February 13, 2024 at 7:00 PM - Regular Meeting

Description: 

• Student Learning - Internet Priority
• Student Learning - Senior Projects
• Student Behavior and Well-Being - Skill Building at Preston Junior High
• Student Learning - PJH English Learners
• Student Learning & School Safety - Elementary Pods and Kindergarten Rooms
• Student Learning, Wellness, and Safety- Supplemental Levy Needed

"Student Achievement & Student Advancement"

1-Student learning   2-Student Behavior   3-School Safety


Student Learning - Priority for Functioning Internet
Ensuring that Preston School District has a consistent, stable network for students and staff to access throughout the district is critical and a number one priority. Downed Internet or Degraded speeds have negatively impacted instruction and assessments. It is unacceptable to continue as we have, and it is absolutely essential that a change takes place. An updated timeline for network stabilization and centralization was received and shared with the board. Year-end testing will be here before we know it, and we must do whatever is necessary to ensure success. To assist with student achievement and student advancement, I am allocating all needed money, resources, and time to ensure that our teachers and students can access the network. I will be working closely with our IT director over the next few weeks to make sure we are on target.


Student Learning - Senior Projects
The superintendent had the opportunity to attend a handful of senior project presentations. He was impressed with the learning that took place. Three students are here tonight to share what they learned through the process.

• Luke Christensen (SBP)
• Oakley Reid
• Elly Jeppson

Student Behavior and Well-Being - Skill Building at Preston Junior High
All schools have implemented Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS)
PJH has focused on the teaching of skills for improved behavior.
*Presentation by Principal Tom Schmidt

Student Learning - PJH English Learners
The academic proficiency and growth of our English Learners at the junior high did not meet the goal we had set. That support and achievement of our EL population was also identified by the state as an area that we must focus. The junior high was assigned a capacity builder to support the school and staff in making meaningful improvements. (School administration changed the date and time for Professional Development and Professional Learning Communities so they would be more effective.)
*Presentation by Assistant Principal Jaclyn Heward


Student Learning & School Safety - Elementary Pods and Kindergarten Rooms
With a goal for students to move up one tier in performance level or be proficient in reading by the end of 3^rd grade, we need to continue our early interventions at an elevated level. Classroom teachers, support specialists, and interventionists are doing an amazing job right now with our at-risk students. Last month, you, the board, approved for the district to offer up to four sections of everyday kindergarten. In order for that to happen, we need at least two additional classrooms. To find the rooms, there are a few options the superintendent is pursuing. 1) Completion of the final pod at Oakwood so a special ed teacher can be moved back into the areas she has been in prior to this year. And 2) Work with Head Start to change their overlapping class offerings so we can move our special ed preschool out into our building south of Oakwood that Head Start uses. The final pod remodel will be done in two phases. The first phase is the special ed room, a classroom, and bathroom areas. The second phase is the remodel of the four open classrooms, which will now include doors for safety. Our district construction team gave a Phase 1 timeline and completion date of June 14. In order for Phase 2 to be finished before school starts in August of 2024, adjustments will need to be made or additional people hired to assist with Phase 1 for timeline acceleration and/or Phase 2 start date acceleration. The superintendent will work with the district maintenance supervisor to develop an updated plan.


Student Learning, Wellness, and Safety- Supplemental Levy Needed
Our current levy expires this year and the things we implemented the past two years using levy funds are still desperately needed.
With recent changes to levy laws and with judges invalidating neighboring district’s voter-approved levies, the superintendent is working closely with the Hawley-Troxell firm to prepare the Levy Election Resolution for the board to adopt along with the Ballot Language for the levy that conforms to the new statutes. The resolution and ballot language will be presented to the school board in the March meeting, so it can go to the county clerk by the end of that same week.

Description: 

• Policy 404 - Employer Recommendations
• Policy 413 - Political Activities
• Policy 558 - Accommodating Students with Seizure Disorders or Epilepsy
• Policy 680.5 - Student Surveys and Medical Exams

Policy 404 - Employer Recommendations: A new section was included adding rules on not assisting someone from getting a new job if they engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor.

Policy 413 - Political Activities: PSD's current policy 413 contained one sentence, which was struck, and new guidelines inserted.

Policy 558 - Accommodating Students with Seizure Disorders or Epilepsy: NEW POLICY. Idaho regulations now require that districts have a policy on this topic.

Policy 680.5 - Student Surveys and Medical Exams: This policy has been updated to conform with the new requirements for parental rights in education.

Description: 

• Employee A Personnel Matter
• Employee B Personnel Matter