March 14, 2022 Business Board Meeting

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

The Board Business Meeting was held March 14, 2022, 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 7:30 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 Benner.

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

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:

ADMINISTRATION:
Debbie Brockett, Superintendent
Cherice Bowden, Board Secretary

STUDENT ENVOYS:
Opal Primozich
Pamela Garcia Cabrera

Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Skye Ponce.

AUDIENCE:  
Kourtney Ferrua, Stephanie Frost, Samantha Nelson, Brian Crain, Luke Neff, Kevin Carroll, Pamela Garcia, Opal Primozich, Brianna Malott, Andy Malott, Jaxson Malott, Riley Malott, Marti Couch, Delta Torres, Mayne Acuna, Maria Thomas, Rylan Sunnes(Cohen), Skye Ponce, Debby O’ Kelley, Ginger Hoover, Adam Gray, Paola Acosta, Alexa Acosta, Genesis Guevara, Susan Halsey, Rose Etherington, and Lacey Summers.

• 1.4 Introductions and Communications
  Superintendent Brockett introduced and welcomed Jaxson Malott, Skye Ponce, Rylan Sunnes, Alexa Contreras Acosta, Principal Veronica Chase, Opal Primozich, Pamela Garcia; she also thanked and welcomed all students, staff, friends, and family.

  1.5  Review of Agenda
  No changes were made to the agenda.

• 2.0 Consent Agenda
  2.1 Gifts to the District

  The Board accepted with gratitude, gifts to the District: Nancy Stinnette donated $539.00 to MHS for employer match incentive, MAC D-Bros Corp donated $1000.00 to MHS for Cheer Nationals, Sports Marketing donated $350.00 to MHS for MAC Madness/Fan/Community Engagement, Sports Marketing donated $1500.00 to MHS for MAC Madness/Fan/Community Engagement, Rotary Club of McMinnville donated $300.00 to MHS for Twilighters, Kathleen’s Hallmark donated $1000.00 to MHS for Cheer Nationals, Armstrong Chevrolet donated $300.00 to MHS for EASA, Darryl Birney donated a printer and supplies to MHS for the football program worth $700.00, Lum’s Buick GMC donated $1000.00 to MHS for Cheer Nationals, Robert Rose donated $100.00 to MHS for Adaptive PE, Ticor Title donated $250.00 to MHS for Cheer Nationals, Hayli Victor donated a Tama drum set to MHS worth $1000.00, Home Town Dental donated $200.00 to MHS for MAC Madness/Fam/Community Engagement, and Lum’s Buick GMC donated $500.00 to MHS for  MAC Madness/Fam/Community Engagement. 

  2.2 Approval of minutes of the February 8, 2022 Special Board Session, February 14, 2022  Business Board Meeting, and February 28, 2022 Work Session approved.

  2.3 Personnel Actions approved.

  2.4 Staff Renewals approved.

  On motion by Dr. Paul Haddeland, seconded by Jason Bizon, the Consent Agenda was approved on a unanimous vote.

   

• 3.0 REPORTS
  The Board heard Monthly Reports.

  3.1 Student Envoy Report
  Opal Primozich and Pamela Garcia reported on all of the activities happening at the high school.  Some of the activities were a poetry slam, all school scavenger hunt, a mural signing, and student lead workshops.  The Resource room held a drive to collect formal wear items for prom. They are accepting donations of dresses, men slacks, shirts, ties, jewelry, shoes for both men and women up until the actual event.  

  Larry Vollmer mentioned the video of high school students entering the building; some wearing masks and some were not.  How did it go?  Opal Primozich stated it has been interesting, especially the anticipation leading up to today.  We need to make sure there’s mutual respect and understanding for that personal choice.  She thinks students are going to be more comfortable removing their mask as time goes on. Pamela Garcia stated some students would wear their mask a certain way just to take a feel.  She herself was thinking do I take it off or keep it on?” She thinks they are starting to get use to it.

  3.2 Student Reports 
  Ms. Couch is one of the Skill Builders at Buel ES.  She is a part of Team Hope.  

  Jaxson Malott introduced the leadership students and stated what leadership means to them as a team.  They take the role very seriously because they want to pave the road for Buel ES and its future by setting a good example of how to be mature and helping others feel good.  It’s an honor to help families with food bags, and the staff with their many jobs that they have..

  Skye Ponce reported on the leadership team jobs. They clean the playground everyday, deliver food bags to students, assist with  Pre-K, reading to the kindergartens, lost and found, and they choose to give up recess time to assist those in need to make the school a better place for years to come.

  Rylan Sunnes reported on the fun projects in the works.  A camera was donated  from the MHS media department.  They are really excited to have a yearbook this year and to be a part of it.  They are in the process of scheduling their first fifth grade assembly with entertainment for all students, and they will be passing the torch to next year’s leadership team.  They are starting the Legacy Project and would like to leave their stamp on Buel ES for years to come and pave the way for future leaders.

  Alexa Acosta reported they have a lot of responsibility.  With the responsibility comes much appreciation to our staff and students for welcoming us into their classrooms and hallways.  They have younger students who look up to them everyday.  

  Janie Braich asked Skye Ponce to tell us a little about the food bags, and she is impressed that they clean up the playground.  She thinks that is pretty awesome.  Skye stated they go around and give the food bags to the kids who wanted them.

  Jason Bizon asked Jaxson Malott what advice he would give to the fifth graders next year?  Jaxson answered he thinks the most important part of being in leadership is you have to have a lot of commitment and when you are assigned your job, you have to get it done.

  3.3 Principal’s Report
  Ms. Chase presented a slideshow to the Board showing what makes Buel ES unique.  Over half of the students are native Spanish speakers, and this year there was nearly 50% new staff, including herself.  The two self-contained special education classrooms prior to this year were the LSC K1-2 class, were in one building,  the three, four and five class in another building. This year they are both housed at Buel Elementary.  This gives them much more flexibility to support the students. This gives the students increased opportunities for inclusion in specials; P.E. , music, and special rotation, and they get to be involved in leadership.  

  Larry Vollmer made a comment that he remembered in the beginning of his learning to a School Board member. There was this comment that came up over and over again.  He really didn’t get it because he didn’t know how schools work.  He stated, what adults do matter.  He appreciates that years later it is still a focus.

  Dr. Paul Haddeland is excited that the special education students are embedded in the school and not somewhere else, and they are in everything, and it is refreshing to hear.

  Gerardo Partida stated he likes the connection Ms. Chase has with the staff and community.  She will have good results at the end, you will see the numbers in September.

  Abbie Warmbier asked if the oral language routines are specific and unique to Buel ES?. Ms. Chase states, no, it is done across the district and they are K-12 strategies.  Revisiting that as a full building is unique to Buel ES because they have over 50% emerging bilingual students.   Is Team Hope in addition to PBIS or in place of?  Ms. Chase answered, they are kind of woven together.  The equity decision tool, is there anything that you have traditionally done, that you use that tool and have either completely changed it or tweak it a little bit?  Ms. Chase clarified, changed the tool or our practices?  Yes, for the first time I got to use that tool was with a leadership site council type team.  We went through question by question and discovered a whole group of stakeholders were not actually engaging, this is not anyone’s intent.  We collectively put our heads together and walked through those questions you realize we might not be stepping through all of the steps we should.

  Chair Carson Benner stated the leadership kids were so excited about the yearbook, it is new this year. He thanked Ms. Chase for bringing them and all she is doing.   

  3.4 Superintendent’s Report 
  Superintendent Brockett reviews some of the legislative bills that passed and affect education and will affect the upcoming couple years.  The educator workforce; House Bill 4030, gives extra funding to the state for retention, recruitment and training for teachers and staff.   Other funds coming our way are summer learning funds, so we will be able to have a robust summer school this year.  

  3.5 Director of Fiscal Services’ Report 
  Samantha Nelson presented the monthly enrollment report.  Grades 11 and 12 showed the most changes.  We are hopeful students will return to the building.  She will try to get Flo Analytics, who does our enrollment review projections, to come and present to the Board at the Work Session on March 28.  

  3.6 Director of Operations
  Brian Crain presented the Long Range facilities assessment.  Every five years the District goes through a long range facilities assessment, and we hire an outside company. The IBM group architects come out and inspect our buildings and do an assessment. There is a 471 page report generated.  Brian Crain and Bryan Skinner created a google sheet with tabs for the priority ones, twos, threes and fours. They meet monthly to go over each priority to see where we are. 

  Janis Braich asked if we could accomplish a lot of it over time with the bond that we have?  Brian Crain answered that some of them are going to be a bond.  The bond really helped us know off a lot of those priority one items, and now we are in good standing with the maintenance of our buildings.

  Jason Bizon asked if we shared and communicated to the public what the bond money is going to be used for?  Brian Crain answered, yes, if and when we go out for another bond, you will do another assessment so they can see we need this money to do these things to our schools.

  Gerardo Partida asked what is the plan for the 19 street building?  Brian Crain answered that we need to determine what we want the property to be used for in the future. 

• 4.0 Unfinished Business:

  4.1 Out of State Travel – 2nd Reading
  Symphonic Choir Tour Proposal 2022

  Brian Crain presented the field trip information to the Board for principal Fast who was unable to attend the meeting.

  Larry Vollmer asked if there were any changes since the first reading?  Brain Crain informed him that there were no changes made.

  On motion by Janis Braich, seconded by Larry Vollmer , the motion passed unanimously for approval of the Symphonic Choir Tour Proposal 2022. 

  4.2 Brian Crain presented the following policies for second reading
  IGBI – Bilingual Education
  IKF AR – Graduation Requirements
  The 2021 Oregon Legislature updated statute in ORS 329.451 (House Bill 2056) modifying Oregon diploma requirements by changing ‘English language arts’ to ‘language arts’ and redefining definitions for language arts, world languages and holocaust and genocide studies. Statute updates to ORS 329.045 made changes to the required characteristics of a school system and to Essential Skills. Senate Bill 744 (2021) has suspended the requirement for a student to show proficiency in Essential Skills as a condition of receiving a high school diploma for the 2021-2022, 2022-23 or the 2023-2024 school year. Lastly, there has been two versions of policy for IKF – Graduation Requirements and an AR to accompany version 2. The decision was made to maintain one version of IKF – Graduation Requirements and remove the alternate version (2) and the AR from the model samples, leaving one version of model policy IKF. The designation for IKF – Graduation Requirements has been changed to conditionally required because the district is required to adopt policy if the district has established additional credit and/or graduation requirements above the state-adopted graduation requirements for any state described diploma or alternative certificate. 

  JB – Equal Educational Opportunity
  House Bill (HB) 2935 added an aspect to the definition of discrimination in ORS 659.850 for race that includes physical characteristics historically associated with race such as natural hair and hair texture (see new footnote in AC and JB for full language). Another bill, HB 3041, revised the definition of sexual orientation and added a new definition for gender identity to the protected classes.

  On motion by Janis Braich, seconded by Gerardo Partida, the motion passed unanimously to approve the policies for final adoption. 

• 5.0 New Business  

  5.1  2022-2023 School Year Calendar – 1st Reading
  Steffanie Frost presented the draft calendar for 2022-2023 school year and 2022-2023 fall break calendar.  She explained to the Board that after this meeting, a survey would go out for two weeks to get input from students and staff.  The results will be presented to the Board in April.  

  5.2 Authorization to Enter into contract for Auditing Services
  Samantha Nelson reported an ad was run in the Daily Journal of Commerce for a little over four weeks, and with the local news registrar as well. We received one  proposal.   Pauly, Rogers and Co., P.C. is very knowledgeable, and they serve over 60 schools in the state of Oregon. 

  On motion by Dr. Paul Haddeland, seconded by Larry Vollmer, the motion passed unanimously to approve Authorization to Contract for Auditing Services with Pauly, Rogers and Co., P.C.

  5.3 Brian Crain presented the following policies for first reading. 
  IGBHA & IGBHA- AR – Alternative Education Programs Revisions to model policy IGBHA – Alternative Education Programs** and its administrative regulations are made to better align and update with ODE’s rule governing alternative education programs.

   JFC – Student Conduct Districts have multiple procedures to handle various types of complaints. These procedures prohibit retaliation for good faith reports, however, districts can also prohibit knowingly making false reports, or knowingly providing false information as part of an investigation.

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

• 6.0 Adam Gray 
  Adam Gray reported to the Board that teachers are leaving positions.  We need to retain and recruit teachers.  He presented data that showed salaries of MAC compared to other districts.  He asked the Board to look at the data, and stated McEA is willing to meet and discuss.

• 7.0 Public Testimony:
  There were no Public Testimony

• Board Directors Comments
  Gerardo Partida thanked Ms. Chase for a fantastic job she is doing at Buel ES. He hopes everyone enjoys the next week off.

  Dr. Paul J. Haddeland stated we are getting good data that all of the work our staff is doing is really accelerating the kids.  All the work our staff is doing is working and we are seeing the benefits in students’ scores.  He appreciates the administration, staff in all of the schools, and everybody who has an impact and interacts with students to help them get the best education.

  Janis Braich stated she echoes what Dr. Paul Haddeland said.  We are making more progress than we thought possible.  It feels like we are better than we anticipated this time of the year and she is optimistic for how the students are going to do all together this year, and letting the students know how proud we are of them, and the teachers for doing as well as they have been.

  Abbie Warmbier mentioned Battle of the Books.  PTAs are hosting a lot of events right now.  She is mostly thinking about masks, and it’s hard to assess from one day how this is gonna play out, but the staff is really focused on respecting individual choices and supporting whether kids are wearing masks or not.  She is proud to have the option to take off masks.

  Larry Vollmer sent a heartfelt thanks to Tracy Brandt who kills it with the cheer staff year in and out.  He thanked the support staff in room 127 and invited everyone to a wiener wrap day on April 22.

  Jason Bizon did not have a comment.

  Chair Carson Benner said to enjoy your spring break, it is well deserved.

  The meeting adjourned at 8:48 p.m.