Board approves online-school expense policy for public review, reduction-in-force declaration, SelectHealth authorization and other measures

The Bonneville Joint District board on Monday moved forward on several policy, personnel and procurement items tied to state law, district budgeting and staff benefits.

Superintendent's recommendation for virtual-school expense policy The superintendent (speaker 11) asked the board to approve a resolution to create a local policy framework for the district's virtual schools in response to new state legislation limiting direct payments from educational service providers to parents. He said the law requires more transparency and board oversight and that, moving forward, educational expenses must generally be paid directly by the district rather than routed through providers. "Any educational expenses need to be paid for directly from the school district just like it happens in our regular schools," the superintendent said. The board approved the resolution for public review.

Reduction in force: protecting sick-leave entitlements District staff (speaker 16) presented a resolution under Idaho Code 33-12-17 to declare a reduction in force for classified staff for the 2025–26 and 2026–27 school years, a step intended to preserve employees' PERSI sick-leave entitlement for up to three years. The resolution describes options including terminations, resignations, attrition and hour reductions and was approved by the board. Staff emphasized this declaration is a procedural step so affected employees retain rights under state statute.

Health insurance: SelectHealth recommended, superintendent to sign after contract revisions District negotiators said they received bids from PacificSource (about a 20% increase) and the state pool (about 24%); SelectHealth (Intermountain Health) proposed an approximately 12.2% increase, and staff recommended moving forward with SelectHealth provided four contract provisions are clarified. Those items include language on employer contribution calculations, participation-threshold adjustments and provisions about employer incentives. The board authorized Doctor Wilson Hume to sign the SelectHealth contract once the agreed changes are incorporated.

Facilities and procurement actions The board accepted a low bid from Ryte Roofing for work on Lincoln High School (East and West buildings and a small cafeteria roof) and approved the district's updated facility-rental policy clarifying classroom rental uses. The board also adopted an updated authorization-of-signatures policy aligning superintendent and principal signature levels with state law ($100,000 for superintendent; $2,000 for principals).

Curriculum and calendar The board approved about 60 new course requests for high schools—including electives and field-science offerings—and moved an August board work session to September to avoid conflicts with teacher professional development and to await state tax data required for levy calculations.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda: approved (mover 'mister Hess'; second 'missus Clayton'). - Fee document (for review and public hearing): approved. - FY27 administrator salary schedule (revised $1,200 salary reduction for leadership): approved. - Bonneville online education-expense resolution: approved for public review. - Policy 96-10 (district facility rental): approved for final adoption. - Authorization of signatures policy: approved for final adoption. - Letter of support for indoor hitting facility / outreach to ICCU: approved (board to continue discussions; see separate story on facility proposal). - Ryte Roofing bid for Lincoln High roof replacement ($183,005.28): approved. - Resolution to declare reduction in force for classified staff: approved. - Authorization for superintendent to sign SelectHealth contract once provisions are made: approved. - New course requests (approx. 60 items): approved. - Board calendar updated: approved.

What trustees said The superintendent framed the online-school resolution as compliance with state law and a step to protect transparency and consistent district oversight; he noted an exception allowing direct reimbursement for Internet access in limited circumstances. On insurance, the district's negotiators described the SelectHealth quote as materially lower than other offers and stressed contract language must be clarified before signature.

What happens next Staff will publish the online-school resolution for public review and solicit feedback. The district will proceed with the SelectHealth contract only after the specified contract adjustments are made and will report back to the board; staff will also return with any required documentation on the indoor facility fundraising and with finalized project terms if donors commit funds.

The meeting adjourned after the board handled routine items and requests for future agenda topics.