Board Minutes - 2023.03.20

A regular meeting of the Independence Community School Board was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by President Kim Hansen at the Administration Office, 1207 1^st St West, Independence, Iowa on March 20, 2023.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 

Members Present: Kim Hansen, Charlie McCardle, Gina Trimble, Eric Smith and Audrey Hill, Supt. Reiter and Board Secretary Morine.

Members Absent: none

Others Present: Ian Kleman, Dewey Hupke, Cheri Reed, Kay Reidy, Erin Burmeister, Justin Putz, Pam Wendel, Kim Chesmore and Chad O’Brien.

Guests: Matt Miller and John Klotzbach

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

CONSIDERATION OF ACTION ON CONSENT ITEMS – Smith moved to approve the consent items 3A-D and to revise the February minutes to include that Smith asked for, and gained consent from the Board, to a put a revision to Policy 501.11 Student Release During School on the March board agenda. Trimble second.  The board discussed the Policy 501.11 that was included on the March agenda.  Smith amended the motion to strike the first reading of Policy 501.11 from the agenda.  Trimble second the amendment but asked that the policy come back in the April or May meeting. Hanse asked that the review of Policy 501.11 be completed by June 30. Supt Reiter thanked Janette Hopkins and Kathy Tegler for their many years of service and wished them the very best with their retirement. They both will be missed.  Motion carried 5-0.  

A. Approval of the minutes of the public hearing on February 20, 2023, the regular meeting on February 20, 2023, the special meeting on March 1, 2023, and the special meeting on March 7, 2023.

B. Approval of Board Policies (*changes noted)

Second Readings:

First Readings:

C. Approval of Resignations

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

*Pending 2023-2024 Negotiations

       E. Approval of Financial Reports - Trimble moved to approve the Financial Reports.  McCardle second. Smith questioned the WCF Financial transaction as the description indicated service.  Morine indicated it was a transfer as WCF Financial offered an increased interest rate. Morine had worked with the banks to negotiate increased interest rate. ISJIT(Iowa School Joint Investment Trust) is offering an interest rate of over 4% and the district wants to keep our funds local. McCardle second, motion carried 5-0.

           1. Bills – Director Smith reviewed the bills.  McCardle will review in April.

           2. Budget Reports

ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS and PRESENTATIONS

1. Comments from the Public – none

2. Comments from the Board/Superintendent – McCardle welcomed and congratulated Audrey Hill on her election the board.  He indicated that the musical was outstanding. Trimble thanked McCardle for the pictures he takes. She appreciates the many pictures of our students on social media in the elementary classrooms. Hansen would encourage pictures from the high school as well. Hansen congratulated the 7 individual students that qualified for All State Speech in 8 events.  5 of them were performing at All State. She was extremely proud of all the students and adults that helped with the musical.  Hansen wanted to thank the community for voting to pass the PPEL resolution.  Also, congratulations and thanks to Audrey Hill for her successful school board election.  On Monday, March 21^st the three Superintendent finalists will be in the district for interviews and Hansen wanted to thank the interview committees for their time and input.  March 30^th the board will have a special meeting to approve the Superintendent Contract and have an exempt session to discuss negotiations. IASB is hosting a Summit on School Success and Hansen would encourage all board members to attend.  Hansen also wished Janette Hopkins and Kathy Tegler well in their upcoming retirement. Smith asked that at the next monthly board meeting, the board talk about the JSH restrooms that are locked and an update on maintenance items. Hill indicates she was looking forward to serving on the board. Trimble encouraged the public to reach out to the board on why they voted no on the PPEL resolution so that the board can understand their point of view. Beth Strike will be at the April meeting to help continue the work on the district’s communication plan. The certified budget due date has been extended to May 1^st, so the regular board meeting will be moved to the regular date of April 17^th. Supt. Reiter reported that the students needed to make up 3 student days and recommends they are added to the end of the school year.  June 1^st will be the last student day. The board needs to set a date for the three companies to present their Facility Plan during a work session.  Supt. Reiter will send out a Doodle to find a date. Supt Reiter also thanked the community for their support in renewing and increasing the PPEL resolution by 27 cents.  Preliminary certified budget numbers look like the tax rate would go down 5 cents from the previous year even with the 27 cent PPEL increase. Congratulation to the elementary archery team for making it to Nationals in Kentucky.

     C. Presentations

          1.  District Technology Plan – Steve Noyes indicated the Board Room technology had been updated and also reviewed the district technology plan.  Smith requested a closed session in the future to discuss technology security. 

          2.  Portrait of a Graduate – Erin Burmeister updated the board on the Portrait of a Graduate.  The state had added an additional step so the committee needs to continue their work on the Adopt and Measure steps of the program before asking for board approval. 

REPORTS

     A. Building Administrator Reports

          1.  Junior-Senior High School Principal – Trimble thanked Principal Kleman for subbing in the Physics class.   Smith appreciated Kleman’s analytics of the CTE classes and the recommendation to go back to block scheduling for those classes.  Hansen appreciates the Peer to Peer Advisory Committee.

          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

          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 – Supt Reiter reported more work had been done and that the carpet seems to be okay.   Smith asked about Emergency signage at Qest and asked that a date of April 30^th be set for final inspection to close out the project.
2. Review the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee – next meeting is March 28^th and then hopefully another meeting to be set before the end of the school year.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Approve Canvas of Votes from the March 7, 2023 Independence Community School Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) Vote - McCardle moved to approve the Canvas of Votes from the March 7, 2023 Independence Community School Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) Vote.  Trimble second, motion carried 5-0.

2. Approve Canvas of Votes from the March 7, 2023 Independence Community School Fill Vacancy District 1 – Smith move to approve the Canvas of Votes from the March 7, 2023 Independence Community School Fill Vacancy District 1.  Trimble second, motion carried 5-0. Hill was sworn in before the meeting so she could participate as board member for the full meeting.

3. Consider Approval of the AEA Purchasing Agreement for 2023-2024 – Trimble moved to approve the AEA Purchasing Agreement for 2023-2024.  McCardle second, motion carried 5-0.

4. Consider Approval of the Travel Request Form – June 2023: Matt Miller and Independence Baseball to Omaha, NE for College World Series – Trimble moved Approve of the Travel Request Form – June 2023: Matt Miller and Independence Baseball to Omaha, NE for College World Series. The Baseball club will cover the expenses for this trip that are in excess of the tournament play.  Smith second, motion carried 5-0.

ADJOURNMENT – McCardle moved to adjourn the meeting. Smith second, motion carried 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:36 pm.

____________________________________            ______________________________________

Kim Hansen, President                                                Laura Morine, Board Secretary