REGULAR MEETING - MARCH 12, 2008
Meeting called to order at 6:00 p.m. with board members Kaaron Jorgen, Bryon Walston, Ron Olsen, Deb Hren and Jim Webster in attendance, along with Superintendent Margaret Hopkin, Business Administrator Doug Cannon, Secretary Pat Nielsen, Principals Robert Farnsworth, Melinda Snow and Stephen Hren, Ann & Mike Arehart, Diane Valencia, Dan Johnson, Verna Butcher, Linda and Kandace Hugentobler, Michael Nelson, Nick Jeffries, Patty Jones, Joanne Savoie, Torrie, Pam, Emily and Rick Lopez, and Bambi Holder.
RECOGNITIONS
Honored as GCHS Students of the Month were Emily Lopez and Michael Nelson. Blue Ribbon Awards were given to Ann Arehart, Verna Butcher, Diane Valencia and members of the GCHS Jets Team.
STAFF REPORTS
Superintendent Hopkin complimented and thanked HS volunteers and members of the Recycling Club for the outstanding job they did during the Moab Half-Marathon weekend. She then reported that the bus drop-off zone at Grand County Middle School is scheduled to be revised during the upcoming Spring Break.
Business Administrator Cannon reported the Accounting Department has been looking at soft-ware packages, and that two weeks ago the USOE had announced a new accounting package that will be free to districts next year. He also said that Chapman & Cutler will have the resolution to bond ready for the March 26th meeting.
Administrators spoke about happenings in their schools, including the high school band/choir’s long anticipated trip to California; Sterling Scholar winners and runners-up; an option for a fourth English credit; 6th grade students and the Young Naturalist program; HMK’s annual science fair; GCMS Student Choir performance; a Quality Teaching Project; and another successful presentation of Reality Town and GCMS.
GEA Representative Joanne Savoie reported the association is recovering from and studying the results of the recent legislative session; then asked how the District’s cost-savings program is going? Ms. Hopkin said a report needs to be compiled as the program is in bits and pieces currently. Mrs. Savoie reported representatives of NEA are planning to come in April to help teachers with the Praxis Exam.
GCEA Representative Patty Jones said the association is pleased that teachers got a raise from the legislature, and happy about the vote to bond to build a new school, but the fact is the cost of living keeps rising for classified personnel too and there is a concern with the salary schedule for support personnel.
INFO/REPORTS
Technology Integration with Charter School: Dan Johnson reported speaking with the charter school’s director, Bambi Steiner, about the possibility of putting their program on the districts “back bone” while still keeping them as a separate entity. Currently the talks are on hold awaiting the charter schools decision about funding the project / and the need for Board permission to move forward. Superintendent Hopkin cautioned that any move forward should be made with the surety that the process would not become a burden. Mr. Johnson assured her that talks are still preliminary at this point. (Bambi Steiner joined the meeting later and said that the Charter School’s Board currently felt they could not afford this project.)
2008-09 Staff Report: Superintendent Hopkin reported the District is on track with Letters of Intent due for return on March 15th, and that some positions have already been advertised.
Appraisal Summary Report: Superintendent Hopkin presented a handout that reviewed overarching recommendations for the district, including: forming or finding an appraisal team to do school appraisals; work to improve school climates; improving math [scores]; having fewer, more finely tuned board goals; expanded use of environmental resources [we live in a beautiful area]; and look at ‘threads’ or ‘strands’ pre-K through 12th grades. Ms. Hopkin said the next step is to get this summary out to the staff and talk to administrators.
Board Goals for 2008-09: Superintendent Hopkin submitted a goal sheet that included administrative feedback on prior goals, and suggested the process be started in January in order to be ready by August. Discussion held, Ms. Hopkin offered to find a facilitator to walk through the process of setting goals – illustrating what they look like and how to write them.
Legislative Summary: In-depth summaries are just coming out and Taryn Kay is at a meeting and will receive one tomorrow from USOE Attorney Carol Lear. The handout tonight is a bare outline for the board to review prior to the training session on April 9 with USBA representatives.
Financial Training Set: Friday, April 11 Burke Jolley will present this discussion.
Master Plan Update: Jim Webster reported the bond committee is meeting weekly and as time progresses more will be done by this committee and less by the board [Jim]; press releases and other ads are in place for the March 26th Forum; the board continues to meet with MHTN to fine tune the presentation; meeting planned for Monday the 17th to train ‘tour guides’ for next forum.
Truth in Taxation: Mr. Cannon reported that Chapman & Cutler will be doing the paper work for the deadlines in June (notifying the County of what we are doing); mid-July (advertise in the paper and include the amount); and in mid-August to hold a Truth in Taxation Hearing after 6:00 p.m. The hearing needs to be made an agenda item by April 16th.
ACTION AGENDA
Consent Agenda: Jim Webster moved to approve the consent agenda with corrections (minutes and financial report, and transfer of DeAnn Arthur from RRE to HMK Skill-building position), seconded by Bryon Walston and passed unanimously by Kaaron Jorgen, Bryon Walston, Ron Olsen, Deb Hren and Jim Webster.
BOARD COMMUNICATIONS
Ron Olsen reported attending the GEA executive meeting and receiving requests regarding class size reduction and inviting UEA/GEA representatives to meet with new teachers during their beginning- of-the-year luncheon.
ADVANCED PLANNING
The following meetings will be held:
Wednesday, April 9 at 12:00 noon, at Moab Brewery - USBA Training
Wednesday, April 9 at 1:30 p.m. at Tech Center - conference call with MHTN
Friday, April 11 at 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Board Room - Burke Jolley Training
Tuesday, April 15 - 1:30 p.m. at Board Room - Work session
Wednesday, April 16 - 6:00 p.m. - Regular meeting
Tuesday, April 22 - 1:30 p.m. at Board Room - Work session
Tuesday, April 29 - tour guide training
Wednesday, April 30 at 6:00 p.m. at GCMS - Open Forum
At 8:18 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 MARCH 12, 2008
Meeting called to order at 8:30 p.m. with Kaaron Jorgen, Bryon Walston, Ron Olsen, Deb Hren and Jim Webster in attendance, along with Margaret Hopkin and Doug Cannon. Meeting called to discuss personnel and legal matters and adjourned at 9:35 p.m.