Special School Board Meeting
Via Zoom
Wednesday, January 20th, 2021
Meeting called to order by President Bradfield at 4.05pm
Roll Call: Members in attendance: Ted Lone-Fight, Rose Ann Johnson, Brad Sage and Kelly Bradfield Absent Members: Sherry Turner-Lone Fight
Others: Tara Thomas, Abiodun Obidinma, Alfred Taylor, Brenda Hale, Candace Sherwood, Gregory Sherwood, Katherine Turner, Dawn Stroh and Tescha Bailly
Adoption of the agenda
Lone Fight moved to adopt the agenda and Johnson seconded.
Vote: Johnson, Lone Fight, Sage and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed.
New School Construction: Environmental/Cultural Graphics design
Bradfield explained that RSP is looking for individuals to get input from the community as to what the culture and design should be for the building. She asked for recommendations.
Lone Fight recommended Adam Gonzales. Johnson recommended Lydia Bears Tail, Corrine Sage and Martha Bird Bear. All Board members agreed to the four recommendations.
Bradfield will reach out to the individuals and if anyone cannot participate, she will bring back to the Board.
Tuition waiver submitted by New Town Public School
Thomas stated that there is a student transferring to New Town.
Johnson moved to accept the tuition agreement with New Town and Sage seconded.
No discussion. Vote: Johnson, Lone Fight, Sage and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed.
Update on Attendance.
Thomas explained that the Attendance drop procedures has been fine tuned.
Johnson asked how many times a student can re-enroll, Thomas said one. Johnson advised Thomas to update the procedure to say so.
(Rose Ann Johnson left the meeting at 4.13pm)
Thomas presented the updated Attendance drop procedures, the letters issued to students, recording sheet, drop letter and the action plan for attendance. She walked the Board through the attendance process.
The Board asked questions and the attendance drop procedure was discussed.
Bradfield suggested clearly defining the number of calls made to students who are absent, for the sake of referencing in case a court situation arises.
(Sherry Turner-Lone Fight joined the meeting at 4.25pm)
Lone Fight moved to accept the Attendance plan as presented and Sage seconded.
Discussion: Tara said it is just informational. Lone Fight rescinded his motion. Sage rescinded his seconds. Motion fails.
Elementary School Soft Re-opening plan
Mr. Sherwood presented the soft re-opening plan. He stated that the proposal was based on a teacher survey that generated a list of thirty-three students who are not engaging. He explained that there will be two sessions, a group of seventeen will be in at 9am to 11am and the other group will come in at 1pm to 3pm. He further explained that there will be a maximum of twenty-one people in the gym which is within safe guidelines to enable everyone maintain social distancing.
He went through the transportation protocols, food service protocols and daily health checklist.
The Board asked questions and discussed the plan.
Turner-Lone Fight moved to accept and approve the Elementary soft re-opening plan and Sage seconded.
Discussion: Bradfield asked about keeping log of cases and close contacts, and what happens if there is a positive case. Thomas explained that the protocol in the restart plan will be followed.
Vote: Lone Fight, Sage, Turner-Lone Fight, and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed.
High School Soft Re-opening plan
Dr. Taylor stated that the plan is for the students to either be in the new gym, old gym or Mr. Sanford’s room from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. He explained that although the plan is open to all students, struggling students are specifically being targeted. He further stated that letters will be sent out, protocols will be followed, and all areas will be thoroughly cleaned.
Turner-Lone Fight asked why the High School cannot be back in their classrooms since the gym is not large enough for them. Dr. Taylor said they can, if the teachers are back in the building.
Bradfield explained that she wants a plan on how classes will be coordinated while limiting exposure, and she thinks students need to be brought back in order to be effective in their learning.
Dr. Taylor stated that when teachers are back in the building, it can be addressed. He will work on a schedule and come back with another plan.
Bradfield recommended approving a High School struggling learners soft re-opening plan based on the Elementary soft-reopening plan protocol using the old gym.
Bradfield entertained a motion to approve the High School soft re-opening plan based on struggling students. Two groups: 9am to11am and 1pm-3pm. Seventeen students’ maximum with input from teachers and counselor for assistance to make sure students are being helped with their classes and with the directive of coming back with a more thorough re-opening plan for High school being that there are 61 students and mitigating all protocols and opportunities for COVID exposure.
Lone Fight made the motion and Sage seconded.
Discussion: Bradfield said there needs to be discussion about bringing teachers back and then the motion can be ratified. Bradfield asked Lone Fight if he is willing to ratify his motion after discussion on the remote workplace agreement. She explained that there was no timeline set for Dr. Taylor to complete the plan and the Board cannot give him a timeline until a decision is made on when teachers will be back in the building and that is the last item on the agenda.
Lone Fight withdraws his motion. Sage made the motion and allowed putting the ratifications after the agenda item on telework policy is discussed. Turner-Lone Fight seconded.
No Discussion. Vote: Turner-Lone Fight, Sage and Bradfield voted yes. Lone Fight abstained from voting. Motion passed.
BIE School environmental survey
Bradfield explained that to re-open the building to staff and students there are some things in the building that need to be corrected, like the water temperature. She advised that HOD’s and Superintendent have it covered in a checklist so that a safe and healthy environment can be provided for staff and students.
Thomas said she will create a checklist and bring it back with the High School soft re-opening plan.
Telework Procedure
Bradfield explained that the telework procedure was used mainly by those who had COVID or were exposed to COVID, to enable them work from home, unless they could not work due to COVID. But she believes the telework policy has been over-used.
She further stated that the High School principal has very limited staff in the building so the Board needs to decide to bring teachers back in the building.
Turner-Lone Fight suggested bringing staff back on Monday.
Sage said more time is needed to clean up and get everyone situated.
Bradfield suggested Wednesday. She explained that she believes teachers need to be teaching students from the building where they have all their materials. She stated that the teachers are doing a great job, but we need to move forward because some students are struggling even with the best teachers, so we need to do something different.
Bradfield suggested a thorough cleaning of the building over the weekend before the students come back in and all staff should be back in the building by 8am on Wednesday.
Thomas said the Custodians will clean on Thursday and Friday and the Contracted cleaning company will also clean over the weekend, so that the building will be pristine by Monday.
Bradfield entertained a motion to approve that all staff that do not have medical doctors’ excuses, contact with COVID or currently have COVID, will report back to the building. And if there is a reason they cannot, they need to report back to Ms. Thomas.
Lone Fight made the motion and Sage seconded.
Discussion. Vote: Lone Fight, Sage, Bradfield and Turner-Lone Fight voted yes. Motion passed.
Adjournment
Sage moved to adjourn the meeting at 6.09pm and Lone Fight seconded.
Vote: Lone Fight, Turner-Lone Fight, Sage and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed.
Signed by
Kelly Bradfield, Board President
Abiodun Obidinma, Business Manager
Regular School Board Meeting
Via Zoom
Wednesday, January 13th, 2021
Meeting called to order by President Bradfield at 4.00pm
Roll Call: Members in attendance: Kelly Bradfield, Brad Sage and Rose Ann Johnson
Absent Members: Ted Lone-Fight and Sherry Turner-Lone Fight, Others: Tara Thomas, Abiodun Obidinma, Tabitha Meglich, Alfred Taylor, Candace Sherwood, Gregory Sherwood, Roberta Baker, Chandler Worley, Katherine Turner, Tim Gray, Josephine Espino and Donovan Abbey
Additions to the agenda
Under approval of bills:
Approval of invoice 3147066 from Anne Carlsen center ($8,575.96)
Adoption of the agenda
Johnson moved to adopt the agenda with the additions and Sage seconded.
No discussion. Vote: Johnson, Sage and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed.
Approval of minutes
Sage moved to approve the minutes of December 16th and Bradfield seconded.
Discussion. Vote: Johnson, Sage and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed.
Sage moved to approve the minutes of December 9th and Bradfield seconded.
Discussion. Vote: Johnson, Sage and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed.
Approval of bills
Johnson moved to approve the bills in the amount of $111,433.40 and Sage seconded.
No discussion. Vote: Johnson, Sage and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed.
Johnson moved to approve Anne Carlsen Center Invoice 3147066 in the amount of $8,575.96 and Sage seconded.
Vote: Johnson, Sage and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed.
(Ted Lone Fight joined the meeting at 4.14pm)
Old Business
New School construction update
Bradfield explained that she was informed that the approved construction budget will be exhausted by mid-February. So, she would like to meet with the Construction Team to find out what it will take to complete the building, before she approaches Tribal Business Council (TBC) for the remainder of the amount. The meeting will include Burke, Panther, RSP and the Chairman’s office. She asked if the Board is in support and if she should proceed.
Johnson moved for the Board president to sit in with the Construction Team and TBC to come up with what our final report is as to the invoices and how we will go about paying for it. Sage seconded.
Discussion. Vote: Johnson, Sage, Lone Fight voted yes. Bradfield is non-voting. Motion passed.
Approval of invoices towards new School construction
Lone Fight moved to approve Burke Construction Group invoice ND-01821 in the amount of $1,822,328.01 and Sage seconded.
Vote: Lone Fight, Johnson, Sage and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed.
Lone Fight moved to approve Braun Intertec Corporation’s invoice B239015 in the amount of $3,059 and Sage seconded.
Vote: Lone Fight, Johnson, Sage and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed.
(Sherry Turner-Lone Fight joined the meeting at 4.17pm)
Written Department Head Reports
High School-Alfred Taylor
Elementary School-Gregory Sherwood
Sherwood asked if the gym can be opened for student services. He explained that he has a list of thirty-three students who are not engaging, and he would like to bring those students into the gym. This is a last effort to reach students who are falling through the cracks and he does not want them going without good instruction. If approved, he can present a plan by next Wednesday with hopes of putting the plan into action by January 25th.
Thomas said she is in total agreement.
Bradfield asked for consensus for Sherwood to present a plan to the Board.
Johnson, Lone Fight, Sage, Turner- Lone Fight and Bradfield agreed for a detailed soft re-opening plan for Elementary and High School to be presented by next Wednesday.
The Board requested that two separate plans be proposed for Elementary and High School.
Title I- Tescha Bailly
There was lots of discussion and contribution on attendance related matters.
Special Ed- Candace Sherwood
Information Technology- Roberta Baker
Kitchen- Chandler Worley
Transportation-Acorn Holds the Enemy
Athletic Director-Donovan Abbey
Lloyd Vigen expressed concern about the school not offering Sports. He stated that as a parent of a Senior Athlete, he is concerned that the district is not willing to implement fall Sports for the students. He believes that if the District and participants are being responsible and there is a plan, he does not see why it cannot move forward.
Abbey said he is still not in support of resuming sports because we can control what we do but we cannot control who we play, so he will rather err on the side of caution.
Vigen said he feels his daughter is being denied. Turner- Lone Fight said she is not being denied, the district just does not want the students catching the coronavirus.
There was a lengthy discussion on the matter.
Bradfield explained that as a school district we have been cautious in looking out for our students and households, and we need to focus on the academic piece.
Johnson explained that the decision was made by the Board in order to keep the student, staff and community safe, and she feels it is the right thing.
Johnson, Turner- Lone Fight, Sage and Bradfield stated that they stand by their vote not to have Sports.
Business Manager-Abiodun Obidinma
Obidinma stated that the negotiations seminar will be February 4th and 5th.
Bradfield called for nominations for Board members to do negotiations on behalf of the Board.
Sage moved to have Johnson and Turner-Lone Fight serve for negotiations for the 2020-21 school year on behalf of the Board. Bradfield seconded.
Vote: Lone Fight, Johnson, Turner-Lone Fight, Sage and Bradfield voted yes.
Motion passed.
Johnson moved to put Sage as the Alternate and Bradfield seconded.
Vote: Lone Fight, Johnson, Turner-Lone Fight, Sage and Bradfield voted yes.
Motion passed.
Superintendent-Tara Thomas
(Ted Lone Fight left the meeting at 6.49pm)
Adjournment
Turner-Lone Fight moved to adjourn the meeting at 6.50pm and Johnson seconded.
Vote: Johnson, Turner-Lone Fight, Sage and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed.
Signed by
Kelly Bradfield, Board President
Abiodun Obidinma, Business Manager
