September 12, 2022 Business Board Meeting Minutes

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

• The Board Business Meeting was held September 12, 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 6:32 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
  Ms. Janis Braich
  Mr. Gerardo Partida
  Mr. Larry Vollmer
  Ms. Abbie Warmbier

  BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:
  Mr. Jason Bizon

  ADMINISTRATION:
  Steffanie Frost, HR Director in place of Superintendent Brockett
  Cherice Bowden, Board Secretary

  Pledge of Allegiance
  The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chair Carson Benner.

  AUDIENCE:
  Samantha Nelson, Kourtney Ferrua, Brian Crain, Kelly Couch, Kevin Carroll, Shiloh Ficek, and Polly Dunkley.   

• 1.4 Introductions and Communications
  Steffanie Frost introduced Shiloh Ficek and asked him to come up and tell a little about himself.  Shiloh Fieck shared he is the new Nutrition Services Director.  He said he is excited for the new adventure here in McMinnville.  He shared information about his work experience  background. 

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

  2.0 Consent Agenda
  2.1 Gifts to the District
  The Board accepted with gratitude gifts to the District: Marian Gormley-Pekkola, CPA donated $3000.00 to Grandhaven ES for Library books/Student Services, Megan Hamilton donated $1000.00 to MHS for boys soccer, and Anna Wood donated supplies worth $100.00 for school use.

  2.2 Approval of minutes of the August 8, 2022 Business Board meeting and the August 22, 2022 Work Session approved.

  2.3 Personnel Actions approved.

  On motion by Abbie Warmbier, seconded by Dr. Paul Haddeland, the Consent Agenda was approved by a unanimous vote.

  3.0 REPORTS
  The Board heard Monthly Reports.

  3.1 Superintendent’s Report 
  Steffanie Frost shared a video with the Board of the first day of school.  She gave an update on staffing positions, the substitute bonus program, and the Jack Crabtree Scholarship fund.  She shared that Samantha Nelson and her department received the GFOA’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.  This is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting.

  3.2 Director of Fiscal Services Report 
  Samantha Nelson gave an update on the General Fund account balances for the 2022-23 school year.  She shared enrollment information; and stated we will do a final report in October.  As of September 12, 2022 we have 6,556 students enrolled.  We will do a seat count for final numbers.  She stated she is excited to see kids coming back.

  3.3 Director of Operations
  Brian Crain shared a presentation with the Board with before and after pictures of the work  done at Patton MS, and gave an update on transportation.  He said he appreciates all of the work Linda Leis has done to make sure transportation is running smoothly.  He shared the poster (In an Emergency) that is in all of the classrooms and that we have a staff video; Mr. Kelly Couch is creating a family video that we would like to release to families.  We need to make sure it’s translated so that all of our families can access it.  We have ongoing communication with all agencies that help up respond to emergency situations; the Yamhill Sheriff, McMinnville Police, McMinnville/Lafayette Fire Department, so they are aware of the language we are using to make sure kids are safe.

  4.0 New Business  

  4.1  District Goals – 2nd Reading
  Steffanie Frost presented to the Board for approval the 2022-23 District Mission Statement and Goals. 

  On motion by Janis Braich, seconded by Gerardo Partida, the motion passed unanimously to approve the 2022-23 District Mission Statement and Goals.

  5.0 Employee Group:
  Polly Dunkley thanked the District Office for extending an invitation to McEA and OSEA to have a table at the Welcome Back benefits fair.  It gave them an opportunity to say hello to fellow members and to introduce themselves to new hires.  She thanked Superintendent Brockett and Steffanie Frost for their continued open communication. 

  6.0 Public Forum
  We did not receive any written Public Testimony.

• 7.0 Board Directors Comments
  Larry Vollmer shared a lesson he learned on the first day of school.  He is excited school is back up and going.

  Abbie Warmbier wanted to recognize that it is suicide prevention week.  She wanted to also recognize so many of the employees that we have; not just school counselors that deal with the heavy work building relationships with the kids, making sure all of our kids are excited to get back on the bus and keep coming to school.

  Janis Braich kudoed the administrative team for putting on a really awesome back-to-school event.  She shared that it’s a different feeling for the staff this year. They look at things differently and don’t sweat the small stuff and know what is important.  She thinks we are off to a great start.

  Gerardo Partida shared that besides teaching in the classrooms, the teacher had to be mentors to the students.  He stated that you have to have someone to believe in you, and he hopes the teachers are still excited.  If we can find the kids that are there and they have the capacity and talent to do it, great!

  The meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m.  

   

  Attest: 

  _____________________                                      ____________________

  Board Chair   Superintendent