Caldwell District board authorizes new phone system, approves handbooks and policy updates and records personnel decision after executive session

The Caldwell District Board of Trustees on Aug. 11 approved multiple operational items needed before the start of school, authorizing a software license for a new self‑hosted PBX phone system, approving student handbooks for 2025–26, and accepting several ISBA‑required policy updates. After an executive session on a personnel matter the board voted by roll call to approve a personnel decision regarding employee O4‑14‑2025.

Timing on the phone‑system contract prompted the superintendent to sign so work could begin before school starts. Dr. French told trustees that the district’s existing system (identified as eSUSE) is effectively at end of life and that support costs had been increasing: "we saw that the support contract was gonna be about $30,000," Dr. French said. An IT vendor presented a replacement, Third Lane, as a like‑for‑like self‑hosted option with a much lower support cost; the vendor said the district’s current contract is "$5,600, $56.50" in the transcript and described Third Lane as a self‑hosted product that would preserve the district’s current approach while upgrading features. Trustees approved a resolution authorizing the software license agreement so installation could begin before the first day of school.

On the consent and regular agendas, trustees agreed to pull item e (student handbooks) for separate discussion after Vice Chair Maricela Pacino noted that Sacagawea Elementary’s handbook in the posted materials appeared outdated and that registration required parents to acknowledge the handbook. Dr. French said updated handbooks would be collected and placed on the next agenda if needed; the board then approved the listed 2025–26 student handbooks.

The board also approved annual review procedures for a set of district policies (including ethics, school calendar and instructional hours, parent and family engagement, open enrollment, student discipline, restraint and seclusion, student health, community use of facilities and several finance policies) and approved errata revisions to three policies. In a separate action the board approved final readings of ISBA‑required policy updates tied to recent legislation (including changes called out as House Bill 236a and Senate Bill 1007a), and Dr. French said staff would provide a follow‑up report on open‑enrollment numbers.

The board voted to enter executive session under code 74‑206(1)(b) to consider evaluation or complaints against an employee (employee O4‑14‑2025). After returning to open session, trustees conducted a roll‑call vote and approved "decision 1" regarding that employee; roll‑call votes were recorded as affirmative from trustees present.

Votes at a glance

- Agenda postings (motion to approve posting for 08/11/2025): Approved (voice vote). - Consent agenda (after item e pulled): Approved (voice vote). - Student handbooks (item e, pulled then approved): Approved (voice vote). - Resolution authorizing software license (phone system, Third Lane): Approved (voice vote). - Annual policy review/errata revisions: Approved (voice vote). - Second/final readings of ISBA‑required policies (including policies 3005, 3010, 3340, 4105 and related forms): Approved (voice vote). - Motion to enter executive session under code 74‑206(1)(b) (employee O4‑14‑2025): Approved (roll call). - Post‑executive‑session personnel action ("decision 1" regarding employee O4‑14‑2025): Approved (roll call with affirmative votes recorded).

The board announced upcoming dates including freshman orientation Aug. 12, first day of school Aug. 13 and a board work session on Aug. 25 before adjourning.