October 9, 2023 Business Board Meeting Minutes

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

The Board Business Meeting was held October 9, 2023, both in person and via Zoom at the
McMinnville School District Office, 800 NE Lafayette Ave., McMinnville OR 97128 

The link was https://msd40.zoom.us/j/215496199

Provisional Minutes-Not Board Approved

At 6:30 p.m., the Board of Directors of McMinnville School District opened the board business meeting in Regular Session. The meeting was called to order by Chair Mr. Jason Bizon.

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chair Mr. Jason Bizon
Vice-Chair Ms. Abbie Warmbier
Ms. Lu Ann Anderson
Mr. Carson Benner
Ms. Doris Towery
Mr. Larry Vollmer

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:
Mr. Gerardo Partida

ADMINISTRATION:
Debbie Brockett, Superintendent
Cherice Bowden, Board Secretary

Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Emily Boyer.

AUDIENCE:
Steffanie Frost, Kourtney Ferrua, Brian Crain, Jason Hall, Martha Biggs, Karina Smith, Laurie Fry, Jessica Howard, Lucy Bertolo, Hermie Kahn, Doreen Pittman, Ron Pittman, Avira Wessels, Hallie Vaughn, Emily Boyer, Kelly McIntyre, Oliver Voit, Otto Davies, Sam King, Patti Hess, Sharon Kennedy, Polly Dunkley, Dash Diesburg, Heide McKye, and Tuesday McKye.

• 1.4  Introductions and Communications
  Superintendent Brockett introduced the new Student Envoy Group, Sam King, Otto Davies, and Oliver Voit.  Viviana Garibay was not in attendance. She also introduced the staff at Duniway MS, Christy Werst, Tim Love and Dr. Kelly McIntyre.  Chemeketa speakers, Jessica Howard and  Ron Pittman who gave an overview of how both the District and Chemeketa Community College have served our students. Hands Are Not For Hurting speakers, Doreen Pittman, Hermie Kahn, and Patti Hess.  They read their proclamation and The Board of Directors of the McMinnville School District proclaims the week of October 15 through October 21, 2023 will be the week of Hand & Words Are Not For Hurting Week. 

  1.4.1  Hands Are Not For Hurting Week Proclamation
  McMinnville School District No. 40 800 NE Lafayette Ave., McMinnville, Oregon 97128

  PROCLAMATION

  WHEREAS, a community without abuse and violence is a dream we all share; and

  WHEREAS, any form of mistreatment of another is abuse, and all people have a right to live free of above and violence; and

  WHEREAS, we recognize that respect for ourselves and others is key to developing healthy relationships at every age and in all circumstances; and

  WHEREAS, it is within our personal power to choose not to use abuse and to violence to resolve conflict; and

  WHEREAS, verbal and emotional abuse can be just as damaging as physical violence to a person’s self-worth, creating scars that are carried for the rest of that person’s life; and

  WHEREAS, verbal abuse such as name calling, insulting, and belittling frequently escalates to physical aggression which often turns to serious violence; and

  WHEREAS, we, recognize and support the efforts of District staff and our community in promoting respect and equality for all people, teaching conflict resolution behaviors, and helping students learn how to stop abusive cycles, and

  NOW, THEREFORE, the Board of Directors of the McMinnville School District Proclaims the week of October 15th through 21st, 2023, to be the Annual

  HANDS & WORDS ARE NOT FOR HURTING WEEK

  in the McMinnville School District. We call upon our community to observe the week and encourage everyone to take the Pledge: 

   “I Will Not Use My Hands Or My Words For Hurting Myself Or Others”

  Done this _____ day of October 2023.

  MCMINNVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT

  1.4.2   Chemeketa College

  1.5  Review of Agenda
  No changes were made.

  2.0 Consent Agenda
  2.1 Gifts to the District: 

  The Board accepted with gratitude, gifts to the District: COA World, LLC donated $1500.00 to MHS for athletics, Chris Szedlak donated $100.00 to MHS for girls soccer, S & S Electrical Contractors, LLC donated $250.00 to MHS for girls soccer, and Sather Byerly & Holloway donated $500.00 to MHS for cheer sponsorship.

  2.2 Approval of minutes of the September 11, 2023 Business Board meeting and the September 25, 2023 Work Session meeting approved.

  2.3 Personnel Actions approved.

  2.4 JUUL Litigation Settlement approved.

  On motion by Mr. Carson Benner, seconded by Ms. Abbie Warmbier, the Consent Agenda was approved on a unanimous vote.

  3.0 REPORTS
  The Board heard Monthly Reports.

  3.1 Student Envoy’s Report

  Sam King, Otto Davies, and Oliver Voit gave an update on activities, GrizzFest, Club and Activity Fair, Academics, Athletics, and Arts/Pathways at the high school. 

  3.2 Student Report Duniway MS
  Christy Werst gave an overview of the goals for Duniway MS.  Dr. Kelly McIntyre shared photos and gave an overview of Duniway students’ team-building and bonding activities.  James Diesburg, Emily Boyer, Hallie Vaughan, Aviva Wessels, and Tuesday Letter-McKye shared how they are improving the culture at Duniway MS.

  3.3 Superintendent’s Report
  Superintendent Brockett shared updates on policy JECBB-AR, After-School Programming, Student Attendance, and WESD Teacher of the Year.

  3.4  Director of Fiscal Services’ Report
  Jason Hall shared updates on student enrollment and the last seven year trend for enrollment.   He also shared an overview for the general funds through August 31.  

• 4.0 Unfinished Business:

  4.1 Division 22 Standards
  Steffanie Frost gave a final report on the 2022-23 school year Division 22 Standards.  She shared that McMinnville School District was out of compliance in the 2021-22 school year and  the District submitted a corrective action plan to the Oregon Department of Education to bring the district into compliance for the 2022-23 school year.  The full detailed report will be submitted to the Oregon Department of Education and made available to the public by November 1, 2023.

  4.2 Construction Excise Tax Rate 2024
  Jason Hall submitted the Resolution to Increase the Construction Excise Tax for 2024 for Board approval.

  On motion by Carson Benner, seconded by Ms. Abbie Warmbier, to approve the Resolution to Increase the Construction Excise Tax Rate for 2024.  It was approved by a unanimous vote.

  4.3 Low-Impact Pesticide List Approval
  Brian Crain presented the list of low-impact pesticides for Board approval.  He shared with the board that Marty Greene is a licensed applicator for McMinnville School District.

  On motion by Mr. Larry Vollmer, seconded by Ms. Lu Ann Anderson, to approve the list of low-impact  pesticides. It was approved by a unanimous vote. 

  5.0 Employee Group

  5.1 McEA
  Polly Dunkley gave a shout-out to Kelly McIntyre, Michele Reschly, and for the new sign reveal at Willamette ES.  She stated that they want to make sure that the SPED staff is being supported, both licensed and classified staff.  She also shared that they have assembled their bargaining team.  She thanked the board for all of their hard work. 

  6.0 Public Forum
  We did not receive any Public Comments.

  7.0  Board Directors Comments
  Ms. Lu Ann Anderson stated that she realized after our last meeting she neglected to say how much fun back to school night was  and it was great to see the students and our student envoys here tonight.  She stated, that’s really part of what makes this work so much joy.

  Ms. Doris Towery stated that she forgot to mention how fun  back to school nights were and GrizzFest was amazing.  She shared that she had two students shadow her through their internship program at MDA.  She gave a shout-out to the program.  She thanked Superintendent Brockett and our teams for all of the work they did to get the after school programs in place.

  Mr. Larry Vollmer thanked OSBA for sending out a press person to highlight National School Lunch Week.  He gave a shout-out to Shiloh Ficek, Joanna Duyck, and all of the staff that do great things for our kids. It is appreciated.

  Ms. Abbie Warmbier stated that she has been thinking about playgrounds a lot.  She has been visiting schools and seeing some of the different equipment we have.  She was admiring how great this is for kids.  It is age appropriate and well thought out. 

  Mr. Jason Bizon stated that he is excited about the partnership we have with Chemeketa.

  The meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m.