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minutes meeting date 2026-02-18 · fetched 2026-09-16 · 13858 characters · official file · plain text
Buhl Joint School District No. 412
Board of Trustees
Minutes of Regular Board Meeting
February 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 February 18, 2026. The regular session was called to order by Board Chair Jennie Ridley at 6:01 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, Sandra Lobo, and Mauri Gowans were also present. The administrators left the meeting at 8:00 p.m.
Opening Items - The meeting began with a roll call to ensure a quorum was present, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Board Chair Jennie Ridley announced that public comments on agenda items require submission of Form 4105F to the Board Clerk prior to the start of the meeting.
Approval of Agenda (discussion/action) - With no additions or deletions to the agenda, Trustee Alisa Atkinson moved and Trustee Carla Critchfield seconded a motion to approve the agenda as printed. Motion passed unanimously.
Public Comment - Board Chair Jennie Ridley opened the floor to public comments. No public comments were received.
Student Spotlight (information) - Middle School students Emmett Quigley and Cash Parker shared information about It’s Cool to Care, highlighting how students can practice kindness and empathy to make a positive difference in the classrooms and school community.
Buhl Education Association Report (information) - BEA Jennifer Miller absent. She informed the clerk that the membership meeting will be held in March.
REPORTS (information)
Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Oparnico reported:
* District Goals and Instructional Initiatives
The District continues implementation of Professional Learning Communities (PLC) as a multi-year initiative focused on improving student achievement. Ongoing work includes alignment of essential standards and assessments, vertical alignment, and improved communication. Curriculum Director Mauri Gowans is working on assessments and tying them to essential standards.
* Administrative Report
Administrative time reported for January included 39.25 hours for Kayla Kelly and 52 hours for Superintendent Oparnico.
* Maintenance
Maintenance projects are Popplewell Elementary plumbing, replacing HVAC in Middle School locker rooms, and preparing the summer maintenance plan.
* Upcoming Dates
FFA Week: February 24-27, 2026
Parent-Teacher Conferences (Elementary & Middle School): March 9-10, 2026
* Professional Development
Mauri Gowans along with teachers and staff attended the Idaho Education Technology Association conference February 4-6, 2026.
Region IV Superintendent Meeting February 25, 2026.
Danielson training for Superintendent Oparnico and Administrator Kayla Kelly March 11-12, 2026.
* Enrollment and Attendance
Open enrollment numbers were reviewed for both the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years. Average Daily Attendance remains stable across all schools.
* Discipline Report
Suspensions reported were one at Buhl High School, one at Buhl Middle School, and none at Popplewell Elementary School.
* Federal Programs
ESEA Monitoring: March 10, 2026
EL Enhancement Grant Application Due: March 2, 2026
Ukeru Train the Trainer (Katsules): February 18-19, 2026
Blue Jeans Conference (Lobo): March 2-3, 2026
* Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
The middle of the year testing is completed.
ACCESS testing is in progress for ML students.
* Athletics Report
Cheer: 2nd in sideline, 3rd in Pom; continuing support for boys basketball
Boys Basketball: Season started 5–2; 10-game losing streak; focus on district tournament
Girls Basketball: Season ended; team improved but no wins
Wrestling: Boys & girls teams improving; aiming for district & state success
* Food Service Report
Average daily participation was reviewed.
Financial Report - Krista Moyer
Financial Reports through January 31, 2026:
* In the General Fund report there was a transfer recorded for the bond/interest account that should have been in the general fund LGIP.
* The state revenue included a portion of the literacy payment and continuous improvement payment.
* We will have a deposit in February from the state which will be 20% of our base support payment.
* There was a large deposit from Pacific Office Automation to cover our Fisher’s contract as they bought it out and we moved to them for printer/copier services.
* Cody asked why we decided to move and I explained that there were cost savings associated with the move.
Student Achievement Report -
Curriculum Director Mauri Gowans reviewed academic data, including IRI results for grades K–5 and MAP testing for grades 6–11.
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 January 21, 2026
* Approve the January financial statements
* Approve the January vouchers
* Approve the school building checking accounts for January
* Personnel Recommendations
* Approval of resignations/retirements/terminations/leaves:
* Olivia Swensen (Elementary Para)
* Ann Glimm (High School Math teacher) effective end of 25/26 school year
* Employee 2025-2026 A
Trustee Carla Critchfield made a motion to approve the Consent and Confirmation Agenda as stated, the motion was seconded by Vice Chair Jenny Hopkins. Motion carried unanimously.
DISCUSSION/ACTION
ISBA Day On The Hill (discussion) - Superintendent Oparnico, Board Chair Jennie Ridley, Trustee Alisa Atkinson were in attendance February 16-17, 2026. They provided feedback to the board regarding the upcoming years budget and funding.
Post-Legislative Tour (discussion) - The Post-Legislative Tour will be held at College of Southern Idaho April 24, 2026. Superintendent Oparnico, Business Manager Krista Moyer, and Board Chair Jennie Ridley will be in attendance.
Board Training (discussion/action) - The Trustees discussed board development workshops offered by ISBA and IASA. After discussion, the board decided to focus on strategic planning customized with team building spread over two years. Superintendent Oparnico will contact ISBA and IASA to gather information. No action taken.
Negotiations Committee (discussion/action) - Board Chair Jennie Ridley appointed Trustees Carla Critchfield and Alisa Atkinson to serve on the negotiations committee. No action taken.
High School Principal Interviews (discussion) - Superintendent Oparnico reported the high school leadership team is reviewing principal applications. Interviews will be held on March 9, 2026. Trustee Cody Gilland will attend the interview.
Consideration to approve the 2026-27 School Year Calendar (discussion/action) - Superintendent Oparnico presented the draft calendar for the 2026-27 school year that mirror the current 2025-26 calendar. Mrs. Oparnico noted that the calendar represents survey input from community members, teachers, administrators. The board would like more follow-up with teachers regarding the survey to obtain additional feedback. After discussion, Trustee Alisa Atkinson made a motion to approve the 2026-27 school year calendar as presented with the modification of December 14 being a day off, the motion was seconded by Trustee Carla Critchfield. Motion carried unanimously.
Process to Set the 2026-27 School Year Budget (discussion/action) - Trustee Alisa Atkinson made a motion to approve the 2026-27 school year budget calendar to include March 13, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. and May 5, 2026 at 1:00 p.m., the motion was seconded by Trustee Cody Gilland. Motion carried unanimously.
Consideration To Approve The First Reading of The Following Policies (discussion/action) -
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 first reading of all policies stated 7400P1 through 7600P1, the motion was seconded by Trustee Alisa Atkinson. Motion carried unanimously.
CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE THE SECOND READING OF THE FOLLOWING POLICIES (discussion/action) -
2445 District/Charter School-Provided Virtual Instruction
3050 Attendance Policy
4260 Records Available to the Public
4260F Record Request Form
5740 Reduction in Force
5740P Reduction in Force
5740P2 Reduction in Force
7225 Financial Fraud and Theft Prevention
7235 Financial Accountability and Federal Grant Funds
7237 Retention of Records Relating to Federal Grants
7270 Property Records
7320 Allowable Use for Grant Funds
7320P2 Selected Items of Cost
After reviewing the above policies, Vice Chair Jenny Hopkins moved to approve the second reading of the policies, with the exception of Policy 2445 and to include the update of Policy 7270, the motion was seconded by Trustee Carla Critchfield. Motion carried unanimously.
Public Comment - Board Chair Jennie Ridley opened the floor to public comments. No public comments were received.
Executive Session (action) - The Board Chair announced that the next order of business would be the consideration of the Board recessing into executive session for the purpose of conducting further business.
After a full and complete discussion, upon motion duly made by Trustee Hopkins and seconded by Trustee Atkinson, the following resolution was presented:
BE IT RESOLVED. That the Board of Trustees of School District No. 412 recess from an open meeting into executive session pursuant to Section 74-206(1)(b) to consider the evaluation, dismissal or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against a public officer, school employee, staff member, individual agent or public school student under section 74-206 (1)(b), Idaho Code.
(i) Employee 2025-2026 A
(ii) Superintendent’s Contract
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that following the executive session the Board will reconvene in public session for purpose of conducting further business or for adjournment of the meeting.
Vote being had on the above and foregoing resolution, and the same having been counted and found to be as follows:
Jennie Ridley Aye
Jenny Hopkins Aye
Alisa Atkinson Aye
Cody Gilland Aye
Carla Critchfield Aye
And no less than two-thirds (2/3) of the membership in favor thereof, the Board Chair declared said resolution adopted.
The board went into executive session at 8:10 p.m.
The board reconvened into open session at 8:30 p.m.
Superintendent’s Contract (discussion/action) - After discussion, Trustee Cody Gilland moved and Trustee Carla Critchfield seconded a motion to extend the Superintendent’s contract by two years and include family health insurance coverage.
Vote being had on the motion and the same having been counted and found to be as follows:
Jennie Ridley Nay
Jenny Hopkins Nay
Alisa Atkinson Nay
Cody Gilland Aye
Carla Critchfield Aye
With the majority not in favor thereof, the Board Chair declared the motion failed.
Following further discussion, Vice Chair Jenny Hopkins moved and Trustee Alisa Atkinson seconded a motion to approve the Superintendent’s contract with the rolling three-year term and $365 toward family health insurance coverage.
Vote being had on the motion and the same having been counted and found to be as follows:
Jennie Ridley Aye
Jenny Hopkins Aye
Alisa Atkinson Aye
Cody Gilland Aye
Carla Critchfield Nay
With the majority in favor thereof, the Board Chair declared the motion passed 4–1.
Upcoming Events (information) - The next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Buhl High School Library.
Adjourn (action) - There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:43 p.m.
Clerk of the Board Date
Regular Meeting Minutes
February 18, 2026
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