The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. by Chair Massie. A roll of the board was taken and all members were present.

Transcription

1 Ashland School District No. 5, Jackson County, Oregon - The Board of Directors met in regular session December 14, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. in the Ashland Council Chambers. Present were: Keith Massie ) Chair Ruth Alexander ) Carol Davis ) Board Members Heidi Parker ) Eva Skuratowicz ) Juli Di Chiro, Superintendent Jill Turner, Business Manager Toni Knox, Certified Representative District Administrators Jeanne Peterson, Administrative Assistant I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. by Chair Massie. II. III. Pledge of Allegiance Roll Check A roll of the board was taken and all members were present. IV. Welcome Visitors and Acknowledgments A. Water Polo Team Chair Massie introduced the three team captains of the Water Polo Team, which won the state championship this year. B. Avista Conservation Incentive Checks Steve Vincent of Avista presented a check in the amount of $52,064 to the school district for its energy conservation. The Ashland School District will save approximately $24,000 in its gas utility bills due to its heating system upgrades at Bellview and Ashland High School. C. Vision and Mission Statement Board members read the vision and mission statements.

2 V. Consent Agenda A. Approve minutes of Food Services Advisory Committee meetings of October 19 and November 2, regular meeting of November 9, work and special sessions of November 2, and executive and work sessions of December 7, B. Personnel There were no personnel items. Chair Massie corrected the minutes of the special session of November 23, 2009, to reflect that the meeting began at 7:00 p.m. Director Alexander moved that the Board accept the consent agenda as amended. Director Parker seconded and the motion passed unanimously. VI. Hear Public Requests not a part of the agenda James and Austin Dykstra spoke on vandalism at the high school. Austin Dykstra s car has been keyed in the Morse Street parking lot and friend s cars have had tires slashed. The Board was asked to consider tracking vandalism at the high school in order to come up with solutions that will deter vandalism. VII. Reports A. Student and Staff Representative Reports Toni Knox, certified representative, reported on the high school Winter Fair Arts Festival, high school graduate Dan Hilgen becoming an outstanding wood turner in the Northwest, the Spring Musical, Ashland High School receiving the award as a Silver Medal school, activities of an alternative education program at Ashland high school, and Bellview student projects. B. Ballot Measures 66 and 67 Oregon State Representative, Peter Buckley, explained the background for the legislature passing two revenue tax measures. On January 26, Oregon voters can choose to pass the two revenue taxes or voters may choose to have the legislature go back into session in February to reduce state services by approximately 5%. Mr. Buckley asked for support of these measures. Alan DeBoer spoke against the ballot measures and provided information on the increases of the state budget. He feared that passage of the measures could result in fewer businesses in Oregon and less taxpayers.

3 C. School Report Cards Juli Di Chiro reviewed the state report cards for the Ashland School District explaining that all schools made adequate yearly progress. D. District Financial Report Jill Turner reviewed the preliminary district financial report as of November. This report was generated from the new software system. E. Superintendent Report I. Average Daily Membership versus Enrollment Samuel Bogdanove discussed the enrollment report compared to the Average Daily Membership formula the state uses to provide funding to schools. II. Bond Project Update Juli Di Chiro explained that a final Project Management Report will be given at the January Board meeting. III. Grand Opening of AHS Gym/Music Building The grand opening of the high school gymnasium/music building will be held on December 18. An assembly will be held at 11:00 a.m. to which everyone is invited. Student-guided tours will begin at 2:00 p.m. The Ribbon Cutting will occur at 5:00 p.m. IV. Update on AHS Redesign Process Juli Di Chiro announced that Ashland High School won the Silver Medal School Award by U.S. News and World Report. Jeff Schlecht explained that the Youth Athletic and Activity Levy is vital to the opportunities provided for high school students. The recognition provided by U.S. News and Report validates the hard work being done at Ashland High School. Juli Di Chiro spoke about the next steps of the Ashland High School Redesign Process culminating in a presentation to be given the end of January.

4 V. Bellview Christmas Tree Juli Di Chiro spoke on the meeting held to hear concerns over the Bellview Christmas tree. The district was able to come to a resolution over the tree, and a district committee will be established in the spring to review this issue. IX. Unfinished Business A. Board Policy Revisions Second Reading X. New Business Board Policy Revisions JFCF/GBNA and GBNA/JFCF were recommended for second reading as presented. Director Parker moved to approve board policy revisions JFCF/GBNA and GBNA/JFCF as presented for second reading. Director Skuratowicz seconded and the motion passed unanimously. A. Accept Audit Stuart Parmalee, district auditor, reviewed the summary of the audit report. He noted that the district is out compliance with its own policy on ending fund balance, and recommended that the district improve upon that. Mr. Parmalee further stated that the student body funds are at a higher level of risk compared to other funds. He recommended that, in time with the new software, the district consider how the high school could be incorporated into the new software system to improve the checks and balances of the student body funds. Mr. Parmalee explained the new section in the audit regarding the liability the district has for post retirement health benefits. Director Skuratowicz moved that the Board accept the audit as presented. Director Alexander seconded and the motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. B. Annual Site Council Goals and Approval of Charters Jeff Schlecht and Tony Shelton reviewed the annual Site Council Goals for Ashland High School and responded to questions. Director Parker moved that the Board approve the Ashland High School Annual Charter as presented. Director Davis seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

5 C. Resolution # Regarding Support for Ballot Measures 66 & 67 The following resolution was presented to the Board for consideration. Resolution # WHEREAS, the 2009 Legislature, when faced with damaging cuts to state and local services as a result of the continuing national fiscal crisis, chose to enact modest but significant increases to the corporate minimum tax, the corporate income tax and income taxes on high income households and wage earners; and WHEREAS, the legislature used the $733 million raised through this tax fairness package in conjunction with significant cuts to services to take a balance approach to finalizing the biennial budget; and WHEREAS, opponents of the revenue measures have submitted enough valid signatures to refer the two measures to a January 26 statewide special election in an effort to overturn the package and by extension destabilize the state budget; and WHEREAS, should the legislative revenue package be overturned, the remaining option for the legislature would be to enact across-the-board service cuts in order to preserve a balanced budget, and thus reduce the State School Fund by approximately $285.5 million; and WHEREAS, such a statewide reduction would mean a loss of $1,354,000 for the Ashland school district; and WHEREAS, a YES vote on Ballot Measures 66 and 67 will mean sustaining the tax fairness package. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Ashland School District Board of Directors fully supports upholding the 2009 budget balancing revenue package (Ballot Measures 66 and 67); and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Ashland School District Board of Directors strongly urges parents, staff and community members to vote YES on Ballot Measures 66 and 67 and to actively support the measures. Director Alexander moved that the Board adopt Resolution # as presented. Director Skuratowicz seconded and the motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. Director Parker suggested that this resolution be sent as a letter to the editor.

6 D. OSBA Resolutions The following resolutions were presented for Board consideration. RESOLUTION # WHEREAS, the Oregon School Boards Association membership changed the manner in which OSBA board members and Legislative Policy Committee members are elected; and WHEREAS, these changes were implemented beginning in early 2008, giving the membership the opportunity o see if the goals of the new system are being achieved; and WHEREAS, the OSBA Governance Committee and OSBA Board of Directors analyzed the functioning of the new governance system; and WHEREAS, the OSBA Board of Directors recommends that the Association s constitution be amended to specify that member education service districts and community colleges shall declare in which OSBA region they will vote in OSBA elections, and shall vote in that one region. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Article 9, Section 3 of the OSBA Constitution be amended as follows: For the purposes of the regional organization of the association, education service districts and community colleges are assigned to counties and regions on the basis of the location of their main administrative office. If a member district, Education Service District or Community College s boundaries span more than one OSBA region, that member board must declare in which region it intends to vote and vote only in that region. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Article 10, Section 5(d) of the OSBA constitution be amended as follows: Each member board in the appropriate region shall have one vote in the regional elections for members of the board of directors. If a member district, Education Service District or Community College s boundaries span more than one OSBA region, that member board must declare in which region it intends to vote and vote only in that region. The person receiving a majority of the votes cast for a position on the board of directors shall be elected. In cases where there are more than two candidates nominated for any position, and none receives a majority of the votes cast, a second ballot shall be required between the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes. The one receiving a majority of the votes cast shall be declared elected. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Article 10, Section 6(d) of the OSBA Constitution be amended as follows: Each member board in the appropriate region shall have one vote in the regional elections for members of the LPC. If a member district, Education Service District or Community College s boundaries span more than one OSBA region, that member board must declare in which region it intends to vote and vote only in that region. The person receiving a majority of the votes

7 cast for a position on the LPC shall be elected. In cases where there are more than two candidates nominated for any position, and none receives majority of the votes cast, a second ballot shall be required between the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes. The one receiving a majority of the votes cast shall be declared elected. Director Parker moved that the Board adopt Resolution # as presented. Director Alexander seconded and the motion passed unanimously. RESOLUTION # WHEREAS the Oregon School Boards Association (OSBA) must review and recommend investment policies for the OSBA, the OSBA Property and Casualty Trust (PACT), and the OSBA Property and Casualty Coverage for Education Trust (PACE); WHEREAS the Oregon School Boards Association (OSBA) must monitor and invest assets from the OSBA, the OSBA Property and Casualty Trust (PACT), and the OSBA Property and Casualty Coverage for Education Trust (PACE). WHEREAS the Oregon School Boards Association (OSBA) must review audit results and auditor recommendations for the OSBA, the OSBA Property and Casualty Trust (PACT), and the OSBA Property and Casualty Coverage for Education Trust (PACE). WHEREAS the Oregon School Boards Association (OSBA) must monitor the general finances and financial practices of the OSBA, the OSBA Property and Casualty Trust (PACT), and the OSBA Property and Casualty Coverage for Education Trust (PACE); NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Article 7 of the OSBA Constitution be amended as follows: Section 4: Finance Committee: The finance committee shall be appointed by the president and shall be composed of members from Oregon public school districts with boards that meet all criteria to be OSBA voting members. The members shall include, but are not limited to, the OSBA secretary/treasurer and vice president, one OSBA board member from the PACE board, one district business official and one at-large board member. The finance committee shall operate within the guidelines of the association s investment policy and the Finance Committee Operating Manual. Director Alexander moved that the Board adopt Resolution # as presented. Director Skuratowicz seconded and the motion passed unanimously. RESOLUTION # WHEREAS the Oregon School Boards Association membership changed the manner in which OSBA board members are elected; and WHEREAS these changes were implemented beginning in early 2008, giving the membership the opportunity to see if the goals of the new system are being achieved; and

8 WHEREAS the OSBA Governance Committee and OSBA Board of Directors have assessed the process by which the Association s officers are elected and have determined that some changes are needed; and WHEREAS the OSBA Board of Directors recommends that the Association s constitution be amended to allow the Board to select its officers and discontinue the practice of referring a slate of officers to the membership for ratification. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Article 8, Section 3 of the OSBA Constitution be amended as follows: Section 3: The functions of the membership meeting shall be to: (a) Approve legislative policies and priorities; (b) Approve any resolutions of the association; (c ) Amend the constitution; and (d) Provide a forum for member discussion of the above issues at the annual membership meeting. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Article 10, Section 7 of the OSBA Constitution be amended as follows: Election of officers of the OSBA. (a) Election of officers shall be made by the currently seated board of directors from their own membership at least 10 days prior to the November membership meeting. The nominations for the slate of officers may include more than one candidate for any officer position except for the president and past president. (b) The person receiving a majority of the votes cast for an officer position shall be elected. In cases where there are more than two candidates nominated for any position, and none receives a majority of the votes cast, a second ballot shall be required between the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes. The one receiving a majority of the votes cast shall be declared elected. Director Alexander moved that the Board adopt Resolution # as presented. Director Davis seconded and the motion passed unanimously. RESOLUTION # WHEREAS, the Oregon School Boards Association membership changed the manner in which OSBA board members and Legislative Policy Committee members are elected; and WHEREAS these changes were implemented beginning in early 2008, giving the membership the opportunity to see if the goals of the new system are being achieved; and WHEREAS the OSBA Governance Committee and OSBA Board of Directors analyzed the functioning of the new governance system; and WHEREAS the OSBA Board of Directors recommends that the Association s constitution be amended to add two OSBA Board of Director positions to represent the regions of the immediate past president and President during their terms in those offices. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT Article 6, Section 1 of the OSBA Constitution be amended as follows:

9 Board of Directors. The board of directors shall consist of up to 21 directors, including two members to represent the regions of the president and immediate past president when those officers come from regions that have only one representative; the president, the president-elect, the vice president, the secretarytreasurer, and the immediate past president. The board of directors shall also include non-voting ex-officio members pursuant to Article 11/ BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, should OSBA member districts approve the above constitutional amendment, and the currently-seated President-Elect becomes President, a new regional representative will be elected to the board. If no candidate files for election to this regional seat, the Board may appoint to fill the vacancy. Director Skuratowicz moved that the Board adopt Resolution # as presented. Director Alexander seconded and the motion passed unanimously. E. OSBA Officer Elections Heidi moved that the Board vote for Bobbie Regan as OSBA President-Elect, Randy Tweten as OSBA Vice President, and Kris Howatt as OSBA Secretary Treasurer as recommended by OSBA. Director Skuratowicz seconded and the motion passed unanimously. F. Budget Calendar Jill Turner presented the recommended Budget Calendar for the Board s consideration. She further announced that an informational meeting will be held for the Board and the Budget Committee on January 25, Director Davis moved that the Board approve the Budget Calendar as recommended. Director Skuratowicz seconded and the motion passed unanimously. G. Board Policy Revisions First Reading Revised Board Policy JOA, Directory Information, was recommended for first reading. The item was tabled until the January meeting. H. Authorizing Board Chair to Negotiate with Superintendent for Next Contract Director Alexander moved that Keith Massie be authorized by the Board to negotiate with the superintendent for the next 3-year contract. Director Skuratowicz seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

10 XI. Board Reports Board members reported on the Food Service Advisory Committee, Ashland High School Site Council, election activities, Helman Holiday concert, Ashland High School Redesign Committee, and the Swim Team. XII. Announcements and Appointments A. An Executive Session in accordance with ORS (2)(f) to discuss superintendent negotiations which include protect ted documents will be held on Monday, January 4, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. in the District Board Room. B. A Capital Projects Advisory Committee meeting will be held on Monday, January 4, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. The location is tentatively scheduled for the new classroom in the AHS gymnasium. C. The next regular session will be held on Monday, January 11, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. at the Ashland Council Chambers. D. A Board Work Session will be held on Monday, January 25, 2010 to provide an update to the Budget Committee and hear a report from the Food Services Advisory Committee. The location is to be determined. XII. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:57 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Jeanne Peterson, Administrative Assistant. Chair Clerk