Government : Vinton Shellsburg Community School Board Meeting Minutes 2/18/19

The Vinton-Shellsburg board of directors met in regular session on Monday, February 18th in the Middle School’s media center. The Title I team shared an overview of the work they do to support students who are struggling in reading and math. Mr. Kingsbury shared about the ACT and other testing scheduled for HS students; Mr. Islas shared an update on attendance; Mr. Davis shared about the work he is doing with others to solicit grants. Under the superintendent’s report, Mrs. Hainstock shared open enrollment requests filed on behalf of Reece Bannerman-Thompson to attend CPU next fall; Zander and Zaiden to attend Union next year; Harper Sellers to attend Union next fall; Jacob Hodeman to continue at Cedar Rapids; Kale Nordberg to attend Cedar Rapids next fall; and Vivian Waterman to attend either Clayton Ridge or Iowa Connections next fall. We set the budget workshop for March 11th at the high school as a part of the regular March meeting. There were no board reports or requests. Under Consent Agenda items, the board reviewed and approved: - The minutes from January 14th meeting, claims and financials; - Contract with Design Alliance for architectural work; Clayton Ridge and Eudora-New Providence for special education congrats; UNI for student teachers. - Bids from Michael and Dowd for flooring at the MS this summer. - Open Enrollment request on behalf of Claire Belk. - Resignations from Tina Nelson as an associate at Tilford and Rachelle Rammelsberg as the wrestling cheerleading coach. - Hiring of Scott Wirth as the assistant varsity baseball coach and jim Womochil as the assistant thrower’s coach for HS track. - Approval of Michelle Holland and Jeff Holmes as substitute teachers; - Out-of-District travel for wrestlers, bowlers, and others. - Tuition Adjustment for Shellsburg preschoolers for half the rate in May because of the many missed days due to snow days. The board reviewed bus bids. None of the bids had met all of the bid specifications exactly. They approved the bid from Blue Bird based on it was more closely aligned to the specs and the considerations of keeping all of the busses in the fleet with the same provider. The board reviewed and approved early retirement applications from Cheryl Jorgensen, Judy Mumm, Gail Showman, Teresa Wilson, Barb Salger, Diane Higgens, Anne Janecheck, Julie Long and Les Bearbower (effective at the end of December). The board approved 2018-19 calendar adjustments based on the no-school days. February 18, March 15, April 18, April 22, May 30 and May 31 will be student days. January 30 and 31, February 12 and 13 will be absorbed in the extra hours built into the original calendar. The board reviewed survey results from parents, community and staff for the 2019-20 calendar. There is strong consensus to have snow makeup days built into the calendar, the last day before break will be the Friday before Christmas (December 20), they want professional development to continue on Fridays, and there is interest in having a spring break around Easter. Mrs. Barkdoll and Mrs. Hainstock asked if the board is interested in paying off bonds early if possible; they directed the two to develop options that would allow this if it could keep the overall tax rate stable. As a Legislative Update, the group reviewed the 2.06% SSA has been sent to the Governor along with dollars for transportation equity and per pupil equity. The SAVE bill continues to go through the legislative process. There is interest in modifying the financial literacy requirements for a few years as a graduation requirement. The first fuel date is March 8. There were no audience comments. Under Correspondence Items, the board reviewed communication to parents concerning the ACT testing. President Levis adjourned the meeting.