OFFICIAL MINUTES OF A WORK MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BOX ELDER SCHOOL DISTRICT
APRIL 10, 2024
Work Session of the Board of Education, Box Elder School District, held Wednesday evening April 10, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. at Independent Life Skills Center.
Those in attendance at the meeting included Board President Wade Hyde, Board Vice President Connie Archibald, Tiffani Summers, Julie Taylor, Nancy Kennedy, Karen Cronin, and Danielle Wright. Also, present were Superintendent Steve Carlsen, Assistant Superintendents Keith Mecham and Heidi Jo West, Sped Ed Director Catherine Allen, and Business Administrator David Roberts.
Preparation Time/Collaboration Time
Heidi Jo West, Asst Superintendent of Elementary Teaching & Learning and Keith Mecham, Asst Superintendent of Secondary Teaching & Learning - issues of prep time, contract time, PLC collaboration, and start and end times associated with changes in bell time changes were the focal points in the presentation and conversations.
OFFICIAL MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BOX ELDER SCHOOL DISTRICT
April 10, 2024
Official minutes of the Regular Session of the Board of Education, Box Elder School District, held Wednesday evening April 10, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. at Independent Life Skills Center.
Those in attendance at the meeting included Board President Wade Hyde, Board Vice President Connie Archibald, Tiffani Summers, Julie Taylor, Nancy Kennedy, Karen Cronin, Bryan Smith, and Danielle Wright. Also present were Superintendent Steve Carlsen, Assistant Superintendents Keith Mecham and Heidi Jo West, IT Director Robert Gordon, and Business Administrator David Roberts; members of the press, employees and patrons.
President Wade Hyde called to order the meeting, welcomed those in attendance and conducted the business of the meeting.
After the reverence which was offered by Superintendent Steve Carlsen, the pledge of allegiance was led by Nancy Kennedy.
Recognitions
Julie Taylor, Board Member, presented the recognitions.
Technology Student Association (TSA) State Winners 2024 - placing in the top 3 of 16 different competitions was declared as absolutely amazing.
Nicole Nelson, Garland Elementary - USBE Science of Reading Award - received the USBE award for advancing the reading at her school. This award is difficult to earn and only 2-3 in the whole state with this recognition.
Introduction of new BESD Administrators by Superintendent Steve Carlsen - introduced Austin Storey as the new Principal at Lake View Elementary. Tawnee Bowcutt was introduced as the intern at Golden Spike Elementary. Jace McKee was introduced as the new vice principal at Box Elder Middle and Young Intermediate. Dawn Richards was introduced as the new intern at Bear River High School and Bear River Middle School. All will begin the 2024-2025 school year.
Approval of Agenda:
Nancy Kennedy made the motion to approve the agenda, second by Connie Archibald. The motion passed unanimously.
Karen Cronin - yes
Tiffani Summers - yes
Julie Taylor - yes
Wade Hyde - yes
Connie Archibald - yes
Danielle Wright - yes
Bryan Smith - yes
Nancy Kennedy - yes
ESP Employee Recognitions
Keith Mecham, Asst. Superintendent of Secondary Teaching & Learning
Paras
Linda Burns, McKinley Elementary - brings people up and has a kind heart.
Daleine Allen, Box Elder Middle School - works with difficult kids, never ruffled or frustrated, has a difficult job and a big heart.
Facilities/IT
Paul Quilter, Custodian at Alice C. Harris Intermediate School - does whatever is needed, goes out of his way to acknowledge everyone, and always serves with a big smile.
J. David Cook, IT at District Office - always helpful in maintaining our systems with kindness and helpfulness.
Nutrition
Kathleen Hess, Unit Manager at Bear River Middle School - always willing to accommodate schedules, friendly welcoming demeanor. Has activities and contests for students. Loves her job.
Lacey Smith, Unit Manager at Adele C. Young Intermediate School - exceptional people skills, adds her personal touch, encourages good work ethic in her employees, and knows her students by name.
Secretarial
Maegan Heiner, Personnel Administrative Assistant at District Office - works hard and is so good at her job. Works in a myriad of ways to help the District run amazingly.
TeriAnn Hanks, Principal Secretary at North Park Elementary - she keeps our school running never missing a beat, exceptional qualities, creates a warm and efficient environment at our school, contributes significantly to the positive environment.
Transportation
R. Mark Nelson, Bus Driver - not only cares about the kids, but cares about being kind to the community.
Shaila McClure, Bus Driver - always positive and goes out her way to make everyone feel welcomed.
Public Comment:
Laura Wheatley - spoke about Garland winning some membership awards at the State PTA meeting and the Leadership Convention next month.
Laura Calder - speaking on behalf on School Community Council at Fielding Elementary. Wanted to address school schedules with regards to keeping things on the same day, late start, evaluate problems from all the proposals. Presented the idea of a 4-day school week.
Chandra Porter - spoke on the change of schedules at the schools. Having closed campus on Friday versus going back to a late start Wednesday.
Action Items:
Approval of College and Career Readiness Counseling Program (CCRCP)
Alison Williams, CTE Director - USBE requires approval for this course, counseling departments have received exemplary status. In BESD 98% CTE completers graduate, a 9% difference than without. Courses expose students to other curriculum and learning.
Karen Cronin made the motion to approve the CCRCP program, second by Nancy Kennedy. The motion passed unanimously.
Karen Cronin - yes
Tiffani Summers - yes
Julie Taylor - yes
Wade Hyde - yes
Connie Archibald - yes
Danielle Wright - yes
Bryan Smith - yes
Nancy Kennedy - yes
Information Items:
Mental Health and Substance Use
Rachel Lott, Nursing Supervisor - this was presented at the annual USBA conference. The presentation focused on fostering resilient learners, encouraging self-care, and introductions to better interventions.
Child Nutrition Report
David Roberts, Business Administrator - presented on the participation numbers for lunch and breakfast meals. Spoke on some of the activities and opportunities provided, including farm to table, professional development, national breakfast and national lunch. Also, the upticks, projects, and changes for the next school year.
Energy Report
Mike Clark, Energy Specialist - mentioned to date we have saved 2.78 million dollars in energy costs. All schools are showing to be energy star eligible, minus Grouse Creek School. He presented on utility cost avoidance trends and credits by utilities.
Artificial Intelligence
Robert Gordon, IT Director and David Blake, Educational Tech Coordinator - spoke on AI in classrooms for students and for teachers. Discussion on the different AI platforms and programs. Conversations about student abuse/cheating, more of collaborative use, and more cohesive processes.
Monthly Financial Report
David Roberts, Business Administrator - everything looks good and in line with the budget. Explained the extra spending in the repairs budget line for Operations and Maintenance, because it contains expenses for IT which sporadically requires big hardware and software upgrades/replacements.
Reported on the appraisal received for Foothill Elementary. The school sits on 8.42 acres and 42,379 sq. feet, appraised at $4,220,000.
Board Committee Reports
Karen Cronin reported that Juenelle Jeffries, Boys and Girls Club Director, will be recognized at the Chamber Annual Awards banquet as the Business Person of the Year. The Boys and Girls Club fundraiser dinner will be June 21, 2024.
Nancy Kennedy reported that Applied Technology Colleges in the State are not increasing tuition.
Alyssa Lyman, Student Board Member Report - both high schools are participating in spring sports, clubs are competing and placing high, school dances are well attended, and both schools are getting ready for graduations.
Policy Review:
Second Reading
Policy 3084 Educational Appropriate Postings
Policy 4060 High School Graduation Requirements
Policy 4177 Responsible Computer Use
Policy 4178 Internet Use
Policy 5030 Attendance - Compulsory
Policy 5224 Non-enrolled District Student's Participation in Extracurricular Activities
Policy 5305 Student Use of Electronic Devices
Policy 6011 Outside Agency Observer Access
Policy 6019 LEA and School Parent and Family Engagement
Karen Cronin spoke concerning Policy 4060 as she is in favor of the policy remaining such that a student earning 24 or more credits could graduate from the high school the student attended within the District and completed the majority of the classes needed for graduation. Assistant Superintendent Keith Mecham explained the complications of the differences between the credits required and efforts expended.
Tiffani Summers made the motion to approve, second by Nancy Kennedy. Karen Cronin opposed specifically because of the credit requirement in Policy 4060, all others voted in favor. Motion passed 7-1.
Karen Cronin - no
Tiffani Summers - yes
Julie Taylor - yes
Wade Hyde - yes
Connie Archibald - yes
Danielle Wright - yes
Bryan Smith - yes
Nancy Kennedy - yes
Board Discussion Items:
Board Graduation Assignments
Wade Hyde, Board President, made assignments which were accepted by the following Board Members:
Box Elder High School - Julie Taylor
Bear River High School - Connie Archibald
Sunrise High School - Karen Cronin
Superintendent Steve Carlsen asked to be excused from the Bear River High School graduation to attend his grandchildren's graduations.
Board Article Reading
Full day kindergarten - discussion was held concerning this article and the data that was presented.
Consent Items:
Nancy Kennedy made the motion to approve consent items, seconded by Bryan Smith. The motion passed unanimously.
Karen Cronin - yes
Tiffani Summers - yes
Julie Taylor - yes
Wade Hyde - yes
Connie Archibald - yes
Danielle Wright - yes
Bryan Smith - yes
Nancy Kennedy - yes
The consent items included the following items:
Approval of the minutes of the work and regular meetings held on March 13, 2024.
Approval of claim 00047226, 00047230 - 00047530, 02031124, 05031124, 07032924, 08032924, 09032024, 09032924.
Personnel Actions
See attachment to agenda.
Suggestions for Future Board Meetings:
- Change of the July 2024 Board Meeting from Wednesday, July 10th to Tuesday, July 9th.
Upcoming Events:
- BEHS Graduation - Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at 6:00 at Dee Events Center
- BRHS Graduation - Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at 8:00 at BRHS Field
- Sunrise Graduation - Thursday, June 13, 2024 at 6:00 at BEHS Auditorium
Closed Session to Discuss Real Property
David Roberts, Business Administrator
Bryan Smith made the motion to go into closed session at 9:08 p.m., second by Danielle Wright to talk about real property.
Karen Cronin - yes
Tiffani Summers - yes
Julie Taylor - yes
Wade Hyde - yes
Connie Archibald - yes
Danielle Wright - yes
Bryan Smith - yes
Nancy Kennedy - yes
Motion by Connie Archibald to leave closed session at 9:25 p.m., second by Karen Cronin. The motion passed unanimously. Row call as follows:
Karen Cronin - yes
Tiffani Summers - yes
Julie Taylor - yes
Wade Hyde - yes
Connie Archibald - yes
Danielle Wright - yes
Bryan Smith - yes
Nancy Kennedy - yes
Adjournment:
Julie Taylor made the motion to adjourn, second by Karen Cronin. The motion passed.
Karen Cronin - yes
Tiffani Summers - yes
Julie Taylor - yes
Wade Hyde - yes
Connie Archibald - yes
Danielle Wright - yes
Bryan Smith - yes
Nancy Kennedy - yes
With the announcement that the next meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 with a Retirement Reception at 6:00 and a Regular Session at 6:30 p.m., at the Adele C Young Intermediate (ACYI), 830 Law Drive Brigham City, Utah, President Wade Hyde adjourned the meeting at 9:26 p.m.
APPROVED: May 8, 2024
ATTESTED: _________________________ __________________________
School Business Administrator President, Board of Education
Notice of Special Accommodations (ADA)
Contact Mr. David Roberts, Business Administrator at 435-734-4800 eight or more hours before the scheduled starting time and efforts will be made to provide the needed assistance.