Board Minutes - 2022.09.19

Independence Community School District Board Meeting

Regular Meeting

September 19, 2022

The regular meeting was called to order at 6:04 pm by Chair Eric Smith at the Administrative Office, Independence, IA on September 19, 2022.  Members Present: Eric Smith, Kim Hansen, Gina Trimble, Charlie McCardle and Brad Bleichner.  Superintendent Reiter, Admin/Directors: Kleman, Hupke, Putz, Reed, Reidy, Burmeister, Wendel, Obrien, and Chesmore were present along with other guests and presenters. Board Secretary Morine was absent.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.  

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA – Hansen moved to approve the agenda. McCardle second, motion

carried 5-0

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONSIDERATION OF ACTION ON CONSENT ITEMS – Bleichner moved to approve the consent items.  McCardle second, motion carried 5-0.

 

 

 

 

  1. Approval of the minutes of the work session on August 8, 2022 and the regular meeting on

August 15, 2022.

 

 

 

 

 

 

B. Approval of Board Policies (*changes noted)

 

 

 

Second Readings:

 

 

 

POLICY #

POLICY NAME

1.

501.17*

Homeless Children and Youth

2.

505.6*

Graduation Requirements

3.

607.1*

Student Guidance and Counseling Program

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Readings:

 

 

 

POLICY #

POLICY NAME

1.

100*

Legal Status of the School District

2.

101*

Educational Philosophy of the School District

3.

102*

School District Instructional Organization

4.

103, 103.E1, 103.E2, 103.E3, 103.E4, 103.E5, 103.E6, and 103.R1*

Equal Educational Opportunity, Annual Notice of Nondiscrimination, Continuous Notice of Nondiscrimination, Section 504 Student and Parental Rights, Discrimination Complaint Form, Witness Disclosure Form, Disposition of Complaint Form, and Grievance Procedure

5.

104*

The People and Their School District

6.

104.1*

Independence Community Schools Operating Principles for the Administration and Staff

7.

104.2

Independence Community Schools Operating Principles for the Board of Education

8.

105*and 105.R1

Long-Range Needs Assessment and Long-Range Needs Assessment Regulation

9.

106*, 106.E1, 106.E2, 106.E3, and 106.R1*

Anti-Bullying/Anti-Harassment Policy, Complaint Form (Discrimination, Anti-Bullying, and Anti-Harassment), Witness Disclosure Form, Disposition of Complaint Form, and Anti-Bullying/Anti-Harassment Investigation Procedures

10.

107

Assistance Animals

11.

108*

Discrimination and Harassment Based on Sex Prohibited

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

C. Approval of Resignations

 

 

NAME

ASSIGNMENT

DATE

Melissa Becker

JSH 5.75 hr Cook/Food Service Worker

08/18/2022

Allissa Clauson

JH Girls Basketball Coach

09/13/2022

Kenzie Fischels

JH Girls Track Coach

08/18/2022

Eryca Hingtgen-Bass

JSH Assist Girls Basketball Coach

08/22/2022

Karen Sherrets

East Elem 2.5 hr Dishwasher/Food Service Worker

08/23/2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

D. Approval of Transfers/Reassignments

 

 

NAME

PREVIOUS ASSIGNMENT

NEW ASSIGNMENT

SALARY

DATE

Rachel Main

JSH 7.0 hr Sp Ed Para

ECC 7.0 hr Sp Ed Para

$13.85/hr

08/23/2022

Jennifer Stull

JSH 7.0 hr Sp Ed Para

West Elem 7.0 hr Sp Ed Para

$13.55/hr

08/23/2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

NAME

ASSIGNMENT

SALARY

DATE

Jeremy Carter

East Elem 2.5 hr Dishwasher/Food Service Worker

$13.15/hr

09/06/2022

Michelle Culp

West Elem 7.25 hr Special Ed Para

$14.35/hr

09/26/2022

Hugh DeBerg

JH Boys Basketball Coach

$2,426

11/14/2022

Kara Hoyle

West Elem 7.25 hr Special Ed Para

$13.20/hr

08/23/2022

Rachel Main

ECC .5 hr Crosswalk Para (P.M.)

$13.85/hr

08/25/2022

Megan Rawlins

JH Volleyball Coach

$2,426

08/29/2022

Ann Schnepf

JSH 5.75 hr Cook/Food Service Worker

$13.15/hr

09/12/2022

Shaunna Shepherd

JSH 5.75 hr Cook/Food Service Worker

$15.10/hr

09/06/2022

Pat Szobonya

West Elem 5.5 hr Special Ed Para

$13.20/hr

08/23/2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

F. Approval of Financial Reports

 

 

 

     1.  Bills – Director McCardle reviewed the bills – Smith will review in October

 

 

     2.  Budget Report

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS and PRESENTATIONS

 

 

 

A. Comments from the Public - None

 

 

 

 

 

 

B. Comments from the Board/Superintendent – McCardle shared how much fun he has had while taking pictures during Homecoming activities.  Smith shared the results of the IASB Special Delegate Assembly was 94% support to change the association’s bylaws to allow membership with any national school board association.  Supt Reiter stated the start of the school year went well. Supt Reiter continues to work in partnership with the city and county on childcare issues.   We are really going to push teacher retention and recruiting during the upcoming legislative session along with increased SSA rate. After the Certified Annual Report (CAR) was filed our General Fund continues to be healthy.  ESSER funds have helped that healthy balance. Best of Luck with the upcoming Homecoming week.

 

 

 

The board meeting recessed at 6:10 pm to address technology issues. The meeting resumed at 6:13 pm.

 

 

 

C. Presentations

 

 

     1.  High School Baseball Outfield – Matt Miller reviewed the updates to the facilities over the last few years and the ongoing issue with drainage in the outfield. Brian Eddy presented options to resolve the drainage in the outfield. Their recommendation is to install turf and have it funded 100% by private donations.  Asking for the board’s approval to proceed before they continue to solicit donations and the project wouldn’t start until it was fully funded.

 

 

     2.  District’s Professional Learning – Erin Burmeister gave an update on the District’s Professional Learning plan that was submitted to the State.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 – Supt. Reiter said the outstanding issues are: Fire rated doors have arrived and will be installed on Friday. Still working on the carpet adhesion issue.  Smith brought up the water drainage from the West Elementary roof.

 

 

 

 

 

B. Review Grade Inflation Task Force – Smith gave an overview of the data that was available from Powerschool from 2016 to 2022. This task force will continue to meet.

 

 

 

 

 

C. Grading Coalition Update – Burmeister thanked Principal Kleman for his active participation. The communication has been updated and letters out to parents. The Coalition decided to continue with the 4-point scale with the 0.5 increments for this school year.  The “4” needs to be defined in the proficiency scale and provide opportunities to the students to obtain the “4”.   The Coalition also feels like there needs to be more training of staff. The conversion will continue to a letter grade.

 

 

 

 

 

D. Review the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee – Supt Reiter provided the list of committee members and looking for a meeting date to talk about setting goals for the district. Hansen moved to appoint Trimble to the board.  Bleichner second, motion carried 5-0.  

 

 

 

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

 

A. Consider Approval to Convert the Baseball Outfield to Turf with 100% Donated Funds – Hansen moved to approve to Convert the Baseball Outfield to Turf with 100% Donated Funds and Labor.  Trimble second, motion carried 5-0.

 

 

 

 

 

B. Consider Approval of Softball Upgrades with 100% Donated Funds and Volunteer Support – McCardle moved approve of Softball Upgrades with 100% Donated Funds and Volunteer Support.  Trimble second, motion carried 5-0. 

 

 

 

 

 

C. Consider Approval of the Travel Request Form – November 2022 – Michael Doyle to Fort Worth, TX – McCardle moved to approve the Travel Request Form – November 2022 – Michael Doyle to Fort Worth, TX.  Bleichner second, motion carried 5-0.

 

 

 

 

 

D. Consider Approval of the Charter Bus Contact for Charter No. 122309 with Tri-State Travel for the High School Marching Band for October 8-9, 2022.   Hansen moved to approve the Charter Bus Contact for Charter No. 122309, in the amount of $5090, with Tri-State Travel for the High School Marching Band for October 8-9, 2022.  McCardle second, motion carried 5-0.

 

 

 

 

 

E. Consider Approval of the Cooperative Sharing Agreement with East Buchanan Schools for Robotics for the 2022-2023 School Year – Hansen moved to approve the Cooperative Sharing Agreement with East Buchanan Schools for Robotics for the 2022-2023 School Year.  Trimble second, motion carried 5-0.

 

 

 

 

 

F. Consider Approval of the Cooperative Sharing Agreement with East Buchanan Community School District for Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer, and Boys Bowling for 2022-2023.  Hansen moved to approval of the Cooperative Sharing Agreement with East Buchanan Community School District for Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer, and Boys Bowling for 2022-2023.  McCardle second, motion carried 5-0.

 

 

 

 

 

G. Consider Approval of the Cooperative Sharing Agreement with Jesup Community School District for Girls Bowling, Girls Wrestling, Boys Soccer, and Girls Soccer for 2022-2023 – Hansen moved the approval of the Cooperative Sharing Agreement with Jesup Community School District for Girls Bowling, Girls Wrestling, Boys Soccer, and Girls Soccer for 2022-2023. Bleichner second, motion carried 5-0.

 

 

 

 

 

H. Consider Approval of the School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC) Membership for 2022-2023.  McCardle moved to approve the School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC) Membership for 2022-2023.  Bleichner second, motion carried 5-0.

 

 

 

 

 

I. Consider Approval of the Allowable Growth for Negative Special Education Balance – Hansen moved to approve the Allowable Growth for Negative Special Education Balance in the amount of $23,722.65.  McCardle second, motion carried 5-0.

 

 

 

 

 

 

J. Discussion of the September 13th PPEL Referendum Vote – The September 13th PPEL Vote lacked 17 votes to pass.  Supt. Reiter outlined options on how to move forward. March 7th is the next available vote before the PPEL Referendum expires.  Supt Reiter believes that even though we asked to increase the PPEL levy by $0.27 that the overall tax rate would not increase. The Board will have a work session the first part of October to explore the PPEL vote and capital needs.    

 

 

 

 

K. Closed Session

 

 

 

We need a motion to recess to a closed session as provided in Section 21.5(1)(k) of the Iowa Code; To discuss information contained in records in the custody of a governmental body that are confidential records pursuant to section 22.7, subsection 50.

McCardle moved to move into closed session. Bleichner second.  Roll call vote:   Smith-aye, Trimble-aye, Bleichner-aye, Hansen-aye, McCardle-aye.  The board recessed at 8:08 pm.  The meeting resumed at 8:15 pm.

 

Moved into closed session at 8:15 pm.  No official action was taken during the closed session and the session ended at 8:55 pm.

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT – Hansen moved to adjourn the meeting.   McCardle second, motion carried 5-0 and the meeting adjourned at 8:56 pm.

 

______________________________                     _________________________

 

 

  

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

 

 

                                                                                     Minutes created by listening to Facebook

                                                                                     Live as Mrs.Morine was absent from meeting.