2024-01-25-minutes.txt

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MINUTES OF THE BUSINESS MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SELAH SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 119
DISTRICT OFFICE BOARD ROOM
January 25, 2024
  Members present
Dan Peters, Jamie Morford, Joe Catron, Sarah Michael, and Derek Iverson. Student representatives Indiana Hilmes, Lauren Rice and Elise Ozanich were also present.
  1. Welcome
A. Call Meeting to Order, Roll Call & Flag Salute
The meeting was advertised in accordance with law. President Dan Peters called the meeting to order at 4:32 p.m. and led the flag salute.
  2. District Highlight
A. School Board Recognition Month
Superintendent Kevin McKay thanked board members for their service and gave them certificates for their service.

Chris Scacco mentioned that there were many individuals working hard during the snowy and slippery days. The maintenance department, transportation team and custodial staff have worked hard to get our students safely to school.
  3. Suggestions/Comments From the Audience
A. District Guidelines for Public Comment
Dan read the public comment guidelines.

Daylene Ackerman - spoke regarding inappropriate books within our libraries. She stated that sexual stimuli can be detrimental in adolescents. There are erotic materials on shelves that RCW exemptions to these laws shall not apply to libraries, archives, and other subdivisions. She has a hard time believing that the law applies to K-12 libraries. We can do better than this for our kids and community for this spiritual issue. She considers what God's word says on these matters. This is her plea and this is her prayer.

Alisa Dove - retiree with grandkids in the district. This matter is of importance to her that some of the books in our libraries contain appalling excerpts. They are glorifying drug use and sexual promiscuity. She doesn't believe this type of material belongs in our schools. She is unsure of how aware everyone is of about the titles in our libraries. Make the right decision for our district and our kids.

Roy Dove - He agrees with Alisa and Daylene about the concerning material. He is part of the community and a taxpayer. thank you for your service to the district and community. I know you are now aware that there are a number of books in our libraries and these books are a toxic influence to our students. They have no place in our school libraries. It shouldn't be on the taxpayer.

Jeremy Hines - He has a couple of kids in the district. The district uses Gaggle and the 74 was cited that Gaggle's AI by moderators can tag race. There is discrimination and he believes that the district should not participate in such. NC-17 would be what the books that are in question would be rated, if they were movies and that should not be supported, as well.

Don Cline - pastor in Selah at Bible Baptist Church. He is concerned about the topic of these books. Some of the excerpts appalled him and he is concerned for the students who attend his church and have access to these titles in our schools. You lead our community in the educational process and if you don't know what's in these books, then shame on you. I can't imagine a 6th grader with access. I would be ashamed. I challenge you to not brush this aside and look at the parents and justify why we have this pornographic material that doesn't belong in Selah.
  4. Meeting Minutes
A. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes of December 14, 2023 and January 11, 2024
That the board approve the regular meeting minutes of December 14, 2023 and January 11, 2024, as presented.
Motion by Jamie Morford.  Motion carried 5/0.
  5. Consent Agenda
Item E was approved under a separate motion.
E. Second Reading & Adoption - 5280 Separation from Employment & 2190 Highly Capable Programs
That the board approve the policy updates, as presented.
Motion by Jamie Morford. Motion carried 5/0.
  A. Approval of Consent Agenda
B. Human Resources Action Sheet
            (Approved as filed)
C. Payroll, Goods & Services January 2024
Approved General Fund Payroll Vouchers No. 176725 through 176748 in the total amount of $793,820.31.
Approved General Fund Voucher No. 176749 through 176825 in the total amount of $352,058.62.
Approved General Fund Voucher No. 176537 through 176724 in the total amount of $408,324.85.
Approved Associated Student Body Fund Vouchers No. 19293 through 19310 in the total amount of $10,678.50.
Approved Associated Student Body Fund Vouchers No. 19311 through 19317 in the total amount of $8,479.30.
Approved Capital Projects Fund Voucher No. 3003 through 3008 in the total amount of $59,338.07.
D. First Reading, Policy Update - 2401 (NEW) Financial Education Mastery-Based Learning and Credit, 2413 Equivalency Credit Opportunities, 2415 (NEW) Performance-Based Pathway for High School Graduation, 6550 Capitalization Threshold for Leases and Subscription-Based Information Technology Arrangements (SBITAs)
F. Resolution No. 2024-1 Authorized Signatory
G. Overnight Travel Requests
HOSA State Leadership Conference for teachers Heather Gamache, Courtney Peart and Morgan Rodriguez and 25 students March 14-16, 2024 in Spokane, WA
RTM West Education Congress for administrators Alicia Jacob and Betty Lopez March 23-26, 2024 in Carlsbad, CA
FCCLA Student Advocacy Day for Jeff Cochran and 2 students January 25-26, 2024 in Olympia, WA
H. Accept Donations
City of Selah Liquor tax donation to the district from Sundown M Ranch
$550 donation from Club Selah Volleyball to purchase volleyball supplies for SHS Volleyball
50 wrestling warmups valued at $5,500 for SMS girls and boys wrestling teams.
  That the board approve the consent agenda, as presented.
Motion by Dan Peters. Motion carried 5/0.
  6. Administration
A. Facilities Annual Report - Frank Reno
Frank spoke to the 2023 projects that his maintenance team has completed, including SIS irrigation, greenhouse at SMS, SHS women’s restroom, SIS faucets, HS foods lab industrial dishwasher, water softeners at RL and SIS. There are also many daily work orders completed, in addition to these projects. The guys work well together. On the custodial side of the house, we are improving on school break projects when students and staff are away from the buildings. Chris Harris was amazing at streamlining the work, assisting the custodial staff and supporting people.
  B. Technology Annual Report - Greg Sugden
Greg Sugden highlighted the technology department. He has 4 people in his department. Stacy is heavy on the web development and tickets, Cody handles images and security and tickets, Rob manages Google and Apple environment and Chromebook repair, as well as helpdesk tickets. Greg manages, does daily work and drives the ship to ensure everything is taken care of. Everyone on his team has been with the district 10 years, so we're working well together. Grades 6-12 are 1:1 Chromebook take home devices. Grades 3-5, but the devices stay in carts. Grades 1-2 are shared carts, with 5 ipads also per class. At Lince, there isn't a desire to be 1:1, due to their age. Security and visitor management has been at the forefront, including anti-vaping measures, cameras and door security controls. There have been a lot of big projects recently, including a new website that rolled out last week.
  C. Courageous Conversations Presentation - Hunter Sissom
Hunter presented regarding the district's attendance at a Courageous Conversations Summit last fall and what they're bringing back for the important work in the district. The team of high school attendees will lead their peers and students through the protocol and begin to make positive change throughout the district.
  D. Draft 2024-25 School Calendar
Dan believes that a balanced calendar schedule is something the district should work towards.  The board had no further comment on the draft calendar.
  7. Student Board Representatives Report
A. Student Board Representatives Update
ASB at SHS will be doing a food drive in February. NHS did a food drive a few months ago and it was very successful.

Elise is working on her project to create a faith-based materials project for students to use or ignore as they choose.

Indiana thanked everyone for the appreciation during school board appreciation month and she appreciates the learning every month.

Thank you also to the maintenance, transportation and custodial staff during the inclement weather to keep students safe.

In reflecting on Senior experiences, thank you to all staff for making our experiences so wonderful. As a whole student body and senior class, we've reaped the rewards of all the staff's hard work.
  8. Executive Director for Student Learning Report
A. Executive Director for Student Learning Update
There was not a report.
  9. Associate Superintendent for District Operations Report
A. Enrollment Update
This enrollment report for January 2024 shows a slight decline from December. We lost 6 FTE and we're at 3,654, which is just 7 under projection. We also recalculate our projections using the January enrollment as the year-end average for 2024-25.
  B. Financial Status Update for November, 2023
Stefanie stated we were 33% of the way through the school year. We show lagging on the apportionment side, due to the state's schedule. We spent 31% of the budgeted expenditures. We have approximately a $9.1M ending balance.
  C. Financial Status Update for December, 2023
The December debt payment was due this month.
  10. Superintendent Report
A. Mid-Year Goals Report
Kevin presented the mid-year goals report for the goals the board set with him at the summer retreat. The update is for mid-year and is a progress report. The final report will come this summer.  The board needs to consider our strategic priorities and should think about if they are still the priorities of the district, as they were 5 years ago when they were developed.
  B. Superintendent Update
Kevin updated the board about a tour of the food bank on 1/30 at 3:30 p.m. An individual tour could be done if anyone would prefer that. Student reps are welcome.

Next Wednesday is the next Facilities Committee Meeting at the high school at 6pm. This is open to everyone.

Our next study session is February 8 at 7am at SIS, which will be the next principal roundtable for our 3 elementary principals.
  11. Board Communications
A. Board of Directors Communication
Derek stated that the books in the library issue is something he feels strongly about and he has a list of the books to provide.
  12. Executive Session
A. Performance of a Public Employee
In accordance with RCW 42.30.110, there is a need for executive session for performance of a public employee. The board adjourned at 6:29 p.m. for 15 minutes for performance of a public employee on motion by Dan Peters.  Motion carried 5/0.
  At 6:44 p.m., Jamie Morford stepped out of the board room to announce an extension of time was needed for 15 minutes.
  Dan Peters made a motion to return to regular session at 6:53 p.m.  Motion carried 5/0.
  13. Adjournment
A. Adjourn
There being no further board business, the meeting adjourned at 6:54 p.m.
                                                                                             Signature on file                                      
                                                                                    President                                          
                                                                                             Signature on file                                      
                                                                                    Secretary                                                      
Dated this 22nd day of February, 2024.