Business Session

SEAT BELTS IN SCHOOL BUSES

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,

that the Idaho Legislature appoint an interim committee to make recommendations on the use of three-point shoulder/seat belts in school buses. This committee would also discuss the amount of appropriate funding to facilitate their use.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

That the Idaho Legislature appoint an interim committee to begin discussions and make recommendations about the feasibility of the use of three-point shoulder/seat belts in school buses. This committee would also discuss the amount of and provide the appropriate funding and state policies to facilitate their use.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE ISBA EXECUTIVE BOARD: NONE

REVISION OF IDAHO CODE ON EXCISION

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,

that the Idaho School Boards Association work to revise Section 33-308, Idaho Code due to the unintended consequences of disenfranchising district taxpayers and the unreasonably short timeline for districts to consider petitions. Section 33-308, Idaho Code should allow all district taxpayers, of both districts involved in an excision/annexation process, the opportunity to vote in an excision/annexation election, not just a small minority. Allowing all district taxpayers in both districts the opportunity to vote in an excision/annexation election will protect all taxpayers from having their taxes increased without their permission. The potential excision of real property in the taxpayers’ district would reduce property value in the excision district and would automatically cause the remaining district taxpayers’ taxes to be increased. Also, the allotted time frame for both district to respond to a submitted excision petition should be increased to allow sufficient time to research the impact of the petition and to get input from district patrons as the current process unfairly penalizes taxpayers in the district impacted by an excision.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Section 33-308, Idaho Code needs to be significantly revised due to the hardship it is causing local district taxpayers and districts. The process allows a small group of individuals to effectively decide to increase taxes for the majority of taxpayers in an affected district without allowing them a vote. As a result of the random nature of the process allowed by Section 33-308, Idaho Code it is extremely difficult for districts to do short or long term financial planning. Additionally, the timeline for district consideration should be changed to allow much more time for both districts’ Boards of Trustees to research the impact of an excision petition and seek input from district taxpayers.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE ISBA EXECUTIVE BOARD: DO PASS

EDUCATION ALLOCATION FOR OUT OF STATE TEACHERS

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,

that the Idaho School Boards Association work with the Idaho Legislature to amend Idaho Code to create a mechanism by which professional level out of state teachers may receive the education allocation.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

This change in legislation would allow Idaho school districts to attract experienced out of state teachers without having to absorb the additional cost and free up monies at the district level.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE ISBA EXECUTIVE BOARD: DO PASS

CARD CHECK FOR NEGOTIATIONS

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,

that the Idaho School Boards Association work to clarify that the signature cards provided by the local education association for use in proof of 50% + 1 representation are signed on an annual, or at a minimum every other year, basis.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

In this year and previous years of negotiations, local associations have interpreted Idaho Code in the manner such that they did not have to have current signature cards for establishing representation. They have instead been using cards that were signed in prior years that included a statement that they were valid unless revoked by the employee. Idaho Code should be revised to prevent this practice and ensure that cards provided by the local education association for use in proof of 50% + 1 representation are signed on an annual, or at a minimum every other year, basis.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE ISBA EXECUTIVE BOARD: DO PASS

GENERAL FUND RESERVE

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,

that the Idaho School Boards Association work to increase the general fund contingency reserve from the five percent cap of the annual school district budget found in Section 33-801A, Idaho Code as well as clarify how the general fund contingency reserve is calculated.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Due to the fact that the funding formula will be changed and Idaho school districts cannot anticipate the impact, it is necessary that increases be made to the contingency reserve law to protect individual districts. The Idaho School Boards Association should actively work to increase the general fund contingency limit.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE ISBA EXECUTIVE BOARD: NONE

CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION TEACHERS EXPERIENCE FACTOR

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,

that the Idaho School Boards Association work to allow professional experience as an education factor when calculating funding for Career and Technical Education Instructors.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Career and Technical Education is a large part of meeting the 60% Go On Goal established by the State Board of Education for Idaho. Due to the fact that qualified instructors coming from industry usually take a reduction in pay to enter the teaching ranks, this measure would honor the professional experience of CTE instructors and assist in funding a salary equitable to other experienced teachers. The Idaho School Boards Association should actively work to amend Section 33-1004A(2), Idaho Code allowing professional experience for CTE instructors to be allowable experience for funding purposes.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE ISBA EXECUTIVE BOARD: NONE

CONTRACTS FOR TEACHERS HOLDING AN INTERIM CERTIFICATION UNDER AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,

that the Idaho School Boards Association work to amend Idaho Code to include the requirement that Idaho public school districts, charter districts, and charter schools may only issue a Category 1 Standard Teacher contract to certified personnel working in Idaho public schools yet only holding an Interim Teaching Certificate under an Alternative Route to Certification.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Due to the need of school boards to hire individuals that are attempting to enter the teaching profession under Alternative Routes to Certification, public schools should not be required to issue Standard Teaching Contracts that exceed a one year period to these individuals. This change will place accountability on the individual to diligently pursue the requirements set forth in the Interim Teaching Certificate issued to them and not place school boards in statutorily protected contract

RECOMMENDATION OF THE ISBA EXECUTIVE BOARD:  NONE

MOVE SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE ELECTIONS TO NOVEMBER OF ODD YEARS

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,

that if the date of school board elections is moved to November of odd numbered years, the newly elected trustee shall take office on January 1 to allow them to participate in teacher contract negotiations, budget meetings, and continuous improvement planning meetings.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

For the past several years, the Idaho Legislature has considered legislation that would move school board trustee elections to the general election date in November of even years. The stated purpose for moving those elections is to increase voter participation. School board trustees believe that trustee elections need to remain non-partisan. The Idaho School Boards Association would like to work with the Legislature to find a date that would increase voter turnout and still provide trustees with a non-partisan election.

In addition, should the election date move to November of odd years, school board trustees believe that the newly elected members should take office on January 1. This would allow new board members to be involved with teacher contract negotiations, budget setting, and continuous improvement planning for the following school year.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE ISBA EXECUTIVE BOARD: DO PASS

TRANSPORTATION REIMBURSEMENT

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,

that the Idaho School Boards Association work with the Idaho State Department of Education, Idaho State Board of Education, and the Idaho Legislature to amend Idaho Code to simplify and establish a fixed flat rate of allowable transportation expense reimbursement to districts at 85 percent.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Changes to the methodology for reimbursing school districts for allowable transportation expenses has created a burden for school personnel. Extensive clerical work is necessary to identify and categorize the allowable reimbursement costs incurred by each district. Considerable time, effort, and cost is associated with ensuring each allowable expense is properly documented within the 50 percent and 85 percent categories to maximize the transportation reimbursement to the school district. Reimbursing all allowable transportation costs at a flat fixed rate of 85 percent will reduce the amount of clerical work required to submit reimbursement and other reports at the district level. Such a change would also simplify the audits conducted by the Idaho State Department of Education transportation program personnel. This resolution seeks to simplify and streamline transportation reimbursement to the districts.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE ISBA EXECUTIVE BOARD: DO PASS

K-12 FUNDING PRINCIPLES

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,

that the Idaho School Boards Association work with the Idaho State Board of Education, the Idaho State Department of Education, and the Idaho Legislature to develop new funding mechanisms based upon the following principles:

Allow locally elected school boards to determine how to spend funding based on community needs and priorities;

Comply with the constitutional mandate for uniform and thorough schools;

Provide funding for facilities construction and maintenance;

Allocate funding based on enrollment;

Simplify allocation of transportation funding that recognizes fixed costs that are unique to each district;

Fund the career ladder and what might be developed in the future for experienced staff beyond the current cap of $50,000; and

Fund for high need special populations (examples include CTE, GATE, FRL, LEP, SpEd, Etc.).

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

As recommended by the Governor’s Task Force for Improving Education, work has commenced that could change the funding formula for K-12 public schools. Having a standard of fundamental guiding principles provides a measure against which ideas can be weighed and evaluated. These funding principles represent the philosophical baseline of direction for funding public schools and address the areas of challenge for K-12 across the State.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE ISBA EXECUTIVE BOARD: DO PASS

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION K-12 ADVISORY COUNCIL

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,

that the Idaho School Boards Association work to establish an Advisory Council under Section 33-105, Idaho Code as follows:

a) The State Board of Education shall establish a state level advisory council consisting of 20 members, 6 of which would be appointed by state education stakeholder organizations (Idaho School Boards Association, Idaho Association of School Administrators, Idaho Education Association) and/or agencies (Idaho State Board of Education, Idaho State Department of Education) and 14 of which would be appointed by school district superintendents (6 large districts, 6 rural districts and 2 charter schools). The chairman of the council shall be elected from the membership. The members of the council shall be determined by the bylaws of the council.

b) The K-12 Advisory Council shall have the following powers and duties:

i) To make policy recommendations regarding standards in the primary K-12 Public School system;

ii) To advise the State Board, State Department, and Legislative Committees during development and revision of K-12 education policy, statutes, and rules;

iii) To review and comment upon any proposed rules pertaining to or impacting on K-12 public schools; and

iv) To submit an annual report to the Board, Department, and Legislature stating opinions and recommendations which would further the state’s capability to provide K-12 education for all public schools.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

K-12 funding is the largest single expense in the state budget. The K-12 budget and statutes and rules promulgated represent a tremendous governance effort on the part of the State Board of Education, the State Department of Education, and the Idaho Legislature. On occasion, these efforts result in requirements placed on school districts that are not aligned with the work happening at the local level. The Idaho School Boards Association should advocate that the State Board of Education use an advisory council model already in use by the Department of Health and Welfare, another state agency. This council, composed of community members, district/charter representatives, and subject matter experts could be a proactive voice in preparing policy, statute, regulation, and reporting requirements. The importance of this working advisory council would eliminate much waste and allow for all districts/charters to focus more on preparing their students for career, college, and citizenship.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE ISBA EXECUTIVE BOARD: NONE

DISCUSSION OF SALE OF PUBLIC PROPERTY WITHIN EXECUTIVE SESSION

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,

that the Idaho School Boards Association work with the Idaho Legislature to amend Idaho Code to include language to allow deliberations on the sale of real property which is owned by a public agency within executive session.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

A school district must be able to discuss the sale of real property and its acceptance of counteroffers within executive session. If an interested party makes an offer on real property, a public agency needs to be able to privately discuss acceptable counteroffers without public knowledge of their final acceptable price. If these deliberations take place in open meetings, the interested party will make the lowest offer as discussed by the board.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE ISBA EXECUTIVE BOARD: DO PASS

PERMISSIBLE EDUCATION ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOL BOND AND LEVY ELECTIONS

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,

that the Idaho School Boards Association research, draft, and submit legislation that more clearly defines the permissible use of government resources and personnel to educate voters on the planned uses, amounts, and costs of proposed bonded indebtedness and levies.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Voters need to be able to be educated about proposed school district budgets, projects, and use of levies and bonds. School district personnel have the most complete set of details and they need to be able to answer voter questions and provide these details without advocating for specific outcomes in elections.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE ISBA EXECUTIVE BOARD: DO PASS

INCENTIVE TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO PURSUE TEACHING

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,

that the Idaho School Boards Association work with the Idaho Legislature to consider developing an incentive plan to entice Idaho students to pursue a career in teaching by providing grants to students who commit to a teaching in Idaho. Provisions would be included that the grant would require re-payment if the student did not complete the required course work within a determined number of years.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Due to the critical shortage of teachers in Idaho, districts have difficulty finding qualified teachers to fill vacancies. An incentive plan would entice students to pursue a career in teaching. The Idaho School Boards Association should actively work with the Idaho Legislature to provide funding for an incentive program.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE ISBA EXECUTIVE BOARD: DO NOT PASS