Approval of Bond 

Resolution

The School Board reviewed the bank responses to the school bond, which was passed earlier this spring.  Two banks responded to the bond, JP Morgan Chase and Zions.  The interest rates were slightly different, but averaged in the high 5 percent range.  

The board was asked to pass a motion to clarify which bank they prefer to work with.  The board opted to move forward with JP Morgan Chase as the bank contracted to execute the bond.

Information

The resignation of Kory Kay was recognized.  

Requests and 

Recognition

The board publicly thanked Nucor, who has provided a number of grants throughout the year that were either fully funded by them, or matched by the district.

Senior Project

Curtis Huckaby presented his senior project plan to the board.  He plans to organize a co-ed pickleball club, with Jamie Jacaway as the advisor.  The club will be organized by the fall, but may expand to include a spring season as well.  Curtis reported that many students had expressed interest in the club.  It was noted that interest in the sport was high in the community, especially with the recent completion of the pickleball courts at the City Park.

Reports

Superintendent

Jon Abrams reported that the construction on the school was officially underway.  He recently met with Sarah McIntyre about the challenges presented by the construction with regard to access to the elementary office.  A modular unit will be brought in to serve as a temporary facility for administrators as needed.  “It’s going to be an adjustment for a year and a half—it just is.  We might have to make adjustments with pickup and drop off and the playground.  We’re thrilled with the financial position we’re in, and thrilled with House Bill 292.  Tomorrow the builders are coming and we’re going to take a look at Westside.” 

The builders and Abrams have recently examined the auditorium in Aberdeen as well.  Architects and engineers have also had a look at the ball fields, which will also soon begin construction.  Dirt from the elementary will be brought down to the future location of the field to the south of the HS.  “We’re happy with the plan, just not happy that we haven’t started building yet,” Abrams said.  

IHLA funding update—well over 100 teachers have been hired for IHLA.  The process of starting a charter school is also underway.

Discussion

Discipline Policy

Bob Hannah, Kory Kay, and Michael Corbett have developed an updated discipline policy.  The schools are legally required to report a number of issues to law enforcement.  Questions about how the expectations as laid out in the new policy would be communicated to students, faculty, and staff were raised.  Hannah explained that the discipline policy will be added to the MMS and MHS handbook and website, and widely distributed.

Dual Enrollment

IHLA Handbook for K-8—the handbook has been brought into alignment with new legislative changes and results of the special ed investigation.

Plagiarism

As a sign of the times, the question of whether a plagiarism policy specific to ChatBots existed at the district level.  At present, it does not, though the existing plagiarism policy essentially covers it.  The concern is that students may use Chat AI to generate paper assignments.  Teachers largely feel that the AI language generators are either too mechanical or different from the students’ writing to be a major concern yet, but that a policy will need to be put into place eventually.

Action Items

The creation of the Malad HS Pickleball club was approved.

Catastrophic Leave Bank Policy—allows teachers to contribute to the bank, so that those in need of PTO can use days donated to the bank.  Doesn’t cover maternity leave.  That is handled by requests for donations from other instructors.  The first reading was accepted.

Annual budget—the budget was approved.

Bus Policy 8170, 8171, 8140, 8180—the policies deal with traffic arms, rental of school vans and cars, reimbursement for drivers on long trips.  All bus policies were approved.

IHLA Handbooks k-8, HS approved.

MMS and MHS Discipline policy first reading approved.

IHLA Teacher Pay Scale—tabled until further info from state is available.

Dual Policy enrollment policy tabled for further study.

Directors’ salaries—the director’s salaries were approved.