GARFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT #302
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2005
The Garfield School Board meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by
Garfield board chairman, Craig Cochran
Present: Garfield Board members Craig Cochran, Roger Pennell, Jill Palmer, Rusty Jamison, and Ken Renstrom
Also Present: Superintendent/Principal Bill LaMunyan, Business Manager Patsy Dunning, and Recorder Frankie Swinney
Guests: Cindy Kimberling, Janet Barstow, Richard Leinweber, Tim Coles, Sherri Partch, and Jim Goodwin
Agenda Revisions: Delete item “C” (resignation of MS volleyball coach). Item will be addressed in Joint Meeting.
Accounts Payable
General Fund
Vouchers 16493-16559
Warrants 42217-42283
ASB
Vouchers 757-763 Warrants 757-763
Payroll
Warrants 42142-42215
December Minutes
Cancelled warrants Resolution #104
Handwritten warrant #42216
The Consent Agenda was approved on motions by Roger Pennell and Ken Renstrom.
Business Manager Patsy Dunning presented the financial report. She explained that December is a low revenue / high expense month. She requested the board to approve an application for Title V grants in the amount of $1,682. This is new grant this year that takes smaller grants and combines them into one. It is somewhat restrictive on its uses.
A motion to approve the Garfield Title V application was made by Rusty and seconded by Roger. The motion carried.
Superintendent LaMunyan handed out an information sheet for board members to review regarding the levy for M&O / Capital Projects Levy, March 8, 2005
Mr. LaMunyan presented the resignation of Middle School Head Volleyball Coach, Janelle Maricle.
The board agreed to have the same superintendent evaluation format as last year. Superintendent LaMunyan will provide the board with a list of professional goals and projects he is working on this year. Board members will have evaluations done by mid-February and Ken Renstrom will have them tallied by the February board meeting.
There were no superintendent announcements.
Roger Pennell expressed concern about the middle school baseball program. He still wants to offer the baseball program. He is not in favor of “specialized” athletics. The athletes need to compete in their own league. Parents need to by loyal to the school athletic programs during the league seasons. What they do in the off-season is their own business. We still have kids that want to play and it is not fair to those that were not invited to participate.
Chairman Cochran asked Mr. LaMunyan to research this matter and see if there is something we should do differently.
Mr. Jamison asked the board for permission to visit a home school parent meeting. He is concerned as to the reasons why their children do not attend our schools. Mrs. Palmer stated that Mr. Jamison needed to represent himself as an individual, not as a representative of the board.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:29 p.m.
PALOUSE SCHOOL DISTRICT #301
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2005
Kent Keller called the Palouse School Board meeting to order at 7:02 pm.
Present: Palouse board members Val Fisher, John Leendertsen, Kent Keller, and Mike White
Also Present: Superintendent/Principal Bev Fox and Principal Steve Heeg
Agenda Changes:
Add items D: Hiring
E: Applications
F: Handwritten Warrants
G: Cancelled Warrants (Resolution 118)
Move items E. thru H. after item I. (Program to be Retained)
Accounts Payable
General Fund
Vouchers 16823 – 16894 Warrants 29337 - 29408
ASB
Vouchers 2731 – 2749 Warrants 2731 - 2749
Payroll
Warrants 29249 – 29334
Capital Projects none
December Minutes - Change Resolution 117 to 2005-2006 school year.
Mrs. Fox presented resignations from Daycare Supervisor, Jennifer Lawrence, and childcare provider Janelle Maricle. Mrs. Fox recommended Julie Parzyck for a para-educator position.
Mrs. Fox presented information regarding the application for the Carl Perkins Title IV.
Information regarding handwritten warrants for Kelly Murphy and Kalyn Meyers and Resolution #118 was presented.
John Leendertsen and Val Fisher moved to accept the consent agenda. The motion passed unanimously.
Superintendent Fox reported the current Palouse School District fund balance of $252,859.05.
Board members will give John Leendertsen their board evaluations to tally. There will be an executive session in the February board meeting to review evaluations with the superintendent.
Mrs. Fox stated ALSC is preparing a plan with the cost for fixing the problems in the upper gym. This cost will then be submitted to the court as the next step in the lawsuit.
A representative from McKinstry and the General Administration met with Patsy Dunning and Bev Fox on January 25, 2005. They presented the procedures for utilizing the coordinating aspects that the General Administration can be responsible for. Before an agreement is signed with McKinstry to perform the audit, Bev will be gathering more information and present it at the next board meeting.
The board recessed at 7:30
The meeting resumed at 7:35.
Present: Palouse Board Members (as mentioned above), Garfield Board Members, Roger Pennell, Craig Cochran, Jill Palmer, Rusty Jamison, and Ken Renstrom
Also Present Superintendent/Principal Beverly Fox, Superintendent/Principal Bill LaMunyan, Business Manager Patsy Dunning, and Recorder Frankie Swinney
Mrs. Fox introduced the Program to be Retained for 2005-2006. She explained how the continual loss in enrollment causes Palouse to be overstaffed in both the certificated and classified staff. We are also overstaffed in administration and vocational. There is deficit spending in transportation, food service, special education and child care services. There are also costs associated with the lawsuit concerning the upper gym and money will have to be refunded to the state as a result of a special education audit.
These things have caused a projected ending fund balance of $180,000 for August 2005.
The fund balance goal for August 2005 is $200,000. To help achieve this goal, we are working during 2004-2005 to make reductions totaling at least $30,000. The fund balance goal for August 2006 is $250,000.
The goal for the Program to be retained for 2005-2006 is $50,000 and is proposed as follows:
STAFFING REDUCTIONS
Elementary teacher reduction of .5 FTE $20,000
Child Care Supervisor reduction of .5 FTE $12,000
EXTRACURRICULAR REDUCTIONS
No district contribution to National conventions $3,000
“C” Squad and 3rd coaches will be volunteers (except of football if numbers warrant a 3rd coach) $1,200
This figure is based on ½ on the one “c” squad coach that we had in 2004-05. $1,200
HS Track – volunteer coach for 2005 & 2006 (This figure is based on ½ of Step 1 head coaching salary) $1,200
BUILDING BUDGET
Reduction in building budgets (Principal, Technology, Child Care) $12,600
There was discussion regarding the volunteer coach position for the track program. We currently have 12 track participants signed up for spring 2005. Scott Kent expressed how valuable the track program is not only to the individual participating, but how it cross-trains for other sports. He believes you get a better quality with a paid coach versus a volunteer.
Patty Green-Kent is concerned we may lose kids to the Pullman School District by not offering a track program. She suggested “pay to play” rather than cutting the program. She feel the fair thing to do is spread the budget evenly and charge for activities if we need to.
Mrs. McGehee expressed the importance of track in building a life long sport that individuals can use.
Mr. Kent stated that track is also a learning process of anatomy and how your own body performs. Track requires spiritual strength and guts. It teaches responsibility.
The meeting recessed at 7:58 pm.
The meeting reconvened at 10:13 pm.
Continuing the discussion about the lighting project, Mrs. Fox would like to research the project a little more before we make a commitment to do this. She suggested calling a district that has done this process.
Val Fisher moved and Kent Keller seconded a motion to approve the program to be retained. This includes the portions that were approved in the joint meeting. The motioned passed unanimously.
Mrs. Fox stated the next key communicator letter and a flyer would contain levy information. The A.V. class is preparing a brochure. A committee will be formed to work on levy signs. Major organizations in the town will be contacted and representatives from the committee and staff will be able to answer levy questions. There will be another staff meeting to address levy issues. S.A.C.K. will set up a phone tree.
Mr. Leendertsen reminded board members and employees they can’t promote the levy. They can only encourage patrons to vote.
Extracurricular guidelines for participation were discussed. We now have minimum sign up numbers and actual numbers needed. The board members were provided with a draft copy of the administrative procedures for extracurricular activities if there are financial considerations. This is a work in progress.
Superintendent Fox reported on the WSSDA and OSPI conferences she recently attended. Both conferences were excellent. Mrs. Fox picked up materials for science, math, social studies, and reading in the content area. These materials are geared by subject area.
Jim Stewart, Sue Redman, Bev Fox, and Steve Heeg are participating in a yearlong workshop of 5 sessions at ESD 101. The workshop is “Linking Professional Development with Student Learning”.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:40 pm.
Palouse School District #301
Garfield School District #302
January 27, 2005
Joint Board Meeting
Garfield Board Chairman Craig Cochran called the Joint Board meeting to order at 8:04 p.m.
Present: Garfield Board members: Craig Cochran, Roger Pennell, Jill Palmer, Rusty Jamison, and Ken Renstrom. Palouse Board members: John Leendertsen, Mike White, Kent Keller, and Val Fisher
Also Present: Superintendent/Principal Bill LaMunyan, Superintendent/Principal Bev Fox, Principal Steven Heeg, Business Manager Patsy Dunning, and Recorder Frankie Swinney
Guests: Cindy Kimberling, Sheri Partch, Janet Barstow, Scott Kent, Patty Green-Kent, Cheryl Johnson, Brian Johnson, Kaye McGehee.
There were no changes in the agenda.
Ken Renstrom made a motion to approve the December 16, 2004 board minutes. Mike White seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Principal Steve Heeg presented his principal’s report to the board. He shared with the board that Marv Pillers, Doc Kimble, Bev Fox, and he attended and completed Driver Impairment Recognition Training in Colfax. They are now certified to recognize impairment. Mr. Heeg also shared with the board various activities presently going on at the high school, such as finals, drama, FFA trap shooting, and the current basketball standings.
Principal Bev Fox stated that the Palouse Elementary would be going to the Natural History Museum in Spokane February 2nd.
Principal Bill LaMunyan shared that the Middle School knowledge bowl team is doing well and the boy’s basketball team had an outstanding year.
Mike Allen, Van Thompson, and Mr. LaMunyan attended an OSPI workshop last week.
The entire Garfield Elementary will be honoring Iraq veteran, Joe Manning, Feb 7th with an assembly and presentation. The 4th & 5th grade sent letters to Mr. Manning during his tour in Iraq recently.
The Garfield elementary and Mrs. Brown have raised $450.00 to be donated to Tsunami flood victims.
Jill Palmer of the Garfield Board made a motion to accept the resignation of MS Volleyball Coach, Janelle Maricle. Rusty Jamison seconded the motion. The motion passed.
The board approved Suzy Pinter for MS Head Volleyball Coach on a motion by Ken Renstrom and seconded by Jill Palmer. The motion carried.
Jill Palmer made a motion to approve Bob Wolf as a volunteer for the high school boys basketball program. Roger seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Superintendent LaMunyan and Superintendent Bev Fox thanked their respective boards for their time, effort, and tremendous dedication as board Members of the Garfield and Palouse School Districts. Superintendents presented each of their boards a Board of Education “appreciation” certificate.
Principal Heeg presented a Senior Trip agenda and outline that will be mailed to senior parents this spring. Ken Renstrom made a motion to approve the senior trip and Val Fisher seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Superintendent Fox stated that our Comprehensive Review is due April 1st. We need to have a 504 policy and currently we do not have one. Mrs. Fox asked the board to review the policy before the February board meeting when they will be asked to approve it.
Val Fisher moved to rescind the motion to cut track. Mike White seconded the motion. John Leendertsen abstained from voting. The motion carried. Garfield board member Ken Renstrom made a motion to remove from the table the Garfield motion to cut the track program. Rusty Jamison seconded the motion. The motion passed.
There was discussion concerning whether we should keep the track program at the high school with a volunteer coach. Rusty Jamison asked if we could look at the track program separately for the 2004-2005 and the 2005-2006 year. Mrs. Fox agreed that would be possible. Jill Palmer asked if the track savings for 04-05 would be $1200 per district since this item is cost shared and Mrs. Fox confirmed. This also would apply to 05-06. Mrs. Fox also stated that the $1200 does not include transportation. The only way to include transportation would be to eliminate the track program.
There were questions regarding why the middle school and high school track teams don’t practice together. Mrs. Fox state that it was the intention when the middle school track was moved to Palouse and a coach was eliminated, that the two groups would practice together. Tim Coles explained the dramatic difference in athletic abilities of high school and middle school athletes.
Scott Kent expressed his concern if people realize how similar an individual sport is to real-life situations.
Rusty Jamison was concerned about the commitment of volunteer coaches. He felt it would be a poor situation.
Patsy Dunning commented on the excellent volunteers who have helped us out for many years.
Kent Keller explained that there is strong support by both boards for the track program. The boards don’t want to cut track, but they have to look at the big picture and we have to reach out to the community for help with these programs.
Rusty Jamison believes if we rely on volunteers too much, then they may get burnout. If it just one person, he feels that won’t work.
Cheryl Johnson asked why the board is cutting a $1200 position that wasn’t publicized; why are we raising the levy, and we are overstaffed in the elementary. She said it is disproportionate when it’s really overstaffing and nothing to do with sports.
Patty Green-Kent stated it seems a disparity to have a MS track coach paid and HS track coach a volunteer position. The high school coach has more pressure.
Mrs. Fox explained that we need to make a reduction. A feasible reduction is in a time span when you have more activities going on for kids, like baseball and softball. You have to make choices. That’s why we looked at track. The way to keep it is have a volunteer at the high school. At the middle school level, we need to make sure we have an activity for kids because otherwise they won’t have anything. At the high school level there are other activities for kids and we just can’t provide everything. The only way to capture a chunk of money is to eliminate a sport. The money the district controls is salaries, transportation, and officials.
Sheri Partch stated that state and federal funding is being cut. We need to look down the road and decide if it’s academics or sports. We have to keep our schools running.
Mrs. McGehee felt it is unfair this is happening at the last minute and now the kids don’t have the opportunity to do anything else.
There was discussion regarding the “pay to play” and “spreading” the money around by cutting chunks from other programs. John Leendertsen stated that we charged an activity fee several years ago. The accounting was a headache.
Roger Pennell stated if your going to whip on track then you need to also whip on basketball, football, and baseball. Track is just as important to these kids. If track is the whipping boy, then all varsity sports should go along with it. It carries over to lifetime health issues. $1200 is nothing. Pay to play is too expensive for some of these kids. Large chunk of money can be cut in the next few months, but don’t cut track.
Kent Keller explained there is a problem with making horizontal cuts because then you end up with all programs being weakened. Given the long-term picture we need to make vertical cuts in extracurricular expenses. The idea of horizontal cuts is not going to work as a strategy to take us down the road.
Cindy Kimberling said if Garfield wants track, maybe they should pay for it. Jill Palmer stated that cooperative means cooperative. That would take away the equity between the two districts.
Mr. Lamunyan felt that 125 students in the high school is the key. Less than that, it is difficult to supply 3 or 4 different activities. You have to use your number of kids to participate. We have 107 kids and it gets to be a precarious situation. He understands what Palouse is doing down the road with 2 sports each for winter, fall, and spring.
Valorie Fisher explained the board is trying to look at this as chunking out everything in the big picture. With a levy request, we are trying to share the pain all around. If we just cut academics and not sports, how does that look to the community? We’re programmatically looking at making horizontal cuts and saving money. We’re trying to manage your money very wisely and spread it out.
Business Manager, Patsy Dunning, stated there isn’t one possible thing they could suggest, that there wouldn’t be some people sitting out in the audience. You can’t touch salaries, benefits, transportation, and ASB buys the equipment.
John Leendertsen shared his perspective. It is a tough vote. The program to be retained affects a lot of things academically and we are just focusing on 12 kids turning out for track. I don’t think $1200 is worth the effort. I think if should be all or none.
Scott Kent expressed concern of losing kids to Pullman. He feels this keeps the spiral going of losing kids.
Mrs. Fox stated that is a tremendous concern. With resources we have, our programs are a lot better than other schools our same size. We still have to make choices and where is the balance? We have to use our resources. We have to maintain as much excellence as we can and not lose enrollment. We are fighting to keep what we have. If we run excellent programs, two in each season, and we can hang on to them, then we are doing well. We are looking across the board and trying to find balance.
Palouse board member, Val Fisher made a motion to have a high school track volunteer coach for 2004-2005. Mike White seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Garfield board member, Jill Palmer made a motion to have high school track volunteer coach for 2004-2005. Rusty Jamison seconded the motion. Mr. Pennell voted nay. The motion passed.
Mike White of the Palouse board made the motion and Val Fisher seconded to have a high school track volunteer coach for 2004-2005. Garfield board members Jill Palmer and Ken Renstrom moved to have a high school track volunteer coach for 2004-2005. The motion passed.
Both boards approved C squad and 3rd coaches will be volunteers (except for football if the numbers warrant a 3rd coach). Motions were made by Palouse board members John Leendertsen and Mike White. Garfield motions were made by Ken Renstrom and Jill Palmer. Both motions passed.
Superintendent Fox stated this year the WIAA moved the spring season ahead one week. State for spring sports is the weekend after Memorial Day. Graduation was affected this year. Next year they are moving it back to the date it was originally.
The Palouse board recessed at 10:02
The Joint board meeting adjourned at 10:02