School District 
#261

Board of Trustees present: Zone 1 Liz Bingham, Zone 2 Peter Gibbons, Zone 3 Jeff Schroeder, Zone 5 Staci Leavitt. Board of Trustees not present:  Zone 4 Annette Lott. Others present: Superintendent Brent Johnson, District Clerk Jodi Stewart, HR Director Gina Cakebread, Transportation Director Tim Hicks, Federal Programs Director Kim Lickley, Special Services Director Toni Harbaugh, District Social Worker Rachel DelValle, Matthew Tipton with SSC Services, Jonathan Gillen with Charter Impact, community members, teachers and staff.

1. Call to Order 4:30 p.m.

   1.  Pledge of Allegiance - Kim Lickley

   2. Oath of Office of Zone 1 Trustee, and Zone 2 Trustee: 

      1. Liz Bingham, Zone 1 Trustee, and Peter Gibbons, Zone 2 Trustee (Action)

The Oath of Office was administered to Liz Bingham, Zone 1 and Peter Gibbons, Zone 2 by Jodi Stewart. Oath of Office signed.

3. Waive reading of the minutes of the previous board meeting as submitted to each board member.

4. Approval of Agenda (Action)

A motion was made by Liz Bingham and seconded by Peter Gibbons to waive the reading of the minutes of the previous board meeting and approve the agenda as presented. The motion passed by the following:

AYE: Liz Bingham

Staci Leavitt

Jeff Schroeder

Peter Gibbons

Individuals who wish to address the Board of Trustees regarding any action items must sign in prior to the start of the regular board meeting at 4:30 p.m. and placed before each action item on the agenda.

2. Annual Business Meeting (Action)

   1. Superintendent Brent Johnson will assume control of the Annual Meeting.

   2. Election of Board Chairs (Action)

      1. Chairman

Staci Leavitt nominated Liz Bingham as Board Chairman, the nomination was seconded by Jeff Schroeder. No other nominations were made. Liz Bingham was approved as Board Chairman  by the following Vote:

Aye: Staci Leavitt

Peter Gibbons

Jeff Schroeder

2. Vice-Chairman

Staci Leavitt nominated Peter Gibbons as Vice-Chairman, the nomination was seconded by Jeff Schroeder. No other nominations were made. Peter Gibbons was approved as Vice-Chairman by the following Vote:

Aye: Staci Leavitt

Peter Gibbons

Liz Bingham

3. Review of the Board of Trustees Operating Principles and Code of Ethics (Action)

A motion was made to confirm that all members of the Board of Trustees have received, reviewed, and acknowledged the Board of Trustees Operating Principles and Code of Ethics.  The motion passed by the following:

AYE: Liz Bingham

Peter Gibbons

Jeff Schroeder

Staci Leavitt

4. Appointments (Action)

   1. Board Clerk - Jodi Stewart

   2. Treasurer -Brent Johnson

   3. Deputy Treasurers

      1. Ryan Evans - Assistant Superintendent/Curriculum Director

         1. Jessica Applewhite Curriculum Secretary

      2. Kim Lickley – Federal Programs Director

      3. Toni Harbaugh – Special Education Director

         1. Lorie Lancaster – Special Education Secretary

      4. Barbara Brown - Frontier Elementary School Principal

         1. Trina Baird – Jefferson Elementary School Secretary

      5. Jill Taylor - Horizon Elementary School Principal

         1. Jennifer Heath - Horizon Elementary School Secretary

      6. Angie Brulotte - Jefferson Elementary Principal

         1. Guillemina Pascual - Jefferson Elementary School Secretary

      7. Amber Boone – Summit Elementary School Principal

         1. Yolanda Vergara – Summit Elementary School Secretary

      8. Nicole Ferreira – Jerome Middle School Principal

         1. Sherri Powell – Jerome Middle School Secretary

      9. Nathan Tracy – Jerome High School Principal

         1. Melissa Hamblin – Jerome High School Secretary

      10. Stacey Demers-McFarland - Falls City Academy Principal

          1. Leticia Cervantes – Falls City Academy Secretary

      11. Gina Cakebread - Human Resource Director

          1. Donjua Day - Accounts Payable Clerk

          2. Laila Ramirez Martinez - Payroll Clerk

   4. Title VII Coordinator – Gina Cakebread, Human Resources Director

   5. Title IX Coordinator – Kim Lickley, Jerome Federal Program Director

   6. Public Records Coordinator - Jodi Stewart, District Clerk

   7. Depository of District Funds – DL Evans Bank and LGIP (Local Government Investment Pool)

   8. School Attorneys

      1. Rob Williams, Williams Meservy & Lothspeich

      2. Holinka Law, P.C.- Jill Holinka, Attorney at Law

A motion was made by Staci Leavitt and seconded by Jeff Schroeder to approve the appointments of Lorri Prescott as Board Clerk, Brent Johnson as Treasure and Deputy Treasurers, Title VII Coordinator, Title IX Coordinator, and Public Records Coordinator, the Depository of District Funds and School Attorneys as listed, for the year, January 2026 through January 2027. The motion passed by the following:

AYE: Liz Bingham

Peter Gibbons

Jeff Schroeder

Staci Leavitt

5. Establish 2025 Meeting Schedule and Location (Action)

The Chairperson announced that the next order of business would be the establishment of a schedule of the regular meetings of the Board of Trustees for the ensuing year.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of Jt. Jerome School District No. 261 hereby designates that the regular meetings of said Board of Trustees shall be held at 4:30 p.m. o'clock on the fourth Tuesday of each month in the Board Room at, 125 4th Ave. West. With the exception of the following meeting dates:  March 17, November 17, and December 15. These meetings will be held at 4:30 p.m. o'clock on the third Tuesday of those months.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this designation of regular meetings shall 

continue in force through January of 2027, unless modified by action of the Board of Trustees. 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Clerk is instructed to conspicuously post written notice of this designation of regular meetings at the School District Administrative Office and on the district Website. The resolution passed by the following Vote:

AYE: Liz Bingham

Peter Gibbons

Jeff Schroeder

Staci Leavitt

6. Designation of Public Places for Posting Public Notices (Action)

A motion was made by Staci Leavitt and seconded by Peter Gibbons to designate the following locations for the posting of public notices: 1. School District Administrative Offices, 125 4^th Avenue West; 2. Jerome School District web page: www.jeromeschools.org. The motion passed by the following Vote:

AYE: Liz Bingham

Peter Gibbons

Jeff Schroeder

Staci Leavitt

3. Jerome School District Presentations:

   1. Excellence in Education Staff Awards for January

      1. Certified Elementary - Josephine Henscheid Summit Elementary

      2. Certified Secondary - Kellisue Montague Jerome Middle School

      3. Classified - Amber Bingham Jerome High School

   2. Administrator Special Report

      1. Angie Brulotte - Jefferson Elementary

         1. Jefferson Elementary Mission

      2. STAR Corp Presentation

4. Consent Agenda (Action)

   1. Approval of Previous Minutes

      1. December 16, 2025

   2. Financials

      1. Financial Report

      2. Building Financial Reports

         1. Jefferson Elementary School

         2. Frontier Elementary School

         3. Horizon Elementary School

         4. Summit Elementary School

         5. Jerome Middle School

         6. Jerome High School

         7. Falls City Academy

         8. Special Services

   3. Personnel Changes 2025-26 SY

A motion was made by Staci Leavitt and seconded by Peter Gibbons to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. The motion passed by the following:

AYE: Liz Bingham

Peter Gibbons

Jeff Schroeder

Staci Leavitt

5. Approval of Bills (Action)

   1. Bills Approval

A motion was made by Liz Bingham and seconded by Annette Lott to approve the bills as presented. The motion passed by the following:

AYE: Liz Bingham

Peter Gibbons

Jeff Schroeder

Staci Leavitt

6. Scheduled Visitors (Information)

   1. Jessica Reynoso - Career Technical Education

   2. Nate Tracy - Stipends for:

      1. HOSA - Health Occupations Students of America

      2. FCCLA - Family, Career and Community Leaders of America

      3. LIA - Latinos in Action

      4. FEI - Future Educators of Idaho

      5. DECA

         
         

7. Correspondence from the Board (Information)

   1. Trustee Committee Report

      1. Staci Leavitt

         1. Teacher Leadership Team

      2. Jeff Schroeder

         1. Wellness Committee 

         2.  Facilities Committee

      3. Liz Bingham

         1. Policy Review Committee

         2. Legislative Update

      4. Peter Gibbons

         1. Foundation Committee 

         2. Safety Committee

      5. Annette Lott

         1. Curriculum Committee

8. Reports to the Board (Information)

   1. Chartwells

   2. Terrance Handyside - SSC

   3. Tim Hicks - Transportation Department

   4. Kim Lickley - Federal Program Department

   5. Tyler Wardle - Technology Department

   6. Gina Cakebread - HR Department

      1. State Insurance Fund

   7. Toni Harbaugh - Special Services Department

   8. Ryan Evans  - Curriculum Department

   9. Brent Johnson - Superintendent

      1. Shared Goals/Building Admin Board Reports

      2. Budget & Fiscal Responsibility: A Commitment to Stability

         1. Certified Staff Reductions for 26-27 School Year

         2. Staff Engagement. There have meetings with almost all buildings

         3. Action Plan is coming in February

      3. Summer School & Program Adjustments

         1. Secondary: Programs will be consolidated at Jerome High School

         2. We do not project running elementary summer school

      4. Migrant Preschool

         1. We will run a two-week session this summer

         2. Recommending we sunset the school-year Migrant Preschool starting next year

      5. The Impact Committee: Calendar & Community

         1. Operational Readiness. Ample time for staff and parents to plan

         2. Academic Pacing. Teams will need time to adjust pacing guides and curriculum 

         3. Emotional Resilience. Finding the best path forward for our diverse community needs

      6. Academic Expansion & Infrastructure

         1. FCA Expansion.  Including middle school grades and a virtual program

         2. JEEP/District Office.  District Office staff will be relocating to the JEEP building

         3. Facility Bids for HVAC and Lighting will be opened in February

9. Board Business 

   1. Continuing Business

      1. Policy

         1. 5000 Series (2nd Reading Action)

A motion was made by Staci Leavitt and seconded by Peter Gibbons to approve the 5000 Series updates as presented. The motion passed by the following:

AYE: Liz Bingham

Peter Gibbons

Jeff Schroeder

Staci Leavitt

2. 7230 Financial Reporting and Audits (2nd Reading Action)

3. 7235 Fiscal Accountability and IDEA Part B Funds (2nd Reading Action)

4. 7237 Retention of Records Relating to Federal Grants (2nd Reading Action)

5. 7310 Advertising in Schools/Revenue Enhancement (2nd Reading Action)

A motion was made by Peter Gibbons and seconded by Staci Leavitt to approve Policy 7230, 7235, 7237, 7310 as presented. The motion passed by the following:

AYE: Liz Bingham

Peter Gibbons

Jeff Schroeder

Staci Leavitt

2. New Business

   1. Policy (Information)

      1. 2340F1 Parental Opt-Out Form For Sex Education (1st Reading Information)

      2. 2320F2 Parental Opt-Out Form For Sex Education (1st Reading Information)

      3. 7000 Series (1st Reading Information)

      4. 7235P Written Compensation Procedure (1st Reading Information)

      5. 7260 Student Activity Fund (1st Reading Information)

      6. 7400 Miscellaneous Procurement Standards (1st Reading Information)

      7. 7400P2 Procurement Methods Under a Federal Award (1st Reading Information)

      8. 7400P4 Miscellaneous Procurement Standards - General Procurement Standards for Federal Awards (1st Reading Information)

      9. 7403 Procurement of Goods and Services for School Meal Programs (1st Reading Information)

      10. 7405 Public Works Contracting and Procurement  (1st Reading Information)

      11. 7405P Procuring Public Works, Services, and Personal Property  (1st Reading Information)

      12. 7407 Public Procurement of Goods and Services  (1st Reading Information)

      13. 7408 Entering into Professional Service Contracts with Design Professionals, Construction Managers, and Professional Land Surveyors—The Request for Qualifications Policy  (1st Reading Information)

      14. 7409 Federal Cash Management Policy - Federal Program Income (1st Reading Information)

      15. 7440 Credit Cards  (1st Reading Information)

      16. 7450P2 Federal Cash Management Policy - Federal Program Income (1st Reading Information)

      17. 7600F Declaration of Financial Emergency Resolution (1st Reading Information)

      18. 7710 Bond Continuing Disclosure and Certification Requirements  (1st Reading Information)

   2. Approval of 2026-27 School Year Academic Calendar (Action)

      1. 2026-27 Staff Calendar

      2. 2026-27 Parent Calendar

A motion was made by Jeff Schroeder and seconded by Peter Gibbons to approve the Academic Calendar for the 2026-27 school year. The motion passed by the following:

AYE: Liz Bingham

Peter Gibbons

Jeff Schroeder

Staci Leavitt

3. Approve stipends for advisors of the following clubs: (Action)

   1. HOSA - Health Occupations Students of America

   2. FCCLA - Family, Career and Community Leaders of America

   3. LIA - Latinos in Action

   4. FEI - Future Educators of Idaho

   5. DECA

A motion was made by Staci Leavitt and seconded by Peter Gibbons to approve stipends for the advisors of the following clubs: HOSA, FCCLA, LIA, FEI, and DECA, with the Superintendent, Brent Johnson, and Principal, Nate Tracy, to agree upon the appropriate stipend amounts for these positions. The motion passed by the following:

AYE: Liz Bingham

Peter Gibbons

Jeff Schroeder

Staci Leavitt

3. Community Engagement and Support (Information)

Trustees to attend the following events as they fit individual schedules:

Jerome High School Career Fair - February 5th, 2026 8:00am-12:00pm

Summit Elementary - Attendance Awareness - Hot Chocolate at the Curb Jan 30th, 2026 7:45am-8:15am

Summit Elementary - Donuts with Grown Ups - February 19th, 2026 7:45am-8:30am

4. Meeting Schedules and Governance (Information)

10. Agenda Planning (Information)

    1. Day on the Hill February 16th-17th, 2026

       1. Trustee Liz Bingham

       2. Trustee Annette Lott

          
          

11. Audience of Citizens (Information)

    1. Lillie Negri - addressed the Board prior to Action Item 9b-ii, Approval of the 2026–27 School Year Academic Calendar

    2. Aubrey Merrick - addressed the Board prior to Action Item 9b-ii, Approval of the 2026–27 School Year Academic Calendar

    3. Elise Gilbert - addressed the Board prior to Action Item 9b-ii, Approval of the 2026–27 School Year Academic Calendar

    4. Amber Tolman - addressed the Board prior to Action Item 9b-ii, Approval of the 2026–27 School Year Academic Calendar

    5. Kailan Pope - addressed the Board prior to Action Item 9b-ii, Approval of the 2026–27 School Year Academic Calendar

    6. Betty Maciel - addressed the Board prior to Action Item 9b-ii, Approval of the 2026–27 School Year Academic Calendar

       
       

12. Executive Session(Action)

    1. IC 74-206(1)(b)(d) – Personnel or Student.(b)To consider the evaluation, dismissal or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent or public school student; and (d) to consider records that are exempt from disclosure as provided in Chapter 1, Title 74, Idaho Code.

A motion was made by Peter Gibbons and seconded by Staci Leavitt that the Board of Trustees of Jt. Jerome School District #261 recess into executive session in the manner and for the purpose authorized by Section 74-206(1)(b)(d), Idaho Code, regarding personnel issues involving employees or student issues involving students of the district. The motion passed by roll call vote:

AYE: Liz Bingham

Peter Gibbons

Jeff Schroeder

Staci Leavitt

The board recessed into executive session at 7:05 p.m.

The board returned to open session at 7:20 p.m.

13. Consideration of Student Executive Item(s) (Action)

    1. Truancies

A motion was made by Staci Leavitt and seconded by Jeff Schroeder to approve the District Clerk's Declaration of Truancy for twelve (12) students as presented. The motion passed by the following:

AYE: Liz Bingham

Peter Gibbons

Jeff Schroeder

Staci Leavitt

14. Adjourn: There being no other business before the board, Chairman Liz Bingham adjourned the meeting at 7:23p.m.