The June meeting was held on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.

Budget Update

The meeting opened with Superintendent Jon Abrams acknowledging that the separation of the OSD from IHLA (which is now constituted as a charter school) has created a new landscape as far as funding and budgetary issues are concerned.  The resources that will be available to the school will likely be very different from what they were in the past, and Abrams advised the board that the administrators would need to be diligent about how funds and resources were allocated.  He mentioned that OSD and IHLA would need to share resources when their purposes overlapped

Early graduation requests

Seven early graduation requests have been received by the board.  For most students, the reason given was to move into the work field after fulfilling their school requirements.  Jon Abrams that he understood the students’ decisions, but advised the students in attendance that they were always free to change their minds and pursue their education in the future.  

A motion to approve the early graduation requests was made and approved.  The graduations were contingent on fulfilling the graduation requirements.   

Travel Request 

Foster Garret and Natalie Webster from the HS Chamber Choir spoke to the board, requesting permission to go on a fieid trip to visit three universities.  Webster stated that on the last field trip she had taken she learned a lot and felt that the experience was a valuable one.  The class will also stop at two high schools and perform for them, demonstrating the skills learned on the trip.  Because it was not an action item, no action was taken.  The trip was scheduled for spring.  Garrett requested funds to pay for the bus and the driver.  There will be up to 45 kids.  One bus should be sufficient for the number of students.  

Personnel 

The following personnel were approved at the June meeting, pending their passing the State-mandated background check: Dixie Kaufman and Kristle Jensen as Malad Elementary School kindergarten teachers; Cierra Potter as the MES school counselor; Heidi Kimberling as Director of the After-School Program; Madison Green as a Malad Middle School paraprofessional; Janelle Merja as a Malad High School paraprofessional; Kevin Winsor as  MMS/MHS volunteer boys’ basketball coach; and two special education teachers for IHLA. Lindsay Mumford was approved for alternative authorization for teacher certification. Justin Lineberry, who was approved as a teacher in May, declined the offer from MHS.

The following coaches were approved for fall sports at MHS:

Volleyball: Camie Tripp as Head Coach with Gia Haycock and Emily Nelson as assistant coaches.

Football: Brady Price as Head Coach with Joe Miller, Devin Morrison, Caleb Williams, and Taylor Evans as assistant coaches and Kevin Winsor, Cooper Jones, Devin Robbins, and Braxton Davis as volunteer coaches.

Girls’ Soccer: Shenell Clark as Head Coach with Justice Esplin as assistant coach and Sherry Blaisdell and Lizzy Reiss as volunteer coaches.

Cross Country: Tia Talbot as Head Coach with Tylee Skinner as volunteer coach.

Cheer: Abrielle Goddard as Head Coach with Kami Willie as assistant coach.

Dance/Drill: Wendy Owens as Head Coach with Kelsey Owens as assistant coach and Wendy Hess as volunteer coach.

July Meeting

The July Board meeting was held on Thursday, July 18, 2024, with a work session and an executive session preceding it. All members were present with Tresie Carter participating via speaker phone.

Visions Trip

Mike and Cecelia Hess presented the Board with a request that it investigate the level of interest among high school students in what used to be the “Visions Trip,” a tour of historic sites in New York City, Washington, DC, and either Philadelphia or Boston. The trips were organized by Dennis Evans, a long-time history/government teacher, and were funded by the students who went on the trips. Some parents accompanied the students as chaperones. The trips were over Spring Break so did not interfere with classes. Students from Malad often joined with students from Marsh Valley or West Side to make the trips more affordable.  After discussion, the Board asked Mike to look into arrangements, transportation, costs, and general interest among students as it will take nearly a year to get students to commit to the trip and to raise the necessary funding. In the past, a Visions Club functioned at the high school; whether or not that club still exists, even if non-functioning, will be explored.

Superintendent Report

Superintendent Jon Abrams reported briefly on the financial status of the District, noting that the District has filed a formal complaint against the State Department of Education about the changes in funding policies that negatively impact Oneida School District.

In reporting about facilities, Mr. Abrams described the changes in the locking system and the location of the principal’s office, the main office, and the faculty room at Malad High School; these changes will improve safety and security at the school. At the Stone School, new windows have been installed, the pavement has been expanded, and painting is underway.

At the new elementary school, the gym floor has to cure for a while before it can be used. Baskets have been hung, and acoustic tiles are being installed. The brick work is almost completed, ceiling tiles are being installed, and painting has started. The project is on schedule to be finished so that moving into the new school can occur over the Christmas break. The baseball and softball fields are starting to look like ball diamonds.

Action Items

The Board voted to table action on 21 policies and procedures that need consideration and possible action after Idaho legislative actions and Idaho Department of Education decisions.  Needed changes in Oneida School District policies and procedures to bring the District into compliance will be made after additional work sessions.

A minor change to Policy 1140 dealing with vacancies on the School District Board of Trustees was approved. The change clarified what County Commission would make the decision about a vacancy on the Board due to a recall election. Since many of Idaho’s school districts encompass more than one county, such a clarification is necessary although not pertinent to Oneida School District.

A new policy clarifying the use of school libraries, including challenges to books and location of restricted materials, was approved and the former policy deleted.

The Board approved the District’s Master Agreement with the Oneida Education Association for the 2024-2025 school year. 

The following personnel were approved at the July meeting, pending their passing the State-mandated background check: Lindsay Mumford as a Malad High School math teacher; Kevin Winsor as a substitute teacher; Trevor Jones as a Malad Middle School assistant football coach; Joseph Miller as a MMS assistant track coach; Shannon Davis as MMS cross country coach; and Nicole Smith as a MHS assistant cross country coach. Caleb Williams is switching from MHS math teacher to MHS PE/health teacher.