Board Minutes - 2020.12.21

B. Approval of Board Policies (*changes noted)

Second Readings:

First Readings:

C. Approval of Transfers/Reassignments

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

*Salary is approximate depending on the number of days he will be teaching after his license is issued by the Iowa Board of  Educational Examiners (BOEE).

E. Approval of Financial Reports

     1.  Bills – Director Trimble reviewed the bills

     2.  Budget Report

4.

ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS and PRESENTATIONS

A. Comments from the Public. No public comments

B. Comments from the Board: Smith commented that he attended the School Board Convention.  During the delegate assembly, a legislative resolution was added to increase the budget guarantee percentage during declining enrollment from 1% to 3% over the previous school year budget..  Trimble commented she also attended the School Board Convention and encouraged all board members to attend, as it is a highly engaging conference.  Hansen commented she attended the School Board Convention virtually and enjoyed the sessions and noted there were lots of good takeaways.  Sornson - no comment. O’Loughlin - no comment.

Comments from the Superintendent:  Reiter commented that there is new law, Chapter 103, coming into effect January 20, 2021 regarding restraints of students.  The district will continue to train staff.  The Insurance Committee met; they received good information from Becker & Associates.  The Committee had great conversations and will meet again in 2-3 weeks.  Governor Reynolds has increased the number of people per student that can attend activities.  Band and cheerleaders are now included.  Calendar Committee will meet in January, Administration from each building will select a parent volunteer to be on the committee.  The District Leadership Team (DLT) will have more conversations and collect more information and data regarding temperature screenings.  Board members should call Superintendent Reiter with any questions.    

C. Presentations

 1.  Mentoring Program Update – This presentation will be moved to the January 2021 agenda.

 2.  Extended Learning Program (ELP) – Megan Slessor and Todd Reed presented information on what is going on with ELP in all the buildings.

5.

REPORTS

A. Building Administrator Reports

     1.  Junior-Senior High School Principal

 2.  Junior-Senior High School Assistant Principal - Hupke reported pledges have reached approx. $92,000 of the $100,000 for the Mustang Way Renovation Project. The next final push meeting is January 4. 2021.  Batting cages and concrete are purchased.  The steel for the bleachers was purchased from Pries Enterprises located in Independence, IA.

     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 - The board noted that there was a complimentary email sent to the Administration regarding Annette Harbaugh supporting dietary needs.

     5.  Director of Buildings & Grounds Report

     6.  Director of Transportation Report

6.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Return to Learn Plan Update -  Reiter reported the JSH DLT met on Wednesday to discuss Hybrid Learning Model.  A survey was sent out to JSH staff.   The positivity rate for the county and school district numbers were considered when making the decision to change to 100% In-Person Learning.  Returning on January 4, 2021 will give students a chance to improve grades and be in class everyday before the end of the semester.  The decision was made to return on January 4, 2021 with onsite learning.  Burmeister reported the elementary DLT met regarding mitigation strategies.  It was decided to keep mitigation strategies as they are, it is keeping our numbers down and keeping the students in school.  All three plans (In-person, Hybrid, and Remote Learning)  have been used and all three plans have worked.   The district will continue to watch the data and numbers.

2. Review East/West Elementary Construction Project - Reiter reported the contractor walk throughs have been pushed back to December 30, 2020.  Soils samples are done.  Bids are due January 12, 2021.  Possible approval of winning contractor at the January 18, 2021, board meeting.  Independence Light & Power/WPPI are very engaged and asked to be a part of the process to help with energy savings and rebates.

7.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Consider Approval of the Upper Iowa University Student Teacher Substitute Policy

Sornson moved to approve the Upper Iowa University Student Teacher Substitute Policy.  O’Loughlin seconded, motion carried 5-0.

2. Consider Approval of the District Developed Special Education Service Delivery Plan Committee Members -  Trimble moved to approve the District Developed Special Education Service Delivery Plan.  Hansen seconded, motion carried 5-0.  The board recommended finding one more parent representative to be on the committee.

3. Consider Approval of the Course Registration Guide for 2021-2022

O’Loughlin moved to approve the Course Registration Guide for 2021-2022.  Trimble seconded, motion carried 5-0.  There are minor formatting changes that need to be made.

4. Consider Approval of the Modified Supplemental Amount (MSA) Application (At Risk Drop Out Prevention) - Trimble moved to approve the Modified Supplemental Amount (MSA) Application (At Risk Drop Out Prevention).  O’Loughlin seconded, motion carried 5-0.   The requested amount from the state is $432,109. Our district is required to match a percentage to the amount of $144,036. That will total $576,145 for the At Risk Drop Out Prevention program. .

5. Consider Approval of Extending the Deadline for Fiscal Year 2020 Vacation Days to March 31, 2021 - Hansen moved to approve of Extending the Deadline for the Fiscal Year 2020 Vacation Days to March 31, 2021.  O’Loughlin seconded, motion carried 5-0.

6. Consider Approval of the Licensed Employee Early Retirement Plan Policy 407.3 and 407.4 First Reading - Trimble moved to approve the Licensed Employee Early Retirement Plan Policy 407.3 and 407.4 First Reading and waive the second reading.  Hansen seconded, motion carried 5-0.  There are 10 certified employees that would be eligible for the package.  A discussion was had about how many of those employees would be replaced and if any programs would be eliminated.

7. Consider Approval of the Certified Staff Early Notification Incentive Resolution

O’Loughlin moved to approve the Certified Staff Early Notification Incentive Resolution.  Hansen seconded, after board discussion motion failed 2-3. Roll call vote: O’Loughlin: nay, Hansen: aye, Smith: aye, Sornson: nay, Trimble: nay. 

8. Closed Session

Hansen moved to approve the board go into closed session provided in Section 21.5(1)(i) of the Iowa Code; To evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation and that individual requests a closed session.  Sornson seconded.  Roll call vote: O’Loughlin– aye, Hansen: aye, Smith: aye, Sornson – aye, Trimble – aye. Motion carried 5-0 and moved into closed session at 7:30 p.m.   The Board exited closed session at 8:14 pm and no official business was transacted during this closed session.

8.

ADJOURNMENT

Trimble moved to adjourn the meeting. O'Loughlin second, motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 8:15 pm.

_____________________________________                         ____________________________________

Eric B. Smith, Chair                                                                               Nikki M. Sidles, Acting Secretary