January 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 January 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

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 Carson Benner.

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

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:
ADMINISTRATION:
Debbie Brockett, Superintendent
Cherice Bowden, Board Secretary

Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Casey Nuszkiewicz.

AUDIENCE:  
Steffanie Frost, Samantha Nelson, Brian Crain, Kourtney Ferrua, Karina Smith, Laurie Fry, Martha Biggs, Hiran Amerasinghe, Megan Cunningham, Lucy Bertolo, Tanya Mantle, Chris Starr, Stephani DeLatte, Ayla DeLatte, Anna Stahl, Polly Dunkley, Erik Svec, Christina Gomez, Carter Gomez, Marcus Gomes, Danielle Dye, Luzmilda, Alondra, Kirxochith, Raul, Koc, Steven, Hilda, Kayla Baker, Kaden Baker, Tyler Grand, Shayne Grand,  Hazil Pomeroy, Della Ammiro, Beth Ann Pope, Tyler Mack, Jackie Mack, Paxten Mack, Suzanne Nuszkiewicz, Jon Nuszkiewicz, Maren, Sara, Takoda, Tucker, Tadan, Tanner, and Sarah Barr.

• 1.5 School Board Appreciation Month Proclamation
  1.5.1 Proclamation

  Superintendent Brockett read the Proclamation:

  Proclamation 

  WHEREAS, school boards create a vision for what students should know and be able to do; 

  WHEREAS, school boards establish clear standards for student performance; 

  WHEREAS, school boards ensure that student assessments are tied to established standards; 

  WHEREAS, school boards are accountable to the community for operating schools that support student achievement; 

  WHEREAS, school boards align school district resources to ensure that students meet standards; 

  WHEREAS, school boards create a climate that supports the philosophy that all children can learn at high levels; 

  WHEREAS, school boards build collaborative relationships based on trust, teamwork and shared accountability; and 

  WHEREAS, school boards are committed to continuous education and training on issues related to student achievement; 

  NOW, THEREFORE, I hereby declare my appreciation to the members of the McMinnville School Board and proclaim the month of January to be School Board Recognition Month. 

  I urge all citizens to join me in recognizing the dedication and hard work of local school board members in preparing today’s students for tomorrow’s world. 

  1.6  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: Suzanne & Matt Jensen donated Christmas Trees to Duniway MS worth $1200.00 for ASB students, First Federal donated $500.00 to MHS for the swim team banners, Macy & Son Funeral Directors donated $500.00 to MHS for swim team banners, Hagan Hamilton donated $250.00 to MHS for swim team banners, McMinnville Volunteer Fire Department donated $250.00 to MHS for Cheer Nationals & $1000.00 to MHS for the resource room, and Knights of Pythias donated $800.00 to MHS for the dance team.

  2.2 Approval of minutes of the December 12, 2022 Business Board meeting approved.

  2.3 Personnel Actions 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 Reports
  Principal Erika Nesvig shared information about the Junior Orchestra of Yamhill County(JOY) program and introduced Ms. Cunningham, her kindergarten class, and Ms. Barr, the music teacher who works with Robin Pederson, Debbie Chivaro, and the JOY teacher, Comfort Smith.  She also introduced the Director of JOY, Daniel Dye.  Kindergartens from this year, when they go into the second grade, the JOY program will continue with them.  They add a grade each year.  The students start with the box violin to learn the basic skills, taking care of the instrument and holding it.  They move to the real violin in February.  Ms. Barr and the students did a presentation explaining how they learn parts of an instrument, how to use the bow, and the exercises they are taught to strengthen their hands to play the violin by singing a song.

  3.2 Student Envoy’s Report
  Opal Primozich, Diego Garibay, and Mimi Bajinka shared all of the activities that are happening at the high school.  Some of the Winter week celebrations held from December 12-16 were: Deck the Dawgz, Winter Wear, Cane Cane Colors, Polar Express Pajama Day, and Ugly Sweater Day.  The can food drive was able to donate 1,432 cans and $1,467.70 to YCAP.  They also shared results from the MHS student survey, athletics, and arts/pathways.

  3.3 Superintendent’s Report
  Superintendent Brockett said that one of her events that will be coming up tomorrow is our community stakeholder meeting, both Opal and Diego come to the meeting and represent the student voices.  She thanked them for representing.  She said she hoped they would be at the meeting tomorrow as they continue the conversation. She shared that the staffing ratios continue to be maintained at or above 99%; students listening sessions are occurring at all schools through the month of January, and  parent/family groups are being scheduled to ensure we hear the voices for all of the focal populations.  She shared that the Student Advisory Council met today to share their ideas around scheduling and will all come as a group to share what they have learned from the meetings with the board at the May 8, 2023 meeting.  She also shared her boards/committees she attends.

  3.4 Director of Fiscal Services Report
  Samantha Nelson shared a presentation to the board enrollment information as of January 4, 2023.  There are 6,477 students enrolled; this is 24 students above projection.  The increase is at the middle school level.  She also shared November 30, 2022 Financial Statements, and the General Fund balances information.

• 4.0 Unfinished Business
  4.1 Brian Crain presented the following policies for second reading.

  • IKAAA/GCCB/GDCB – Equity Policy

  This is a new policy that will help center and guide the work we do in the district around equity.  The mission of McMinnville School District is to honor, prepare and empower each individual to thrive and contribute. In order to achieve this, we must embrace a cultural and organizational transformation to ensure a culture of inclusion and acceptance. 

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

  5.0 New Business
  5.1 Brian Crain presented the following policies for first reading. 

  • IK – Academic Achievement

  Academic Achievement language is revised to align with OAR 581-022-2270. (5a.)
  

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

  6.0 Public Forum
  We did not receive any public comments.

  8.0 Board of Directors
  Jason Bizon thanked everyone for the lovely gifts for School Board Appreciation Week.  It is much appreciated and he can’t wait to get into the books.  He said “I’m sure all of us are ready to read a good book.”

  Abbie Warmbier echoed the thank you.  She said,  “this is lovely and in general I feel appreciated from community members, and it is great working with all of you.”

  Janis Braich thanked everyone for the gifts and said it was nice to feel appreciated.

  Dr. Paul Haddeland thanked everyone for the gifts and welcomed our new hires Martha Biggs and Hiran Amerasinghe.  He gave a shout-out to the Yamhill Enrichment Society and JOY.  It was a remarkable performance and he thinks it is a wonderful thing to have for our children.

  Gerardo Partida thanked everyone for the gifts.  He said he had read the Brockett Bulletin for the new advertising and promoting the substitute teachers and he thinks it is great.

  Carson Benner thanked everyone for the lovely gifts and words of gratitude.

  The meeting adjourned at 7:26  p.m.