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Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Rich County School Board Meeting

Anita Weston, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah.  August 19, 2015. All of the board members were present as was Scott Tollentino, the Garden City Representative.  Dale Lamborn, superintendent, both principals, and the accountant were also in attendance. There were several individuals from the community in attendance as well.

The expenditures were discussed.  The accountant noted that he had divided the information into two different sections—one for the end of the fiscal year June 30, 2015, and the other for the expenditures since that time.  Several of the bills had been slow in being received.  As an example, the new fire alarm cost $41,000 and was purchased in June from last year’s budget.  The bill has just recently been received.   Current expenditures need to be deducted from the current fiscal year’s budget. 

Glen Thomson requested that he be allowed to obtain water for his grass around his home from the school’s watering system.  He gave a history of the school properties.  He said the water rights that originally were his are now being used by the school.  He is attempting to get a clear deed for his properties, and water is one of the items that need to be considered.  The Board noted they would discuss this matter.

Cody Lundgren will be the coach for girls’ basketball.  Jessie Calder and Louie Stewart will be the two assistants.  This decision was approved. Lundgren will also be the coach for the middle school football team.  Jessie Calder will be the assistant and Terry Allen will be the volunteer helper.  Volunteer helpers are not paid any salary.  This lineup was approved.

The high school athletic coach will be Glenn Smith.  The high school volleyball assistant coaches will be Loren Kennedy and Wendy Lamborn.  These selections were also passed by the Board.  It was noted that the coaches should have the opportunity to select who they would enjoy working with and can ask those they would like to assistance.  Those asked should be cleared through the principal and the school board.

Policy 603.4 concerning long-term substitutes was passed last meeting and was ratified by the board.  It was noted that a beginning teacher’s daily pay would be used as the amount to be paid for long-term substitutes.

Policy 501.3.4.1 was discussed and passed last board meeting.  However, it was decided that no action or changes would be made to this policy, and so any action on it was not taken.

The State allows schools to have what they call a zero hour.  This means a student can take a class that they would like that do not interfere with courses that are required.  The zero hour is a 7 a.m. in the morning.  The new robotics class to be offered at Bridgerland will be available at 7 a.m. in the morning.  The class will be broadcast from Cache Valley and will be copied so that it can be shown at a couple of different times during the day at the Mountain Fuel location. 

After some discussion, it was decided that students who would like to take this class outside the regular school day could do so completely at their own discretion.  The course itself requires 900 hours for 30 credits.  The students who will probably volunteer to take this course at 7 a.m. will be small so that the District cannot afford transportation for these individuals.  Thus, these individuals will need to provide their own transportation.  Also, this course not only has a class time involved, but there will be lab hours associated with the class.  However, this program gives an additional opportunity available to students living in the County.

The accountant noted that currently the NBS plan allows the school district to setup a health reimbursement account for those teaching in the District.  With a change in affordable care act, those on Medicare wouldn’t be allowed to participate which would be unfair.  The accountant suggested that an HSA be created for those on medicare.  If these individuals leave the district, they would be able to roll this account into their own account, but would need to pay the maintenance fees incurred by the school district for handling the paperwork on their account.

The USBA (Utah School Board Association) is attempting to limit the number of bills that are presented to the state legislature.  Currently, there are several groups that are attempting to set up new education plans.  The legislature is working on one, the governor is developing a coalition plan, the state school board is working on a new plan, and a group of businessmen, called Prosperity 20/20, already have developed a plan that looks quite good.  Time will determine what finally shakes out for an education plan for the state.

Judge Waddoups determined that the current way that state school board members are selected is unconstitutional.  Currently, a committee picks three names that are presented to the governor.  He selects two of the three to be placed on the ballot.  Because this method can not longer be used, the legislature must come up with a new process to determine who will serve on the state school board.

September Board Meeting will be held September 16, 2015.

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