Freeman School District

Minutes

FREEMAN SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD MEETING

Date and Time

Tuesday June 10, 2025 at 2:00 PM

Location

Palouse Regional Transportation Cooperative

Vision Statement 
Continuing Our Tradition of Excellence in Education 
 

Mission Statement 
The Freeman School District is the center of a unique, rural community. With pride, commitment and caring, we provide a safe environment for all students to experience meaningful, rigorous learning opportunities that allow them to dream and develop into capable, confident and ethical members of the 21st Century.

Directors Present

A. Keebler, B. Morphy, D. Santman, D. Teague, N. Talbott

Directors Absent

None

Guests Present

A. Steinolfson, Amber Woodward, Chad Ripke, D. Morphy, Gena (remote), Jason Woodward, Jeff Smith, Jim Straw, Kent Bevers, Kirk Lally, L. Phelan, Mike Allen, R. Russell, Stamper (remote), T. Reed

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

D. Teague called a meeting of the board of directors of Freeman School District to order on Tuesday Jun 10, 2025 at 2:00 PM.

C.

Pledge of Allegiance

Jason Woodward led us in the flag salute.

D.

Establish Quorum

There was quorum present.

E.

Approve Minutes

A. Keebler made a motion to approve the minutes from FREEMAN SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD MEETING on 05-28-25.
B. Morphy seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

II. Consent Agenda

A.

June 2025 Consent Agenda Items

Annie Keebler moved the Board approve the June 10, 2025 consent agenda, as presented.  Bill Morphy seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

III. Board Recognition

A.

2027 Out-of-State Band Trip Proposal

Mr Jydstrup, band/choir director, submitted a proposal for an out-of-state trip to Disneyland or Disney World in 2027 to compete in a competition within the park.  They will raise funds during the next two years.

B.

2025 Cross Country Out-of-State Camping Trip Proposal

The cross-country coach submitted a proposal for an out-of-state trip to Farragut State Park in Idaho.  It is a team-building/bonding experience with running and food.

C.

State Champions and Band Recognition

Spring sport State Champs were recognized by the board.  Teams and coaches that were represented were tennis, boys track, band & choir, girls track, golf and trap.  Congrats to all competitors.

D.

Middle School and High School ASB Reports

MS ASB Report presented by Audrey Shaw:

Overview

  • The ASB had a great year with alot of fun

Areas of Focus

  • Goal - get students involved in the community
  • Establish a kinder environment
  • Students and staff had a lot of fun during the year
  • Evelyn Kann is the ASB President for next year

HS ASB Report presented by Greta Van Gemert:

Overview

  • COURAGE - Be courageous 

Areas of Focus

  • Get students involved
  • Color clash recap (freshman winning, firework night, black light…) 
  • End of year recap - finals are finished - ready for summer
  • Talk about new ASB Officers - a more diverse group
  • What next year will look like (leadership, partnering w/middle school ASB)

E.

Above and Beyond Award

Above and Beyond Award was presented to Debbie Morphy. 

IV. Pace Character Trait

A.

HONESTY

Sincerity and reverence or love for the truth.

V. Building Reports

A.

Lisa Phelan, Elementary School Principal/Assistant Superintendent

Overview

During the 24-25 school year, FES focused on Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, Professional 

Learning Communities and Freeman School District's three focus areas: 

1. Embrace challenging and necessary conversations with students and staff;

2. Expect Civility and Respect from everyone; 

3. Enhance our MTSS grades TK-12.

 

Areas of Focus

  • SBAC. Grades 3rd-5th completed state testing. 
  • Staffing. Paraeducators, Library coordinator/paraeducator, and a K-5 music position hiring considerations were submitted for board approval.
  • Upcoming events. FES talent show, June 9th, and Pace/Perfect Attendance assembly, June 11th.  

Enrollment

Tk-46, K-42, 1st-64, 2nd-58, 3rd-65, 4th-57, 5th-52 = 384

B.

Jim Straw, Middle School Principal

Presented by Mike Allen.

 

Overview

During the 2024-25 school year, FMS staff and students focused on our academic programs as we implemented a seven-period day, incorporating social emotional learning into content classes and the consistent, constant growth of our positive learning community and culture.

 

Areas of Focus

  • Year-end events and processes

       *FMS Academic Awards                   

       *6th Grade Rockets                 

       *8th Grade Picnic in Post Falls

 

  • Student Building Transitions

       *8th Grade Promotion- Tuesday, June 10th 6:00 pm

 

Enrollment

6th- 70              7th- 61              8th- 69              Total- 200

C.

Jeff Smith, High School Principal

Overview

FHS is continuing to improve.  As a team, we are specifically focusing on Tier 1 MTSS Instruction, Assessment in PLCs (Professional Learning Communities), and PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions & Support). 

 

Areas of Focus

  • SBA make-up exams are complete
  • Senior Awards night
  • School BBQ and Yearbook Distribution
  • Graduation 

Enrollment

9th = 61, 10th = 75, 11th = 76, 12th = 78.   Total: 290 

D.

Chad Ripke, FHS Assistant Principal/Athletic Director

SPRING SPORTS SUMMARY 2025

 

Girls Golf Team – District Champs and State Champs

  • Lily Knight 4th Overall
  • Ashlynn Meenach and Kassie Broers 9th Overall
  • Anna Marie McNally 11th Overall
  • Emerson Conklin 19th Overall
  • Sierra Watson

Boys Track Team – District Champs and State Champs

  • 4x100m relay team – Tyce Gilbert, Jaetyn Cole, Cody Cayce, Jared Bazar – State Champs
  • Trenton Sandborn – State Champ in 110m hurdles, State Champ in High Jump, 4th in 300m hurdles
  • Tyce Gilbert – State Champ in 300m hurdles, 3rd in 400m, 4th in 4x400m relay
  • Jared Bazar – 4th in 200m, 5th in 100m, 4th in 4x400m relay
  • Brayden Ennis – 4th in Javelin
  • Giovanni Sutherland – 4th in 4x400m relay
  • Rylan Talley – 4th in 4x400m relay
  • Josiah Bessire – 5th in the 800m run
  • Josiah Kann – 8th in 3200m run

Tennis Doubles – Avery Boswell and Emma Hollen State Doubles Champs; Team was 3rd in state

 

Girls Track – Finished 2nd overall as a team and District Champs

  • 4x200m relay team – Anneke Haskins, Dakota Daines, Rylee Russell, Fiona Anderson – State Champs and State Meet Record
  • Fiona Anderson – State Champ in Pole Vault, 3rd in 4x100m relay, 5th in 100m
  • Dakota Daines – State Champ in Long Jump, 3rd in 4x100m relay, 4th in 100m
  • Nicole Dupont – 3rd in 4x100m relay, 4th in Triple Jump, 4th in High Jump
  • Anneke Haskins – 6th in 300m Hurdles, 8th in High Jump
  • Logan Pecht – 3rd in High Jump, 8th in Discus
  • Phyllis Prosser – 8th in Pole Vault
  • Rylee Russell – 3rd in 4x100m relay

Softball – League, District Champs, finished 2nd in State and a 25-3 season record

 

Baseball – League Champs, finished 2nd in State and a 23-3 season record

 

Boys Golf – District Champs, 3 boys qualified for state, Tanner Goldsmith, Dawson Burk, and Logan Schultz.  Tanner finished 13th overall.

 

Freeman Band and Cheer – Gold Standard Award for the marching band at the Lilac Parade, which is the highest standard you can achieve.

 

YEAR IN REVIEW

 

Soccer – League and District Champs, State Champs

 

Football – 2nd in League, 3rd in State

 

Volleyball – League and District Champs, 3rd in State

 

Cross Country – Boys Team 5th in State, 3 girls qualified – Emma Dryer, Ella Jones, Ava Mounts

 

Wrestling – League and District Champs, 12 kids qualified for state, 4 state placers – Lincoln Wright, Ryder Pedersen, Quinten Malone, Bearret Murphey all 8th in state,  15th overall as a team

 

Girls Basketball – League Champs, 17-6 overall with a very young team

 

Boys Basketball – League Champs, District Champs, 2nd in State

 

Scholastic Cup Winners for 2B

 

Trap State Champions

E.

Mike Allen, K-8 TOSA/Athletic Director

Overview
Work to improve programs and support our student athletes. Participate in partnership with the Greater Spokane County League (GSCL).
 

Areas of Focus
FMS Baseball Records : 8th 4-4, 7th 1-7 FMS

Football Coaching Staff and initial number

VI. Department Reports

A.

Kent Bevers, Nutrition Services Director

Overview

Freeman SD Nutrition Services supports the philosophy of the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs and will provide wholesome and nutritious meals for children in the district’s schools.

 

Areas of Focus

  1. Continuing to work on meal debt.
  2. BBQ & Sr. Breakfast went well. Lisa F. never disappoints.
  3. As of June 5th, no word on the Paid Lunch Equity Tool. (This was released on June 9th.)
  4. Meal prices will need to be increased for 2025-2026.

B.

Everett Combs, Transportation Supervisor

Presented by Dr. Russell.

  • Ridership numbers are up.
  • Our co-op with Mead has been good.
  • Fuel Additive: We did a pilot study with Zero Emissions Northwest with a fuel additive for better fuel economy.  I conducted the study on two different buses and compared them to other buses.  One bus improved by ½ mpg from 8.3 to 8.9 and the other one gained 3 mpg from 8.5 to 11.6.  That one seems extreme.  We will continue to test this product next year.  
  • The 3rd graders created a unique field trip this year – they visited different areas of the school campus. When they arrived at transportation, we moved into the shop where there was a bus waiting for them. Here, they learned that each month school buses go through a vigorous safety check, which includes hoisting the bus into the air so I can do work under the bus. Then, I lifted the bus, and you could hear the oohs and ahs from the students as the bus went higher and higher in the air. Next stop was the wash bay. They learned that each school bus driver is responsible for washing their own bus every single week and how important it is for students on the bus to help the driver keep the bus clean by not having food or drinks and being sure to clean up after themselves. Then the fun began – I turned on the pressure washer! The students loved that and asked me to spray them! What a great field trip! 

C.

Kirk Lally, Maintenance/Grounds Director

Areas of Focus:

  1. Worked with Jeff Smith and Chad Ripke for a successful graduation.
  2. Working on removing dead shrubs around the district.
  3. Busy with the last week of school.  Making sure needs are met.
  4. Two summer workers have been hired to help around the campus this summer.

Safety:

  1. Nothing to report at this time.

D.

Todd Reed, Technology Director

Presented by Dr. Russell.

 

Areas of Focus

  • High school graduation went smoothly, with all the audiovisual equipment performing flawlessly. The setup was designed to provide a seamless experience for graduates, families, and guests.
  • We successfully concluded the Chromebook check-in process. Next, we’ll begin cleaning, assessing device condition, updating inventory, and issuing invoices for any damages identified.
  • Begin Summer Projects - security camera replacements, new website, classroom maintenance/prep, server OS upgrades, etc.

VII. Superintendent's End of Year Report

A.

Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment

  • Graduated 77 out of 78 seniors
  • Professional Development days focused on our multi-tiered systems of support
  • Walkthroughs
  • Continue to refine/improve our leadership skills
  • Kudos to the board and leadership team for their continued collaboration - tough conversations with students and staff

B.

School Safety, Culture and Environment

  • Continue building relationships
  • Continue providing exceptional leadership in a changing environment
  • Promoting self-care for all staff members.

C.

Partnering with Parents and School/Community

  • Passing Capitol Projects Levy
  • CEE survey data is up in all areas
  • Alot of celebrations - PACE awards, community, athletic and academic achievements

D.

Fiscal & Legal Accountability

  • Building our fund balance from 1% to ending the year at 4%
  • Enrollment is down - a spending freeze is still in effect
  • Continue transparency with finances

VIII. Comments & Concerns

A.

Board Comments

  • It has been quite a year changing to 2B
  • Many tough changes
  • A banner year
  • Thanks to community for passing the levy

B.

Visitor Comments

No visitor comments or concerns.

IX. New Business

A.

Approval of 2025-2026 School Board Meeting Schedule

B. Morphy made a motion to approve the 2025/2026 School Board Meeting Schedule, as presented.
A. Keebler seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Approval of 2026-2027 School Calendar

A. Keebler made a motion to approve the 2026/2027 school calendar, as presented.
D. Santman seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

C.

Approval of 2027 Out-of-State Band Trip

B. Morphy made a motion to approve the 2027 out-of-state band trip, as presented.
N. Talbott seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

D.

Approval of Cross Country Out-of-State Camping Trip 2025

D. Santman made a motion to approve the out-of-state Cross Country Camping trip to Farragut State Park, Idaho, as presented.
A. Keebler seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

E.

Approval of ALE Year End Report 2024-2025

A. Keebler made a motion to approve the 2024/2025 end of year ALE Report, as presented.
B. Morphy seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

F.

Approval of Board Policy & Procedure No. 2020 - 1st Reading

A. Keebler made a motion to approve Board Policy and Procedure No. 2020 - Course Design, Selection and Adoption of Instructional Materials, as presented.
N. Talbott seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

G.

Approval of 2025-2026 Meal Prices.

A. Keebler made a motion to approve meal price increase of 10 cents for the 2025-2026 school year.
N. Talbott seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

X. Other Information

A.

Future Board Meetings

The next board meeting will be Monday, July 28th, at 9:00 am, at the PRTC building.  A budget hearing will proceed the 9:00 am meeting. The budget will be approved at the 9:00 am meeting.  A board work session is scheduled for the morning of Aug 12th.  The next regular board meeting will be Wednesday, August 27th.

XI. Personnel

A.

Personnel Action

A. Keebler made a motion to approve the personnel action addendum, as presented.
D. Santman seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

XII. Executive Session

A.

Superintendent End of Year Evaluation

The board moved into Executive Session at 3:08 pm for the purpose set forth in RCW 42.30.110, specifically the following: to evaluate a public employee  or review of the performance of employees, including the Superintendent End-of-Year Evaluation.  Such session is estimated to be approximately 1 hour 15 minutes in length.  Dave Teague stated there is action anticipated after the session.  Board Chair Dave Teague announced at 4:23 that the board was extending the executive session for an additional ten minutes, returning at approximately 4:33

 

The Board returned to open session at 4:33 pm.  Annie Keebler moved the Board approve the renewal of the Superintendent contract for 2025-2028. Nate Talbott seconded the motion and it passed 5-0.

XIII. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 4:34 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
D. Morphy

Recording Secretary _______________________________________

 

Board Secretary ___________________________________________
 

Board Chair _______________________________________________