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Board President Rob Levis called the regular meeting of the Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District Board of Directors to order at 7:00 PM on Monday, September 9, 2019 in the board room. All members with the exception of Director Timmermans answered roll call; all administrators and Board Secretary Barkdoll were in attendance.
Under Receive Visitors/Public Comments, teachers new to the district introduced themselves and they were welcomed by the school board. Class Act Awards were presented by Ryan Davis to Sharon Harvey, Ethel Knutson, and Barb and Ray Bookmeier for their volunteer work within the Shellsburg building. Nathan Enos was recognized for his assistance in the transportation department last spring. Crystal Coder had nominated Katelyn O’Brien, Davia Herger, Alyssa Reynolds, Morgan Hansen and Jillian White for their work on last year’s prom. The FFA officers shared their 2019-20 calendar including goals and travel requests.
Under Administrator Reports, the principals shared work around establishing routines and collecting baseline data. Buildings are working to support attendance goals and helping all students be successful in their learning. Several mentioned that it has bee a great start to the year.
Under the Superintendent’s Report, Hainstock shared open enrollment requests filed on behalf of Nettie (PK4) and Emerson Rizzo (PK4) to attend our district from Cedar Rapids; Mallory Thompson (7th) to attend our district from Cedar Rapids; Christopher Dague (9th) and Hunter Jones (6th) to attend our district from Benton; Krystal Weeks (8th) to attend Iowa City CSD; Cherish Banks (12th) to attend Iowa City CSD; and Gracelyn Harberts (1st) to attend Center Point-Urbana.
Audit Work – The auditors were here August 19-21 to do their final review of the 2018-19 year.
School Board Election – Hainstock reminded the board that papers are due by 5:00 PM on Thursday, September 19. We have four seats open including the director district #2 position currently held by Kyle Schminke, director district #1 positions currently held by Jason Hicok and Brenda Bartz and one at-large position currently held by Kathy Van Steenhuyse.
Building and Grounds Director Position – We are receiving applications for our open position. Several board members indicated their interest in assisting with the process.
Transportation Report – Ms. Barkdoll and Mr. Arndt have completed the annual report that is submitted to the state.
School Board Meetings – We generally set the schedule for the year’s meetings at the September meeting. However, with the election held in November, this will be an agenda item for the new board. We will meet on the second Monday of October (the 14th) and plan for the second Monday of November (the 11th – Veteran’s Day).
Under Board Reports/Requests, Sue Gates reported on the recent auditor’s exit report. During the report, the auditor had noted that our nutrition fund is doing better; he was complimentary of the staff and especially the work Brenda Barkdoll does. He reminded the board members that fundraiser dollars must follow accounting guidelines. Rob Levis shared the appreciation and praise for the school supply program. Kathy Van Steenhuyse reported on a recent Employer Rural Iowa meeting she’d attended and there was an emphasis on school-community partnerships. Kyle Schminke noted that the construction work on central office looks nice.
Under General Business of the Board, the board reviewed and approved the Consent Agenda Items. They included:
§ Minutes from the August 12th regular meeting, claims, financials and fund transfers;
§ Bid from Matt Schminke to work on the west side of the Shellsburg building;
§ Contracts with Verizon Wireless to provide internet connection for our students at West Campus, Recover Health of Iowa to provide skilled nursing services; Education Products, Inc. to provide affordable school supplies;
§ Open Enrollment Requests for Damon Payton to attend Clayton Ridge and authority for me to work with Demia Sasek on a request;
§ Personnel – Contract Amendments/Modifications –
§ Kris Ferguson – salary will be increased as she has an A/A degree in Human Services that qualifies her for an increase in hourly wage;
§ Kelsey Fish and Marie Helmrich for additional educational attainment;
§ Pauline Elwick –as the districtwide media teacher be increased from 18 to 22 days.
§ Jennifer Michael – moved to a 2.25-hour position in the food service program.
§ Misty Williams –moved to a 3-hour position in food service.
§ Carrie Weber and Eric Upmeyer be placed on the Innovation Team.
§ Marie Helmrich be placed on the Building Leadership Team.
§ Danielle Phippen be placed on the Data Team.
§ Becky Lutgen – Mrs. Lutgen will be a half-time Shellsburg Guidance Counselor along with the shared HR Director we have with Benton CSD.
§ Elizabeth Nelsen – Mr. Murray is recommending that Ms. Nelsen be transferred to the Head Secretary position at Tilford.
§ Mentors –Anthony Church, Jamie Kohl, Dee Tobin, Sharla Wrage and Michelle Wedemeyer serve as mentors for new staff to Shellsburg. Mr. Murray recommends Lisa Murray serve as a mentor.
§ Substitute Office Staff and Custodians – Recommendation to increase by 25¢ per hour increases for office and custodian substitutes. Additionally, we had a part-time summer custodian who ended up assisting with some carpentry responsibilities so we could keep projects moving forward and he was approved to be compensated at a higher rate.
§ Personnel – Resignation from Calee TeGrotenhuis as a teacher at Shellsburg effective September 4..
§ Personnel – Hiring – Nicole Trinkle – Tilford Preschool Associate; Terri Snapp – Van/Shuttle Driver; Tammi Griffith – Assistant 7th Gr. Volleyball Coach; Wes Recker – Assistant 7th Gr. Football Coach; Rich Haisman – Assistant MS Cross Country Coach; Nancy Donahue – Assistant. 8th Gr. Volleyball Coach; Kaitlyn Goodell – Assistant Girl’s Swim Coach; Krystal Anderson – Asst. Fall Football Cheerleading Coach
§ Personnel – Recommendations for Transfer of Phil Thomas from a van driver to a bus driver.
§ Personnel– Substitute Teachers – Christy Crees and Deborah Covington
§ Personnel – Substitute Bus Drivers - Jodi Bearbower, Les Bearbower, Michael Clair, Rodney Fisher, Dave Gates, Wes Recker, Leon Schwenker, Terrie Snapp, Phil Thomas, and Craig Walker.
§ Out of district travel – Mrs. Heeren and Mrs. Fleming requested permission to attend 1) the 2019 National FFA Conference in Indianapolis from October 30 – November 2 with approximately 18 members; 2) the Chapter Officer Mid-Year Leadership Training in December 2019/January 2020. All members will be attending; 3) the 2020 State FFA Conference in Ames on April 19-21 with approximately 30 members attending with two members serving as official chapter delegates for the business session. Mrs. Hainstock is asking permission to attend an AASA meetings.
§ School Meal Program Application - Karen Ackman prepared the district’s application to continue the food program.
§ Equipment Disposal – Mr. Kingsbury asked permission to dispose of 66 Avancemos 2 books.
§ Fundraisers - The Post Prom Committee presented a list off fundraising ideas and a schedule for the board’s approval.
The board examined and approved the financial books and secretary/treasurer’s statements for the 2018-19 year. It was noted that we had coded the large property insurance bill to FY19 instead of FY20 but it has now been corrected.
The board appointed Kathy Van Steenhuyse to serve as the district’s representative to the Delegate Assembly.
The board approved the evaluation process for coaches.
The board approved an application for Modified Allowable Growth for the negative special education balance of ($436,390.01) from the 2018-19 school year.
The board reviewed and approved goals for the 2019-20 year that are similar to last year’s goals. They include:
1. All students will graduate.
2. All students will have opportunities to personalize their learning.
3. All students will have a safe and nurturing environment.
4. The district will hire and retain quality teachers and other staff.
5. The district will be actively connected with its communities, providing leadership, partnership and support.
6. The district will be financially stable.
The board reviewed and considered a resolution requesting the state athletic association and union to consider modifying how schools are classified for competitions. This would not impact conference work but rather playoffs and district level post-season competitions. There is a recognition that poverty among students throughout the state has increased and more than enrollment should be considered in creating the classes. The board adopted the resolution.
The board voted to recognize September as Attendance Awareness month.
The board reviewed correspondence items including the 2018-19 transportation report, FFA travel request letters, school meal program application, academic awards invitation and invitation to attend a climate meeting.
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