June 10, 2024 Business Board Meeting Minutes

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

The Board Business Meeting was held June 10, 2024, 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 Budget Hearing meeting.  The meeting was called to order by Chair Mr. Jason Bizon.

Chair Bizon asked if there were any public comments.  

There were no public comments in person, nor did we receive any public comments via email.

The meeting adjourned at 6:31 p.m.

At 6:31 pm, 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:
Steffanie Frost, Director
Cherice Bowden, Board Secretary

ADMINISTRATION ABSENT:
Superintendent Debbie Brockett

Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Ian & Iker Gonzalez Robeledo.

AUDIENCE:
Karina Smith, Shelly Simonyi, Laurie Fry, Brian Crain, Hiran Amerasinghe and Jason Hall.  See attached. 

  • 1.4  Introductions and Communications
    Director Frost welcomed Principal Stephanie Legard, students, and staff.  The teacher and each student introduced themselves as they presented to the board.

    1.5  Review of Agenda
    There were no changes to the agenda.

    1.6  Honor Retirees
    Vice-Chair Abbie Warmbier shared that we honored both licensed, classified and administrators who have served the District  for 20 years up to 38 years.  We heard some great words from their supervisors about all that they have contributed over their years here.  She hopes to see them back as subs in the future.  The words their colleagues said about them are still joyful, energetic and great leaders.  We are really grateful and glad to honor them tonight.  

    2.0 Consent Agenda
    2.1 Gifts to the District: 

    The Board accepted with gratitude, gifts to the District: Carol Noble donated $500.00 to MHS for the EASA program in memory of Greg Noble, Mazatlán Mexican Restaurant donated $100.00 to MHS for  the MGM2 club, Carol Noble donated $500.00 to MHS for the welding club in memory of Greg Noble, Logan & Rich Schobel donated $100.00 to MHS for boys tennis, Ulista J Brooks Rev Living Trust donated $12,000.00 to MHS for HR Hoover/Dean Brooks medical scholarships, Toni Rickards donated $250.00 to MHS for boys tennis, Robert Broom donated $100.00 to MHS for Bear Hugs,  Patricia Harcourt donated $100.00 to MHS for Bear Hugs, Peggy Story donated $100.00 to MHS for Bear Hugs, Carol Swehla donated $100.00 to MHS for Bear Hugs, James & Pamela Jackson donated $250.00 to MHS for Bear Hugs, Ross Peterson donated to MHS $300.00 to MHS for the baseball team, Pamela Weaver donated $250.00 to MHS for Bear Hugs, Cheryl Anderson donated $400.00 to MHS for Bear Hugs, Annette Simonsen donated $100.00 to MHS for Bear Hugs and Nancy Simonsen & Chuck Watson donated $100.00 to MHS for Bear Hugs.  All Bear Hugs donations were in memory of R. Simonsen. 

    2.2  Approval of minutes of the May 13 , 2024  Business Board Meeting, May 20, 2024 Work Session Meeting approved.

    2.3  Personnel Actions approved.

    2.4  Bank Signer Update approved

    On motion by Director Larry Vollmer, seconded by Director Carson Benner the Consent Agenda was approved on a unanimous vote.

    3.0 REPORTS
    The Board heard Monthly Reports.

    3.1 Student Report Grandhaven ES
    Principal Stephanie Legard, teacher Rachel Brinker and students shared a presentation on 5th grade Outdoor School.  They attend Outdoor School on June 4th through June 6th.  The students were assigned to a group.  The groups were: coyote, racoon, deer or bear.  They shared their daily routine that included a morning and end of day circle.  The had the following activities: 

    • Field Studies 
    • Fish Friendly Waters
    • Lichen, Solo Likes
    • Getting to Know Trees
    • Herbivores & Carnivores
    • Trinkets, Tools and Trades

    The students shared some of their recreational activities and meals they enjoyed:

    • Night owl, board games, rug ball, ping pong, painting, meals made from scratch, Campfire Program, banana slug song and smores.

    Rainbow Experiences:

    • Great experience to know how our eco system works
    • Flag football
    • See fish in the river
    • Trying to catch a chipmunk in the camp.  They named him Alvin.
    • S’mores
    • Food

    3.2 Student Services
    Director Simonyi introduced the special education team members:  Mattie Bunch, Jerod Harney and Erin Bracken.  They represented the elementary school, middle school and high school.  The teachers stated that they work with students not only on academics, but social skills, behavior skills to reintegrate them back into the general ed.  Camilo shared his success and growth in reading.  He has improved his reading by one year.  He stated that he practiced and worked really hard. Ezekiel shared that they do a special project for teachers on their birthdays.  They bake them a surprise cake and a surprise delivery.  He shared instructions on how to make the perfect cake. Grace Camp stated that she has been in the Community Transition Program since April of 2023.  The program helps students with disabilities get work experience.  Some of the programs students do in the program are laundry labs, stocking at St. Vincent de Paul, cleaning at the library and dishwashing and serving at the elementary school and high school.  She wanted to do a custodial internship at Newby ES.  Since February she has been taught some of the basics of being a custodian.  She hopes that starting this internship will open doors for other students to find the opportunity to learn what they are interested in.  Anthony demonstrated his skills using the touch chat communicator when he was asked questions.  He knew only a few words when he started and now he can do phases.  

    3.3  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, General Fund revenue and expenses.  

    3.4 Bargaining Update
    Director Frost and Director Hall gave an update and overview of the bargaining status between McMinnville School District  and the union McEA.  See attached presentation.

  • 4.0 Unfinished Business:

    4.1 Adoption of 2023-24 Superintendent Evaluation
    Director Doris Towery read Superintendent Debbie Brockett’s 2023-24 evaluation summary.  See board packet for details. 

    On motion by Director Carson Benner, seconded by Vice-Chair Abbie Warmbier, the motion passed unanimously for the adoption of the 2023-24 Superintendent Debbie Brockett’s evaluation.

    4.2  Science Adoption 2nd Reading
    Lauren Berg asked for board approval of Amplify Science for K through fifth grade, Twig Science for sixth through eighth grade and Patterns Science for all high school students as recommended by the science committee.

    On motion by Director Carson Benner, seconded by Director Doris Tower , to approve Amplify Science for K through fifth grade, Twig Science for sixth through eighth grade and Patterns Science for all high school students. It was approved on a unanimous vote.

    5.0  New Business

    5.1 Policy 1st Reading
    Director Karina Smith presented the following policies for a first reading:

    5.1.1 AC- Nondiscrimination

    According to House Bill 2281, approved in January 2024, every school district is required to designate one or more civil rights coordinators. The coordinator may be an employee of the school district or contracted with an ESD for the services of a civil rights coordinator.

    5.1.2 EBCA- Safety Threats

    House Bill 3584 was passed in the 2023 legislative session. The bill requires districts to adopt policy language about using electronic communication to notify parents, guardians, and employees within 24 hours of a safety threat action that was not a drill. Such a communication should be “provided in a manner that communicates relevant facts and details as necessary and useful” (HB 3584, Section 1, (3) (b)). 

    These policies will return for second reading at the next Board Business meeting.

    5.2  Student Fees
    Director Hall gave an overview of upcoming student fees.  He stated that the robotics fee is a new fee and students who are not able to pay the fee may qualify for a discounted rate.

     

    5.3  Resolution 04-2024
           2024-2025 Budget Adoption Approval 

    Director Vollmer read resolution 04-2024 and motioned to approve the 2024-2025 Budget Adoption.  

    On motion by Director Larry Vollmer, seconded by Director Lu Ann Anderson,  to approve Resolution 02-2024 for the adoption of the 2024-2025 Budget.  It was approved on a unanimous vote. 

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

    7.0  Board Directors Comments
    Director Partida thanked all of the people for organizing the graduation. He appreciates all of the work.  He thanked Stephanie Legard for taking the students to Outdoor School.  It is a great program.  He read an article that asked parents with students K through 12 what their priorities were.  Only five percent said attendance was a priority.  

    Director Anderson gave a shout out to Willamette ES. The Moon Tree planting was a lot of fun.  The Duniway MS parade of graduates was really nice. It was really cool to see the graduates go through the middle school and watch the staff they remember and give them a hug.  She kudoed all who helped plan, set up, organize and tear down graduation.  Director Crain and his crew, Mr. Furman (Dave) and staff;  Wortman Stadium looked phenomenal and amazing.  She appreciated the words to the graduates from the principal and to tell them that they are loved.  She also gave a shout out to all who helped her family at the graduation ceremony.  She thanked them. 

    Director Towery congratulated all of the graduates.  She thanked everyone for all of their hard work.  She thanked McEA and our district teams.  It speaks volumes in relationship building that we have gotten this close.   She gave a huge thank you to them for all the work.  She also thanked Chair Bizon and Director Vollmer for their work sitting on the bargaining team.  It takes a lot of patience and grace and it is deeply appreciated.  She is grateful to the district for giving our students the opportunity to attend Outdoor School.  

    Vice-Chair Warmbier echoed the previous comments.  She was able to see the JOY concert for our kindergartener playing violin. It is the sweetest thing.  The senior awards ceremony and hearing all of the scholarships that students have earned; real kudos goes to AVID.  The stoles that show they are an AVID student and earning scholarship funds speaks volumes to the program.

    Director Vollmer also echoed the previous statements.  Everybody in our district, no matter which building you are at, is focused on end of year stuff.  He knows that it is a lot of work and it is really appreciated.  He gave a special  shout out to Wascher ES.  He was invited to Wascher ES and was acting as BFG with the third graders.  He had lunch, did arts and crafts.  It was neat to see the kids and they are engaged.  He thanked them for the invite.

    Director Carson Benner echoed what was said about graduation.  Pulling off that sort of event is logistics, a big task.  The kids were well behaved.  He thinks it sort of sets a precedent for the other generations that watch. It is a dignified event.  He is incredibly grateful for the time he has had with the retirees.

    Chair Bizon stated that it has been a great week. Talk about Outdoor school, relationship building, getting off of technology, phone, snaps, books and grams.  It feels really good to see our children do something outside of technology and be outside with nature.   He thanked everyone involved and continues the tradition moving forward.  It is appreciated. He gave a special shout out to retirees Joe Miglioretto who was a coach and mentor to him as he went through middle and high school and Andrea Brown, who was his science and biology teacher in high school.  They were both wonderful people.  

    8.0  Future Agenda Items
    None

     9.0  ANNOUNCEMENTS
    There will not be a policy meeting in June.

    The meeting adjourned at 7:51 p.m.  

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