Government : School Board Minutes, May 9th

Board President Sue Gates called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 PM on Monday, May 9th at the high school in the media center. All board members were present with the exception of Brenda Bartz and Kyle Schminke.

The board welcomed FFA officers who shared an overview of their work towards meeting their 2015-16 goals for the year. Although not one of their goals, they acknowledged being named the number one chapter in the state and that they’ll be recognized at next fall’s national convention. The board thanked them for their work and the way they represent the district.

Ryan Davis and other administrators updated the board on the new differentiated accountability process the state is using with each school district. It will include assessment, progress monitoring, and reporting for literacy, numeracy and behavior with different portions being implemented K-12 over the next few years. It was noted that our elementary students have continued to make solid progress in literacy using the new system.

Administrators noted several important dates and activities coming up yet this month along with student accomplishments such as the boys’ track team winning the conference title.

Under Superintendent’s Report, the board reviewed:

§ Equipment Breakdown Insurance – The business manager has been researching insurance that would cover almost everything the district owns that plugs in plus some other maintenance items.

§ MS Swale Project – Mrs. Petersen, Mr. Bearbower and Mrs. Hainstock continue to meet with the volunteers interested in developing an area between the baseball field and athletic complex.

§ School Board Recognition Month – Each board member had a certificate of recognition, flower and other items recognizing their service to the district and community.

Under Board Reports, Sue Gates noted that many school people were part of the visitation and memorial service for long-term teacher, Lisa Dekowski, who passed away last week.

Under General Business of the Board, the board reviewed and approved:

§ Minutes from the April 13th board meeting, claims, and financials;

§ Contracts with Grant Wood for the VAST science kits for elementary students; Workplace Learning Connection for MS/HS; preservice agreement with UNI; mentoring and induction consortium agreement with Grant Wood; HS Imaging Photography to do our school pictures next year; and SAI to provide our mentoring and induction program.

§ Under Personnel, Resignations –

o Rachael Bauer as Shellsburg elementary teacher

o Amy Sharar as Middle School art teacher

o Andy May as High School special education teacher

o Samantha Fish as Shellsburg associate

o Paige Ford as MS library associate

o Cal Rickels as 7th grade assistant football coach

§ Under Personnel, Contract Amendments/Modifications –

o Dee Jeray – from full-time to half-time special education associate

o Lana Elwick – adjustments due to childbirth as assistant HS track coach

o Kelly Williams – from 2.5 to 5.75 hours per day in the MS food service program

o Luke Kearns – from assistant to head 8th grade football coach

§ Under Personnel, Hiring -

o Randy Walker as fall cheerleading co-head coach and winter cheerleading head coach

o Rachelle Rammelsberg as fall cheerleading co-head coach and assistant winter cheerleading coach and HS student senate sponsor

o Troy Hallberg as assistant 8th grade football coach

o Kelly Roseberry as freshman volleyball coach

o Max Griffith as freshman boys’ baseball coach

o Tyler Lorenzen as assistant 7th grade football coach

o TLC Leadership Positions

o Annie Carlson as high school language arts/at-risk teacher

o Tammi Griffith as 7th grade assistant softball coach

o Devin Tollefson as summer technology intern

§ Under Personnel, transfer for Mike Long from Tilford’s evening custodian to the high school’s daytime custodian.

§ Under Personnel, increasing the summer lawn mowing position to $8.50 per hour.

§ Equipment Disposal – to allow the district to sell old laptop machines and iPads to staff or the community.

The board approved the recommendation to terminate Danielle Martin’s contract based on declining enrollment.

The board reviewed the insurance committee’s recommendations. The board approved three motions pertaining to the recommendations including approval of the recommendations, approval of working with Prime to review benefit statements and assist with the administration of health savings accounts, and approval of the contract with Mercer.

The board reviewed recommendations pertaining to how we support technology across the district. For 2016-17, the on-site contracted time with ITS will be reduced, Brandon Farmer will be the Director of Technology, and Kim Meyer will be the Director of Teaching and Learning.

The board authorized the superintendent to extend personnel contracts from now until the September meeting and for the business manager is authorized to process bills from now until the September meeting.

The board reviewed recent Legislative Action.

There were no audience comments on any of the preceding items.

The board reviewed two correspondence items including an article on early retirement and one on the open meetings law.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:29 PM by the board president.