August 3, 2024 Summer Board Retreat Minutes

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

The Summer Board Retreat  was held August 3, 2024, in person at the McMinnville School District Office, 800 NE Lafayette Ave., McMinnville OR 97128 

At 9:00 a.m., the Board of Directors of McMinnville School District opened the Summer Board Retreat meeting.  The meeting was called to order by Chair 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:
None

ADMINISTRATION:
Debbie Brockett, Superintendent
Cherice Bowden, Board Secretary
Director Hiran Amerasinghe
Director Kourtney Ferrua
Director Steffanie Frost
Director Shelly Simonyi
Director Karina Smith

Press
Starla Pointer

• The Board of Directors, Superintendent, Board Secretary and District Office Directors paired off into teams and participated in an AI activity.

  The activities were:

  • Story Challenge – Day in a Life of One of Our Students
  • Art Gallery Challenge
  • Lesson Plan – Ethical usage of AI

  Pros and cons of using AI were discussed for each activity. 

   Housekeeping
  Important information was shared with the board.

  • Board Contact Information.
  • Subcommittee Assignments
  • Adopt-A-School
  • Board Training Dates
  • Back-to-School Schedules(Cabinet members can cover for board members unable to attend).

  Steffanie Frost shared an update on licensed contract negotiations.  McEA reached out and would like to meet August 15 to hopefully come to a contract agreement.

  Board Self Evaluation
  Chair Bizon distributed a board self reflection evaluation document to each board member.  The board spent about 15 minutes reviewing and answering each question on the hand-out.

  Strategic Plan
  Superintendent Brockett shared the new Strategic Plan Format.  She stated that she will share an updated version of the plan with the board once state test scores are received .  She will share accurate date at the October work session meeting.,

  Vision for 2024-2025 School Year
  An update on the EDI and IT positions were shared.  The CIA, Student Services, Human Resources, EDI and IT directors shared goals for their departments.  

  Next steps:

  • Finalize 202-2025 Strategies
  • Present changes to the Board of Directors and all staff 

  Then Cell Phone in Schools ThoughExchange results, Stand for Children, and Pearson Virtual Academy and the Mentorship Grant information was reviewed.  The Leadership Academy information was shared and discussed.

  School Board Functions and Roles
  Discussed policies and practices, roles for board members. 

  Superintendent Performance Goals
  The superintendent’s goals were reviewed and discussed.  Updates and changes will be made as needed.  The board will discuss the superintendent’s goals at the August 26 Work Session and get them ready for a vote.

  Closing
  Director Carson Benner announced his resignation effective immediately.  The board and superintendent reviewed and  discussed the timeline to fill the vacant seat.  It will be announced at the August 12, 2024 Business Board meeting.

  2024-2025 conferences the board would like to attend were discussed.

  The meeting adjourned at 3:45 p.m.