January 24, 2022 Work Session

MINUTES OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF DISTRICT NO. 40
YAMHILL COUNTY, McMINNVILLE, OREGON

The Board of Directors of the McMinnville School District met in Work Session on January 24, 2022 virtually via zoom and in person. Chairperson Carson Benner called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.  Roll call indicated the following:

BOARD MEMBERS:

Chair Carson Benner
Dr. Paul Haddeland
Ms. Janis Braich
Mr. Larry Vollmer
Mr. Gerardo Partida
Mr. Jason Bizon
Ms. Abbie Warmbier
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:

ADMINISTRATION:

Debbie Brockett, Superintendent
Cherice Bowden, Board Secretary

AUDIENCE:  Brain Crain, David Bousquet, Kourtney Ferrua, and Samantha Nelson.

• Superintendent report of progress on Entry Plan

  Superintendent Brockett reported out on her Entry Plan.  She meets with Chair Benner to develop the meeting agendas; gives bi-weekly board communication; she attends all four subcommittee meetings; meets with the Cabinet once a week to plan for the future; meets with each Cabinet member individually for about 30 minutes each week; bi-weekly ADCO meetings, and level meetings with principals.  She has built a collaborative relationship with both unions. Walked all schools with Cabinet members to have structures in Special Education. She met with Jack Crabtree regarding safety.  They are working on getting all of the documents online so they are live.  She has held Roundtable meetings in English and Spanish.

  Janis Braich asked when the 2022-2023 District Action Plan was due.  Superintendent Brockett stated she is still meeting with all stakeholders to develop the action plan.

  Jason Bizon asked to give an example emergency operation plan in case of an emergency and how you would be notified.  Superintendent Brockett said there is a folder that has all of the operation plans and everyone will get the new procedures online in a drive so some will not have old procedures and some with new procedures, A hard copy will be kept as well.  

  Larry Vollmer asked about the Roundtable for English and Spanish not being overly attended.  Superintendent Brockett said attendance was about equal.  English attendance is 12-15 and Spanish is 10-12, she is getting great input form the parents.  They would like her to attend more events.

  Superintendent Brockett works with the Cabinet for social-emotional support for staff.  Academic challenges have been identified due to the closure of schools and the ongoing pandemic.  The need for a growth measurement tool was identified, and more collaborative time with teachers.

  Janis Braich asked how the search was going for the growth measurement tool.  Superintendent Brockett said we are looking for which one has the best fit.  One that is teacher accessible and user friendly when it comes to data and reports.

  Abbie Warmbier asked if iReady only does math and reading, is that problem, and how much more testing would this be for kids. Superintendent Brockett said iReady doesn’t give growth measurements for all students. The students would be tested at the beginning, mid, and end of the year.

  Larry Vollmer would like to have this discussed at a work session because it is new and different.  Not good or bad, but different and he would like to have more information about the program and how it would be beneficial for the group.

  Superintendent Brockett reported we received nine M.A.C reviews and she will share at the next board meeting.  She plans to attend events one to two nights per week.  The Brockett Bulletin goes out in both English and Spanish, highlighting what was received from parent input.  It was pointed out that there are families that do not have technology, just a LAN line, and are not receiving information.   

  Janis Braich asked if we have a system other than calling to reach the 2% of families, and how do they find out about school being canceled and bus routes.  Superintendent Brockett stated we will be coming up with a procedure to get a packet of information out, and work with the school to make phone calls to those families that are not being reached. 

  Dr. Paul Haddeland asked Superintendent Brockett if she has developed relationships with other Superintendents.  He also asked who the Cabinet members were.  Superintendent Brockett answered she has monthly meetings that have allowed her to build several relationships, and together they figure out how to make a decision that is good for all, and she can pick up the phone and have a conversation.  The Cabinet members are the Directors. 

  Gerado Partida asked how do we know that the 98% of families who are getting the communication are actually getting it. Superintendent Brockett informed him that a report gets kicked back letting us know if it goes to spam.

  Chair Benner thanked Superintendent Brockett for the wonderful summary and asked what things are easy and which are harder than she thought?  Superintendent Brockett said the easy thing was the acceptance from everyone; teachers, staff, and businesses.  She found it hard not having personal contact with people.  Chair Benner stated he loves to focus on equity and she has the support of the board.  He encouraged her to go in the direction of an Equity Coordinator.

• Subcommittee Reports

  Subcommittee reports were given by the board:  

  • Fiscal Subcommittee: Reported out January 10, 2022 Business Board Meeting
  • Instructional Improvement Subcommittee: Meeting Canceled
  • Policy Subcommittee: Janis Braich reported there are all new policies for 2nd Readings in February.  She encouraged everybody to look over the policies before the meeting.
  • Long Range Planning Subcommittee:  Abbie Warmbier reported Brain Skinner shared an 80 page priority sheet back in December. 

• Directors Comments

  Gerado Partida thanked Superintendent Brockett for her report.  He said it has been a difficult two to three years and a challenge.  He believes behavior and the kids are different and she has to deal with that as well.  Thank you for all you are doing.

  Janis Braich stated she visited Newby ES; the music and P.E. Teachers,  as well as the Librarian and Principal were all in classrooms.  She is happy they are not putting all of the students into the gym and is grateful the students are getting an education. Things look very peaceful.

  Abbie Warmbier thanked Superintendent Brockett for putting the presentation together.  She says January was a rough month, and she is proud that schools stayed open.

  Jason Bizon: Thanked Superintendent Brockett for sharing her very detailed plan. 

Upcoming dates:

• Board Business meeting February 14, 2022 and March 14, 2022
• Special Work Session meeting February 8, 2022, Work Session meeting, February 28 and March 28, 2022.

The Session adjourned at 8:38  p.m.