The 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 1st St West, Independence, Iowa on July 20, 2023. Board members present: Kim Hansen, Gina Trimble, Eric Smith, Audrey Hill and Charlie McCardle. Also present: Superintendent Phillips, Board Secretary Morine, Press representative – John Klotzbach. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
President Hansen welcomed new Superintendent Cynthia Phillips to the district.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA – Motion by Trimble, second by McCardle to approve the agenda. Motion carried 5-0.
CONSIDERATION OF ACTION ON CONSENT ITEMS – Motion by Smith, second by Trimble to approve all the consent items. Motion carried 5-0.
A. Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting on June 19, 2023.
B. Approval of Board Policies (*changes noted)
Second Readings:
POLICY #
POLICY NAME
1.
705.1* and 705.1R1, and 705.1R2*
Purchasing – Bidding, Suspension and Debarment of Vendors and Contractors Procedure, and Using Federal Funds in Procurement Contracts
C. Approval of Resignations
NAME
ASSIGNMENT
DATE
Bob Beatty
JSH JH Girls Track Coach
06/27/2023
Timothy Darland
JSH JH Boys Basketball Coach
07/03/2023
David Morkel
JSH Head Girls Tennis Coach
06/22/2023
Jason Penner
JSH JH .5 FTE Football Coach
06/29/2023
Allison Sorg
JSH JH Girls Basketball Coach
06/26/2023
D. Approval of Transfers/Reassignments
NAME
PREVIOUS ASSIGNMENT
NEW ASSIGNMENT
SALARY
DATE
Jenna Cooksley
JSH Assist Boys Tennis Coach
JSH Head Girls Tennis Coach
$4,164
3/11/2023
Alex Farmer
JSH .5 FTE Assist Boys Wrestling Coach
JSH Assist Girls Wrestling Coach
$2,888
10/30/2023
Julie Magee
Central Office 8.0 hr to Administrative Assistant
JSH 8.0 hr Activities Secretary
18.25/hr
08/7/2023
E. Approval of New Hires (pending acceptable background checks)
NAME
ASSIGNMENT
SALARY
DATE
Kaitlyn Craft
East Elem Special Ed Teacher
$45,957
08/16/2023
Nikki Farrenkopf
Bus Garage 6.5 hr Bus Para
$14.10/hr
08/23/2023
Ashley Foreman
JSH Yearbook Sponsor
$3,554
08/23/2023
Carter Harris
JSH Assistant Football Coach
$2,776
08/07/2023
Allyson Hearn
Elementary Summer School Teacher
$30.00/hr
07/31/2023
Brittany Holt
Elementary Summer School Teacher
$30.00/hr
07/31/2023
Sue Knott
Elementary Summer School Teacher
$30.00/hr
07/31/2023
Reid Lewin
JSH Color Guard Sponsor
$1,736
08/07/2023
Ashley Nehl
West Elem 7.0 hr Special Ed Para
$14.55/hr
08/23/2023
Pam Rasmussen
ICSD MHI 7.0 hr Special Ed Para
$16.65/hr
08/23/2023
Brooke Reed
Elementary Summer School Teacher
$30.00/hr
7/31/2023
Joe Schmitz
JSH Math/PE/At-Risk Teacher
$56,028
08/17/2023
Kristy Ward
JSH Silver Cord Sponsor
$2,000
08/23/2023
Rebecca Wearmouth
Bus Garage 6.5 hr Van Driver
$14.50/hr
08/23/2023
Andrea Werner
Elementary Summer School Coordinator
$2,000
07/31/2023
F. Approval of Financial Reports
1. Bills – Director Hill reviewed the bills – Hansen will review in August
2. Budget Report
ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS and PRESENTATIONS
A. Comments from the Public - none
B. Comments from the Board/Superintendent – Board members gave their monthly reports. Congratulations to Kim Hansen for being appointed to the Iowa High School Music Association Board. The first day to turn in papers to run for the School Board is August 28th and the last day to turn them in is September 21st. Supt. Phillips reported the staff and community have been very welcoming and looks forward to serving the community. She has been busy meeting with staff and will be getting out into the community soon.
REPORTS
A. Building Administrator Reports
1. Junior-Senior High School Principal/Assistant Principal
2. East Elementary/Early Childhood Center Principals
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
NEW BUSINESS
Consider Approval of the Agreement for Sports Injury Coverage between Independence Community Schools and Buchanan County Health Center through July 31, 2024. Motion by Trimble, second by Hill to approve the Agreement for Sports Injury Coverage between Independence Community Schools and Buchanan County Health Center through July 31, 2024. Motion carried 5-0.
Consider Approval of the Agreement for Wellness Programming between Independence Community Schools and Buchanan County Health Center through July 31, 2024. Motion by Trimble, second by McCardle to approve the Agreement for Wellness Programming between Independence Community Schools and Buchanan County Health Center through July 31, 2024. Motion carried 5-0.
Consider Approval of the Tri-County Child and Family Development Council, Inc. 2023-2024 Contracted Services Agreement. Motion by Hill, second by Trimble to approve the Tri-County Child and Family Development Council, Inc. 2023-2024 Contracted Services Agreement. Motion carried 5-0.
Consider Approval of the Yearbook Agreement with Jostens, Inc. for 2024 through 2025. Motion by McCardle, second by Smith to approve the Yearbook Agreement with Jostens, Inc for 2024 through 2025. Motion carried 5-0.
Legislative Priorities – The Board discussed the legislative priorities and selected: Mental Health, Teacher Recruitment and Licensure, School Safety and Private School Choice. The board also felt Local Accountability/Decision Making and Sharing/Reorganization are important.
ADJOURNMENT – McCardle moved to adjourn the meeting. Hill second. Motion carried 5-0 and the meeting adjourned at 6:47 pm.
