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minutes meeting date 2025-08-20 · fetched 2026-09-16 · 14402 characters · official file · plain text
Buhl Joint School District No. 412
Board of Trustees
Minutes of Regular Board Meeting
August 20, 2025 – 6:00 p.m.
Regular Meeting
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 August 20, 2025. The regular session was called to order by Board Chair Melissa Kippes at 6:00 p.m. In attendance were Board Chair Melissa Kippes, Vice Chair Paul Pettit, and Trustees Jennie Ridley, Carla Critchfield and Jenny Hopkins. Superintendent Angie Oparnico, Clerk of the Board Dena Felix, Business Manager Krista Moyer, and Administrators Cyndi Cooper, Mauri Gowans, and Sandra Lobo were also in attendance. Administrator Kayla Kelly arrived at 6:20 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 Melissa Kippes 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 Amended Agenda (discussion/action) - With no additions or deletions to the agenda, Trustee Paul Pettit moved and Trustee Carla Critchfield seconded a motion to approve the agenda as presented.
The motion passed unanimously.
Public Comment – Board Chair Melissa Kippes opened the floor to public comments. No public comments were received.
REGULAR MEETING
Student Spotlight (information) - No report given.
Buhl Education Association Report (information) - No report given.
REPORTS (information)
Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Oparnico reported:
* Implement Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) districtwide to increase student achievement (multi-year process).
* Focus on student achievement.
* Enhance communication regarding the levy.
Information
* Welcome Back Breakfast – Thanks to WEMA, Lynn, and Judy.
* AI training completed.
* First Federal Grant awarded in the amount of $2,100 for an electronic changing table in the ERR room.
Upcoming Dates
* Volleyball – First competition, August 19, 2025
* Soccer – August 26, 2025
* Football – August 27–28, 2025
* Cross Country – August 28, 2025
* School closed – August 27–September 1, 2025 (Fair/Labor Day); school will be in session on Monday and Tuesday, and announcements have been made.
District Reporting Requirements
* School District Facilities Fund Report – Due September 19, 2025.
Professional Development & Training
* Guiding Coalition – August 18, 2025
* Danielson Training – September 11–12, 2025
* Teacher Professional Development – September 15, 2025
District Enrollment / Average Daily Attendance (ADA)
The comparison shows an overall increase in enrollment.
School
2024/25 Approved
2025/26 Approved
PES
22
30
BMS
25
19
BHS
25
30
Total Denied
2
3
Maintenance – Doug Walker
* High school parking lot seal coating near completion; only the back circle area remains.
* The HVAC system was replaced at the high school.
* Concrete pad poured at the elementary to help prevent mud from being tracked into the building.
Technology – Chris Fields
* Summer School ISEE upload has begun.
* Preparing updates to the June upload to account for resignations and other staffing changes.
* New Chromebooks distributed to buildings and prepared for student use.
* End-of-life Chromebooks removed from service.
* Autotech shop brought back online and updated for current configuration.
Food Service – Michelle Shaddy
* The CEP program will operate on all campuses this year.
* Two vacancies have been filled, pending board approval.
* Working to comply with Buy American restrictions; currently awaiting budget information from Krista to address the 10% guideline (audit requirement).
* Preparing for upcoming audits, including a procurement audit and the USDA-mandated Administrative Review (AR).
Financial Report
Financial Reports were given through July 31, 2025.
* July was pretty uneventful, the start of the new fiscal year.
* Will receive the first installment of base payment August 15th.
* The audit was completed and will have a report in October.
* No large purchases to report out.
Student Achievement Report
Popplewell Elementary – Principal Cyndi Cooper
* Presented information regarding the summer school program, which began with 45 students in grades preschool through 5.
* The program focused on mathematics and language arts and ran four days per week for six weeks.
* Funded by Title I, EL, and Migrant programs.
* Mrs. Cooper reported overall growth for participating students.
Consideration to Approve the Consent and Confirmation Agenda (discussion/action) - Following discussion, Trustee Paul Pettit made a motion to approve the Consent and Confirmation Agenda, the motion was seconded by Trustee Carla Critchfield.
* 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 July 16, 2025
* Approve the July financial statements
* Approve the July vouchers
* Approve the school building checking accounts for July
* Personnel Recommendations
* Approval of Alternative Authorizations:
* Eva Hale - Alternative Authorization (HS Math Teacher)
* Kelsey Margulieux- Alternative Authorization (HS Math Teacher)
* Approve new hire/transfers:
* Tina Snider - Food Service Worker
* Katelin Roberts - HS Food Service Worker
* Sage Eckert - HS Volleyball Coach C Team
* Tyler Allred - HS Boys Basketball Coach C Team
* Deb Lyga - HS SPED Teacher (part-time)
* William Hale - HS Choir Teacher (part-time)
* Kelsey Margulieux - HS Math Teacher (part-time)
* Emily Yenne - MS Para
* Approval of resignations/retirements/terminations/leaves:
* Kylie Harvey - Food Service
* Hannah Henson - MS Para
* Ana Soto - MS Para
* Ana Arizmendi - PES Para
* Shandra Bettencourt - HS Kitchen Manager
Motion carried unanimously.
DISCUSSION/ACTION
ADMINISTRATIVE AND CERTIFIED STAFF DUTIES AND STIPEND INFORMATION (discussion/action) - Superintendent Oparnico presented the proposed compensation plan addressing additional administrative duties and stipends:
High School Principal Duties: Divided among three staff members:
* Katie Horner: Vice principal responsibilities, student support, compliance, and behavior management. Stipend amount $15,000.00
* Kayla Kelly: Main contact for students/families, major discipline, school culture, and leadership presence. Stipend amount $20,000.00
* Superintendent Oparnico: Staff evaluations, IPLP oversight, CTE programs, Wakapa coordination, district/state reporting, and extracurricular supervision. Stipend amount $25,000.00
Other Stipends:
* Special Education Staff: Due to staffing shortages – two at $10,000.00, two at $5,000.00, and one at $2,000.00.
* Technology Director: $10,000.00 for additional responsibilities.
The trustees discussed the additional administrative duties resulting from the lack of qualified applicants for the high school principal position. Trustees agreed that the position should be posted now for the 2026/2027 school year to allow adequate time to recruit a qualified candidate.
Discussion included how stipend amounts were determined, concerns about staff burnout due to the redistribution of principal responsibilities, and community perceptions regarding the Superintendent’s involvement in high school leadership since she previously served as principal. Trustees emphasized the importance of ensuring that the Superintendent’s role remains a priority and is clearly distinguished from principal duties.
The trustees also considered whether some responsibilities could be delegated to other staff members to reduce the workload placed on administrators. In addition, they addressed accountability measures for stipends, requesting that administrators receiving stipends provide regular reports documenting their time and additional responsibilities to justify the amounts and ensure transparency.
Trustee Paul Pettit moved and Trustee Jenny Hopkins seconded a motion to approve the proposed compensation plan, including equitable special education teacher stipends, and to hire a tech assistant, with no approval of a technology director stipend. The stipend will be revisited if a technology assistant cannot be hired.
Motion carried unanimously.
BOARD OPERATING GOALS / STRATEGIC PLAN (discussion/action) - The trustees agreed to review this item at the September 2025 meeting.
No action taken.
BUS ROUTES (discussion/action) - The trustees reviewed the bus routes and expressed concern about the excessive amount of time some students are spending on buses. They discussed the possibility of adding an additional bus to help reduce route times and requested further review of options.
Trustee Carla Critchfield moved to approve the bus routes as presented. The motion did not receive a second. After additional discussion, Trustee Paul Pettit moved to approve the bus routes as presented, with the understanding that route options will continue to be reviewed. Trustee Melissa Kippes seconded the motion.
Motion carried unanimously.
REQUEST WAIVER FOR DIGITAL LITERACY FOR CLASS OF 2028 (discussion/action) - After review and discussion, Trustee Paul Pettit moved and Trustee Jenny Hopkins seconded the approval of the waiver for digital literacy for class of 2028.
Motion passed unanimously.
NUTRITION COMMITTEE (discussion) - Trustee Paul Pettit was appointed to serve on the Nutritional Committee.
IDAHO SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION (ISBA) CONVENTION (discussion) - The Idaho School Boards Association Annual Convention will be held November 12–14, 2025, at the Coeur d’Alene Resort in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Registration opened August 19, 2025. Trustees who wish to attend must notify Clerk Dena Felix by August 29, 2025.
CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE THE FIRST READING OF THE FOLLOWING POLICIES (discussion/action) -
Board of Trustees
1615 Trustee Spouse Employment
After reviewing the above policy, Trustee Paul Pettit moved and Trustee Carla Critchfield seconded a motion to approve the first reading of Policy 1615 as amended and presented.
Motion carried unanimously.
Instruction
2340 Controversial Issues and Academic Freedom
After reviewing the above policy, Trustee Paul Pettit moved and Trustee Jenny Hopkins seconded a motion to approve the first reading of Policy 2340 with a second reading clarification.
Motion carried unanimously.
Instruction
2435 Advanced Opportunities
After reviewing the above policy, Trustee Jenny Hopkins moved and Trustee Paul Pettit seconded a motion to approve the first reading of Policy 2435 as presented.
Motion carried unanimously.
Students
3000 Entrance, Placement, Transfer
After reviewing the above policy, Trustee Paul Pettit moved and Trustee Jenny Hopkins seconded a motion to approve the first reading of Policy 3000 as presented.
Motion carried unanimously.
Community Relations
4105F Request to Address the Board
After reviewing the above policy, Trustee Paul Pettit moved and Trustee Jenny Hopkins seconded a motion to approve the first reading of Policy 4105F as presented, with the removal of #5 “Board of Trustees” on page 1 and the removal of “Dena Felix” on page 5.
Motion carried unanimously.
Community Relations
4600P Volunteer Assistance Procedures
After reviewing the above policy, Trustee Paul Pettit moved and Trustee Melissa Kippes seconded a motion to approve the first reading of Policy 4600P as presented.
Motion carried unanimously.
Financial Management
7405 Public Works Contracting and Procurement
7405P Procuring Public WOrks, Services, and Personal Property
7407 Public Procurement of Goods and Services
7408 Entering into Professional Service Contracts
After reviewing the above policies, Trustee Paul Pettit moved and Trustee Jenny Hopkins seconded a motion to approve the first reading of Policies 7405, 7405P, 7407, and 7408 as presented.
Motion carried unanimously.
CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE THE SECOND READING OF THE FOLLOWING POLICIES (discussion/action) -
Board of Trustees
1500P Board Meetings Procedure
1500B Board Operating Protocols
Instruction
2320 Health Enhancement Education
2320P Parent Complaints
2320F Parental Permission Form for Sex Education of Instruction Related to Human Sexuality
Students
3000 Entrance, Placement, Transfer
3010 Open Enrollment
3010P Open Enrollment Procedure
3265 Student-Owned Electronic Communication Devices
3281 Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation
3340 Corrective Actions and Punishment, and Denial of Enrollment
3340P Corrective Actions, Punishment, and Denial of Enrollment
3525 Immunization Requirements
Community Relations
4105 Public Participation in Board Meeting
After reviewing the above policies, Trustee Jennie Ridley moved and Trustee Paul Pettit seconded a motion to approve the second reading of Policies 1500B, 2320, 2320P, 2320F, 3000, 3010, 3010P, 3265, 3281, 3340, 3340P, and 3525 as presented, excluding the approval of Policies 1500P and 4105.
Motion carried unanimously.
Public Comment – Board Chair Melissa Kippes opened the floor to public comments. No public comments were received.
Upcoming Events (information) – The next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at the Buhl High School Library.
Adjourn (action) – There being no further business, Trustee Paul Pettit moved and Trustee Carla Critchfield seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 p.m.
Clerk of the Board Date
Regular Meeting Minutes
August 20, 2025
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