February 28, 2022 Work Session Meeting Minutes

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

The Board of Directors of the McMinnville School District moved into a Work Session via zoom and in person. Chairperson Carson Benner called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

BOARD MEMBERS:
Chair Carson Benner – In person
Mr. Larry Vollmer – In person
Mr. Gerardo Partida – In person
Ms. Janis Braich – Via Zoom
Ms. Abbie Warmbier – In person
Dr. Paul Haddeland – In person
Mr. Jason Bizon – In person

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:

ADMINISTRATION:
Debbie Brockett, Superintendent
Cherice Bowden, Board Secretary

AUDIENCE:
Kourtney Ferrua, Kevin Carroll, Luke Neff, Samantha Nelson, Brian Crain, Steffanie Frost, Jennifer Armenla, Rose Etherington, Debby O’Kelley, Susan Nelson, and Ginger Hoover.

• Mask Mandate   
  Superintendent Brockett gave an update on the mask mandate being lifted statewide March 12, 2022, announced today, February 28, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Oregon will align with California and Washington.  She shared CDC community levels.  There are three levels; low, medium, and high, and is based on the number of cases per thousand people in the past seven days. We are in the medium level, it is recommended that those who are high risk may choose to continue to wear a mask.  Superintendent Brockett recommends removing masks. She reported the Ready School Safe Learning Resilience Framework (RSSL) will be updated Wednesday.  We will always stay in line as closely as possible with RSSL, Health Authority, and CDC.

  Steffanie Frost presented the results of the staff survey.  She and Superintendent Brockett will be meeting with both associations Wednesday afternoon to answer any questions they may have, and address any concerns they may have.

  Larry Vollmer asked how do these numbers coincide with what came out of the other public ThoughtExchange?  Superintendent Brockett answered, they are very closely aligned.

  Jason Bizon asked if busing would stay the same?   Superintendent Brockett stated, no, it was announced today that K-12 busing no longer requires masks. 

  Abbie Warmbier asked what the requirements will be for parents reporting, and how will we know who has Covid or know if there are five cases in the classroom?  Superintendent Brockett answered, we will still encourage parents to report it.  

  Dr. Paul Haddeland stated that the big concern would be the amount of time we would have to do with case management and contact tracing, which we no longer have to do.  The bigger concern is kids missing school because they get exposed, which does not look like that will be the case either.

  Gerardo Partida wants to be sure we communicate with the community so they know these changes are  happening.

  Chair Benner asked the Board members to share their thoughts on making masks optional as of March 12, 2022.  All Board members were in support to authorize Superintendent Brockett implementing making masks optional as of March 12, 2022. Janis Braich sent a note in favor of.

  On motion by Jason Bizon, seconded by Larry Vollmer, the motion passed unanimously to authorize the Superintendent to implement masks being optional  starting March 12, 2022.

• Salary Schedule Review   
  Steffanie Frost presented a slide presentation to the Board of the Licensed Salary Review for McMinnville School District with comparisons to other Districts.  

• Board Members District Email Protocol
  Chair Benner advised the Board members not to start a back and forth conversation with constituents.  Look at the auto reply and refresh the wording.  It may make it seem that they are not interested in what the public has to say.  You may want to reword the auto reply, and forward emails to the Board Secretary Cherice Bowden and she will assist.

• Subcommittee reports
  Subcommittee reports were given by the board: 

  Fiscal Subcommittee meeting: 

  Gerardo Partida reported that they reviewed the results of the audit report.  

  Instruction Subcommittee meeting: 
  Dr. Paul Haddeland reported he was most excited about the triangles where we want most of the kids who are not at grade level.  We have seen that skyrocket.  Kids who are under their grade level, that group is getting smaller and reading at grade level is starting to rise and show the acceleration we were hoping for. 

  Gerardo Partida feels the kids are getting better after a year of sitting inside of the room by themselves.

  Policy Subcommittee meeting: 
  Abbie Warmbier reported they did second readings of how bilingual education is changing if graduation requirements.  There were first readings on alternative education programs, and they debated if we are evaluating or starting a new program and how to word that properly since we already have alternative Ed programs.  There is another new policy on student conduct.

  Long Range Planning Subcommittee meeting: 
  Jason Bizon reported that they are working with OCR complaint updates for the softball field and they have shared a response from the office of the Civil Rights indicating what has been corrected and a plan of action is scheduled for May 19, 2022. He gave detailed reports on all of the projects that are being worked on or completed.

• Directors Comments
  Jason Bizon thanked Dr. Haddeland for his works and expertise in these matters. He appreciates it.

  Larry Vollmar Did not comment.

  Abbie Warmbier congratulated the Cheer National team.  She stated the Family Resource Center looks welcoming and is ready for families.

  Janis Braich – Did not comment.  Attended via Zoom

  Dr. Paul Haddeland appreciates all of the work the entire district staff does, and he hopes it is appreciated by the entire community.

  Gerardo Partida Did not comment.

  Chair Carson Benner was excited that he received an email and that permission was granted for Cheer Nationals, and they sent a postcard.

  The Session adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

• Executive Session 
  The Board of Directors of the McMinnville School District met on February 28, 2022 in person at 8:33 p.m. in Executive Session Pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(i), Personnel Matters.

  The meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m.

  There is a Board Business meeting on March 14, 2022, and a Work Session on March 28, 2022 at 7:30 p.m.