The
Policy and Community Engagement Committee of the Board of Education of the
Approval
of Minutes: A motion to approve the minutes of the
COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT TOPICS:
Public
Relations
Ø
Character
Education Update: Mr. Swartz briefly reviewed the
Character Education initiative.
Ø
Format
for Good News Reports for 2005-06 School year:
Mr. Swartz reviewed the history of the building good new reports. Board members discussed the merit and content
of the reports. They reached a consensus
to continue with the building good news reports, but the principals will be
asked to limit the reports to 10-15 minutes.
An attempt will be made to limit the other “award” areas of any agenda
containing a good news report.
Ø
Revised
Format for the District’s Newsletter for 2005-06:
The district’s newsletter will be revised for the upcoming school year to
include a total of eight pages (double in size) and will have two ink
colors. Mr. and Mrs. Swartz met with
representatives from Tyson Foods who is willing to pay for the upgrade costs of
the newsletter. The only requirement
they have for paying for the additional cost is that it be printed through a
local printer. To accomplish this
requirement, board action waiving policy DJ – Purchasing would be
required. The waiver of this policy will
be addressed in agenda item 5.a.
The committee briefly
discussed the possibility of electronic dissemination of the newsletter.
Board
Meeting Management/Organization of Agenda Topics:
Discussion on the management and/or organization of the agenda order included
starting meetings earlier, decision-making effectiveness at a late hour,
audience attendance, statute requirements, and Roberts Rules of Order for
agenda items. The discussion was enlightening,
and future meetings should run smoother because all members are now aware of
the possibility to re-arrange agenda items with prior notification.
Recap
of Special Board Meeting on Strategic Planning:
Mr. Swartz was pleased with the outcomes of the meeting. Board members and administrators were also
pleased. Mr. Swartz will now convene a
committee of three - including himself, an administrator and a board member -
to continue with this process by writing a district vision statement and listing
of strategic issues.
Legislative
Updates: Mr. Swartz noted that the Joint Finance
Committee is busy with the state aid formula for 2005-2006, and there is talk
of a possible law restricting referenda for exceeding revenue caps.
POLICY
TOPICS:
Waiver
of Board Policy DJ – Purchasing: With the proposed
revisions to the District Newsletter and the funding stipulations provided by
Tyson Foods, the waiver of the bidding requirements of Board Policy DJ –
Purchasing to allow for the printing of the newsletter by Impressions of
Jefferson was discussed.
The Committee did not waive Policy DJ in this
instance, rather insisted that the district go through the bid process as
stated in the policy.
Review
of Policy KG – Community Use of School Facilities: The fees as listed in Policy KG have in the
past been routinely waived for non-profit organizations who ask. No financial hardship has been caused by the
board waiver of the policy. Committee
discussion was lively, and included the uneven enforcement of policy, past
practice, use of district funds for outside organizations, and cost recovery
through fees.
The policy will be reviewed, including an update
of fees to reflect actual costs.
Discussion
of Possible Topics for Future Meetings:
ü
Goals review
ü
Crisis communication policy/procedures
A motion to adjourn was made by Mrs. Saelens, seconded by Mr. Stafford. The motion passed on a voice vote.
ADJOURNMENT: 6:47 p.m.
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Secretary,
Pati Fitzgerald