Embedded Files
Regular Meeting Agenda: 6:00 pm Regular Meeting
Tuesday, March 15, 2022
Fremont County School District Number One
Board of Trustees
863 Sweetwater Street
Board Meeting 2/15/2022-Disclaimer- Notes from the board meeting are intended to highlight the major events/decisions/tone of the meeting as determined by the LEA representative attending. They are NOT meant to be an exact transcript of the entire meeting. Any documents or policies that are referenced are available on the Governing Board’s website: https://www.landerschools.org/Governing-Board
1. General Business
A. Call to Order 6:00 pm by Kathy Hitt - acting Chair; Jared Kail and Scott Jensen on zoom - out of town
B. Pledge of Allegiance
C. Additional Agenda Items
Jensen asked that Consent item C be moved to 5G - action items
Jensen also asked to table first reading AC-R policy - Hitt tabled the reading of the policy, it will remain on first reading for next board meeting
D. Adoption of the Agenda
Adopted
E. Approve Minutes - February 15, 2021
Approved
F. Recognitions
Dr. Barker recognized the board members - the Wyoming board members association recognizes board professional development. Certified school members receive 50 points, certified master school board members receive 100 points.
Recognized:
Michelle Escudero as certified master school board member
Kathy Hitt as certified school board member
Taylor Jacobs certified school board member
Scott Jensen as certified school board member and master certified school board member
G. Public Comment
Non agenda item - Mrs. Fusko (parent of a current 8th grade band student) spoke on behalf of the music program in the secondary schools. She voiced that the music program is operating at a minimum with part time staff at the high school and middle school. The petition presented is asking for the hiring of another full time, well qualified music teacher. Herself and other parents are present to show support from the parents and students of the community. She continued to speak about how important having a strong music program at the middle school is to help retain middle school kids, stating that music is part of being a well rounded student. Currently the music program can not provide high level instruction to beginning level students as each teacher is trying to teach 50 beginning level students in one class - trying to teach an instrument and/or singing is almost impossible to meet individual beginner needs with such a large group. She stated that it appears Mr. Moline has no time to give extra needed instruction. She offered solutions such as expanding the scheduling to divide classes by sections (winds, brass, etc.). She also provided examples from other schools as solution ideas:
Cody - beginner and intermediate division of classes with advisory and enrichment opportunities
Douglas and Riverton divide by instrument
She raised the question “What about kids not in band or choir? There is not a single music class offered outside of those. Again she provided examples from similar districts:
Douglas/cody - offers beginner guitar classes
Douglas - offers a history of rock and roll class
She raised the question - Could we offer Audio mixing/sound design?
She then read aloud some of the petition signers' messages to the board.
Hitt responded that with this petition being presented to the board, the board now has 25 days to respond.
Hitt asked if they had spoken to administrators about the idea or to Dr. Barker about the particulars of creating a new position. Mrs. Fusko responded that they had not.
Hitt accepted the petition from Fusko.
Hitt then opened up to more commenters from the audience.
Cindy Newman spoke as well as 2 student representative from the high school.
Angela Pettibone spoke, plugging the drama aspect of the request for assistance with programming for theater performances.
No further comments were made.
End of public comment
2. Programs-Reports-Presentations
Michelle spoke briefly about attending the English Language coalition presentation with praise
A. Board Member Reports
none
B. ADM Audit Report
Mr. Sweeny spoke to the highlights of the report. He stated that every 5 years there is some sort of audit. This one is on ADM accounts only. There was a minor finding of 49,000. The district is obligated to write a response to the findings. Part of that response includes that a new student info systems manager was hired who can go through the ADM report to look for inconsistencies. Going forward the manager will have a monthly WEO with building secretaries to ensure we are on top of any unusual circumstances.
Hitt asked about Pg 13 and the little red check marks - they are for where the district was insufficient
Mr. Sweeny and board members pointed out that the audit was using 2017-18 data. Mr. Sweeny said this is because they are that far behind due to personnel shortages.
The district response letter was sent December 13th; the response is public and online at Wyoming Department of Audits, public divisions. It will also be posted to the minutes for the meeting.
Dr. Barker clarified - the money in the foundation funded by ADM, the district is having to “send it back” in that ADM payments will be reduced in the following years payments by that amount and highlighted that it is not an incident of overspending.
Mr. Sweeny pointed out that on pg 3 it is noted that the statewide ADM is 99.5% accurate.
Jared mentioned that the timing of the audit (3 years late) is not beneficial to drive decisions. Proposed mentioning this to representatives
C. Superintendent's Report
Demi Stauggenberg - winner of the Bob Carey award
The Speech and Debate team placed 3rd in 3A
Find winners info
Pathfinder’s first year at the State Science Fair, which was done virtually, turned out some winners! Miya Woody and Jarren Hurtado, 3rd place; Claire LeBeau and Parker Findley, 2nd place; Caleb Brown and Preston Burton, Lasair Environmental Sr. Division Special Award; Sean Crockett and Lilyana Goraczkowski, 3rd place.
State wrestling brought home a state champion - Coaltyn Laird as well as Cody Cunningham in 2nd and Ernesto Cabriales in 3rd place.
Dr. Barker spoke briefly to the district’s vending machines in two high schools, maintenance is done by vendors. Administrative contacts vendors. If issues arise, the admin of the building needs to be contacted.
Dr. Barker spoke to the district success reporting update - Dr. Barker shared a rough draft of where the data is starting - academic achievement (career community and life); Other district priorities - Student centered in first 4 categories, College career and military ready; Other staff centered information - cost of living, communication, finance, etc. Next couple of admin meetings will input data. Will be presented in April as a more complete project. Start when the district started standards based grading?
Update on day reporting. Candidate withdrew. Reopened position. Not a lot of luck in the applicant pool. Trying to get more candidates. Facility is ready, just needing a classified staff member.
Hunter safety in the middle school - this year doing it at Lights On - game and fish not having anyone available to come in. Opt in/opt out for students. Still needing a summer volunteer from game and fish. The district needs to try to get a staff member certified at LMS. Reference to email from a year ago about an offer the board received*. Jared and Dr. Barker will look into it deeper.
Teresa asked about the time frame to institute Hunter Safety. Asked about looking at other school districts to reach out. Brett asked about interest (if there is an interest by the middle school students). Wants more info about if it is a volunteer position or a paid position before reaching out to potential instructors. Position is not in the budget currently. Teresa referenced the community requesting a new music staff member and to balance that with any other new position creation.
*Kenny Langford - Wyoming state shooters association sent an email that discussed possible funding options.
Calendar work - multi year calendar. Didn’t want to rush into an alternative calendar. Interest from the survey expressed support for alternative calendars. Start this spring, Finalize early fall.
*Consent Agenda
A. Approve expenditures and pre-approve utilities and financial report
B. Reporting of Home School Students & Curriculum
D. Reappointment of SRRP Representative
4. 6:51 the board moved to Executive Session - Personnel
A. Executive Session - 16-4-405(a)(ii) and (xii) - matters related to employment of personnel and safety
5. Action Items
A. Personnel Actions
https://go.boarddocs.com/wy/fcsd1/Board.nsf/files/CCDTKT77CA64/$file/March%2015%202022%20PA.pdf
Recommend approval.
Recommend including addendum and recomm
Motion by Michelle Escudero, second by Taylor Jacobs.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yes: Michelle Escudero, Teresa Nirider, Kathy Hitt, Jared Kail, Scott Jensen
No: Brett Berg, Taylor Jacobs
B. Approval of Depreciation Reserve Funds for Vocational Equipment
Motion to approve using depreciation reserve funds to purchase vocational equipment for any amount not approved by Fremont County BOCES.
Discussion -
ME talked about going through BOCES first. TS - $170-180,000 sitting with BOCES. We will purchase the equipment out of GF and once we do that - we submit an invoice to BCOES for reimbursement. Anything BOCES does not pay for parts then we'd revert to appreciation reserve fund. highly likely we'd be turned down for that. $2.9 milion in depreciation
Motion by Brett Berg, second by Taylor Jacobs.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yes: Michelle Escudero, Teresa Nirider, Kathy Hitt, Jared Kail, Brett Berg, Scott Jensen, Taylor Jacobs
C. K-3 ELA adoption -
Motion passed
D. Acceptance of Asphalt Repair Bid - Mr. Welch commented about changing consideration of repairs.
Additional Comment about putting it out for rebid with more specific requirements
Discussion among board members regarding the current bids. Major maintenance scheduling over the years, a plan to do more extensive work next year this year to just patch and stripe. Major repairs would need engineers to look at - such as the bleachers.
Motion passed
E. Baldwin Creek Bronze Donation Acceptance
Accepting Rocky Mountain Premix and Eagle Bronze donation (premix, rocks, and bronze donation). Cost will be calculated when placed on site
Motion passed to accept donation
F. Acceptance of Donations
Discussion about the need for donations to wrestling equipment regarding funding of the district wrestling program.
Brett Berg abstain from vote, as well as Michelle Escudero
Question regarding oversight of funding - response from board is that they will take it under consideration
Motion passed
Item moved -
C. Stipulated Expulsion Agreements
Jacobs - approve stipulation agreements pending some clerical errors and data changes that needed to be done; add a provision regarding the possible change of place from DRC to Lander pending the lander program becoming initiated.
Motion passed
6. Discussion Items
A. Policy (1st Reading)
AC-R - Discrimination/Harassment Complaint Procedure (tabled until April 15th)
CFB - Evaluation of Administration Other Than Superintendent
GCQC - Resignation of Professional Staff
JLCF - Administration of Stock Opiate Antagonist
JLCF-R - Emergency Administration of Stock Opiate Antagonist
All will stay for a 2nd reading
Documents are posted on Board Docs regarding specific writing of policies
B. JFCD clarifying discussion
This discussion will clarify who may be considered a designee (could it be the student?) for Activity Transportation policy. If necessary, the policy will be brought back for another reading at a future board meeting - Needs clarification
Jensen clarified that the student (licensed driver) could drive themselves. Putting it in the control of the parents to decide who can transport their student
Jacobs voice concern about students driving themselves - potential issues of safety.
Nirider - concern about watering down camaraderie with students not all riding the bus together. Kail clarify with Nirider that she would like the policy to be worded that students driving themselves is not an option
Jacobs and Nirider oppose
Student representative spoke about potentially adding in the policy that if a student drives themselves they should have another licensed driver with them
Escudero asked that the lawyers look at the policy
Review activities travel release
Hitt repeated the notion of having legal look over the policy regarding students driving themselves
No action until hearing back from legal - leave as a discussion item
Nirider asked to look in to other schools policies including the college level
C. National Board stipend discussion
Email about concern of removing stipend. Negotiations will be meeting next month.
Escudero voiced the importance of the stipend to reward teachers who have gone above and beyond
22 current Nationally Board Certified teachers - 3 are leaving
Agreement amongst board members about the importance of the recognition and incentive of the stipend for Board Certified teachers; stipend helps compensate for out of pocket expense to become board certified.
Discussion turned toward incentivising teachers with a stipend based on student outcomes, to reward performance of teachers based on student performance.
Discussion of merit based pay ideas will be part of a further conversation.
Stipend will be recommended for the budget
7. Administrative Details/Reminders/Future Plans
A. April 2-4, NSBA Conference @ San Diego
B. April 5, Regular Board Meeting @ 6:00 pm
C. April 19, Board meeting @ 6:00 pm
8. Adjournment - 9:33
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