Box Elder School District

Box Elder

School District

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. -- Nelson Mandela

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District News

School Board Meeting Agenda
Posted: Friday Aug 06, 2010

Box Elder School District Board of Education will be holding a regular school board meeting on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at the O. Jay & Tamra Call Education Center, 960 South Main, Brigham City Utah. agenda

School Board Meeting Follow Up
Posted: Thursday Jul 22, 2010

The Board of Education held a regular meeting on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 - School Board Meeting Follow Up READ

School Board Meeting Agenda
Posted: Tuesday Jul 20, 2010

The Board of Education will be holding a regular school board meeting on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. at the O. Jay & Tamra Call Education Center, 960 South Main, Brigham City Utah. agenda

School Board Meeting Follow Up
Posted: Thursday Jun 17, 2010

Report on School Board Meeting held on Wednesday, June 16, 2010. read

School Board Meeting Date Change
Posted: Thursday Jun 17, 2010

The next meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. in the O. Jay & Tamra Call Education Center, 960 South Main, Brigham City Utah.

June School Board Meeting
Posted: Thursday Jun 10, 2010

The next regular school board meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at the O. Jay & Tamra Call Education Center, 960 South Main, Brigham City. agenda

Updated District Calendar
Posted: Wednesday Jun 02, 2010

An updated district calendar for the 2010-2011 school year has been approved by the school board. The calendar was approved on May 12, 2010 and can be found by clicking the Calendar link at the top of the page or by clicking here. Begin making your summer and fall plans now.

School Board Work Session
Posted: Friday May 21, 2010

The school board will be holding a work session on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. at the O. Jay & Tamra Call Education Center, 960 South Main, Brigham City. agenda

School Board Meeting Follow Up
Posted: Thursday May 13, 2010

School Board Meeting Follow Up for meeting held on Wednesday, May 12, 2010. read

School Board Meeting
Posted: Friday May 07, 2010

The next regular School Board Meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. and will be held at Willard Elementary School, 40 West 50 South, Willard Utah. agenda

School Board Meeting Follow Up
Posted: Thursday Apr 29, 2010

Follow Up for the School Board Meeting held, Wednesday, April 28, 2010. read

School Board Meeting Work Session
Posted: Monday Apr 26, 2010

The next school board meeting work session will be held on Wednesday, April 28, 2010, at 6:30 p.m. at the O. Jay & Tamra Call Education Center, 960 South Main, Brigham City Utah. agenda

Online Lunch Payments
Posted: Thursday Apr 15, 2010

We are pleased to announce that parents can now make payments for lunch balances online! Forget about the lost checks and forgotten reminder slips. Make a one-time payment or schedule monthly automatic payments--adding money to a child's account has never been easier or safer.

Several schools have added online payments. Please visit your school's web page for links to the payment portal. Call the school for more information about availability. Post updated Apr. 15, 2010

School Board Meeting Follow Up
Posted: Thursday Apr 15, 2010

Follow-up from the April 14, 2010 School Board Meeting can be read here.

School Board Meeting Agenda
Posted: Friday Apr 09, 2010

The next school board meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. and will be held at Adele C. Young Intermediate School, 830 Law Dr. Brigham City Utah. agenda

Special School Board Meeting Work Session
Posted: Friday Apr 02, 2010

There will be a Special School Board Meeting Work Session held on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. at the O. Jay & Tamra Call Education Center, 960 South Main, Brigham City. agenda

School Board Meeting Follow Up
Posted: Thursday Mar 25, 2010

March 24, 2010 School Board Meeting follow up. (read)

District Rolls Out Blogs
Posted: Wednesday Mar 10, 2010

District staff are ramping up their blogging! Looking for new ways to inform parents and each other, teachers and administrators are reaching out with this online tool. Blogs offer a quick, easy way to give out assignments, activity reminders, class news and much more. Just visit the blog page to look up a teacher by name and sign up to follow their blog.

School Board Meeting
Posted: Friday Mar 05, 2010

The next School Board Meeting will be held Wednesday, March 10, 2010, at 6:30 p.m., and will be held at the Adele C. Young Intermediate School, 830 Law Drive, Brigham City UT. AGENDA

February 24, 2010, School Board Meeting Follow Up
Posted: Thursday Feb 25, 2010

Legislative Update

Developing the state budget with substantially less money available continues to dominate legislative attention and action. However, a few pieces of legislation have been passed that do affect public education. SB16 changes the testing required under U-PASS, and has passed both the house and senate. SB16 eliminates the requirement to administer a norm referenced test each year in grades 3, 5, and 8. For the past several years, that test has been the Iowa Test of Basic Skills.

Another bill, HB42 First Substitute, has passed. This bill enables local boards of education to determine the length of time a new employee is considered “provisional.” Each local board could, by policy, extend the provisional status of employees from three years up to five years.

Budget Issues

Legislative discussions about the budget for next year continue, and are as yet indefinite. Cuts over the current year budget will be at least 3.5% and may be considerably higher. In the remaining three weeks of the legislative session, the actual magnitude of the cuts the district must accommodate will be finalized through legislative action. In preparation for those cuts, Superintendent Laing presented the board members with a list of possible areas the district could cut expenditures.

The list (bottom of page) was not prioritized with the exception that if closing an elementary school is selected, that decision needs to be determined immediately so that the necessary work of realigning can be done; and with the specific understanding that increasing class size was the least desirable option on the list. The superintendent emphasized that none of the areas listed were desirable cuts; none would be embraced by all employees and constituents, and each would have consequences regarding the district’s ability to provide student experiences as it had in the past. After considering the list of items, the board decided each member would rank the acceptability of each possible area of reduction, and be prepared to provide direction to the administration at the next regular meeting of the board on March 10. Since the closing of an elementary school within Brigham City is a possible way of saving resources, the board asked district administration to prepare a recommendation according to the parameters of Policy 1225 School Size – Grades K-5. Additionally, board members also asked the administration to prepare information on the benefits and consequences of a four-day week.

Board members and the administration of the district are anxious for all patrons of the district to understand the challenges of reducing the budget. Of special concern is the need for all district employees and constituents to understand that the money from the bond election of a few years ago cannot (by state law) be used for on-going operational costs. The bond funds are for building the high schools and the announced new elementary school in Garland. Board members and the administration are keenly aware of the difficulty many have with understanding this difference; after all, the taxes individuals pay is money out of their pockets. But, when tax funds are collected with voter approval for a specific purpose (the bonds and the buildings created through bonding), those funds cannot be spent for any other purpose. Additionally, in spite of the cuts to the operational funds the district will experience, the need for suitable places to provide education for the students is still real.

School Fees

The board discussed the importance of school fees as means of providing activities and experiences at the secondary level in preparation for adopting a fee schedule at the next regular meeting in March. The board and the administration are concerned that some very supportive booster and parent groups are creating fees, according to state law and rule definitions, in their efforts to support and enhance the experiences of student participants. The board and the administration encourage all support groups to consider the impact on student participation that these financial expectations are having on students and families with limited means.

Superintendent Search

The search process is underway. Applicants have access to information regarding the desired criteria. The Utah School Board Association has disseminated the position announcement and will be collecting the applications. No new information was reviewed.

Closed Session

The Board went into a closed session for the purpose of discussing a potential exchange of district property.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Wednesday, March 10, 2010, at 6:30 p.m. and will be held at Mountain View Elementary School, 650 East 700 South, Brigham City Utah.

____________________________________________________________

FY2011 Possible Budget Reductions: Offered by Superintendent Laing: 2/24/2010

The following are in no particular order, with the exception that the first (green) needs to be decided as soon as possible so that necessary planning may be done, and the last (red) should be undertaken only after every other reasonable effort (not necessarily limited to these suggestions) to reduce costs has been taken.

Board members, please rank the acceptability of each possible cut from 1 to 4; with 1 being “yes, we should do this,” and 4 being “no, this is unacceptable.”

Acceptability

Possible Change

Described Savings

Close one BC elementary school

Heat, lights, utilities for one building, salaries and benefits for one principal, office staff, one head cook, some cooks, one head custodian, some custodians, some aides

Reduce the number of motor pool vehicles available for long distance travel; reduce mileage reimbursement for employee travel.

Costs of vehicles, maintenance, fuel; cost of mileage reimbursement

Hold replacement of any retirees from the district office: reduce district office staff by at least two.

Salaries and benefits for positions not replaced

Eliminate district provided cell phone service and phones (possible exception for maintenance and tech crew).

Cost of cell phone service, Blackberries

Eliminate all school group (extracurricular sports/activities) travel beyond 150 mile radius.

Excessive travel costs, and perception of excessive travel

Eliminate elementary field trips and swimming trips

Busing costs; .5 FTE

Eliminate all student travel for groups and events that are not sponsored or sanctioned by a CTE program or the UHSAA.

Busing costs

Eliminate all “extra” travel associated with away games: extra buses or vehicles for cheerleaders, coaches, freshmen/sophomore/junior varsity teams on the same day, etc.

Busing costs and transportation costs

Eliminate non-classroom specific instructors/teachers: athletic directors, athletic trainers, literacy/math coaches, resource officers, etc. which are not funded with categorically restricted funding.

Salaries and benefits

Eliminate payment for coaches beyond head coach, and one assistant (for some sports).

Coaching stipends

Reduce the number of school days and increase the number of furlough days for all employees; completely shut the buildings during the furlough.

Salary per diem; lights, heat, utilities per diem for buildings

Increase employee participation in health and accident insurance premium.

Health and accident insurance premiums paid by employer

Start school times to accommodate most efficient use of buses and driver time.

Savings in number of busses and drivers; more efficient use of paid time for drivers

Renegotiate or freeze administrator professional development and convention travel for 1-2 years.

Administrator PD allocation; travel expenses

Renegotiate or administrator technology stipend.

Administrator technology stipend

Standardize the length of the contract day to 8 hours: 5.5 instruction, .5 before and after school, .5 lunch, 1.0 prep, breaks, and collaboration.

Eliminate prep aides and collaboration aides

Reduce the hours the district office is open.

Hourly compensation of staff; some heat, lights, A/C costs

Continue hold on text, equipment budgets.

No additional savings; no additional costs

Increase secondary student fees.

No savings; may fund some functions from fees

Increase property taxes to statutory limits; utilize the full amount of the 10% of basic program.

Increased revenue in specific areas, including M&O

Increase number of periods in secondary schools from 5 to six per day.

Savings of 3% per teacher for all secondary teachers; additional credit opportunity for students

Eliminate all licensed library/media personnel in secondary schools and replace with aides.

Differential in salaries and benefits for certificated, career educators and aides

Eliminate all paid aides and paraprofessionals not hired with categorical funds.

Salaries and benefit costs (if any) for aides and paraprofessionals

Close buildings earlier each day and strictly eliminate public and employee access after-hours and on weekends and other times school is not in session.

Savings in utilities; some custodial hours

Establish firm boundaries for attendance; bus to appropriate schools only.

Some busing costs

Eliminate elementary testing teams: DIBELS, UALPA, etc.

Compensation for testing teams

Offer a one-time, retirement incentive payment option to encourage retirements.

Salary differential between retirees and new hires

Review and reduce Category II extra compensation

Compensation of effected individuals

Require all schools to develop a plan that would reduce school costs by specific percentage.

Savings; probably in different ways at individual schools

Increase staffing ratios (teachers and classified staff) in schools; hold firm to those ratios.

Reduction of need for teachers (salaries and benefits)

School Board Work Session
Posted: Thursday Feb 18, 2010

The next School Board meeting will be a work session and will be held on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. at the O. Jay & Tamra Call Education Center, 960 South Main, Brigham City Utah. AGENDA

Student Lunch Balances
Posted: Tuesday Jan 12, 2010

Lunch balances are back online in the Parent section of the district web site. You can view the current balance and the last twenty lunch transactions--both charges and deposits. This is part of a private student snapshot page--to view lunch balances, transactions, student schedule, and other information you must login. A student id and password are required to view the page. If you need this information, your school's secretary can provide it.

H1N1 Vaccine Permission Form
Posted: Monday Nov 02, 2009

The Bear River Health Department and Box Elder School District are preparing vaccines for the H1N1 flu virus. If you did not receive your application in the mail you can get a copy online. In both english and spanish.

H1N1 Vaccination Dates and Permission Form

District Drug Testing Policy
Posted: Thursday Sep 24, 2009

The Board amended and approved a new drug testing policy, policy 5291, on August 12, 2009. Secondary schools will submit a plan, for Board approval, indicating which activities will be included in the testing program. Students participating in identified activities will be eligible for random selection of the weekly drug testing. Drug testing will be done by the Bear River Health Department. All district-wide policies can be found here.

An Open Letter From Superintendent Laing About The H1N1 Virus
Posted: Friday Sep 04, 2009

As you are aware H1N1 (Swine Flu) continues to spread across the United States and the world. Fortunately most of the cases have been relatively mild. The school district and the Bear River Health Department are working closely to develop plans for this fall that we hope will slow the spread of the virus among our students...

Read more in English. Léa más en español.

Standards Based Education
Posted: Monday Aug 31, 2009

Box Elder School District implemented a Standards Based grading system in grades K-7. This change was made with two goals in mind: first, improve student achievement and second, better inform students and parents regarding each students specific academic strengths. The District has created a document to help you learn more about Standards Based Education and how parents can be even better informed about the academic progress of their children.

Northern Utah Educator's Conference
Posted: Tuesday Jul 28, 2009

The Logan City School District in conjunction with The Book Table are excited to announce the first annual Northern Utah Educator's Conference. This conference will be on August 7, 2009 at the River Woods Conference center at the Marriott hotel in Logan. We have an amazing line up of presenters from math, social studies, creative writing, science, and reading. There is something for everyone. Call the Book Table to sign up or for any questions you may have. 435-752-3055 See brochure.

Acceptability	Possible Change	Described Savings
	Close one BC elementary school	Heat, lights, utilities for one building, salaries and benefits for one principal, office staff, one head cook, some cooks, one head custodian, some custodians, some aides
	Reduce the number of motor pool vehicles available for long distance travel; reduce mileage reimbursement for employee travel.	Costs of vehicles, maintenance, fuel; cost of mileage reimbursement
	Hold replacement of any retirees from the district office: reduce district office staff by at least two.	Salaries and benefits for positions not replaced
	Eliminate district provided cell phone service and phones (possible exception for maintenance and tech crew).	Cost of cell phone service, Blackberries
	Eliminate all school group (extracurricular sports/activities) travel beyond 150 mile radius.	Excessive travel costs, and perception of excessive travel
	Eliminate elementary field trips and swimming trips	Busing costs; .5 FTE
	Eliminate all student travel for groups and events that are not sponsored or sanctioned by a CTE program or the UHSAA.	Busing costs
	Eliminate all “extra” travel associated with away games: extra buses or vehicles for cheerleaders, coaches, freshmen/sophomore/junior varsity teams on the same day, etc.	Busing costs and transportation costs
	Eliminate non-classroom specific instructors/teachers: athletic directors, athletic trainers, literacy/math coaches, resource officers, etc. which are not funded with categorically restricted funding.	Salaries and benefits
	Eliminate payment for coaches beyond head coach, and one assistant (for some sports).	Coaching stipends
	Reduce the number of school days and increase the number of furlough days for all employees; completely shut the buildings during the furlough.	Salary per diem; lights, heat, utilities per diem for buildings
	Increase employee participation in health and accident insurance premium.	Health and accident insurance premiums paid by employer
	Start school times to accommodate most efficient use of buses and driver time.	Savings in number of busses and drivers; more efficient use of paid time for drivers
	Renegotiate or freeze administrator professional development and convention travel for 1-2 years.	Administrator PD allocation; travel expenses
	Renegotiate or administrator technology stipend.	Administrator technology stipend
	Standardize the length of the contract day to 8 hours: 5.5 instruction, .5 before and after school, .5 lunch, 1.0 prep, breaks, and collaboration.	Eliminate prep aides and collaboration aides
	Reduce the hours the district office is open.	Hourly compensation of staff; some heat, lights, A/C costs
	Continue hold on text, equipment budgets.	No additional savings; no additional costs
	Increase secondary student fees.	No savings; may fund some functions from fees
	Increase property taxes to statutory limits; utilize the full amount of the 10% of basic program.	Increased revenue in specific areas, including M&O
	Increase number of periods in secondary schools from 5 to six per day.	Savings of 3% per teacher for all secondary teachers; additional credit opportunity for students
	Eliminate all licensed library/media personnel in secondary schools and replace with aides.	Differential in salaries and benefits for certificated, career educators and aides
	Eliminate all paid aides and paraprofessionals not hired with categorical funds.	Salaries and benefit costs (if any) for aides and paraprofessionals
	Close buildings earlier each day and strictly eliminate public and employee access after-hours and on weekends and other times school is not in session.	Savings in utilities; some custodial hours
	Establish firm boundaries for attendance; bus to appropriate schools only.	Some busing costs
	Eliminate elementary testing teams: DIBELS, UALPA, etc.	Compensation for testing teams
	Offer a one-time, retirement incentive payment option to encourage retirements.	Salary differential between retirees and new hires
	Review and reduce Category II extra compensation	Compensation of effected individuals
	Require all schools to develop a plan that would reduce school costs by specific percentage.	Savings; probably in different ways at individual schools
	Increase staffing ratios (teachers and classified staff) in schools; hold firm to those ratios.	Reduction of need for teachers (salaries and benefits)