MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 22, 2017 REGULAR MEETING OF THE WASHOE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES 1. Opening Items 1.01 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to order at 2:01 p.m. at the Washoe County School District s Central Administration Building, 425 East Ninth Street, Reno, Nevada. 1.02 ROLL CALL President Angela Taylor and Board Members Debra Feemster, Veronica Frenkel, Katy Simon Holland, Scott Kelley, John Mayer, and Malena Raymond were present. Superintendent Traci Davis, Deputy Superintendent Kristen McNeill, Chief of Staff David Lasic, Student Representative Alexandra Chacon, and staff were also present. 1.03 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Student Representative Chacon led the meeting in the Pledge of Allegiance. 1.04 PUBLIC COMMENT John Eppolito expressed concerns over the Social and Emotional Learning program and the psychological testing occurring without parental permission. Protect Nevada s Children would like the District to provide answers to the following questions under the Freedom of Information Act: would psychological assessments be given to all students in grades K-8; were parents able to opt-out of the psychological assessments; who had access to the psychological profiles created in the schools; would information be provided to parents on who had access to the psychological profiles; and how would the profiles affect the children s futures. The District was only one of a handful of school districts nationally to have Social and Emotional Learning in the schools and there was no proof the program would provide a benefit to students. Parents deserved to know all the facts prior to any assessments being administered to their children. Charles Teachout supported the comments from the prior speaker. As a former music teacher in the District, he believed fine arts programming provided better social and emotional learning for students than the current models being used. He was concerned about the data being collected on the students without the consent of the parents. It
Pg. 2 was important for the District to protect and promote public trust and the collection of data did not increase the confidence of parents in what was occurring in the schools. If the District were to provide the answers to questions from Protect Nevada s Children, more trust would be gained because the District would be able to show the public they were being open and transparent. 1.05 ACTION TO ADOPT THE AGENDA It was moved by Trustee Raymond and seconded by Trustee Frenkel that the Board of Trustees approves the agenda as presented. The result of the vote was Unanimous: Pass (Yea: Debra Feemster, Veronica Frenkel, Katy Simon Holland, Scott Kelley, John Mayer, Malena Raymond and Angela Taylor.) Final Resolution: Motion Carries. 2. Reports 2.01 BOARD REPORTS Board Members reported on their attendance at District and community activities and shared announcements of dates and times of upcoming events. 2.02 SUPERINTENDENT S REPORT Superintendent Traci Davis reported on her activities including meetings with staff, community leaders and the media. 3. Consent Agenda Items It was moved by Trustee Simon Holland and seconded by Trustee Mayer that the Board of Trustees approves Consent Agenda Items 3.02 through 3.08. The result of the vote was Unanimous: Pass (Yea: Debra Feemster, Veronica Frenkel, Katy Simon Holland, Scott Kelley, John Mayer, Malena Raymond and Angela Taylor.) Final Resolution: Motion Carries. 3.02 The Board of Trustees approved the minutes of the May 23, 2017 Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees. 3.03 The Board of Trustees provided final approval to the proposed revision of Board Policy 3410, System of Accounts and Financial Oversight, and the proposed deletion of Board Policy 3434, Periodic Audits. 3.04 The Board of Trustees provided final approval to the proposed revision of Board Policy 9400, Financial Auditing of the School District (formerly Board Policy 9013).
Pg. 3 3.05 The Board of Trustees provided final approval to the proposed revision of Board Policy 6111, School Calendars and Schedule Types to Relieve Overcrowding. 3.06 The Board of Trustees approved the renewal of Request for Bid (RFB), #054-03-08-16, for Certain Can Liners, with epoly Star, Inc. in the estimated amount of $33,525.00; Global Supply in the estimated amount of $140,756.00; and Mega Link in the estimated amount of $29,655.00 for an estimated total of $203,936.00 for an additional one (1) year beginning August 26, 2017 and ending August 25, 2018. 3.07 The Board of Trustees approved the draft Modified Calendar for Nancy Gomes Elementary School for the 2017-2018 School Year. 3.08 The Board of Trustees accepted the Budget Transfer Report and provided authorization to include budget transfers between functions or programs for a total amount of $148,955.75 for the period July 1, 2017 through July 31, 2017 in the official Board minutes, as required by Nevada Revised Statute 354.598005. 4. Items for Presentation, Discussion, Information and/or Action 4.01 DISCUSSION AND PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED REVISION OF BOARD POLICY 9165, LEGAL COUNSEL, INCLUDING ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE RELATED TO APPEALS OF LITIGATION; AND INITIATION OF THE 13-DAY PUBLIC REVIEW PERIOD Neil Rombardo, Chief General Counsel, presented the proposed revisions to Board Policy 9165, Legal Counsel. The policy had been reviewed by the Board Policy Committee and were the revisions recommended because of a recent ruling by the Nevada Supreme Court related to the appeal process. Changes made from the Board Policy Committee meeting included the addition of language requesting the Board of Trustees be briefed on any proposed appeals prior to filing. President Taylor opened the meeting to public comment. John Eppolito remarked that his previously stated questions had been asked as a Freedom of Information Act request a number of months ago and Protect Nevada s Children still had not received a response from the District. It was the job of the Office of the General Counsel to provide the information.
Pg. 4 President Taylor indicated the remarks were not related to the agenda item but had been noted by members of the Board. Staff would provide remarks during the final opportunity for general public comment at the end of the meeting. It was moved by Trustee Mayer and seconded by Trustee Simon Holland that the Board of Trustees provides preliminary approval to the proposed revision of Board Policy 9165, Legal Counsel; and initiates the 13-day public review period. The result of the vote was Unanimous: Pass (Yea: Debra Feemster, Veronica Frenkel, Katy Simon Holland, Scott Kelley, John Mayer, Malena Raymond and Angela Taylor.) Final Resolution: Motion Carries. 4.02 DISCUSSION AND PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED REVISION OF BOARD POLICY 7110, NAMING OF SCHOOLS AND OTHER DISTRICT FACILITIES, INCLUDING LANGUAGE RELATED TO NAMING RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE SUPERINTENDENT; AND INITIATION OF THE 13-DAY PUBLIC REVIEW PERIOD Irene Payne, Chief Communications and Community Engagement Officer, presented the proposed revisions to Board Policy 7110, Naming of Schools and Other District Facilities, to the Board of Trustees. The policy had been reviewed by the Board Policy Committee where additional changes were recommended, which were included in the current draft. It was moved by Trustee Kelley and seconded by Trustee Raymond that the Board of Trustees provides preliminary approval to the proposed revision of Board Policy 7110, Naming of Schools and Other District Facilities; and initiates the 13-day public review period. President Taylor opened the motion for discussion. Trustee Feemster recalled from the discussion at the Board Policy Committee that names would not be submitted to the Superintendent, but through the School Naming Committee. President Taylor noted the discussion was related to the ability of the Superintendent to provide names to the Board of Trustees and by-pass the School Naming Committee. Trustee Simon Holland believed the issue was resolved in Section 2(b), which allows the Committee to consider names and provided recommendation to the Board of Trustees. David Lasic, Chief of Staff, clarified the language allowing the Superintendent to by-pass the Committee had been removed.
Pg. 5 The result of the vote was Unanimous: Pass (Yea: Debra Feemster, Veronica Frenkel, Katy Simon Holland, Scott Kelley, John Mayer, Malena Raymond and Angela Taylor.) Final Resolution: Motion Carries. 4.03 DISCUSSION AND PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED ADOPTION OF BOARD POLICY 5150, STUDENT FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, FREEDOM OF SPEECH, AND RIGHT TO ASSEMBLE, WHICH INCLUDES LANGUAGE REGARDING THE RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF STUDENTS RELATED TO STUDENT PUBLICATIONS; AND INITIATION OF THE 13-DAY PUBLIC REVIEW PERIOD Dr. Kristen McNeill, Deputy Superintendent, presented draft Board Policy 5150, Student Freedom of Expression, Freedom of Speech, and Right to Assemble, to the Board of Trustees. The Board Policy Committee had reviewed the policy and recommended various changes to the language. The revisions were reviewed with the Board. Trustee Raymond wondered if the policy would be sent to high school government classes for review, similar to what had occurred in the spring when the policy was first presented. Dr. McNeill indicated that staff would send the policy out to the high schools again for review. Student Representative Chacon felt the changes made to the policy were also consistent with comments provided by the Student Advisory Board in the spring. It was moved by Trustee Frenkel and seconded by Trustee Feemster that the Board of Trustees provides preliminary approval to the proposed adoption of draft Board Policy 5150, Student Freedom of Expression, Freedom of Speech and Right to Assemble; and initiates the 13-day public review period. President Taylor opened the motion for discussion. Trustee Simon Holland thanked staff for bringing the policy to the Board of Trustees since student speech was a topic of concern nationally. Dr. McNeill stated the District s Policy Coordinator, Lisa Scurry, was essential in the drafting of the policy and kept a watchful eye on what was occurring in school districts across the country so the Washoe County School District could remain ahead of concerns. The result of the vote was Unanimous: Pass (Yea: Debra Feemster, Veronica Frenkel, Katy Simon Holland, Scott Kelley, John Mayer, Malena Raymond and Angela Taylor.) Final Resolution: Motion Carries.
Pg. 6 4.04 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AMEND THE CONTRACT WITH SAWYER EDUCATION CONSULTING & ONSTRATEGY TO REPLACE SAWYER EDUCATION CONSULTING WITH THE HUMAN RESOURCE CONNECTION, A CONSULTANT OF EQUAL CAPABILITIES, AS PROVIDED BY ONSTRATEGY TO CONDUCT THE SUPERINTENDENT EVALUATION FOR THE 2016-17 SCHOOL YEAR AND INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF THE CONTRACT FROM $16,000 TO $19,500 President Taylor explained that Sawyer Education Consulting was unable to fulfill their portion of the approved contract. As was standard for the District, a company/consultant of equal capabilities would be selected by the other partner of the contract to complete the process that had already begun. OnStrategy had selected the Human Resource Connection to complete the terms and conductions of the contract. The slight increase in the amount of the contract was due to the process having already been started and the working of getting up to speed by the Human Resource Connection so the timeline for the Superintendent Evaluation would not need to be changed. It was moved by Trustee Mayer and seconded by Trustee Simon Holland that the Board of Trustees approves amending the contract with Sawyer Education Consulting & OnStrategy to replace Sawyer Education Consulting with the Human Resource Connection, a consultant of equal capabilities, as provided by OnStrategy to conduct the Superintendent Evaluation for the 2016-17 School Year and increases the amount of the contract from $16,000 to $19,500. The result of the vote was Unanimous: Pass (Yea: Debra Feemster, Veronica Frenkel, Katy Simon Holland, Scott Kelley, John Mayer, Malena Raymond and Angela Taylor.) Final Resolution: Motion Carries. 5. Closing Items 5.01 FUTURE AGENDA ITEM REQUESTS There were no requests for future agenda items. 5.02 PUBLIC COMMENT Neil Rombardo, Chief General Counsel, stated an email had been sent to Mr. Eppolito related to the Freedom of Information Act request. It was important to note the Freedom of Information Act was related to government entities providing documents, not providing answers to any/all questions asked. John Eppolito remarked the questions from Protect Nevada s Children were relevant to parents and the Board and District should provide answers to them because the psychological assessments and profiles could negatively impact children.
Pg. 7 Superintendent Davis clarified that the Chief Strategies Officer met with Mr. Eppolito regarding his questions and his emails had been responded to by the Chief of Staff. 7.03 NEXT MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT The next Regular Meeting would take place on September 12, 2017 beginning at 2:00 p.m. in the Board Room at the Central Administration Building. 7.04 ADJOURN MEETING There being no further business to come before the members of the Board, President Taylor declared the meeting adjourned at 2:47 p.m. Angela D. Taylor, President Scott Kelley, Clerk