Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-09-2025 Minutes Regular Board Meeting Executive SessionDr. 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 Regular Meeting/Executive Session Wednesday, July 9, 2025, An Executive Session will begin at 6:30 p.m. Public portion of meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. PLC Building 3442 E Iona Rd Idaho Falls, ID 83401 I. Chairman Jenkins welcomed everyone to the meeting. II. Chairman Jenkins call the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. III. Roll Call Carissa Coats Present Randy Smith Present Mindy Clayton Present Richard Hess Present Paul Jenkins Present IV. Approve/Amend the Executive Session Agenda (Action Item) Motion: To approve the Executive Session Agenda. This motion, made by Randy Smith and seconded by Mindy Clayton, Passed. V. Executive Session (Action Item) The Board will enter into an Executive Session pursuant to Idaho Code 74 -206(1)(b) to consider the evaluation, dismissal, or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member, or individual agent, or public school student. The Executive Session will be closed to the public as permitted by law. Motion: To enter Executive Session. This motion, made by Carissa Coats and seconded by Richard Hess, Passed. Roll Call Vote Carissa Coats Yes Randy Smith Yes Mindy Clayton Yes Richard Hess Yes Paul Jenkins Yes The Board entered Executive Session at 6:31 p.m. V.A. Planning and Personnel Recommendations V.A.1. Employee A-2026 Employee A-2026 was discussed with the Board. V.A.2. Employee C-2026 Employee C-2026 was discussed with the Board. V.A.3. Close Executive Session (Action Item) Motion: To close Executive Session. This motion, made by Mindy Clayton and seconded by Richard Hess, Passed. The Executive Session closed at 6:38 p.m. VI. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chairman Jenkins. VII. The invocation was offered by Jason Lords. VIII. Chairman Jenkins called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. IX. Roll Call Carissa Coats Present Randy Smith Present Mindy Clayton Present Richard Hess Present Paul Jenkins Present X. Board Opening Business X.A. Chairman Jenkins welcomed everyone in attendance and reminded those wishing to speak during public input to sign the designated sheet. X.B. Amend/Approve the Agenda (Action Item) Motion: To approve the Regular Agenda. This motion, made by Carissa Coats and seconded by Mindy Clayton, Passed. X.C. Staff/Student Recognition - There were no staff or student recognitions at this meeting. X.D. Public Input: Pursuant to Board Policy #4105 Public Participation in Board Meetings, Public Input shall be held to a maximum of one (1) hour and will provide an opportunity for any Board Member, administrator, staff member, student, or patron to raise issues of interest. The Board will receive such input without comment, except to ask germane questions of those speaking. Comments should be limited to three (3) minutes. The Board will take no action related to any items during the meeting unless on the agenda but may direct the Superintendent to report such items at a subsequent meeting. Chairman Jenkins opened the floor for public input. • Weston Harris shared his recent experience competing at the National History Day contest in Washington, D.C. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity and the grants that made the trip possible. Weston was the highest-ranked student from Idaho at the national competition and received the Outstanding Affiliate Award. His project focused on Provident Hospital —the first black-owned and operated hospital in Illinois and a major milestone in U.S. medical history. Weston described the trip as both fun and meaningful. It was his first time visiting the East Coast, and he enjoyed exploring historic sites, museums, and trading pins with students from across the country. He especially enjoyed visiting the American History Museum and walking around the National Mall despite recovering from recent foot surgery. The board expressed pride in his accomplishments and appreciation for his thoughtful representation of the district. • Allison Harris expressed heartfelt thanks to the Board for supporting the Hillcrest High School Marching Band's trip to Washington, D.C., where they performed in the Fourth of July Parade. As a parent and chaperone, she shared how impressed she was with the students’ beh avior, gratitude, and positivity throughout the trip. Airline staff, hotel workers, and restaurant employees all complimented the group, praising them as respectful and well-mannered representatives of the district. She also commended Band Director Mr. Emerson for his leadership and dedication to the students, noting how hard the band had worked all summer to prepare. Allison described the trip as a meaningful and moving experience, especially when visiting monuments like the Vietnam and Kore an War memorials, where students reflected deeply on history, service, and their own futures. She encouraged the board to invite students or staff to present more about the trip and thanked them again for making such a memorable opportunity possible. X.E. Approve Consent Agenda (Action Item) Motion: To approve the Consent Agenda. This motion, made by Randy Smith and seconded by Carissa Coats, Passed. X.E.1. Minutes of Previous Meetings Board Retreat / Executive Session - 06-10-2025 to 06-11-2025 Regular Board Meeting / Executive Session - 06-11-2025 Special Meeting / Executive Session - 06-25-2025 X.E.2. Financial X.E.2.a. Accounts Payable $15,184,041.72 X.E.2.b. Contracts Contractual Agreement with Camille Campbell dba Educational Psychology Support Services. Contractual Agreement with Ben Walters Contract Renewal with Just 4 Kids for 2025-2026 X.E.3. Employees X.E.3.a. Alternative Authorizations X.E.3.b. Conditional Employment X.E.3.c. Leave Requests Employee A-2026 X.E.3.d. Resignations and Terminations X.E.3.e. Retirements X.E.3.f. Stipends X.E.3.g. Transfers XI. Items Moved From the Consent Agenda (Action Item) Not needed. XII. Planning and Personnel Reports and Recommendations XII.A. Bonneville Online High School Assistant Principal (Action Item) Heath Jackson, Executive Director of Planning and Personnel, recommended Annie Reichelt for the part -time assistant principal position at Bonneville Online High School. This position became available after the restructuring of the Praxium program, which led to Nancy Jackson becoming the full-time principal at Praxium. Annie brings extensive experience to the role, having worked in District 93 since 2010. She started as a science teacher at Hillcrest High School and later transitioned to Bonneville Online Hi gh School, where she has been instrumental in developing in-house online curriculum as the Online Curriculum Coordinator. Her leadership has significantly reduced the district’s reliance on costly external curriculum providers, saving money and ensuring content aligns directly with district standards. Jackson emphasized Annie’s instructional leadership, her recently completed administrative internship (primarily at BOHS), and her collaborative approach to curriculum development. Principal Corey Telford and the BOHS leadership team support this recommendation. Annie will continue her work as curriculum coordinator while stepping into the assistant principal role, bringing both continuity and expertise to the school’s leadership team. Motion: To approve Annie Reichelt as Bonneville Online High School Assistant Principal as recommended. This motion, made by Richard Hess and seconded by Carissa Coats, Passed. XII.B. Request for Leave of Absence for Employee B-2026 for FY2026 and Rehire for FY2027 (Action Item) Heath Jackson, Executive Director of Planning and Personnel, requested board approval for a one -year leave of absence for Natalie Woods, a math teacher at Thunder Ridge High School, with the intent to rehire her in the 2026-2027 school year. Natalie has been selected for a prestigious one-year Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship through the Department of Defense. Although the district no longer has a formal leave of absence policy on record, Jackson and Superintendent Woolstenhulme are considering reinstating it. In the meantime, they are seeking the board's approval of this individual request, noting Natalie’s exemplary performance, her past recognitions, and the value she brings to the district. Principal Trent Dabell has confirmed that Thunder Ridge can cover her position internally for the year, allowing the role to remain unfilled, so Natalie can return. Jackson also proposed drafting a letter outlining a deadline — likely March 15—for Natalie to notify the district of her intent to return, ensuring time to hire if needed. He concluded by emphasizing the exceptional nature of the opportunity and the district’s full support for Natalie’s professional growth. Motion: To approve Employee B-2026 request for leave of absence for FY2026 and to rehire Employee B-2026 in FY2027 as recommended. This motion, made by Carissa Coats and seconded by Mindy Clayton, Passed. XII.C. Bonneville High School Parking Lot Bid (Action Item) Cody Jackson, Director of Facilities and Maintenance, recommended that the board reject all current bids for the Thunder Stadium parking lot project. The lowest bid received was approximately $829,000 —about $250,000 over the district’s budgeted amount of $574,000. Jackson attributed the high bid costs to two main factors: the late timing in the construction season, when asphalt companies are already busy, and the tight completion window (before September 12), which limited contractor flexibility. He propose d reopening the bidding process in January 2026, aiming for a more favorable bid climate and broader contractor participation. This would allow construction to begin after the spring sports season, ideally in mid -May, providing more time for completion over the summer. The project includes not only asphalt but also drainage, excavation, and electrical work for parking lot lighting. Motion: To reject the current bids for Thunder Stadium parking lot project at Bonneville High School and reopen the bidding process in January 2026. This motion, made by Randy Smith and seconded by Mindy Clayton, Passed. XII.D. Update on Facilities Report Cody Jackson, Director of Facilities and Maintenance, provided an update on the numerous construction and renovation projects underway across the district: • Willow Creek Middle School: The building is fully enclosed with the roof now 100% complete. Exterior doors and windows are being installed, and interior progress includes framing, sheetrock, and texture work across classroom wings. Concrete and grading work are underway for mechanic al systems. The gym and cafeteria areas are the final sections under active construction. • Falls Valley Elementary: Renovations are progressing quickly with sheetrock and texture completed in key areas, and the roof is halfway finished. Significant improvements are visible in the main office. Cloverdale’s roofing project is set to begin within the next week. • Hillcrest High School: Work has begun on the new sprinkler system, with piping and line installation in progress. • Bonneville High School: Two new classrooms are being added, and major flooring replacement is underway in the commons, cafeteria, and gym areas. Locker areas have been removed, and additional parking lot improvements and lighting installations are in progress. • Rocky Mountain Middle School: Installation of a new vertical lift is underway, with exterior metalwork to match the existing design. • Transportation Facility: The new Transportation Center is complete and operational, with a few remaining items on the punch list. The facility includes a wash bay and oil recovery system and can service up to 12 buses simultaneously—vastly improving from the previous setup. Jackson noted the summer has been extremely busy with projects progressing quickly and praised the quality and speed of the work. The Board discussed the importance of showcasing these improvements, especially those funded by state grants—through possible ribbon-cutting events or back-to-school open houses to help the community see how funds are being effectively utilized. XII.E. Policies for Public Review XII.E.1. Proposed Policy 5825 Nepotism for Public Review (Action Item) Heath Jackson, Executive Director of Planning and Personnel, requested board approval to move Proposed Policy 5825 Nepotism to public review. The policy was previously discussed and has been updated to align with recent changes in Idaho state law. The key revision states that: • The district may not hire the spouse of a school board member for a certified position . • The district may hire the spouse of a board member in a classified contracted position, in accordance with the updated law. Jackson emphasized that while the law permits such classified hires, the board still maintains full discretion to deny employment if a conflict of interest exists or if the hire is deemed operationally detrimental. Motion: To approve Proposed Policy 5825 Nepotism for public review. This motion, made by Mindy Clayton and seconded by Richard Hess, Passed. XII.F. Policies for Final Adoption XII.F.1. Proposed Policy 5040 Certified Staff Transfers for Final Adoption (Action Item) Heath Jackson, Executive Director of Planning and Personnel, requested that Policy 5040 - Certified Staff Transfers be approved for final adoption. No public comments were received during the 30-day review. Approval of this policy enables the district to b egin drafting a resolution for transferring staff to Willow Creek Middle School ahead of its opening next year. Motion: To approve proposed Policy 5040 Certified Staff Transfers for final adoption. This motion, made by Carissa Coats and seconded by Randy Smith, Passed. XIII. Learning and Instruction Reports and Recommendations XIII.A. Joint Resolution - Toilet Training Condition (Action Item) The Executive Team presented a request from Idaho Falls School District 91 inviting District 93 to co -sponsor a proposed ISBA resolution requiring students to be toilet trained before enrolling in school, in addition to meeting the current age requirement. The resolution responds to a growing concern in both districts about an increase in students, particularly in kindergarten—arriving in diapers without medical or developmental justifications. This has raised logistical and legal concerns, as general education teachers are neither trained nor expected to provide toileting care. The Board acknowledged the increasing frequency of such cases and agreed that reinforcing toilet training as part of school readiness is reasonable. However, they expressed significant concern about the potential for the resolution to unintentionally exclude vulnerable childre n, including those in foster care or lacking stable home support. They stressed that while families should take responsibility for preparing children for school, the district must also remain committed to inclusivity and equity. Board members noted that th e district already handles toileting issues on a case-by-case basis, using tools such as IEPs and referrals to social services when appropriate. They also questioned whether the resolution would truly change outcomes for students in the most difficult circumstances and worried that the language could open the door to exclusionary practices. Because District 93 and the Board had little time to review or revise the resolution before District 91’s board meeting and ISBA’s July 31 submission deadline, the Board decided not to co-sponsor the resolution at that time. They expressed interest in revisiting the matter during the ISBA convention in November, where they could vote on the resolution with a clearer understanding of the final language and its implications . Motion: To not approve the Toilet Training Condition Joint Resolution with Idaho Falls School District 91 as presented. This motion, made by Randy Smith and seconded by Mindy Clayton, Passed. XIII.B. Policy for Initial Consideration XIII.B.1. Proposed Policy 2320 Health and Human Sexuality Instruction for Initial Consideration. Jason Lords, Executive Director of Learning and Instruction, presented Proposed Policy 2320 for initial consideration, explaining it was developed in response to new state legislation regarding sex education. The policy includes clearly defined terms—such as "sexual attraction"—to help distinguish between general curriculum content (e.g., literature or biology) and expli cit sex education topics that require parental opt-in. The goal is to clarify when notification and consent are necessary, protecting both teachers and instructional integrity. The Board will review the policy before considering it for public review at the August Regular Board Meeting. XIII.B.2. Deletion of Proposed Policy 2310 Health Enhancement for Initial Consideration. Jason Lords, Executive Director of Learning and Instruction, recommended deleting Proposed Policy 2310 - Health Enhancement for initial consideration because its content is now fully incorporated into the newly developed Policy 2320 - Health and Human Sexuality Instruction. The deletion is intended to eliminate redundancy and streamline related policies. Any relevant guidance from 2310 is addressed in the updated policy, which also includes references to controversial issues, ensuring clarity and consistenc y moving forward. XIII.B.3. Proposed Policy 2340 Controversial Issues and Academic Freedom for Initial Consideration. Jason Lords, Executive Director of Learning and Instruction, explained to the Board that updates to Proposed Policy 2340 - Controversial Issues are necessary to align with recent legislation and provide clearer guidance for teachers when addressing potentially sensitive topics in the classroom. The revisions include more precise definitions and expectations—particularly related to sex education and instructional media—to help educators understand when parent notification or administrative approval is requir ed. XIII.C. Policies for Public Review XIII.C.1. Proposed Policy 3265 Student Use of Electronic Devices for Public Review (Action Item) Jason Lords, Executive Director of Learning and Instruction, requested that Proposed Policy 3265 - Student Use of Electronic Devices be moved to public review. The policy introduces a consistent, district wide system using a red light/yellow light/green light model to guide student cell phone use, giving schools and teachers flexibility while promoting clarity and enforcement. Lords emphasized the policy’s goal of creating uniform expectations across schools, which was a major theme from survey feedback. Th e proposed policy allows individual classrooms and buildings to set stricter rules but provides a baseline that all staff can enforce. Administrators and a small committee expressed support, noting it felt workable. Feedback will also be gathered during public review and when teachers return in August. The board discussed the importance of teacher-student cooperation, non-confrontational enforcement, and presenting the policy as a privilege that could be revoked if not respected. Lords affirmed that success ful implementation would rely on consistent messaging and school-wide support. Motion: To approve proposed Policy 3265 Student Use of Electronic Devices for public review. This motion, made by Carissa Coats and seconded by Mindy Clayton, Passed. XIII.D. Policies for Final Adoption XIII.D.1. Proposed Policy 2180 Flag Displays for Final Adoption (Action Item) Jason Lords, Executive Director of Learning and Instruction, requested the adoption of Proposed Policy 2180 - Flag Displays to bring the district into alignment with recent changes in state law. While the district had previously developed and approved its own version of the policy, the new state legislation requires updates, and much of the revised policy now mirrors the statute. Lords noted that prior allowances in the district’s policy are no longer permitted under the new law. Motion: To approve proposed Policy 2180 Flag Displays for final adoption. This motion, made by Richard Hess and seconded by Randy Smith, Passed. XIII.D.2. Proposed Policy 2700P1 Comprehensive High School Graduation for Final Adoption (Action Item) Jason Lords, Executive Director of Learning and Instruction, requested the adoption of Proposed Policy 2700P1 - Comprehensive High School Graduation Requirements to reflect recent legislative changes. The updates include two key additions for the Class of 2028 and beyond: • A required Digital Literacy course, and • A Future Readiness Project that will replace the traditional senior project. These additions adjust elective credit options but maintain the overall requirement of 60 total credits for graduation. Motion: To approve proposed Policy 2700P1 Comprehensive High School Graduation for final adoption. This motion, made by Carissa Coats and seconded by Richard Hess, Passed. XIII.D.3. Proposed Policy 2700P2 Alternative-Specialty High School Graduation Requirements for Final Adoption (Action Item) Jason Lords, Executive Director of Learning and Instruction, requested the adoption of Proposed Policy 2700P2 - Alternative/Specialty High School Graduation Requirements to clarify and restructure graduation requirements across the district’s non-traditional schools. The revised policy separates requirements into three distinct sections for: • Lincoln High School (alternative school), • Bonneville Online High School, and • Technical Careers High School The update reflects recent legislative changes by adding two new requirements for the Class of 2028: • A Digital Literacy course, and • A Future Readiness Project to replace the senior project. The policy also updates and simplifies graduation requirements for Bonneville Online High School to match current practices maintaining consistent core requirements across all high schools while reducing elective credits for online students. Motion: To approve proposed Policy 2700P2 Alternative-Specialty High School Graduation Requirements for final adoption. This motion, made by Richard Hess and seconded by Mindy Clayton, Passed. XIII.D.4. Proposed Policy 1510 Board Agenda Items for Final Adoption (Action Item) Motion: To approve proposed Policy 1510 Board Agenda Items for final adoption. This motion, made by Randy Smith and seconded by Carissa Coats, Passed. XIV. Board Closing Business XIV.A. Request for Agenda Items for Upcoming Meetings (Action Item) There were no patron requests for agenda items, therefore there was no need to take action. The Board requested the following items for future board meetings • To have Hillcrest High School Band present their experience in Washington D.C. to participate in the Fourth of July parade. • Supplemental Levy Discussion • Ribbon Cuttings and Tours o The Transportation Center o Willow Creek Elementary o Falls Valley new Office and Classroom o Bonneville HS construction of classrooms o Hillcrest High School's construction of the vestibule. XIV.B. Adjournment (Action Item) Motion: To adjourn the meeting. This motion, made by Carissa Coats and seconded by Mindy Clayton, Passed. The meeting adjourned at 8:39 p.m. APPROVED: ______________________________________ Chairman ATTESTED: _______________________________________ Clerk DATE: ___________________________________