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minutes meeting date 2025-09-16 · fetched 2026-09-17 · 16800 characters · official file · plain text
Ririe Joint School District #252 Tuesday September 16, 2025 7:00 pm Regular School Board Meeting Minutes 7:00 pm – The Ririe Joint School District #252 Board of Trustees met on Tuesday September 16, 2025 at 7:00 pm for their regular monthly School Board meeting, which was also streamed live as a courtesy on: Ririe Bulldogs YouTube Channel 2. Board Chair Cook welcomed all those in attendance and asked everyone to please rise and repeat the Pledge of Allegiance. All did so. 7:00 pm – Board Chair Cook asked that roll call be taken. Roll call was taken and those in attendance were as follows: Board Chair Brigham Cook, Vice Chair Angela Reed, Assistant Treasurer Megan Coles, Trustee Dallin Howell, Trustee Mike Hansen, Superintendent Jeff Gee, Business Manager/Treasurer Trapper McCallister, and Board Clerk/Treasurer Kristi Hamilton. 7:01 pm - Board Chair Cook entertained a motion to set and adopt the agenda. Angela made a motion to set and adopt the agenda as posted. Megan seconded; passed unanimously. 7:02 pm – Item 5/Scheduled Delegations a. City of Ririe – There was nothing from the City of Ririe tonight. b. Department Updates Positive Happenings – Superintendent Gee brought up the list and pictures of Positive Happenings. He went over each one and explained. He informed of Dress up days at the Elementary, Bulldog Barks where students earn free ice cream by doing good things, the 10 FFA Students competing in the Range & Soils contests, and the installation of the new auditorium seats. He then turned the time over to Dr. Teske who informed of the positive feedback he received regarding Homecoming. He thanked Holly Odell, Annika Davey, the Student Council, and everyone for all of their hard work. He commented on the parade and the effort put in by parents, community, students, staff, etc… He then informed of Buff Puff Volleyball, Powder Puff Football, eSports, Dugout Dudes, the Bonfire and the Homecoming Dance. He informed that all teams won games during homecoming week. He thanked our SRO for arranging the helicopter for delivering the game ball for the homecoming game. 7:07 pm – Item 6/ Unscheduled Delegations - Board Chair Cook informed that unscheduled delegations are a call to the public and is added to the Board Agenda as a courtesy. He then reminded those present that the Board will allow 3 minutes per person, per topic. All Comments must be in direct correlation with items on the Regular School Board Meeting Agenda and are expected to be respectful and directed to the Board as a whole. Comments regarding District Personnel and/or Students are prohibited. The Board will not discuss, approve, or disapprove any topic brought before the Board during Unscheduled Delegations; but may include it on a future agenda for Board discussion. He then asked if anyone who was present at the meeting has signed up to speak or if there were any comments or concerns submitted via email. There were none. 7:07 pm – Item 7/Unfinished Business a. Discussion/Action Item – Discipline Policies. Board Chair Cook informed that this item was discussed during the Work Meeting tonight and no further discussion is necessary. b. Discussion/Action Item – Board Policy; Section 6000 – 2nd & Final Reading. Superintendent Gee summarized. There were no questions or comments. Board Chair Cook entertained a motion. Angela made a motion to approve the 2nd & Final Reading of Board Policy; Section 6000 as presented. Megan seconded; passed unanimously. 7:08 pm – Item 8/New Business a. Discussion/Action Item - Approve 2024-2025 Annual District Audit. Board Chair Cook informed that the Board will come back to this item a little later. b. Discussion/Action Item – Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP) – Superintendent Gee brought the information up on the overhead and went over everything in detail. He informed that we are required to have this posted on our website by October 1st. He explained the Cohort in detail and setting a goal of 90%. He then explained the measures that are ISAT related. He informed that growth measure is completely different than proficient. He explained how the goals are set for this year. He informed that creating a 4-year plan was discussed this morning. He also informed that they plan to meet with parents to talk about internships, apprenticeships and 4-year plans. He then informed that the last part of the CIP is staff performance. He explained in detail. 7:15 pm – Annual 2024-2025 District Audit. Board Chair Cook informed that they will move to this item now as it was scheduled and posted to begin at 7:15pm. Superintendent Gee called Kurt Folke/Quest CPA’s. Kurt joined the meeting via phone. He thanked Sharla, Trapper, Kristi and all others involved in getting the Audit ready. He informed that the Audit went really well. He informed that all of the books and information are in very good shape. He then asked the Board to turn to pages 1-4, which is the Audit Financial Statement. He commented that he believes all numbers are accurate and can be relied on. He explained further. He then asked the Board to turn to pages 41 & 42. He read over the verbiage and informed there were no findings, which means the district is making sure all controls are being followed and done. He commented that having no findings is a very good thing. He commended all who make sure things are being done properly. He then commented that the last thing to go over is the Financial Performance of the District. He asked the Board to turn to page 10 as he read over the information and explained in detail. He stated that the General Fund had a strong positive. He informed that the District did a great job making sure monies were invested and are earning well. He commented that FY25 had very good budget control on expenditures. He informed that the District has a little more than a 5 month operating reserve now. He informed that 3 months is the minimum needed for cash flow. He explained further. Kurt then moved on to the Nutrition fund. He commented the Ririe is operating very much like all other districts in the state. He explained further. He commented that food and labor costs have gone up which makes things tougher to run. He went on to explain the remainder of the report. He commented that the reserve is right where it should be. He commented that the Capital Construction fund has a lot of activity going on in it, and explained why. He then explained the School Modernization fund, and School Facilities fund. He commented that the take away this year is that is has been a good, positive year. He suggested keeping an eye on the Child Nutrition fund due to rising costs of everything. He asked if there were any questions. There were none. Board Chair Cook thanked Kurt for explaining everything so well and for his report tonight. Kurt thanked everyone. 7:25 pm – Board Chair Cook informed that they will move into Executive Session now. He then entertained a motion. Angela made a motion to move out of Open Session at this time, pause the livestream, and move into Executive Session to discuss personnel, student & legal items pursuant to Idaho Code §74-206 (1)(a)(b)(f)(3), Dallin seconded; passed unanimously. Roll call vote was called. Board Chair Brigham Cook, Angela Reed, Megan Coles, Dallin Howell, and Mike Hansen were all in favor by individual votes of “aye”. The public was asked to step out into the hall at this time and the livestream meeting was paused during Executive Session. 7:25 pm - The Ririe Joint School District #252 Board of Trustees having properly opened Executive Session pursuant to section §74-206 (1)(a)(b)(f)(3), Idaho Code, in the Ririe JR/SR High School Media Center, directly thereupon entered into discussion of all items on the Executive Session agenda. 7:56 pm – Superintendent Gee invited the public back into the Board Room at this time and the livestream was resumed. 7:56 pm - Board Chair Cook entertained a motion. Megan made a motion to move out of Executive Session and move back into Open Session to discuss all remaining items on the Open Session Agenda. Angela seconded; passed unanimously. 7:57 pm – Item 8/New Business - Continued a. Discussion/Action Item – Approve 2024-2025 Annual District Audit. Board Chair Cook asked if there were any further discussion on the Audit. There being none, he entertained a motion. Dallin made a motion to approve the 2024-2025 Annual District Audit as presented. Angela seconded; passed unanimously. b. Discussion/Action Item – Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP). Board Chair Cook informed that this item was presented and discussed earlier in the meeting. There being no further discussion, he entertained a motion. Angela made a motion to approve the Continuous Improvement Plan as presented. Dallin seconded; passed unanimously. c. Discussion/Action Item – Board Policy; Section 3255-Student Dress. Board Chair Cook commented that this has been discussed in detail previously and was added here again to ensure Board Policy is aligned with the Student Handbook. Discussion occurred. Board Chair Cook entertained a motion. Angela made a motion to approve the 1st Reading of Board Policy: Section 3255. Dallin seconded; passed unanimously. d. Discussion/Action Item – Jr/Sr High School Student Handbook Dress Code. Dr. Teske informed that he talked with his staff at length regarding the dress code. He read over the new verbiage and explained. He informed that the drug enforcement section was done with our SRO. Discussion occurred. Superintendent Gee commented that he will send an email out to the Board with all of the changes. Board Chair Cook entertained a motion. Angela made a motion to approve the 1st Reading of the Student Handbook Updates as presented. Megan seconded; passed unanimously. e. Discussion/Action Item – New Elementary School BOND Discussion. Board Chair Cook commented that he thinks it is time to start talking about this. He commented that with 70 kids in some classes, it is time to start discussing a New Elementary School. Superintendent Gee commented that he feels it will be pushing it to do an election in May 2026. He informed that the banker would like to come out and discuss some planning and strategies. He explained further. Superintendent Gee commented that he plans to put something together for the September board meeting with a tentative plan of running a Bond in November 2026. Discussion occurred. f. Discussion/Action Item – Speech/Language Contract. Superintendent Gee informed that last year the Board approved to hire a Speech/Language person under the school, rather than contracted. He informed that after further discussion with the individual, they would like more flexibility to work with other districts as well as Ririe. He explained in detail. Discussion occurred. Board Chair Cook entertained a motion. Dallin made a motion to approve the Speech/Language Offer Letter/Contract as discussed. Megan seconded; passed unanimously. 8:06 pm – Item 9/Reports a. Superintendent Report Attendance Excuses – Superintendent Gee explained. He informed that Board Policy requires all absence excuses be reported within 2 days. Brief discussion occurred. Tardy Policy/Procedure – Superintendent Gee informed that 3 tardies becoming 1 absence is in the Student Handbook but not in Board Policy. Board Chair Cook asked if it should be added to Board Policy. Discussion occurred. ISBA Annual Convention – Superintendent Gee asked all Board members to let Kristi know if they plan to attend the convention this year. He commented it will be held November 12-14 in Coeur d’Alene. Discussion occurred. Homecoming Week Report – Dr. Teske gave a report of homecoming week. He commented that everything was a success and a lot of fun. ISBA Resolutions – Superintendent Gee brought up the resolutions and recommendations from the ISBA on each one and explained. Discussion occurred. School Board Goals – Superintendent Gee informed that this item was discussed earlier in the meeting and no further discussion was necessary tonight. b. Business Manager’s Report Project Updates – Trapper McCallister informed that the Auditorium Seats are currently being installed and the Boiler project will be wrapping up soon. Bleachers Approval – Trapper informed that tariffs have affected the cost of shipping the steel for the bleachers at the Elementary School. He explained in detail. He informed that he would like approval for an additional $7,500 for anticipated increased costs in shipping. He commented that he hopes the costs come in lower, but won’t be sure until they are actually shipped. Discussion occurred. Board Chair Cook commented that he is comfortable approving a little more, just in case. He then entertained a motion. Megan made a motion to approve up to $10,000 additional funds for the increased costs of shipping steel for the Elementary Gym bleachers. Angela seconded; passed unanimously. 8:13 pm – Item 11/Personnel a. Applicant’s A, B, C. Board Chair Cook entertained a motion. Angela made a motion to approve Applicant’s A, B, & C for hire as recommended by Administration. Dallin seconded; passed unanimously. 8:14 pm – Item 12/Consent Agenda Items a. Action Item – Approve Regular AUGUST School Board Meeting Minutes (8-21-25). Board Chair Cook asked if the Board has read through the regular AUGUST minutes and if there were any corrections and/or changes. There were none. b. Action Item – Approve AUGUST School Board Work Meeting Minutes (8-21-25) - Board Chair Cook asked if the Board has read through the AUGUST work minutes and if there were any corrections and/or changes. There were none. c. Action Item – Approve Special SEPTEMBER Meeting Minutes (9-10-25). Board Chair Cook asked if the Board has read special minutes and if there were any corrections and/or changes. There were none. d. Action Item – Approve Bills Payable –Board Chair Cook asked if there were any questions regarding the Bills Payable Report. There were no questions or comments. e. Action Item – Approve Financial Report – Trapper went over the Financial Report and explained in detail. He informed that the target at this time of year is 17%. He informed that overall we are at 17%. There were no questions. f. Action Item – Approve Schools Activity Funds Report - Board Chair Cook asked if there were any questions regarding the Schools Activity Funds Report. There were none. 8:16 pm - There being no further discussion on the above Consent Agenda Items, Board Chair Cook entertained a motion. Megan made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda Items as presented and process the Bills Payables. Dallin seconded; passed unanimously. 8:16 pm – Item 14/Board Training – Superintendent Gee informed that this is the last chapter. He brought up his PowerPoint and reviewed everything. He talked about Shared Leadership. He encouraged community members to be involved. Board Chair Cook commented that he would like to invite more people to come to the Board regular and work meetings to talk about things. He commented he feels it would be valuable for the Board. Angela commented that she likes the idea of having students come talk to or with the Board. Discussion occurred. 8:26 pm – Item 15/Review Work Items Superintendent Gee will work on Policy 3255 to make it more consistent with the Student Handbook Superintendent Gee, Dallin and Mike will review Board Policy; Section 7000 before the October Regular Board Meeting Superintendent Gee will add a definition of Bullying into Policy Superintendent Gee will work on the Extra Curricular Policy with Matt Harris to ensure it aligns with Board Policy Superintendent Gee will look into the Grade Scale in the Student Handbook Superintendent Gee will draft some information regarding Bond Discussion Superintendent Gee will work on a plan for community involvement for a Bond School Board will discuss scheduling a Listening Session with the Staff Superintendent Gee will bring information regarding a Parent Zoom meeting Superintendent Gee will gather information regarding how many students are enrolled in online Math classes 8:33 pm - There being no further discussion in tonight’s meeting, Board Chair Cook entertained a motion to adjourn. Megan so moved. Angela seconded; passed unanimously. Reviewed & Approved: October 16, 2025 Board Chair: Brigham Cook Board Clerk: Kristi Hamilton
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