WOODLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 404 DIRECTOR'S MEETING MINUTES
October 12, 2009 6:15PM Regular Meeting-District Meeting Room
MEMBERS PRESENT
Jim Bays, Janice Watts, Bill Woodard, Tina Cayton, Steve Madsen, Chelsey Rohm-Student Representative, Michael Green-Secretary, and Tegan Steen-Recording Secretary
OTHERS PRESENT
Patricia Stepp, Dan Uhlenkott, Craig Downs, Mark Houk, Deb Kernen, John Shoup, Stacy Brown, Tim & Shar Brown, Pat & Tammy Birnel, Alex Bolsoy, Andrew Hanson, Jaret Hanson, Candy Hogg, Cyndy Kofstad and Heidi Morgan.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Board President, Jim Bays, recessed the meeting into executive session at 6:17pm to discuss a personnel grievance with no action to be taken upon return. Board President, Jim Bays, reconvened the meeting into regular session at 7:25pm.
MINUTES
Tina Cayton moved to approve the minutes of the September 28, 2009 regular meeting.
Steve Madsen yes Tina Cayton yes Bill Woodard yes Janice Watts yes carried
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Highly Capable Program Presentation Deb Kernen said that this summer members of the Special Services department spent time reconfiguring the Highly Capable (Hi-C) Program. Tim and Shar Brown have been spearheading the program and were available to talk about what they are doing with the Hi-C students. Students from WIS are bused to WMS Tuesdays through Fridays to spend 1 hr. with Mr. Brown's LEGO robotics class, which is the first semester portion of the program this year. The second semester they will work on science. Tim Brown introduced Alex Bolsoy, Andrew Hanson and Jaret Hanson who gave a LEGO Robotics demonstration. Tim said that the boys used math, logic and programming skills to make the robots move. He said there will be an Open House on Thursday at 6:30pm that will show parents what the WIS students are doing in the program. He's hoping to get enough interest generated to start a WIS LEGO Robotics Team, like the one he has at WMS.
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE REPORT
Chelsey Rohm reported that parking spots went on sale last week for students. This week the O Ambassadors Club is holding a canned food drive. If 1000 cans are collected, Mr. Shoup and Mr. Greenleaf will shave their heads. If they collect 1250 cans, all of the assistant football coaches will shave their facial hair. Steve Madsen told Chelsey to remind them that eyebrows were facial hair, too.
SCHOOL REPORTS
Janice Watts asked Deb Kernen if there was a plan in place for when Lauren Cockrell takes her maternity leave. Deb said that they will hire a long-term substitute. Steve Madsen asked Mark Houk to explain CAST. Mark said that the teachers get together 2 or 3 times per year and look at the data to brainstorm instructional and social supports for students who need help. Michael Green said that this system is better than waiting until the end of the year and passing the information to the next teacher. It identifies the problem sooner so that a good intervention is in place. Bill Woodard congratulated Mark on the great turnout for movie night at Yale. He also congratulated John Shoup on the good results of Opportunity Time and electronic newsletters. John said that there have been changes made to improve the program and it seems to be working more efficiently.
SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
Michael said that the calendar committee will meet earlier this year and will be working on a 2 year calendar 2010-2011 and 2011-2012. He asked for a Board volunteer. Janice Watts volunteered to join the committee.
This morning Bill Hanson reported that there was significant vandalism on the WMS/WHS roof, where individuals started pulling out pvc piping.
Mr. Green gave information to the Board in the Friday Notes about retirement rates. He said that the state actuary anticipates the rates will skyrocket. Most of the teachers' extra days, all of our federally funded staff, and half of the classified positions retirement are not funded. The impact to the district may be up to almost $1million in the next 8-10 years. He said that the Board acted strongly and made appropriate cuts and the District is doing well.
To help with costs of students and families paying for tickets to WHS and WMS games, Administrators, responding to the suggestion of a parent, are implementing a lower cost option. Beginning October 26th students may purchase an athletic pass sticker to apply to an ASB card or pass that will allow them to attend all home events without additional charge.
CORRESPONDENCE
Tammy Birnel Correspondence Pat and Tammy Birnel were present at the meeting to discuss her letter with the Board. Pat said that they thought it was unfair to allow another group to bump a group that had already rented the gym. Michael Green said that the group may be able to schedule gym use at WMS. He said that Tegan Steen would contact them with the available times.
Office of Civil Rights Correspondence The Office of Civil Rights sent a letter saying the complaint was closed and that the District had not violated anyone's civil rights. A parent had filed a case against the District after their student had been expelled.
Letter from Jessica Pain Regarding Need for a New High School The Board discussed a letter from Jessica Pain, a student at WHS, who said there was a great need for a new High School. The Board discussed the letter. Chelsey said that she knows Jessica and helped with the letter.
CITIZENS REQUESTS
None.
BOARD REPORTS AND REQUEST
There is a KWRL meeting on October 29th at 6:30pm at the KWRL conference room. Jim Bays said he would not be able to attend and asked others who could. Steve Madsen and Bill Woodard said that they would attend.
Jim said that Board members may have received a ballot to elect ESD 112 Board members recently. He said that it is important to vote because Board members across the State lost the ability to vote for all the members of the State Board of Education by not voting.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
HS Basketball Uniform Proposal Craig Downs told the Board that Aaron Shepherd was present to ask the Board to consider allowing the Boys' Basketball team to purchase away uniforms that were predominantly black, with green and white accents. There had been controversy in the past over this issue, so they felt it was appropriate to approach the Board for their opinion. Aaron said that the boys are very excited about the uniforms and that they have raised the money for the purchase. He said that the Beaver Booster Club was also helping with the purchase and supported the effort. Michael thought that the Board should add whatever their decision was to policy. The Board had a lengthy discussion about the history of the school colors.
Steve Madsen moved to adopt the proposed uniforms as the official boys' basketball away uniform for the 2009-2010 school year. After further discussion he withdrew his motion. There was further discussion. John Shoup said that suggested that Craig make the decision as Athletic Director. But if the Board wanted to put it in policy they should. He didn't think the Community should design the uniforms. He thinks that everyone knows who Woodland teams are at the games. He said if the decision causes problems that he, Craig and Aaron would take the heat. Aaron said that any publicity is good publicity for his team. When asked how Craig would make uniform decisions when other Woodland teams ask, Craig said that he would make the decision if the uniforms were supported by the High School and were appropriate attire.
Steve Madsen moved to adopt the proposed uniforms as the Boys' Basketball away team uniform for 2009-2010.
Jim Bays noJanice Watts yesBill Woodard yesTina Cayton yesSteve Madsen yes carried
Aaron Shepherd said the team would be undefeated (tongue-in-cheek) and that he appreciated the Board's decision.
ACTION ITEMS
Consent Agenda The revised consent agenda included Candy Koethe's request for a 6 month leave of absence. The Board discussed the revised consent agenda.
Bill Woodard moved to approve the revised consent agenda as presented.
Policy No. 4260-Use of School Facilities The Board discussed Policy No. 4260. Changes had been added so that there was a split in category 2 between resident and non-resident users. Jim suggested that the categories be changed to "four" at the bottom of page 1 and some fee schedule rate changes. The Board members agreed and said that they wished to vote on the fee schedule, too.
Janice Watts moved to approve Policy No. 4260-Use of School Facilities and the Facility Fee Schedule.
Steve Madsen yes Tina Cayton yes Bill Woodard yes Janice Watts yes carried TEAM High Annual Report Dan Uhlenkott discussed the TEAM High Annual Report with the Board. He said that the enrollment for TEAM is capped at 90 and has grown to approximately 86. Students are using the Apex computer program this year with 20 computers added. Students are doing very well. Jim suggested that Dan invite local businesses in to see what TEAM High is doing. Dan said that was a good idea. Bill Woodard moved to approve the TEAM High School Annual Report as presented. Steve Madsen yes Tina Cayton yes Bill Woodard yes Janice Watts yes carried
Board President, Jim Bays, recessed the meeting into executive session at 9:22pm to discuss a personnel grievance with no action to be taken upon return. Board President, Jim Bays, reconvened the meeting into regular session at 9:41pm.
ADJOURNMENT
Board President, Jim Bays, adjourned the meeting of the Board of Directors at 9:41pm.
ATTEST:
_______________________________ Secretary to the Board
WOODLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT #404 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
____________________________________ President
____________________________________ Director