Board Minutes - 2023.05.15

The 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 May 15, 2023.  Board members present: Kim Hansen, Gina Trimble, Eric Smith, Audrey Hill and Charlie McCardle. Also present: Superintendent Reiter, Board Secretary Morine, administration, directors and guests.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

FRIENDS OF EDUCATION

1. Iowa School Board Recognition Month – Supt Reiter thanked the Board of Education for the

dedication and time as board members. Certificates were presented.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA – Smith moved to approve the agenda with striking Policy #705.1 as the

URL is not valid.  Hill second, motion carried 5-0.

CONSIDERATION OF ACTION ON CONSENT ITEMS – Smith moved to approve items A, B, C, D and F.  Motion died due to a lack of a second.   Trimble moved to items A, B, C, D, E and F.   McCardle second.   Motion carried 4-1.  Smith voted nay as he wasn’t ready to vote yet.

A. Approval of the minutes of the public hearing and regular meeting on April 17, 2023, the work session on April 20, 2023, the public meetings on April 21, 2023, the work session on April 24, 2023, and the special session on May 2, 2023.

B. Approval of Board Policies (*changes noted)

Second Readings:

                 First Readings:

         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 Smith reviewed the bills – Trimble will review in June

     2.  Budget Report

ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS and PRESENTATIONS

    A. Comments from the Public.  The following talked in favor of retaining the full-time substitute and the ISS para position at the Jr/Sr High: Andria Anderson, Theresa Mueller, Michael Thomas, Jr., Michaela Schuler, Brandi Fox, Trisha Baez, Lisa Preuss, Brook Carey and Madison Corkery.

        B. Comments from the Board/Superintendent – The board members had a busy month attending concerts, athletics events, committee meetings and IASB events. Congratulations to the spring sports on their success. Congratulations to the two students selected for the All Iowa Honor 8^th Grade Band and the High School Concert Band for their excellent Band Master’s performance. Supt. Reiter wanted to thank those involved with the 3^rd grade Bike Safety Program. Our district hosted the District Track meet and it was very well organized and it couldn’t have happened without all the extra help that was received. Thank you to all who helped.  A special thanks to the Dollars for Scholars program that awarded over $100,000 in scholarship to our seniors. This is graduation weekend and it kicks off with the Buchanan County Success Center graduation on Friday night and High School Graduation on Sunday. Preschool graduation will be on Monday.  Congratulations to all the graduates! 

C. Presentations

     1.  Elementary Math Presentation – Erin Rosburg and Erin Burmeister presented on the recent math scores and they were excited to report tremendous growth in the math scores with the new math curriculum.  Burmeister indicated that this wasn’t possible without the hard work of our teachers and staff.  These scores are to be celebrated.

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 Food Service Report

     5.  Director of Buildings & Grounds Report

     6.  Director of Transportation Report

OLD BUSINESS

A. Review East/West Elementary Construction Project - Trimble and Smith did a walk through with Supt Reiter.  Supt Reiter has a few items that he will keep an eye on.  Smith asked that we close out this agenda item.

B. Review the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee - the DEI committee had their 4^th and final meeting for this fiscal year.  The committee continues to have good conversations and great student involvement.

NEW BUSINESS

A. Consider Renewal of the Letter of Continuation of the Iowa Department of Human Services Buchanan County Juvenile Court School Coach Contract #JUV-18-LS-1-001 Fifth Amendment from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024.   Trimble moved to approve the Letter of Continuation of the Iowa Department of Human Services Buchanan County Juvenile Court School Coach Contract #JUV-18-LS-1-001 Fifth Amendment from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. McCardle second.  Motion carried 5-0.  The contact information will be updated to reflect the new superintendent.

B. Consider Approval of the Charter Bus Contact for Charter No. 34157 with Hawkeye Stages for the High School Marching Band for October 7-8, 2023.  Smith moved to approve the Charter Bus Contact for Charter No. 34157 with Hawkeye Stages for the High School Marching Band for October 7-8, 2023.  Trimble second, motion carried 5-0.

C. Consider Approval of the Milk Bid from Prairie Farms for 2023-2024. McCardle moved to approve the Milk Bid from Prairie Farms for 2023-2024.  Trimble second, motion carried 5-0.

D. Consider Approval of the Bread Bid from Pan-O-Gold for 2023-2024. Smith moved to approve the Bread Bid from Pan-O-Gold for 2023-2024.  Trimble second motion carried 5-0.

E. Consider Approval of the Registration and Food Service Rates for 2023-2024.  Smith moved to approve the Registration and Food Service Rates for 2023-2024.  Hill second, motion carried 5-0.

F. Consider Approval of the Cooperative Sharing Agreement with Cedar Falls Community Schools for Men’s and Women’s Swimming for 2023-2024.  Trimble moved to approve the Cooperative Sharing Agreement with Cedar Falls Community Schools for Men’s and Women’s Swimming for 2023-2024.  Hill second, motion carried 5-0.

G. Consider Approval of the Catastrophic Student Accident Insurance Plan for 2023-2024. Smith moved to approve the Catastrophic Student Accident Insurance Plan for 2023-2024.  Trimble second, motion carried 5-0.

H. Consider Approval of the Agreement for Food Service Operations between Kidsville and Independence Community School District for 2023-2024. McCardle moved to approve the Agreement for Food Service Operations between Kidsville and Independence Community School District for 2023-2024. Smith second motion carried 5-0.

I. Consider Approval of the Lease Agreement with Moser Preschool and Daycare through                     July 31, 2024.  Hill moved to approve the Lease Agreement with Moser Preschool and Daycare through July 31, 2024.  Trimble second, motion carried 5-0.

J. Consider Approval of the Statewide 4-Year Old Voluntary Preschool Contracts with Independence Community School District and Kidsville, Moser Preschool, St. John Catholic School, and Wee Care Preschool for 2023-2024. Smith moved to approve the Statewide 4-Year Old Voluntary Preschool Contracts with Independence Community School District and Kidsville, Moser Preschool, St. John Catholic School, and Wee Care Preschool for 2023-2024.  Hill second, motion carried 5-0.

K. Consider Approval of the Recommendation from the Facility Planning Committee. Smith moved to approve the proposal from Invision for facility planning only and not for any future plans.  Hill second.  After some discussion of each of the firms, motion carried 5-0.

L. Discussion of Junior-Senior High School Restrooms – Smith wanted to discuss progress on the Jr/Sr High maintenance and accessibility. Smith reported there was a lot of progress made.

The Board took a recess break at 7:45 pm to allow people to leave the room. McCardle moved to go into exempt session. Smith second, motion carried 5-0 and the exempt session resumed at 7:57 pm to discuss negotiations strategies.     The exempt session ended at 8:55 pm.

M. Consider Approval of the Classified Non-Union, District Exempt Non-Union, Certified Non-Union, and Administrative/Director Contracts for 2023-2024.  McCardle moved to approve the Classified Non-Union, District Exempt Non-Union, Certified Non-Union, and Administrative/Director Contracts for 2023-2024.  Smith second, motion carried 5-0.

ADJOURNMENT – Trimble moved to adjourn.  Smith second, motion carried 5-0 and meeting was adjourned at 8:56 pm.

_____________________________________     __________________________________

Kim Hansen, President                                               Laura J. Morine, Board Secretary