Manila, Utah

September 13, 2006

 

 

                The regular meeting of the Daggett Board of Education was held in Room 6 of district office building on September 13, 2006.  President Asbill called meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.  Also attending were members Steen, Olsen, Reed and Ruble; Superintendent Northcott; Business Administrator Robinson; Principal Taylor; Vice-Principal Schell; Rena Pallesen, Ned Brady, Jill Stevenson, Harriet Dickerson, Dot Coombs, Clark and Libby Anderson, Venetia and Nina Beck, Mike, Sheri and Chantz Potter, Ashley Straatman, Karlee and Kodee Schell, and Kimberly Northcott.

 

                Mrs. Pallesen asked how many acres the district owned and why the district owned the property on Bennion Lane, and was it legal to have it leased out.  Mr. Asbill was not sure of total acreage.  He thought it was 70-80 acres and it was purchased for future growth.

 

                Mrs. Pallesen also asked why the Board discontinued sending the minutes out in the newsletter.  The intent was to put the minutes of the meetings on the District Website.  They will soon be available on the web.  If you do not have access to the web and would like a copy, please call the district office.

 

                Mr. Brady owner of property adjacent the district property on Bennion Lane would like the district to help replace the existing fence.

 

                Mrs. Steen moved that the minutes of the meeting of August 9, 2006 be approved as written, seconded by Mr. Ruble, motion carried.

 

                Superintendent Northcott requested Reports #3 – Assessment Report and #4 – Special Education Site Visit Report be heard before the business portion of the meeting, to accommodate Mrs. Dickerson’s travel schedule.

 

                Mr. Olsen moved to approve this month’s warrants and payroll in the amount of $241,005.73, and approve the financial statement, seconded by Mrs. Reed, motion carried.

 

                Mrs. Dickerson reported that scores on the End-of-Level and End-Of-Course tests were very good.  80% of the students received a pass score of Substantial or Sufficient.  Iowa Test of Basic Skills is scheduled to be given next week to grades 3,5,8 and 11.   The following Monday the UBSCT will be given.  This is the Utah Basic Skills Competency Test which the state now requires students to pass to receive a high school diploma.  There are only three students taking this test who haven’t passed so far.  These students are being provided remediation and should do well.

 

                Mrs. Dickerson also reported on the Utah Program Improvement Planning System for Special Education in the State of Utah. The state sets visits to districts on a five-year cycle whereby they help the district comply with all the federal and state laws.  They listed the districts strengths as being:

1.        Superintendent’s commitment to design curriculum and course offerings to meet students needs by analyzing data from UPASS.

2.        Effective Child Find program.

3.        High levels of support, especially the support of the teachers.

4.        No drop outs. (In Special Education.)

Recommendations for program improvement included:

1.        Examine range of placement options and plan for how more restrictive options would be provided if such a placement were required.

2.        More collaboration of providing services (transition for older students)

3.        Changing the IEP process to reflect a better way of reporting.

4.        Providing parents additional information about agencies that might be involved with post activities and services for their children.

 

 

Mrs. Steen moved to approve Policy #416 – Early Retirement Incentive Program on the 3rd and final reading.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Olsen, motion carried.

416

Early Retirement Incentive Program

 

1.        Early Retirement Incentive Program

1.1.      Eligibility under this program is not restricted by age but solely by years of service in Daggett School District.  The funding of this program is independent of the Utah State Retirement System.

1.2.      This is a termination benefit and does not accrue over time.  It is intended to be subject to the accounting rules of GASB 47.  The Board can terminate or change this benefit at any time.

 

2.        Eligibility:

2.1   Eligibility is restricted to those employees with twenty (20) or more years of service in the district and who qualify under the state retirement system for full benefits. (Eligibility for full benefits in the state retirement system occurs at age 65 regardless of the number of years of service or after 30 years of service.) 

2.2   Employees who have been placed on probation or notified of suspension or termination of contract are not eligible for early retirement. 

 

3.        Letter of Intent: A letter of intent to retire early must be submitted to the superintendent at least three months prior to the date of intended retirement.

 

4.     Benefits:

4.1     Executive administrators who have qualified for benefits under this program shall receive a stipend equal to 20% of their yearly salary, for up to five years, or until the employee is eligible for Social Security benefits, whichever comes first. 

 

4.2     Certified personnel who have qualified for benefits under this program shall receive a stipend equal to fifty percent of the difference between lane one, step one of the Certified Salary Schedule and the employee’s base salary at the time of early retirement for up to five years, or until the employee is eligible for Social Security benefits, whichever comes first. 

 

4.3     Classified personnel who have qualified for benefits under this program shall receive a stipend equal to fifty percent of the difference between their present hourly wage and the beginning hourly wage of their position on the Classified Salary Schedule, for the number of hours in his/her contract at the time of retirement, for up to five years, or until the employee is eligible for Social Security benefits, whichever comes first. 

 

5.     Methods of Payment:

5.1  Yearly stipends will be paid in monthly installments beginning in the month following the end of the               employee’s regular contract on the regular District payday.

 

6.     Benefits End at Death: All benefits under this policy will terminate thirty (30) days after the death of the retiree.

 

7.     Pro-rated Benefits: Employees who are employed less than full time will receive these benefits on a pro-rated basis according to the percentage of full-time employment.

 

9.     Disability Retirement: These benefits do not apply to any person retiring under the disability provisions of the Utah State Retirement Act.

 

 

 


 

                Superintendent Northcott reported that a new law requires that we provide mentors for beginning teachers. This year there are two teachers that should be mentored.  Principal Taylor presented board members with a letter from Bette Dickison explaining her qualifications to be this mentor.  Superintendent Northcott recommended that this type of stipend be funded through the Quality Teaching Block Grant and should not be considered as an Extra Curricular Activity Stipend.  There is some sort of difficulty in coming up with a price.  The state reports that the going rate is $500.00 per person mentored.  There are some school districts that hire full time mentors that receive a salary. Mr. Olsen moved to table this item until the Special Board Meeting on the 21st to give time to gather information from other districts as to the time required and amounts of stipends paid.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Ruble, motion carried.

 

                Mr. Schell had two state winning teams this year, qualifying them for national competition. Winners in Ag. Communications were, Nina Beck, Michael Hughes, Kimberly Northcott and Ashley Straatman.  State Envirothon winners were, Autumn Hullinger, Chantz Potter, Karlee Schell, Kodee Schell and Lynsie Slaugh.  Mr. Schell requested out-of-state travel to Indianapolis for these students to compete in the National FFA Convention on October 24-28.  Mr. Olsen moved to approve the out-of-state travel, seconded by Mrs. Reed, motion carried.

 

                Recent legislation requires that we recognize transfer credit from other accredited institutions at face value.  Our current Policy #932 – Transfer Credits somewhat covers the new law, but should be expanded to include the new legislation.  Mrs. Steen moved to rewrite Policy #932 to include the new legislation, seconded by Mrs. Reed, motion carried.

 

                The district received a request for Waiver of Attendance for two students.  Mr. Ruble moved to accept the Home School Affidavits, seconded by Mr. Olsen, motion carried.

 

                Mr. Ruble moved to approve At-Will Contracts for the following individuals, seconded by Mrs. Reed, motion carried.

                                                                Jennifer Walker – Pre-school teacher

                                                                Sandra Jones – 2/3 Aide

                                                                Marie Wilkinson – Special Education Aide

 

 

                Further discussion was held concerning re-fencing of the Bennion Lane property. Mr. Olsen moved to add this item to the agenda for the meeting on September 21st.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Ruble, motion carried.

                               

                No action was taken on the Employee Handbook.  It is only a draft and will be worked on at the work meeting on September 21st.

                                               

                Mr. Ruble moved that the Board go into executive session at 7:20 P.M. to discuss personnel issues, seconded by Mrs. Reed.  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, Claire Reed, Anne Steen, James Olsen and Ray Ruble.  Nay: None.

 

Mr. Olsen moved that the Board reconvene in regular session at 8:10 P.M., seconded by Mr. Ruble, all in favor.  Present at the executive session were members Asbill, Reed, Steen, Olsen and Ruble; Superintendent Northcott and Business Administrator Robinson; Mike and Sheri Potter.

 

Mr. Ruble moved to accept the resignation of Mike Potter, seconded by Mr. Olsen, motion carried.

 

Mrs. Reed reported that there was no regular ATC meeting held in August and that she would be attending a Policy Making meeting tomorrow, and then the regular September meeting.

 

Superintendent’s Activity report was reviewed.

 

Pres. Asbill will represent the Board at the Jail Graduation held September 20, 2006.

 

                Superintendent Northcott noted the following Great Things Happening.

 

1.        Natasha McCullough won the first Cross Country meet of the year.  Shanna Northcott placed third.  The team finished second.  Natasha placed second at the 5A Kearns meet.  Natasha & Shanna placed first and second in their age group at the Greek 10K run.  Natasha placed first at the Vernal meet.

2.        Back-to-School Night at the MES had a great turnout.

3.        Red and White Night at MHS was well attended.  Thanks to the Booster Club for all their help.

4.        The Volleyball Team won it’s first three matches and now stands at 3-2.

5.        Baseball team is still looking for their first win.  The team looks good in their new uniforms and the field is becoming one of the finest 1A fields.

6.        JHVB is under way.

7.        Michael Hughes was the Champion Swine Showman, and the Livestock Judging Team placed 5th at the Wyoming State Fair.

8.        The grounds at the schools look very good.  The new grass, retaining walls, and sprinkler system at MES are a wonderful change from the dusty look of the past.

 

There being no further business, President Asbill declared the meeting adjourned.

 

 

               

               

                        

                                President, Board of Education                                                           Clerk, Board of Education