The Vinton-Shellsburg School Board met last night in regular session.  Highlights from the meeting are below. 

§  Several new teachers were present to introduce themselves and have the board welcome them to the district.  Thanks to Chelsea Lorenzen, Carrie Weber, Lacey Chvala, Patty Green, Shelly Mesch, and Brandon Farmer for attending the reception!

§  Several students were present to be formally recognized and thanked for their work this summer as part of the BYTE Squad.  They included Riley Ries, Grace Gilroy, Chris Ahlmeyer, Zack Uthoff, Jacob Gosse, Daniel Janssen, and Devin Tollefsen. 

§  The FFA Officers presented their program of study for the year and requested they be allowed to travel outside the state.  They were represented by Riley Ries, John Eden, Emily Reisch, Sydney Walker, Jessica Alderson, Katie Isbell and Drew Wiley along with sponsor, Louise Fleming and assistant sponsor, Megan Hill.

§  The board conducted their annual meeting that included finalizing all the unfinished business from the 2013-14 year (minutes, claims, financial statements) and the accomplishments from the last year.  The accomplishments included the expansion of opportunities for students with the Animal Learning Lab and addition of bowling; the progress made on getting more areas air conditioned, replacement of Tilford boilers and the upgrades to other areas of our facility; the hiring and mentoring of staff; the continued commitment to the 1:1 program at the high school; the provision of ALICE training; the quantification of data points to go with goals; along with the students’ academic and co-curricular successes.

§  The board then conducted their organizational meeting as a start of the 2014-15 year.  Sue Gates was reelected president and Rob Levis was reelected vice president.  Brenda Barkdoll was appointed the board secretary/treasurer.  The board set the second Monday of the month for their regular meeting date using Robert’s Rules of Order.  They appointed Mossman and Mossman as the school’s legal counsel.  The board reviewed various committee assignments and determined who would serve in which roles.  The building principals were appointed the truant officers and Les Bearbower will continue as the asbestos coordinator.  They appointed the four financial institutions we have used to continue as financial depositories and approved a resolution for interfund loans.

§  Under the Superintendent’s Report, Superintendent Hainstock shared a report from Three Rivers Insurance about our property and workman compensation insurance; open enrollment applications for Grant Nielsen (K) to attend our district; Lily Rath (1st) to attend CPU; and Gabrielle Feller (K) to participate in our HSAP.  The board discussed the School Board Convention in November and the transportation report.  There were several calendar items included.

§  Under Board Reports/Requests, Sue Gates shared she’d been asked about the possibility of live streaming the meetings.  She asked the board members to consider what they would like to do and get back to her.

§  Under General Business of the Board, the board reviewed the Consent Agenda items.  They approved the agenda; contract amendment for Nancy Donahue to move to class 6; hire Barbara Ender-Writer for the MS kitchen and Kelly Steffen to be the assistant 8th grade volleyball coach; approved the substitute teacher list and volunteers; allowed TQ funds to support an RTI conference in Des Moines; out-of-district travel for the FFA members; the school meal program application; and early graduation requests for Kaylee Davis and Kennedy Nichol.

§  The board approved an application for modified allowable growth for the negative special education balance of $268,212.14.

§  Each building principal shared student achievement data from his/her building for the 2013-14 year along with goals for this year. 

§  The board reviewed the 2013-14 goals and data points and considered goals for the 2014-15 year.  They approved five goals including:

1.      All students will graduate.

2.      All students will have opportunities to personalize their learning.

3.      All students will have a safe, nurturing and drug-free environment.

4.      The district will hire and retain high quality teachers and other staff.

5.      The district will be financially stable.

§  The board reviewed projects and work that have been completed using either the PPEL or LOST funds.  The administrative team will have a formal recommendation for the board’s consideration at their October board meeting.

§  The board adjourned at 9:32 PM.