Government : School Board Notes from 5/11/20

The board met in regular session on Monday, May 11th. President Levis called the meeting to order at 5:18 PM and all answered roll call. Business Manager Brenda Barkdoll and Superintendent Mary Jo Hainstock were in attendance.

Under Audience Comments, the board heard from two teachers who advocated for the board to consider how to increase special education associate wages.

Under Administrator Reports, the principals shared work they are doing to recognize students for accomplishments this year and for transition of students and registration for classes for the 2020-21 year. They mentioned the high percentage of student participation in the voluntary or required learning plans although participation has dropped off from earlier. Matt Kingsbury talked about the graduation recognition, the strong results from the juniors' ACT results, and the work the custodians are doing with summer cleaning.

Under the Superintendent's Report, I shared open enrollment applications that were timely filed or met "good cause"; an update that we are almost ready to close on the land near Shellsburg Elementary; talked about the Excel publication; and thanked staff for what they've continued to do to support our students and the district during week 9 of closure.

Under Board Reports/Requests, Tom Burke shared the large turnout to celebrate a MS student's birthday. Kathy Van Steenhuyse noted that several board members had participated in the hiring process for the Tilford principal and with the meet-and-confer meetings.

Under General Business of the Board:

The board reviewed and approved the Consent Agenda Items. They included:

• Minutes from the April 13th regular meeting claims including the stipend for Mr. Koeppen's moving into the district, financials and transfers;
• Bids from School Bus Sales to purchase a 66 passenger LP bus for $105,802 and a 54 passenger bus lift bus for $109,451;
• Contract with Grant Wood to share the HR position; SAI to providing the mentoring and induction program for Mr. Koeppen; agreement with Argent to provide Workman's Comp insurance (EMC canceled us because of high claims this year); IASB membership for the 2020-21 year and IASB on-line membership;
• Denied the open enrollment requests filed by Tara Roberts on behalf of her children because they did not meet the "good cause" criteria nor were timely filed;
• Resignations from Marcy Horst as spring drama coach, April Ahrenholz as assistant drama coach and Jorge Malagon as HS Spanish/West Campus teacher;
• Contract Amendments/Modifications for the Teacher Leadership positions, Brian Sheston and Anthony Church for football coaching contracts, and Kyle Koeppen for work done prior to July 1;
• Hiring of Jill Reeve as a special education teacher at Tilford, Kyle Reeve as Tilford Principal, Lyndsey Cornell as 1st grade teacher at Tilford, Tori Dursky as kindergarten teacher at Shellsburg, Jackson Meyer and Colston Phelps as interns, and Jennifer Wordehoff as Spanish/alternative HS teacher;
• Transfer of Kristal Hofer to West Campus;
• Equipment disposal of the older elementary teacher computers and the seniors' computers.

The board reviewed bids for the Tilford HVAC project and accepted the bid submitted by Youngs Plumbing and Heating for $388,900.

Reviewed and approved the amended resolution for Pandemic Response and Emergency Suspension of Policy by roll call vote.

Reviewed and approved the administrative recommendations for responding to the pandemic. This included keeping the students' last day on May 29, moving graduation to June 21, moving the seniors' last day to Friday, May 22, and not offering the traditional summer school program.

The board reviewed three requests concerning early retirement. They accepted late requests from Deb Schirm and Mark Dulin so they qualify for the early retirement program. They approved reopening it for all support staff through June 1 at noon.

Superintendent Hainstock presented preliminary research she had done concerning solar projects for the district. The board directed the administration to move forward with additional research and bring back a specific plan prior to September 14. Rob Levis, Jake Fish and Tom Burke will be on a subcommittee.

The board conducted the first reading of the 500 series of board policies.

Under Audience Comments, a teacher advocated for the board to pay special education associates more.

The board reviewed an update on summer projects.

The board moved into exempt session to discuss negotiation strategies as allowed by Iowa Code at 6:30; they moved out at 8:18 PM.

The board approved the settlement conditions for staff as recommended with Levis abstaining.

President Levis adjourned the meeting.