JCHS Choir Travel To Hawaii Is Approved

Whether they participate in the trip or not, each choir student will be required to write an essay on the history of the Pearl Harbor military strike, fulfilling the function’s educational component required by the board.

Funding and the itinerary for the trip were the items scrutinized most by the board. Initially, travel expenses were proposed for 18 students and a minimum of six chaperones, to be sponsored through community tax credit donations at a cost of roughly $31,000.

“Part of the tax credit arrangement needs to be structured so that all students can have an opportunity to attend this function,” said District Superintendent Bryan Fields.

The typical fee for students to enroll in a school activity club is around $5 per student.

According to Fields, not all JCHS choir students have equal access to the tax credits, such as those who qualify for free or reduced lunch. Fields suggested that this amount may need to be increased to cover credit-ineligible students who wish to make the trip.

District officials have found that other county schools have raised monies for student club events through scholarship funds to absorb a percentage of this cost differential for students with qualified financial needs.

Hypothetically, the board determined that the $1,200 per student cost of travel would increase to $1,400. Students would apply for the trip’s financial aid scholarship, which the school board would review to cover up to 50 percent of the trip fee.

“What worries me is when we consider kids who will want to go on more trips in the future–which is great, and I have no problem with that–we’re compressing the amount of time that people will need to raise the money, if it’s even eligible for tax credit.

“I’d really like to see the students plan ahead and use fundraising as an aspect of this, because I think it shows us that the children want it and that they’ve earned it,” said Board President Linda Kor-Fisher.

The board confirmed Gardner’s estimate is that no more than two choir students who wish to attend would need financial aid.

The board determined that deposit funds would need to be raised in full two or three months prior to the 2016 Hawaii trip date, and will review future trips based on the district’s education plan guidelines, setting a precedent for how it will evaluate paid out-of-state school events moving forward.

In other action Dec. 8, the board:

* Heard reports from the administrative team.

* Named Irene J.C. Hansen as December Employee of the Month.

* Approved fiscal year 2016 appointments of Jillian Balda as substitute teacher, and volunteers Dayton Flake as a junior high school coach and Lexi Nelson as a classroom aide.

* Approved the resignations of Annelie Hansen as an instructional aide, effective Dec. 21, and Heather Smith as instructional aide, effective Dec. 4.

* Approved Lisa Lampsa as 2016 pool manager, and a pool manager position stipend.

* Approved the fiscal year 2016 and 2017 statement of assurance-teachers.

* Approved 2016 Joseph City Irrigation Company water share leases.

* Approved a maintenance worker II job description and position.

* Approved a personal vehicle use reimbursement of $175 per month for maintenance supervisor Brad Neal for the period from January through June 2016.

* Approved a JCHS audition choir tax credit contract.

* Approved the superintendent evaluation.

* Approved consent agenda items, including district vouchers for general funds encumbrance totaling $172,339.65; payroll, $233,678.02; revolving fund, $345; and auxiliary, $578.94.

* Approved financial summaries for district, auxiliary and student activity.

* Approved adoption of the agenda as presented. Nov. 10 regular meeting minutes were also approved.

The next regular meeting of the board will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 12, at the district boardroom at 8176 N. Westover St.