Whitefish Board of Trustees - Minutes of Meetings
The Trustees of Whitefish School District No. 44 and High School met for a work session on October 27, 2009 in the Whitefish School District Board Room.
Members Present: Chairperson Pat Jarvi, Dave Fern, Ruth Harrison, Shannon Hanson, and Mike Ferda.
Members Absent: Eric Hosek and Brian McDowell.
Officials Present: Superintendent Jerry House and District Clerk Danelle Reisch.
Call to Order
Chairperson Jarvi called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Review and Revision of the Agenda
There were no changes.
Public Comment
There was none.
Discussion Items
School Health Report
Superintendent House provided information regarding student absenteeism and coordination with the Flathead County Health Department regarding the H1N1 virus. He provided absentee percentages from all the buildings, with highs of 15% and lows of 2%, averaging just under 10% absenteeism.
WHS Principal’s Review
WHS Principal Dave Carlson provided a report on his actions and involvement with students, staff and the public including the phone system, a parent advisory group, emphasizing monthly department meetings, walk-throughs in all the classroom, weekly lesson plans from teachers, and an updated Homecoming, including a parade, The future includes developing a vision and mission for the high school, separate from the district; investigating a different schedule including development of a freshman academy; the possibility of multiple lunch periods; a data/testing coordinator; development of counseling groups; as well as working with Steeplechase on the potential WHS construction project.
Freshman Academy
WHS Assistant Principal Pat Audet provided updated information to the board regarding Freshman Academy planning with WHS and WMS staff. He provided information about the design of the academy with implementation in fall of 2010.
VHS Update
WHS Virtual High School site coordinator Matt Holloway provided information to the board regarding VHS at Whitefish High School. Five students are enrolled in the program currently, four high school students and one middle school student. Twenty-two spots are available in the next semester; and he is developing a plan to fill those spots, including student/parent contracts.
Fall Sports Review
Activities Director Jackie Fuller presented information on Fall Sports and Activities.
Board Policies
Superintendent House presented the following policy revisions:
- Policy 5232 – Abused and Neglected Child Reporting
- Policy 5254 – Payment of Employer Contributions and Interest on Previous Service
- Policy 5336 – Compensatory Time and Overtime-classified Employees
- Policy 5338 – Payment of Interest on Employer Contributions for Workers’ Compensation Time
- Policy 8430 – Records Management
Confidence and Trust
Shannon Hanson was assigned responsibility to monitor Confidence and Trust as follow-up to the School Board’s self-evaluation. He requested input from other board members regarding the topic and what led to bringing the topic up at the board strategic planning session. Attendance at meetings was discussed as a potential problem, as well a discussion that a divisive issue may have caused some concern among board members just prior to the self-evaluation that is no longer present.
Adjourn
Dave Fern moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:42 p.m. Ruth Harrison seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.