Government : School Board Minutes 1/14/19

Board President Rob Levis called the regular meeting to order at 7:18 PM at Tilford’s media center. All board members answered roll call with the exception of Bartz and Timmermans.

There were no audience comments.

Under Administrator Reports, Mr. Kingsbury shared about the end of the first semester this week, professional development on Friday, and that final grades are due next week which will be used for eligibility purposes. The ACT will be given to students on February 20th and the school is working to partner with Kirkwood for assessing the sophomore students.

Mr. Davis shared about the 5th graders’ ski trip and schedule. He also shared about the triad conversations teachers are engaged in this year.

Mr. Islas shared the success story of a student. Mr. Murray and Mrs. Petersen provided written updates.

Under the Superintendent’s Report, Mrs. Hainstock shared that the district had nine applications to participate in the early retirement program and that the board will take action at their February board meeting. She shared about the Facility Use policy and current business procedures. As far as the government shutdown, it is her understanding the USDA payments for the food service program should go through March and the Title payments are generally already in the state’s accounts prior to the start of the year. The changes with the fall 2019 school board elections mean that there may be increased costs for schools. She is working to finalize the land transaction south of the high school and it should be done by mid-February.

Superintendent Hainstock provided an overview of the Iowa Performance Reports that were recently released on all 1300+ school buildings across Iowa. The 5% of schools with the biggest challenges in meeting student needs have been identified as needing Comprehensive Support which is 34 across the state. Another 307 schools are receiving Targeted Support because one or more subgroups have a gap between their achievement and all students’ achievement; our HS is receiving the support based on our students who qualify for free or reduced meals. The district received timely filed open enrolment requests for Anton Dedrick and Zebulon Dedrick to continue at CPU even though they moved into our district and for Natalie Wade to attend VS even though they live in Benton Community’s district.

Under Board Reports/Requests, Kathy Van Steenhuyse reported on the recent Career Fair at the high school. She, Sue Gates and Jason Hicok commented it was well organized and they had a good response from students. Rob Levis shared a thank-you he had received on behalf of the board from Sarah Mathis concerning the Blue Ribbon trip to DC.

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

-Minutes from the December 10th board meeting claims, and financials;

-Contracts including one with Old Creamery Theatre for a performance at Shellsburg funded by the Palo Savings Bank and a recommendation to approve a contract with Hunt and Associates to continue doing the school’s annual audit for the next for the next three years;

-The hiring of Chad Anderson and Blake Bohnsack as assistant MS boys’ basketball coaches and Trevor Weeks, Nicole Gustafson, Andrew Boddicker and Megan Nissen as substitute teachers;

-Disposal of items including an old elliptical from the high school and microwave.

The board reviewed two vehicle bids to replace a maintenance truck. They approved the bid from Ervin Motor Company for $34,200 as it best fits the bid specifications.

The board reviewed preliminary questions concerning the 2019-20 budget. The superintendent and business manager will use the preliminary input as they prepare for the budget workshop.

A sub-committee of Levis, Hicok, Van Steenhuyse and Hainstock reported on how they recommend we communicate the district’s stories. There will be a greater emphasis on keeping the website updated and making timely postings to social media. The district is in the process of creating a brochure/magazine that will be sent to patrons later this month or early next month.

The board approved a resolution for the 2019-20 At-Risk Drop Out Prevention program.

The board approved the second reading of board policies 505.5 and 604.6.

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

Under Correspondence Items, the board reviewed the Iowa Performance Report, IASB New Money Report, IASB Setting School Board Parameters, Final Grant Wood AEA School Enrollment Data, and administrator reports.

The board moved into Exempt Session at 6:20 to discuss negotiation strategies; they moved out at 6:47 by consensus.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:47.