- Liberty School District #362
- Meeting Minutes
May 26, 2021
LIBERTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 362
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER: Board Chair Mark Bullock called the meeting of the Liberty School District Board of Directors to order at 7:03 p.m. The flag salute was given, and a quorum was declared. Others present were board members Chad Cornmesser, Chad Denny, Jeremy Engle, and Stephanie Stout, and Superintendent Brett Baum.
AGENDA REVIEW: The Consent Agenda, Superintendent appointment was removed, as it was listed as Action Item A. A revised Agenda was provided to the Board Members
SALUTE TO LIBERTY:
- Brett Baum saluted our All League recipients for Fall and Spring. Football: Hayden Hardt, Carson Tee, Carson Fisk, London Foland, Van Ricker, Kalem Gardiner, Cole Prince, & Danner Holling. Volleyball: Annika Tee, Maizy Feltwell, & Ellie Denny. Softball: Maizy Feltwell & Jaidyn Stephens. Golf: Maddie Haas. Boys Track and Field: Kalem Gardiner, Marc Greenburg, Lucus Paul, Noah Sievers, Logan Smith, & Carson Tee. Girls Track and Field: Zari Ewen, Ellie Fisk, Quinn Morgan, Annika Tee, & Angelina Widman.
- Kyle Dodge saluted Coach Mike Ganey who was awarded Assistant Coach of the Year.
PROGRAM REPORT: The following were part of Brett Baum’s report:
- Department of Health has removed the requirement to screen students, staff and visitors beginning this summer and next year. However, schools should continue monitoring their students, staff, and visitors for symptoms, and follow the protocols included in the guidance for responding to someone who shows symptoms of COVID-19.
- Masks should still be planned for next year when indoors. Outdoor masking guidelines may possibly change.
- Dept of Health possibly not removing masks for schools until 50% students vaccinated
- Spokane Regional Health District is making it easier for students to stay in school if they were a close contact to a positive person but are not showing symptoms. People in this circumstance would be able to enter a “surveillance testing protocol.” This would allow exposed students to stay in school as long as they are tested and come up with negative tests. Nurse Miranda Holling believes it will look like at least three tests over the 10 day quarantine period.
- Track infield: Hidden Rivers came in and assessed issues with the infield. Last year they removed many rocks and filled holes but there has since been settling and now they will come back tomorrow, to fill in the areas mapped out by Connie and Rick. Several sprinklers are below ground level, and the soil will be filled in those areas as well.
- McKinstry has been asked to take care of the boiler this summer. They have estimated the repair costs, which will be covered in the Discussion section of the Agenda.
SUPERINTENDENT REPORT: The following were part of Brett Baum’s report:
- Nurse Miranda Holling was informed of a FEMA grant for hand sanitizer awhile back, and Dawn Brash and herself submitted the paperwork. Liberty was approved and we and now we have 26 pallets containing 72 cases each, each case containing 12 bottle. Liberty has now become a distributor of hand sanitizer for our area with several area schools and communities taking a pallet or two, in order to distribute to the schools, small businesses or individuals.
- With the end of the Legislative session, we initially believed that we would not be receiving any Transportation Stabilization funds for this year. It now looks like we will be receiving around $20,000 for Transportation. While nice, this still leaves us just over $40K short from what we planned.
- Some of the passed bills that are being discussed: SB5115- Districts must accommodate high risk employees, who for COVID reasons, are unable to work at school. Must meet CDC definition and receive a doctor recommendation. HB1323- Requires staff to enroll in a “Long-Term Care Trust.” This in essence is a new tax on employees and not the employer. ESSB5044- This bill has created some confusion. The bill states that schools MUST provide one state-funded Professional Development day to be spent on cultural competency, diversity, equity, and inclusion for all staff this fall then every other year (2023-24, 2025-26, etc. afterwards). Requires school directors to complete training developed by WSSDA. Note: We only received state funding for state funded certificated staff for the PD day. But everyone needs to attend. Nothing in this bill or the law requires or discusses Critical Race Theory. There is no discussion or requirement to add CRT to school curriculum or for the expectation of it being taught to students. The intent of the bill is for staff to be better educated and prepared to meet the needs of students with diverse backgrounds and best prepared to support diverse students along with all our students.
- Cougar Wireless has contacted me and would like to put an internet relay on the water tower to service more of the community with line of sight to our tower. No specific date was set, but may happen sometime this summer.
ELEMENTARY/JUNIOR HIGH REPORT: The following were part of Alex Saywers report:
- We are getting close to wrapping up the 4th quarter and we have had a very busy May!
- We hosted the Fun Run for the first time since 2018, and it was a huge success! We had over 13 parents come out to help with the event and our students had a wonderful time running through the course that Mrs. Tee set up on our campus. It was amazing seeing our kids get to take part in this tradition, and I am so thankful for all of our amazing parents and staff who helped to set this up for our students.
- We hosted our last JH track meet on May 6th, and wrapped up baseball and softball on June 5th. Our JH girls wrapped up their basketball season last night and our JH boys began practice last week and will have their first game on Thursday, June 3rd at Asotin.
- We have nearly wrapped up all of our MAP assessments for spring, and we are just working on finishing up our kindergartners and remote students.
- Today we had our K-5 Awards assembly focusing on the character trait of perseverance. We live-streamed this into our classrooms and sent the recording out to families.
- On Friday June 4th, we will be having our 5th grade field day in the morning with Mrs. Tee and then our K-4 Field day in the afternoon with Mr. Langeman. Special thanks to the Liberty Booster Club for volunteering to help with this event!
- On June 8th, we will have our 8th grade promotion in the EJH gym at 7:00pm. We will have 8th graders in the bleachers and we have just enough space to fit four family members per student in chairs on the gym floor.
- On June 7th, 8th, and 9th we will have our equipment return going on. On June 7th we will check in all devices K-2, on June 8th we will check in all devices 3-6, and on June 9th we will check in our 7th and 8th grade devices. We will also have our final Junior High ASB activity on this day along with our fourth quarter assembly.
- We are currently in the process of hiring two new elementary teachers and we will be interviewing for these positions next week. Looking like a good possibility of a 3rd Kindergarten teacher.
- We are looking forward to finishing strong and I am so proud of our students, staff, and families for an amazing year!
HIGH SCHOOL REPORT: The following were part of Aaron Fletcher’s report:
- Graduation preparation is coming together, 42 students are on track to graduate. Valedictorian is Olivia Morgan and Salutatorian is Annika Hennington. Great job to those two!
- Graduation is set for June 5th at 1:00 p.m., in the big gym.
- Incoming freshman orientation parent meeting was held tonight at the high school. This was a great opportunity for new parents in our high school to learn about the differences between high school and junior high. This was done via zoom, and we had 22 families attend.
- Finals schedules are set: Senior finals June 1-2, and all other finals will take place June 3-8.
- AP Calculus Exam is on June 9th, 2021.
- Gathering more information about fall testing and assessments. With the delay, students will essentially be taking the tests a year behind.
- Students performed well at the Jr. Show in Spokane. A congratulations to Ava Budde who took Grand Champion.
- Handbook committee reviewing changes for next year, the handbook will be ready at the June Meeting.
- The 2021-2022 Class Schedule plan is 7 periods full time school, distancing much as possible, with masks required right now. There will be a remote option, but not with a Liberty Teacher.
- June 9th will be a modified schedule. The last Lancer Pride Assembly for the year this day as well.
ATHLETICS REPORT: The following were part of Kyle Dodge’s report:
- High School Sports - Both the Boys and Girls Basketball teams are currently undefeated and playing really well. They will play in Colfax on Friday, and are at home on Saturday against Asotin. Both the Girls and Boys wrestling teams are doing really good. Boys Wrestling is at Reardan tomorrow, and the Girls are at Rogers on June 1st.
- Junior High Sports - Junior High Girls Basketball finished their season up yesterday with win over NWC, and have had big improvements from the beginning of the year. Junior High Wrestling is finishing up in Reardan tonight. Junior High Boys Basketball started practicing on the 21st of May, and will play until June 17th and they have 19 total kids.
CORRESPONDENCE
- Brett Baum shared the letter from OSPI that reconfirmed the Make Up Day Waiver was granted and the last day will be as scheduled on June 10th .
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC:
Parent Julie Grumbly expressed her concerns for the lack of a traveling athletic trainer. Her son was injured in an away game and she felt that the away team’s EMS did not provide adequate support. The board sought clarification from Kyle Dodge on the protocols in the event of a student athlete injury, and the current steps being taken to find traveling support. Kyle Dodge affirmed he is in the process of finding a source, whether we contract out to someone or hire someone, and feels confident he will have it figured out by fall. He also confirmed Miranda Holling as the home game medical support personnel.
CONSENT AGENDA: Chad Cornmesser made a motion to approve the consent agenda as follows:
*Approval of regular board meeting minutes from April 28, 2021
*Approval of special board meeting minutes from May 3, 2021
*Approval of special board meeting minutes from May 13, 2021
*Approval of special board meeting minutes from May 18-20, 2021
*General Fund AP, Checks #113595-113665 in the amount of $120,430.59
*General Fund Comp Tax, ACHT #202000021 in the amount of $141.99
*Capital Fund AP, Check #113666 in the amount of $11,282.04
*Payroll for May 2021 and checks #113577-113594 totaling $571,903.83 for 126 employees
*Void/Reissue for check #113524 for $220.56 replaced with #113576 for $110.28 both dated 4/30/2021
PERSONNEL ACTION
- Appointments of: Leona Budde -EJH Health Aid (Transfer), Aleena Cook -HS Girls Assistant Basketball Coach, Teresa Whittall -21-22 Knowledge Bowl Advisor
- Resignations of: Sally Law -Bus Driver, and Mike Dewey -Head HS Football Coach
Jeremy Engle seconded the motion, and it passed all-in-favor.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
- First Reading of updated WSSDA Policies and Procedures – 3000 Series.
- There was review and discussion of the HS Master Schedule.
- Discussion of the Elementary/JH Boiler. Insurance will be paying for repairs. After multiple bids considered McKinstry has been scheduled to come in, sometime after June 10th. They will pull the boiler apart to asses everything first. Estimate for repair of just the seals is $20,000, but if there are any cracks the costs will go up. After they complete their assessment we will have a total cost, then we can compare the repair costs against the price for a new boiler. There was discussion about how McKinstry will own the machine, and therefore assumes responsibility to maintain.
ACTION ITEMS
Superintendent Hire/Contract
This will be discussed later, in Executive Session
Contracts
After review of the Contracts, Chad Denny made the motion to approve and Chad Cornmesser seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Sign Diplomas
All School Board members completed the signatures for the High School Diplomas
WIAA Resolution
After discussion, Jeremy Engle made the motion to approve the WIAA Resolution, Stephanie Stout seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Student Well-being Recovery Plan Approval
After discussion, Jeremy Engle made the motion to approve the Student Well-being Recovery Plan, Chad Cornmesser seconded, and the motion passes unanimously.
WSSDA Resolution- Academic and Student Well-Being Plan
Chad Cornmesser moved to approve the WSSDA Resolution- Academic and Student Well-Being Plan, Chad Denny seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Approval of Library Book Surplus
Jeremy Engle moved to declare the Library Books surpluses, Stephanie Stout seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
EXECUTIVE REPORTS: None
EXECUTIVE SESSION: At 8:05 p.m. Mark Bullock announced the board would enter into executive session as allowed by RCW 42.30.110 (g) for 20 minutes to discuss the superintendent contract. The board came out of executive session at 8:25 p.m. and announced another 20 minutes would be taken. The board exited the executive session at 8:45 p.m.
Chad Cornmesser made the motion to hire Jarrad Jeske as Superintendent approving the contract proposed to the Liberty Board of Directors. Chad Denny seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
*Minutes not approved until signed at the next regular board meeting June 23, 2021.