March 13, 2023 Business Board Meeting Minutes

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

The Board Business Meeting was held March 13, 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

Provisional Minutes-Not Board Approved

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 Melania Burke and Emery Simonson.

AUDIENCE:
Steffanie Frost, Samantha Nelson, Brian Crain, Karina Smith, Hiran Amerasinghe , Kourtney Ferrua, Martha Biggs, Kevin Carroll, Amy Hicks, Nicholas Stiles, Lonnie Hughes, LuAnn Anderson, Jen Abono, David Barter, Kat Struk, Kelly Simonson, James Burke, Monica Garcia, Kimberlyn Zurita, Itzel Garcia, Isidro Zurita, Kolby, Kaleb, Vincent Gourtey, and Piper Murphy.

• 1.4 Introductions and Communications
  Superintendent Brockett introduced principal Kathi Fowler, student management TOSA Carissa DeYoung and welcomed the staff, students and parents of Columbus Elementary.

  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: Your Space Storage donated $2000.00 to MHS for the wrestling program, Steffanie Frost donated $700.00 in cash to MHS for general athletics, Brain Shea donated $250.00 to MHS for the swim team, Michelle Garber donated $100.00 to MHS for the equestrian team, John Casper donated a cornet trumpet worth $100.00 to Patton MS for the music department, Miller Technologies, LLC donated $750.00 to MHS for MAC Madness, Michelle Joel Travel Services donated $200.00 to MHS for the resource room in Honor of H. Acker, McKenzie Duncan Joyhns CPSs, LLC donated $250.00 to MHS for the swim team, McMinnville Lions Club donated $250.00 to MHS for boys golf, Jared & Melinda Larson donated $300.00 to MHS for the Thespian Troupe Registration fee, Walmart #1843 donated to MHS swim goggles worth $2100.00 for the swim team, and Roberta Larmouth donated $265.00 to MHS for students attending Thespian State.

  2.2 Approval of minutes of the February 13, 2023 Business Board Meeting, February 27, 2023 Work Session approved.

  2.3 Personnel Actions  approved.

  2.4 Staff Renewals approved.

  2.5 Settlement Offer for JUUL approved.

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

  3.0 REPORTS
  The Board heard Monthly Reports.

  3.1 Student Reports

  Kathi Fowler and Carissa DeYoung introduced the students presenting for Columbus ES.  The students presented things they were doing for kindness week.  They led the board through the kindness pledge:

  • I pledge to myself on this very day, To try to be kind, in every way!  To every person, big or small, I will help them if they fall.  When I love myself and others too, That is the best that I can do.

  The students shared all activities that took place during kindness week.

  3.2 Student Envoy’s Report
  Opal Primozich, Diego Garibay, and Vincent Gourley gave an update on the activities happening at the high school.  They also gave an update on academics, athletics, and arts and pathways.

  3.3 Superintendent’s Report
  Superintendent Brockett shared that the 3 students who participated in the competition for ProStart in the area of restaurant management placed first in their division. They have qualified to go to Washington D.C in May.  She also reported on:

  • Snow day make-up day for staff and students
  • Middle School sports
  • Classified Week
  • Coding Night

  3.4 Director of Fiscal Services’ Report
  Samantha Nelson presented financial reports and student enrollment as of March 1.  We are 18 students above projections at the end of March. It is normal to see a decline around this time.  We received 73% of our budgeted revenues for the general fund, and we have expended 42% of our budget expenditures. The first budget orientation meeting is April 19, 2023, and that will be the budget overview.  The first formal budget meeting for the Budget Committee is May 3, 2023 and the second formal budget meeting is May 17, 2023, this is when the budget is considered for adoption.  She shared information on House Bills and Senate Bills that are going through Legislature that are related to education.  She recommended going to OSBA.org and looking under the Legislative highlights for additional information on the House and Senate Bills.

• 4.0 Unfinished Business:

  4.1 Out of State Travel – 2nd Reading
  4.1  Out of State Travel – 2nd  Reading
         McMinnville High School Band Trip

  The band teacher David Barton explained what the band students will participate in on the trip to Disneyland, and he also explained the importance of the trip.

  On motion by Jason Bizon, seconded by Gerardo Partida, the motion passed unanimously for approval of the McMinnville High School Band Trip to Disneyland. 

  4.2  Adoption of the 22-23 Superintendent Evaluation
  Abbie Warmbier read the evaluation summary for Superintendent Brockett.

  On motion by Janis Braich, seconded by Dr. Paul Haddeland, the motion passed unanimously for approval to adopt the 22-23 Superintendent Evaluation. 

  4.3  School Year Calendar 2nd  Reading
  Steffanie Frost presented the 2 year calendar for final approval and adoption.

  On motion by Larry Vollmer, seconded by Gerardo Partida, the motion passed unanimously for approval to adopt the 2023-24 and 2024-25 School Year Calendar. 

  4.4  Integrated Plan 2nd –  Reading
  Kourtney Ferrua gave an update and overview of the Integrated Plan.  She also reported that no major edits were done since the last meeting, and we are now on step 11 and almost ready for step 12.  She shared ELA grade 3, 4 year graduation rate, 5 year completion, regular attendance and 9th grade on track data.

  On motion by Jason Bizon, seconded by Janis Braich, the motion passed unanimously for approval of the Integrated Plan.

  5.0 New Business  

  5.1   Brian Crain and Karina Smith presented the following policies for first reading. 

  • IGDJ- Interscholastic Activities

  This policy has been redesigned and required (from optional) to comply with OAR 581-022-2308(2)– a new Division 22 rule requiring school districts to adopt a policy with conditions of membership when entering into an agreement with a voluntary organization for interscholastic activities. 

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

  5.2 Approval to Enter into Contract w/First Student
  Brain Crain presented to the board that we have given our intent to award notification to First Student that we would like to enter into a contract with them, but we need to iron out some of the language in the contract.  He asked the board for approval to allow the superintendent to enter into a contract with First Student.     

  On motion by Dr. Paul Haddeland, seconded by Janis Braich, the motion passed unanimously for approval of the Superintendent to Enter into Contract with First Student.

  6.0 Public Testimony:
  There were no Public Testimony

  7.0 Board Directors Comments
  Gerardo Partida stated he liked the Columbus presentation for kindness week.  He thinks in society right now we are missing this kind of thing.  It is great that we are implementing it in education for the kids.  He congratulated Superintendent Brockett on her evaluation and said “it looks like we are heading in a good direction”.  He thanked the superintendent.

  Dr. Paul Haddeland stated the kindness presentation and the unity week are both ways of teaching students how to be empathetic.  He mentioned an article in the Oregonian about where all the students have gone.  This explains why enrollment is down.  He challenges us to provide a good product and be the school district where students want to come.

  Janis Braich stated that looking at our high school students that presented tonight, they are a great example of high school students with all of the things they are doing.  This is the kind of stuff we need to get out to the community so that the community knows and the kids know this is a great high school to be at.  She gave a shout-out to Kourtney Ferrua and her team for the Integrated Plan.

  Abbie Warmbier echoed what Janis said.  She said to Superintendent Brockett that she hopes she feels appreciated and that the evaluation is reflective of what they see.   She wants her to feel appreciated and stay with us for a long time.

  Larry Vollmer gave a shout-out to Hilary principal at Duniway MS.  She invited him to have lunch with three 8th grade students who were curious about the high school pathways. Students  were excited to learn that it is not just math and science, it is hands on.  Three of them may head towards welding. 

  Jason Bizon stated that he is very proud of Superintendent Brockett, proud to have her in the district.  It is an honor to be working with her in his capacity.  He also stated that he appreciates the calendar work.  

  Carson Benner echoed what Abbie and Jason said about Superintendent Brockett.  He feels she has hit her stride this year.  He cannot wait to see what happens next year.

  The meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.