Board Minutes - 2020.07.20

The regular meeting of the Independence Community School Board was called to order at 6:00 pm by Chair Eric Smith on July 20, 2020 at the HS Auditorium.  Members attending: Eric Smith, Kim Hansen, Matt O’Loughlin, Jennifer Sornson, Gina Trimble, Superintendent Russell Reiter, Board Secretary Laura Morine as well as administrators and directors.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA – Sornson moved to approve the agenda but striking item J.  2020-2021 Coach Sponsor Activities Handbook from the agenda. O’Loughlin second, motion carried 5-0.

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

A. Approval of the minutes of regular meeting on June 15, 2020, the special meeting on June 30, 2020, and the special meeting on July 9, 2020.

B. Approval of Board Policies (*changes noted)

Second Readings:

 

POLICY #

POLICY NAME

1.

501.9* and 501.9E1 (new)

Student Absences – Excused and Request for Remote Learning Form

2.

601.2*

School Day

3.

604.12 (new)

Appropriate Use of Online learning Platforms

4.

907 (new) and 907.R1 (new)

District Operation During Public Emergencies and District Operations During a Public Health Emergency Regulation

 

    C. Approval of Resignations

NAME

ASSIGNMENT

DATE

Gail Burlage

JSH 5.5 hr Cook/Food Service Worker

06/30/2020

Kayla Degenhardt-Johnson

East Elem 4.5 hr At-Risk Para

07/07/2020

Marilyn Oline

JSH 7.0 hr Sp Ed Para

07/08/2020

Kay Reidy

Small Group Speech Director

06/30/2020

Kay Reidy

.5 FTE HS Play Director

06/30/2020

 

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

NAME

ASSIGNMENT

SALARY

DATE

Richard Wearmouth

Bus Garage 4.0 hr/day Bus Driver

$17.75/hr

08/24/2020

 

E. Approval of Financial Reports

     1.  Bills – Director O’Loughlin reviewed the bills

     2.  Budget Report

ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS and PRESENTATIONS

A. Comments from the Public. Residents of the District - None

B. Comments from the Board/Superintendent - O’Loughlin wanted to thank Mr. Howard and Mr. Hupke for organizing the graduation ceremony.   Trimble stated she was glad that the softball and baseball had an opportunity for a season.   Supt. Reiter reported that he is continuing to have conversations with HSR and they will be in the district for interior design discussions soon.  Baseball and softball both had successful seasons even though they didn’t make it to post season play.  Morine is working on a FEMA grant.  At this point foreign exchange students will be allowed to attend school if all the guidelines are met.

REPORTS

A. Building Administrator Reports

     1.  Junior-Senior High School Principal and Junior-Senior High School Assistant Principal

     2.  West Elementary Principal and 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. Return to Learn Plan – Burmeister gave an update on the Return to Learn Plan.
  2. Consider Approval of the IASB Legislative Priorities – The legislative priorities voting was tallied   and the top four priorities are: Mental Health, Supplemental State Aid, School Funding Policy and a proposed priority for COVID-19 and Return to Learn supports and funding.  Hansen moved to approve the above legislative priorities. Trimble second, motion carried 5-0.  Morine will report these priorities to the Iowa School Board Association.

NEW BUSINESS

A. Consider Approval of the Tri-County Child and Family Development Council, Inc. 2020-2021 Contracted Services Agreement – O’Loughlin moved to approve the Tri-County Child and Family Development Council, Inc. 2020-2021 Contracted Services Agreement.  Hansen second, motion carried 5-0.

B. Consider Approval of the 2020 Renewal Proposal with SU Insurance Company – Trimble moved to approve the 2020 Renewal Proposal with SU Insurance Company. Sornson second, motion carried 5-0.

C. Consider Approval of the Beverage Agreement with Pepsi Beverages Company through 07/20/2023 –Sornson moved to approve the Beverage Agreement with Pepsi Beverages Company through 07/20/2023. O’Loughlin second.  After discussion, Trimble moved to table the motion, Hansen second.  Motion was tabled 3-2 with Sornson and O’Loughlin voting nay.

D. Consider Approval of the Letter of Agreement between the Independence Community School District and Covenant Family Solutions – O’Loughlin moved to approve the Letter of Agreement between the Independence Community School District and Covenant Family Solutions. Trimble second, motion carried 5-0.

E. Consider Approval of the Transportation Sharing Agreement with Jesup Community School District for 2020-2021 – Hansen moved to approve the Transportation Sharing Agreement with Jesup Community School District for 2020-2021.  Trimble second, motion carried 5-0.

F. Consider Approval of the Human Resources Sharing Agreement with East Buchanan Community School District for 2020-2021 – Trimble moved to approve the Human Resources Sharing Agreement with East Buchanan Community School District for 2020-2021.  Hansen second, motion carried 5-0.

G. Consider Approval of the Maintenance Sharing Agreement with East Buchanan Community School District for 2020-2021 – O’Loughlin moved to approve the Maintenance Sharing Agreement with East Buchanan Community School District for 2020-2021. Hansen second, motion carried 5-0.

H. Consider Approval of the Food Service Sharing Agreement with East Buchanan Community School District for 2020-2021 – Hansen moved to approve the Food Service Sharing Agreement with East Buchanan Community School District for 2020-2021.  Trimble second, motion carried 5-0.

I.  Consider Approval of the 2020-2021 Elementary and JSH Student Handbooks – O’Loughlin moved to approve the 2020-2021 Elementary and JSH Student Handbooks. Trimble second, motion carried 5-0.

J.  Consider Approval of the 2020-2021 Coach-Sponsor Activities Handbook – Struck from the Agenda.

K. Consider Approval of the 2020-2021 Student-Parent Handbook for Activities Participation – This handbook is part of the JSH Student Handbook and was approved under item I.

L. Return to School – Supt. Reiter and the board discussed possible protocols for Return to School.

ADJOURNMENT – O’Loughlin moved to adjourn the meeting. Trimble second, motion carried 5-0 and the meeting adjourned at 8:36 pm.

EXEMPT SESSION

The board discussed negotiation strategies.  Session ended at 9:00 pm.

 

 

______________________________________      _____________________________________
Eric B. Smith, Chair                                                                       Laura Morine, Board Secretary