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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-27-2024 Minutes Amended Work MeetingDr. Scott Woolstenhulme, Superintendent 3497 North Ammon Road, Idaho Falls, Idaho, 83401  (208) 525-4400  Fax (208) 557-6800  www.d93schools.org Board of Trustees  Paul Jenkins  Carissa Coats  Randy Smith  Mindy Clayton  Richard Hess Bonneville Joint School District No. 93 is an Equal Opportunity Employer Amended Work Meeting March 27, 2024 11:30 AM PLC Building 3442 E Iona Rd Idaho Falls, ID 83401 I. Chairman Jenkins called the meeting to order at 11:51 a.m. II. Roll Call Carissa Coats present Randy Smith present Mindy Clayton present Richard Hess present Paul Jenkins present III. Opening Board Business A. Amend the Agenda (Action Item) Chairman Jenkins stated that a Board Member moved that the Board pursuant to Idaho Code §74-204(4)(a) Amend the Agenda for this meeting as follows: To add: Rocky Mountain Middle School students to Idaho History Day in Caldwell, Idaho travel request under Learning and Instruction as an Action Item. This information was received today and is time sensitive. Motion: Carissa Coats moved to amend the agenda. Mindy Clayton seconded. Motion carried. B. Approve the Amended Agenda (Action Item) Motion: Randy Smith moved to approve the amended agenda. Richard Hess seconded. Motion carried. C. Chairman Jenkins welcomed any visitors and Delegations to the meeting. IV. Learning and Instruction Reports and Recommendations A. Special Education Tour Debrief The Board and a few Executive Directors visited some of the Special Education Programs throughout the district. They highlighted the use of specific terms like "ER" and "autism program" to provide context about the discussed programs and resources. The board members shared their appreciation for the opportunity to witness the programs firsthand and acknowledged the significant resources required to make them effective. They discussed the need to empower administrators with resources, whether financial or through partnerships, to better support the programs. There was an emphasis on the importance of providing high-quality education and services to students, regardless of their needs, and the dedication of the staff was recognized. The conversation also touched on additional programs not visited due to time constraints, such as the Discovery program and the Tiebreaker program. Finally, there was a discussion about potential collaboration with other districts or communities to address resource needs and improve support for programs like the STEP program. B. Plain Talk about Literacy and Learning Conference Report 2 Chairman Jenkins invited Nicki Pack, Principal at Cloverdale Elementary, Brianna Tuckett, Principal at Tiebreaker Elementary, and Dr. Yvonne Thurber, Principal at Ammon Elementary to present their information froma a literacy- focused conference where they learned about various reading instruction techniques. They discussed the importance of addressing both word recognition and language comprehension. The conference stressed the need for proper teacher training and resources, along with strategies for accommodating diverse student needs, including those with special needs. The conversation also covered early intervention, parental involvement in literacy, and the evolving nature of reading instruction. They emphasized the significance of a strong reading foundation and ongoing support for teachers and students. They discussed challenges such as a 6th grader reading at a kindergarten level due to cognitive disabilities, emphasizing the importance of assessing strengths and weaknesses. The speakers stressed tailored approaches to accommodate diverse learning styles, expressing gratitude for educational conferences and parental involvement. Despite obstacles, they recognized advancements in understanding how the brain learns to read, leading to more effective teaching strategies. Three years ago, they launched a preschool newsletter to disseminate information on reading skills to parents. Initially distributing around 50 newsletters, the number grew to 300 to 400 over time, accompanied by parent classes. They discussed enhancements in early education, informed by conversations at conferences and within the educational community. Challenges arose in aligning teaching practices with evidence-based methods, prompting discussions on systematic approaches. Despite tensions, there was a collective commitment to implementing best practices, facilitated by district leadership with board support. Overall, their engagement in conferences and collaborative discussions enhanced their approach to early childhood education. C. CKLA Update Jason Lords, Executive Director of Learning and Instruction updated the Board on how the CKLA Curriculum adoption process is going. During a Facebook live session on Monday, information was provided about UCLA and the science of reading. Superintendent Woolstenhulme presented details about the science of reading, and representatives from Amplify CLA were available to answer questions. Resources about the science of reading and the CLA adoption were shared via email and family updates. Digital curriculum materials were made accessible online, and physical resources were available at the District Office for parents to review. There was a committee meeting where plans were made to review the curriculum materials further on April 1st. Some teachers expressed con cerns about potential changes in teaching methods, emphasizing the need for educators to adapt to new resources. The discussion also touched on the importance of providing adequate training and resources for teachers to implement new programs effectively. The rollout of the curriculum and the need for community and parent involvement were also discussed, along with the funding required for professional development and resources. Finally, there was consideration given to the potential rollout of information and resources for the community and parents. This was just an update. No decision has been made. D. Praxium to Idaho History Day - Caldwell, Idaho - 04-05-2024 to 04-06-2024 (Action Item) Motion: Carissa Coats moved to approve the travel request for Praxium Mastery Academy to attend Idaho History Day in Caldwell, Idaho. Randy Smith seconded. Motion carried. E. Rocky Mountain Middle School Students to Idaho History Day - Caldwell, Idaho - 04-05-2024 to 04-06-2024 (Action Item) Motion: Carissa Coats moved to approve the travel request for Rocky Mountain Middle School to attend Idaho History Day in Caldwell, Idaho. Randy Smith seconded. Motion carried. V. Superintendent Reports and Recommendations A. Revisit PLC Chapters 1-3 Discussion The Board and the Executive Team discussed the first three chapters of the book “Revisiting PLCs”. They were particularly fascinated by the use of the Professional Learning Community (PLC) process in the special education classrooms, emphasizing the belief that every child has the ability to learn. They noted the success of the PLC approach in fostering collaboration among teachers and improving student outcomes. The conversation led to considerations about incorporating PLC-related questions into the interview process to ensure alignment with the school's focus on building a professional learning community. Additionally, they discussed the importance of ongoing support for teachers and strategic approaches to enhancing collaboration and professional develop ment. They explored ideas such as hiring external contractors or providing additional training for school leadership teams to further support the implementation of PLC principles. Overall, they reflected on the positive impact of PLCs on 3 teaching philosophies and student learning outcomes, highlighting the need for continuous improvement and strategic planning in education. The Board and the Executive Team will read chapters 4-6 and discuss at the next Work Meeting in April. VI. Closing Board Business A. Call for Agenda Items for Upcoming Meetings • Dress Code • Charter Schools and funding realative to public schools B. Adjournment (Action Item) Motion: Carissa Coats moved to adjourn the meeting. Mindy Clayton seconded. Motion carried. APPROVED: ______________________________________ Chairman ATTESTED: _______________________________________ Clerk DATE: ___________________________________