Below is a summary of the Caldwell School District Board of Trustees June 14, 2021 meeting intended to provide information about board decisions in a timely manner. It is not the official record. The recorded livestream of the meeting is available here.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Superintendent N. Shalene French shared successes of Caldwell High School students:

Four CHS students competed in the Idaho State Solo and Ensemble event and two were champions:

• Sedrick Call 1st Place Trumpet - state champion
• Taven Pacheco 1st Place Tenor Sax - state champion 
• Sadie Rotz 3rd place Oboe
• Alex Ramella 4th place Tenor Sax

CHS 2020-21 Senior Damian Arguello was named Gatorade Idaho Boys Soccer Player of the Year. 

PATRON INPUT

Parent Mr. Estes spoke on the operating plan and asked that the mask policy change.

CONSENT AGENDA 

The Board approved the following items:

• Minutes for the Executive Session and Regular Meeting - May 10, 2021
• Minutes for the Special Board Meeting – May 17 , 2021
• Financials: May Bills; May Checklist; May Budget to Actual; May Enrollment Report 
• Personnel Report
• Surplus:Information Technology, Wilson 
• CFEO Financial Updates
• Purchased Services Agreement: Chatterbox; Instructional Coach 
• Football - Summer Protective Equipment Request
• Boys Basketball Uniforms Request

REGULAR AGENDA 

New Zone 1 Trustee Swearing-in & Review of Trustee Code of Ethics - Patricia “Trish” Robertson was sworn into office and signed the code of ethics.

Idaho School Boards Association (ISBA) School Board Recognition Month -  Trustees were recognized by ISBA and the district for their service during this usual time. 

Request for Qualifications (RFQ) Construction Management Services and Architectural & Engineering Services  - The Board accepted the following firms for potential work with the district: 

• Construction Management: Beniton and CORE/Headwater
• Architectural Firms: Lombard Conrad Architects and Design West Architects

Summer School Update - All the district’s schools are offering bridge programs this summer. Paul Webster reviewed elementary offerings, Shay Swan shared about middle school camps, and Stephanie Archuleta, high school programs. 

Budget Hearing -  The Board approved the proposed 2021-22 Budget after Chief Finance Officer April Burton reviewed some highlights of the spending plan for state and federal funds funds:

• Salary increases for staff:
• Certified Staff - 2% on base and two steps on salary schedule
• Administrative Staff - 2% on base and two steps on salary schedule
• Classified Staff - 3% on base and one step on salary schedule 
• Benefits - the district will pay the 2.8% increase in insurance
• ESSER II Funds 
• Retain 22 certified staff positions to support smaller class sizes and instructional coaches for every school
• Pay loyalty stipend, additional support staff and/or hours for social emotional special education services, human resources, communications, and custodial
• ESSER II Funds
• Upgrade, repair, replace HVAC systems 
• Replace windows in various locations
• Purchase modular for Lincoln elementary 

District Continuing School Operation Plan for the 2020-2021 School Year - The Board approved to shift mask use from required to recommended in our schools reserving the ability to reinstate the requirement if needed. The Board also received an update on protocols for summer wrestling programs. 

Legislative Priorities and Resolutions - The board discussed briefly its past resolutions and what resolutions it may want to bring forward to the Idaho School Boards Association membership to consider. The Board will discuss more at its work session June 28. 

July Board Retreat - The Board discussed topics for this meeting on Monday, July 26

Future Agenda Items - Update on the expansion of community schools in the district to include Washington and Lincoln; Hearing from past graduates; Update on maintenance projects 

POLICY DEVELOPMENT/ADOPTION  

Policies under review

• Policy 3370 Searches and Seizures
• Policy 4110 Public Complaints replacing Policy 1012 Patron Complaint
• Policy 4120 Uniform Grievance Procedure replacing Policy 1012 Patron Complaint
• Policy 2340 Controversial Issues and Academic Freedom (New)
• Policy 2340F Parental Opt-Out Form for Sex Education
• Policy 2375 Service Animals in Schools replacing Policy 9

SECOND AND FINAL READING

The Board approved the following policies for second and final reading:

• Policy 5446 Negotiation Agreement
• Policy 5446F Authorization Card