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minutes meeting date 2026-07-23 · fetched 2026-09-16 · 12424 characters · read by OCR, check numbers against the source · official file · plain text
Board of Trustees’ Meeting July 23, 2026 District Office 6:30 p.m. 270 East Bridge Street Blackfoot, Idaho Minutes Chairwoman Mary Jo Marlow called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Mrs. Marlow welcomed the audience and led them in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Board members in attendance were Chairwoman Mary Jo Marlow, Vice Chairwoman Taryn Shoyo, Treasurer Cleon Chapman, and Trustee David Barlow. Also in attendance were Superintendent Brian Kress, Assistant Superintendent Ryan Wilson, Director of Student Support Services Lynette Carter, Board Clerk Jennifer Hatch, Transportation Director Melissa Nichols, and Principal Debra Steele. Approval of the Agenda- There were no changes to the posted agenda. Public Forum — No one came forward during Public Forum. Superintendent Update (Information) — The I.T. Stoddard renovation has been moving slowly because of the heat. We anticipate that we will be able to move forward more quickly in the next few weeks. The tennis courts will have the posts for the nets delivered next week and the cement should be laid the following week. The greenhouse is being installed by I.T. Stoddard. There are lots of projects happening throughout the District. It is audit season. We have been gearing up to be ready for the auditors. They will be at the District Office on Monday the 27". Mr. Kress met with the tribal council today. They are very appreciative of the Blackfoot School District. They were especially thankful of how we handled the MMIMW recognition day. Mr. Thomas is going to be installing stadium seating on the first few rows down from the press box at the BHS football field. The seats will be available to senior parents first and then family members and other parents until they are all spoken for. They will be available to purchase for the season for $150.00 In 2 weeks several administrators from our district will be attending the IASA conference in Boise. Mr. Kress will be receiving the State Leadership Award. June Financial Report (Information) — The June Financial Report was presented by Mr. Kress. (See Attachment A) ISBA Convention (Information) — The annual ISBA Convention will be held in Boise on November 4- 6", 2026. This is a great opportunity for training from the Idaho School Board Association. It is also a good way to see how we lobby to our legislators. If you would like to attend please let Mrs. Hatch know. FY26 Supplemental Levy Expenditures (Information) — Every July we are required to let our patrons know how our supplemental levy expenditures have been spent. Mr. Kress shared a table showing the funds that were requested on the levy ballot compared with the actual amount that was spent. We spend well above what the State of Idaho funds our District. We designate $500,000 for our classified staff from the supplemental levy, the actual amount spent was $1,432,536. Our Classified Staff are vital to our district. We designate $400,000 from the supplemental levy for Certified Staff, but the actual cost is $745,650 above what the state funds. We also fund above what the state funds for the Child Nutrition program, Technology Supplies, Classroom Instructional Supplies, and Transportation. Upcoming Board Training with Ms. Amy White (Information) — We may need to move our August board meeting to accommodate Ms. White being able to attend and present us with updated training. It could potentially be moved from August 27" to August 20". Mr. Kress will get it scheduled and let the Board know. 1 Board Meeting Minutes 7/23/2026 T-Mobile Tower Lease Update (Information) — A couple of months ago, the Board approved moving forward to install a T-Mobile tower close to the BHS baseball/softball complexes. Our lawyers had several concerns. They were concerned about locking future boards into a contract for the next 50 years. Circumstances and budgets change over time. It would also limit what we would be able to utilize the land for in the future. Mr. Wilson recommended that the board not continue moving forward with this project. Idaho Special Education Manual Update (Information) — Mrs. Lynette Carter spoke about the updated Idaho Special Education Manual. It was adopted by the legislature in January. The last time it was updated was in 2018. A few years ago, there was a federal audit of the manual and procedures. There were a few things that needed to be updated as a result of that audit. The state decided to review the entire manual and this is our first chance to review this updated manual. Some of the biggest changes were the eligibility criteria and testing procedures. A lot of the language was updated in the manual. Our district started working under the changes two years ago so we are prepared. Friends of the Children Mentoring Program (Information) — Ms. Debbie Steele and Ms. Judd spoke about the Friends of the Children Mentoring program. They will be utilizing the “yellow building” at Fort Hall Elementary. The East end of the building is currently being used for cultural activities by the Fort Hall staff. The West end is generally unused. Ms. Steele would like to create a stronger supportive community for our students and parents. The Friends of the Children program would offer a mentoring and tutoring program for students to receive extra help, attention, and opportunities for the Fort Hall students. They would enroll students age 4-6 in the program, but mentor the student through the 12" grade. The parent decides if their student will participate in the program or not, it is entirely voluntary. They work closely with Indian Tribal Health, with Family Services, and multiple other organizations to help identify students who would benefit most from this program. They work with the student and the family. The model is that while school is in session, the mentors are supporting the students in classrooms for 2 hours per week. They meet the students where their needs are. They also mentor for 2 hours after school hours, this is when they would utilize the yellow building. The number of staff is dependent on the amount of funding they receive. Ms. Shoyo would like a report on the impact from this program next August. Bus Stops and Safety Busing (Action) — Mrs. Nichols requested that the bus stops be approved for the 2026-27 school year. There are some changes due to the rezoning. Ms. Nicols was able to combine 2 of the routes into 1 route. Safety busing allows us to pick up kids who are within 1.5 miles of a school, but potentially not in a safe location to walk to their school due to traffic or lack of sidewalks. Mr. Chapman moved that the board of trustees approve the bus routes and safety busing as presented by Mrs. Nichols. Ms. Shoyo seconded the motion. All approved. Policy 356: Vacations and Holidays, Year-Round Employees (Action) — This policy allows the board to approve payout of unused vacation time that year-round employees may accumulate throughout the year. This amount is included as part of the budget. Administrators may have no more than 38 vacation days during the current fiscal year, year-round classified staff may have no more than 30 vacation days during the current fiscal year. Mr. Barlow moved that the board of trustees approve payment of the unused vacation days for year-round staff in accordance with Board Policy 356: Vacations and Holidays, Year- Round Employees as presented by Mr. Kress. Mr. Chapman seconded the motion. All approved. Policy 512: School Climate (Action) — This is an annual policy review requirement. There have been no changes to this policy. The board has had a month to review these policies and have no questions. Mr. Kress asked for a motion to approve these policies. Mr. Barlow moved that the board of trustees approve Policy 512: School Climate as presented in written format. Mr. Chapman seconded the motion. All approved. 2 Board Meeting Minutes 7/23/2026 School Handbooks (Action) — This is our second month of reviewing our school handbooks. Our coach’s handbook was also available for approval. Due to our updated School Wellness policy, language was added into our Coaches Code of Conduct. These handbooks become Board Policy for the upcoming year. Mr. Chapman moved that the board of trustees approve the 2026-27 School Handbooks as presented by Mr. Wilson. Mr. Barlow seconded the motion. All approved. Quarterly Policy Updates (Action) — Mr. Wilson presented the following policies for the second reading for the Second Quarter of 2026: 205: Strategic Performance Plan and Training (formerly, Continuous Improvement Plan), 296P1: Title [X Grievance Procedure, 314: Employing Retired Administrators- DELETED, 400: Hiring Process (previously Statement of Guiding Principles), 404.50: Information on Past Job Performance and Misconduct (formerly, Information on Past Job Performance), 406: Investigating and Reporting Suspected Child Abuse, Abandonment or Neglect, 440: Employment of Certificated Employees, 446: Negotiated Agreement Terms, 447: Recruitment of Certificated Employees- DELETED, 449: Release from Contract of Certificated Employees, 465: Employing Retired Teachers, 540: Maintenance of Orderly Conduct, 561: Administering Medications, 564: Health Records, Health Care Services, and Emergency Care (formerly, Health Records and Emergency Care)- NEW, 564F1: Blanket Consent Form for Health Care Services for Minor- NEW, 569: School Wellness, 639: Parental Rights in Education, 640: Moment of Silence- NEW, 652: Library and Resource Center Materials, 652F1: Library and Resource Center Materials Complaint Form, 815: Fund Balance and Accounting (GASB 54)- NEW, 819: Consistency of Application of Federal Funding During Closure- NEW. There were no questions from the Board. Mr. Chapman moved that the board of trustees approve the quarterly policies as presented in written format by Mr. Wilson. Ms. Shoyo seconded the motion. All approved. Motion to Executive Session (Action) — Mr. Barlow moved that the board of trustees recess into executive session in the manner and for the purposes authorized by Section 74-206, Idaho Code (1) (a) to consider hiring a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, and (b) to consider the evaluation, dismissal or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, or public school student. Mr. Chapman seconded the motion. Mrs. Marlow noted that this is proper business for consideration in executive session as per Idaho Code 74-206. All board members in attendance voted in the affirmative in a roll call vote. Mrs. Marlow — aye. Ms. Shoyo- aye. Mr. Chapman — aye. Mr. Barlow — aye. The motion passed. Executive Session July 23, 2026 7:38 p.m. Mr. Kress presented the personnel recommendations. The board reconvened into open session at 7:44 p.m. Consent Agenda (Action) — Mrs. Marlow asked if there were any questions regarding items on the consent agenda. There were none. Mr. Barlow moved that the board of trustees approve the prior board meeting minutes, personnel recommendations as they appear below, and the payment of June bills. Mr. Chapman seconded the motion. All approved. 3 Board Meeting Minutes 7/23/2026 PERSONNEL RECOMMENDATIONS New Hires Position Kathy Behrend Migrant Summer School Colette Christiansen RN- Special Education Lisa Lewis 4"" Grade Teacher Bracken Smith School Psychologist Misty Speas Migrant Summer School Extracurricular Position James Cannon Girls’ Cross-Country Head Coach Jared Neff Boys’ Cross-Country Head Coach Resignations/Retirements Position Rieley Kent (Bangerter) Classroom Para (PT) Autumn Moss Special Education Teacher Angie Ojeda Secretary Sara Zarate Classroom Para (PT) July 23, 2026 Location RB ISSC RB ISSC RB Location BHS BHS Location STA BHS RB GRO Future Agenda Items (Information) — The board would like Mr. Silzly to give an update on the summer projects. They would also like an update on the CTE workplace ready data. They would also like to see a schedule for the Stoddard renovations. The board would like to have a tour of the new CTE building. Adjournment (Action) — Mr. Chapman moved that the July meeting of the board of trustees be adjourned. Ms. Shoyo seconded the motion. All approved. The motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 7:50pm. : Mary rlow,/Chairwoman Jennifer Hatch, Clerk Board Meeting Minutes 7/23/2026
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