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Molalla River
School District
Board of Education — Minutes
Regular Business Meeting
April 10, 2003
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Board
members present: Mary Beyer, Karyn
Gibbons, Ralph Gierke, Steve Kraxberger,
Deneen Munson, Jim Needham, Janette
Palmer
Staff present:
Alice
Ericksen/Superintendent, David Peterson/Business Manager,
Pam Monte/Administrative
Assistant
Audience:
11
Chair
Janette Palmer called the meeting of the Molalla River School District Board of
Education to order at 7:40 p.m. and established that a quorum was present.
WELCOME/INTRODUCTIONS
The
Board acknowledged Randy Fischer, high school teacher, for being selected
by Eastern Oregon University as one of the most inspirational teachers. This
recognition comes from the nomination from one of Mr. Fischer's students from
last year's graduating class.
Tami
Gregg, instructional assistant at Dickey Prairie Elementary School, was
selected as Educator of the Week by K103 radio station. Jane Carlson, school
secretary, and Bjorn Merten, a Dickey Prairie teacher, nominated Tami.
Larry
Owings, Maple Grove principal, reported that things are going well at Maple
Grove. They have a Kite Day scheduled and a Mothers' Day Tea. They are also
making plans for Back-to-School Week.
Danell
Blair, high school Ag teacher and FFA advisor, provided the Board with the
results of the Oregon State FFA Convention. Board members were invited to the
annual spring awards banquet on April 17.
Randy
Spanfellner, high school construction class teacher, reported that students
in this class were honor skills contest winners at Clackamas Community College.
He also announced that R&H Builders have donated a building lot to the
construction class for their next house.
Mindy
Birch, student, updated the Board on activities of the culinary arts class.
REVIEW/CHANGES
TO THE AGENDA
Action
Items
Approve
performance contractor for summer energy efficiency project
Discussion
Update
on Hwy 211 property
Proposal
to put policies on the Internet
PUBLIC
COMMENT
Marge
McIlhagga, teacher, addressed the Board regarding the retirement stipend for
teachers. She stated that due to changes in the PERS actuarials, she. Nancy
Phillips, Sue Beckwith and Patti Koos were requesting that they be granted a one
time exception according to Article 21 section H, page 44 of the district's
retirement program and that they ask the District to reduce their obligation
days from 10 to 5 days
Molalla
River School District
Board of Education — Minutes
Regular Board Meeting
April 10, 2003
to
receive the stipend. It is their hope that the District will act to support the
teachers asking to retire June 1, 2003.
The
Board will respond to this request at the April 24 Special Board Meeting that
will be held at Rural Dell School.
Nancy
Phillips, teacher, added that these 4 teachers have given 111 years of
service to the District and asks for the one time exception under the retirement
stipend.
Jane
Carlson, secretary at Dickey Prairie, shared an email that Michael Nickless
had received from a 1972 alumni from Dickey Prairie. Michael Brown is currently
deployed aboard the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier in the Pacific Ocean,
ACTION
ITEMS
Appoint
Wayne Kostur as New Superintendent
Chair
Palmer took the opportunity to introduce Wayne Kostur, the new superintendent
for the Molalla River School District. Chair Palmer recognized and thanked Dr.
Ericksen for all she has done for the District. The members of the Screening
Committee were thanked for taking their job seriously and for all the hours they
gave in screening the applicants.
M02-63
A motion was made by Mr. Kraxberger, seconded by Mr. Needham, that the
Board of
Education approve the appointment of Wayne
Kostur to the position of
superintendent for the Molalla River School District. Passed unanimously. 7-0
SELP
Loan for Energy Efficiency Project
Larry
Owings provided the public with a summary of the project and explained the funds
for energy tax credits. We
currently have $2 million in energy projects throughout the district.
Mr. Owings stated that it takes
approximately 60 days to process the application for the SELP loan. The district
wants to be assured that the application is approved for beginning the work on
the energy efficiency project.
M02-64 A motion was made by Mr.
Gierke, seconded by Mrs. Beyer, that the Board of
Education approve Resolution R22-00 authorizing the School District to borrow an
amount of approximately $1,640,000 through the Oregon Department of Energy. The
purpose of this loan is to pay for more energy efficient HVAC, Lighting,
Windows,
Controls, Electrical, and other energy upgrades at schools throughout the
District.
The loan will be repaid by Senate Bill 1149 monies, and savings in electricity,
gas
and heating oil generated by the upgrades. The Superintendent has authority to
sign
loan documents on behalf of the District. Passed unanimously. 7-0
Contractor
Recommendation for Energy Efficiency Project
Mr. Owings reported that the Energy Efficiency project was advertised in the
Daily Journal of
Commerce and Molalla Pioneer on February 28 and March 1, 2003. The issue date of
the Request for Proposals was February 28, 2003 and all bids were due on April
1, 2003. Advertisement for bids were sent directly to 15 contractors who
specialize in this work. Eleven Bid packets were sent to contractors who
requested them. Contractors were given an opportunity to view the
facilities on March 12, 2003. Five contractors were present for the site visits.
One complete bid from Viron Energy Services was received on April 1, 2003.
2-6
Molalla
River School District
Board of Education — Minutes
Regular Board Meeting
April 10, 2003
A
committee of Dave Peterson, Janette Palmer and Larry Owings interviewed Viron on
April 8, 2003. Viron Energy Services is the contractor who conducted the initial
Energy Efficiency studies and presented a report to the board on January 23,
2003. References have been previously checked. After interviewing Viron, the
committee reached agreement that Viron is the contractor we would like to use
and recommend the District approve and initiate a Performance Contract with
Viron to review initial studies, develop plans and specifications, implement the
repairs and replacements, and monitor the results.
M02-65
A motion was made by Mr. Kraxberger, seconded by Mr. Gierke to award the
contract for the Energy Efficiency Project to Viron Energy Services. Passed
unanimously. 7-0
First
Reading of Policies
Mrs.
Gibbons stated that there were other policies that went back to policy
committee, which they reviewed. At this time with the budget crisis, this is not
the time to change those policies that regard systemic change.
Mr.
Needham stated that according to policy BFC -
Adoption and Revision of Policies, those referred policies need to be
discussed in an open meeting.
Mr.
Gierke suggested that the Policy Committee make a report to the Board at the
next meeting as to their findings upon review of the policies in question:
M02-66
A motion was made by Mr. Gierke, seconded by Mrs. Gibbons that these
policies be
reviewed at the April 24 meeting with a
report given by the Policy Committee.
Passed 6-1 (Needham opposing)
M02-67
A motion was made by Mrs. Gibbons, seconded by Mr. Kraxberger, that the
Board of
Education approve the first reading of the following policies:
1. JHFCA - Skateboard/Rollerblade/Scooter Use
2. IKGA - Certificate of Initial Mastery (CIM) Proficiency Standards
3. GCPC/CDPC - Retirement of Staff
4. EGACA-Cellular Telephones
Passed unanimously. 7-0
The Board took a brief recess at 8:55 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 9:05
p.m.
INFORMATION
SB883
- Authorizes school districts, upon local voter approval, to impose real estate
transfer taxes.
Mr. Needham asked that the Board review this senate bill which authorizes
school districts, upon district elector approval, to impose real estate transfer
tax on transfers of real property within the district; Permits district to
establish rate of tax and minimum threshold below which tax would not be
imposed; Establishes uniform tax base, collection, reporting and administrative
procedures; Directs tax revenues to be deposited in school district general
fund.
3-6
Molalla
River School District
Board of Education — Minutes
Regular Board Meeting
April 10, 2003
House
Bill 2744 - Requires school districts and public charter schools to implement
content standards and assessments in math. science and English and makes
standards/or other content areas optional.
Mr. Needham also asked that the Board review this house bill which directs
school districts and public charter schools to implement academic content
standards and statewide assessment in mathematics, science and English; Directs
school districts to implement Certificate of Initial Mastery in mathematics,
science and English; Makes implementation for other subjects optional.
The
Board will keep themselves updated on these bills and keep discussing them. The
Board would like . input from Sandy Pellens on HB2744 before they take
action.
Mr.
Needham stated that he would like the Board to take action on supporting these
bills and would like them placed as an action item at the May meeting. Board
members requested additional information be included in their packets from Sandy
Pellens and the high school regarding HB 2744.
PERS
Bond Sale
Dave
Peterson informed the Board that the district has participated in another bond
sale. We were able to obtain 5.73% interest. This will save the
District $160,000 for this fiscal year. The district is also seeing an $110,000
savings from first bond sale for this fiscal year. Our employer contribution
rate is now 1.72% for May and June. In July we estimate our rates to go up to
7.58 %
March
Cash Flow Forecast
Mr.
Peterson provided the Board with an updated cash flow projection from February
to March. Increases are due to
higher revenue sources along with lower expenditures.
• $195,000 - Taxes and other local revenues were underestimated in the
original budget
• $255,000 - Special Education 11% Cap Waiver that added to the state
apportionment for this year and the prior year.
• $270,000 - PERS bonds savings for the 2002 and 2003 issues. (Mr. Peterson
recommends that
any money saved on the current employer costs be set aside for future debt
service payments in a
separate fund as the debt service payments are rather large in the final years
of these issues.
• $325,000 - Spending freeze
savings
• $ 165,000 - Transportation
savings
• $58,000 - Blue Cross Health
Insurance Rebate
Hwy
211 Property
Mr.
Owings has received a request from Silverton Hospital to extend the closing
deadline for another month. The
last hurdle to complete this sale is approval from the Dept of Transportation.
It is Mr. Owings recommendation to
extend the timeline.
M02-68
A motion was made by Mr. Gierke, seconded by Mrs. Gibbons to extend the
offer
deadline with Silverton Hospital for the Hwy 211 property one more month until
May 15, 2003.
Passed unanimously. 7-0
Pool
Update
Mr.
Owings announced that we are nearing completion of the pool. There have been
some difficulties with the painter and the window contractor. The project is
still under budget. Any unspent money will be made available for the Swim Pool
Association to buy additional equipment. We have received a temporary
certificate of occupancy.
4-6
Molalla
River School District
Board of Education — Minutes
Regular Board Meeting
April 10, 2003
Mr.
Needham has extended his services, at no cost to the District, to assist in
putting the Board's policies in the Internet. Once done, Pam Monte would have
sole access to the site to edit and add policies. The Board expressed their
interest in pursing this, but would like our tech service department to be
involved. Mr. Needham, Guy Tolstead and Pam Monte will move forward in this
discussion. The Board requested an update following their discussion to know the
timeline, costs, conflicts, etc.
CONSENT
AGENDA
Mr.
Gierke requested to postpone adoption of the job descriptions for Maintenance
Coordinator and Business Manager to next month.
Mr.
Gierke asked to vote separately on the high school custodian position listed on
the Personnel Report.
M03-69
A motion was made by Mr. Gierke, seconded by Mrs. Gibbons to approve the
Consent Agenda as revised:
A. Approve Bills
B. Approve Minutes
1. March 6, 2003 - Executive Session, Regular Meeting (as revised)
2. March 11 - Worksession/Executive Session
3. March 20 - Special Meeting/Worksession/Executive Session
C. Personnel Report (as revised)
Passed unanimously. 7-0
M03-70
A motion was made by Mrs. Munson, seconded by Mrs. Gibbons to approve the
custodian position at the high school. Motion passed. 4-3 (Needham, Gierke,
Kraxberger opposing)
Mr. Kraxberger changed his no vote to an abstention, as he has not had the
opportunity to talk to Mr. Reynolds about the position.
OLD
BUSINESS
Roundtables
April
15 - Gierke, Needham, Gibbons (Beyer alternate)
May
7 - Kraxberger, Needham, Palmer
May
15 - Needham, Gibbons, Palmer (Beyer alternate)
PUBLIC
COMMENT
Jill
Parker reported that she had attended a MES Parent Meeting and they were
told that only $16.8 million was addressed as the budget for the 2003-04 school
year. She stated that it was the directive of the Budget Committee that they
should have addressed highest cuts first and then list buybacks.
Chair
Palmer stated that the request from the Budget Committee was to build the budget
with the tiers and looking at the worst-case scenario $15.5 million. Mrs.
Gibbons stated that the Board wanted to put a positive spin on the process by
listing what additional $ would buy back. Dr. Ericksen stated that she would not
recommend giving out any more "pink slips" than necessary, only to add
back these positions once the actual state revenues were known.
5-6
Molalla
River School District
Board of Education — Minutes
Regular Board Meeting
April 10, 2003
Mr.
Needham asked the administration to send out a Molalla Reporter telling people
how they can donate money to the district. Chair Palmer stated that the Molalla
River Education Foundation could be that vehicle. We could talk to them and see
if they would be willing to take this on.
ADJOURN
There
being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m. and
reconvened
into executive session.
Superintendent
6-6
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