Independence Community School Board Meeting
Public Hearing and Regular Meeting
February 21, 2022
Public Hearing
A public hearing for the 2022-2023 Proposed School Calendar of the Independence Community School Board started at 5:50 pm at the Administration Office, 1207 1st St West, Independence, Iowa on February 21, 2022. Board members present: Eric Smith, Kim Hansen and Brad Bleichner. Gina Trimble and Charlie McCardle attended by Zoom. Also attending: Supt. Reiter, Board Secretary Morine, administrators, directors, and local press. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
No public comments were received. Hansen moved to adjourn the public hearing, Bleichner second, motion carried 5-0. The public hearing ended at 6:00 pm.
Regular Meeting
The 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 1st St West, Independence, Iowa on February 21, 2022. Board members present: Eric Smith, Kim Hansen and Brad Bleichner. Gina Trimble and Charlie McCardle attended by Zoom. Also attending: Supt. Reiter, Board Secretary Morine, administrators, directors, and local press.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA – Bleichner moved to approve the agenda with the removal of the closed session, item #7E, Trimble second, motion carried 5-0.
CONSIDERATION OF ACTION ON CONSENT ITEMS – Hansen moved to approve the consent items except Policy 400.1. Bleichner second, motion carried 5-0.
A. Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting on January 17, 2022 and the special meeting on January 24, 2022.
B. Approval of Board Policies (*changes noted)
First Readings:
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POLICY # |
POLICY NAME |
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1. |
403.8, 403.8R1, 403.8R2, 4038E1, 403.8E2 and 403.8E3 (Rescinded) |
Employee Vaccination/Testing for COVID-19, Employee Vaccination/Testing for COVID-19 Regulation, Required Notices to Employees, Employee Personal Attestation of Vaccination Status, Medical Accommodation Request Form, and Religious Accommodation Request Form |
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2. |
400* |
Role of and Guiding Principles for Employees |
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3. |
400.1 |
Employee Procedures and Benefits Manual |
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4. |
401.1* |
Employee Orientation |
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5. |
401.2 |
Equal Employment Opportunity |
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6. |
401.3* |
Employee Conflict of Interest |
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7. |
401.4* |
Nepotism |
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8. |
401.5 and 401.5E1 |
Employee Complaints and Employee Complaint Form (Reviewed and Revised 01/17/2022) |
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9. |
401.6 and 401.6R1* |
Employee Records and Employee Records Regulation |
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10. |
401.7* |
Employee Relations to the Administration and to the Board |
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POLICY # |
POLICY NAME |
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11. |
401.8 |
Employee Involvement in Decision Making |
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12. |
401.9 |
Use of School District Facilities & Equipment by Employees |
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13. |
401.10 |
Use of School District Materials for Internal Communications |
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14. |
401.11* |
Limitations to Employment References |
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15. |
401.12* |
Travel for the Board of Education, Administrators and Employees |
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16. |
401.13* |
Employee Activity Passes |
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17. |
401.14* |
Recognition for Service of Employees |
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18 |
401.15* |
Employee Political Activity |
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19. |
401.16* |
Credit Cards |
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20. |
401.17 |
Internet Acceptable Use Policy for Staff |
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21. |
401.18 |
Email Acceptable Use Policy for Staff |
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22. |
401.19 |
Meeting Expenses |
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23. |
401.20 |
Employee Expression (Policy Adopted 09/20/2021) |
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C. Approval of Resignations |
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D. Approval of New Hires (pending acceptable background checks) |
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E. Approval of Financial Reports
1. Bills – Director Bleichner reviewed the bills – Hansen will review in March
2. Budget Report
Hansen moved to approve the first reading of Policy #400.1 after some discussions. Supt. Reiter will reach out to other districts regarding this policy and review the timeline and committee information. Bleichner second, first reading was approved 5-0.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS and PRESENTATIONS
A. Comments from the Public - none
B. Comments from the Board/Superintendent - Bleichner inquired about weighted grading and would like more information for the next meeting. Trimble attended the Conference Board meeting. Trimble also congratulated the large group speech students and coaches. McCardle congratulated West Elementary as the math and reading scores increased. Supt. Reiter indicated the SSA rate of 2.5% was signed by the Governor and was disappointed the increase was not higher since the state is sitting on large reserve funds. The Diversity Committee will meet on March 9th. March 7th the board will meet with representatives from Central Rivers AEA to work on board goals. The April board meeting will be changed from the 18th to the 11th so that the board can approve the Certified Annual Budget before April 15th. Reiter and Morine will be attending a budget workshop on Thursday. Supt. Reiter wanted to thank all of those that are working on revamping the entrance to Leinbaugh Field.
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
2. Director of School Improvement Report
3. Director of Technology Report
4. Director of Buildings & Grounds Report
5. Director of Transportation Report
OLD BUSINESS
- Review East/West Elementary Construction Project – Supt Reiter reported that the restrooms at West Elementary are 99% complete. The punch list for the projects is still being worked on. See Electric has started on the HVAC projects at the Jr/Sr High and West Elementary.
- Update from the Junior/Senior High School Grading Coalition – Burmeister and Howard gave an update. The coalition is still working on communicating out to staff and parents. In March, a team of teacher will be attending a grading conference in Des Moines. Burmeister said they would be able to bring more information regarding data to the board in April.
NEW BUSINESS
- Consider Approval of the 2022-2023 School Calendar – Hansen moved to approve the 2022-2023 School Calendar. Trimble second, motion carried 5-0.
- Consider Approval of the Proposed Hawkeye Community College (HCC) Courses for the 2022-2023 School Year – Hansen moved to approve the Proposed Hawkeye Community College (HCC) Courses for the 2022-2023 School Year. McCardle second, motion carried 5-0.
- Consider Approval of the Cooperative Agreement by and between Iowa State University and Independence Community School District – Hansen moved to approve the Cooperative Agreement by and between Iowa State University and Independence Community School District. Bleichner second, motion carried 5-0.
- Consider Approval of the Farm Leases for 2022-2023 – Hansen moved to approve the Farm Leases for the North and South Parcels for 2022-2023. Trimble second, motion carried 5.0.
E. Closed Session – Struck from agenda
We need a motion to recess to a 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.
ADJOURNMENT - Bleichner moved to adjourn the meeting. Hansen second, motion carried 5-0 and meeting adjourned at 6:45 pm.
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Eric B. Smith, Chair Laura Morine, Board Secretary
