Chelan Digital Academy
LCSD Board Minutes 02/25/2020
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
MINUTES
DATE: February 25, 2020
TIME: 6:00 PM
LOCATION: District Learning Center
PRESENT: Barry DePaoli, Jeff Fehr, Lynda Foster, Ken Brunner, Agustin Benegas-Garcia, Kim Thorpe, Jeff Barker, Jeanna Smith, Jose Mendoza, Erin Morin, Todd Hausman, Rosey Burkhard, Amber Corrigan, Laura Clinton, Camisha Hughbanks, Stephanie Rogers, Scott Renick, and Georgia Mashayekh
AGENDA ITEMS / PUBLIC REQUESTS – COMMENTS
- Call to Order
Jeff Fehr called the meeting to order at 6:00pm.
- Approval of Agenda
There were no changes to the agenda.
- Approval of Minutes – February 11, 2020
Lynda moved and Kim seconded a motion to approve the minutes as presented; motion carried.
- Public Comments or Request on Non-agenda Items
There were no public comments.
INFORMATIONAL / DISCUSSION ITEMS
- Visit to Yakima School District – Erin Morin
Erin, Todd Hausman, Lynda Foster, Shannon Garvich, and Amber Corrigan visited Ridgeview Elementary in Yakima. The purpose of the visitation was to observe a Calm Room. Calm Rooms are being implemented across the nation as the student’s needs for self-regulation and behavior challenges continues to grow. Many students are in need of SEL (Social Emotional Learning Support).
Mrs. Morin, MOE Principal, shared a presentation as a result of this recent visit.
The classroom is staffed by 2 counselors in a full-sized classroom with shared office space. This is part of the school-wide PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention System) systems of support. This space becomes a common space for all-class lessons, small group counseling, individual counseling and small breaks within a school day.
Erin explained the different tiers of PBIS supports.
She gave the board a sample of a Calm Room Referral Form that students take to be admitted to the Calm Room. This form is also used for behavioral data for each student.
There was discussion about the consequences used by administrators at the school and the necessary steps put into place to make it successful. This school has had several years of Trauma-Informed professional development training for all staff. The PBIS program and staff training has helped the school be more pro-active in helping students in trauma.
MOE staff is considering this option and how it could be added into their PBIS support system.
The board discussed the options about training teachers about SEL (Social Emotional Learning) understanding and curriculum during school year and summer classes.
The parents who were at the meeting were asked their opinion about moving forward with this type of support. They said that the PBIS work is good and there should be more support in being positive in helping the students.
Erin explained that many students are coming to school with issues of molestation, rape, food deprived, physically abused, foster care, opioid addictions, death in the family, heated divorce, incarceration, and more. Most of the students needing help don’t live with their biological parents. Most students in trauma don’t deal well with traditional discipline measures; they need more support and attention to be ready to learn.
Barry said that SEL is on many administrators mind across the state as the number of students in trauma is growing. The district is partnering with Thrive and the WEA (WA Educators Association) on professional development for staff on SEL, Mindfulness curriculum, and support. More than ever, all staff in the district need to work together as a team to best support these students. He stressed that working together as a community is an integral part of supporting students. The district has several community members involved in the school with the Grandpa Project, Thrive Mentorships, and the Afters program.
SUPERVISOR MID-YEAR GOAL REPORT
- Transportation – Jeff Barker
Jeff talked about the open driver positions coming up this spring and the support that will be in place for the new staffing. He is also reviewing how to get recuperate state dollars for ALL students.
Drivers will get more training at the beginning of school year, including a simulator experience that Jeff will have all van drivers go through. Jeff has also had the SRO (School Resource Officer) talk to the drivers about rules of the road.
- Food Service – Jeanna Smith
Jeanna shared a presentation with the board about 2019-2020 Goals, research on linen costs, onsite laundering, commodities/forecasting, food improvements with more foods prepared from scratch, locally sourced produce, school garden, collaboration with science classes, Department of Defense (DOD) Fresh, and social media to keep the community informed.
Barry thanked Jeanna for all that she has done for the Food Service department with new ideas and support for her staff. Jeanna is thankful for the consulting support and staff training provided by Kent Getzen.
- Maintenance – Jose Mendoza
Jose provided an update on the MOE cooling tower and informed the board that it will be delivered sometime in May with a window between the 12th and 22nd. It will take 4-5 days to install.
There was a walk-thru the district fields with Rob Rainville to discuss the needs and expectations to have the fields ready for Spring Sports.
The custodial and maintenance team will attend a WAMOA training this summer in Quincy.
SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
- Barry P. DePaoli
Barry gave the board a Capital Project Overview for 2020 with: Available Funds, Project List, Other Projects/Needs. Barry sought input from all departments and administrators to create a list of needs for the Capital Project list. The board and those in the room discussed priorities for the district.
Barry talked to the board about the challenges involving taking care of all of the ball fields in the district with use, irrigation, and maintenance. The district was given a quote to maintain the performance fields by an outside vendor. Jose explained that currently there are not enough staff to manage the 30 acres of fields that the district has. He suggests hiring someone just for the season to maintain the fields.
To maintain the performance fields there are two cuts a week, with pickup of the clippings, maintenance of extra green space outside of the playfield, weed whacking, and movement of equipment. Barry, Scott, and Jose will study options to manage the district fields and provide the board with a recommendation.
FINANCIAL REPORTS
Scott Renick went over the financial reports and answered any of the board’s questions.
The district enrollment is down a few more students from January. Families are moving from the district for various reasons. Scott explained funding for numbers of students and enrollment in different programs.
Scott said that he has been watching birth rate reports that help districts predict enrollment.
POLICY/PROCEDURE UPDATES
- BP 3225 & Procedure – School Based Threat Assess.
- BP 4314 & Procedure – Notification of Threats of Violence
Lynda moved and Agustin seconded a motion to approve BP 3225/Procedure & BP 4314/Procedure as presented; motion carried.
- BP 4261 Procedure – Community Use of PAC
The board discussed Procedure 4261 and Barry will work over the wording to bring back to the next meeting.
ACTION ITEMS
Ken moved and Kim seconded a motion to approve the Payables and Payroll as presented; motion carried.
There was some discussion about the personnel changes with Barry.
Agustin moved and Ken seconded to approve the personnel changes a presented; motion carried.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
- To discuss the performance of an employee with no action to be taken. RCW42.30.110
Jeff moved the board to Executive Session at 8:23 pm for approximately 30 minutes to discuss the performance of a public employee with no action to be taken.
ADJOURNMENT
Jeff Fehr reconvened the board to regular session and adjourned the meeting at 8:55 pm.
___________________________________________ _______________________________________
Jeff Fehr, Board Chair Barry DePaoli, Superintendent
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