Phoenix-Talent SD 4 board approves TES solar contract, adopts superintendent-evaluation criteria and multiple personnel policies

The Phoenix-Talent SD 4 Board of Directors approved a set of contracts, evaluation criteria and personnel-policy changes at its meeting. The board approved a solar-and-battery contract for TES, adopted the Oregon School Boards Association evaluation criteria for the superintendent, and approved updates to family-and-medical leave, domestic-violence/harassment leave and sick-time policies. The board also approved a board member development funds request for a member with one abstention.

Why it matters: The TES solar project includes battery backup and is intended to bring on-site solar generation and resilience capacity to a district facility; the superintendent-evaluation criteria set how the board will review district leadership in the coming year. The personnel-policy updates and the board development reimbursement reflect routine governance and compliance actions the board must take.

The board approved the consent agenda early in the meeting by a voice vote. Later, members voted on individual action items. The board adopted OSBA’s superintendent-evaluation criteria by roll call; all board members who were polled voted yes. The TES solar contract was approved after discussion about grant and federal-funding risk; all board members polled voted yes. The board approved changes to family- and medical-leave policy (GCBDA/GDBDA), domestic-violence/harassment leave (GCBDC/GDBDC) and sick-time policy (GCBDD/GDBDD) by roll call votes. The board approved a request for board-member development funding for Nancy Castillo McInnis; the board approved the request with one abstention (Nancy Castillo McInnis abstained).

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda: approved (voice vote). (Transcript evidence: consent motion and chair’s approval.) - Adopt OSBA superintendent-evaluation criteria: approved (roll call; members present voted yes). (Transcript evidence: motion and roll-call sequence.) - TES solar contract (Amaresco contract to install solar and battery at TES): approved (roll call; members present voted yes). The board discussed grant delivery and how federal-funding changes would not place direct contract risk on the district because the vendor is executing the grant. (Transcript evidence: presentation and motion.) - Board development funds request for Nancy Castillo McInnis: approved; Nancy Castillo McInnis abstained, others voted yes. (Transcript evidence: motion, discussion, and roll call; Nancy stated “Abstain.”) - Policy updates (family & medical leave; domestic violence/harassment leave; sick time and related staff-leave policies): approved (roll call; members present voted yes). (Transcript evidence: motions and roll calls for each policy item.)

What the motions said and outcomes (formal actions captured) - Motion: “Approve the consent agenda as presented.” Outcome: approved. Mover/second: not specified in transcript. Notes: Chair declared approval after no objections. - Motion: “Adopt the OSBA criteria for evaluating the superintendent as presented.” Outcome: approved. Mover/second: not specified in transcript. Vote: Roll-call recorded as yes from members polled. - Motion: “Approve the TES solar contract as presented.” Outcome: approved. Mover/second: not specified in transcript. Notes: Contract includes battery backup; board counsel reviewed terms; district staff said the contracting firm holds the grant and shields the district from federal-grant funding risk. - Motion: “Approve the board member development funds request for Nancy Castillo McInnis as presented.” Outcome: approved; Nancy Castillo McInnis abstained. Mover/second: not specified in transcript. - Motions to approve policy changes (GCBDA/GDBDA family & medical leave; GCBDC/GDBDC domestic violence/harassment leave; GCBDD/GDBDD sick time): outcomes: approved. Mover/second: not specified in transcript. Vote: roll-call recorded yes from members polled.

Board and staff who took part in motions and roll-call votes included Chair Campbell (identified as chair), Nancy Castillo McInnis (board member; requested development funds and abstained on that vote), Dawn (board member), Polly (board member), Rebecca (board member), Rick (board member), Sarah (board member), and others who were polled during roll calls. District staff present for contract and policy explanations included Brent (district superintendent), John (facilities/staff), and legal counsel referenced in packet materials.

What the board did not decide: The board approved the listed motions; there was no formal vote or action recorded in the minutes on the health-curriculum adoption (the board discussed the recommended state-provided curricula and will take action at a future meeting). The board also discussed scheduling and instructional-hour make-up options for missed school days but did not adopt a final calendar change at this meeting.

Next steps: District staff will proceed with contractor procurement steps for the TES solar project, and the board will implement the adopted evaluation criteria and posted policy changes. Board members were asked to return the superintendent-evaluation forms by the date provided in the district’s email (February 14 deadline referenced in the meeting packet).

Ending: The meeting concluded after additional updates and a short recess; the board adjourned at the end of the posted agenda.