REGION 9 BOARD OF EDUCATION
Regular Meeting
April 25, 2017 – 7:30 pm
Joel Barlow High School Media Center
Minutes
ATTENDANCE
Board of Education: Coppinger, D’Agostino, Gombos, Hancock, Hocker, King
Administration: McMorran, Pierson Ugol, Pin, Desmarais, McTague
Staff: Smith, Czudak
Others: Approximately 10 members of the public
Student Representative: Maha Ulhaq
Chairman Hancock called the meeting to order at 7:40 pm in the JBHS Learning Commons.
STUDENT COMMENT: Commented on student activities.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
Motion: Move to approve the minutes of the March 21, 2017, meeting and April 3, 2017, District Hearing. Gombos, Coppinger. Approved. 6-0-0.
Corrections: Correction on page 1, spelling of Laura Hoeing. Additional change: Mr. D’Agostino commented on the elimination of copy paper as opposed to reduction.
Correction: On District minutes, Mr. Hancock’s statement was that he hoped that the proposal would be sufficient.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
BOARD MEMBER COMMENT
Paul Coppinger: commented on starting a Budget Committee and requests that an agenda item be added to the May meeting. Also commented that the board committee matrix should be updated along with the dates of the disbanding of any committee. Recommend that all committee charges be updated. Also commented that the Policy Committee is charged with review of
Policies and there are first readings on the agenda that have not been reviewed by the committee.
Concerned about the Redding BOF inquiry into the Redding School Budgets and expressed that all three districts share a single finance director and practices and suggests that the Region 9 Board discuss this at the Tri-Board.
Mike D’Agostino: Commented on the calendar and the review of professional development days schedule. Agreed with Mr. Coppinger regarding the review of the finance practices for the Region.
Cathy Gombos: Commented that further inquiry into the finance practices at the Central Office may be in order based on the questions that have been raised by the Redding Board of Finance. Recommend discussion with the Redding Board of Finance and with the two other boards at the meeting of the three boards.
Mr. Hancock: Congratulated Dr. Pin on the completion of her Doctoral Degree.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION
A. Recommendation of the Superintendent Concerning Teacher Non-Renewals
Dr. McMorran stated that this is not a negative reflection on any teacher.
Motion: Move that the contracts of employment of Michael Fedak, Nathanael Indorf, Adam James, and Shawn Laudenslager not be renewed for the following year upon its expiration at the end of the 2016-2017 school year and that the Superintendent of Schools is directed to advise such persons in writing of this action. Gombos, D’Agostino. Approved. Unanimous.
B. Proposed Trip: Costa Rica
Senor Franco presented a trip for language and cultural immersion for students studying Spanish for Spring Break 2018.
Mr. DAgostino expressed concern about affordability for the trip, which could be as much as $3,000. Senor Frank will provide fundraising opportunities.
Motion: Move to approve the proposed trip to Costa Rica. Hocker. Coppinger. Approved. 5-1-0 Gombos votes against
Ed Smith presented the bi-annual exchange for French Students. For 2017-18 the exchange involves Barlow students traveling to France on April 6, 2018.
Motion: Move to approve the proposed trip to France for Spring Break 2018. Hocker, D’Agostino. Approved. 5-1-0 Gombos opposes
C. Fund for Teacher Grants
Gina Pin presented that 8 teachers received Grants from Fund for Teachers.
Motion: Move that the Board approve the grants awarded to eight JBHS teachers at $31,126 from Fund for Teachers. Gombos, Coppinger. Approved. Unanimous.
Mr. Coppinger commented that the District should send a letter of thanks to the Fund for Teachers.
Note that these grant funds are awarded directly to the teacher and not through the District.
D. Resale of Technology
Dr. Pin stated that some of the technology including switches and wireless equipment could be sold
for $2,000. Dr. Pin will research the intricacies of selling an asset and report back to the Board next month. Mr. Hancock cautioned spending too much time to research this.
E. Fees for Field/Building Rentals
Mr. D’Agostino reported that the Facilities and Fields Committee met and discussed fees for use of
the facilities/fields. The Administration will be presenting a comprehensive proposal on fees and
how they will be levied.
F. Update on Parking Fees
Dr. Pin reported that the accounting of income of $42,600 for 284 spaces.
Mrs. Gombos commented that the original intention for the parking fee was to cover costs related to
the parking lot, which was installed for students.
G. Policy Review by Series
Dr. McMorran presented the Policies for first reading. He reviewed the concept of having a different source for policy review.
Mr. DAgostino requested the Board members review the policies and submit comments to the Policy Commitment.
Motion: Move to approve the following policies for First Reading
Policy Review by Series
Series 1000 Community Relations
– 1120 Public Participation at Board of Education Meetings
– 1331 Smoke Free Environment
– 1700 Otherwise Lawful Possession of Firearms on School Property
Series 3000 Business and Non-Instructional Operations
– 3520.1 Info. Security Breech & Notifications
– 3520.13 Student Data Protection & Cloud Based Services
– 3523.11 Unmanned Aerial Systems (Drones)
– 3542.22 Food Service Personnel – Code of Conduct
– 3542.33 Food Sales Other Than National School Lunch Program
DAgostino, Coppinger. Approved. Unanimous.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Dr. Pierson Ugol reported on the math professional development presentations that occurred last week by Dr. Yeap Ban Har. Teachers participated in the program during the school day and substitute teachers were employed so that teachers could participate.
Mr. DAgostino commented on the program and suggested that we track student performance to identify impact of professional development programs like this program.
Dr. McMorran reported the Health Insurance Report pointing out the reserve fund is a 2 to 1 monthly ratio despite the March claims. Central Office Health Insurance is in a good position with a 16 to1 monthly ration. Dr. McMorran then reviewed the transfer report.
Dr. Pin reported on the number of seniors who have concern related to meeting graduation requirements.
Dr. McMorran discussed Central Office processes for financial management. There is an on-going review of financial practice. There are a number of procedures that have been used in the CO that are not considered best practice. Dr. McMorran recommends that the subject of finance practicesin the Central Office be discussed at the meeting of the three Boards.
Dr. McMorran reported that meaningful change has been made at the Central Office. He will report to the three Boards at the meeting of the three Boards.
Region 9 has always allocated unexpended funds before the close of the fiscal year.
Mr. DAgostino expressed that it is the responsibility of the Region 9 Board to be sure that funds
were expended where they were budgeted.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Wally King reported on the Pension Committee. For the first quarter of 2017, the fund experienced gains and went from $5.4 to $5.6 million. The total performance for the last 5 years has been 6.42.
Mr. King reported the Audit Committee will meet next week to discuss transfers. There will also be a discussion of the Activities Fund.
Mr. DAgostino reported on the Facilities and Fields Committee and the work being done on the facilities/fields usage fees and the discussion related to security camera purchase.
Mr. Coppinger reported on the Policy Committee which will meet in the next few weeks.
Mr. Hancock reported that Wally King and Paul Coppinger would serve on the search committee
for the Finance Director.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENT
Mike DAgostino commented that his thoughts and prayers are with the students involved in the
car accident last week.
Mr. Hancock reported that the baseball game for Nick Tiseo was remarkably moving.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
Motion: Move to adjourn the meeting. Gombos. Coppinger. Approved. Unanimous.
Meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
Submitted by Catherine Gombos, Region 9 Board of Education Secretary
Recorded by Elise Cavanaugh