Board Minutes - 2021.08.16

A regular meeting of the Independence Community School Board was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chair Eric Smith at the Administration Office, 1207 1^st St West, Independence, Iowa on August 16, 2021.   Board members present:  Eric Smith, Kim Hansen, Jennifer Sornson, Gina Trimble and Brad Bleichner.  Also attending:  Supt. Reiter, Board Secretary Morine, administrators, directors, and local press. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.  

APPROVAL OF AGENDA – Bleichner moved to approve the agenda with removing the minute and board policies from the consent items. Trimble second, motion carried 5-0.

CONSIDERATION OF ACTION ON CONSENT ITEMS – Trimble moved to approve consent items C thru F.  Hansen second, motion carried 5-0.

1. Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting on July 19, 2021 and the special meeting and work session on August 2, 2021.

      B. Approval of Board Policies (*changes noted)

First Readings:

     C. Approval of Resignations

  D. Approval of Transfers/Reassignments

  E. Approval of New Hires (pending acceptable background checks)

   F. Approval of Financial Reports

         1.  Bills – Director Sornson reviewed the bills – Trimble will review in September 

          and Bleichner will review in October

         2.  Budget Report

Hansen moved, Trimble second to amend the July 19 and August 2^nd minutes as follows:

   July 19^th minutes:

1. Under Old Business – change the word from delays to challenges.
2. New Business – add Motion carried 5-0 to Item G – High School Band and Choir Charter Bus Contract for December 2021 to Florida.
3. Work Session – add: The board directed that an update from the Junior/Senior High School Grading Coalition be added as old business to regular board meetings for the upcoming year while the grading coalition completes their work.

   August 2^nd minutes:

1.  New Business – Item B – Revised 2021-2022 School Calendar- December 23^rd will be an early dismissal day rather than a no school day.

Clarification on Calendar Option C – a work day prior to school starting was removed from the calendar.    Motion carried 5-0.

Trimble moved to amend the policies listed in the first reading.   Bleichner second.   The board discussed the revised policies, offering changes to those revisions.  The revised policy list will be brought to the board at the September regular meeting for the customary second reading. Motion Carried 5-0.

ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS and PRESENTATIONS

     A. Comments from the Public. - none

     B. Comments from the Board/Superintendent – Supt. Reiter reported that August 26^th is still scheduled to be the start date for school.  There is a lot of work to be done to get the classrooms ready.   The District will continue with mitigation efforts such as spraying weight rooms and buses down regularly, hand sanitizing stations, provide masks for those that want them, and possibly purchase ultraviolet-C lights to disinfect areas.

REPORTS

1. Building Administrator Reports

          1.  Junior-Senior High School Principal – Principal Howard reported that the Board Policy 503.4 - Good Conduct Policy needs will now be referred to as 503-4- Activity Standards Policy to address confusion among similarly named board policies.  

          2.  Junior-Senior High School Assistant Principal

          3.  East Elementary/Early Childhood Center Principal and West Elementary Principal

    B. District Director Reports

          1.  Activities Director Report

          2.  Director of School Improvement Report – Burmeister wanted to remind everyone that our Title I funding is based on our Free and Reduced applications so it is important for parent to still fill out the application even though breakfast and lunch meals are currently at no cost to all students.

          3.  Director of Technology Report

          4.  Director of Food Service Report

          5.  Director of Buildings & Grounds Report

          6.  Director of Transportation Report

OLD BUSINESS

     A. Review East/West Elementary Construction Project – The West project is progressing nicely as they are finishing up the fire alarms, electrical work and sound system as well as touch up painting.  East project – the office area still needs essential work as well as the nurse’s office and lounge.  The Library and Cafeteria will need extensive cleaning.

2. Update from the Junior/Senior High School Grading Coalition – Burmeister and Howard reported that a newspaper article will be published the end of August.  A Talking-Point sheet for meetings has been compiled. PowerSchool has been updated with the standards for grading. A parent letter is going out for all 7^th grade parents and to parents where standard based grading is being piloted in the Jr/Sr High. Information for the district website is in progress as well as some Facebook posts.  August 24^th the Coalition team will meet again.  

NEW BUSINESS

1. Consider Approval of the Contract with Independence Community Schools and the MTMD Driving School L.L.C. through June 30, 2024 – Sornson moved to approve the Contract with Independence Community Schools and the MTMD Driving School L.L.C. through June 30, 2024.  Bleichner second the motion and motion carried 5-0.

2. Consider Approval of Transportation Mask Policy - Trimble moved to approve the Transportation Mask Policy.  Bleichner second, motion carried 5-0.   Masks will not be mandated on the buses, but are welcomed by anyone that want to wear them.  State law says we can’t mandate them.  The CDC guidance is a Federal Order but not a law.

     C. Closed Session – Trimble moved to move into closed session as provided in Section 21.5(1)(i) of the Iowa Code; To evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation and that individual requests a closed session.  Hansen second, roll call vote:  Sornson – aye, Trimble – aye, Bleichner – aye, Hansen – aye, Smith – aye.  Motion carried 5-0 and closed session started at 7:11 pm.

Board moved out of closed session at 8:02 pm.  No official action was taken during the closed session.

ADJOURNMENT – Hansen moved to adjourn the meeting.  Bleichner second, motion carried 5-0.  Meeting was adjourned at 8:03 pm.

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Eric B Smith, Chair                                                          Laura J. Morine, Board Secretary