Buhl Joint District #412 | minutes | meeting 2025-12-17 | Regular Meeting Minutes 12-17-25 source: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vkaKKcj_4gj3LH7jaC3OT3Jg0aZk4GRJIYiEmtdrBXc/export?format=txt Buhl Joint School District No. 412 Board of Trustees Minutes of Regular Board Meeting December 17, 2025 - 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 December 17, 2025. The regular session was called to order by Board Chair Melissa Kippes at 6:00 p.m. In attendance were Chair Melissa Kippes, Vice Chair Paul Pettit, Trustees Jenny Hopkins, Carla Critchfield and Jennie Ridley. Superintendent Angie Oparnico, Clerk of the Board Dena Felix, Business Manager Krista Moyer, and Administrators Sandra Lobo and Mauri Gowans were also present. 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 Agenda (discussion/action) - With no additions or deletions to the agenda, Trustee Paul Pettit moved and Trustee Jenny Hopkins seconded a motion to approve the agenda as printed. Motion passed unanimously. Public Comment – Board Vice Chair Paul Pettit opened the floor to public comments. No public comments were received. REGULAR MEETING Student Spotlight (information) - Mrs. Margulieux and members of the middle school robotics team attended the meeting and presented an overview of several projects they have been working on this year, including demonstrations and explanations of their design and problem-solving processes. The Board thanked the students for their presentation and commended them for their hard work and dedication. Consideration of out-of-state travel (discussion/action) - Mrs. Margulieux and members of the high school robotics team have qualified to compete in an event at Coronado High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado, scheduled for March 5-8, 2026. Mrs. Margulieux shared that the team holds fundraisers and regularly applies for grant funding to help cover their budget. After discussion, Paul Pettit made a motion, seconded by Carla Critchfield, to approve out-of-state travel for the robotics team to Colorado Springs, Colorado, March 5–8, 2026. The board congratulated the team on their achievement. Motion carried. Buhl Education Association Report (information) - The agenda listed a report from the Education Association president, but no report was given at this meeting. REPORTS (information) Superintendent’s Report Superintendent Oparnico reported: * The Board reviewed district goals focused on implementing Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) districtwide to improve student achievement, including essential standards, vertical alignment, assessments, communication, and a continued focus on student outcomes. No new updates were reported regarding PLCs. Ongoing projects include auditorium and lighting improvements. Administrative time reports were provided by Kayla Kelly and Angie. * Upcoming dates were reviewed, including Christmas Break from December 19, 2025, through January 2, 2026. The Board also reviewed upcoming district reporting deadlines for Form 10s, ISEE data corrections, Career Ladder reports, and ADA by County. * Professional development updates included completion of the Harry Wong First Days of School training, which provided continuing education credit for 12 staff members. * Enrollment and Average Daily Attendance information was presented, along with open enrollment data for the 2024–25 and 2025–26 school years. Suspension data was reviewed, with no suspensions reported at PES. * Federal Programs updates included upcoming Parent Advisory Committee meetings, Child Count totals, General Supervision File Review timelines, and required OSY training. Special Education, Section 504, English Language Learners, Migrant, and Homeless student counts were reviewed. * Athletics reports were provided for girls’ and boys’ basketball, highlighting participation levels, improvement, and program goals. Food Service shared average daily participation data for PES, BMS, and BHS. * Additional reports were provided by Curriculum, Maintenance, Technology, and Athletics administrators. Financial Report - Krista Moyer Financial Reports through November 30, 2025 * General Fund Report: * State Support was deposited directly into the LGIP. It is recorded as revenue, and there isn’t a transfer out because it was deposited into the correct account. * The SDFF payment back in September was deposited in the checking account, so it was recorded as revenue and transferred out to the LGIP. * Salaries and benefits are expending lower than budgeted. * Expenses are lower over all due to less spending by all staff to prepare for possible budget cuts. * Vendor Check History: * Billed for the final portion of PES plumbing repairs. This final invoice came in much later than the rest, so I wanted to make note of that. * There were a few invoices that came in for two months at a time: * Health and Welfare * Family Health Services * Maxx Pest control * Intermountain Gas bill increased due to winter months. Student Achievement Report - Curriculum Director Mauri Gowans provided an update on student attendance for the current school year, highlighting trends and notable patterns observed across grade levels. Additionally, she outlined the process for student credit appeals, explaining that Mrs. Horner is responsible for managing these appeals, including reviewing submitted requests, coordinating with teachers and administrators, and ensuring that each case is handled in accordance with district policies. 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 November 19, 2025 * Approve the December financial statements * Approve the December vouchers * Approve the school building checking accounts for December * Personnel Recommendations * Approve new hires: * TJ Cline (HS Head Baseball Coach) * Jayce Bower (HS Assistant Wrestling Coach) * Megan Pearce (HS Kitchen Manager) * Shandra Bettencourt (HS Food Service Worker) * Erika Bridgman (HS Food Service Worker) Trustee Paul Pettit made a motion to approve the Consent and Confirmation Agenda as presented, the motion was seconded by Trustee Jenny Hopkins. Motion carried unanimously. DISCUSSION/ACTION CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE THE FIRST READING OF THE FOLLOWING POLICIES (discussion/action) - 2420 Title 1 2420P1 Title 1 - Parent and Family Engagement 2700P1 Graduation Requirements Procedure 1 After reviewing the above policies, Trustee Jenny Hopkins moved and Trustee Carla Critchfield seconded a motion to approve the first reading of policies 2420, 2420P1, and 2700P1. Motion carried unanimously. CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE THE SECOND READING OF THE FOLLOWING POLICIES (discussion/action) - 7403 Procurement of Goods and Services for School Meal Programs 8103 Vehicles Other than School Buses Used to Transport Students 8105 Extracurricular Transportation 8110 Safety Busing 8110F Safety Busing-Safety Busing Measuring and Scoring Instrument 8120 Bus Routes, Stops, and Non-Transportation Zones 8130 Transportation of Students with Disabilities 8140 Student Conduct on Buses 8170 District-Owned Vehicles 8180 Driver Training and Responsibility 8185 Use of Wireless Communication Devices by Bus Drivers After reviewing the above policies, Trustee Jenny Hopkins moved and Trustee Jennie Ridley seconded a motion to approve the second reading of the policies listed on the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. Public Comment - Board Chair Melissa Kippes opened the floor for public comments. Pam Osterkamp addressed the board, recognizing and congratulating the football players who were named to the All-Conference team, and expressed appreciation for their hard work and achievements during the season. Executive Session Action to Enter: Board Chair Melissa Kippes moved to enter executive session at 7:02 p.m., and Trustee Paul Pettit seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Roll Call: Melissa Kippes – yes; Paul Pettit – yes; Carla Critchfield – yes; Jenny Hopkins – yes; Jennie Ridley – yes. Pursuant to Sections 33-205 and 74-206(1)(b), the Board held an executive session to consider the evaluation, dismissal, or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member, individual agent, or public student. Action to Exit: The Board exited executive session and reconvened in open session at 7:48 p.m. Consideration to Accept The Superintendent’s Evaluation (discussion/action) - Trustee Paul Pettit motioned to approve the Superintendent’s evaluation completed in executive session. Trustee Jenny Ridley seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Upcoming Events (information) - The next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Buhl High School Library. Adjourn (action) - There being no further business, Trustee Paul Pettit moved and Board Chair Melissa Kippes seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:49 p.m. Clerk of the Board Date Regular Meeting Minutes December 17, 2025