September 21, 2023 at 6:00 PM - Regular Session

Description:  The Regular Session of the North Santiam School District’s Board of Directors is called to order at 6:00 pm. It is an open meeting of the Board and the public is allowed to observe in-person and via livestream on YouTube. On the agenda is a place for public comment. Those attending in-person that wish to address the Board during this time must complete an Intent to Submit Public Comment form available near the room entrance prior to this point in the agenda. Those attending virtually must have registered online prior to 4:00 pm in order to receive the Zoom meeting link.

Speakers may offer objective criticism of school operations and programs, however, the law prohibits the Board from hearing complaints regarding any personally identifiable District staff member. The Board asks anyone wishing to communicate a complaint of this manner to follow the proper administrative process in Board policy KL (Public Complaints). This information is available near the room entrance and on the District website.

*times posted for each agenda item are estimates

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Erin Cramer
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Erin Cramer

Description:  Changes to the agenda after posting on Sept. 15, 2023 will be acknowledged:

Added Agenda Items-
*11.5-JUUL/Altira Lawsuit Settlement
Added Attachments-
*16.0-JBA/GBN-AR1-Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedure
Revised Attachments-
*7.0-Sept 2023 Board Financial Report
*21.2-September 2023 Enrollment Totals

RECOMMENDED MOTION-AGENDA APPROVAL
I move that the Board approve the agenda as modified.

Description:  This agenda item is for monthly reports from the NSSD Student Reps. to the Board and for other requests/reports from students.  

Description:  This standing agenda item is for the Board to receive a monthly report from the Superintendent.

Description:  This standing agenda item is for the Board to receive regular reports regarding the Student Success Act, Curriculum & Instruction, Professional Development, Grants and other topics relating to student learning.  

Description:  Senate Bill 819 modifies abbreviated school day program requirements. Director of Special Programs Brittney Spencer will be present to explain the impacts of the senate bill on school districts and NSSD specifically.

Description:  This standing agenda item is for the Board to receive the monthly financial report from the Business Director as well as other information relating to that department.

Description:  This standing agenda item is to receive regular reports from union representatives. 

Description:  Mr Patty will include information about an upcoming contest called If I Were Mayor. Information regarding the contest has been included in the meeting materials. 

Description:  The meeting will now be opened to receive public comment. We value the time and initiative members of the public take to share their thoughts with the Board. The Board’s role during public comment is not to immediately respond, but to listen. If there is follow-up necessary, we will direct our Superintendent to do so. Remember that we all model the way for our students, and we ask that everyone share their thoughts respectfully. Should any public comment include complaints regarding a personally identifiable District staff member, the Board chair will direct the speaker to the proper administrative process found in Board policy KL which can be found on the table near the entrance of the room and on the District's website. Those who have completed a public comment card will be called one at a time to step forward (or turn on their cameras/mics) and state their name and relationship to the District. Please note that speakers will have three minutes to express their thoughts.

To submit questions for a follow-up response, please complete the form available near the room entrance or via this link QUESTIONS

Description:  In order to make more efficient use of meeting time, items that are routine in nature are placed on the Consent Agenda when no debate is anticipated.  Any item placed on the Consent Agenda may be removed at the request of any Board member prior to the time a vote is taken. All remaining items of the Consent Agenda are then disposed of in a single motion.

Description:  The minutes from the previous month's meeting are submitted for Board review and approval. 

Description:  School boards must approve the hiring and annual renewal and/or extensions of the Licensed staff contracts. Changes in licensed staff since the last board meeting are indicated below and on the attachment. Only new hires require board approval.

New Hires (Board Action Required)
Daniel Bixler:  Options Academy/Science & Advanced Math
David Holcomb: District Office/ Teaching & Learning Coord. (TOSA)
Charles Carter:  SHS/Language Arts
Resignations 
Steven Finicle: SHS/Math

Description:  Superintendent Loving recommends the Board officially designate the Director of Human Resources as the NSSD Civil Rights Coordinator.

Description:  Per board policy IGBHA, a list of third-party alternative education programs must be approved by the Board annually. These currently include:
*Willamette Career Academy
*Chemeketa Community College (Early College & GED)
*Polk Adolescent Day Treatment Center (PADTC) 
*Children's Farm Home 
*Willamette Education Services District (WESD) - Oasis
*SchoolsPLP, BYU, Stride (curriculum choices in Options Academy)
*Graduation Alliance (for credit recovery at SHS)

Description: 

Background: In the Fall of 2023, the district filed a lawsuit against manufacturers and purveyors of vaping products, including JUUL Labs Inc, affiliates of JUUL Labs Inc, Altira Group Inc. and affiliates of Altria Group, Inc. The district settled its claims with JUUL and affiliates earlier this year, while the lawsuit against Altria Group and affiliates remained pending. 

The Superintendent is pleased to announce that Altria Group Inc. and affiliates have reached settlements covering thousands of cases, including the claims brought by the district. 

The proposed settlement agreement with Altria Group Inc. is expected to provide funding for the district to use in connection with the district’s anti-vaping education, cessation, and enforcement programs, with payment of the district’s allocation to be made by June 2024. In exchange, the district will release its claims against Altria Group, Inc. and other Altria-related released parties as specified in the agreement. Approval of this settlement will end the district’s vaping litigation in its entirety.

The district’s opportunity to participate in this settlement will expire in late November. Thus, if the board requires additional information, an executive session will be scheduled with legal counsel promptly.

Supt. Loving recommends the board authorize him to resolve the district’s lawsuit with Altria Group Inc and affiliated released parties. The form of the agreement shall be approved by district legal counsel.

Description:  RECOMMENDED MOTION-CONSENT AGENDA
I move that the Board approve the Consent Agenda as [presented] [modified].

Description:  The Board will be asked to approve an OSAA Cooperative Sponsorship between Cascade High School and Stayton High School for the Stayton Highlights dance team. A student from Cascade has requested to join the Stayton dance team because Cascade does not offer that activity at their school. SHS Athletic Director Darren Shryock will be available to explain the agreement and answer questions. 

RECOMMENDED MOTION-COOPERATIVE SPONSORSHIP
 I move that the Board approve the OSAA Cooperative Sponsorship between Cascade High School and Stayton High School for the 2023-2024 school year for Dance/Drill.

Description:  The Board and Superintendent will discuss sunrising the NSSD Long Range Facilities Master Planning Committee.

Description:  These policies were presented for a first reading in the August meeting and will be presented for a second reading and possible adoption. 

GCBDF/GDBDF - Paid Family Medical Leave Insurance (NEW)
IIA- Instructional Resources/Instructional Materials 

Description:  These policy edits were recommended by the Oregon School Boards Assoc. (OSBA) as part of their Policy Plus service, typically as a result of new legislation or to revise outdated language. They are presented for a first reading and will be brought back in the following month for a second reading and possible adoption.

**Beginning Sept. 2023, policies and administrative regulations with significant text removals and additions will include a post-edited version ahead of the copy with highlighted and strike-through text. This is intended to allow readers to more easily review suggested changes as a finished product**

Policies for eventual board approval:
EFA-Local Wellness Program - Mackenzie
IGDJ-Interscholastic Activities - Laura
JGE-Expulsion (replace current policy with updated version) -Mackenzie

Description:  Administrative Regulations (identified with an -AR) are detailed directions, based upon board policies, governing the operation of schools and do not require board approval.

ARs For Notification:
EFA-AR-Local Wellness Program (if changes to EFA policy are accepted, it is recommended to delete this AR)
JFCF-AR1-Hazing, Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying, Menacing, Cyberbullying, or Teen Dating Violence Reporting Procedures-Student (OSBA recommends placing current version with new one)
JFCF-AR2-Hazing, Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying, Menacing, Cyberbullying, or Teen Dating Violence Complaint Form
JHFF-GBNAA-AR-Suspected Sexual Conduct Report Procedures and Forms

After the meeting materials were posted, it was discovered that JBA/GBN-AR-1 (Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedure) contained outdated contact information for the Superintendent and Director of Human Resources. It has been corrected and is included in this agenda item for informational purposes.

Description:  The Board will continue reviewing potential changes to the District's mission, vision, guiding principles and Board/District Goals.

Description:  This standing agenda item is for the Board to continue discussing the process of increasing the engagement of parents and the greater community in our schools. 

Description:  This item is for things such as reports from board members (E.g. conferences or community events they attended) or to request volunteers for upcoming activities.

Board Buddy Update:

Board Greeter for Next Month:

Description:  This standing agenda item has been added to allow the Board to collectively reflect upon statements made during public comment or topics covered during the meeting.

Description:  A list of the field trips taken and/or scheduled since the start of the school year has been included in the board packet. Overnight stays are indicated in red.  

Description:  Current enrollment is approximately 2,133 across the District. Numbers for each school are listed below. Refer to the attachment for a breakdown by grade at each location. 

Mari-Linn: 166
Sublimity: 352
Stayton Elementary: 362
Stayton Intermediate/Middle: 459
Stayton High: 692
Options Academy: 102

Description:  A list of possible future agenda items is attached as part of the board packet.  Board members may request that additional items be posted to this list.

Description:  Information regarding activities across the District can be found on the website at www.nsantiam.k12.or.us

October 2, 2023: Soup with the Supt.
5:30-6:30 pm ~ Mari-Linn Cafeteria

October 19, 2023: Regular Session Board Meeting 
6:00 pm ~ Santiam Meeting Room/District Office

November 16, 2023: Regular Session Board Meeting 
6:00 pm ~ Santiam Meeting Room/District Office

Upcoming Education-Related Observances
10/2: Custodial Workers Day
10/4: National Walk/Bike to School Day
10/5: World Teachers Day
10/6: National Coaches Day
10/9-13: National School Lunch Week
10/17-21: School Bus Safety Week
10/23-31: Red Ribbon Week
Farm to School Month
Bullying Prevention Month
School Principal Month

Description:  Estimated time: 9:15pm