Boundary County School District

Special Trustee Meeting/Workshop

February 08, 2008 – 7:30 a.m.

District Office

A special meeting/workshop of the Board of Trustees of Boundary County School District No. 101 was convened at the above stated time and date, pursuant to authority provided by Section 33-510 and 67-2345, Idaho Code, and pursuant to affirmation by the clerk that written notice was conspicuously posted at the District Administration Office, , Bonners Ferry High School, Boundary County Middle School, Valley View, Mt. Hall, Evergreen and Naples Elementary Schools, Bonners Ferry Herald Office, and the Boundary County Courthouse on the ^th day of February 2008. Trustees had actual notice of the time and date of meeting via telephone and e-mail.

Board Members Present: Chairman Melanie Staples, Vice-Chairman Tim Bertling and Trustees Gil Hagen, Maria LaBarbera and Sulét Hiatt.

Superintendent Dr. Don Bartling and Diane Cartwright, Clerk-Treasurer were also in attendance.

Others present: Brenda Walter, Curt-Randall Bayer and Gwen Albers.

7:35 a.m. Chairman Melanie Staples called the meeting to order.

Sulet Hiatt discussed information she learned at the Idaho School Boards Association (ISBA) conference held in November 2007 regarding student dropout statistics. She stated schools and correction facilities battle over funds. The cost of one student in a correctional institute per year is approximately one teacher’s salary for a year.

Ms. Hiatt gave the Board a PowerPoint print out of a web audio conference held January 30, 2008, in which Robert Balfanz of Johns Hopkins University discussed “Three Steps to Building an Early Warning and Intervention System for Potential Dropouts.” Exhibit 2

The three steps are

1.  Understand the dropout problem in your community

2. Build an early warning, prevention and intervention system, and

3. Involve the community.

According to Mr. Balfanz, at least 75% of students in high-poverty school districts who successfully navigate grades 6 to 9 graduate from high school. It is important for students to have a successful 6^th and/or 9^th grade transition to the next grade.

High School Principal Curt-Randall Bayer discussed plans for a successful transition from 8^th grade to 9^th grade. Discussion was also held regarding having transition classes.

Curriculum Director Brenda Walter stated the district must have a 90% graduation rate or improved performance in order to meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).

Discussion was also held regarding dressing for success.

Executive Session: Idaho Code 67-2345(a)(c) Personnel/Legal Report/Negotiations or Adjournment

8:05 a.m. Chairman Staples announced the next order of business would be discussion of personnel.  After a full and complete discussion upon a motion duly made by Tim Bertling and seconded by Gil Hagen, the following resolution was adopted:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of Boundary County School District No. 101 recess from a public meeting into an executive session pursuant to Section 67-2345, Idaho Code, for discussion of  personnel.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that following the executive session the board will reconvene in regular session for the purpose of conducting further business or for adjournment of the meeting.  Vote being had on the above and foregoing resolution and the same having been counted and found to be no less than two-thirds (2/3) of the membership in favor thereof, the chairman declared said resolution adopted.

The trustees entered an executive session at 8:05 a.m. Friday, February 8, 2008 and returned at 8:22 a.m. Friday, February 8, 2008.

8:22 Chairman Staples announced the Board would take a five minute break.

Further discussion was held regarding high school dropouts and how to address the issue. Ms. Walter handed the Board information from the Idaho Department of Education that showed in 2004-05 the State high school completion rate was 84.11%. Boundary County School District’s completion rate was 83.59%. The in 2006-07 the school district’s completion rate was 88.79% and the State rate was 88%.

9:20 a.m. Tim Bertling moved to adjourn. Gil Hagen seconded. Motion carried.

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Chairman Melanie Staples                                                  Clerk Diane M. Cartwright