Board Minutes - 2021.10.18

A regular meeting of the Independence Community School Board was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chair Eric Smith at the Administration Office, 1207 1^st St West, Independence, Iowa on October 18, 2021.    Board members present:  Eric Smith, Kim Hansen, Jennifer Sornson, Gina Trimble, and Brad Bleichner.  Also attending:  Supt. Reiter, Board Secretary Morine, administrators, directors, local press and guests. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.  

APPROVAL OF AGENDA – Hansen moved to approve the agenda, Sornson second, motion carried 5-0.

CONSIDERATION OF ACTION ON CONSENT ITEMS – Bleichner moved to approve the consent items but remove Policy 906.2-Tobacco/Nicotine-Free Environment from Second Readings, Policy 905.1-Transporting Students in Private Vehicles from First Readings and to make sure all the shall wording is changed to will in the first reading policies and second reading policies.  Trimble second, motion carried 5-0.

A. Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting on September 20, 2021.

B. Approval of Board Policies (*changes noted)

Second Readings:

First Readings:

C. Approval of Resignations

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

E. Approval of Financial Reports

     1.  Bills – Director Bleichner reviewed the bills – Hansen will review in November

     2.  Budget Report

ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS and PRESENTATIONS

1. Comments from the Public - none.
2.  Comments from the Board/Superintendent – Smith reviewed the action items from the previous meeting and said he enjoyed the Homecoming activities.  Trimble said it was great to be able to celebrate Homecoming activities again and thanked all the people that worked on it in the background to make it a success.  Hansen stated she liked the evening parade and also congratulated the marching band and directors on a very successful season.   Supt. Reiter indicated that he is working with Asst. Principal Hupke on a presentation for the Global K-12 Education Research Association that will be seen globally. The Shijiazhaung Foreign Language Education Group is still interested in developing a sister school relationship. The WAMAC Conference Superintendents will be discussing Esports at their November meeting. There will be an open house at the East and West Elementary buildings on Thursday, October 21^st from 6:00pm to 7:30 pm for the community to see the renovations and new construction project.  Certified Enrollment was certified and enrollment has increased about 16 students from last year.  

C. Presentations

     1.  Elementary Math Interventions – Erin Rosburg indicated that she is focusing on 1^st and 3^rd grade students that need help with some of the math standards and they are seeing great results.  

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. Review East/West Elementary Construction Project – A construction meeting is scheduled for Tuesday morning with a walk thru to see what needs to be finalized yet. Restrooms in the West Elementary are just getting started.

B. Update from the Junior/Senior High School Grading Coalition – School Improvement Director Burmeister indicated they are continuing to work on communication with the parents and community about standards referenced grading. Teachers were able to reach a lot of parents during the Parent Teacher Conferences.  Some of the JSH teachers are currently doing a book study on standards referenced grading and it has created great discussions.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Consider Approval of the Construction Change Order(s) – Sornson moved to approve the construction change order #6 in the amount of $58,043.25.  Bleichner second, motion carried 5-0.

2. Consider Approval of the 2021-2022 Propane Agreement with Consolidated Energy Co. – Hansen moved to approve the 2021-2022 Propane Agreement with Consolidated Energy Co.  Sornson second, motion carried 5-0.

3. Consider Approval of Contract with Music Theatre International (MTI) for the Spring 2022 Musical – Hansen moved to approve the contract with Music Theatre International (MTI) for the Spring 2022 Musical.  Trimble second.  Musical Director Amanda Fisher indicated they had selected Beauty and the Beast as it has a fairly large cast since the district has a lot of talented students for the roles.  She also presented a preliminary budget for the production.  Motion carried 5-0.

4. Consider Approval of the Following to a Three-Year Term to the Mustang Foundation Board:  Dr. Dan Kegler – Trimble moved to approve Dr. Dan Kegler to fill the three-year term on the Mustang Foundation Board.   Hansen second, motion carried 5-0.

5. Consider Approval of Appendix L of the Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan – Sornson moved to approve Appendix L of the Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.  Hansen second.   Supt. Reiter indicated that the county needs to put together the Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan and the school district is a part of this plan.  Motion carried 5-0.

6. Consider Approval of the Resolution for School Budget Review Committee (SBRC) Modified Supplement Amount (MSA) for Asbestos Abatement – Trimble moved to approve the Resolution for School Budget Review Committee (SBRC) Modified Supplement Amount (MSA) for Asbestos Abatement in the amount of $64,480.47.   Hansen second.  Roll call vote:  Trimble – aye, Bleichner – aye, Hansen – aye, Smith – aye, Sornson – aye.  Motion carried 5-0.

ADJOURNMENT – Bleichner moved to adjourn the meeting.  Sornson second.  Motion carried 5-0 and the meeting was adjourned at 7:10 pm.

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Eric B Smith, Chair                                                          Laura J. Morine, Board Secretary