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DOUGLAS SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

November 14, 2005

The Douglas School District No. 51-1 Board of Education held a regular meeting on November 14, 2005, at 7:00 p.m. in the administrative offices of the Douglas School District, Box Elder, South Dakota.

President Larry Larson presided. Those present were:

         Larry Larson, President
Tom Drouin, 1st Vice President
Mary Bowman, 2nd Vice Member
Cathy Melendez, Member
Jim Russell, Associate Member
Joe Schmitz, Superintendent
Judy Smither, Recording Secretary

Joe Hillberry Jim Meszaros
Bud Gusso Ruth Claeys
Michelle Henrich Naomi Hatfield
Javier Lopez Roxanne Andre’-Steier
Andrea Cook Lee Thomas


All actions in these Minutes were by unanimous vote unless otherwise stated.

25617. President Larson called meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

25618. Melendez moved and Drouin seconded to approve the Agenda

25619. Bowman moved and Drouin seconded to approve Board of Education Minutes of October 24, 2005.

25620. Drouin moved and Bowman seconded to approve the following Personnel Action:

A. APPROVE hiring the following certified staff:

Pete Melendez, HS Assistant BBB Coach, $3139.00.
Reason: Replace Brant Miller
Supervisor: Naomi Hatfield

B. APPROVE hiring the following classified staff:

Vicki Glanzer, Executive Secretary, CO, Step 3; $13.66/hr, 8.0 hrs/day; 261 days/yr.
Transfer from MS Secretary. Beginning on day 147. January 23, 2006.
Reason: Replace Judy Smither
Supervisor: Joe Schmitz

Melissa Junge, Title I Tutor, VES, Step 1; $9.34/hr, 7.75 hrs/day; 190 days/yr.
Beginning on day 60. One Year Only.
Reason: Replace Peggy Pelzl
Supervisor: Linda Null

Robert Ray, Inst. Aide (SpEd), HS, Step 0; $8.41/hr, 7.75 hrs/day; 190 days/yr.
Beginning on day 51.
Reason: Replace Dawn Beltran
Supervisor: Bud Gusso

Sarah Sorrell, Breakfast Supv., FC, Step 0; $7.72/hr, 1.0 hrs/day; 182days/yr.
Beginning on day 49.
Reason: New Position
Supervisor: Jim Meszaros

C. APPROVE hiring the following temporaries and substitutes:

D. APPROVE the following resignations:

Jamie Anderson, Custodian, CO, effective 11/11/05
Reason: Family
Supervisor: Mike Mueller

Tina Dyer, Bus Driver, TRANS, effective 11/07/05.
Reason: Relocation
Supervisor: Audrey Richards

Tammy Forrest, LRA, VES, effective 11/09/05
Reason: Relocation
Supervisor: Linda Null

Marisa Gonzalez, Inst Aide (SpEd), VES, effective 11/11/05
Reason: None Given
Supervisor: Linda Null

25621. Melendez moved and Bowman seconded to approve the purchases and issuing of Accounts Payable and Payroll as follows:

General Fund $ 83,977.65
Special Education 2,758.00
Capital Outlay 40,259.49
Food Service 18,191.10

TOTAL $145,186.24

Payroll October 7, 2005 $713,151.84
Payroll October 21, 2005 $691,179.79

25622. Open Forum. Mr. Lopez chose to speak in Open Forum regarding disciplinary procedures. He stated that ten days out of school suspension for fighting is excessive. A ten day suspension can put a student over the 12 days absence rule and result in student losing credit for a semester. Mr. Lopez wants to see this policy changed.

25623. Drouin moved and Melendez seconded to approve Lettering Agreement with Rapid City Racers Swim Club. (Copy attached)

25624. Melendez moved and Bowman seconded to approve AFJROTC trip to Denver Museum of Nature & Science in Denver and U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado springs, Colorado November 16-18, 2005 at no cost to the district. (Copy attached)

25625. Bowman moved and Drouin seconded to approve Resolution approving Amendments to ASBSD Protective Trust Joint Powers Agreement and Bylaws. (Copy attached)

25626. Joe Hillberry reported that Language Arts/Reading are scheduled for selection and adoption at the elementary level this school year. Mathematics/Technology are scheduled for selection and adoption in 2006-07. ESA7, through TIE, received Title II-B funds for an AIMS II Math Grant. A team from Douglas attended a meeting last week to learn more about the grant. The grant runs for two years and provides professional development for individual teachers and the team. Members of the team would be Douglas School Board (on rotating basis so all Board members can be involved), Curriculum Administrator, and teachers from each building. The team can keep abreast of new math, new ways to develop it, and best way to implement it. (Copy attached)

25627. Drouin moved and Bowman seconded to approve first reading of Board Policy IH – Instructional Arrangements – Distant Delivered Instruction. The Technology Plan requires the district to have a distant learning policy. (Copy attached)

25628. Melendez moved and Bowman seconded to approve first reading of revisions to Board Policy IIBGA – Electronic Network Access. Revision was made to cover Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) requirements. (Copy attached)

25629. Melendez moved and Drouin seconded to approve early graduation for ten (10) Douglas High School seniors in January 2006 and eight (8) Douglas High School juniors in May 2006, pending successful completion of all required classes and credits. (Copy attached)

25630. Roxanne Andre’-Steier would like to see something changed with the discipline/attendance policy to keep students in school. Mr. Lopez stated it does not do students any good to stay home for three months when a ten day suspension puts student over the twelve allowed absences. Policy needs to be changed.

Bud Gusso, High School Principal, presented information regarding the Disciplinary/Attendance Procedures at Douglas High School. The Philosophy covers accountability, behavior modification, prevention, culture and climate, and restoration. The Discipline Matrix was approved by the School Board and is a guide. Consequences may be more or less severe based upon circumstances and administrator discretion. Dr. Schmitz indicated that Mr. Gusso and Mr. Baldwin are implementing Board policy. Students lock into what has been done before and fighting has always been a ten day suspension. People know that students are going to be held accountable at Douglas. Academic plans are put into place so students can graduate on time. The twelve absences per class include excused, unexcused, and OSS. A student can miss an entire month of school and still maintain credit. The year the high school changed from 14 absences to 12 absences the attendance rate (ADA) improved from 93.8% to 96%. Currently ADA is 94.7%. Students are aware of the twelve day limit. Eighty percent of students losing credit are 9th and 10th graders. The attendance policy works well. Kids are afraid to fight and ask to mediate. Decisions regarding policy need to be data driven. (Copy attached)

Larry Larson stated that the district is doing a disservice to kids by kicking them out. If they are absent three days then get into a fight and get ten days OSS, they are out for a semester and lose credit. There is no option to come to the Board. We are not doing what is right for kids. Our job should be to educate kids and keep them in school. Something needs to be done so example given does not happen. In our policy a ten day suspension does not get a hearing. Cathy Melendez asked if there is due process for attendance policy because it makes OSS long-term. She said exceptions have been made to keep kids in school, kids know what is going on, and district is not being consistent. Dr. Schmitz stated that kids may think they know what is going on but they cannot know the nuances of each case. Those dealing with the situation are obligated to keep the information confidential. Perception among kids might not be accurate. Mr. Larson stated that attendance policy should have due process and would have nothing to do with fighting. Seems like parents should have due process to appeal attendance part of it. Dr. Schmitz indicated that Board would have to override the principal, superintendent, and policy. Mr. Gusso stated there are many attendance scenarios and Board would be involved more and more on a lower level. Dr. Schmitz suggested discussing this matter with the Administrative Council to look for some alternatives. He would also like to get input from staff members. Mr. Larson stated that parents need to know they can appeal the attendance policy.

25631. There was no Student Representative’s Report.

25632. Superintendent's Report.

a. Dr. Schmitz reminded Board of Box Elder City Council/Douglas Board meeting on November 15 at 6:00 p.m. at Box Elder City Hall.

b. 2005 Joint Legislative Area Meeting is December 8, 2005 at the Ramkota. Board members should let Judy know if they plan to attend.

25633. There were no Comments from Board Members.

25634. The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

Larry G. Larson, President

Trista Hedderman, Business Manager

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