November 25, 2024 Work Session Meeting Minutes

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

The Work Session was held November 25, 2024 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 Jason Bizon.  Roll call indicated the following:

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chair Mr. Jason Bizon
Vice-Chair Ms. Abbie Warmbier
Ms. Lu Ann Anderson
Ms. Christine Bader
Ms. Doris Towery
Mr. Larry Vollmer

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:
Mr. Gerardo Partida

ADMINISTRATION:
Debbie Brockett, Superintendent
Cherice Bowden, Board Secretary

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

• Grants Update/Funding Overview
  Directors Kourtney Ferrua, Steffanie Frost and Shelly Simonyi presented a presentation and shared information on the different grants and funding sources for the District.  See presentation.  

  Budget Committee Overview
  Director Jason Hall shared an overview on the Budget Committee.  He shared that we have  two open vacancies and one member term expired but they have agreed to another term.  It was suggested and discussed that we look at making adjustments to the application questions during the finance committee meeting.

  Safety and Wellness Advisory Committee
  Director Christine Bader shared an overview of the Safety and Wellness Advisory Committee driving force. 

  1. Room to strengthen communications between the district and families.
  2. Strong desire around mental wellness for our students

  She would like to set up the meetings and meet quarterly next year as an advisory group.  She is hoping for a diverse group.  The board discussed  their thoughts and suggestions for the committee.

  Spring Conference Conversation
  The board discussed which conference they would like to attend.  It was decided that a Google form would be given to them to choose which conference they would like to attend or if they would not be able to attend.

  OSBA Elections
  This item will be added to the December 9, 2024 Business Board meeting agenda as an action item.

  Subcommittee Reports
  Subcommittee reports were given by the board:  

  • Fiscal Subcommittee: Discussed general report and the Budget Committee.
  • Instructional Improvement Subcommittee: Discussed the new CTE programs.  Adding hotel and lodging management, intro to hospitality and tourism.  Also discussed adding sources of strength as a new course and having funding for the first three years.  Lots of conversation about building a robust curriculum at the high school.  Reviewed the cheer out-of-state travel request.
  • Policy Subcommittee: Discussed pulling out nicotine from the policy for a closer look.  Reviewed the 2nd reading policies.
  • Long Range Planning Subcommittee: Did not meet.

  Directors’ Comments
  Director Anderson extended  her condolences to the family and our community for the loss of a student last week.  She kudoed the directors who presented tonight.  

  Director Towery offered her condolences to the family.  She stated that the OSBA Conference was a great learning experience.  She stated thank you for the quick response, making sure we have support structures for our students when we have this kind of loss.  American Education Week was really fun at Buel ES seeing how excited the kids were and the wonderful things that our teachers are doing in the classrooms.  She said “thank you for the opportunity to attend the OSBA conference.”  It was a wonderful learning experience.

  Director Bader echoed condolence and gratitude to everyone who has been supporting our students and our community.  The OSBA conference was super fun and a great opportunity for learning and networking.  American Education Week was fun to walk around and say hi. She went to the high school recognition assembly; the boys soccer team and many fall athletes and clubs got a proper shout-out.   Bye Bye Birdie was fantastic.  She was able to attend the Oregon Government Ethics commission public meeting webinar; it was really well done.

  Director Vollmer gave a shout-out to the boys soccer team.  He was fortunate this year to be able to go to every playoff game and the final game.  He thinks it was great how well they played, how classy and what good sports they were.  They represented our city, high school and our community with a lot of class. He wished them all the best.  American Education Week is always a hoot, talking with the staff who is always appreciative.

  Meeting Video

    Upcoming dates:

  • Board Business meeting: December 9, 2024. No Work Session meeting in December.
  • Work Session meeting: January 27, 2025 and February 24, 2025.

  The Session adjourned at 8:13 p.m.