Board Minutes - 2021.09.20

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 September 20, 2021.   Board members present:  Eric Smith, Kim Hansen, Jennifer Sornson, Gina Trimble, and Brad Bleichner.  Also attending:  Supt. Reiter, Board Secretary Morine, administrators, directors, local press, and one visitor. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.  

APPROVAL OF AGENDA – Bleichner moved to approve the agenda with removing the board policies out of the consent items. Hanen second, motion carried 5-0.

CONSIDERATION OF ACTION ON CONSENT ITEMS – Trimble moved to approve the consent agenda of items 3-A, C, D, E and F. Bleichner second, motion carried 5-0.

      A. Approval of the regular meeting on August 16, 2021.   

      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 Trimble reviewed the bills.  Bleichner will review in October

         2.  Budget Report

     B. Approval of Board Policies (*changes noted) - Hansen moved to approve the modifications for the second reading policies, recommended changes for the first reading policies and pulling the following policies for clarification:   501-16 - Open Enrollment Transfers-Procedures as a Receiving District, 801.5 - Site Acquisition, 905.1 - Transporting Students by Private Vehicles. Trimble second, motion carried 5-0.

Second Readings:

First Readings:

ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS and PRESENTATIONS

    A. Comments from the Public - none

    B. Comments from the Board/Superintendent – Superintendent Reiter indicated board policy 704.6 – Online Fundraising Campaigns – Crowdfunding could be a new policy for the district but wants to make sure that there are guidelines and procedures put in place before bringing it to the board.    He thanked Laura Morine and the central staff for getting the Certified Annual Report, Special Ed Report and Transportation reports filed in a timely manner as they are quite extensive annual reports.   The district has improved its financial position from the previous year   The Iowa School Board Convention is November 17-18 in Des Moines and Superintendent Reiter encouraged board members to attend.  A generous donation from the Independence Area Art Association was received for the elementary art programs and it is greatly appreciated.

REPORTS

A. Building Administrator Reports

     1.  Junior-Senior High School Principal

     2.  Junior-Senior High School Assistant Principal

     3.  West Elementary Principal

     4.  East Elementary/Early Childhood Center Principal

          Board Chair Smith thanked the principals for performing double duty as they are also covering classrooms due to the substitute shortages.

      B. District Director Reports

     1.  Activities Director Report

     2.  Director of School Improvement Report

     3.  Director of Technology Report

     4.  Director of Food Service Report

     5.  Director of Buildings & Grounds Report

     6.  Director of Transportation Report

OLD BUSINESS

1. Review East/West Elementary Construction Project – Superintendent Reiter indicated that they will be meeting with Larson Construction and HSR Associates, Inc to follow up on the construction project next week.

2. Update from the Junior/Senior High School Grading Coalition – School Improvement Director Burmeister gave an update on the JSH Grading Coalition as they are making progress on getting students, staff, parents, and the community educated on standards-referenced grading.  There is now a page on the district website with information about this grading process.

     C. Discussion of the East Elementary, West Elementary, and Junior/Senior High School Filtration Project           Using ESSER Funds – Superintendent Reiter is still looking at individual units for the East                             Elementary.  HSR Associates, Inc will be letting out bids the end of October and the filtration                         project should be completed before August 2022 for the West and Jr/Sr High buildings. 

NEW BUSINESS

1. Consider Approval of the Agreement for Wellness Programming between Independence Community Schools and Buchanan County Health Center through July 31, 2022 – Trimble moved to approve the Agreement for Wellness Programming between Independence Community Schools and Buchanan County Health Center through July 31, 2022.  Sornson second, motion carried 5-0.

2. Consider Approval of the School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC) Membership for 2021-2022 – Sornson moved to approve the School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC) membership for 2021-2022.  Bleichner second, motion carried 5-0.

3. Consider Approval of the Contract with Beachside Hotel & Suites for the December 2021 Band/Vocal Trip – Updated Dates – Trimble moved to approve the Contract with Beachside Hotel & Suites for the December 2021 Band/Vocal Trip.  Hansen second, motion carried 5-0.

4. Consider Approval of the Agreement with Rosen Centre Orlando for the December 2021 Band/Vocal Trip – Updated Dates – Hansen moved to approve the Agreement with Rosen Centre Orlando for the December 2021 Band/Vocal Trip.  Trimble second, motion carried 5-0.

5. Consider Approval of the Allowable Growth for Negative Special Education Balance – Trimble moved to approve the SBRC Allowable Growth for the Negative Special Education Balance in the amount of $82,569.78.  Bleichner second, motion carried 5-0.

6. Discussion Regarding Masks – Board Chair Smith had attended the special meeting held by the Buchanan County Public Health this morning at 7:00 am and they recommend that schools follow CDC guidelines as it is in the best interest of the public’s health.  Superintendent Reiter has concerns if we aren’t consistent with our mask requirements until the state’s appeal process is resolved and that the district will continue with the mitigation strategies that are in place.   After discussions, the board’s recommendation will not be requiring masks, continue our mitigation strategies and look at further mitigation options.  We will start to collect data on absenteeism and write a letter to the Buchanan County Health Board stating what mitigation strategies we are doing in the district. 

ADJOURNMENT – Sornson moved to adjourn the meeting.  Bleichner second, motion carried 5-0, and the meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm.

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