Board Minutes - 2022.01.17

Independence Community School Board Meeting

 Regular Meeting

January 17, 2022

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 January 17, 2022.    Board members present:  Eric Smith, Charlie McCardle, Gina Trimble, Kim Hansen and Brad Bleichner.  Also attending:  Supt. Reiter, Board Secretary Morine, administrators, directors, local press and a guest. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.  

APPROVAL OF AGENDA - Hansen moved to approve the agenda, McCardle second, motion carried 5-0.

CONSIDERATION OF ACTION ON CONSENT ITEMS -Trimble moved to approve the consent items. Bleichner second, motion carried 5-0.

1. Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting on December 16, 2021, the special meeting on January 6, 2022, and the special meeting on January 10, 2022.

2. Approval of Board Policies (*changes notes)

Second Readings:

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

       D. Approval of Financial Reports

            1.  Bills - Director Trimble reviewed the bills. Bleichner will review the February bills.

            2.  Budget Report

ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS and PRESENTATIONS

      A. Comments from the Public - Trent Robinson spoke about his concerns with the girls' softball program.

      B. Comments from the Board/Superintendent - Smith stated his appreciation for everyone involved in educating our students. What a blessing to have such a great staff. All board members agreed. Smith reported that the calendar committee had met and hope to make a recommendation at the February meeting.  Hansen reported on her experiences as the delegate at the Iowa School Board Convention.  Trimble hoped that all board members could attend the Iowa School Board Convention together as she thinks it would be very valuable in team building. Trimble, Smith, Reiter and Morine met to discuss the PPEL renewal. McCardle complimented Supt. Reiter on his attention to the weather the past week. Supt. Reiter reported that the district hopes to bring the PPEL renewal vote to the public in September 2022. The calendar committee will meet on Jan 19^th.  The district was notified that due to the increased enrollment to Preschool, the district can request SBRC spending authority and funds for this increase. A resolution would need to be passed prior to Feb 15th so a special meeting will be needed. At the end of January there will be a meeting to discuss the Action Plan on Diversity Equity. Any board member interested in attending the National School Board Convention, contact Supt. Reiter for more information.

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

     B. District Director Reports

          1.  Activities Director Report – Hansen inquired about live streaming events.

          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

     A. Review East/West Elementary Construction Project - Supt Reiter reported there has been some movement at West Elementary on the restrooms and the PA system. There is still work to do on the West band entry. 

     B. Update from the Junior/Senior High School Grading Coalition - School Improvement Director Burmeister reported that there isn’t an update as the coalition has not meet because of the weather cancellations.

     C. Consider Approval of the Purchase of the ActivePure Air Quality System - The Board discussed the purifiers.  The Board recommended getting a quote for the machines, with all necessary accessories and replacement parts for the special meeting.  These machines would be paid for with ESSER funds.

NEW BUSINESS

 A. Consider Approval of two additional Independence Community School District Early Graduation Applicants for January 2022 - Hansen moved to approve the two additional Independence Community School District Early Graduation Applicants for January 2022.  Trimble second, motion carried 5-0.

 B. Consider Approval of the Ultimate Entertainment Iowa LLC Artist Contract for DJ Services for the Winter Formal - Trimble moved to approve the Ultimate Entertainment Iowa LLC Artist Contract for DJ Services for the Winter Formal.  McCardle second, motion carried 5-0.

3. Consider Approval of the Course Registration Guide for 2022-2023 - McCardle moved to approve the Course Registration Guide for 2022-2023. Bleichner second.   After discussion, there were some changes and formatting that need to be completed.  Motion failed 0-5.  The Course Registration Guide will be presented again at the special meeting.

The board will have a special meeting on Monday, January 24^th at Noon. 

ADJOURNMENT - Bleichner moved to adjourn the meeting.  Hansen second, motion carried 5-0 and the meeting adjourned at 7:20 pm.

EXEMPT SESSION - Board discussed negotiation strategies.   No official action was taken during the exempt session.   The session ended at 8:05 pm.

________________________________________       ______________________________________

Eric B. Smith, Chair                                                       Laura Morine, Board Secretary