December 11, 2023 Business Board Meeting Minutes

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

The Board Business Meeting was held December 11, 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

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
Mr. Gerardo Partida
Ms. Doris Towery
Mr. Larry Vollmer

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:
None

ADMINISTRATION:
Debbie Brockett, Superintendent
Cherice Bowden, Board Secretary

Pledge of Allegiance:
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Tarek Iskander Gallegos.

AUDIENCE: 
Karina Smith, Brian Crain, Kourtney Ferrua, Shelly Simonyi, Hiran Amerasinghe, Steffanie Frost, Laurie Fry, Martha Biggs, Dave Furman and Jason Hall.  See attached. 

• 1.4  Introductions and Communications
  Superintendent Brockett introduced Wascher ES principal Scott Murphy and the ELD teacher Jace Widmer.  She thanked them and the parents for being at the meeting.  She thanked the students for being there to present.  She congratulated them for having the highest attendance rate in the district.

  1.5  Review of Agenda
  Item 4.1.3 was tabled.

  On motion by Director Larry Vollmer, seconded by Director Carson Benner, to table item 4.1.3.  It was approved on a unanimous vote.

  2.0 Consent Agenda
  2.1 Gifts to the District: 

  The Board accepted with gratitude, gifts to the District: Lois Costine donated $100.00 to MHS for choir, Baker Street Real Estate, LLC donated $200.00 to MHS for Cheer Nationals, Mark & Janice Adams donated $500.00 to Willamette ES for Spanish library books, Amcraft, Inc. donated $100.00 to MHS for Cheer Nationals, Knife River Northwest donated $200.00 to MHS for Cheer Nationals, Sweep-Rite, Inc. donated $500.00 to MHS for Cheer Nationals, McMinnville Pumping, LLC donated $500.00 to MHS for Cheer Nationals, Patrick Fuchs, Inc. donated $500.00 to MHS for Cheer Nationals, P. Druckenmiller & S. Weyand Druckenmiller donated $1000.00 to MHS for FTC robotics club, Mountain View Oral Surgery donated $500.00 to MHS for Cheer Nationals, McMinnville Fire Dept donated $250.00 to MHS for the cheer team, Mr. Phillip Haynes donated a Dell i5 Laptop worth $250.00 to Duniway MS for students in need, Sandra Pierce donated $400.00 to MHS for the resource room, Kathleen Toth donated $100.00 to MHS for the resource room, Dave Franey Electric, LLC donated $1000.00 to MHS for Cheer Nationals, Jack Maxwell III Agency, LLC donated $100.00 to MHS for the resource room, and Todd & Janice Newschwanger donated $300.00 to MHS for the boy’s basketball team.

  2.2 Approval of minutes of the November 13, 2023 Business Board meeting and of the November 27, 2023 Work Session meeting approved.

  2.3 Personnel Actions approved.

  2.4 Re-appointment to the Budget Committee approved.

  On motion by Director Carson Benner, seconded by Director 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, Viviana Garibay, and Oliver Voit, Student Envoy’s from MHS, presented the student report for MHS highlighting their activities that are happening at the high school. Friday, November 17, ASB hosted their Fall Assembly.  They were able to recognize Fall Sport Athletes who received the Mac Club Awards and students who voted on the Grizzly Grammy Awards.  They also highlighted the can food drive, independent Leadership Projects, SAT, College and Career Week, winter spots and the different Arts and Pathways.

  3.2 Student Report Wascher ES
  Jace Widmer introduced his ELD students.  They shared a presentation on the ELD Program at Wascher ES.  There are 68 active students, 23 edit monitored students, and 4 newcomers.  The main goal is to accelerate their English speaking.  He had the students interact with the board members and they demonstrated back-to-back, face-to-face.  

  3.3 McEA
  Adam Gray presented the McEA monthly report to the School Board of Directors.  See the McEA report in the Board Packet.  He stated that he appreciates the open communication they have with Superintendent Brockett.

  3.4 Superintendent’s Report
  Superintendent Brockett shared the results of the listening sessions with the Instructional Assistants.  She kudoed Washer ES and their staff for having an 86 percent attendance rate.  She also kudoed all schools for working on their attendance.

  3.5  Director of Fiscal Services’ Report
  Jason Hall presented the monthly fiscal report to the School Board of Directors.  See the business meeting packet for details from the presentation.  The presentation covered student enrollment, and General Fund revenue and expenses.  He also shared with the board that last month we were awarded by GFLA the Certificate of Excellence in Finance.

• 4.0 Unfinished Business:
  4.1 Karina Smith presented the following policies for second reading:

  • IGBB – Talented & Gifted Program/Services

  On motion by Director Larry Vollmer, seconded by Gerardo Partida, the motion passed unanimously to approve the policy for final adoption. 
  

  • IGBBA – Talented & Gifted Program/Services AR

  On motion by Director Lu Ann Anderson, seconded by Director Doris Towery, the motion passed unanimously to approve the policy for final adoption. 
  

  • EFA – Local Wellness – Tabled

   

  • JGD – Suspension – New Policy for Adoption

  On motion by Director Larry Vollmer, seconded by Director Gerardo Partida, the motion passed unanimously to approve the policy for final adoption. 
  

  • JFC AR – Student Conduct & Discipline – Recommended for deletion

  On motion by Director Abbie Warmbier, seconded by Director Larry Vollmer, the motion passed unanimously to approve the policy for final adoption. 
  

  4.2  Wrestling Trip Final Plans
  Dave Furman and Ryan McIrvin clarified previous questions for the board.  A hand-out with updated information was also provided to the board which per the board answered all questions.

  5.0 NEW BUSINESS
  5.1 Out of State Travel Approval 

  5.1.1 MHS Cheerleading

  On a motion by Director Lu Ann Anderson  seconded by Director Gerardo Partida, to approve the Out of State Travel for MHS Cheerleading.  It was approved by a unanimous vote.

  5.1.2 Baseball

  On a motion by Director Larry Vollmer seconded by Director Doris Towery, to approve the Out of State Travel for Baseball.  It was approved by six yays; Chair Jason Bizon abstained from voting.

  5.2 2024 – 2025 Budget Calendar
  Jason Hall presented the 2024-2025 Budget Calendar to the board for approval.

  On a motion by Director Carson Benner , seconded by Director Lu Ann Anderson  , for approval of the 2024-2025 Budget Calendar.  It was approved by a unanimous vote.

  5.3 Policies 1st Reading

  • 5.3.1  JGE – Expulsion

  This policy will return for second reading at the next Board Business meeting.

  5.4 SIA Annual Report
  Kourtney Ferrua presented an overview of the Student Investment Account (SIA) Annual Report.

  5.5 SIA Grant Agreement
  Kourtney Ferrua presented the SIA Grant Agreement to the board for approval.

  On a motion by Director Carson Benner , seconded by Director Doris Towery , for approval of the SIA Grant Agreement. It was approved by a unanimous vote.

  5.6 OSBA Election Ballot
  The ballot was completed and sent to OSBA after approval.

  5.6.1 Board of Directors Position 13
  Director Larry Vollmer nominated Kraig Albright for the Board of Directors Position 13.  

  On a motion by Director Larry Vollmer, seconded by Director Doris Towery, for approval to nominate Kraig Albright for the Board of Directors Position 13.  It was approved by a unanimous vote.

  5.6.2 LPC Position 13
  Director Lu Ann Anderson nominated Abbie Warmbier for the LPC Position 13.

  On a motion by Director Lu Ann Anderson, seconded by Director Carson Benner, for approval to nominate Abbie Warmbier for the LPC Position 13.  It was approved by a unanimous vote.

  5.6.3 Resolution 1
  Larry Vollmer motioned to approve Resolution 1 –   Creates the Oregon Rural School Board Members Caucus and designate a seat on the OSBA Board of Directors and Legislative Policy Committee.  

  On a motion by Director Larry Vollmer, seconded by Chair Jason Bizon, for approval to  adopt Resolution 1. It was approved by a unanimous vote.

  5.6.4 Resolution 2
  Director Larry Vollmer motion to abstain from adopting Resolution 2 – Adopts the proposed amendments of the OSBA Bylaws.

  On a motion by Director Larry Vollmer, seconded by Director Lu Ann Anderson,  to abstain from adopting Resolution 2. It was approved by a unanimous vote

  6.0 Public Forum
  No public comment was received for the meeting.

• 7.0  Board Directors Comments

  Director Warmbier  stated that she has been out in schools attending events.  She was able to attend the girls basketball game at the high school.  She saw Patton’s MS Treasure Island; it was a fun pirate play to take her kids to.  She kudoed Kourtney Ferrua for the SIA Plan.

  Director Towery echoes the kudos for the SIA Plan.  As a new board member it has been awesome to learn more and be able to get her head wrapped around it all.   She just finished her third shadow job for the job shadow program.  She had the opportunity to go over to the library where the kids had their craft fair.  She stated that it was a fun thing to see all of the kids and their creativity and having their little businesses to raise money for the holidays.

  Director Anderson echoes the kudos for the SIA work and to the team and Kourtney for her leadership.  She stated that she knows how much work goes into doing it all, and she thanked them for their hard work.  She was able to tour Willamette ES and see most of the dress rehearsal for their holiday pageant.  She was also able to stop by the high school and able to see the new office arrangement upstairs where the vice principals are.  She survived survival swim, and she asked Lance to sign her up for next year and she will do two days.

  Director Partida stated that the whole country is having issues bringing kids back to school because of the pandemic loss.  The first thing we need to do is make sure the kids go to school all day every day.  Even if we have amazing people working, we can not do it if the kids do not go to school.  He visited the high school to see how the participation is with the FAFSA.  The parents that attended the orientation were amazing and they appreciated all of the information.  He wished a happy holiday to everybody.

  Director Vollmer stated that he thinks survival swim is such a neat event.  He thinks Starla did a really nice job encapsulating the reason why and communicating it to the public why we do it, why it is important, why it is necessary, and there may be ways to either expand upon or improve the product that we currently have for doing survival swim. He appreciates her showing up to cover the event. He wished everyone a wondrous holiday.

  Director Benner stated that hopefully administrators, teachers, parents, and students enjoy a well deserved couple of weeks off.

  Director Bizon gave a thank you and a shout out to the grounds crew.  All of the grounds have been well kept and look really good.  They are doing a really nice job.  He heard that the Winter Formal was well attended and it is exciting to feel the energy back.  He welcomed back the board secretary Cherice.  He wished everyone a happy holiday, Merry Christmas, Hanukkah and Happy New Year.

  8.0 FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
  

  • Safety Updates
  • Tribal Shared History
  • Assessment Data for Students with Disabilities
  • Safe Routes to School

   

  The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.