Below is a summary of the Caldwell School District Board of Trustees Jan. 11, 2021 meeting intended to provide information about board decisions in a timely manner.

It is not the official record. The recorded video stream of the meeting is available above.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The Board approved 

• Minutes for the Executive Session and Regular Board Meeting – December 14, 2020
• Minutes for the Special Board Meeting – December 21, 2020

ANNUAL MEETING

Each year,  School District Boards of Trustees hold an annual meeting as required by law to elect officers and other required business. .  

• Elected Board Officers  - Elected Trustee Marisela Pesina as Chair and Trustee Travis Manning as Vice Chair
• Elected Treasurer and Clerk - Elected Manuel Godina as Treasurer and Keely Cheney as Board Clerk
• Set Time, Date, Place for Meetings - Approved its regular meeting for the 2nd Monday of the month at 7 p.m. It also identified dates for workshops and/or special meetings  
• Established agenda & notice posting locations, including those required by law.
• Established signatories, unless already indicated in district policy which would reflect the new treasurer
• Reviewed the Code of Ethics for Trustees

INFORMATION ITEMS/REPORT

Superintendent’s Report - Dr. French noted it was school board appreciation month and thanked the Board for its service. She provided each board member a copy of “Gifts of Imperfection,” by Brene Brown. The book is being read and studied by the district’s leadership team and principals. 

Student Recognition - Caldwell High School College/Career Counselor Scott Nelson introduced student CHS senior Samantha Lepiane.  Samantha is the first CHS student to use all her Advanced Opportunity state funding - $4,125. With the financial support, she has earned 35 college credits in dual credit courses and through Advanced Placement courses and tests, approximately, a year of college. She plans to attend College of Idaho after graduation. 

CONSENT AGENDA

The Board approved moving item B Surplus to the regular agenda and approved the remaining items on the consent agenda including:

• Financials: December Bills; December Checklist; December Budget to Actual
• Affiliation Agreement BSU College of Health Sciences
• Early Graduates
• Field Trip

REGULAR AGENDA

District Continuing School Operations Plan for 2020-21 School Year - Dr. French shared the plan had been renamed to reflect that it is an operations plan and updated to reflect Dec. 14 decisions made by the Board. She also shared an update that the Southwest District Health Department is working with the school district on vaccines for staff. She said the district is ready to return to the hybrid model on Tuesday, Jan. 19. 

Strategic Plan - Dr. French introduced Dr. Robert Sanchez of Idaho Business for Education who provided an overview of the timeline to update the district’s strategic plan. The goal is to have the plan ready by September. The Board approved. 

Athletics Update - Dr. French reviewed how spectators will be allowed at sporting events under Gov. Brad  Little’s Stage II order and in the Southern Idaho Conference.  

Entrance Exam for Graduation Class of 2021 - The Board approved waiving the graduation requirement to take a college entrance exam in its policy for the Class of 2021.

YMCA MOU - The Board accepted the agreement which provides preschool services with Trustee Suastegui recusing herself. 

Personnel Report  - The Board accepted the report with Trustee Butler recusing himself. 

Surplus  Information Technology; District Office - The Board accepted the item moved from the consent agenda.  

FUTURE AGENDA 

Chair Pesina suggested the Board plan to hold some future meetings, perhaps work sessions, at schools to see the impact of the plant facilities levy at Syringa Middle School and Sacajawea Elementary School.   

POLICY DEVELOPMENT/ADOPTION

Proposed Policies - The district’s policy committee is reviewing the following:

• Policy 2710 High School Graduation Requirement - STEM Diploma
• Policy 3085 Sexual Harassment, Discrimination, and Retaliation
• Policy 3345 Use of Restraint, Seclusion, and Aversive Techniques for Students - Amending Policy 553
• Policy 3370 Searches and Seizure
• Policy 3560 Video Surveillance
• Policy 4150 Accommodating Individuals with Disabilities
• Policy 5265 Employee Responsibilities Regarding Student Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying
• Policy 7408 Entering into Professional Service Contracts with Design Professionals, Construction Managers, and Professional Land Surveyors

First Reading - No policies were presented for first reading. 

Second and Final Reading -- The Board approved the following policies:

• Policy 2700 High School Graduation Requirements
• Policy 2700P High School Graduation Requirements Procedures
• Policy 3200 Student Rights and Responsibilities