Board Minutes - 2022.03.21

Independence Community School Board Meeting

 Regular Meeting

March 21, 2022

A regular meeting of the Independence Community School Board was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Vice Chair Kim Hansen at the Administration Office, 1207 1^st St West, Independence, Iowa on March 21, 2022.    Board members present: Charlie McCardle, Gina Trimble, Kim Hansen and Brad Bleichner. Eric Smith and Board Secretary Morine attended virtually.    Also attending: Supt. Reiter, administrators, directors, local press and guests. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.  

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

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

A. Approval of the minutes of the public hearing and regular meeting on February 21, 2022, the public meetings on February 24, 2022, the work session and special meeting on March 7, 2022, and the public meetings on March 14, 2022.

      B. Approval of Board Policies (*changes noted)

Second Readings:

        First Reading

    C. Approval of Resignations

   D. Approval of Transfers/Reassignments

*Pending 2022-2023 Negotiations

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

 *Pending 2022-2023 Negotiations

     F. Approval of Financial Reports

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

         2.  Budget Report

ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS and PRESENTATIONS

1. Comments from the Public – None
2. Comments from the Board/Superintendent – McCardle complimented the students and staff on a great musical.  He also enjoyed band night and appreciated the students encouraging other students.   Bleichner and Trimble also indicated that the musical was very enjoyable and kudos to all involved.   Smith indicated that he had attended President’s Training along with Hansen.  He participated in a mock termination session as well as stressed that emails are part of public records.   Hansen echoed the success of the musical.   She also wanted to acknowledge and congratulated the three students that were selected to perform at AllState Speech, those that participated in band and vocal contests, Mock Trial and Jazz Orchestra making it onto the state level.

         Supt. Reiter reported that the Governor’s retention pay went out in the March payroll. In April, he will propose to the board that all other staff should receive retention pay and it could be paid out of ESSER funds.  There is a committee working on revamping the entry way to Leinbaugh Field thru donations, memorials, Trotter Trail committee and community members that are interested in the project.   The Diversity committee meeting went well and will be meeting again.  Supt. Reiter thanked the JSH staff for hosting a Career Fair and all the businesses that participated.

REPORTS

A. Building Administrator Reports

     1.  Junior-Senior High School Principal

     2.  Junior-Senior High School Assistant Principal – Smith commented that the comparison of office referrals between years is skewed as last year was an outlier compared to this year.

     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 – looking at upgrading the lights and sound in the Auditorium

     4.  Director of Food Service Report – Unfortunately it does not look like all students will have free breakfast and lunches next year and we will need to communicate that out this summer.

     5.  Director of Buildings & Grounds Report

     6.  Director of Transportation Report

OLD BUSINESS

1. Review East/West Elementary Construction Project – Supt Reiter indicated that the hallway in West should be completed by the end of the week.  Still waiting for warmer weather to complete the canopy on the west side of West Elementary.  The West gym floor will be repaired and refinished this summer.  There have been some minor HVAC issues at East and more mini splits have been installed.  The board will have a walk thru of both buildings on April 11^th.

2. Update from the Junior/Senior High School Grading Coalition – Burmeister reported that there were great 1 on 1 conversations with parents during conferences.  She is preparing data to share at the April board meeting.  A survey was sent out to 7^th grade parents and that survey is still open for those parents that have not provided feedback.  A team of ten teachers will be attending a conference on grading in Des Moines.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Consider Approval of the AEA Purchasing Agreement for 2022-2023 – Trimble moved to approve the AEA Purchasing Agreement for 2022-2023. Bleichner second, motion carried 5-0.

2. Consider Approval of the Cooperative Agreement by and between University of Northern Iowa and Cooperating Educational Agencies for the 2022-2023 Academic Year – McCardle moved to approve the Cooperative Agreement by and between University of Northern Iowa and Cooperating Educational Agencies for the 2022-2023 Academic Year. Bleichner second, motion carried 5-0.

3. Consider Approval of the Agreement for Teacher Education Clinical Experience Placements between Independence Community School District and Morningside University for the 2022-2023 Academic Year – Trimble moved to approve the Agreement for Teacher Education Clinical Experience Placements between Independence Community School District and Morningside University for the 2022-2023 Academic Year.  McCardle second, motion carried 5-0.

4. Consider Approval of the Amendment of the Independence Educational Support Personnel (IESP) Contract for 2022-2023 Fiscal Year – Trimble moved to approve the Amendment of the Independence Educational Support Personnel (IESP) Contract for 2022-2023 Fiscal Year.  Bleichner second, motion carried 5-0.  This is the 4^th year of the 5-year contract.

5. Consider Approval to Purchase a Main Street Banner for Independence’s 175th Birthday – Trimble moved to approve to pay $200 to purchase a Main Street Banner for Independence’s 175^th Birthday.  McCardle second motion carried 5-0.

F. Discussion on Weighted Grading – Supt Reiter reported that some districts did weighted grading for the more difficult classes and other districts did not.  Dyersville Beckman was the only district in the WaMaC conference that we had heard back from that weighted their AP classes.  Cedar Falls also weights their AP classes. All board members weighed in on the discussion.  Reiter indicated that changes like this should flow thru the School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC).  Discussion on weighted grading will continue at future board meetings.

ADJOURNMENT - McCardle moved to adjourn the meeting. Trimble second, motion carried

5-0.  Meeting was adjourned at 7:30 pm

EXEMPT SESSION – Board discussed negotiations strategies.  No official action was taken during the exempt session.  Session ended at 8:02 pm.