PUBLIC HEARING
The Public Hearing for the 2021-2020 proposed school calendar started at 5:50 p.m. at the Jr/Sr High School Auditorium, Independence, Iowa on February 15, 2021. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
No public comments were presented. Supt. Reiter thanked the calendar committee for their time and efforts. He also reported that with the construction projects at East and West Elementary, the start date could possibly be pushed back a week and the committee has an alternate calendar prepared. If there is a delay, the plans are to announce it at the July 2021 board meeting. There was overwhelming support to continue the Friday early outs for professional development. Also, Martin Luther King Day will now be a no school day. Public hearing adjourned at 5:55 pm.
REGULAR MEETING
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 February 15, 2021. Board members present: Eric Smith, Kim Hansen, Matt O’Loughlin, Jennifer Sornson and Gina Trimble. Also attending: Supt Reiter, Board Secretary Laura Morine, building administrators, Steve Noyes, and guests.
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APPROVAL OF AGENDA- Trimble moved to approve the agenda but striking the English Language Learner Presentation. Hansen 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.
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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 O’Loughlin reviewed the bills. Smith to review in March 2. Budget Report
ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS and PRESENTATIONS
1. English Language Learners (ELL) Program – presentation postponed until next month. 2. Chromebooks – Steve Noyes, Director of Technology discussed the Chromebook Plan for 2021-2022. The district will need to purchase 1,200 Chromebooks. Prices are a bit higher than we originally budgeted but the models we are looking at have a longer End of Life period. Noyes indicated that the devices will need to be ordered in March so they are ready for the students when school starts this fall.
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. Return to Learn Plan Update - Supt. Reiter reported that the District Leadership Team will be meeting this week. More students are returning to the classroom from remote learning. Any future full snow days will now become remote learning days. B. Review East/West Elementary Construction Project – The West stage has been removed and progress is being made. Supt Reiter is updating photos on the district’s website. C. Final Fiscal Year 2020 Audit – Director of Finance Morine indicated the audit has been filed with the State Auditors office and it was a clean audit.
NEW BUSINESS A. Consider Approval of the 2021-2022 School Calendar – Sornson moved to approve the 2021-2022 School Calendar. O’Loughlin second, motion carried 5-0. B. Consider Approval of Employee Early Retirements – Trimble moved to approve the Employee Early Retirements. Hansen second, motion carried 5-0. Thank you and best wishes to Diane Kinseth – 35 years in the district; David Lang – 28 years in the district; Bonnie O’Brien – 19 years in the district. Enjoy your retirement. C. Consider Approval of the Travel Request Form – October 2021 National FFA Convention to Indianapolis, IN. O’Loughlin moved to approve the Travel Request Form – October 2021 National FFA Convention to Indianapolis, IN. Hansen second, motion approved 5-0. D. Consider Approval of the Travel Request Form – December 2021 Music Department Trip to Orlando, Florida – Trimble moved to approve the Travel Request Form – December 2021 Music Department Trip to Orlando, Florida. Sornson second, motion carried 5-0. E. Consider Approval of Agreement between Independence Community School District and Larson Construction Co., Inc. for the East/West Elementary Construction Project – Trimble moved to approve the Agreement between Independence Community School District and Larson Construction Co., Inc. for the East/West Elementary Construction Project. Hansen second, motion carried 5-0. F. Consider Approval of the Independence Community School District Early Graduation Applicants for March 2021 – O’Loughlin moved to approve the Independence Community School District Early Graduation Applicants for March 2021. Hansen second, motion carried 5-0. G. Consider Approval of the Proposed Hawkeye Community College (HCC) Courses for 2021-2022 – O’Loughlin moved to approve the Proposed Hawkeye Community College (HCC) Courses for 2021-2022. Trimble second, motion carried 5-0. H. Consider Approval of the Farm Lease for 2021-2022 – Sornson move the Farm Lease for 2021-2022. Hansen second, motion carried 5-0. I. School Resource Officer (SRO) Discussion – Supt Reiter has been budgeting for a shared SRO officer from At-Risk funds. A 50/50 partnership could be with the City of Independence. Chief Dallenbach agreed that this program would be very beneficial for the community and knows of communities where the SRO has been successful. To have an effective program, the SRO needs to be proactive and develop relationships with the students. Ideally this would start in the elementary grades. There is work to be done in defining a job description, objectives and goals for the program as well as obtaining research and data from district that currently utilize an SRO in their district.
ADJOURNMENT – Sornson moved to adjourn the regular meeting. O’Loughlin second, motion carried 5-0. Meeting was adjourned at 7:40 pm.
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