Independence Community School District
Special Board Meeting and Work Session Minutes -Amended 8/16/21
August 2, 2021
The Independence Community School Board started out with a tour of the West and East Elementary building projects at 6:00 pm on August 2, 2021. Board members present: Eric Smith, Kim Hansen, Jennifer Sornson, and Gina Trimble. Also attending: Superintendent Reiter, Board Secretary Morine. Principals Kay Reidy and Cheri Reed, Bldgs. & Grounds Director Chad O’Brien and Doug Larson from Larson Construction. Brad Bleichner joined for the East walk through.
SPECIAL MEETING
A special meeting of the Independence Community School Board was called to order by Chair Eric Smith at 7:00 pm on August 2, 2021 at the Administration Building, 1207 1st St West, Independence Iowa. The pledge of allegiance was recited. Board members present: Eric Smith, Kim Hansen, Jennifer Sornson, Gina Trimble, and Brad Bleichner. Also attending: Superintendent Reiter, Board Secretary Morine, Principals Kay Reidy and Cheri Reed, Bldgs. & Grounds Director Chad O’Brien and Doug Larson from Larson Construction.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA – Sornson moved to approve the amended agenda by adding new hire of Danielle Childs. Hansen second motion, carried 5-0.
CONSIDERATION OF ACTION ON CONSENT ITEMS – Hansen moved to approve the consent items. Sornson second, motion carried 5-0.
- Approval of Resignations
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B. Approval of Transfers/Reassignments |
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Nashville, Tennessee C. Approval of New Hires (pending acceptable background checks) |
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St. Louis, Missouri |
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NEW BUSINESS
- Consider Approval of the Construction Change Order – Trimble moved to Approve the Construction Change Order. Bleichner second, motion carried 5 -0.
B. Consider Approval of the Revised 2021-2022 School Calendar – Sornson moved to approve Calendar Option C – start date of August 26th.. Bleichner second the motion. Supt Reiter thanked Larson Construction for all that they have done so far, the additional hours and staff, along with hiring additional contractors to work on meeting the deadlines. It has been greatly appreciated. Supt Reiter reviewed the calendar options before board discussions were held. Doug Larson provided additional information. Principals Reed and Reidy expressed their concerns about giving teacher adequate time to get their rooms cleaned and organized before students arrive. Sornson amended her motion and Bleichner second - School Start day will be August 26th. There will be a full day an early out day of school on December 23rd instead of a half day a no school day as well as school on January 17th and the final day will be made up on May 27th. If for some reason the school gets delayed from the August 26th start date, the makeup day will be May 30. The professional development and staff days will be determined by the Administration. Motion carried 4-1 with Hansen voting nay.
ADJOURNMENT – Trimble moved to adjourn the meeting. Sornson second, motion carried 5-0. Meeting was adjourned at 7:45 pm.
WORK SESSION
The board discussed the new Iowa’s Standards for School Leaders that were effective July 1, 2021. These new standards are more about each student, their well-being and success and less about adhering to policies. Supt Reiter will select two or three goals for the year and discuss those with the board. The board plans to do a mid-year evaluation at the October meeting. This session ended at 8:10 pm and no official business took place during the work session.
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Eric B. Smith, Chairperson Laura J. Morine, Board Secretary
