A regular meeting of the Independence Community School Board was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chair Eric Smith at the Jr/Sr High School Auditorium, Independence, Iowa on October 19, 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 – Hansen moved to approve the agenda with moving new business item E. Consider Approval of Baseball/Softball Facility Improvements to be the first agenda item under new business. Trimble second, motion carried 5-0. CONSIDERATION OF ACTION ON CONSENT ITEMS – Sornson moved to approve the consent items. O’Loughlin second, motion carried 5-0. A. Approval of the minutes of regular meeting on September 21, 2020 and the work session on September 30, 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 1. Bills – Director Sornson audited the bills 2. Budget Report
ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS and PRESENTATIONS A. Comments from the Public. None B. Comments from the Board/Superintendent – Trimble congratulated the football, volleyballs and cross-country teams on their fall seasons and wishes them luck in post season. Smith reported that the proposed IASB Legislative Priorities for 2021 are: Preschool, Mental Health, School Funding Policy, Supplemental State and a new one: Covid-19 Remediation. Superintendent Reiter reported our certified enrollment is 1390.56. This is down a little over 36 students but our students served is only down 8 students as our open enrollment in is up 19 students and open enrollment out is down 8. As winter is approaching, Supt. Reiter is developing criteria on when virtual snow days will be used. He will look at the forecast, length of forecasted storm and the timing of the storm. Supt Reiter indicated that in November, he would present information for a possible Early Retirement package. On October 26th, HSR will be available for a virtual open house for the West and East Elementary projects. Supt. Reiter also reminded board members to fill out the attendance survey for the fall IASB Virtual Conference so the appropriate registrations can be made. C. Presentations 1. FY2020 Financial Update – Director of Finance Morine presented the FY2020 financial update. The district’s General Fund solvency ratio increased from 13.68% to 17.77% and the district’s unspent balance increased to $1,812,614. The boards unspent balance goal is $2,000,000. The district’s finances are heading in the right direction.
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 – The attendance to the fall play will have limited tickets for sale and livestreaming connections. 2. Director of School Improvement Report 3. Director of Technology Report 4. Director of Food Service Report – the Federal free meals have been extended thru the end of the school year. Food Director Harbaugh has seen a decrease in the sack lunches for JSH students. 5. Director of Buildings & Grounds Report 6. Director of Transportation Report
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS E. Consider Approval of Baseball/Softball Facility Improvements – Trimble moved to approve the Baseball/Softball Facility Improvements funded by the community. Sornson second, motion carried 5-0. Mr. Hupke addressed the board as a parent and part of the community group that wants to upgrade the softball/baseball facilities by adding two new batting cage, 16x48 storage shed, provide additional standing room on the bleachers and overhead netting for shade and foul ball protection. These improvements are estimated to cost $100,000 and would be funded 100% by private donation, so no district funds would be used on the construction of these improvements.
A. Consider Approval of the 2020-2021 Propane Agreement with Consolidated Energy Co. – Hansen moved to approve the 2020-2021 Propane Agreement with Consolidated Energy Co for 17,500 gallons. O’Loughlin second, motion carried 5-0.
B. Consider Approval of the Following to a Three-Year Term to the Mustang Foundation Board: Rob Robinson, Jeremy Hahn, Lloyd Davis, and Megan Rasmussen – Sornson moved to approve adding the following to a Three-Year Term to the Mustang Foundation Board: Rob Robinson, Jeremy Hahn, Lloyd Davis, and Megan Rasmussen. Hansen second, motion carried 5-0.
C. Consider Approval of the Resolution to Consider Continued Participation in the Instructional Support Program. Trimble moved to approve the Resolution to Consider Continued Participation in the Instructional Support Program. O’Loughlin second. Roll call vote: Trimble – aye, O’Loughlin – aye, Hansen – aye, Smith – aye and Sornson - aye. Motion carried 5-0.
D. Consider Approval of the Allowable Growth for Negative Special Education Balance – O’Loughlin moved to approve the Allowable Growth for Negative Special Education Balance for $221,684.11. Hansen second, motion carried 5-0.
ADJOURNMENT – Trimble moved to adjourn the meeting. Sornson second, motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 6:57 pm.
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