MARSH VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT #21
Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting
Held on June 8, 2010
At 7:00 pm Chairman Rick Armstrong called the meeting to order. A quorum was established with trustees Kent Whitaker, Randall Armstrong and Rick Armstrong present. Trustees Brenda Bates and Kevin Fonnesbeck were excused. Others in attendance included: Superintendent Marvin Hansen, Doug Armstrong, Lorre Lowe, Gary Romel, Alan and Tamara Christensen, Greg Smedley, Spencer Davis, Kaden Laga, Gary Yearsley and Louise Wilding. GaLene Andersen recorded the minutes. Rick Armstrong said the opening prayer and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Trustee Whitaker moved to approve the agenda for the June 8, 2010 Board Meeting as printed, Trustee Randall Armstrong seconded motion carried unanimously with three yea votes.
Superintendent Hansen said a fact sheet has been posted on the district web site; he encouraged everyone to check it out. He told the board that the State Department of Education is considering adopting the national standards in all core subjects. He said we will probably be hearing more about this in the future. Of course that means they will have to change the ISAT tests again.
Superintendent Hansen also shared a handout addressing refinancing the current bonds at a lower rate. This could bring a savings of $30,000 per year to the taxpayers in the district. The board agreed to look into the refinancing of the bonds and also check with Zions bank and see if they are interested this move could save the district taxpayers quite a bit of money over the life of the bonds.
Trustee Whitaker stated that Idaho was not selected in the federal governments race to the top program and Superintendent Luna has stated that Idaho will not try for phase II.
Tamara Christensen, high school drama and speech teacher introduced two students who earned three perfect scores at district and was given a superior rating at the state competition. She stated they would be presenting a duo- interpretation. Spencer Davis and Kaden Laga entertained the audience with their wonderful performance. Following the routine the students said most students chose to do comedy, they chose a more difficult serious and comedy piece to be different. The board members said they were very impressed by the performance. The board thanked Mrs. Christensen for her hard work and dedication to the students in Marsh Valley. The students were commended for their hard work and dedication to their craft.
Trustee Randall Armstrong moved to approve the minutes of the regular board meeting held on May 11, 2010 and the minutes of the special board meeting held on May 20, 2010 as written. Trustee Whitaker seconded motion carried unanimously with three yea votes.
Following a short discussion on the bills, Trustee Whitaker moved to approve the bills as listed in the bills payable registers and the payroll register in the amount of $694,289.89 as well as the financial reports from the individual schools. Trustee Randall Armstrong seconded motion carried unanimously with three yea votes.
Action Items
Greg Smedley addressed the board concerning selling a piece of land to the City of Inkom. Following a brief history on the well and his expenses he asked the board to respond to the City of Inkom on their last offer of $5000 to buy the piece of land. He said the LDS Church had started construction on a new church but an occupancy certificate would not be granted until a well was in and running to meet fire suppression code. Superintendent Hansen said the District was not trying to sell the land; we are not in the real estate business; however the City of Inkom is trying to buy the land. Chairman Armstrong said we would be willing to work out a deal where the district could receive free water for irrigating purposes for three months a year for ten to twenty years. Chairman Armstrong said it was not up the school district trustees to attend a City of Inkom council meeting it is up the council to attend ours. Mr. Smedley said the district is asking too much for the land. He said it is pastureland only worth only about $600 to $800 per acre. It is not developable at this time. Mr. Hansen asked him to show him some pastureland for sale at $600 per acre. Mr. Smedley said there were plenty of tracts of land where you could buy large parcels for $600 per acre. Mr. Smedley said the council was advised by their attorney and their engineer to not enter into a lengthy free water deal with the district. Chairman Armstrong said he did not agree with that thought as this board enters into a long-term commitment whenever a building is built or a major purchase made. Trustee Whitaker said perhaps the district could donate the land to the City of Inkom in exchange for free irrigation water. Trustee Randall Armstrong said he was a friend of Greg Smedley, and he represented the people of Inkom and he would like to see this get worked out in good faith. When we told then to go ahead and drill their test wells we were totally willing to sell that property to benefit the district. Chairman Armstrong thanked Mr. Smedley for coming down and stated the board would talk about it later tonight. We learned a great deal it was very informative. Mr. Smedley again requested the Board to reply by phone, fax or letter to the City of Inkom.
Superintendent Hansen asked the Board to approve use of the football equipment for their summer camps at ISU and for the all-star team. Trustee Randall Armstrong moved to approve the use of the football equipment as long as there is no liability to the district, Trustee Whitaker seconded motion carried unanimously with three yea votes.
Superintendent Hansen presented Policy #480 addressing vacation days for qualifying classified full time employees. He stated the policy needed to be updated to meet with our current four-day week schedule. Trustee Whitaker moved to adopt the amended Policy # 480 with the changes indicated. Trustee Randall Armstrong seconded motion carried unanimously with three yea votes.
Trustee Randall Armstrong moved to accept the letter of resignation from Darlene Bunker, Trustee Whitaker seconded motion carried unanimously with three yea votes.
Superintendent Hansen requested the Board hire Lydia Porath as a full time kindergarten teacher at Mountain View Elementary as recommended by Mr. Yearsley. Trustee Whitaker moved to follow the recommendation and hire Lydia Porath as a full time kindergarten teacher at Mountain View Elementary. Trustee Randall Armstrong seconded motion carried unanimously with three yea votes.
Trustee Randall Armstrong moved to follow the recommendation of Rose Lee Evans, Food Service supervisor, and hire Arlene Platt for 3.5 hours per day at the high school as a part time cook, hire Roseanne Vaughan for 4 hours per day at the high school as a part time cook, and hire Nalene Ware as a full time (6.5 hours per day) kitchen manager at Mountain View and lengthen Stacy Carters work day by ½ hour per day to 4 hours and hire Wendy Worlton for three hours per day as a part time cook at Mountain View. Trustee Whitaker seconded motion carried unanimously with three yea votes.
Trustee Randall Armstrong inquired about the training required to keep the fresh fruit and vegetable grant. Superintendent Hansen said that was a training Rose Lee always attends. The grants pays for the food as well as the wages and benefits for that program.
At 8:40 pm Trustee Whitaker moved to go into executive session citing Idaho Code 67-2345 for personnel. Trustee Randall Armstrong seconded. The motion carried following a unanimous roll call vote.
At 9:15 the board returned to open session.
At 9:15 Trustee Randall Armstrong moved to adjourn, Trustee Whitaker seconded motion carried unanimously with three yea votes.
Chairman Clerk
Note: Following the meeting Louise served a delicious chicken strip dinner, with potatoes, rolls, fresh veggies and her own homemade cheesecake with toppings for dessert. Thank you Louise it was delicious.
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MARSH VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT #21
Minutes of the Annual M & O Budget Hearing Held on June 8, 2010
At 6:00 pm Chairman Rick Armstrong called the meeting order. A quorum was established with trustees Kent Whitaker, Randall Armstrong and Rick Armstrong present. Trustees Brenda Bates and Kevin Fonnesbeck were excused. Others in attendance included: Superintendent Marvin Hansen, Gary Romel, Lorre Lowe, Doug Armstrong and Louise Wilding. GaLene Andersen recorded the minutes.
Chairman Armstrong welcomed everyone to the budget hearing and turned the time over to Superintendent Hansen.
Superintendent Hansen presented the proposed budget along with a handout identifying the changes for fiscal year 2010-2011. He said all salary lines were reduced and the health benefit lines were adjusted, more teachers will be paid from the elementary line and less from the secondary line.
Trustee Whitaker stated that he would like to pass on attending the board convention this year and perhaps alternate with other board members and only attend when it is in Boise to save money. Chairman Armstrong agreed to rotate years to attend board convention.
Trustee Randall Armstrong questioned state travel for extra curricular teams, if custodians and maintenance workers worked through the summer and if the amount of professional leave used would be addressed for next year. Superintendent Hansen responded, additional money was budgeted for state extra curricular motel rooms as we could have the same teams qualifying to go to state next year. Yes we have employees who work through the summer and Mr. Hansen said he has spoken with the principals and they are going to really watch the amount of professional leave granted.
Trustee Whitaker questioned the decrease in interest earnings. Mr. Hansen stated that banks are not paying what they used to pay for interest. Trustee Whitaker stated that the conversion levy needs to be worded very carefully as many people believe it will increase their taxes even though it will not. Superintendent Hansen said a fact sheet is posted on the district web site clearly covering the conversion levy. He encouraged everyone to check it out. It is up to the district to make sure patrons know and understand what it is.
Mr. Romel asked if the board was planning on holding town meetings to get the word out. Trustee Whitaker said it would be a good idea, while Chairman Armstrong said that previously worked well in some communities and did not in others. Mr. Romel asked if the district was planning a mailer for all patrons. Superintendent Hansen said no, the district cannot but your organization could. Trustee Randall Armstrong said the information going out needs to be clear and concise.
Chairman Armstrong called for further discussion on the proposed budget. There was none. He then called for a motion concerning the budget. Trustee Randall Armstrong moved to accept the proposed budget for the 2010-2011 fiscal year as presented. Trustee Whitaker seconded. Motion carried unanimously with three yea votes.
Chairman Armstrong said this concluded the meeting. The regular board meeting will begin at 7:00 pm. Meeting adjourned.
Chairman Clerk
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MARSH VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT #21
Minutes of the Special Board Meeting
Held on June 23, 2010
At 7:00 pm Chairman Rick Armstrong called the meeting order. A quorum was established with trustees Brenda Bates, Kent Whitaker, Kevin Fonnesbeck and Rick Armstrong present. Trustee Randall Armstrong was excused. Others in attendance included: Superintendent Marvin Hansen, Gary Romel, Troy White and Kent Thompson. GaLene Andersen recorded the minutes.
Chairman Armstrong welcomed everyone to the meeting. He stated that the prepared agenda would be followed. He read aloud the summary on the conversion levy held June 22, 2010.
Conversion Levy Election Results
Downey 91 7 98
Inkom 87 8 95
McCammon 67 3 70
Lava 73 8 81
After the trustees reviewed the poll books, Trustee Bates moved to accept the canvassed election as presented, Trustee Fonnesbeck seconded motion carried unanimously with four yea votes.
At 7:09 pm Trustee Fonnesbeck moved to adjourn the meeting, Trustee Whitaker seconded motion carried unanimously with four yea votes.
Chairman Clerk