REGULAR MEETING -- NOVEMBER 14, 2007
Meeting called to order at 6:00 p.m. with board members Kaaron Jorgen, Bryon Walston, Deb Hren and Jim Webster present, along with student board member Stephen Stocks, Business Administrator Doug Cannon, Secretary Pat Nielsen, Principals Sherrie Buckingham, Stephen Hren, and Taryn Kay, GEA President Joanne Savoie, GCEA President Patty Jones, Robyn Johnson, Greg, Colleen and Brittney Tibbetts, Kevin, Dawn and Jesse Sheets, Lance Christie and Terry Sykes.
Audience led in the Pledge of Allegiance then the agenda taken out of order to allow some to attend other meetings.
Student board member, Stephen Stocks, spoke briefly about GCHS activities.
PRESENTATION
Taryn Kay presented information about the progress made in getting a comprehensive emergency plan in place for the District.
STAFF REPORTS
Superintendent Hopkin said the appeal to the USOE on the AYP status of Grand County High School has been approved. The school will now be responsible to prove that they have made AYP.
Business Administrator Doug Cannon reported the auditors are here and work is progressing on the 2007 audit; the District is expecting a cell phone representative to visit Moab at the end of the month, who will try to get all the cell phone entities under one company for more effective service; and a plan has been submitted for the Rural Schools Grant and about 20 teachers will be taking advantage of the Bennett Fund.
Administrators reported working on a curriculum mapping template; concern with 1st graders progress; reviewing the all-day kindergarten program; upcoming activity trips for high school students; ending of fall sports and the beginning of winter sports; programs to reach out to low achieving students; and upcoming tests for upper grade students to ascertain their level then setting up a program to help them achieve and progress from that point.
GEA representatives said, “Yeah, for Vouchers” and reported Grand was the second highest in the number of votes against vouchers. Everyone thanked for their marvelous efforts!
The GCEA representative (who is also a bus driver) spoke in appreciation of recent staff recognition efforts for the transportation staff.
INFO / REPORTS
Property Inquiry: Terry Sykes and Lance Christie spoke about the possible use of the lower portion or SW corner of the high school property for a water/sewer treatment plant. The board reported that three of their members had toured a similar facility in Fairview and found the building attractive, with no smell or distracting odors. Information was given about the up-to-date technology used in this process. The board will need to make a decision as to whether the property is “surplus.”
Staph Infection Update: Regarding the concerns about a “staph” outbreak, Superintendent Hopkin reported contact with Health Department officials and school staff about cleaning precautions to take. She also sent an informational note home to parents about these precautions.
Nutrition Policy Update: Superintendent Hopkin reported Debbie Rappe, CNP Supervisor, is in the process of reviewing the policy and has been looking at what is realistic and what needs to be re-worded or changed.
Board Goals: School cost-saving plans are being submitted and will be reviewed and revised before being presented to the board. Members will then be able to see where the different schools are focusing their attention on this board goal.
Professional Development Plans: This plan had its beginning last June and has now been updated to include the use of upcoming early dismissal days.
Rental Agreement Partnership Review: There is a need to create a “Partnership Application Form” with guidelines as to what constitutes an educational partner for reduced fee purposes.
Master Plan Update: A copy of the plan’s timeline has been sent out to staff members. GEA expressed a concern with events occurring at the end of the trimester. The staff have been invited to a meeting at the high school on Monday, November 26th at 2:30 to give their perspective on the configuration of schools. Past teachers will also be invited to attend.
NSBA Trip: The convention dates were announced and a brief discussion held on who might attend. The estimated cost will be looked at before a decision is made.
Policies #4146B and 4545C: Wording changes needed in this policy and Superintendent Hopkin volunteered to look into the “holes” between policy and practice.
Update on GrandAM Program: Dan McNeil submitted an update on the program and information on the grant.
ACTION AGENDA
Consent Agenda: Jim Webster moved to approve the consent agenda with corrections to the minutes (minutes, financial report; hiring of Marriah Lombardo as the Ed-Net Facilitator), seconded by Deb Hren, and passed unanimously by Kaaron Jorgen, Bryon Walston, Deb Hren and Jim Webster.
Policy 4155: Deb Hren moved to approve the change of (15) days to (30) days according to law, seconded by Bryon Walston and passed unanimously by Kaaron Jorgen, Bryon Walston, Deb Hren and Jim Webster.
BOARD COMMUNICATIONS
Board members commented on their impressions of the Governor’s Summit on Education; and Kaaron on her attendance at the Utah Policy Forum.
Upcoming attendance at the USBA Convention discussed along with other meetings, including a work meeting on the 15th at noon; and human resources training on Tuesday, November 20th (optional).
At 8:30 p.m. Jim Webster moved to go into executive session to discuss legal and personnel matters, seconded by Bryon Walston and passed unanimously by Kaaron Jorgen, Bryon Walston, Deb Hren and Jim Webster.
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EXECUTIVE SESSION
Meeting called to order at 8:40 p.m. with Kaaron Jorgen, Bryon Walston, Deb Hren and Jim Webster in attendance, along with Margaret Hopkin and Doug Cannon. Meeting called to discuss legal and personnel matters and adjourned at 9:30 p.m.