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minutes meeting date 2026-05-20 · fetched 2026-09-16 · 14948 characters · official file · plain text
Snake River School Board of Trustees
Held at Snake River Community Library
924 West Highway 39, Blackfoot, ID 83221
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
1.
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Chairman Lon Harrington called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Other board members present were Toni Ibarra, Carol
Hepworth, Josh Sorensen, and Larin Mortimer. Also attending were Superintendent Mark Kress and Board Clerk Terisa
Coombs.
2.
PRAYER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Trustee Mortimer opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
3.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Trustee Hepworth moved and Trustee Ibarra seconded to approve the agenda as presented. All board members
voted aye. Motion passed 5-0.
4.
PUBLIC INPUT
There were no comments made during Public Input.
5. ACTION ITEMS
a. Consent Agenda
Minutes: Minutes of Regular Meeting of April 21, 2026
Retirements/Resignations: Barbara Bedwell, SRHS Math Teacher(36 years--effective May 29, 2026); Gaye Jones,
SRJH Secretary (17 years—effective May 28, 2026); Maria Wilson, SRO Teacher (23 years—effective May 29, 2026);
Malin Abril, Kindergarten Teacher; Taylor Giles, Custodian; Michael Hammond, Rockford Special Ed Parapro; Jane
Reynolds, Riverside Title I Parapro; Elizabeth Egbert, Special Ed Parapro; Madison Thieman, Moreland Special Ed
Parapro; Katie Williams, Moreland Kindergarten Aide. Superintendent Kress thanked all those who are retiring.
Budget Report, Reconciliation Report, LGIP Statements, Payroll, and Claims Payable for April 2026
A motion was made by Trustee Mortimer and seconded by Trustee Hepworth to approve the Consent Agenda as
presented. All board members voted aye. Motion passed 5-0.
b. Rockford Cursive Writing Curriculum:
The Rockford cursive writing curriculum adoption committee has met and would like to purchase a cursive writing
curriculum called Zaner-Bloser Handwriting. Superintendent Kress discussed the process and recommendation.
Trustee Hepworth moved and Trustee Ibarra seconded to approve the purchase of the cursive writing
curriculum, Zaner-Bloser Handwriting in the amount of $2,300.00, as presented. All board members voted aye.
Motion passed 5-0.
c. Jr. High Lead Remediation Authorization:
The DEQ has asked that the board authorize an agent to sign all applications, funding agreements, and other documents
relating to the Snake River Jr. High Lead Remediation Project. Superintendent Kress would like to be that agent if the
board approves. The following resolution needs to be read and a motion made:
WHEREAS, the Snake River School District No. 52 intends to develop a Project for Drinking Water facilities for the
Snake River Jr. High School Drinking Water system, such Project being necessary to determine the needs of the area for
health, safety, and wellbeing of the people; and
WHEREAS, the Project is to be developed in accordance with the requirements in the Voluntary School and Child Care
Lead Testing and Reduction Grant Program (SDWA 1464 (d)) and will set forth Drinking Water facilities required to be
constructed to serve the needs of the area; and
WHEREAS, the costs of the Project of the Drinking Water facilities are eligible for grant funding;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Snake River School District No. 52, Idaho, that the
Superintendent and/or Business Manager are duly authorized to sign applications, grant agreements and amendments,
and other documents relating to Snake River Jr. High Lead Remediation Projects.
A motion was made by Trustee Mortimer and seconded by Trustee Hepworth to approve the Authorizing
Resolution for the Jr. High Lead Remediation Project as presented. All board members voted aye. Motion
passed 5-0.
Snake River Board of Trustees Minutes
May 20, 2026 (2)
d. Negotiations, Salaries, and Benefits
The District and the SREA met on May 7, 2026 to discuss salaries and benefits. Chairman Harrington and Trustee
Sorensen represented the Board and Jon Hawkes represented the SREA. HB 516 has caused some problems with
negotiating the terms and wording. At this time, the district has not heard when the SREA would like to pick up
negotiations. There will need to be a special meeting to ratify the negotiated agreement after negotiations are completed.
The board also reviewed the proposed the classified and admin salary schedules.
Trustee Ibarra moved and Trustee Mortimer seconded to approve the 2026-2027 classified and administrative
salaries as presented. All board members voted aye. Motion passed 5-0.
e. Trustee Resignation/Vacancy Zone 5
Over the past several months, Trustee Toni Ibarra has shared that her life circumstances have changed significantly,
requiring her to take on more than she had anticipated. As a result, she has made the thoughtful decision to step aside and
allow someone else the opportunity to serve. She would like to remain on the board until after graduation.
Superintendent Kress took a moment to recognize and thank Toni for her 4½ years of dedicated service. He said this,
“During my time as superintendent, I’ve had the privilege of working with Toni for five of my six years here. I feel
fortunate to serve alongside a school board that values teachers and students as deeply as I do, and Toni has been an
important part of that culture. She has helped make this a place where people want to stay and do their best work. Thank
you for your commitment, your leadership, and all that you have contributed to this district.” Chairman Harrington also
thanked Trustee Ibarra for her service.
A motion was made by Trustee Mortimer and seconded by Trustee Hepworth to accept the resignation of Board
Trustee Toni Ibarra and declare a vacancy for Zone 5 effective June 1, 2026. All board members voted aye.
Motion passed 5-0.
6.
INFORMATION ITEMS
a. Superintendent Report
1. Levy Results: Superintendent Kress thanked the community for passage of the replacement supplemental levy and
was grateful considering the negative campaigns and neighboring districts who ran levies failed.
2. Insurance Renewal Information: Superintendent Kress explained the insurance renewal information and the fact
that our rates have gone down slightly.
3. Meal Fee Increases 2026-2027: Superintendent Kress discussed that there will be an increase in school lunch and
breakfast program fees for the 2026-2027 school year. This increase in fees is to comply with the USDA
required fee increase. This is to cover the cost of food, supplies, and employees. The increase is under 5%.
4. District and Building Reports: Superintendent Kress talked about Kindergarten graduation that was today and also
the upcoming end of the year activities.
b. Upcoming Events
1. Teacher Inservice for grades K-6 is May 21st
2. SREF Color Run will be May 23rd at 11 a.m.
3. SROHS Graduation is May 26th at 6:30 p.m. at Snake River High School
4. Last Day of School for Seniors/SRHS Graduation is May 27th
5. Last Day of School for students is May 28th
6. Last Day for Teachers is May 29th
7.
POLICY READINGS
a. Second Reading:
Policy 3085P1—Sexual Harassment, Discrimination, and Retaliation Policy—Title I Sexual Harassment Grievance
Procedure, Requirements, and Definitions: This update was prompted by changes regarding cross-examination at live
hearings about reports of sexual harassment. This policy previously called for decision-makers to refrain from relying on
testimony of a party to the reported incident or a witness if they are over 10 and do not submit to cross-examination. This
practice has been ruled unconstitutional and we strongly recommend removing it from policy. This update also contains
other edits for readability, correction of typos, and consistency. This is a required update to a required item.
A motion was made by Trustee Hepworth and seconded by Trustee Ibarra to approve the second reading of Policy
3085P1—Sexual Harassment, Discrimination, and Retaliation Policy—Title I Sexual Harassment Grievance
Procedure, Requirements, and Definitions. All board members present voted aye. Motion passed 5-0.
Snake River Board of Trustees Minutes
May 20, 2026 (3)
b. First Readings:
Policy 1303—Policies and Procedures to Review Annually: These edits update the list of items for which annual
review is required, adding several new policies and a procedure. It also includes some minor language cleanup for
consistency, style, and to correct a typo. This is a recommended update to a recommended item.
Policy 1405—School Board Use of Email and Social Media: These edits expand this policy's cautions and
requirements to include all forms of electronic communication, not just email. They also include some general cleanup
and edits to improve readability. This is a recommended update to a recommended policy.
Policy 2150/2150P1—Copyright—Copyright Compliance: Some detailed standards are removed, and some have
been supplemented with language noting that they are intended as guidelines and don't guarantee that the use falls
within the requirements of the law. Whether copying or performance of copyrighted material falls within the fair use
exemption is determined on a case-by-case basis and involves multiple factors. In addition, we've added language
emphasizing the need for particular caution when it comes to materials related to standardized tests. This is a
recommended update to a recommended policy and procedure.
Policy 7400P3—Miscellaneous Procurement Standards-Requirements and Restrictions for Procurement Under a
Federal Award: This update adds new required policy language that notes additional requirements that apply to
purchases of non-domestic food. They also add a requirement to include "Buy American" provisions to more documents
related to purchases with federal funds. This is a required update to a required item.
Policy 7400P4—General Procurement Standards for Federal Awards: There is a lot of new material related to
purchases with federal funds. There's a new paragraph about what to do in cases where an item that was ordered is
unavailable and a substitute needs to be found. A sentence about recordkeeping was removed because it is now covered
in more detail in an new subsection about recordkeeping related to federal purchases. That new paragraph also describes
materials that must be retained related to purchasing, including requirements specific to non-competitive purchases.
There are also new subsections on terminating contracts and on changing contract costs when related expenses change.
This is a required update to a required item.
Policy 7403—Procurement of Goods and Services for School Meal Programs: We've added new required material
related to federal administrative rules that districts and charter schools must comply with if they participate in federal
school meal programs. There's also a new subsection on requiring contractors to disclose and return to the District any
discounts or similar incentives they receive from suppliers. Finally, it also includes a new subsection about the required
USDA non-discrimination statement. This is a required update to a required item.
Policy 7455—Federal Debarment and Suspension: This update provides new language stating that the district or
charter school will comply with requirements to verify that federal funds are not awarded to any party that is ineligible
to receive them. There is also some minor punctuation cleanup near the bottom of the policy. This is a required update
to a required item.
Policy 8103—Vehicles Other than School Buses Used to Transport Students: This update clarifies that the 60-day
inspection requirements only apply to vehicles for which state reimbursement is received. The district or charter school
can set its own inspection timeline for other vehicles. This is an optional update to a recommended item.
A motion was made by Trustee Mortimer and seconded by Trustee Hepworth to approve the first reading of
Policy 1303—Policies and Procedures to Review Annually; Policy 1405—School Board Use of Email and Social
Media; Policy 2150—Copyright; Policy 2150P1—Copyright—Copyright Compliance; Policy 7400P3—
Miscellaneous Procurement Standards-Requirements and Restrictions for Procurement Under a Federal Award;
Policy 7400P4—General Procurement Standards for Federal Awards; Policy 7403—Procurement of Goods and
Services for School Meal Programs; Policy 7455—Federal Debarment and Suspension; and Policy 8103—Vehicles
Other than School Buses Used to Transport Students. All board members present voted aye. Motion passed 5-0.
8. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Under Idaho Code 74-206 1(a) Superintendent Evaluation; (1)(b)To consider the evaluation, dismissal of or
disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member, or
individual agent (1)(d) to consider records that are exempt from disclosure as provided in Chapter 1, Title 74, Idaho
Code, Trustee Ibarra moved and Trustee Sorensen seconded to go into Executive Session. A roll call vote was taken:
Lon Harrington, aye; Larin Mortimer, aye; Josh Sorensen, aye; Toni Ibarra, aye; and Carol Hepworth, aye. Motion
passed 5-0.
The board went into Executive Session at 7:50 p.m. Idaho Code 74-206 (1)(b) discussion was held about a personnel issue until
7:58 p.m.
Snake River Board of Trustees Minutes
May 20, 2026 (4)
From 7:58 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., Idaho Code 74-206 (1)(d) was discussed.
From 8:30 p.m. until 9:05 p.m., Idaho Code 74-706 (1)(a) to consider the evaluation of the Superintendent was performed.
At 9:05 p.m., the doors were opened and the board returned to Regular Session.
9. ACTION ITEM
Trustee Hepworth moved and Trustee Mortimer seconded to table the decision about Superintendent Mark Kress’s
contract for the 2026-2027 school year.
10. CLOSING INFORMATION ITEMS
The next board meeting/budget hearing will be Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at Snake River School/Community Library at 7
p.m.
11. ADJOURN
Trustee Ibarra moved to adjourn and Trustee Hepworth seconded.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:08 p.m.
ATTEST:
Terisa Coombs
Lon Harrington
Clerk
Chairman
June 17, 2026
Date
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