September 9, 2024 Business Board Meeting Minutes

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

The Board Business Meeting was held September 9, 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/215496199

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 Jason Bizon.

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

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:
Ms. Doris Towery

ADMINISTRATION:
Debbie Brockett, Superintendent
Cherice Bowden, Board Secretary

Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chair Bizon.

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

• 1.4  Introductions and Communications
  Superintendent Brockett introduced the new student envoys;  Co-Presidents Vivi Garibay and Jacky Lopez Gonzales, and Secretary Natalie Lai. Treasurer Lila Primozich was not able to attend the meeting.  She welcomed them.  No other announcements were made.  

  1.5  Review of Agenda
  There were no changes to the agenda.

  2.0 Unfinished Business
  2.1  Nomination of New Board Member

  At 6:32 p.m. Chair Jason Bizon opened nominations for the vacant seat #3 replacing Director Carson Benner.  Director Anderson nominated Christine Bader to fill the vacant seat #3 replacing Director Carson Benner.  No other nominations were made.  At 6:33 Chair Jason Bizon closed nominations.  

  Discussion:  

  • Director Larry Vollmer stated that it is a benefit to the board to have so many phenomenally qualified and well intentioned applicants that are interested in serving our kids. The board is very blessed by the candidates that came in front of us.
  • Vice-Chair Abbie Warmbier stated that she echoed Director Vollmer and stated that she thinks all of the candidates that were interviewed would bring a lot of skill and she would be happy to work with all of them.  Christine Bader has come to budget hearings and budget committee meetings.  She has shown for years that she has a vested interest.
  • Director Gerardo Parted stated that after all of the interviews,  it was a difficult decision for him.  He thanked the applicants.
  • Director Lu Ann Anderson echoed Director Partida.  She appreciated everybody who applied and the time they took to come and speak with us.  She thanked them.
  • Chair Jason Bizon read Director Doris Towery’s statement in support of nominating Christine Bader.

  The nomination to approve Christine Bader to fill vacant seat #3 replacing Director Carson Benner was approved on a unanimous vote.

  2.2  Oath of Office
  Chair Bizon read the following Oath of Office and Christine Bader repeated after him:

  I, _____________________, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support
  the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Oregon
  and the laws thereof, and the policies of McMinnville School District 40. During
  my term, I will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of the Office of
  School Board Member to the best of my ability.

  3.0 Consent Agenda
  3.1 Gifts to the District: 

  The Board accepted with gratitude, gifts to the District: AYUSA International donated $500.00 to MHS for the international club, Sandra K. Burger donated $1200.00 to MHS for the life skills class and Leland MacDonald & Assoc, LLC Surveyors surveyed the new school garden worth $978.75. 

  3.2 Approval of minutes of the August 12, 2024 Business Board Meeting, and August 26, 2024 Work Session Meeting approved. 

  3.3 Personnel Actions approved.

  3.4  Board Notes Policy Correction (BD/BDA)

  On motion by Director Larry Vollmer, seconded by Director Gerardo Partida, the Consent Agenda was approved on a unanimous vote.

  4.0 REPORTS
  The Board heard Monthly Reports.

  4.1 Student Envoy Report
  Co-Presidents Vivi Garibay, Jacky Lopez Gonzales and Secretary Natalie Lai introduced themselves to the board.  Treasurer, Lila Primozich was not able to attend the meeting. The students reported out on MHS activities, athletics, and Arts/Pathways.  

  Upcoming events:

  • GrizzFest is September 18, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.  It is the MHS version of a ‘Back to School Night’.  You can meet the staff, preview the clubs & pathways, have a meal and check out college, career and community partners.
  • Homecoming is October 4.  MHS will be celebrating Homecoming the week of September 30.

  4.2  McEA
  Adam Gray read a statement from McEA’s President Polly Dunkley who was not able to attend the meeting due to being ill.  She thanked both teams, the district and McEA for their collaborative work together.  She wished everyone a successful school year.

  4.3 Superintendent Report
  Superintendent Brockett shared that we are just above our projection for student enrollment by eight students.  Staffing is close to 99%, she also gave an update on district staffing open positions.  She also gave a Campfire update. We have condensed Grandhaven ES to be bussed to Memorial ES and Willamette ES to be bussed to Buel ES,  Newby ES will continue to be a stand alone.  She shared that the KOB Board agreed to pay the $24,000.00 bussing cost to transport the students.

  4.4  Director of Fiscal Services’ Report
  Director Hall shared the current student enrollment and general budget information. See board packet for details.

•  5.0 New Business

  5.1 Approval of Licensed Contract Agreement
  Director Frost presented a summary of the Licensed Contract Agreement.  Chair Bizon read a statement from Director Towery stating that she is in support of the contract agreement.

  • Salary Scale
    • Restructured the scale (columns/steps)
    • COLAS
      • 5%: Year 1
      • 4%: Years 2 and 3
    • Changed PERS from district to employee pick-up
    • Increase longevity bonus
  • Increased Curriculum Rate
  • Increased District insurance contributions
  • More balanced prep times across levels
  • Language changes to address workload/conditions

  On motion by Director Larry Vollmer, seconded by Director Lu Ann Anderson, the Licensed Contract Agreement was approved on a unanimous vote.  Vice-Chair Abbie Warmbier did not vote due to a conflict of interest, and newly appointed Director Christine Bader abstained from voting.

  5.2  Director Frost  presented the following policies for first reading.
  5.2.1 IGBAF & IGBAF – AR – Special Education – Individualized Education Program
  5.2.2 IGBAG – Special Education – Procedural Safeguards
  5.2.3 JGAB & JGAB AR -Use of Restraint and Seclusion

  These policies will return for second reading at the next Board Business meeting.

  6.0 Public Forum
  We did not have any public comments.  

  7.0  Board Directors Comments
  Director Partida thanked all who participated in the district and McEA negotiations.  He also thanked the KOB Board for the $24,000.00 to transport our CampFire students.  Last week was a difficult week for the kids due to a threat.  We always have to be thinking about safety and focused on what else we can do to make sure nothing major happens in our school.

  Director Anderson welcomed and congratulated Director Bader.  She went to the first day of school at Patton, it was exciting.  It was nice seeing the kids and staff having them looking forward to being in the buildings.  She thanked all board members and McEA teams that worked so hard to bring the contract into fruition. She also gave a shout-out to Director Crain, Shiloh Ficek, the maintenance and grounds team.  She stated that the buildings and grounds look good.

  Vice-Chair Warmbier welcomed Director Bader and stated that this may be the first time we have had a majority female board in McMinnville School District.  She feels that the teachers are getting a competitive salary.  She knows that teaching is a hard stressful job, but she feels that they are getting fair compensation. She appreciates everybody that worked to do that.  

  Director Vollmer stated that he stopped by Duniway MS on the opening day of school, the 6th graders at Duniway MS were awestruck at how big the buildings are coming from elementary schools . He was invited to visit Wascher ES by one of the teachers, and the students from last year saw him and ran out to say hi.  He is excited to see the schools back running and to hear the right kind of buzz in the buildings.  It is just the best time of the year. 

  Director Bader thanked the board members for the opportunity to serve.  She thanked them for their integrity and transparency of the process.  She stated that she is impressed at the meetings that she has come to with how serious we all take our responsibilities here; she is honored to sit in the seat and looks forward to serving with you all.  

  Chair Bizon stated that he wants to reassure everybody here that Dr. Brockett and the board take the safety of our staff, students and facilities as the highest priority.  He thanked Dr. Brockett for keeping the board members up to speed on what’s going on,  for reacting and being there as quickly as she could . We also appreciate our law enforcement partners.  He  thanked the staff, students and everybody in the buildings for enduring these difficult weather challenges to start the school week off.

  8.0 Future Agenda Items
  Chair Bizon stated that future agenda items presented by the directors have been scheduled.

  9.0 Announcements

  • MAC Club Crabfeed is Saturday, September 28 at 5:30 p.m.
  • MEF Runtoberfest is October 5, 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

  Meeting Videos

  The meeting adjourned at 7:13 p.m.