New School Year, New Policies
The August 13, 2024 New Meadows School Board meeting began with acknowledgements and thank yous. Four out of five council members, the superintendent/principal, school secretary, Ag teacher, and one parent were present. The board discussed school improvement projects, teacher training, handbooks, and new school policies.
Superintendent/Principal, Dee Fredrickson, acknowledged custodian Tamara Brusso’s work this summer. Brusso asked community members for specialized help. Mike Bolopue brought in gravel to fill in and tidy an area behind the school. Fredrickson thanked Ag teacher, Rachael Melad, for her work with Brusso clearing the shed and tidying around school. Melad also helped fix the irrigation system. Fredrickson thanked Claudia Bentz for her extra hours and support. Fredrickson reported that she and Vice Principal Katey Basye went to the Idaho Association of School Administrators Conference July 30-August 2. Session topics included school vouchers, A.I. technology, school modernization funds, stricter cell phone policies, the registered teacher apprenticeship program, and modernizing graduation requirements. The latter is meant to add support for Career Technical Education programs. Keynote speaker, Ron Clark, stood out with his “teach to the top” method and strategies in teaching respect, common courtesy, and good behavior.
Fredrickson pointed out completion of new door security upgrades at the front and cafeteria entrances including an intercom and electric lock features. Staff started back to work on Monday, August 19 with teacher training including learning new policy, restraint and seclusion training, and new teacher orientation. A back to school night open house will take place Thursday, August 22. Fredrickson will be in the cafeteria from 5:30-6:00 p.m. that night to speak with parents about new entrances, air quality sensors in the bathrooms, and other updates.
Varsity girls volleyball and high school football practices have started. Rental house updates are complete. An offer to a full time custodian applicant was declined based on offered payment. A fire system inspection was completed in the last month. The report showed the south side of the building is in good shape, but the north side needs repair work. Repair quotes range in price from $28,986 to $65,334. Additional quotes will be sought.
Rachael Melad introduced an opportunity to get a free 24’ x 64’ greenhouse. Involved costs for travel and future repairs for power, gas, and re-covering would be funded by a grant from the Community House Thrift store and future fundraising. Melad said the greenhouse is about 30 years old, but vouched for its structural integrity based on the brand and trustworthy sources. The city and county offices have been contacted regarding permits.
Melad noted that Ag programs are built on a three fold model that includes classroom, lab, and agriculture or FFA components. A greenhouse allows students to use all three parts with a practice lab, record keeping, and selling plants for FFA. Melad stated that end of year plant sales generally supplement much needed income for Idaho Ag programs. The current greenhouse is not large enough for the program goals and is more of a “high tunnel” or hardening model of greenhouse. The considered greenhouse includes 10’ x 6’ garden tables. If the school wanted a new greenhouse in the future, it would likely take 3-5 years seeking grants and showing proof the program is productive. The school board expressed positive interest in the greenhouse.
The next order of business was reviewing the revised 10 year plan. The state is looking to get all schools up to good status with upgrades and improvements, so the numbers reflect the much higher funding needed.
The board unanimously approved the updated Terms of Employment and Non-Certified Staff Terms of Employment manuals. Staff Handbook updates were reviewed and unanimously approved. A statement that failure to follow policy and procedures will be reflected on teacher evaluations and may lead to termination was added under the code of ethics. The pet policy was also updated.
Next, the Secondary and Elementary Handbooks with updated names and times were approved unanimously. The Elementary Handbook changes included a note about the new library policy. Melad then gave a presentation related to surplus and duplicate items. Extra items in good condition were found while organizing storage areas. These items will be offered at the Community Thrift Store as part of the community yard sale happening August 31. A description with name, condition, and value was noted for each item.
The board then moved to new policy discussion and approvals. All were discussed thoroughly and had minor changes made. Policy 2140 and 2140F (form) involve student and family privacy rights. An agreement was made that the board does not need to give approval for all surveys from the school. The board affirmed the importance of respecting family privacy rights. Policy 2500 refers to library materials and 2500F is a consent form. Because of Idaho House Bill 710, Children’s School and Library Protection Act, libraries must have policies and forms that request parents or guardians review any possibly harmful materials before minors can access them. The form gives permission for student’s to have access to one or more specific materials depending on parent decisions. The parent or guardian must provide a signed copy in person to the school librarian or designee before minors can access certain materials. Students over age 18 may check out materials from any section. Fredrickson noted that the school has been keeping certain books out of general circulation already, so for them this formalizes the process.
Policy 2530 refers to reviewing learning materials and reconsideration of their inclusion. A committee will be formed to oversee future book and curriculum purchases. Any parent, employee, guardian, or district student may formally challenge specific learning material. The last policy to be approved was 3540 referring to emergency treatment. Fredrickson and Bentz noted the importance of this new policy to ensure school members can treat students in emergency situations if they are not able to contact parents. All new policies noted above were approved unanimously.
Approval of Policy and Form 3500 was tabled after a first read and will be addressed at the next meeting along with other new policies. The board will also discuss and approve goals for the continuous improvement plan. The next school board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 10.
