August 12, 2020 Board Meeting Minutes

MINUTES OF THE TRUTH IN TAXATION MEETING FOR THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR WAYNE SCHOOL DISTRICT HELD AT WAYNE HIGH SCHOOL ON WEDNESDAY AUGUST 12, 2020 AT 6:00 PM.

THOSE PRESENT:

Conducting:  Curtis Whipple

ADMINISTRATION

Curtis Whipple called the meeting to order.  

Tyler Newton presented the tax information.

BUSINESS ITEMS 

Resolution exceeding the certified tax rate:  April made a motion to approve the property tax rates and revenue as presented.  Shawn seconded.  All in favor.

Curtis Whipple declared all items on the agenda complete at 6:13 pm.  No objections.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR WAYNE SCHOOL DISTRICT ON WEDNESDAY AUGUST 12th, 2020 AT 6:15 PM at WAYNE HIGH SCHOOL.

THOSE PRESENT:

Conducting: Curtis Whipple

ABSENT: Cory Anderson - Vice President

ADMINISTRATION

Curtis Whipple called the meeting to order. 

Pledge of Allegiance.

April Torgerson offers the reverence.

Shawn motions to approve the minutes. April seconds the motion. All in favor.

SCHOOL FEES PUBLIC COMMENTS

Curtis explains that the fees presented are an update to prior fees. No public comments.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Tyler reviews the budget for last year, including revenue and expenditure numbers. Many of the programs required supplements from general funds, including preschool, transportation, and school lunch. 

The land trust program has a sizeable carryover at some of the schools because of the suggested freeze on spending in late spring. This is budgeted in the FY21 plans for each school.

April makes a motion to pay the bills.  Jeff seconds. All in favor.

CITIZEN COMMENTS

Katie Snedegar expresses that she wants to advocate for preschool.

Wendy Nelson comments that she has kids in each school and that there have been too many changes in the last few weeks. She wants to know about the decision-making process.

Gini Webster says that Jan Brown has helped her children significantly in the preschool program.

Jakelle Pace is concerned about her kids having teachers that may not be qualified to teach online.

Diena Riddle states she doesn’t think this is the year to be making changes in the district. 

Brandi Bradbury says that this isn’t the time to move people. She advocates on behalf of Sara Bradbury. She says that it is a disservice to change people at this time.

Julie White comments that she is somewhat concerned about the mask mandate. She says the connection will not be the same. She says we shouldn’t be doing both social distancing and masks. She states that the kids might never be normal or ever feel safe. She is confused about why things have changed with regards to the face coverings.

Superintendent Shelley comments that when the initial announcement went out, we expressed that kids would not be required masks indoors if social distancing was possible. Since then, the state has changed the mandate to require masks while indoors. The goal of the district is to keep kids in school because it is the best educational environment and most learn best in a classroom with a live teacher. We will wear a face covering so we can have school in session. 

Curtis Whipple says that the hiring is done by administration at the school levels. The School Board hires two individuals: the Superintendent and Business Administrator. The school board approves all hires throughout the district. 

He states that the board represents the people and has a responsibility to do what the voters want. 

INFORMATION ITEMS

Superintendent’s Report

No discussion on committees at this time. The primary focus of what is happening right now is getting school started. 

Cory Anderson joins the meeting remotely.

BOARD TRAINING

Curtis provides a training about School Community Councils. 

The size of the council is determined by the council and members serve for 2 years. The requirements for when and where the elections happen are discussed as well as who can serve on the council and their qualifications.

The primary purpose of the council is to identify critical needs based on data and update improvement plans. The council is also involved in the land trust plan and digital citizenship.

There are requirements for what must be posted on the school website and when. This includes posting the school’s plan on their website by October 20^th. 

Use of the funds for the land trust program is driven and approved by the school community council. The chair of the school board ensures that there is an annual training. 

Curtis explains the funding mechanism, which is a fund established when property was set aside specifically for education throughout the state. They distribute up to 4% of the total fund balance each year to schools. 

BUSINESS ITEMS

School Fees Amendment

April makes a motion to approve the school fees amendment. Jeff seconds. All in favor.

Early Literacy Plan

Cherie says that this plan has to be done every year and requires district matching to obtain these funds. Ashlee Jackson helps with testing for this program. They are currently using reading mastery and National Geographic curriculum. She explains the levels of students in the program and how they are providing support for each individual. Cherie and Ashlee explain the goals, including improving phonemic awareness and their overall composite score. 

Jeff asks about the ability to hit the goals. Ashlee explains that it will be difficult but achievable. Randy explains that the state actually requires them to set goals which are tied to prior results. 

April makes a motion to approve the Early Literacy Plan. Shawn seconds. All in favor.

Loa Elementary Windows

The original quote was not accurate. This has delayed the project to the first week of September.

Shawn makes a motion to approve the revised bid from House of Glass for the Loa Elementary Windows. April seconds. All in favor.

Roles & Responsibilities of School Board, Superintendent, and Business Administrator

There is some discussion regarding specific roles and responsibilities and what should be included in the document.

Cory makes a motion to table until next meeting. April seconds. All in favor. 

URS Service Credit Repayment

Cory makes a motion to address at a future time. April seconds. All in favor. 

Policies

DAB- Employment Licensure. Curtis says he prefers the policy as written in Nebo School District. There is some concern that if the policy is adopted as is, that it is creating a new job position within our district. Randy specifies that this is in response to the new licensure laws and that it is written in a way that we would not have to modify it in the next few years. Curtis suggests that some of the wording should be in procedure, not policy.

Cory suggests we approve the first reading and make edits prior to the next reading. Cory makes a motion to approve the first reading with the intent to make some updates prior to the September meeting. Shawn seconds. All in favor.

April makes a motion to table first reading of policy CKB - Travel. Shawn seconds. All in favor.

April makes a motion to approve policy BBG - Board Members: Compensation & Expenses. Shawn seconds. All in favor.

April makes a motion to go into closed session per Utah Code Annotated Section 52-4-205(1)(a) at 7:57 pm. Shawn seconds.

Open meeting resumes at 10:12 pm.

New Hires/Separations

Dr. Chappell makes a motion to approve the following new hires:

April seconds.  All in favor.

April makes a motion to approve the following separations:

Jeff seconds.  All in favor.

Jeff makes a motion to approve Megan Hiskey as a preschool teacher. April seconds. All in favor.

Curtis thanks those in attendance and adjourns the meeting at 10:16 pm.