Board Meeting Q&A | 7.26
Board Meeting Q&A | 7.26
Thank you to those who attended and participated in the Board of Education meeting. We have compiled responses to several questions raised that evening and are sharing them to help clarify and be transparent.
Just a reminder, Board of Education meetings are conducted to carry out official district business and must remain orderly and in accordance with established procedures. To ensure the most accurate and thorough responses, district employees are asked to submit questions in advance to Superintendent Dr. Jeff Graham. This allows for appropriate review and for responses to be addressed directly to the Board in alignment with board policy.
We also ask that public participation follow the structure of the meeting:
- The first Hearing of the Public should be limited to questions directly related to agenda items for that meeting.
- The second Hearing of the Public provides an opportunity for broader comments, which must remain respectful and on topic at all times.
We value community engagement and appreciate your cooperation in helping maintain a productive and respectful meeting environment for all.
Board Questions & Answers
Q: Will field trips return with the passing of the levy?
A: Yes, but probably not to the degree we had in the past. In addition, we’ll have to reevaluate every year because we won’t know how much money we’ll be getting from the federal government, and the County Commissioners made it clear that they will reevaluate the amount of money we receive every year.
Q: In regard to copying, teachers were restricted to a certain number of copies they could make. Will that number be lifted so that our teachers have enough resources to support our students?
A: With the savings on the new plan, we will be able to be more accommodating. However, it is still considerably cheaper to send them to the printshop. Therefore, teachers will continue to be strongly encouraged to plan a couple of days in advance when possible.
Q: I see that somebody was approved at a per diem rate. What type of situations does that apply to? Why would we do a per diem? [Follow-up question about a per diem special ed teacher at GJW at $249.53/daily rate.] It seems like that was an open position, so why would we pay a per diem rather than hire a board-approved employee?
A: A per diem teacher is a board-approved teacher who has a degree and is working towards their specific license. All teachers on the RIF list were offered the positions and declined; therefore, we had to either search for licensed teachers or search for other degreed professionals who wanted to get a license in that specialized field.Q: Frank Jacinto is holding a staff training on July 27th. Is that something that is open to teachers outside of Jacinto?
A: Although it is open to others, there is a cap of 25, and it is full. We will look to add sessions.
Q: When it comes to the process of cell phone monitoring, who does that fall on? If the teachers request a student put their phone away, is the teacher expected to handle it? Or is it then referred to security? What’s the hierarchy? Can guidelines be sent out to everybody? Not just at the high school?
A: Below is our discipline process for students and is on our student code of conduct and on our website:
This policy outlines their referral process from the teacher to the admin.
The policy outlines the student behavior managed process.
This policy outlines the teacher vs. office managed actions for student discipline.