Council Selects New Superintendent
On April 18th the Council School Board met for a special meeting to select a new Superintendent for the district. Two candidates were selected to be interviewed out of 6 applicants. Each candidate was interviewed by the Hiring Committee, which includes all board members and two teachers from each school in the district. Additionally, each candidate met with the community in open forum where questions were asked by community members to the candidates. About 15 people attended this forum. The Board deliberated in Executive Session and read comments collected from those who attended the public forum. Ultimately the Board decided to offer Pat Griffin a one year contract as District Superintendent. Mr. Griffin is currently working as the Principal at the elementary school. Mr. Griffin has accepted this offer.
Additionally, the Board also swore in Earl Henderson as a new Board member representing Trustee Zone #4, Central Council. A map of the School Board districts is available from the school and on the County website at www.co.adams.id.us/department/clerk-auditor-recorder/election-information.
Below is the report of the April 16th Council School Board meeting.
The Council School Board held their regular meeting on April 16th. Board members Shawn Stanford, Julie Pate and Steve Ryals were present.
The first item of business was swearing in Steve Ryals as the newest board member for Zone 1. He was interviewed and appointed at the last meeting. The board then voted to have Shawn Stanford serve as the board vice-chair.
The vacancy on the school board for Zone 4 trustee was filled by Earl Henderson. This is the position that was vacated when Michael Paradis resigned. Henderson was the only candidate present for the board to interview. He was interviewed and the board motioned to appoint him to fill the vacancy. Mr. Henderson will be sworn in at the next meeting, April 18th.
Mr. Mike Howard presented his report next. He reported that two of their grants were funded. A video security system for the Elementary school was funded at just under $35,000. However, aspects of this grant application were not funded and the district will need to cover approximately $14,000. The other grant will provide an intercom system for the High School and was in the amount of about $45,000. Mr. Howard was very pleased to see these grants funded to provide important security upgrades to the school buildings.
Mr. Pat Griffin, the Elementary Principal, reported they recently held a lock down drill and that he was pleased with the results. Idaho State Police had a representative on site to assist as well as the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.
Mr. Griffin also reported that he is pleased with the Special Education program and that they are on track to meet state and federal requirements for their program and students.
ISAT tests were completed last week in the Jr. High and High School but the results are not in yet.
The second reading of the changes and revisions to Policy 3400 was completed and was accepted. This is the district’s drug testing policy. These changes are now in effect.
A review of the math curriculum was up next. Mrs. Ramona Beyuka reported that it has been one year since they had adopted a new math curriculum and that it was now time to review it. As well as to decide to keep it or find a different curriculum. Overall, Mrs. Beyuka spoke positively about this curriculum. She stated that her students are learning more and retaining more with this new curriculum. Her recommendation to the board was to keep it. However, one parent in attendance did speak against the curriculum. He stated that it seems that the curriculum focused on group work too much at the expense of students who are doing well in class. It was decided to wait for the ISAT test scores to come back to see how well the students did before renewing the curriculum.
The calendar for next school year was approved and the budget hearing was set for June 18th for next school year.
Mrs. Paula Tucker, Athletic Director, reported on the need to purchase sports uniforms and equipment on a regular schedule. This would keep expenses each year fairly consistent and avoid years with expensive surprises. However, they are a little behind purchasing and it might take a couple years to get back on schedule. No action was taken and was tabled until the next regular meeting so more information on costs could be gathered.
Mrs. Trista Robbins requested that the board allow her to form a Garden Club for grades 5-8. This club will meet on Mondays and Tuesdays after school. The board approved this request.
Mrs. Beyuka returned to the floor to speak about the districts math credit requirements to graduate. She proposed reducing the requirement from 8 credits to 6. Beyuka stated that this policy can sometimes create problems with students who transfer in from other districts that only require 6 credits. It can also create problems with students who had been home schooled but would like to return to the High School. The issue being that both of these types of students would not have the required credits to be able to graduate from Council. Additionally, the district is short a teacher at the High School and it is difficult to staff classes for the students to take to get the currently required 8 credits. This was the first reading of this potential policy change. Debate and deliberation will continue in future meetings.
After an executive session the board moved to hire a new substitute teacher for the next school year.
