School Board Meeting Recap: February 28, 2023
Presentations
Student Based Health Center - Elise Yarnell, Dr. Jeri Turgesen, Nell Rafalovich:
Key Takeaways:
Care is available in person and virtually, seven days a week.
$2.1 million has been invested in this clinic. The Austin family was a huge contributor, and they brought people in the community together.
Care is coordinated between the School Counseling Team, the District Support Team, the School Resource Officer, the NHS Resource Room, Providence Outreach, Providence, George Fox University, Pacific University, and Yamhill County Health and Human Services.
Between October 24, 2022 and February 18, 2023, the Health Center served 1,574 students.
The top three physical health services provided at the clinic were treating cold and flu symptoms, sports physicals, and immunizations.
The top three behavioral health services provided were for depression, substance use, and anxiety.
85% of patients who sought mental/behavioral health services expressed some level of suicidal ideation.
Mental health services are free.
Comments:
Dr. Phillips thanked the staff at the Student Based Health Center. He went on to say that he loves the clinic and has been a patient twice. He believes the care is top notch and plans on going back if the need arises. He encourages people to visit the clinic as needed.
Board Chair Dave Brown also thanked the staff at the Health Center, stating that he has enjoyed working with staff member Elise Yarnell. He loves the openness and honesty that the medical team fosters, especially since students often need a high level of support. He also gave a shout out to Jan Hart and Tony Buckner, stating that “if everyone in this community was as nice and patient as these two, we would be in a better place.”
Bond update - Larry Hampton and Casey Cunningham
Key Takeaways:
Everything is on track, within budget, and within projected completion dates.
Raquel expressed her concern regarding bathrooms – she wants the boys and girls to have privacy. This topic will be discussed further at a future date.
Edwards Elementary - Nicole Love
Key Takeaways:
Edwards staff were present at the meeting to support Nicole.
School Board Director Renee Powell has been working on Edwards’ new murals with parents, community members and staff members.
Mealtimes are challenging considering that the school does not have a cafeteria or kitchen. Currently, food is being served in a large outdoor tent, which the kids love!
Edwards has and will continue to host family events this year. Ms. Love is happy to see parents back in the school.
The school’s instructional focus is on reading and math. Edwards has a new language arts curriculum. Teachers are implementing the curriculum and working with Title One staff to help kids who are struggling to learn to read.
Covid did a real disservice to kids, and students are struggling with feelings of being disconnected from each other. Ms. Love feels that students are in a good place at Edwards. While kids are pushing the boundaries, no one feels unsafe.
Edwards currently has 490 students and 65 staff members.
The current building does not provide enough space for this many people, so teachers have to constantly adapt to the limited space. One teacher uses her office for a reading group twice a week. Moving into the new building will be a blessing.
Joan Austin Elementary - Ashley Lee
Key Takeaways:
Joan Austin has 211 students and 39 staff members.
Getting parents back into the building has been a highlight for staff. The Joan Austin parent group has been doing a great job at facilitating this. They host a free movie night each Friday for students and their families.
After one year of implementing a new reading program, student reading scores have increased across the board from 59% proficient to 79% proficient. Math scores have also increased – from 71% proficient to 81% proficient.
Joan Austin will be bringing in and working with Mathnasium, a Sherwood-based, math-only supplemental education provider to continue improving math instruction at the school.
Ms. Lee is focused on meeting and improving math and reading curriculum standards.
Board Action Items:
First reading of Board Policies - Scott Linenberger
Key Takeaways:
The board policy committee met on 2/21.
They focused on three policies that deal with harassment in the district, including a sexual harassment policy that hasn’t been updated since 2006. They are also focusing on creating a bullying/cyberbullying/ harassment policy for students.
The Oregon School Boards Administration (OSBA) helped drive these new updates.
The goal of these policy reviews is to make sure we stay current with state laws.
A second reading of board policies will take place at the next school board meeting on March 14, 2023.
Board Goals - Dr. Phillips
Key Takeaways:
Many of the board’s goals have been put into place and will be worked on in more detail as we prepare for the next school year.
More information about the goals will be provided at the next school boarding meeting on March 14, 2023.
Parents’ Bill of Rights - Dave Brown
Key Takeaways:
This will not be from the board, but from the community.
The purpose is to give a voice to parents in our community.
The board will listen to parents before putting it together. As the board gets more input from the public, they will gather the data and compile it into the Parents’ Bill of Rights.
The community should email their suggestions about the Parents’ Bill of Rights to: parentbillofrights@newberg.k12.or.us
Comments:
Raquel stated that the board already has a KAB policy (a policy that defines parental rights and responsibilities within a school) which was established in 2017. She urged everyone to review it and suggested that we, as a community work, with our existing resources rather than opening up room for discord.
Shelley stated that there is benefit in reviewing the current policy, but also in hearing what the community suggests.
Moya and Lucia both spoke up in agreement with Raquel. Both commented that they feel that this new bill is polarizing and will only open up new disagreements in the community. They suggested that the board consider amending their current KAB policy rather than forming a committee and creating a new policy. They stated that we must abide by Oregon state laws, and that there are boundaries for us that they feel this change crosses.
World Language - Dr. Phillips
Key Takeaways:
Newberg High School is adopting a new world languages curriculum.
Teachers will help select the languages offered. Once a curriculum is finalized, presented to and approved by the School Board, it will be available for the community to see.
Comments:
Lucia stated that she and Moira are working with Dr. Phillips on increasing standardized test scores.
General Comments - Dr. Phillips
Congratulations to the NHS Wrestling team for placingng 2nd at State championships!
Congratulations to the NHS Girls’ Basketball team for taking 2nd place in League!
Snow days - no one wins. No one is happy.
Dr. Phillips explained that the Tuesday decision to start classes late was due to concern for high school drivers on icy roads.
Antonia Crater had a faulty water heater, which caused a natural gas leak on DATE. Students were removed from the building and taken to CVMS by the staff. The gas company fixed it. CVMS staff were great to the Crater kids and staff. Band teacher Shea Skiles brought her band into the gym and played songs for the elementary kids. Thank you to the staff at both schools for caring for our students..
Parent Bill of Rights - regardless what we call it, or if it goes away, Dr. Phillips said he would like to see renewed commitment from the school and parents to work together. Covid really hurt that. We want to work at rebuilding that lost relationship. Having parents involved in their children's education is vital.