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minutes meeting date 2026-03-18 · fetched 2026-09-16 · 12673 characters · official file · plain text
Buhl Joint School District No. 412 Board of Trustees DRAFT Minutes of Regular Board Meeting March 18, 2026 - 6:00 p.m. The Board of Trustees of Buhl Joint School District No. 412, Twin Falls and Gooding Counties, State of Idaho, met in its properly posted monthly meeting in the Buhl High School Library, located at 1 Indian Territory, Buhl, Idaho, on March 18, 2026. The regular meeting was called to order by Board Chair Jennie Ridley at 6:00 p.m. In attendance were Vice Chair Jenny Hopkins, Trustees Carla Critchfield, Cody Gilland, and Alisa Atkinson. Superintendent Angie Oparnico, Clerk of the Board Dena Felix, Business Manager Krista Moyer, and Administrators Cyndi Cooper, Kayla Kelly, and Mauri Gowans were also present. Opening Items - Roll call confirmed a quorum. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Board Chair Jennie Ridley stated that public comments on agenda items require submission of Form 4105F to the Board Clerk prior to the meeting. Approval of Agenda (discussion/action) - Trustee Jenny Hopkins moved and Trustee Carla Critchfield seconded a motion to amend the agenda to add action to the Legislative section and move Student Achievement to the first report. Motion passed unanimously. Public Comment - Board Chair Jennie Ridley opened the floor to public comments. No public comments were received. Student Spotlight (information) - Eva Hale and students presented information on the Idaho District IV High School Solo and Ensemble Festival held at the College of Southern Idaho. Buhl Education Association Report (information) - BEA representative Eva Hale informed the Board that the negotiations team will send an email soon and update on membership changes, as she, Jenn Miller, and Ann Glimm will be stepping down. REPORTS (information) - Student Achievement Report - The following staff members presented Professional Learning Community (PLC) data for their respective buildings: Elementary School: Jessica Dekruyf, Dottie Henkelman, and Sarah Williams Middle School: Lisa Parker and Jackie Fields High School: Dianna Finney and Katie Horner The Board reviewed the data sets provided by the presenters. It was noted that the consistent application of PLC has led to a more unified approach to student achievement. The committee expressed appreciation for the staff's dedication to using data to drive instructional decisions. Superintendent’s Report Superintendent Oparnico reported: BSD Goals 2025/26 Continuing districtwide Professional Learning Communities (PLC) to improve student achievement. Focus on essential standards, vertical alignment, assessments, and communication. Administration Administrative time: Kayla - 23 hours; Angie - 14 hours Projects ongoing; maintenance and instructional updates included in reports Upcoming Dates SAT - March 19 Spring Break - March 24-27 BHS Parent-Teacher Conferences - April 13-14 ISAT testing - April-May District Reporting Requirements Federal Programs audit complete Food Service audit complete Professional Development Guiding Coalition - March 31 District PD - April 13 Region 4 Superintendent Meeting - April 15 Enrollment & Attendance Open Enrollment: PES - 30, BMS - 19, BHS - 30; Denied - 3 Average Daily Attendance stable across schools Discipline BMS - 4 suspensions; BHS and PES - none Federal Programs ESEA Monitoring - March 10; Title I-A Self-Assessment - March 31; McKinney-Vento subgrant due - April 15 Special Education and related programs totals: 171 students served in Special Education, 26 in Section 504, 176 English Learners, 28 Migrant, 7 Homeless Maintenance Ongoing projects: painting, lighting, irrigation, floor scrubbers, playground and field maintenance, boiler and fire system inspections, elevator inspection pending, boiler and controller installed and working properly, high school roof replacement will be getting bids. Technology ISEE March data submission underway eRate Form 471 submitted ISP and Chromebook replacement planning in progress Athletics Golf team led by Stacy Wilson and Kayla Kelly; 4 girls and 11 boys; first match March 10 at Clear Lake Country Club Baseball, Softball, Track, and Wrestling programs active; updates provided by coaches Food Service Average daily participation reported; staffing adjustments ongoing 10-minute ISBA Training - Acronyms in Education handout distributed to board members for reference. Financial Report - Krista Moyer Financial Reports through February 28, 2026. General Fund Summary is at about 80% for revenue received. We have one more payment coming for this fiscal year from the state. Expenses are at 50% expensed, but have longer in the fiscal year to accrue, so we will end closer to revenues. Other Fund Summary: Some encumbrances are showing a negative amount. This happens if a PO is open in the last fiscal year and closed in the current fiscal year. On the Vendor check history, one thing to note: The MidColumbia payment is for January and February. State and Federal Funds Explained 1. 220 - Federal Forest Fund Money received from the Federal government and allocated to counties (for roads) and to schools based on ADA. Payment received in the Spring and Fall when available. 57-1304. USE OF SUCH MONEYS. The school portion of this money may be retained, accumulated and expended for the purchase of school sites and for the construction and remodeling of school buildings within the discretion of the trustees of the respective school districts; provided, that when, within the discretion of the trustees of the respective school districts, such moneys are not so needed they may be expended for current expenses. 2. 230 - State Board of Education – SOAR First revenue recorded in 2019, used some since that time. Balance is what is left, no more revenue in. 3. 241 - Drivers Education Fund Funds Driver’s Ed costs on a reimbursement basis. Reimbursed based on passing student count and miles driven. 4. 243 - State Vocational Educational Support (CTE) For BSD, these funds include Auto Tech, Ag, and Food Culinary Sciences. These are funded with a lump sum around November each year. The amount of each award will be determined each award cycle by the division of career technical education and will be contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds. 5. 244 - State LEP Program English Language Program that is no longer a separate fund number, but found within the general fund. It is budgeted for with Federal Program Title III for English learnings, but the full amount is granted to the district in the fall. It is not reimbursement based. We use this fund for supplies related to English Language learners. 6. 245 - State Classroom Technology Budget the sum of the following base amount associated with your 2025-2026 mid-term ADA, plus $97 per 2025-2026 mid-term ADA: Base amount a. Mid-term ADA is less than 25, $9,000 b. Mid-term ADA between 25 and 100, $360 per ADA c. Mid-term ADA is greater than 100, $36,000 Payment received in the Spring. 7. 246 - State Substance Abuse Budget $2,000 plus $13 per 2024-2025 full-term average daily attendance (A.D.A.). Based on 50% of Cigarette and Tobacco tax appropriated to schools for facilitating and providing substance abuse programs. Consideration to Approve the Consent and Confirmation Agenda (discussion/action) - Waive the reading of the minutes of the previous board meeting as they were submitted to each board member. Approve the regular meeting minutes of February 18, 2026 Approve the February financial statements Approve the February vouchers Approve the school building checking accounts for February Personnel Recommendations Approval of new hires: Katie Horner (High School Principal 2026/27) Marci Howard (Middle School Track Coach) Shannon Theurer (Food Service Director) Approval of resignations/retirements/terminations/leaves: William Clements (Elementary 5th Grade Teacher) Nicole Ormond (High School Cheer Coach) Jeremy Thomas (Middle School Track Coach) Trustee Alisa Atkinson moved to approve the Consent and Confirmation Agenda as stated. Motion failed for lack of a second. Trustee Carla Critchfield moved to approve the consent and confirmation agenda, the waiver of the minutes, the approval of the minutes, approval of February vouchers, February financial statements, approval of school board checking accounts for February, and excluding the personnel recommendations. The motion was seconded by Vice Chair Jenny Hopkins. Motion passed unanimously. Trustee Carla Critchfield moved to approve the resignations,retirements, and terminations of the three people as listed in the agenda. Trustee Alisa Atkinson seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Trustee Carla Critchifield moved to approve the hiring of Marci Howard as the the Middle School Track Coach and Shannon Theurer as the Food Service Director. Trustee Alisa Atkinson seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Following further discussion regarding the interview and hiring process, the proposed mentorship plan, and a request for clarification on how a candidate’s qualifications are determined, Trustee Carla Critchfield moved to table the hiring of the High School Principal position until the next regular or special meeting, whichever occurs first. The motion was seconded by Vice Chair Jenny Hopkins. The motion passed unanimously. The Board discussed scheduling a special meeting for an executive session on March 20, 2026 at 7:45 p.m. in the high school library. DISCUSSION/ACTION Out-of-State Travel for High School Music Department (discussion/action) - Eva Hale requested approval for an out-of-state trip to Utah on April 25, 2026. The agenda date was corrected. Students will attend Music in the Parks and later visit Lagoon Amusement Park. The trip will be fully funded through fundraising. Trustee Carla Critchfield moved to approve the out-of-state travel for the high school music department traveling to Utah in April. Trustee Alisa Atkinson seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Process to Set the 2025-26 School Year Budget (discussion) - A budget workshop was scheduled for April 14, 2026, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at the high school. No action was taken. Legislative Update (discussion) - Superintendent Oparnico provided a legislative update, including recent activity at the state level and potential impacts on education funding and policy. Following the report, Board Chair Jennie Ridley appointed Trustee Alisa Atkinson to serve as the Board’s legislative representative. Community Eligibility Program (discussion) - Superintendent Oparnico presented information regarding the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), including current program data, participation rates, and financial considerations. She indicated that additional analysis will be provided at the April meeting to assist the Board in determining the program’s cost effectiveness moving forward. No action was taken. Consideration To Approve The First Reading of The Following Policies (discussion/action) - 3085P Sexual Harassment, Discrimination, and Retaliation Policy - Title IX Sexual Harassment Grievance Procedure, Requirements, and Definitions After reviewing the above policy, Trustee Carla Critchfield moved to approve the first reading of all policy 3085P. Trustee Alisa Atkinson seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE THE SECOND READING OF THE FOLLOWING POLICIES (discussion/action) - 2445 District/Charter School-Provided Virtual Instruction 7400P1 Federal Award Requirements 7400P2 Procurement Methods Under a Federal Award 7400P4 General Procurement Standards for Federal Awards 7405 Public Works Contracting and Procurement 7450 Federal Cash Management Policy 7450P2 Federal Program Income 7455 Federal Debarment and Suspension 7600 Declaration of Financial Emergency 7600P1 Declaration of Financial Emergency After reviewing the above policies, Trustee Carla Critchfield moved to approve the second reading of the policies. Vice Chair Jenny Hopkins seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Public Comment - Board Chair Jennie Ridley opened the floor to public comments. No public comments were received. Upcoming Events (information) - The next meeting is a special meeting scheduled for March 20, 2026 at 7:45 p.m. in the Buhl High School Library. The next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the Buhl High School Library. Adjourn (action) - There being no further business, Vice Chair Jenny Hopkins moved to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Alisa Atkinson seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m. Clerk of the Board Date
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