The monthly meeting of the Oneida School Board was on Tuesday, September 17, 2024. Board member Tresie Carter was not present. Jaime Coatney, Office Manager/Administrative Assistant at Malad High School, was honored as the “Employee of the Month.” (See accompanying article.)

Policies

Superintendent Jon Abrams clarified that the Board is governed by policies, procedures, and protocols; only policies have to be approved by the Board. Procedures explain how something is to be done to be in line with policies. Protocols provide the background for policies.

The Board approved several policy revisions to bring District policies in line with State Department of Education policies and State legislative actions. The policies were approved after their second and final reading. 

The policy governing board meetings now allows for a limited number of actions to transpire in executive sessions; disciplinary actions for staff or students may now be discussed and acted on in executive sessions rather than having to be brought back to the public meeting prior to action.

The policy governing public participation in Board meetings was approved. Public participation must occur prior to any Board discussion or actions.

The policy requiring permission from parents before minor students can access restricted materials was approved.  The policy about review and reconsideration of learning and library materials was also approved.

Administrator Reports

Superintendent Abrams reported that enrollment is down from last month at all schools except Stone (which has one student more than last month) for a total drop of 21 students. Enrollment numbers will continue to fluctuate as students try the Idaho Home Learning Academy and then decide to come back to the brick-and-mortar schools or leave to try IHLA. The contract that the District has with IHLA continues to benefit the District.

Ms. Jeanie Reeder of Stone Elementary School reported that they have instituted a “power” half hour for reading during which the students are grouped by reading ability so that targeted support is provided. She said that one 1st grader and some 3rd graders are not reading at grade level and that the new reading time may improve test scores. Ms. Reeder posted a thank-you to the PTO for the UnBirthday Party they gave the school on September 6.  She also said the new windows are wonderful.

Ms. Sarah McIntyre of Malad Elementary School thanked the Preston Elks Club for the dictionaries, backpacks, school supplies, and food they provided MES. She also said that the year began with the Dragon Leader assembly and with a Rules Rodeo. She reported that 200 West near the only door to the school had been partially blocked due to five water leaks but that the problem should be fixed very soon. 

Mr. Abrams said that when the parking lot at the church by the school is blocked due to it being repaved, teachers will have to park farther away; the District will provide shuttles to get the teachers to the school.  The parking lot project will be from September 30 – October 9.

Mr. Robert Hannah of Malad Middle School reported that 100% of the students had participated in the fall diagnostic testing, which will probably be more successful at improving student test scores than the previous benchmarking. The 7th and 8th grade football teams beat Westside in football, which has not happened in a long time. Tia Talbot, cross country coach, took the Middle School team to the Tiger-Griz Invitational in Idaho Falls; both the boys’ and girls’ teams took 1st place. Attendance continues to be a problem in that the rate is about 86% instead of at the goal of 95%.

Mr. Dallin Rupp of Malad High School reported that attendance is nearly at the goal of 95%, much higher than last year.  He noted that the remodeled office area is working out very well so that the principal, vice-principal/AD, counselor, and office manager can more easily communicate and work together. The new trophy cases look good; glass will be installed soon. Two lifts were replaced in the auto shop. The “no phone” rule is working well with few complaints from students or parents. 

Discussion

The OSD Calendar for 2025-2026 will be presented next month after the teachers have had an opportunity to comment on it. Board members will be attending regional and state Idaho School Board Association meetings. A work session will be held prior to the October Board meeting. Superintendent Abrams and Board Chair Brent Evanson will attend a meeting of the Oneida County Republican Central Committee to dispel some rumors in regard to the lawsuit and the financial condition of the District.

Action Items

Early graduation was approved for one student. The entire list of scheduled overnight trips for the year was approved although there will be changes during the year as trips are added or deleted.  A baseball trip that was not on the schedule was approved.

All IHLA policies will be removed from the policy manual now that IHLA is a charter school with its own board and policies.

The Board approved the Malad Elementary School students being released from school on December 18-19. The teachers will then have time to move into the new school and get their classrooms organized before the new year begins.

The Board approved the following personnel, pending their passing the State-mandated background check: Kharisa Spendlove and Loene Hill as Stone School substitute teachers; Addison Waldon, Tom Jenkins, Kathryn Fossum, and Shawna Burgon as substitute teachers; Jeff Snow as Malad High School head baseball coach; Nicole Daniels as a contracted behavior specialist; Whitney Blaisdell as a MHS lunchroom cook; and Michelle Riks as a Malad Middle School paraprofessional. Natalie Millsap, Terry Hansen, and Kristle Jensen were approved to work with the After-School Program. The following high school students were also approved to work with the After-School Program: Jenetta Jacaway, Nicole Moss, Jaqueline Young, Katie Coatney, Aubrey Corbett, Aubrey Kennedy, Paige Wilson, and McKenzie Leckie.