September 15, 2021 Board Meeting Minutes
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR WAYNE SCHOOL DISTRICT ON WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 15TH, 2021 AT 6:00 PM at WAYNE HIGH SCHOOL.
THOSE PRESENT:
Conducting: Shawn Davis
ADMINISTRATION
Shawn Davis called the meeting to order.
Cory makes a motion to approve the minutes from 8/11/21. April seconds the motion. All in favor.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Tyler provides a review of finances. He discusses a few large purchases, including for smart projectors and some facilities improvements. He thanks the maintenance and custodial crews for getting everything ready for school.
He mentions that initial enrollment is up 15 kids over last year. Next month we’ll have our official Oct 1 count and be able to have a better comparison.
Curtis makes a motion to pay the bills. Cory seconds. All in favor.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
April Torgerson reads the following statement:
On Monday, August 30th, I was experiencing some cold symptoms and thought it prudent to get a COVID test. I went that day to the Wayne Community Health Center and submitted to a nasal swab COVID test. On Wednesday, September 1st, I received the test results informing me that I tested positive for COVID. Upon receipt of my results, I immediately withdrew my children from school and followed the protocol set by the District and Health Department, which included a 10-day quarantine.
Throughout the quarantine and after, my children did not, and have not shown symptoms or become ill. I have a record of my COVID test with me, should anyone wish to review them.
Any information regarding my children’s attendance at school, the timing of my COVID test and the associated results, and my actions subsequent to my finding out that I had COVID that is contrary to this statement is blatantly false information. I have been transparent throughout this experience and am hurt that others have spread misinformation regarding these facts and circumstances.
I understand public concern in how we, as a community and as a school district, are addressing the challenge of this pandemic. I appreciate those in the community that want to keep our children safe and still provide them the education they need.
Please know that when this pandemic struck our home, we complied with the policy and guidance that has been set forth by the District and Health Department.
If anyone has any further questions or concerns, I ask that you contact my attorneys at the law firm of Collins Rupp, as I have obtained legal representation due to the false representations, rumors, and misperceptions that have been cast my way. These accusations do not help our community, our school district, or our students.
Thank you.
Contact: Joseph E Rupp (385) 777-2753
April Jacobs expresses concern about Covid precautions. She says that there are quite a few students who are out from Covid and that 10 days off from school is difficult on both students and parents. She asks if there is a number or percent that we can consider as a threshold rather than the 30 kids in each school which is in place for larger schools.
Chylene Whipple says she received a survey asking for April’s resignation. No one in this district should be targeted for getting a Covid test. She encourages everyone to work together as a whole to make things good for our children. She says there shouldn’t be a divide between the staff, the community, and the school board.
MIKE PETREE COMMENTS
To Whom it May Concern,
I am approaching the board with the intention of making a formal complaint and to report the intended response to my personal investigation about a matter at hand.
In recent weeks it came to my attention that a person employed within the school district knowingly sent their children to each of the three Wayne County schools after having been exposed to the COVID-19 coronavirus. As I have a child in each of the three schools, I felt deep concern. I feared for the safety of my children, other’s children, school personnel, and all the household members and others in the community who could be impacted by the preventable spread of the virus. I decided to subvert the flimsy nature of the rumor mill and to facilitate my own investigation to discover the facts.
I first contacted the superintendent of schools, where I discovered, in fact, there was a child in the schools who was reporting to peers that one of her parents had tested positive for the Coronavirus and that she herself had thereby been exposed. No names were shared. In future conversations I discovered that at least two children in this individual’s class had tested positive for Coronavirus and may have contracted disease from the exposed child. With this information I believed that it was justified to contact the parent and district personnel who was rumored to be involved. This person confirmed their involvement. I was told by the individual that there was no awareness of the positive Covid test until they were contacted by the school. Contradictorily, in that same conversation, this individual mentioned that they were already in the process of making arrangements to pull their children from the schools at the time that they received the call from the school which would indicate some prior awareness of the positive test. This contradiction evidenced to me that the individual was concealing truths about timelines and that deeper inquiry was justified. As a part of my information gathering, I visited the individual’s social medial profile where I discovered political statements about the Coronavirus vaccines and other attitudes that indicated that this person was likely to minimize the seriousness of the pandemic, and might be likely to take a lax approach toward safety precautions. Seeing a public broadcast of these attitudes increased my fear of what may have happened and heightened my suspicion that this person had behaved in way that was inappropriate, unethical, and possibly malicious.
I drafted a letter that I sent to the school board requesting that the board use its influence to encourage the individual to be transparent about the timelines pertinent to the incident. I made the direct request that the individual authorize the release of medical documentation obtained by the Wayne County Clinic and the Wayne County Health Department. I specifically requested the information about WHEN the test transpired, WHEN the results were shared, To WHOM the results were shared, and when the children were ultimately pulled from the schools.
I explained to the school board chair that my intention was to discover the facts, and if warranted, doggedly pursue holding the individual accountable for any unethical behavior. I also clarified that if the facts were shared, and the individual had in fact done nothing wrong, I would gladly publicly speak against the rumor mill, on record, that no wrongdoing had transpired based on the evidence that I had seen. Putting myself in this individual’s shoes I can only imagine that I would freely allow the release of any official record that would exonerate me in the court of public opinion. To my astonishment, this individual refused to allow the release of this information which I interpret as an admission of guilt.
All citizens of our community have a responsibility to be mindful of their behavior and how it impacts the health and safety of other community members. As parents, we have a duty to consider one another’s kids. As an employee of the Wayne County School district, there is an even higher standard. It is not just about ethics but duty and obligation to take the highest road possible when making decisions about the welfare of our children.
It is my opinion that this individual violated the ethical standards of being a mere citizen and grossly violated the obligations of being a leader within our school system. It is my opinion that this individual is unfit for employment within our school district and should be released from duties.
After following all possible channels to obtain a resolution from the authority of the school board without resolution, it is my intention to share this story publicly outside of the jurisdiction of the school board and to put the matter to the court of public opinion. If the facts are released, and these facts exonerate the individual, I will hold to my word, publicly apologize, and work with equal rigor to set the record straight in the court of public opinion. If the facts are not released I will work rigorously towards this individuals resignation.
Sincerely,
Mike Petree
435-669-9852
INFORMATION ITEMS
Schedule Work Session – Board and Superintendent Evaluations
This is scheduled for November 3rd, 2021
Superintendent’s Report
Covid Protocols & Report
Superintendent Shelley explains the protocols in place that require a school to test all students to continue in-person learning if 30 kids in a school test positive. He says there are currently 2 kids positive at Loa Elementary, 4 at the high school, and 1 at the middle school with none at Hanksville Elementary. He explains the quarantine process and criteria. He suggests that we continue to follow recommendations from the Health Department and reconsider thresholds if numbers start to climb.
Liz asks about confidentiality with students’ health. Randy responds that those with access to the information include only administrators and limited others who need to participate in contact-tracing.
Professional Development
Randy explains that the district had a training on MTSS. He explains Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 instruction and interventions. Part of the discussion of uses for our ESSER funds is how do we support kids who have experienced learning loss from school absences.
Calendars
Legislative meeting is October 28th in Nephi.
USBA Fall Regional meeting is September 22nd in Richfield.
SEL Report
Jamie Webb provides a quick overview of Social-Emotional Learning. Its focus is to help students learn self-awareness and management, relationship skills, and responsible decision making.
She shares the Portrait of a Graduate from the State School Board and mentions that 11 of the 13 student goals are related to SEL. She then discusses the positive outcomes from implementing social-emotional learning in schools. Jamie explains multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) and reviews the data collected from our school district including the number of referrals, sources, and what type of services they are receiving.
Jamie discusses some of the programs and services that are in place to assist students. The board asks questions about frequency of services and funding.
Wolverine Basic Report
Lance Peterson explains Wolverine Basic, a class provided to 6th and 7th grade students. The primary instruction is related to core curriculum, particularly math, science, language arts, and social-emotional learning. The class is used as both an intervention for students who are behind and a way for accelerated students to reinforce or further their understanding of instruction they are receiving in other classes.
Erica Taft, SEL Coordinator, provides a review of materials and curriculum that she uses in her instruction. She discusses the benefits of implementation, including a reduction in disciplinary issues and increased participation in leadership, among others.
Tracie Fallis gives a short demonstration of teaching and explains how she collaborates with teachers to focus on kid’s needs and reinforce concepts taught in their classes.
Lance shares survey data from parents regarding the Wolverine Basic class and purpose. Ninety percent of parents support the way that the middle school has implemented the class. Likewise, a near unanimous response shows that parents see the need for SEL instruction in school.
Liz asks if this curriculum has been formally approved by the school board. She explains the policy regarding board approval of the course and suggests that it be approved accordingly. The board discusses approval requirements and whether it has already been approved.
Jamie Webb, Chylene Whipple, and Melissa Daley comment on the benefits of the class and their support for it.
The board continues discussion on whether this class needs to be approved and if other classes also need board approval. Randy clarifies that policy EAA specifies that the board adopts instructional materials. He declares his support for the class and believes it provides Tier 2 support in a great way.
Cory suggests that we don’t need to review it at this time. Curtis echoes that sentiment.
BUSINESS ITEMS
New Curriculum – Habitudes and Quaver Ed
Jamie Webb explains the purpose of the curricula and how they focus on the five core competencies of SEL.
Shawn asks about whether it is beneficial to have advanced kids in these classes. Lance explains that in this class, the advanced kids help teach the concepts. Tracie Fallis expounds that she uses peer tutoring and allows kids to move ahead at their pace.
Curtis makes a motion to approve Habitudes and Quaver Ed. Liz seconds. All in favor.
LEA-Specific Licensing Approvals
Liz makes a motion to approve the LEA-Specific Licensing. April seconds. All in Favor.
ESSER III Plan Approval
Randy discusses the ARP ESSER Plan. The grant requires us to look at learning loss and use 20% of the grant to address it. Summer school is a large part and will be included for the next two years. Professional development is also included to help staff implement MTSS and work on a strategic plan. Also included in the plan is funding for continuation of our SEL Coordinator and our instructional coach. He reached out to teachers about their needs and has included a few of their requests.
He reviews some of the portions of the grant application and how the district will implement and monitor.
Liz makes a motion to approve the ESSER III plan. Cory seconds. All in favor.
Policies
Curtis makes a motion to approve second reading of policies DEBA – School Board Retirement, DEBB – Retirement Exemption Eligibility. Cory seconds. All in favor.
Curtis makes a motion to approve policies DAC – Employment Background Checks, DACA – Duty to Personally Report Arrests, DAI – Code of conduct, DBA – Contracts Certified Employees, DEAB – Procurement of Workers Compensation Insurance, DHA – Orderly School Termination of Employees, DLA – Employee Bullying or Hazing, DDB – Reporting of Student Prohibited Acts, DFA – Educator Induction Mentoring and Professional Learning. April seconds. All in favor.
New Hires
Cory makes a motion to approve the new hires. Liz seconds. All in favor.
New Hires:
CLOSED SESSION
April makes a motion to go into closed session per Utah Code Annotated Section 52-4-205(1)(a) at 8:53 pm. Cory seconds.
Open meeting resumes at 9:12 pm
Student Board Member
Cory makes a motion to invite Shaleen Nelson to be a student school board member. April seconds. All in favor.
CLOSED SESSION
Curtis makes a motion to go into closed session per Utah Code Annotated Section 52-4-205(1)(a) at 9:14 pm. Liz seconds.
Open Meeting resumes at 9:59 pm
Shawn adjourns the meeting at 9:59 pm
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