September 11, 2023 Business Board Meeting Minutes

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

The Board Business Meeting was held September 11, 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 Mr. Jason Bizon.

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:

ADMINISTRATION:
Debbie Brockett, Superintendent
Cherice Bowden, Board Secretary

Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Larry Vollmer.

AUDIENCE: 
Steffanie Frost, Kourtney Ferrua, Brian Crain, Jason Hall,  Hiran Amerasinghe, Martha Biggs, Michael Allen, Cindy Allen and Danielle Pavia.

• 1.4  Introductions and Communications
  There were none.

  1.5  Review of Agenda
  No changes were made.

  2.0 Consent Agenda
  2.2 Approval of minutes of the August 14, 2023 Business Board Meeting, and August 28, 2023, Work Session Meeting approved with a correction being made to Ms. Lu Ann Anderson’s comment for the August 28, 2023 Work Session meeting.  She assisted the students at Buel ES coming off the bus.

  2.3 Personnel Actions approved.

  On motion by Mr. Carson Benner, seconded by Ms. Lu Ann Anderson, the Consent Agenda was approved on a unanimous vote.

  3.0 REPORTS
  The Board heard Monthly Reports.

  3.1 Superintendent’s Report
  Superintendent Brockett shared updates on the beginning of the year, kick off event, late start Wednesday, and after school programming. 

  3.2  Director of Fiscal Services’ Report
  Jason Hall shared updates on student enrollment and general funds.  He also shared a breakdown of expenses and grant information.

  4.0 Unfinished Business:

  4.1 Policies 1st & 2nd Readings
  4.1 Steffanie Frost presented the following policies for second reading.

  Explanation of Proposed Policy Action:  Second Reading

  • JECB – Admission of Non-Resident Students

  Revisions to the interdistrict transfer policy were needed to align dates better, changing those from May 15th to March 1st.

  On motion by Ms. Lu Ann Anderson , seconded by Mr. Gerardo Partida, the motion passed unanimously to approve the policies for final adoption. 

  5.0 Employee Group

  5.1 McEA
  Polly Dunkley states that this is her second year as Union President.  She wanted to set some purposes for why she speaks at the board meetings.  Her number one purpose is to make sure the board knows what’s going on with their members, and to know what’s going on in the schools.  She thanked the board members for everything they do and she is looking forward to talking with them throughout the school year.

  6.0 Public Forum
  We received one Intent to Speak from Mr. Dan Tucholsky.  He wanted to speak about the after school programs at Duniway MS. He was not present at the meeting, but Superintendent Brockett will be reaching out to him.

  7.0  Board Directors Comments
  Larry Vollmer stated that it is exciting to see schools back.  He said that you hear the noises that you expect to hear in buildings and the excitement.  He had made a couple of visits early last week and he is excited for the start of the school year.

  Abbie Warmbier stated that they all received an email about class sizes. The issue has been addressed and she thinks it is really hard to project especially with kindergarten.  Our principals have done a nice job balancing it out.  She gave a shout-out to the principals.  She echoed what Superintendent Brockett said about kids coming ready to learn.  She would like to be the OSBA Legislative Policy Committee representative for our region.  She stated that if they would like to nominate her, it could be discussed at the next Work Session meeting.  

  Doris Towery stated that the excitement in the school is in the air.  She has already been contacted by a high school student to job shadow.  She stated that she has two students that are interested in doing a job shadow through the pathway program at the high school.  She stated that the speaker for the kick off was fantastic and incredibly inspiring. It was really exciting to see the energy, teachers were excited.

  Lu Ann Anderson stated she is excited for back to school.  It was fun to do the welcome back day and she is looking forward to the back to school nights this week.  She has been hearing from teachers and colleagues how excited the kids are and how ready they are to learn.  She is pumped for the whole school year.   

  Gerardo Partida stated he is excited to go back.  He hopes that we can get a little bit more funds to support the afterschool programs to have the full support for our students. 

  The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.