MINUTES

MORGAN COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
PLANNING AND BOARD MEETING

Tuesday, February 9, 2016, District Office 4:00 p.m.

Present:

Board Members: President Ken Durrant, Vice President Mark Farmer, Neil Carrigan, Ted Taylor, Ron Blunck, Student Board Member Jacob Rice

District Staff:  Superintendent Doug Jacobs, Business Administrator D'Lynn Poll, Secretary Denise Rich 

Other Staff and Patrons:  Wade Murdock, Terry Allen, Tim Wolff, Heidi Andreasen, Jennie Earl, Marcus Weller, Alex Buxton, Steve Wood, Shastene Breshears, Michelle Morrell, Jackie Rutherford, ShaNell Turner, Gavin Turner, M.B. Haney, Gina Stuart 
   
Planning Meeting:  Discussion regarding growth with Alex Weller and Marcus Buxton from Zions Bank and Dave Anderson from Hogan Construction 

Financial representatives from Zions Bank talked about a GEO bond and a Capital Lease (Municipal Building Authority).  A Capital Lease is a good option if a bond doesn't pass but bonding is slightly less expensive.  Either this year or next year would be a good time to bond because there is not too much turmoil in the market.  Interest rates have been on a long-term steady decline but it is hard to gage what interest rates will do.  They talked about the services they could provide to the district and offered to attend any community meetings to answer questions.

Dave Andersen from Hogan Construction said it would be approximately $4 million to remodel the old wing of classrooms in the high school and bring them up to code.  Prices could be higher because contractors are in demand at this time.  It would cost approximately $10.5 million to build a two story wing of classrooms in front of the high school and it could take up to two years to complete.

At the next board meeting the Board will give Superintendent Jacobs direction as to when and if they want to bond and what building projects will best fit the needs of the district. 

Another planning meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 16, at 5:00 p.m.  Principals are invited.  





Regular Board Meeting:  

Welcome/Pledge/Prayer:  

President Ken Durrant welcomed everyone. He led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and gave the prayer.  
  
Consent Agenda:  

MOTION: Neil Carrigan made a motion to approve the consent agenda.
SECOND:  The motion was seconded by Ted Taylor.  
DISCUSSION:  There was no discussion.
APPROVAL:  The motion passed unanimously.
 
Public Comment:

No one signed up to speak during the public comment portion of the meeting.

Superintendent's Report:

Employees of the Month

Food Service Director Roxanne Rich honored MHS Cook Dianne Porter and MHS Food Service Manager Cindy Venz as Employees of the Month for February.

Utah Core Standards - Language Arts Grade 9

MHS Language Arts teachers Shasta Breshears and Michelle Morrell talked about the Language Arts Grade 9 Utah Core Standards.  The Standards are more rigorous and students are analyzing text instead of memorizing. Teachers and students are seeing positive results.  There is a concern with practice tests and large class sizes. 

MHS HOPE Suicide Prevention - Destiny Field

MHS Counselor Destiny Field introduced the HOPE4UTAH Suicide Prevention program. The mission is to reduce the number of youth suicides in the State of Utah by providing training and expertise in suicide prevention.  The program includes a HOPE Squad comprised of students that will be the eyes and ears of the school.  These students will receive training and watch for students at risk.

Special Education Department Report - Steve Wood

Mr. Wood said the district has a large number of students that qualify for special education.  The purpose of the law is for those students to access the fullest education possible.  There are 331 students in the district on an IEP (Individualized Education Program).  The district is serving more students with less certified staff than they were eight years ago.  Mr. Wood would like to hire a school psychologist to work with the students in the district.
Business Administrator's Report:

Harris Companies

Representatives from Harris Companies presented a PowerPoint to board members.  The boilers in the high school and the middle school are in poor condition.  They gave an estimated budgetary price of $815,000 to retrofit the high school boiler system and $775,000 to retrofit the middle school boiler system.  They also talked about maintenance programs their company can provide.

Discussion Items:

Policy DHC Redress of Grievances

A grievance form is included with this policy and would need to be filled out by the person filing a complaint.  Board members will review this policy before the next board meeting.    

Policy DJ Employee References 

Board members were asked to review this policy.  Vice President Farmer will email Superintendent Jacobs the changes he would like to make.

Approval Items:

Home School Applications

MOTION: Neil Carrigan made a motion to approve the home school applications.
SECOND:   Vice President Farmer seconded the motion. 
DISCUSSION:   There was no discussion.    
APPROVAL:   The motion passed unanimously. 

Policy - Credit for Graduation

MOTION:  Vice President Farmer made a motion to approve the Credit for Graduation Policy.
SECOND:   Ron Blunck seconded the motion.     
DISCUSSION:   There was no discussion.
APPROVAL:  The motion passed unanimously.

District Calendar 2016-17 School Year

MOTION:  Ron Blunck made a motion to approve District Calendar Option 2 for the 2016-17 school year.
SECOND:  The motion was seconded by Ted Taylor.
DISCUSSION:  There was no discussion.
APPROVAL:  The motion passed unanimously.

Board Member Committee/School Visit Reports

Board members reported on their assigned visits to the schools, transportation department and their committee assignments.

Student Board Member Jacob Rice reported on the high school activities.

Advanced Planning for Upcoming Events

Legislative Day on the Hill February 19, 2016

Board members are invited to attend the legislature on Fridays with Superintendent Jacobs and Business Administrator D'Lynn Poll.

Board Member Visits for the March 8, 2016 Board Meeting

President Durrant - MGES
Vice President Farmer - Transportation
Neil Carrigan - MMS
Ted Taylor - MES
Ron Blunck - MHS

Adjournment

MOTION: Ted Taylor made a motion to adjourn.
SECOND:  The motion was seconded by Neil Carrigan.
DISCUSSION:  There was no discussion.
APPROVAL:  The motion passed unanimously.