A regular meeting of the Independence Community School Board was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chairman Eric Smith at the Jr/Sr High School Auditorium, Independence, Iowa on September 21, 2020. Board Members present: Eric Smith, Kim Hansen, Matt O’Loughlin, Jennifer Sornson and Gina Trimble, Superintendent Russell Reiter and Board Secretary Laura Morine. Guests included the building administrators, directors and a newspaper representative. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
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APPROVAL OF AGENDA - Sornson moved to approve the agenda. O’Loughlin second, and motion carried 5-0. CONSIDERATION OF ACTION ON CONSENT ITEMS- Trimble moved to approve the consent times. Hansen second and motion carried 5-0. A. Approval of the minutes of regular meeting on August 17, 2020 and the work session on August 31, 2020. B. Approval of Board Policies (*changes noted)
Second Readings: |
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First Readings: |
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C. Approval of Resignations |
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D. Approval of Transfers/Reassignments |
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E. Approval of New Hires (pending acceptable background checks) |
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F. Approval of Financial Reports |
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1. Bills – Director Smith audited the bills 2. Budget Report
ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS and PRESENTATIO.
C. Presentations 1. COVID Funding – Laura Morine reported that she is applying for a FEMA grant. This grant should cover 75% of qualifying expenses, the State Disaster fund will cover 10% and local match for the balancing 15%. As of September 15th, the qualifying items changed and new orders of PPE and sanitizer will not be covered, but qualifying items could change again. $114,000 of federal funding was received as well as $61,200 in funding for technology and connectivity expenses. An additional $13,394 federal funding that is being passed on by the state is expected. To date the district has had $125,000 in COVID expenses. Additional expenses will include the added shuttle bus route and custodial staff costing the district approximately $53,000 for the year.
REPORTS A. Building Administrator Reports 1. Junior-Senior High School Principal - Principal Howard reported his building is still in discussions on how Parent/Teacher Conferences will work. 2. Junior-Senior High School Assistant Principal - Hansen thanked Asst. Principal Hupke for the videos he posts. 3. West Elementary Principal and East Elementary/Early Childhood Center Principal – Sub covering has been incredible by the existing staff. B. District Director Reports |
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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. Return to Learn Plan Update – Burmeister gave an update to the Return to Learn Plan. A new hybrid option was added to help with staff shortages and is called Hybrid (Staff Shortages). The plan has been updated on the district’s website.
B. Return to School Update- Superintendent Reiter reported that there is a COVID dashboard on the district’s website that is updated each week day. Homecoming has been postponed. Reiter thanked all the staff for doing an amazing job with all the extra work they are doing.
NEW BUSINESS A. Consider Approval of the Contract between Northeast Iowa Community College and Independence Community School District for 2020-2021 Academic Year – Sornson moved to approve the Contract between Northeast Iowa Community College and Independence Community School District for 2020-2021 Academic Year. O’Loughlin second, motion carried 5-0. B. Consider Approval of the Agreement with Buchanan County Health Center for Wellness Programming through July 31, 2021 – Trimble moved to approve the Agreement with Buchanan County Health Center for Wellness Programming through July 31, 2021. Sornson second, motion carried 5-0. C. Consider Approval of the Agreement for Sports Injury Coverage with Buchanan County Health Center through July 31, 2023 – O’Loughlin moved to approve the Agreement for Sports Injury Coverage with Buchanan County Health Center through July 31, 2023. Sornson second, motion carried 5-0. D. Consider Approval of the School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC) Membership for 2020-2021 – O’Loughlin moved to approve the School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC) Membership for 2020-2021. Trimble second, motion carried 5-0. E. Consider Approval of Updating COVID Safety Guidelines – Using the language on the current page 15, as of 9/21/2020, of the Independence Jr/Sr High School’s Return to Learn Plan, Hansen made a motion for all district students, staff and visitors to properly wear masks/face shields/face coverings covering their mouth and nose. The face mask requirement will conclude or sunset when the governor declares the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency. O’Loughlin second. After board discussion Sornson called the question. Motion carried 4-1, with Trimble voting nay.
ADJOURNMENT – Sornson moved to adjourn the meeting. O’Loughlin second, motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 8:25 pm.
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