February 8, 2016 School Board Meeting Minutes

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR WAYNE SCHOOL DISTRICT HELD AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE ON MONDAY FEBRUARY 8, 2016 AT 4:00 PM.

Those Present:

Cory Anderson – President
Curtis Whipple – Vice President
Joni Taylor – Member
April Torgerson – Member
Burke Torgerson – Superintendent
Heather Okerlund – Business Administrator

Conducting:  Cory Anderson

ADMINISTRATION

Cory Anderson called the meeting to order.  He announced we would begin with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a reverence from Joni Taylor.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES:

April Torgerson requested that Heather Okerlund check the motion on the letters of resignation & correct who made the motions.  Joni Taylor moved to accept the minutes with the change.  April Torgerson seconded.  All in favor.  (the minutes were determined to be correct upon later review of the audio)

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Heather Okerlund answered questions about accounts payable.

April Torgerson made a motion to approve the accounts payable.  Jeffery Chappell seconded.  All in favor.

Heather Okerlund answered questions about the financial reports.   The state did their mid-year update last month and we lost approximately $19,500 in necessarily existent small schools funding after the update.  We have about $11,000 additional coming on the board levy guarantee that wasn’t allocated out last year that we will probably receive next month though.

CITIZEN COMMENTS

Wendy Nelson said she had some concerns about all day kindergarten.  She was told last year this was a trial run and recently heard that they are going to keep with all day kindergarten.  She has a kid coming into kindergarten and she wants to know why she’s hearing it through the grapevine instead of being alerted and why it’s not an option anymore.  She preferred the prior model where kids were assessed and doesn’t want to be forced into all day kindergarten.  She said she does realize that by law she has the option for half day kindergarten but because busing is not available and she lives in Teasdale, driving to Loa every day is not an option for her.

Charlene VanDyke asked what the follow-up is on a citizen comment and how to get on the agenda for school board meeting.  Cory Anderson answered her questions.

Charlene VanDyke asked if the district has a snow day policy.  She didn’t think that the kids should have been in school on Monday or Tuesday.  She said she felt the buses were unsafe and the education was inefficient because of the number of teachers and students that were snowed in.  She said if she has to GRAMA the policy she will, she hasn’t had time to look for it to see if it was easily searched.  She said her second question was regarding the cameras on the buses.  She wanted to know if they had access to that.  She stated there has been no information to parents about the cameras on the buses.  She said the buses to Teasdale have been rowdy and inappropriate and it’s hard because the older and younger kids are on the same bus.  She wanted to know when she got a story from her kids about what happened on the bus how she could find out what happened.  Cory Anderson recommended that she contact Superintendent Torgerson about the policy and Ned Taylor about the cameras.  Cory Anderson said if she doesn’t get what she needs to let us know and we’ll put the items on the agenda.

Ned Taylor clarified that there is a sign on the bus that there is a camera, which is required by law.  He also said there are restrictions on viewing the cameras so it’s not available to parents.  Charlene VanDyke said she felt like it should be on the bus information sheet that is handed out at the start of the school year.

Wesley Torgrimson said he has a preschooler this year that will be in kindergarten next year.  He feels that at 5 years old the best thing for a child is more exposure to a mother or father.  He said he would like them to have the option next year for half day kindergarten because he would like his daughter more with his wife during the day if possible.

Lance Peterson said he wanted to share his experience.  He had concerns about his daughter being in all day kindergarten this year, but he said it turned out to be a great experience and it’s been a blessing and helped his daughter a lot.   He said he hopes that the option is there for his 3-year-old when she starts kindergarten.

Wendy Nelson said that she has spoken with a few parents regarding the issue.  She said the working parents that she spoke with preferred all day kindergarten and she understands that.  She said she spoke with some parents in Loa that said they had concerns at the start of the year, but that it turned out great for their students.  But she said she hasn’t spoken to one mother in Torrey or Teasdale that liked it because of the amount of time the kids were on the bus.  She said she knows there is research showing the academic benefits, but what about the emotional and mental well-being of being away from home that long.  She said it kind of offends her because she chose to be a stay at home mom and she feels like that choice is being taken away from her.

Cherie Blackburn said she has spoken with Wendy Nelson and others and knows there are people who feel differently about all day kindergarten.  She said that there is a lot of research either way, but that research shows the early interventions are very impactful and the earlier the better.  They would actually like to get preschool to four days a week, 3 hours per day, for all 4-year-olds, to make the transition to all-day kindergarten easier.  She clarified that it is an option to select half day kindergarten, they had one student that did start this year half day, but now has switched to all day.  She said that the legislature is currently looking at making all-day kindergarten more widespread, and a lot of schools are envious we can offer it.  Cherie Blackburn also clarified that the student could ride the preschool bus two days a week if they did choose half day kindergarten, so they would only need to be picked up by a parent two days.   Wendy Nelson asked Cherie Blackburn if she could provide a schedule next month so a parent could see what the options were in order to make a decision.

INFORMATION ITEMS

Upstart/preschool update:  Jan Brown explained the history of Upstart in Utah and described the curriculum provided by Waterford. Jan Brown said she felt that we were very lucky to have Upstart in our community and that the number of students using it has grown a lot the last few years.  Currently we have 31 students enrolled in district preschool, four are 3-year-olds.  The students that had preschool combined with Upstart had the highest test scores.  Jan Brown said she would like to see the district move to 4-year-olds three hours a day, four days a week instead of two days a week.

Region 20 update:  Mary said that both 1A fan awards for this year were given to Wayne community members.  Kerry Anderson received the Circle of Fame award and Lamont and Karen Ellett received the Super Fan award.  Mary Bray said that at her last meeting they were talking about going to 6 classifications.  The board discussed how this could potentially affect the students.  It appears that the travel required would be significantly more than our students are currently doing and we may have to make some changes because of that. 

Awarded grants:  We received a grant for $5,000 for a mixer at Loa Elementary and $25,000 to be used for a new bus, probably for next school year.

New propane tank/propane buses:  Provided information to the board regarding a possible new propane tank at the high school and looking into propane buses.  Determined that both may be options in the future, but probably not something to look into further right now.

Cell phone costs comparison:  Provided information to the board regarding cell phone costs to be used in determining a reimbursement amount for our cell phone policy.

Wellness challenge – Fruits & Veggies:  Provided information to the board regarding our February wellness challenge.

Update on the four-day school week discussion:  Cory Anderson said he would like to discuss it more with the administrators next month.  The board agreed.

Superintendent’s report:  Parent surveys are still open and available.  The schools have been doing the surveys.  Superintendent Torgerson said that we had our special education audit from the state and there were a number of findings.  One of the biggest things they brought out was that we need more buy-in from our regular education teachers, to help students with special education needs.  Superintendent Torgerson said that he would like to extend the Friday half day professional development day in March to a full day to try and unite the district in helping with this area of concern.  Trustlands plans and dates.  The schools will bring their plans to the board in April for a preview.  They have to be completed and reviewed/approved by the board in May. Tuesday athletic events.  Superintendent Torgerson said there were 11 Tuesday night events this last year and wondered if the board was concerned enough to eliminate some.  Heidi Woolsey said that in looking at the schedule they have region scheduled events on Tuesdays that we can’t control.  The other problem is that there aren’t enough days in the week to fit everything in.  We’ve already said we can’t schedule events on Monday, so then if we eliminate Tuesday we’re down to three days and Saturdays.  We would also eliminate our competition for pickup games because there would be fewer options. 

BUSINESS ITEMS

Health & Human Sexuality Curriculum Committee and Educator Evaluation Committee:  Superintendent Torgerson said that the names proposed by the schools were Lisa Crane (WHS), Shirley Morrell (WMS), Elisa Hinkle (LES), and Michelle Cook (HES).  Joni Taylor made a motion to approve Lisa Crane, Shirley Morrell, Elisa Hinkle and Michelle Cook to serve on our Health & Human Sexuality Curriculum Committee and also on the Educator Evaluation Committee.  Curtis Whipple seconded.  All in favor.

Superintendent search decisions:  Discussed travel expense reimbursement.  April Torgerson made a motion to table any decisions until we have more information.  Curtis Whipple seconded.  All in favor.  Discussed the citizens committee.  Decided to have the board members bring 2-3 names to the board meeting next month we’ll send letters out to see if those individuals are interested in participating.  The board will then select additional people to participate based on the names proposed (to ensure we have representation from various citizens/employees).

Attorney Retainer Proposal:  Discussed the proposal from Burbidge and White.  Curtis Whipple made a motion to accept the Burbidge and White retainer proposal.  Joni Taylor seconded.  All in favor.

Approve 2016-2017 School calendar:  Superintendent Torgerson said we probably need to modify the calendar again, the teachers preferred the late start date rather than the early one and it hasn’t been modified yet.  Curtis Whipple made a motion to table the calendar until the next meeting.  April Torgerson seconded.  All in favor.

Shed Bids:  We received three shed bids.  Shed A $1,355 from Emil Brinkerhoff, Shed B $703 from The Division of Wildlife Resources, Shed B $910 from Emil Brinkerhoff.  Curtis Whipple made a motion to approve the high bids from Emil Brinkerhoff for both shed A and shed B.  April Torgerson seconded.  All in favor.

Second reading:  DMC – Cell phone reimbursement policy, EAA – Instructional Goals, ECA – Curriculum Required Instruction, ECBB – Curriculum Elective Instruction Drivers Ed:  April Torgerson made a motion to approve the second reading of DMC – Cell phone reimbursement policy.  Jeffery Chappell seconded.    After additional discussion April Torgerson amended her motion to approve the second reading of DMC – Cell phone reimbursement policy pending changes to the wording and a maximum reimbursement amount of $65.  Jeffery Chappell seconded.  All in favor.  Curtis Whipple made a motion to approve the second reading of EAA – Instructional Goals.  Joni Taylor seconded.  All in favor.  Joni Taylor made a motion to approve the second reading of ECA – Curriculum Required Instruction.  Jeffery Chappell seconded.  All in favor.  Curtis Whipple made a motion to approve ECBB – Curriculum Elective Instruction Drivers Ed with option A.  April Torgerson seconded.  All in favor.

First reading:  DHE – Employee Leave and Pay Policies:  Joni Taylor made a motion to accept the first reading with minor wording changes.  April Torgerson seconded.  All in favor.

Letters of resignation:  Jeffery Chappell read a letter of resignation from Kenra Stevenson.  Curtis Whipple read a letter of resignation from Michelle Coleman.  Curtis Whipple made a motion to accept the letters of resignation from Kenra Stevenson and Michelle Coleman.  April Torgerson seconded.  All in favor.

BOARD MEMBER ITEMS

April Torgerson asked if we had agenda’s available for people who come to board meeting.  We do.  April Torgerson also asked about community council meetings and if board members wanted to discuss which meetings each one of them would attend, as the board had discussed some months back.  Curtis Whipple volunteered for Hanksville, April Torgerson said she would attend the middle school meeting, Jeffery Chappell said he would attend the meeting at Loa Elementary, Joni Taylor said she would attend the meeting at the high school.  Cory Anderson said he’s been going to commissioner meetings and that’s been positive.

Curtis Whipple said he has been attending DCFS training about parenting children who are in the system and have difficulties with learning and behavior.  The speaker has done professional development for teachers in the past.  He’s done anywhere from an hour to a full day.  Curtis Whipple said the training he did was about 6 hours.  The board and superintendent discussed possibly having the speaker do some professional development for the teachers.  Superintendent Torgerson added that the board training on Trustlands needs to be done every year and that it can be done through CUES.  August/September is probably the optimal time for this training.

Cory Anderson said having the board book available a week early was helpful.  Cory Anderson asked about pictures of the school board.  Decided to take pictures at the next board meeting.  Next meeting will start at 9:00 a.m. and be a work meeting.  Cory Anderson also mentioned that Garkane is raising rates again in July/August. 

Curtis Whipple made a motion to go into closed session to discuss the character, professional competence, or physical or mental health of an individual at 6:55 p.m.  April Torgerson seconded.  All in favor.

Roll Call

April Torgerson – Aye
Curtis Whipple – Aye
Cory Anderson – Aye
Jeffery Chappell – Aye
Joni Taylor – Aye

Joni Taylor was excused at 6:55 p.m.

Cory Anderson declared us back into open meeting at 9:00 p.m.

Curtis Whipple said that in their meeting earlier they discussed committee assignments and that board members have assignments for things they can work on outside board meeting.  Also the board president meets with the superintendent and one board member and reviews the agenda prior to board meeting. 

BUSINESS ITEMS

Decisions and alternatives:  Curtis Whipple made a motion to table decisions and alternatives.  April Torgerson seconded.  All in favor.

April Torgerson made a motion to adjourn.  Curtis Whipple seconded.  All in favor.  Meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m.