Key Communicator Notes

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Key Communicator Notes Available Electronically

Please let us know if you can receive the “Notes to Key Communicators” via email. This will help save the district postage and supplies. Just send an email requesting the publication electronically to Cindy.Burkgart@ksd391.org.

JOB OPENINGS

Speech/Language Pathologist
(Part time)

ENROLLMENT REPORT

School021108
Total Canyon Elementary63Pinehurst Elementary256Sunnyside Elementary260Kellogg Middle School355Kellogg High School417Silver Valley Alt. High School14.5Pre-School 14TOTAL1379.5.
Our current enrollment is down 31.5 students from where we were at the

CITIZENS ADVISORY GROUP MEETINGS WITH THE BOARD
We need your ideas!

The trustees of Kellogg Joint School District #391 are very interested in the opinion/suggestions of the local citizens. They have set aside three dates at three different locations in the district for you to come and talk with them about the following:

* The financial status of the district and what we have done to cut back and economize to date.

* Your thoughts about what programs we should keep and ones that should be cut to make up for loss of Craig/Wyden funds and declining state funding.

* Your thoughts regarding the upcoming March supplemental levy amount and what programs you believe we should provide for the children.

* Any suggestions that would help us provide the most economical and best quality programs for our students.

The board will be available for citizen advice from 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM at the following dates and locations:

DateLocation Thursday, February 21Pinehurst Elementary café Wednesday,
February 27Canyon Elementary gymThursday, February 28Kellogg Middle School library
Please pick the date and place most convenient to you and come share your ideas with us regarding our financial future and preferred programs.

REVIEW OF THE FEBRUARY 13 BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING

The review of the meeting is not the official school board minutes. The minutes are published later.

* The meeting was held at Kellogg High School.
* Vice-Chairman Samuelson called the meeting to order and asked Mr. Stovern to lead the group in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
* The board approved the minutes of the previous meetings.
* The auditing committee made a recommendation to pay bills for $604,213.41 and the board approved payment.
* The board received the curriculum, instruction and assessment report. Preliminary Winter IRI reports show that more than 50% of each grade level tested scored at grade level. Included in the report was a proposal for KHS to change the order of classes for students and add a personal finance math class to meet new state requirements.
* The board received the technology report from Gwen Johnson. We have filed the E-rate funding form – an important source of our technology funding. The technology department has prepared anytime/online training for our staff members.
* The board received the special services report from Dr. Cortner. The Coop agreement has been made between Wallace, Kellogg and Mullan. The COOP will be moving one staff member to full-time Kellogg special education next year to follow the decline in enrollment.
* The board received a comprehensive report on Kellogg High School activities from Principal Troy Schueller and Dean/AD Tracy Ketchum. Their report highlighted the significant reduction in discipline referrals and failures. The staff members have been targeting at risk students and implementing other strategies. A sign of their success is the overall increase in student grade point averages.
* The board received the mid-year progress report on board goals with 11 pages of progress indicating the hard work going on across the district.
* The board approved the resolution to participate in the special services cooperative with Wallace and Mullan School Districts.
* The board approved the 2008-09 school calendar.
* The board approved the extension of administrator contracts for another year.
* The board granted temporary approval of a recommended change to Policy No. 407.1 (Supplementation of Workers’ Compensation Benefits) to allow employees who are absent due to injury on the job to use personal or sick leave to supplement the workers compensation benefits so that they receive their full salary while out. This also allows the employees sufficient wages to pay their health insurance portion.
* The board approved open enrollment requests according to the principals’ recommendations.
* The board approved the emergency snow closure days for January 23, January 31 and February 1.
* Under Miscellaneous:
The board received the Tech Prep Status Report and the Buildings and Grounds Reports.
The board received a letter that summer meals and the fresh fruit and vegetables grants are again available.
The board approved the addition of a special meeting on March 4, 2008 to set the amount of the supplemental levy and to determine the $ amount of the RIF. They will also discuss the recommendations made by the public at the February 21, 28 and 29 meetings as to what cuts should be made.
Brad Corkill and Bob Stovern volunteered to participate on the employee/teacher of the year selection committee.
The board received a report on Travel/Professional Development Costs for the district with a consideration as to where to reduce costs. The report showed that a minimal amount comes from the general budget as the majority of costs come from Title funds where professional development is a required component.
The board discussed a meet and confer meeting to be set in March and the superintendent will contact the teams (Thad Samuelson and Brad Corkill) for possible dates and times.
* According to Idaho Code 67-2345 (2) the board adjourned to executive session to consider personnel issues.
* The board returned from executive session and approved termination of two non-certified employees and extension of a long-term substitute.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Special Board Meeting/Citizens Advisory Group at PinehurstThursday, February 216:30 PM – 8:30 PMReport cards out this weekFebruary 26-29Special Board Meeting/Citizens Advisory Group at CanyonWednesday,
February 276:30 PM – 8:30 PMSpecial Board Meeting/Citizens Advisory Group at Kellogg Middle School libraryThursday, February 286:30 PM – 8:30 PMSpecial Board Meeting at District Office Conference RoomTuesday,
March 45:30 PMCurriculum Day – no school for students Wednesday, March 5

The vision for the future of Kellogg School District No. 391 is to be recognized as a district respected for exemplary quality. This will be accomplished by meeting the needs of students and challenging them to excel through an open and accessible partnership with our community.

MISSION STATEMENT

Kellogg School District – a partnership of students, parents, educators, and community members – committed to ensuring a safe, nurturing environment where people are challenged to:

- demonstrate individual
responsibility;
- attain academic excellence;
- achieve personal success;
- involve themselves in life-long
learning activities.

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS FROM KEY COMMUNICATORS

QUESTION

What has been done to reduce cost in the districts so far?

ANSWER

Beginning in the fall of 2006, the district has been in a reduction mode wherever possible. Each month, the board received a report from the superintendent of reductions and cost cutting measures. In 2006-07, we were able to take $158,669 in cost savings measures. So far this year, we have been able to cut costs $141,275. These cuts were not things that were excesses, but that we are managing without. We have not filled approximately three FTE (full-time teacher equivalency) positions.

The work from the energy project, even though it is not fully complete) has begun to show some savings in energy costs. Much of these future savings will go back toward paying off the bond as a savings to our taxpayers.

QUESTION

Would it save very much to reduce travel in our district?

ANSWER

No, 97% of professional development travel costs are paid out of state or federal Title or grant funds. Title and grant funds have requirements for staff professional development. The general fund is impacted by a very small amount ($1,515.26 currently).