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minutes meeting date 2026-08-19 · fetched 2026-09-16 · 7874 characters · official file · plain text
BUHL JOINT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 412 Regular Meeting August 19, 2026 BOARD OF TRUSTEES — OFFICIAL MEETING MINUTES Location: Buhl High School Library, 1 Indian Territory, Buhl, ID 83316 Call to Order: 6:02 p.m. by Board Chair Jennie Ridley Trustees Present: Board Chair Jennie Ridley, Vice Chair Jenny Hopkins, Trustee Cody Gilland, Trustee Carla Critchfield (via speakerphone), Trustee Alisa Atkinson. Staff & Administrators Present: Superintendent Angie Oparnico, Clerk of the Board Dena Felix, Business Manager Krista Moyer, Administrators Sandra Lobo, Kayla Kelly, Cyndi Cooper, Mauri Gowans, and Katie Horner. 1. 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. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA ACTION Vice Chair Jenny Hopkins moved to approve the agenda as written. Trustee Alisa Atkinson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 3. PUBLIC COMMENT Board Chair Jennie Ridley opened the floor for public comments. No public comments were received. 4. SPECIAL REPORTS & PRESENTATIONS INFO Student Spotlight: None given. Buhl Education Association Report: None given. 5. ADMINISTRATIVE & FINANCIAL REPORTS INFO Superintendent’s Report: Superintendent Oparnico reported on upcoming district dates, ongoing facility maintenance, enrollment updates (1,211 students districtwide), open enrollment status, federal program scheduling, technology deployment, fall athletics numbers, and food service operations. Student Achievement Report: Building administrators Cyndi Cooper (PES), Kayla Kelly (BMS), and Katie Horner (BHS) presented building-level achievement data, MAP/ISAT scores, and academic targets. Financial Report: Business Manager Krista Moyer presented financial statements through July 31, 2026, bank reconciliations, General Fund updates, payment details for roofing repair/replacement, and an updated vendor/payroll comparison spreadsheet. 6. CONSENT & CONFIRMATION AGENDA ACTION The Board considered the following consent items: Waive reading and approve regular meeting minutes of July 15, 2026 Approve July 2026 financial statements, vouchers, and school building checking accounts New Hires: Megan Gutierrez (Child Nutrition Manager), Sandra Payne (Child Nutrition Worker), Emily Apgood (Emergency Hire 5th Grade Teacher), Susan Pearson (Emergency Hire MS Social Studies Teacher), Keri Van Vleet (HS Special Education Teacher) Resignations / Terminations / Leaves: Jamie Story (Child Nutrition Worker), Traci Staley (Child Nutrition Worker), Shandra Bettencourt (Child Nutrition Manager), Victoria Deetz (MS Social Studies Teacher) • • • • Buhl Joint School District No. 412 | Board Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 4 Vice Chair Jenny Hopkins moved to approve the Consent and Confirmation Agenda as read. Trustee Carla Critchfield seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 7. DISCUSSION & ACTION ITEMS 7.1 WELCOME BACK STUDENTS & STAFF INFO Superintendent Oparnico welcomed students and staff back for the 2026–2027 school year, highlighting the Back-to- School Breakfast hosted by the West End Men's Association (WEMA). She noted a slight increase in district enrollment and emphasized the continued focus on student achievement. 7.2 FFA OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL NO ACTION Mr. Jones reported the student did not qualify for the National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana (October 19–24, 2026). No action was required. 7.3 BOARD OPERATING GOALS / STRATEGIC PLAN ACTION The Board reviewed Operating Goals and the Strategic Plan. Detailed discussion was deferred to September 16, 2026, when Dr. Heather Williams will outline the strategic planning process. Trustee Alisa Atkinson moved to table the Board Operating Goals and Strategic Plan until the September meeting. Vice Chair Jenny Hopkins seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 7.4 BUS ROUTES 2026–2027 ACTION The proposed bus routes for 2026–2027 were reviewed. Vice Chair Jenny Hopkins moved to approve the bus routes as presented. Trustee Alisa Atkinson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 7.5 ISBA ANNUAL CONVENTION INFO Reviewed convention details (Nov 4–6). Superintendent Oparnico will gather registration costs; interested trustees will notify the Board Clerk. 7.6 BOARD SELF-ASSESSMENT INFO Trustees were reminded to complete their self-assessments. 7.7 IDAHO SPECIAL EDUCATION MANUAL ACTION Trustee Alisa Atkinson moved to approve the 2025 Idaho Special Education Manual as presented. Trustee Cody Gilland seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 7.8 SUPPLEMENTAL LEVY / BALLOT LANGUAGE ACTION Superintendent Oparnico presented revenue and expense data regarding a proposed November supplemental levy. Following in-depth discussion, Trustee Alisa Atkinson moved to approve the supplemental levy resolution with discussed modifications, specifically removing the optional disclosure language from the ballot form and notice for $1.25 million. Trustee Carla Critchfield seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 7.9 STUDENT & ATHLETIC HANDBOOKS ACTION Buhl Joint School District No. 412 | Board Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4 Superintendent Oparnico presented the proposed 2026–2027 High School Student Handbook and High School Athletic Handbook. Trustee Alisa Atkinson moved to approve the High School Student Handbook as presented. Vice Chair Jenny Hopkins seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Trustee Alisa Atkinson moved to approve the High School Athletic Handbook with proposed amendments. Vice Chair Jenny Hopkins seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 8. POLICY GOVERNANCE (FIRST & SECOND READINGS) ACTION 8.1 FIRST READING POLICIES Category Policy # Title Students 3500 Student Health/Physical Screenings/Examinations Community 4170 District or School Operated Social Media Personnel 5260, 5265, 5280 Abused Child Reporting; Harassment; Ethics Code Personnel 5295, 5296, 5335 Employee Representation; Union Limits; Electronic Devices Personnel 5500, 5900 Personnel Records; Prohibition on Social Transitions Support Operations 8705 Generative Artificial Intelligence Vice Chair Jenny Hopkins moved to approve the first reading of the policies as listed. Trustee Carla Critchfield seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 8.2 SECOND READING POLICIES Category Policy # Title Instruction 2353, 2353F Minute of Silence & Form Students 3295, 3295P, 3330 Hazing/Bullying; Student Discipline Students 3331, 3500F, 3540 Weapons; Healthcare Blanket Consent; Emergency Treatment Personnel 5100, 5100P, 5100F1 Hiring Process & Records Release Forms Vice Chair Jenny Hopkins moved to approve the second reading of the policies as stated. Trustee Carla Critchfield seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 9. BOARD UPDATE & COMMUNITY OUTREACH INFO The Board reviewed content and outreach priorities for upcoming community communications, highlighting essential start-of- year updates including transportation app setup, online meal and fee applications, the addition of a fourth 5th-grade teacher due to increased enrollment, campus irrigation and lawn repairs, and the availability of activity cards online and at the high school. 10. UPCOMING EVENTS & ADJOURNMENT ACTION Board Training: Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (BHS Library) with Dr. Heather Williams. Next Regular Meeting: Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Buhl High School Library. Adjournment: Trustee Alisa Atkinson moved to adjourn the meeting. Vice Chair Jenny Hopkins seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m. • • Buhl Joint School District No. 412 | Board Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4 Clerk of the Board Date Buhl Joint School District No. 412 | Board Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4
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