September 22, 2011 Special Meeting Minutes
Fowler USD 225
Special Board of Education Meeting
September 22, 2011
Meeting called to order and led Pledge of Allegiance at 6:17 by Tim Milford
Members present: Jan Granados (7:09), Dan Harris, Steve Lundeen, Duke Marrs, Tim Milford, Leighton Miller (6:25); Others present: Superintendent Bobbi Williams and SWPRSC Consultant Jim Lentz
Adoption of Agenda: Milford moved, Harris seconded, motion carried 5-0
Meeting was turned over to Jim Lentz who led the Board discussion for the evening:
What do we want to accomplish this evening:
- Set Board goals
- Create a 3-5 year plan
- Foster collaboration
What are we proud of in USD 225:
- small class size (*****)
- facilities (**)
- high graduation rate (*)
- kids involved in activities (***)
- safety (****)
- room to grow (student population)
- excellent scores
- dedicated teachers (**)
- village environment
- people can’t hide; students don’t get lost in the shuffle or aren’t just a number
- excellent community support (**)
- great values (****)
- everyone knows everyone
- interest in students after graduation (**)
- kids like school
* indicates vote from BOE member as one of his/her top 5 priorities (5 members present)
1. small class size
2. safety
3. great values
4. kids involved in activities
What are our hopes for the District
- keep District open (***)
- growth not just survival (****)
- put our district on the map; people need to know who we are and what we’re doing (***)
- positive role model (*)
- provide excellent education (***)
- quality programs that all support each other (academics and athletics) (****)
- grow successful students (***)
- standard of excellence (**)
- be more accountable to learning (*)
- see our graduates come back to Fowler and invest in our community (******)
* indicates vote from BOE member as one of his/her top 5 priorities (6 members present)
1. see our graduates come back to Fowler and invest in community
2. quality programs that all support each other
growth not just survival
4. keep school open
put District on the map
provide excellent education
grow successful students
Goals for the District:
- USD 225 will provide a quality education for students
- USD 225 will provide a safe physical and emotional environment in which students may learn
- USD 225 will provide and maximize opportunities for student participation
- USD 225 will create a culture for learning and success
Board’s expectations for Superintendent:
- instill positive morale in staff and student body by example and encouragement
- make USD 225 the best it can be
- keep district financially stable
- be a risk taker
- communicate, communicate, communicate
- be consistent (have an opinion and stick to it)
- earn and give respect
- hire, grow, and promote leaders; and don’t be afraid to cut losses when they don’t perform
- District should run without superintendent present
- know where we are, where we are going, and have a plan to get us there
- focus on learning and make education a priority
- rally the troops
- empower staff to teach so students are empowered to learn
- hold all – Board, teachers, staff – accountable
- never be satisfied
- call Fowler home, not just a place of business
- know the Board back the Superintendent 100%
Superintendent’s expectations for the Board:
- establish policies that support district goals
- be an ambassador for the District
- help establish a culture of learning and build an educational ethic in the community
- trust the staff to do what is right
- support school activities and events
- stay involved in community and school
Superintendent and Board will continue to work together on how to word and measure goals and review mission statement. Once all is as the District wishes, it should be put on everything. Lentz’s recommendation: “emphasize and assess it and it will get done.”
Motion to adjourn: motion by Lundeen, second by Harris, motion carried 6-0 at 8:53PM