September 6, 2017 Meeting Minutes
North Ogden Elementary Community Council
September 6, 2017 meeting
Meeting called to order at 3:05pm
In attendance: Phil Nestoryak, Kim Wahlquist, Jolaine Garner, Sharon Brown, (school members) and Jen Sacre, Trevor Ward, Mike Hipwell, Matt Deamer, James Wright, Jason Chambers, Kellie Johnson (parent members)
Agenda
Mr. Nestoryak motioned for Jolaine Garner to be the scribe at this meeting and future meetings. Members seconded it.
Mr. Nestoryak motioned for Sharon Brown to fulfill the position as Co-Chair. Mike Hipwell expressed interest in serving as chair and explained his past experience on the council. Members seconded.
Members provided a brief introduction about themselves.
Mr. Nestoryak passed out the following informational papers: Community Council Directory 2017-18, Final Report 2016-17 NOE School Land Trust Expenditures, Council Meeting Agenda, WSD Bond Information and Schedule of Future Meetings, and School Plan 2017-18 for NOE. (See attached copies)
Mr. Nestoryak explained the roles and responsibilities as parents and chairpersons for the NOE Community Council Meeting. He mentioned the council voted to hold elections at the end of the school year, to increase the size of the council from a 8 member council to an 11 member council with a two parent majority. He described a video on how Trust Lands funds are managed and used in Utah. He mentioned that the committee creates goals and allocates funds to be used for academic purposes. A plan needs to be created and approved by October 2017 in order to go in place next year. It will then be submitted the second week of March and go to WSD for approval.
Mr. Nestoryak mentioned that Amendment B passed and that NOE received $15K to be used this year.
Mr. Nestoryak submitted an overview of the School Plan to the committee (See School Plan Attachment) as he explained the Goals, Academic areas, Measurements, Action Plan Steps, and Expenditures.
Mr. Nestoryak submitted an overview of the Final Report of the 2016-17 NOE School Land Trust Expenditures (See Attachment) He mentioned that NOE is making changes on greater focus on reading and to increase reading among our NOE student population. Mention was made about the TenMarks math program. It provides rigor, targets areas of need, assessments, and is an effective tool to drive students toward achieving math goals.
NOE ordered two class sets of chromebooks (3-5 grades) for this coming year. NOE has 75 I-Pads and K-2. Our goal is to have one to one devices for all students. All devices are on a 4 year cycle for lease or purchase. Last year’s fundraiser allowed us to purchase more chromebooks. Mr. Wahlquist asked how many chromebooks are on a lease, how many have been purchased, and how much money needs to be budgeted to sustain the devices that are currently at our school. Mr. Nestoryak stated that he would find out that information and give the council a report meeting.
Mr. Wahlquist asked how much money was need of ongoing funds to maintain our current devices. The answer was that the Chromebooks were purchased last year and that they started a new lease at that time.
A question was posed about the age of NOE and if the equipment needed to be updated periodically i.e. replacement light bulbs, overhead projectors, etc. Mr. Nestoryak stated that monies for such equipment have been taken out of the block grant.It was stated that technology for education has been written in the plan and that the LAND trust plan is to be used solely for academic purposes and school land trust website provides guidance on how funds can and should be spent. Mr. Nestoryak requested the council to look into how funds can be spent and give suggestions as our plan for next year is developed. It was mentioned that council members can view other school’s LAND trust plans for ideas on the school land trust website.
Mr. Wright posed a question as to why reading intervention was not extended to other grades besides first and second grade. Mr. Nestoryak stated that he would discuss that inquiry with Mrs. LeeMaster, NOE’s reading specialist. It was mentioned that only one teacher services these students and we want to keep the group small to allow for targeted intervention. Discussion was mentioned about the possibility of adding a teacher or aide and to extend this service to 3rd grade. Currently Mrs. Vigil runs the group after school. The after school reading group is by invitation only and targets specific students identified as struggling readers.
Mr. Nestoryak mentioned that he was approached by a parent concerning sidewalk safety around the school. Some areas in front of several residences (3 homes) in close proximity to NOE did not have sidewalks so children would have to walk in the street. Mr. Nestoryak mentioned that he would be talking about this concern with our North Ogden mayor to see if the city could fund a sidewalk in this area.
Mr. Nestoryak had committee members look at the WSD $97 million Bond proposal. He encouraged members to attend as well as getting the word out to parents of a local meeting on September 29, 2017 at NOE at 3:30 p.m. Monies from the bond would assist in improving many existing buildings in WSD and well as building two additional elementary schools. (See Attachment - School Bond) He added that WSD is conservative in hopes that the Bond will pass.
Jen Sacre motioned to close the meeting and it was seconded by members at 3:50 p.m.