaret Hopkin referred Board to pages 11 – 12 of the Board packet showing all current staffing.
Master Plan Update: Jim Webster talked about “Beyond the Bond” – Middle School, Preschool, and District Office. What to do with the property at Red Rock. Jim said we need to look at long range vision, providing the best facilities for students. Margaret Hopkin commented that we talk to Kent Dalton (High School vocational instructor) about building on to the District Office (also referring to long range visioning).
Truth in Taxation: There will be a hearing in August regarding a tax rate increase in excess of the certified tax rate.
Utah Control Systems Contract: Margaret Hopkin presented a proposal from Utah Control Systems, a three year contract at $3,700 a month. They would install energy efficient equipment at the High School. Utah Control Systems guarantees savings of $2,500 monthly.
USBA Dues: Margaret Hopkin asked the Board if the consensus was to renew the 2008-2009 Utah School Boards Association Dues and Assessment of $3,294. It was agreed to renew USBA Dues and Assessment.
Board Goals: Kaaron Jorgen proposed to postpone discussion of Board Goals and either move them to the July Board Agenda or the August Board work session – depending on the results of Bond Election. Jim Webster made the motion to postpone review of 2007-2008 Board Goals and discussion of 2008-2009 Board Goals. Bryon seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously passed by Kaaron Jorgen, Bryon Walston, Ron Olsen, Deb Hren and Jim Webster.
ACTION ITEMS: Kaaron Jorgen brought back to the table the contract from Utah Control Systems. Ron Olsen moved the Board accept the three year contract. Deb Hren seconded. The motion was unanimously passed by Kaaron Jorgen, Bryon Walston, Ron Olsen, Deb Hren and Jim Webster.
Communications: No reports
Advance Planning:
• July 8 - 12:00 pm to ratify the Bond.
• July 16 - 4:00 pm Board work session: possible Board Goal Setting/Master Plan
• July 16 – 6:00 pm Board Meeting
• August 15 – 1:30 – 3:00 Board Meeting
At 8:30 Byron Walston made a motion to go into executive session to discuss legal and personnel matters. The motion was seconded by Ron Olsen and passed unanimously by Kaaron Jorgen, Bryon Walston, Ron Olsen, Deb Hren and Jim Webster.
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EXECUTIVE SESSION - JUNE 16, 2008
Meeting was called to order by Kaaron Jorgen at 8:33 pm with Board members Kaaron Jorgen, Bryon Walston, Ron, Olsen, Deb Hren, and Jim Webster in attendance, along with Margaret Hopkin and Doug Cannon. Meeting called to discuss legal personnel matters. Meeting adjourned at 9:50 pm.