September 5, 2018 Meeting Minutes
Community Council Meeting
North Ogden Elementary School
September 5, 2018
People in Attendance:
- Phil Nestoryak
- Jolaine Garner
- Stewart McCM
- Matt Deamer
- Mike Hipwell
- Melissa Leemaster
- Angie Berry
- Kristy Hancock
- Kellie Johnson
After introductions we went over Utah's Educational Endowment and how funds are generated by viewing this video from the school land trust website. Mr. Nestoryak passed out a variety of handouts. One listed all the Community Council members. Members have a 2 year appointment. Mike Hipwell is our Community Council Chair. Our school website has a link to the Community Council that include the minutes and agendas from each meeting. This information is required on our school website. Our next meeting is scheduled in November on a Tuesday after school. Mr. Nestoryak will provide a specific date later.
Mr. Nestoryak asked if anyone needed a recap about how we get funding from Trust Land Funds and how it is utilized. He shared a website titled School Land Trust.org. We went over the job descriptions. within the Community Council. Also, there are resources on the site with videos that specifically detail how funds are used.
Each member received a copy of last year’s budget.
Melissa Leemaster explained the expectations from the state of Utah. (See attached data) The current state goal is that 60% of all students in grades 1-3 grades, have to make a full year’s growth. Due to the mandates from the State of Utah, NOE has placed a significant amount of funds to be used towards reading. These funds are used to pay for aides who provide direct instruction to on-level readers and above level readers under the supervision of our reading specialist. Professional teachers can then provide direct intensive instruction to struggling readers in small reading groups. Melissa LeeMaster stated that our school is having a lot of success with reading growth. The emphasis will be placed on accuracy this year. Reading aides are the key. By testing students throughout the year, these groups can change as students increase their skills. Research suggest that teachers work better with developing readers. It was also mentioned that all the students are working on reading at the same time regardless of their level.
A question was posed by Matt Deamer if monies still need to go towards chromebooks.The answer is yes however ongoing funding will be provided through Weber School District as we increase technology use. WSD is posed to have 1:1 devices for all elementary schools by the end of three years. At the present time I-pads are being used in grades K-2 instead of chromebooks.
Mr. Nestoryak mentioned that NOE is required to provide students with digital citizenship. WSD uses Common Sense Media as its curriculum. Common Sense Media has family resources as well. Our district will also be hosting an evening with expert speakers, Collin Kartchner & Dr. Katey McPherson for parents in October about technology use. They will discuss the internet and its interaction with students amid changing times.
Mr. Nestoryak talked about how NOE is trying to push along with our Legislature to provide more funding for teachers, students, education, and schools. An initiative called Our Schools Now will be voted on that proposes that a gas tax be used for roads but a majority of it would go towards school and educational funding.
Reading goals and math goals have been our focus each year while planning the budget.
No questions were posed about our current budget plan. Mr. Nestoryak stated that we will go over the step by step action steps at our next meeting. Plans are also listed from other schools to view on their websites to see how they have planned their budget. We went over the Trustland overview and final report from the 2017-2018 allocation. We decided to move our next council meeting to Tuesday, November 6th @ 3:30.
Jolaine Garner motioned to close the meeting. Kelly Johnson seconded the motion.