Myrtle Point/Coquille

Myrtle Point/Coquille

Board Work Session

October 2, 2012

6:30 p.m.

Flag Salute –

Opening –

Superintendents Tim Sweeney and Bruce Shull wanted an opportunity for board members to hear about the shared services between Coquille and Myrtle Point districts.

In this era of cooperation, the two districts need to work together.

Discussion Items –

PERS payments –

PERS payments will increase approx. 26% this year for both districts amounting to $500,000 for the both districts. This will be a huge impact and districts may be looking at big cuts.

Mrs. Pointer said the reason for the increase in PERS is due to a worsening economy and the government’s slow reaction to lessen the impact.

It was agreed that contact should be made to state legislators. The superintendents will continue to talk to COSA and Rudy Crew at ODE on how to offset the financial impact this will be to school districts. The increase is equal to funding 3 teachers or 10-15 school days.

Consolidation –

The Coquille board asked if districts could share teachers by consolidating the high school schedules. The superintendents have discussed sharing programs. Districts would need to be creative with scheduling including a flexible school calendar and a transportation plan. Other ideas for consolidations include: block scheduling, internet classes, impact of decreasing class sizes, possibility of building a central high school and pros and cons of becoming a charter school. Both boards felt it is important to set a timeline on the shared concept.

The Coquille board asked that Mr. Sweeney and Mr. Shull present a calendar in November.

Shared Staff –

·  Payroll- Lori King is the first contracted employee for MP district; staff was extremely receptive to her and adjusted to her workdays; no major stresses.

·  Business Manager- Teri Pointer works in the MP district one day a week; adjusted Lori’s schedule to be full time in MP; have joined accounts payable; staff is able to call 399 to Teri’s office in Coquille; work flow is moving together well.

Lori and Teri are preparing for the November audit for both districts, working 7 days a week to prepare.

Mr. Shull said the both district are affected when salary increases are given to contracted staff. Myrtle Point would like to have input.

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·  Technology – Kyle Stubblefield/MP and Walt Wilcott/Coquille meet Monday mornings to discuss issues; Myrtle Point’s network mirrors Coquille so each person is able to work on networks; feel it’s working out well. Asked about Skyping-type classrooms, Walt said the Polycom systems are more reliable but costly at $10,000. The board asked them to make a list of choices for a remote classroom.

·  Athletic Director – Tony Jones+ can work on athletic communications while at Winter Lakes; has assigned himself to 40% of events and others take up the slack.

·  Accounts Payable – Janet Howerton does purchasing for schools; does invoicing. Dayle Baker/MP and Marci Gallager/Coquille help out. Dayle communicates with Janet when there is a question.

·  Winter Lakes – Tony Jones – Winter Lakes has been a great model for cooperation for both districts. The recent venture of the virtual academy has grown with new students daily. Enrollments for Winter Lakes and the virtual academy is 80 students, up from 55 last year. The virtual academy offers direct help for students.

·  Busing - Districts share busing for athletics, programs; athletic directors work well together; kids get safely to destination.

·  Grants- Dan Cumberland – Established one year ago; has extended to a consortium of 4 schools; part-time employee will help; is an opportunity to be proactive and replace funding.

The work session was adjourned at 8:24 p.m.