November 27, 2023 Work Session Minutes

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

The Work Session was held November 27, 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/97721628814

At 6:30 p.m. the Board of Directors of McMinnville School District opened the work session meeting.  The meeting was called to order by Chair Mr. Jason Bizon.  Roll call indicated the following:

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chair Mr. Jason Bizon
Vice-Chair Ms. Abbie Warmbier
Ms. Lu Ann Anderson
Mr. Carson Benner
Mr. Gerardo Partida
Ms. Doris Towery
Mr. Larry Vollmer

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:
None

ADMINISTRATION:
Debbie Brockett, Superintendent

AUDIENCE:
Brian Crain, Kourtney Ferrua, Jason Hall, Shelly Simonyi , Steffanie Frost, Karina Smith, and Hiran Amerasinghe.

• Principals’ Data Stories
  Principals shared a data presentation with the board.

  Data presentation

  Subcommittee Reports
  Subcommittee reports were given by the board:  

  • Fiscal Subcommittee:
    Reviewed monthly financials.  Discussed bargaining updates, and the Budget Committee.
  • Instructional Improvement Subcommittee:
    Lauren Berg discussed the internship updates and the strong programs they are offering.  The opportunities and pathways around education, business, culinary, construction, and early childhood.  Discussed the expansion of the CTE programs and outdoor school for fifth graders.
  • Policy Subcommittee:
    Meeting will be held November 30, 2023.
  • Long Range Planning Subcommittee:
    Discussed the current situation of the playgrounds.  Looking at the process to go through all of them, repair what needs to be repaired, take inventory, and put them on a schedule for when it needs to be checked.  Discussed remodeling at the Adams campus,  Title IV for finishing up the claim, and looking at bids to finish up the locker room for the softball students.

  Directors Comments:
  Director Carson Benner stated that he wished the principals were still there.  We just heard from the hardest working, most dedicated, talented people in our community and it is a real honor.  He appreciates the superintendent for changing the way we look at this.  The passion they have for students and all of the amazing effort they are putting into making our students successful is really inspiring.  He thanked them.

  Director Larry Vollmer stated he is a little torn.  He appreciates the effort, energy and passion from  everyone who came and talked to them today.   He feels that we have a lot of things to work on and correct.   He thinks attendance is our key priority.  

  Chair Jason Bizon stated that every time he is at an OSBA or at a National Conference or in the presence of the experts here, the amount of acronyms that we use in education absolutely floors him. He is glad that they are here and he hopes they know that this is a safe space for them.  We are the pyramid upside down and we are pushing them up and really trying to make sure we as a board and district are supporting them in their efforts.

  Director Abbie Warmbier stated free public education is such a gift for our kids with the  wonderful smiling faces we have leading the buildings and in the schools.  There are so many reasons for kids to be there that the principals are trying to make it fun; but it isn’t all fun and it takes grit to come every day and push through.  

  Director Doris Towery echoed a number of things that were said.  She loves the focus on being solution oriented.  Hearing the stories from each of our schools, she deeply appreciates the work and effort they are putting in.  The effort and collaboration and time they had to collaborate as teams got her kid that was broken across the finish line.  She is confident with what was heard tonight that we will see scores go up and we will get there.

  Director Lu Ann Anderson stated that she has had the privilege of working with most of the principals and she knows first hand the work that they do every day.  She appreciates their data stories;  they know their students.  She stated that we need to focus on narrowing the gap for our students with disabilities.  She stated that National Education Week was a blast.  The staff was very appreciative.

  Director Gerardo Partida stated that he appreciates hearing the numbers that Kathi has right now.  He hears good things about her and her leadership.  They will present better numbers at the end of the year.  We should focus on attendance and he knows that the superintendent is focused on attendance because the numbers are big.  He stated that the staff retention at Wascher ES is amazing.  Some of the people have been there almost 20 years.  He believes we can show good numbers at the end of the year.

    Upcoming dates:

  • Board Business meeting December 11, 2023 and January 8, 2024
  • Work Session meeting No Work Session in December,  January 22, 2024, 

  The Session adjourned at 8:48 p.m.