for Meridian

Board Meeting Minutes
January 15, 2003

CALL TO ORDER/FLAG SALUTE/INTRODUCTIONS

Chair Mary Mattison called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Brittany Gibson, Robert Kratzig and Shani Johnson, members of Critters and Company 4-H Club, led the Pledge of Allegiance. They introduced themselves, and gave information on their 4-H projects and how 4-H has helped them personally. They presented the board with posters of club member’s signatures and pictures with their 4-H projects. Critters and Company meet at Irene Reither Primary School each month.

Board members present were Judy Boxx, Charlie Crabtree, Sheri Folsom and Mary Mattison.

ADOPT AGENDA

A motion to adopt the agenda was made by Judy Boxx and seconded by Sheri Folsom. Motion passed.

BOARD APPRECIATION

Mr. Dickerson said that January is Board Appreciation Month and presented each member with a certificate of appreciation. He said he wished to publicly thank board members for their hardworking contribution to Meridian schools.

CONSENT AGENDA

The following items on the consent agenda were approved on a motion by Sheri Folsom and seconded by Judy Boxx.

1. Minutes for December 18, 2002
2. Accounts Payable/Payroll
3. Budget Status Reports
4. Resolution No. 2-03 Authorizing County Treasurer to Invest District Funds

REPORTS

1. Directors’ Reports
   
   1. Dr. Gil Holt, Special Programs Director, shared highlights of the programs he manages and gave special acknowledgement to the dedication of staff members. Dr. Holt said he and ELL teacher Paige Shumway had recently completed a $10,000 grant application. He said the district was very fortunate to have Galina Lintz and Larisa Shuvalova assisting the Russian speaking students, and Jennifer Johnson to assist with Spanish speaking students. He also acknowledged a parent volunteer who translates Spanish at parent teacher conferences and also translates documents. He said the school nurse and the counselors in each building are all dedicated people who put in long hours to help the children in Meridian schools. He also thanked staff who work with the hearing impaired students.
      
   2. Bruce Burpee, Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, said he was gathering ideas on the best way to involve parent participation in the curriculum development process. He said information on curriculum development would be posted to the district web site as well as the district and school newsletters. He said the Language Arts Committee is getting started on a three-year project. The third year will focus on implementation, which would provide greater assistance to staff. Mr. Burpee explained that there would be an added expense due to an increase in curriculum committee work. There was discussion regarding differentiation and the importance of staff development. Mr. Burpee concluded his report by giving an Educational Data Solutions presentation of the data available to schools and how it is used.

PUBLIC COMMENT

There was no public comment.

RECESS

The board recessed at 8:00 p.m. and returned to regular session at 8:10 p.m.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

1. Resolution No. 1-03 Petition for Adequate Funding
   Superintendent Dickerson explained that Resolution No.1-03 is a formal statement addressing the issue of funding for the operation of school programs. He said the resolution formalizes a point of view of the board. Charlie Crabtree made a motion to approve Resolution No. 1-03 Petition for Adequate Funding. Judy Boxx seconded the motion and the motion passed.
   
2. Second Reading for Procedure 3240
   There was second reading and discussion on board procedure number 3240 – Student Conduct. Mr. Dickerson explained that a public meeting is scheduled for interested parents, staff and students on February 10 in the high school cafeteria. He said the procedure might be ready for board action at the February board meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Annual Review and Approval for Affirmative Action Plan
   Mr. Dickerson presented the 2002-2003 Affirmative Action Plan for annual review. On a motion by Sheri Folsom and a second by Charlie Crabtree the Affirmative Action Plan was approved.
   
2. Personnel Report
   The personnel report was approved on a motion by Sheri Folsom and seconded by Charlie Crabtree.
   
3. Extension Request for Technology Plan
   Jack Johnson gave information on the need to request an extension for the Technology Plan. Mr. Johnson said the extension would insure that the district remains eligible for E-Rate discounts. Charlie Crabtree made a motion to approve the extension request for the Technology Plan, and Judy Boxx seconded the motion. Motion passed.
   
4. Board Meeting Brochure and Information
   Superintendent Dickerson prepared a board meeting brochure that gives information on the role of the board, organization of the board, school board meetings and on addressing the board. There was discussion of having a greeter at the entry to the meeting room, where each person would be handed a brochure and a sign-in sheet would be available if they wished to address the board. Discussion followed.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

The board went into executive session at 8:45 p.m. for the purpose of superintendent evaluation and returned to regular session at 9:25 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT

Chair Mary Mattison adjourned the meeting at 9:25 p.m.