The following are the unapproved minutes from the Harney County School District No. 3 (HCSD No. 3) Board meeting, which was held Sept. 14. These minutes have been edited for clarity and length.

Superintendent Steve Quick reported that:

• following mask and vaccine mandates will help the district avoid going to Comprehensive Distant Learning (CDL). He said no one likes wearing masks, but the district will do what it takes to avoid CDL. He also noted that the district is in the process of collecting vaccination cards and exemption requests;

• many staff are sick or have been exposed to COVID-19, but, with substitute coverage, the district is getting by;

• enrollment has increased to 791 students;

• Liz Gear’s K-8 online/Home Link program has made a big difference, and she is doing a phenomenal job;

• the high school band program is not canceled. The district hired a long-term substitute, Mrs. Olsen, for now and hopes to hire a full-time teacher midyear.

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Burns High School (BHS) Principal Robert Medley presented his report about quarantine issues, online students, the new digital arts/3-D room, the new home economics program taught by Mr. Ray, Mr. Recanzone’s construction classes (which focus on projects around the school), and the band program. He also noted that Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) night for seniors is coming up.

BHS Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Erin Toelle said high school sports are active, and the biggest issue has been smoke from wildfires.

Toelle noted that middle school sports were delayed due to Central Oregon schools.

She gave a shout out to students and staff for rising to the occasion.

•••

Quick updated the board after meeting with Denise Rose of Harney County Economic Development. 

Rose suggested continuing to work with Cardno. Cardno conducted the asbestos assessment and should have the costs next week. They have potential project ideas and access to Environmental Protection Agency grants and development opportunities.

The board said Cardno would be a great team member, and they liked that there would be no cost to collaborate with them.

Board member Randy Fulton made a motion to rescind the motion from the August board meeting and moved to join Harney County Economic Development to accept guidance and suggestions to help the district get the Lincoln building ready for sale. Board member Joe Wright seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

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In other business:

• the board approved  a $200 donation from John F. Helmer to BHS athletics in honor of the Steens Mountain Running Camp, a $100 donation to BHS athletics from the Jim and Mary Lemos Family, a $1,000 donation to BHS athletics from Steens Mountain Camps (Harland Yriarte), and a $49.50 donation to the BHS FFA program from Zoetis Industry Support Program;

• Wright made a motion to approve Merritt Fallis’ resignation, as presented. Fallis was the band and choir teacher for BHS and Hines Middle School.

Board Member Dan Winn seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously;

• Fulton made a motion to approve Oregon School Employees Association (OSEA) Collective Bargaining Agreement 2021-23, as presented. Wright seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously;

• the board agreed to allow volunteers to request a medical or religious exception to the vaccine mandate from the superintendent;

• the board and superintendent each chose five items from the #3 Sample Board Operating Agreement provided by Oregon School Boards Association (OSBA). Quick will finalize the document with the selected expectations and bring it to the next board meeting for signature;

• the board decided to contract with OSBA again to assist with the superintendent evaluation process. Winn made a motion to appoint OSBA as the official consultant for the 2021-2022 superintendent evaluation. Fulton seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously;

• the board discussed different ideas and possible solutions for making the board packets and agendas more effective. After discussion, the board agreed to keep using the same format for both agendas and board packets, but requested that they be sent on Thursday before the board meeting;

• the board discussed what the committee’s direction would be. Quick contacted Jerry Colona, and he said he was excited to review and renew the current strategic plan. The board agreed that a more appropriate goal would be to establish site councils and let the administrators get organized. They would like an update by the November board meeting;

• Fulton reported that the Corbett Field Renovation Committee held a dinner and auction. The committee is very close to paying off the BHS football lights debt;

• Board Chair Rob Frank said he liked the student services report with information from other Educational Service Districts (ESDs). He noted that the deadline to join the Harney ESD for the following year is Nov. 1.

Frank asked Cara Wilber to provide financial comparisons from when the district was with and without Harney ESD.

Additionally, the board agreed to ask Harney ESD Superintendent Shannon Criss to provide a presentation about the ESD’s services. 

The next HCSD No. 3 Board meeting will be held Oct. 12 at 6 p.m. in the new district office, which is located at 190 Hines Blvd. in Burns.