Fremont County Joint District #215 | minutes | meeting 2026-01-12 | Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees (January 2026) - minutes source: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=36031552&MID=3158&T=1 Voting Members Tia Cherry, Board Chair Julianne Hill, Board Vice Chair Jon Bailey, Trustee JayLee Packer, Trustee Brett Johnson, Trustee Non-Voting Members Hali Mackert, Business Manager Dr. Brandon Farris, Superintendent Dr. David Marotz, Interim Board Clerk I. Call Meeting to Order & Pledge of Allegiance Prayer offered by Trustee, Julianne Hill Board Chair, Tia Cherry called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm. Pledge of Allegiance led by Trustee, JayLee Packer Prayer offered by Trustee, Julianne Hill Board Chair, Tia Cherry called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm. Pledge of Allegiance led by Trustee, JayLee Packer II. Swear In Trustees: JayLee Packer, Jon Bailey, Brett Johnson Trustees Jaylee Packer, Jon Bailey, and Brett Johnson were sworn in as trustees. Trustees Jaylee Packer, Jon Bailey, and Brett Johnson were sworn in as trustees. III. Election of Board Officers A. Election of Board Chair Nominate Tia Cherry as Board Chair. Nominate Tia Cherry as Board Chair. B. Election of Board Vice-Chair Nominate Julianne Hill as Board Vice-Chair. Nominate Julianne Hill as Board Vice-Chair. C. Election of Board Clerk Nominate David Marotz as Board Clerk. Nominate David Marotz as Board Clerk. D. Election of Board Treasurer Nominate Hali Mackert as Board Treasurer. Nominate Hali Mackert as Board Treasurer. IV. Policy 1600-Code of Ethics for School Board Members-Sign Trustees read and signed the Code of Ethics for School Board Members. Trustees read and signed the Code of Ethics for School Board Members. V. Board Protocol 1500-B(1): Board Meetings - Board Operating Procedure & Protocol The Board reviewed the Operating Procedure and Protocol document. The Board reviewed the Operating Procedure and Protocol document. VI. Action item: Schedule of Regular Meetings Move to approve the schedule of regular meetings of the Board on the second Monday of each month at 5:00 pm. Move to approve the schedule of regular meetings of the Board on the second Monday of each month at 5:00 pm. VII. Patron Input No patron input. No patron input. VIII. ACTION ITEMS: A. Approval of Consent Agenda NOTE: Approval of the consent agenda includes approving the resignation of the teacher at South Fremont HS and the Board agreeing to let him out of his contract. Motion to approve the Consent Agenda. NOTE: Approval of the consent agenda includes approving the resignation of the teacher at South Fremont HS and the Board agreeing to let him out of his contract. Motion to approve the Consent Agenda. 1. Personnel (Hires, Resignations, Transfers) 2. Trip Requests B. Policy 1303 Policies and Procedures to Review Annually Move to approve Policy 1303 Policies and Procedures annual review.   In reference to the calendar policy, Trustee Julianne Hill asked where they are on the calendar for next year.  Superintendent Farris reported on the plan.  On the policy dealing with tobacco, Trustee Hill asked if we have vape detectors.  The high school principals assured that the detectors have been installed.  She had a question on 3330 Student Discipline.  Has that improved?  Principals responded.  She thanked the principals for their work in supporting teachers.  On inspection of school facilities (8520), who does it?  Superintendent Farris responded. Move to approve Policy 1303 Policies and Procedures annual review.   In reference to the calendar policy, Trustee Julianne Hill asked where they are on the calendar for next year.  Superintendent Farris reported on the plan.  On the policy dealing with tobacco, Trustee Hill asked if we have vape detectors.  The high school principals assured that the detectors have been installed.  She had a question on 3330 Student Discipline.  Has that improved?  Principals responded.  She thanked the principals for their work in supporting teachers.  On inspection of school facilities (8520), who does it?  Superintendent Farris responded. C. New Policies-First Reading Move to adopt the first reading of policy 8103. Move to adopt the first reading of policy 8103. D. Policy Amendments (Substantive)-First Reading Move to accept the first reading of the substantive policy amendments. 2320 Health, Sex Education, and Human Sexuality 4260 Records Available to the Public 5740 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 Uses for Grant Funds 7400 Miscellaneous Procurement Standards 7403 Procurement of Goods and Services for School Meal Programs 7405 Public Works Contracting and Procurement 7430 Travel Allowances and Expenses 7450 Federal Cash Management Policy 7455 Federal Debarment and Suspension 7600 Declaration of Financial Emergency 8100 Transportation 8105 Extracurricular Transportation 8110 Safety Busing 8120 Bus Routes, Stops, and Non-Transportation Zones 8130 Transportation of Students with Disabilities 8140 Student Conduct on Buses 8170 District/Charter School-Owned Vehicles 8180 Driver Training and Responsibility 8185 Use of Wireless Communication Devices by Bus Drivers Move to accept the first reading of the substantive policy amendments. 2320 Health, Sex Education, and Human Sexuality 4260 Records Available to the Public 5740 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 Uses for Grant Funds 7400 Miscellaneous Procurement Standards 7403 Procurement of Goods and Services for School Meal Programs 7405 Public Works Contracting and Procurement 7430 Travel Allowances and Expenses 7450 Federal Cash Management Policy 7455 Federal Debarment and Suspension 7600 Declaration of Financial Emergency 8100 Transportation 8105 Extracurricular Transportation 8110 Safety Busing 8120 Bus Routes, Stops, and Non-Transportation Zones 8130 Transportation of Students with Disabilities 8140 Student Conduct on Buses 8170 District/Charter School-Owned Vehicles 8180 Driver Training and Responsibility 8185 Use of Wireless Communication Devices by Bus Drivers E. Policy Amendments (Minor Corrections)-First Reading Move to adopt the first reading of the minor policy corrections. 3005 Entrance, Placement, and Transfer 3010 Open Enrollment 3340 Corrective Actions, Punishment, and Denial of Enrollment Move to adopt the first reading of the minor policy corrections. 3005 Entrance, Placement, and Transfer 3010 Open Enrollment 3340 Corrective Actions, Punishment, and Denial of Enrollment F. New and Revised Procedures & Forms (Information Only) The Superintendent informed the Board of the following new or revised procedures and forms: Procedures 3010-P(1) Open Enrollment - Procedures 5740-P(1) Reduction in Force 5740-P(2) Reduction in Force 7320-(P2) Selected Items of Cost 7400-(P1) Federal Award Requirements 7400-(P2) Procurement Methods Under a Federal Award 7400-(P4) General Procurement Standards for Federal Awards 7450-(P2) Federal Program Income 7600-P(1) Declaration of Financial Emergency 8105-P(1) Extracurricular Transportation - Discipline Forms 4260-F(1) Record Request Form 7600-F(1) Declaration of Financial Emergency Resolution 7600-F(2) Declaration of Financial Emergency Resolution 8110-F Safety Busing Measuring and Scoring Instrument The Superintendent informed the Board of the following new or revised procedures and forms: Procedures 3010-P(1) Open Enrollment - Procedures 5740-P(1) Reduction in Force 5740-P(2) Reduction in Force 7320-(P2) Selected Items of Cost 7400-(P1) Federal Award Requirements 7400-(P2) Procurement Methods Under a Federal Award 7400-(P4) General Procurement Standards for Federal Awards 7450-(P2) Federal Program Income 7600-P(1) Declaration of Financial Emergency 8105-P(1) Extracurricular Transportation - Discipline Forms 4260-F(1) Record Request Form 7600-F(1) Declaration of Financial Emergency Resolution 7600-F(2) Declaration of Financial Emergency Resolution 8110-F Safety Busing Measuring and Scoring Instrument G. K-8 Mathematics Textbook Adoption Details: Our current mathematics K-8 adoption (iReady) expires at the end of this year.  A curriculum committee with representatives from each elementary and junior high met on several different dates to review materials.  The committee used a rubric for the review.  Priorities included: paper copies of the materials, good scope/sequence, sufficient rigor and practice, and good benchmarking assessments and resources.   9/11/2025        Introductory meeting.  Established expectations, guidelines, and timelines for review. 10/24/2026     Teacher teams reviewed the curriculum samples and narrowed their focus to four primary publishers.   11/14/2025      Sales representatives from each of the four publishers (Savvas, McGraw-Hill, Houghton-Miffliin Harcourt, and Curriculum Associates/iReady) presented an overview of the curriculum to teams of teachers and parents.  Each had one hour to present.  Sample materials were onsite for teams to review and follow along. Samples were rotated through the various schools, so all  teachers would have an opportunity to review the samples and provide feedback to the committee members. 12/12/2025   The committee reconvened and shared their feedback and recommendations.  After extensive discussion, the committee agreed on the following proposal for the Board to consider for approval: Grades K-6:   Houghton-Mifflin-Harcourt (HMH) Into Math (version 1) with the online diagnostic resources  and tools (Waggle), intervention supports, and manipulatives. Grades 7-8:  Savvas enVision Math with Successmaker Bundle (online diagnostic resources and tools, intervention supports. Cost proposals: HMH Into Math w/ Waggle (6 year license for 190 students)       $359,901.22  +S/H HMH Into Math Professional Development                                             $     4,200.00 Savvas enVision Math w/ Successmaker Bundles                                  $122,683.00 (includes S/H)                                                                                                                     TOTAL          $486,784.22 We currently have a credit of $53,766.50 at Caxton Printers that will be used toward this purchase. We will use the remaining funds in our Elementary ($61,738.11) and Secondary ($32,144.75) Textbook funds from the supplemental levy. The remaining costs (approximately $339,134.86) will come from our fund balance.  This was anticipated, but it was not included in the original budget as we were uncertain what the amount would be.  Dr. Marotz will continue to work with the publishers and with Caxton Printers to see if additional savings could be negotiated.   Motion:  Move to approve the K-8 Mathematics curriculum adoption recommended by the committee. Details: Our current mathematics K-8 adoption (iReady) expires at the end of this year.  A curriculum committee with representatives from each elementary and junior high met on several different dates to review materials.  The committee used a rubric for the review.  Priorities included: paper copies of the materials, good scope/sequence, sufficient rigor and practice, and good benchmarking assessments and resources.   9/11/2025        Introductory meeting.  Established expectations, guidelines, and timelines for review. 10/24/2026     Teacher teams reviewed the curriculum samples and narrowed their focus to four primary publishers.   11/14/2025      Sales representatives from each of the four publishers (Savvas, McGraw-Hill, Houghton-Miffliin Harcourt, and Curriculum Associates/iReady) presented an overview of the curriculum to teams of teachers and parents.  Each had one hour to present.  Sample materials were onsite for teams to review and follow along. Samples were rotated through the various schools, so all  teachers would have an opportunity to review the samples and provide feedback to the committee members. 12/12/2025   The committee reconvened and shared their feedback and recommendations.  After extensive discussion, the committee agreed on the following proposal for the Board to consider for approval: Grades K-6:   Houghton-Mifflin-Harcourt (HMH) Into Math (version 1) with the online diagnostic resources  and tools (Waggle), intervention supports, and manipulatives. Grades 7-8:  Savvas enVision Math with Successmaker Bundle (online diagnostic resources and tools, intervention supports. Cost proposals: HMH Into Math w/ Waggle (6 year license for 190 students)       $359,901.22  +S/H HMH Into Math Professional Development                                             $     4,200.00 Savvas enVision Math w/ Successmaker Bundles                                  $122,683.00 (includes S/H)                                                                                                                     TOTAL          $486,784.22 We currently have a credit of $53,766.50 at Caxton Printers that will be used toward this purchase. We will use the remaining funds in our Elementary ($61,738.11) and Secondary ($32,144.75) Textbook funds from the supplemental levy. The remaining costs (approximately $339,134.86) will come from our fund balance.  This was anticipated, but it was not included in the original budget as we were uncertain what the amount would be.  Dr. Marotz will continue to work with the publishers and with Caxton Printers to see if additional savings could be negotiated.   Motion:  Move to approve the K-8 Mathematics curriculum adoption recommended by the committee. IX. DISCUSSION ITEMS: A. ISBA Day on the Hill Trustees who wish to attend can work with Hali Mackert to make arrangements. Trustees who wish to attend can work with Hali Mackert to make arrangements. X. Adjourn Motion to adjourn at 5:46. Motion to adjourn at 5:46.