MARSH VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT #21
Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting
Held on October 14, 2008
At 7:02 pm Chairman Rick Armstrong called the meeting to order. A quorum was established with trustees Brenda Bates, Carl Miller, Kent Whitaker, Randall Armstrong and Rick Armstrong present. Others in attendance included; Superintendent Marvin Hansen, Tamara Christensen, Louise Wilding, Paul Lish, Mike Welch, Jason Libberton, Ariel Taysom, Dave Wheat, Gary Yearsley, Charmaine Murdock, Joel Jolley and Gladys Parker. GaLene Andersen recorded the minutes. Trustee Bates said the opening prayer and led the recital of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Trustee Bates moved to approve the agenda as prepared, Trustee Miller seconded – motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Hansen and Mike Welch presented a plaque that was awarded to Marsh Valley High School by the State Board of Education for obtaining adequate yearly growth. Eighteen schools in the state of Idaho earned this award and only three were high schools. Mr. Hansen shared the letter from the Board of Education with the trustees. Chairman Armstrong asked if this award had been celebrated yet at the high school? Mr. Welch said, no not yet. Mr. Hansen said the award was given to the high school but the award was actually earned by the hard work of all the schools in prior years; all staff members had a direct impact and should receive credit for this student achievement award.
Trustee Bates stated her concern about wasted food and if younger students were eating enough lunch. She felt students were in too big of a hurry to go out and play to eat enough of their lunch. She asked the superintendent to look into the situation and see if changes could be made like having a staff member remind students to eat a bit more before going out to recess. She said there is too much wasted food at the elementary level. Superintendent Hansen said he would discuss this concern with the administrators and said perhaps lunch should be served after recess instead of before recess.
Tamara Christensen asked the board to consider allowing a theater presentation on a Monday night. She stated that many years ago activities were allowed on Monday nights. She would like to have a play presented on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday with a finale on Monday night in November. She said she believed that those patrons who attended the presentation on Saturday would go to church on Sunday and spread the word; this would help the students have a larger audience on Monday night as a finale. She remarked that all other districts in our area have productions on Monday nights. Some family member can’t attend on the weekends but could on Monday night. She went on to say that she basically funds her own program and holding a show on a Monday night would increase the revenues. She added that she “knew the boys’ basketball team was scheduled to play on a Monday night during the holiday break, so you can’t say we don’t schedule events on school nights or you will need to get rid of soccer, basketball and the other sports that are scheduled on school nights.” Trustee Whitaker asked how the traditional party after the final show would be handled. Tamara stated that the party would be held during class time. She went on to say that parents generally hold the party following the last show. Mr. Hansen asked if Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday would work just as well. Tamara replied, “In all seriousness, all three high schools in Pocatello, Snake River, American Falls, Preston and Soda Springs always say they get their best crowd on Monday night. I want to try it and see if we get a good crowd on a Monday after the word has gotten around on Sunday.” She invited everyone to attend the next production “Twelve Dancing Princesses” on November 6, 7 and 8th.
Trustee Miller moved to approve the minutes of the regular Board Meeting held on September 9, 2008 as written, Trustee Whitaker seconded. Motion carried with 4 yea votes. Trustee Bates abstained from voting.
Trustee Miller questioned the high amount of copy charges for Inkom Elementary. Their bill was over $1600 compared to about $400 for any of the other schools in the district. Mr. Hansen answered that he was not sure if the bills were for the same length of time. Trustee Whitaker asked what the procedure was for paying the bills for the Performing Arts Committee. If there was prior oversight on behalf of the district before financial decisions or contracts were made? Mr. Hansen said that the PAC has been in operation for about two years doing what was asked of them; before any funds are released he approves the bills. Trustee Miller moved to approve the bills and the payroll check registers in the amount of $767,429.19 and the individual financial reports from the high school, middle school, Lava Elementary, Mountain View Elementary and Downey Elementary as presented tonight. Trustee Bates seconded – motion carried unanimously.
Inkom Mayor, Joel Jolley, and city council members requested to work out a deal with the Marsh Valley School District and the City of Inkom to perhaps purchase a parcel of land near the Inkom Elementary. The City of Inkom is looking to drill another city well to supply the city residents with adequate water. The well that was drilled in the city park failed to produce enough water. Mayor Jolly stated that the city would have to hold the deed to the land to meet DEQ standards. Chairman Armstrong asked if the land had been “witched by a water witch”? The council replied not yet. Chairman Armstrong said before any land changes hands the city should have that done to see if there is water. The mayor asked if the witching could be done on both sides of the highway. Mr. Hansen said yes, just be sure to advise Mr. Hunsaker when this will take place. Mayor Jolly said the city is still interested in purchasing the tract of land located across the highway from the elementary school or at least an option to buy it later. Chairman Armstrong asked the city council to consider an exchange of property for water supplied to the Inkom Elementary. It was agreed that the City of Inkom could have their people check into the availability of water and report back to the superintendent on their findings. The Board indicated that they were interested in working with the City of Inkom. The City Council thanked the school board for hearing their request and said they would be in contact with the superintendent.
Superintendent Hansen asked the Board to approve a request from ISU to hold their farm management class in the academy building on Fridays during the winter months like they have for the past few years. The board supported Mr. Hansen’s’ request.
Mr. Welch gave a handout of proposed over night trips for the board to consider. Some of the trips may not be necessary if the team does not qualify to participate. Mr. Hansen clarified that this request was for permission to attend the over night event and that no money was being requested and the board should not add funding to the request until after the discussion. Trustee Whitaker moved to approve the over night requests as listed with the exception of the withdrawal of the FFA trip. Trustee Bates seconded – motion carried unanimously with five yea votes.
Ariel Taysom, requested that the Board also approve an over night trip for the student council members to attend the State Leadership Convention in Boise on November 13 – 15th. The student council has the following three goals this year: to increase school unity, increase school spirit and improve academic achievement. Attending this conference would help the council achieve these goals. The event would not cost the district any money as the groups has held several fund raising events and has secured some financial support from the high school accounts. The group plans to travel with Preston to save on expenses. Mr. Welch and Mr. Hansen said they both supported the students attending this conference. Trustee Brenda Bates commended Ariel Taysom on her excellent presentation. Trustee Miller moved to approve the request for the over night travel. Trustee Whitaker seconded – motion carried unanimously with five yea votes.
Superintendent Hansen recommended that the board hire Kent Morris as middle school wrestling coach, Jerry Dunn as 8th grade girls’ basketball coach and Barbara Guthrie as a part time special education aide at Lava Elementary. Trustee Bates moved to follow the recommendation of Mr. Hansen, Trustee Randall Armstrong seconded – motion carried unanimously with five yea votes.
At 8:30 pm Trustee Miller moved to go into executive session citing Idaho Code 67-2345 for personnel as listed on the agenda. Trustee Whitaker seconded – motion carried unanimously following a roll call vote.
At 10:10 pm the board returned to open session. Trustee Whitaker moved to adjourn and Trustee Miller seconded – motion carried unanimously.
Chairman Clerk
NOTE: Following the meeting a delicious sandwich of roast pork was served with fresh veggies, fruit and a choice of salads for a delicious meal. Desert was dark chocolate brownies sprinkled with powdered sugar. Yum, yum Rose Lee. Thank you.