Board Minutes - 2022.05.16

The regular meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Chair Eric Smith at the Administrative Office, Independence, IA on May 16, 2022.  Members Present: Eric Smith, Kim Hansen, Gina Trimble, Charlie McCardle and Brad Bleichner. Superintendent Russell Reiter, Board Secretary Laura Morine, administrators and guests were present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

FRIENDS OF EDUCATION - Iowa School Board Recognition Month – Thank you to our current Board of Directors for their time, resources and energy in helping make our district the best it can be.  Their dedicated service has not gone unnoticed. Thank you, Eric Smith, Kim Hansen, Brad Bleichner, Charlie McCardle and Gina Trimble for your service to the Independence School District. Certificates were presented by Superintendent Reiter.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA – Bleichner moved to approve the agenda but exclude 4D – Approval of New Hires.  McCardle second, motion carried 5-0.

CONSIDERATION OF ACTION ON CONSENT ITEMS – Trimble moved to approve the consent items 4A, 4B, 4C and 4E. Hansen second, motion carried 5-0. 

1. Approval of the minutes of the public hearing, regular meeting, and work session on April 11, 2022 and the special meeting on May 2, 2022.

    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 2022-2023 Negotiations

     E.  Approval of Financial Reports

          1.  Bills – Director Smith reviewed the bills – Trimble will review in June

           2. Budget Report

ANNOUNCMENTS, COMMUNCATIONS and PRESENTATIONS

1. Comments from the Public, District and District Staff – The board listened to two parents who addressed the board regarding discrimination and racism within the school.
2. Comments from the Board/Superintendent – McCardle reported that is was a busy time of year for taking pictures. Hansen requested that there be a link to the board packet on the district’s website with the monthly minutes.  Smith had attended the Dollars for Scholars Awards night. Congratulations to the 63 Dollars for Scholars recipients.  Smith would like to see an event that acknowledges all the awards and scholarships that the seniors receive.   Superintendent Reiter mentioned the following important dates: May 18th – Baccalaureate, May 20^th – BCSC Graduation; May 21^st – Graduation, May 27^th – student’s last day, and June 2^nd – Teachers last day.

C. Presentations

     1.  High School Musical Update – Amanda Fisher gave an update on the Spring Musical.  She thanked everyone for the incredible support as the musical was a great success.  Special thanks to Aja Baskerville and Catherine Smith for their support but unfortunately, they are both resigning as Asst. Directors. 

     2.  Math Curriculum – Erin Burmeister presented the board the process and recommendation for new math curriculums district wide.  The Math Committee reviewed multiple options and narrowed it down based on the criteria set by this committee.  The following curriculums:  Illustrative Math for K-8 and Big Ideas for 9-12 are being recommended.

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 - Superintendent Reiter, Smith, Hansen, Larson Construction and HSR met on May 13^th to review the final punch list.  Goal is to have the project fully completed by late June.

2. Update from the Junior/Senior High School Grading Coalition – Burmeister gave an update and reported that SIAC recommended Standard Reference Grading and also talked about goals to increase student engagement.

3. Consider Approval of the use of Standard Reference Grading through 8th Grade – Trimble moved to approve the use of Standard Reference Grading through 8th Grade.  Hansen second.  The board had a lengthy discussion.  Motion carried 4-1 with Smith voting nay.

4. Consider Approval of the Updated ICSD Board Goals – Trimble moved to approve the Updated ICSD Board Goals with the recommendation of adding to Goal #1: The School will maintain 100% accurate student records for 100% of students. Bleichner second.  Motion carried 5-0.

E. Discussion of Final Fiscal Year 2021 Audit – Morine gave an overview of the 2021 audit.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Consider Approval of WCF Financial as a Depository with a Limit of $10,000,000.00.  Pete Burmeister and Stephanie Christian presented a request to become a banking partner of the district. – McCardle moved to approve WCF Financial as a Depository with a Limit of $10,000,000.   Trimble second, motion carried 5-0.

2. Consider Approval of a General Fund Transfer of $1,500,000.00 to WCF Financial – Hansen moved to approve a General Fund Transfer of $1,500,000 to WCF Financial.  Trimble second.  Roll call vote: McCardle – Aye, Smith – Aye, Trimble – Aye, Bleichner – Aye, Hansen – Aye.  Motion carried 5-0.

3. Consider Approval of the Math Curriculum – Hansen moved to purchase new math curriculum as presented with an initial cost of up to $65,000 and $24,750 recurring costs for three years.  Trimble second, motion carried 5-0.

4. Consider Approval of the Memorandum of Understanding with Luther College for the                         2022-2023 Academic Year – McCardle moved the Approval of the Memorandum of Understanding with Luther College for the 2022-2023 Academic Year. Hansen second, motion carried 5-0.

5. Consider Approval of the Travel Request Form – October 2022 FFA Members to Attend FFA National Convention in Indianapolis, IN – McCardle moved to Approval of the Travel Request Form – October 2022 FFA Members to Attend FFA National Convention in Indianapolis, IN.  Hansen second, motion 5-0.

6. Consider Approval of the Travel Request Form – November 2022 Mr. Haden to Attend National Association of Agricultural Educators Convention in Las Vegas, NV – Bleichner moved to Approve the Travel Request Form – November 2022 Mr. Haden to Attend National Association of Agricultural Educators Convention in Las Vegas, NV.  Hansen second, motion carried 5-0.

7. Consider Approval of the Commercial Lease Agreement with R & E Real Estate, LLC for the BCSC (Buchanan County Success Center) through June 30, 2024 - Hansen moved to approve the Commercial Lease Agreement with R & E Real Estate, LLC for the BCSC (Buchanan County Success Center) through June 30, 2024.  Bleichner second, motion carried 5-0.

8. Consider Approval of the Three-Year Renewal Proposal with SU Insurance Company for the Equipment Maintenance Insurance through June 30, 2025 – Hansen moved to approve the Three-Year Renewal Proposal with SU Insurance Company for the Equipment Maintenance Insurance through June 30, 2025.  Bleichner second, motion carried 5-0.

1. Consider Approval of the Catastrophic Student Accident Insurance Renewal for 2022-2023 – Trimble moved to approve the Catastrophic Student Accident Insurance Renewal for 2022-2023.  Hansen second, motion carried 5-0.

10. Consider Approval of the Agreement for Food Service Operations between Kidsville and Independence Community School District for 2022-2023 – McCardle moved to approve the Agreement for Food Service Operations between Kidsville and Independence Community School District for 2022-2023.  Hansen second, motion carried 5-0.

11. Consider Approval of the Milk Bid from Prairie Farms for 2022-2023 – Trimble moved to approve the Milk Bid from Prairie Farms for 2022-2023.  Hansen second, motion carried 5-0.

       L. Consider Approval of the Bread Bid from Pan-O-Gold for 2022-2023 – Hansen moved to approve the Bread           Bid from Pan-O-Bold for 2022-2023.  McCardle second, motion carried 5-0.

     M.  Consider Approval of the Lease Agreement with Moser Preschool and Daycare through                     July 31, 2023 – McCardle moved to approve the Lease Agreement with Moser Preschool and Daycare though July 31, 2023.  Hansen second, motion carried 5-0.

14. Consider Approval of the Statewide 4-Year Old Voluntary Preschool Contract with Independence Community School District and Kidsville for 2022-2023
15. Consider Approval of the Statewide 4-Year Old Voluntary Preschool Contract with Independence Community School District and Moser Preschool and Daycare for 2022-2023

16. Consider Approval of the Statewide 4-Year Old Voluntary Preschool Contract with Independence Community School District and St. John Catholic School for 2022-2023

17. Consider Approval of the Statewide 4-Year Old Voluntary Preschool Contract with Independence Community School District and Wee Care Preschool for 2022-2023

Hansen moved to approve all four Preschool Contracts with the community partners for 2022-2023.  Bleichner second, motion carried 5-0.

18. Consider Approval of the Joint Education Service Agreement between Hawkeye Community College and Independence Community Schools for the 2022-2023 Academic Year – Hansen moved to approve the Joint Education Service Agreement between Hawkeye Community College and Independence Community Schools for the 2022-2023 Academic Year but eliminate the following classes from the list: College 101, Exploring Careers and Employability Skills. McCardle second, motion carried 5-0.

19. Consider Approval of a $50,000.00 Donation from ICSD to Offset the Proposed Cost of the Stadium Plaza – Trimble moved to approve a $50,000.00 Donation from ICSD to Offset the Proposed Cost of the Stadium Plaza.  McCardle second.   Motion carried 5-0. There has been a lot of community support for this project.

ADJOURNMENT - McCardle moved to adjourn the meeting.  Trimble second, motion carried 5-0 and the meeting adjourned at 9:10 pm.

EXEMPT SESSION

Negotiations Strategy Session – The Board and Supt Reiter participated in the exempt session to discuss negotiation strategies.  No action was taken during this session.   The session ended at 9:47 pm.

___________________________________                 ________________________________

Eric B. Smith, Chairman                                                Laura J. Morine, Board Secretary