New Policy on Student Electronic Devices Enacted
The Meadows Valley School Board held their monthly meeting Tuesday, January 14 with Chairperson Barbara Dixon, Chris Peterson, Jeffrey Luff, Shayleen Brooks, and Stepheny Becker all attending (Becker via Zoom call). Principal/Superintendent Dee Fredrickson, Vice Principal Katey Basye, Board Clerk/District Treasurer Carol Whitney, two parents, six teachers (two via Zoom), and one student also attended.
The Board approved the consent agenda and then addressed annual meeting details beginning with unanimous approval to reappoint Dixon as Board Chairman, Luff as Vice Chairman, and Whitney as Board Clerk/District Treasurer. The Board Meeting taking place on the second Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the school library was also unanimously reapproved. Whitney, Dixon, and Fredrickson were unanimously approved to authorize bank signature cards for district funds and School Administrative Office Manager Claudia Bentz and Fredrickson were unanimously approved to authorize bank signature cards for associated student body funds. The council unanimously reapproved designated locations for publicly posting meeting notices as the school window, school website, and City Hall.
Next up, Community House Thrift Store House Manager Brenda Burton and Store Manager Kristi Schiermeier presented paperwork confirming the merger between the thrift store and the school is in progress. The new agreement notes that the school district will take over all administrative duties including state sales tax payments, utilities, insurance, snow removal, trash removal, and inventory storage options as well as all marketing and social media updates. Burton and Schiermeier also presented paperwork noting community and school distributions given over the past years and shared some of the special community projects and accommodations they have offered. Schiermeier noted that currently all kids clothes, outerwear, and shoes are taken over to the Youth Advocacy Coalition after school program at the Community Center and given away for free. At the store, they have a community support request form binder for people in need to place requests for specific items and needs. They requested the board approve continuance of these accommodations. A check in the amount of $18,100 with notes on specific disbursement amounts was then presented to the board. An article on further details of this merger as well as the work of the Community House and its positive community impact will be submitted for a future newspaper issue.
Other audience communication was saved until the cell phone policy discussion.
Superintendent Fredrickson began her report to the board noting some attendance issues needed to be brought to the attendance board. Under behavior and discipline, she noted they had a recent issue with vaping that brought additional concern as the student admitted they were able to evade the detection devices. She emphasized that they are doing everything they can including working with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office and working to discourage kids from engaging in unhealthy and illegal activities.
Vice Principal Basye then presented the Idaho Reading Indicator results. In one grade, almost 100% were reading at grade level according to the test. MAP testing results may be reported on at the next meeting.
Fredrickson also reported that they have a training on January 24 that will include a team building and leadership class for staff. This will also include learning ways to support students and one another. The next professional development is scheduled for February 14 and that date will be changed.
The Junior High girls and boys basketball teams are off to a good start. Coach Bart Carpenter said the athletes are having fun and working on free throws. He hopes people will come out and cheer on the games.
Fredrickson announced Brandy Padgett has resigned as Athletic Director and she presented a proposal of ideas for the future of the athletics program. She stated she feels it is super important to our kids to have a high functioning, well attended athletic program. She proposed a discussion for the next meeting to look at what financial and time commitments would be needed to build the program.
The Superintendent noted some building updates including receiving a quote from ServPro related to water coming off the building and creating ice. She also noted that the alarm panel has been programmed and is being tested. Heater repairs in the weight room have been completed.
FFA teacher Rachael Melad is working on an overnight field trip to Boise. A Celebration of Learning Event will take place at the school on Thursday, January 23 from 4:30-7:00 p.m. Senior Projects will be presented at this event as well.
The school’s new website is up and running. Some updates are still needing to be added and an app will be presented in the future.
Next up was the third reading for Policy 3265 related to Student Owned Electronic Communication Devices. Three draft options were presented to the board. The school has not had a policy in place, only a procedure. Discussions and audience comments included the importance of protecting students’ mental health, keeping focus during learning time, and looking at social impact. Peterson, who also works with Meadows Valley Fire District, noted the importance of a clear and secure emergency scenario. If many people are descending on the school and trying to text or call students in an emergency situation that would make it more difficult for emergency responders to effectively work.
Teacher Tashia Kerby stated she is in favor of restrictions and said “The matter of their mental health, their academic prowess, it’s too important while they’re in our building. We see the effects of these devices on them every single day and it’s pretty staggering.” Others noted the addictive quality of cell phones and that it is difficult for students to not engage when a cell phone goes off during class.
Others brought up that students were bringing phones to the bathroom during class time and while they do not want to restrict bathroom use, if students are spending 10-15 minutes in the bathroom, they are guessing a cell phone is in use. Teacher Paige Walker brought up that many students have multiple cell phones, so if they have tom they leave a phone as ‘insurance’ when leaving the classroom or turn it in as a classroom rule. So they still might have a working cell phone on their person.
The majority of the meeting included discussion and public comment from teachers, parents, and the attending student. The policy notes the desire to promote student safety, support staff in maintaining an environment that encourages learning, reduce distractions, and improve academic focus among other intentions. Grades PK through 5 are prohibited from cell phone use during the school day. Grades 6-8 are prohibited from cell phone use during class time, passing periods, lunch time, and in bathrooms, locker rooms, and changing rooms. High school students in grades 9-12 are permitted to use cell phones at school activities outside of school hours and during lunch.
The policy states that the superintendent will report to the Board each year about the effectiveness of the policy and recommend any changes. Dixon recommended the board revisit the policy in June for the next school year. After much discussion and input, the board voted unanimously to put Policy 3265 in place. The policy will be effective immediately. The board thanked all attending for their input.
The next school board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 11 at 7:00 p.m..
