September 25, 2023 Work Session Meeting Minutes

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

The Work Session was held September 25, 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

Provisional Minutes-Not Board Approved

At 6:36 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:

ADMINISTRATION:
Debbie Brockett, Superintendent
Cherice Bowden, Board Secretary

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

• Division 22 Standard Overview
  Steffanie Frost gave a complete review of the Division 22 Standards.  The final report for board approval will be presented at the October 9, 2023 Business Board meeting.  

  Survey Results Nat’l Conferences
  Superintendent Brockett shared the outcome of the survey for voting to attend national conferences.  Five voted to attend the Atlanta conference and two voted to attend the New Orleans conference.

  Representative for Licensed Negotiations
  Commitment time and the process of how the negotiations work were discussed.  Ms. Lu Ann Anderson and Ms. Doris Towery both are considering being a representative but have not committed.  They will continue to discuss at a future Work Session meeting.

  HB 2805
  Ms. Lu Ann Anderson gave a suggestion to refer this to the policy committee.

  Subcommittee reports were given by the board:  

  • Fiscal Subcommittee:
    Discussed student enrollment, we are down by 66 students.  We did not receive the 21st Century Grant. We are exploring options and if there is leftover funding then we might be able to put in place those programs after school.  The transportation contract was also discussed.
  • Instructional Improvement Subcommittee:
    Kristian Frack presented the ELL annual report.  He reviewed all requirements for the abbreviated school day.  The McMinnville Education Foundation funds are for kindergarten through fourth grade science field trips and they looked at what they have planned that is similar to what they have done in years past. They were able to see the MEF highlights for teacher grants and how the teachers use the funds.  They also looked at curriculum instruction and assessment roles and responsibilities.
  • Policy Subcommittee:
    Discussed local wellness policy updates. Continuing to edit and amendments to the intra-school transfers.
  • Long Range Planning Subcommittee:
    What happened over the summer season and what kept everybody busy, deep cleaning.  Repairs at Grandhaven ES, brand new playground structure at Memorial ES, parking lot striping at Grandhaven ES and HVAC repair updates, Wascher ES modular classroom conversions and safety fencing, Duniway MS hot water heater replacement were all discussed.

  Directors Comments
  Abbie Warmbier stated that the Family Resource Center looks welcoming and fabulous and well stocked.

  Larry Vollmer echoed what Abbie said about the Family Resource Center.  It is very, very well-done and a purposeful use of space.  All of the welcome backs seemed to be pretty well attended.  There was a lot of chatter about good things happening in the buildings.

  Carson Benner echoed what Larry said about back to school.  It is just amazing to see parents and kids lined up outside waiting for the doors to open. This year honestly feels like the students are focused on learning and the teachers are back to doing the outstanding stuff they do.   

    Upcoming dates:

  • Board Business meeting October 9, 2023, and November 3, 2023
  • Work Session meeting October 23, 2023, and November 27, 2023

  The Session adjourned at 7:18 p.m.