Manila, Utah
October 11, 2006
The regular meeting of the Daggett Board of Education was held in Room 6 of district office building on October 11, 2006. President Asbill called meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. Also attending were members Steen, Olsen and Ruble; Superintendent Northcott; Business Administrator Robinson; Kathy Parkinson, Jill Stevenson, Tim Walker, Steve Johnstun and associate Derek and Gretchen Northcott.
Mrs. Steen moved that the minutes of the meeting of September 13, 2006 be approved as written, seconded by Mr. Olsen, motion carried.
Mr. Olsen moved to approve this month’s warrants and payroll in the amount of $270,320.02, and approve the financial statement, seconded by Mrs. Steen, motion carried.
Discussion was held regarding Credit Acceptance Policy #932. We currently have Policy #911 – Issuance of Credit, Policy #912 – Elementary & Secondary School Core Curriculum & High School Graduation Requirements. These three policies all contain similar information and could be combined. The USBA Policy Service also has a policy that contains current law and could also be added to this policy. Superintendent was asked to combine these four policies and bring to the Board for a 1st Reading.
Superintendent Northcott has done more research concerning a mentor teacher stipend. As was indicated last month, districts throughout the state are not consistent in the way they pay mentors. Some districts do not pay anything. Superintendent’s recommendation is to authorize a program that pays for each teacher mentored, up to $1000.00 for first year teachers—40 hours per year (approximately one hour per week) at a rate of $25.00 per hour, up to $600.00 for second year teachers, and up to $400.00 for third year teachers. Mentor training days will be paid as Quality Teaching days, unless they are on contract days. Mr. Ruble moved to approve the Superintendents recommendation, seconded by Mr. Olsen, motion carried.
Steve Johnstun, of Steve Johnstun and Associates presented the Audit for the school year ending June 30, 2006. He noted that there continues to be improvement made to allocate benefits to programs. They also found that one part of the General Fund overspent the budget by $787.00. However, the General Fund in total under spent its budget by $36,000.00. In one of the non-major funds, one portion was overspent by $852.00. However, as a whole it was under spent by $646.00. They found that the bond for the treasurer needed to be increased to comply with state law. This is based on a percentage of General Fund Revenues. Mr. Johnstun reviewed Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balances in all funds. Mr. Olsen moved to accept the Audit Report, seconded by Mrs. Steen, motion carried.
Discussion was held regarding door prizes for the USBA Convention to be held in January. Last year prizes were given that would help bring people to the area. Mr. Ruble will check with businesses in the Dutch John area to see if they would donate raft rentals, the district would then add to that if need be. Further discussion will be held at the November meeting.
It was recommended that we contact Flaming Gorge Lodge to see if they could accommodate the district Christmas Party.
Members of USBA will be here on November 9th at 5:00 to conduct the superintendent evaluation.
Mr. Olsen made a motion to move executive session to the end of the meeting, seconded by Mrs. Steen, motion carried.
Superintendent’s activity report was reviewed.
Tim Walker, Manila High Guidance Counselor presented the Comprehensive Guidance Plan that will need approval in the November Board Meeting. There are really four parts to this program.
1. Individual Planning (SEOP).
2. Responsive Services
3. Guidance Curriculum
4. System Support
Things the state requires of the Comprehensive Guidance Plan are
1. Board approval
2. Trained Counselor
3. Counseling Center
4. Office for the Counselor
5. Access to the technology they need
6. Sufficient time
7. Inter-School Communication
8. Needs Assessment
9. Program impacts every student
10. Data Projects
Superintendent Northcott presented information on Fall Enrollment numbers. The October 2nd count for 2006 was Flaming Gorge School – 17; Manila Elementary – 70; and Manila High – 84. Compared with last year’s numbers, the district as a whole, is down 9 students. Showing a 15-year trend, numbers are down by 31 students.
Superintendent Northcott revisited the issue of the large 4-5 classroom at Manila Elementary. The class size at the beginning of school was 29. The class size is now 26 and projected to lose one more. Superintendent and Mr. Taylor met about a month ago and discussed some options. Superintendent authorized Mr. Taylor to restructure the school by splitting the 4-5 grades in the morning during the literacy core subjects and then recombining them in the afternoon. Mr. Taylor and staff chose not to do that, pending the expected decline. They want to continue with current arrangements which include support from a full-time aide, the Reading Specialist, and the Special Education Aide.
State U-PASS Report Cards are out. Manila High School does not have a report this year, because it has one more year to collect data. Flaming Gorge School does not have one because it is considered too small. The Manila Elementary report showed that it achieved state performance and doesn’t need assistance. Students had 100% participation in the tests that were required. The school as a whole achieved the 80% requirement on CRT testing.
AYP Reports show that all schools in the district made Adequate Yearly Progress.
Superintendent Northcott reviewed the district’s NCLB Highly Qualified Status and the plans that are in place to improve it.
Superintendent informed the Board that if all high school coaches follow through with the plans in place they should all be qualified by November 3rd.
All district employees are being trained in First Aid, Defibrillator and CPR.
Superintendent and school principals are working to get Community Council meetings set up. They will be published on the district’s web page when completed.
Chad Reed is scheduled to receive the Defensive Driver Trainer Training the 3rd week in October. As soon as he completes his training, he will start delivering the training to other employees.
Superintendent Northcott noted the following Great Things Happening.
1. We are in the middle of several sport seasons – lots of participation.
2. MHS girls won the Mustang Invitational CC Meet with a team score of 21. A perfect score is 15. They also won the Region CC Meet for the second year in a row.
3. Lacy Larsen, Nina Beck and Kim Northcott received Academic All-Region for CC. Lacy and Nina also received Academic All-State.
4. MHS Volleyball team took second at the Wendover Tournament.
5. JHVB finished their season at a Tournament in Star Valley.
6. Three students in the Daggett School District Adult High School Program have graduated: Jerry Calahan, Jerry Velarde and Jedediah Kehryl.
7. Archaeologist Assembly was held at Manila Elementary.
8. MHS Earth Systems class took a field trip to Sheep Creek Cave.
Mr. Olsen moved that the Board go into executive session at 8:50 P.M. to discuss personnel and security issues, seconded by Mrs.Steen. The motion on being put to a vote was unanimously carried by the affirmative vote of all members present, the vote being as follows: Aye: Pat Asbill, Anne Steen, James Olsen and Ray Ruble. Nay: None.
Mr. Olsen moved that the Board reconvene in regular session at 9:10 P.M., seconded by Mr. Ruble, all in favor. Present at the executive session were members Asbill, Steen, Olsen and Ruble; Superintendent Northcott and Business Administrator Robinson.
There being no further business, President Asbill declared the meeting adjourned.
President, Board of Education Clerk, Board of Education