Board Minutes - 2023.04.17

A regular meeting of the Independence Community School Board was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by President Kim Hansen at the Administration Office, 1207 1^st St West, Independence, Iowa on April 17, 2023.  Board members present: Kim Hansen, Gina Trimble, Eric Smith and Audrey Hill.  Charlie McCardle joined via Zoom.  Also present: Superintendent Reiter, Board Secretary Morine, administration, board members, the press and guests.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

2.

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

3.

CONSIDERATION OF ACTION ON CONSENT ITEMS – Smith moved to approve consent items 3A-E.  Hill second.  Smith mentioned language change in second reading of Policy # 606.9 - Insufficient Classroom Space. Recommended to modify Policy #701.05R – Fiscal Management and Financial Metrics first reading to change goals of UAB range to 8-12% and Solvency Ratio to 10%.   Hansen thanked Christie Litterer for her support and love for our students and wished her well in her retirement. Motion carried 4-0, with Trimble abstaining since her spouse was on the hire list.  

1. Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting on March 20, 2023, the special meeting on March 21, 2023, the special meeting on March 28, 2023, the public meetings on March 30, 2023, and the special meeting on April 11, 2023.

B. Approval of Board Policies (*changes noted)

Second Readings:

First Readings:

C. Approval of Resignations

D. Approval of Transfers/Reassignments

*Pending 2023-2024 Negotiations

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

*Pending 2023-2024 Negotiations

F. Approval of Financial Reports – Trimble moved to approve the financial reports. Smith

second the motion.  Smith acquired about the Ahlers & Cooney invoice.  Motion carried 5-0.

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

     2.  Budget Report

4.

ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS and PRESENTATIONS

A.  Comments from the Public - Lloyd Davis talked about Mustang Pride, Charlie Morris talked in support of our boys’ basketball program, Dave Martin talked about the boys’ basketball programs accomplishments, and Emily Calahan talked in favor of the boys’ basketball program and staff.

B. Comments from the Board/Superintendent – Trimble wanted to thank the community members, staff and students for their time and efforts during the Superintendent interview process.  Congratulations to Cynthia Phillips as she will start July 1 as our Superintendent.  Trimble had attended the DEI committee meeting, budget meeting and two negotiations sessions with certified staff.  She had attended the year end speech activities as well as the Cheerleading banquet and tennis meets. She thanked all those involved in the successful prom.  Smith shared a proud parent moment as he attended a college level event for his daughter. She supported her teammates as well as her competitors.  He wanted to thank the coaches and sponsors his daughter had during her time at Independence schools. Smith thanked the community member that passed on pictures to him on the doors being propped open. Smith asked to be on the next agenda about the restrooms in the JSH.  Hill thanked everyone for making her feel welcomed to the board.  Hill was very impressed with the process that was used to hire the new superintendent as it was an improvement from when she had been last involved.  Hill thanked Cheri Reed for the Educational Acronym Alphabet Soup list.  Hansen thanked Immanuel Lutheran Church for sponsoring the Post Prom Breakfast.  Hansen, Hill and Smith will be attending the IASB Summit for Student Success next week.  There is a noon webinar on May 15^th that she encourages board members to watch.  The Building Trades will have an open house on April 30^th.  Be sure to check Facebook as Precision Plumbing Heating and Air is donating for each like and share of the Facebook post. Hansen has been attending the negotiations meetings.  Supt Reiter also mentioned the Building Trades Home Open House on April 30th.  Congratulations to the Jazz Band as they competed at the State Jazz Band Competition and placed 4^th out of 15 bands.  June 1^st will be the students last day of school.  There is a tour scheduled for MHI this week and next week the board will meet for Facility Planning. Supt Reiter asked that if staff sees any doors propped open that they should be letting the administration know and follow the chain of command.

C. Presentations

     1.  District Communication Plan – Beth Strike from the Central Rivers AEA and Supt Reiter reviewed the District Communication Audit.

     2.  Updated Curriculum and Recommendations for Purchase of Materials – Erin Burmeister reviewed the current curriculums used in each area and talked about what our curriculum needs may be coming up.

5.

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

6.

OLD BUSINESS

A. Review East/West Elementary Construction Project – Supt. Reiter provided an update on the project and working on getting an inspection date set.

B. Review the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee – Supt. Reiter indicated the committee had met and there were good conversations and appreciated the student’s involvement on the committee.  The next meeting date is May 8^th.

7.

NEW BUSINESS

A. Consider Approval of the Amended 2022-2023 Certified Budget – Trimble moved to approve the Amended 2022-2023 Certified Budget.  Smith second, motion carried 5-0.

B. Consider Approval of the Proposed 2023-2024 Certified Budget – Hill moved to approve the Proposed 2023-2034 Certified Budget.   Trimble second, motion carried 5-0.  Trimble again thanked the community for their support in passing the PPEL levy.  The tax rate for FY23-24 will be $13.34, down from $13.39.

C. Consider Approval of the Independence Community School District Graduate Candidates                for May 2023 – Smith moved to approve the Independence Community School District Graduate Candidates for May 2023.  Trimble second, motion carried 5-0.  BCSC graduation is May 17^th and High School graduation is May 21^st.

8.

ADJOURNMENT – Smith moved to adjourn the meeting.  Trimble second, motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 7:35 pm.

________________________________                   ____________________________________

Kim Hansen, President                                               Laura Morine, Board Secretary