August Garden Valley School Board Business

Under the new “Consent Agenda”, the board approved minutes, treasurer’s report, payment of bills and the resignation of Cheryl Riedinger.

Newly hired Maintenance Director, Codey Huston, thanked the board for hiring him and reported that the wood storage building door is going up and the project is coming to an end; the school is ready for its fall opening; and he is already in training for his job and will begin SBR training for the water system, in October.

Paul Stark, Attorney for Anne Keddy-Hector, who made the Public Records Request which added up to about 6,000 documents, requested that the board waive certain fees, “in the public’s interest”. Stark said there is a presumption that records are open to the public, but that this $5600 bill sends a message to the public that “your records are open if you can afford it.”

Discussion ensued. Then Trustee Alan Ward asked Mr. Stark if his client found what she was looking for. “Do you feel she felt she was looking for something improper?”

Stark appeared to side-step: "Yes, if the District was afraid it did something illegal or did something wrong, I understand they would go through counsel. You don’t have to go to law school to get a sharpie to cut something out.”

The attorney contended that the board could have found someone in the school to do redactions, for $15 an hour. The board protested that they could not use someone in the school, because of the nature of the personal information.

Stark responded that Dr. Tomlin or Paula Fox could have easily done the work. Board trustee Alan Ward sat up and asked, “Did I just hear you right? Did you just tell us that Paula Fox could have redacted her own e-mail documents for your client?”

Stark remarked that he believes his client is reasonable and $5600 is unreasonable. Mrs. Keddy Hector is $5170 in arrears on payment to the District. The board declined to make a decision without discussion and passed a motion to table the item for the present.

New principal Bob Vian has gotten his feet wet this week and said, “It’s been a really exciting day--I’m looking forward to tomorrow." Mr. Vian got a good chance to mingle with community members and staff during executive session.

Athletic Director Bob Powell thanked Kristen Goff and Ben Roeber for taking the kids to camps. He showed off the School of Excellence plaque, which he said was a really close 2nd Place. The first football game of the season will be Friday, August 27, with Rimrock.

The board heard comments from the community, regarding athletic fees of $20, per athlete, per sport, with a maximum of $60 per family, even if there is a fourth sport(excluding activity cards). Georgianna Goetsch commented, “The fee is not out of line; we anticipated from other school fees that it would be higher. It’s a good way to continue with participation.” She added that she thought the Boosters and other school fundraising would be able to take up the slack.

The board passed the motion to approve the fees.

Dr. Tomlin reminded the board that there is no state funding for pre-schoolers. The board has been looking at a $200 fee per three-year-old child and $355 fee per four-year-old child, since May. Tomlin said the program is shared with Horseshoe Bend, and has been adopted by that school already.

Resident Daryl Riedinger commented, “I’d hate to see any discouragement for folks. This is a good program; pre-schoolers that started at the beginning, years ago, graduated this year.” Georgianna Goetsch said, “Previously, the program required participation by parents—fundraising and community involvement.” She suggested the pre-school parents could form their own board and create a self-sustaining program.

There was a question to the board regarding the Keddy-Hector request and the attorney fees possibly depleting funds that could have been used for pre-school. Acting Board Chair Terry Elmore responded that yes, the District’s share of expenses came out of the General Fund.

Elmore informed the community members that there is a “Help Our Kids” fund and that no child will be excluded from sports or pre-school. Alan Ward commented that he would like to be personally involved in helping with the fundraising. The motion was passed to approve the fee.

Dr. Tomlin reported on the State Department requirement for teacher evaluation policy regarding implementation of the “Danielson Model”. “Mr. Vian is well-versed in this model and has used it in the past.”

The board tabled the election of officers, until a fifth member is selected.

Congratulations to Valerie Aker, who was hired as Kindergarten teacher, for full days on Tuesday and Thursday and ½ days the rest of the week; and to GV resident Susie Briggs, who has been hired as First Grade teacher.