Board Minutes - 2022.12.19

CONSIDERATION OF ACTION ON CONSENT ITEMS – Trimble moved to approve the consent times.  Smith second the motion. Smith asked in Policy 602.1R1 that the passage about a resignation from SIAC be posted like a job be struck from the policy.  Motion carried 4-0 with the change.

A. Approval of the minutes of the regular/annual and organizational meeting on November 21, 2022 and the special meeting on November 29, 2022

B. Approval of Board Policies (*changes noted)

Second Readings:

First Reading

C. Approval of Resignations

D. Approval of Leave of Absence/Temporary Fill-In

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

F. Approval of Financial Reports

     1.  Bills – Director Hansen reviewed the bills – Trimble will review in January

     2.  Budget Report

ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS and PRESENTATIONS

A. Comments from the Public – none

B. Comments from the Board/Superintendent – Smith had attended the SIAC Meeting this past month. Buildings and Grounds committee has scheduled a meeting for January 9^th at 5:30 to review facility plan proposals. A Grade Inflation meeting needs to be scheduled.   McCardle has attended the concerts and sporting events, the PPEL Committee Meeting and the City/County/School Joint Meeting.  Trimble attended the Jr/Sr High Concert, Wrestling meet, DEI Committee Meeting and PPEL Committee meeting.  Hansen has attended the concerts, boy’s basketball game and the City/County/School Joint Meeting.   She had received a resignation from Board Member Bleichner effective December 9, 2022.

Public notice was put in the paper regarding the vacancy.  If no petition are received, the Board will appoint his replacement at a special meeting on January 4^th  at 6:00 pm. Anyone interested in the vacancy can contact a board member or Supt. Reiter. Hansen has been in contact with Iowa School Board Association to schedule some board professional development to help the onboarding of the new board member.   Supt. Reiter indicated that the Central Rivers AEA appointed Joel Pederson as their Chief Administrator.  Meeting on LED lighting for the auditorium was held. He is working on the Communication Audit with Technology Director Noyes.  Hawkeye Community College is wanting to renew their existing bond levy at the same time as the intended PPEL vote for the district.  Decisions will need to be made on how to proceed with the renewal of our PPEL vote as the district was looking at increasing the levy by 27 cents or just renew the levy.  Trimble indicated that we really need to get the word out about the March PPEL vote and the committee is working on that.

C. Presentations

     1.  New Course Proposal – Amber Whitney and Ian Kleman present information about a new Forensic science class.

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 – Supt Reiter is trying to pinpoint a date for the carpet replacement over the holiday break at West Elementary. Supt Reiter will send a summary list to the board.

B. Review the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee – Supt Reiter and Trimble reported that the committee meeting was very productive and appreciate the student’s involvement.

NEW BUSINESS

A. Legislative Discussion with Local Representatives – Senators Craig Johnson and Dan Zumbach were present to give a legislative update.

B. Consider Approval of Director Brad Bleichner’s Resignation – Smith reluctantly moved to approve the resignation from Director Brad Bleichner.  Trimble regrettably second, motion carried 4-0. Thank you, Mr. Bleichner for your service and we know you will serve the residents of Independence during your tenure as Mayor.

C. Consider Approval of ICSD Students Participating in the Community Visioning Program – Mayor Bleichner, Kim Hansen and Sandy Oberbroeckling from Iowa State presented the request for student involvement in this program.  The board would recommend a good cross section of students from the JSH and West Elementary for this task force. Approximately 7-10 students would be involved from each building. Trimble moved to approve the ICSD Students Participating in the Community Visioning.  Smith second, motion carried 4-0.

D. Consider Approval of the Travel Request Form – January 2023: Nancy Scheel to Kansas City, MO – McCardle moved to approve the Travel Request Form – January 2023: Nancy Scheel to Kansas City, MO.  Trimble second, motion carried 4-0.

E. Consider Approval of the Modified Supplemental Amount (MSA) Application (At Risk Drop Out Prevention) in the Amount of $512,805.00 – Smith moved to approve the Modified Supplemental Amount (MSA) Application (At Risk Drop Out Prevention) in the Amount of $512,805.00.  Trimble second, motion carried 4-0.

F. Consider Approval of the Forensics Course – Smith moved to approve the Forensics Course, McCardle second, motion carried 4-0.

G. Consider Approval of the Technical Assistance Support Contract with Fusion Forward, LLC – McCardle moved to approve the Technical Assistance Support Contract with Fusion Forward, LLC.  Trimble second, motion carried 4-0.

H.  Discuss the New Director Districts for the Independence Community School District – Three different maps were discussed regarding the required redistricting due to the 2020 census. The board discussed the pros and cons of each map and consensus was to go with map #2.  Morine will have the firm draw up the resolution.  A public hearing will be held at 5:50 pm on January 17^th for the redistricting.

Meeting recessed at 8:00 pm for a quick break to excuse the attendees.

I. Closed Session – Smith moved to go into closed session as provided in Section 21.5(1)(k) of the Iowa Code; To discuss information contained in records in the custody of a governmental body that are confidential records pursuant to Section 22.7, Subsection 50.  McCardle second.  Roll call vote:   Hansen- aye, McCardle – aye, Smith – aye, Trimble – aye.  Motion carried 4-0.    Moved into closed session at 8;08 pm with Board members and Supt Reiter present.

 Exited the closed session at 9:51 pm and no official action was taken during the closed session.

ADJOURNMENT – Trimble moved to adjourn the meeting, McCardle second, motion carried 4-0 and the meeting was adjourned at 9:52 pm.

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Kim Hansen, President                                                          Laura J. Morine, Board Secretary