Board Minutes - 2023.10.16

Independence Community School Board Meeting

  Regular Meeting

October 16, 2023

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 October 16, 2023.  Board members present: Kim Hansen, Gina Trimble, Audrey Hill and Charlie McCardle. Eric Smith was absent.  Also present: Superintendent Phillips, Board Secretary Morine.  Admin/Directors:  JHS Principal Kleman, Asst JSH Principal Hupke, West Principal Reed, East Principal Reidy, School Improvement Director Burmeister, Technology Director Noyes and Food Director Wendel.  Guests:  Amanda Fisher and John Bagge.  Mitch Barnett joined at 6:10 pm. Unfortunately the district’s Facebook page is down but the recordings are on the district website.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.   Treats were provided to celebrate Principal Appreciation Month.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA – Motion by McCardle, second by Trimble to approve the agenda.  Motion carried 4-0.

CONSIDERATION OF ACTION ON CONSENT ITEMS – Motion by Hill, second by Trimble to approve the consent items.  Supt. Phillips stated the shalls will not be changed to wills in upcoming board policies so that the policies align with the Iowa School Board Association Primer.  Motion carried 4-0.

     A. Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting on September 21, 2023 and the special meeting on September 29, 2023.

     B. Approval of Board Policies (*changes noted)

     Second Readings:

 

POLICY #

POLICY NAME

1.

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

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

2.

402.02* and 402.02R1

Child Abuse Reporting and Child Abuse Reporting Regulation

3.

505.05*

Testing Program

4.

505.06*

Graduation Requirements

5.

507.02*, 507.02E1*, 507.02E2*,                     507.02E3 (new), and 507.02E4 (new)

Administration of Medication to Students, Authorization-Asthma Airway Constricting or Respiratory Distress Medication Self-Administration Consent Form, Parental Permission for Administering Medication at School, Parental Authorization and Release Form for Independent Self Carry and Administration of Prescribed Medication or Independent Delivery of Health Services by the Student, and Parental Authorization and Release Form for the Administration of Voluntary School Stock of Over-the-Counter Medication to Students

6.

601.01*

School Calendar

7.

603.04* and 604.04E1

Health Education and Human Growth and Development Student Excuse Form

8.

605.01 and 605.01R1*

Instructional Materials Selection and Selection of Instructional Materials

9.

607.02* and 607.02R1*

Student Health Services and Student Health Services Administrative Regulations

10.

804.08* and                 804.08E1 (new)

Stock Medication for Life Threatening Incidents and Parental Authorization and Release Form for the Administration of a Voluntary School Supply of Stock Medication for Life Threatening Incidents

 

     First Readings:

 

POLICY #

POLICY NAME

1.

501.01

Resident Students

2.

501.03*

Compulsory Attendance

3.

501.04

Entrance – Admissions

4.

501.05

Attendance Center Assignment

5.

501.06*

Student Transfers In

6.

501.07*

Student Transfers Out or Withdrawals

7.

501.08

Student Attendance Records

8.

501.09* and 501.09E1

Student Absences – Excused and Request for Remote Learning Form

9.

501.10, 501.10E1, and 501.10R1

Truancy, Sample Letter to Parent/Guardian(s) Regarding Attendance, and Truancy Regulation

 

     C. Approval of Resignations

NAME

ASSIGNMENT

DATE

Charles Bare

JSH .5 FTE Robotics

10/11/2023

Paula Decker

West Elem 3.0 hr Food Service Worker

12/22/2023

 

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

NAME

ASSIGNMENT

SALARY

DATE

Andria Anderson

JSH Assistant Large Group Speech

$1,388

12/04/2023

Christina Garrigus-Jones

ECC .5 hr Crossing Guard Para (a.m.)

$16.00/hr

10/02/2023

Kimberly Kremer

MHI Four Oaks 7.0 hr Special Ed Para

$14.10/hr

09/25/2023

Michelle Ryckman

ECC 4.0 hr Special Ed Para

$14.10/hr

09/25/2023

 

 

 

     E. Approval of Financial Reports

         1.  Bills – Director Hill reviewed the bills – McCardle will review in November

         2.  Budget Report

ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS and PRESENTATIONS

  1. Comments from the Public – none
  1. Comments from the Board/Superintendent – Board members gave their reports.  It is important that residents of the district get out to vote for the school board election on November 7th.  Early voting at the Auditors office starts October 18th.  Thanks to the Independence Teachers Association for hosting the Board Candidate Forum.  Board members also thanked the Principals for what they do in the district.  Supt. Phillips agreed with the board in thanking our Principals.  Parent Teachers Conferences are this week.  Supt. Phillips had a shout out and thanks to Supt. Justin Stockdale from Dike-New Hartford as he is mentoring Supt Phillips in her first year of superintendency. Certified Enrollment numbers are slightly up. The open enrollment numbers are higher than our open enrollment out.  The board retreat will be held October 19th in the board room.

 

  1. Presentations
  1. Student Learning Goals for 2023-2024 were presented by Erin Burmeister. These goals were reviewed and recommended by the SIAC committee.

 

REPORTS

A. Building Administrator Reports

     1.  Junior-Senior High School

     2.  West Elementary

     3.  East Elementary/Early Childhood Center

Principals were excused after their reports.

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 – Director Wendel reported that last year’s free and reduced status has expired today and there are 84 families that have not reapplied for the Free and Reduced status. These applications are required every year.  Director Wendel also indicated that all students can receive a reimbursable meal, no matter their balance.  Purchases from ALA Carte are not available if there are not funds in the student’s account. Parents can log into MySchoolBucks.com to view their student’s purchases.                                                                                                                                    

     5.  Director of Buildings & Grounds Report

     6.  Director of Transportation Report

NEW BUSINESS

  1. Consider Approval of Contract with Music Theatre International (MTI) for the Spring 2024 Musical – Motion by Trimble, second by McCardle to approve the Contract with Music Theatre International (MTI) for the Spring 2024 Musical: Little Women. Motion carried 4-0.
  1. Consider Approval of the Cooperative Sharing Agreement with Dunkerton Community School District for Mock Trial for 2023-2024 – Motion by McCardle, second by Hill to approve the Cooperative Sharing Agreement with Dunkerton Community School District for Mock Trial for 2023-2024. Motion carried 4-0.
  1. Consider Approval of the Supplemental Agreement for the Fixed Asset Inventory Module with Software Unlimited, Inc. (SUI) – Motion by Trimble, second by McCardle to approve the Supplemental Agreement for the Fixed Asset Inventory Module with Software Unlimited, Inc. (SUI).  Motion carried 4-0.
  1. Consider Approval of Student Learning Goals 2023-2024 – Motion by Hill, second by McCardle to approve the Student Learning Goals 2023-2024. Motion carried 4-0.
  1. Closed Session – Motion by Trimble, second by McCardle to go into closed session as provided in Section 21.5(1)(i) of the Iowa Code; To evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation and that individual requests a closed session.  Roll call vote:  Trimble – ‘aye’, Hill – ‘aye’, Hansen – ‘aye’, McCardle – ‘aye’.  Motion carried 4-0.

At 7:00 pm, the board took a recess to clear the room for the closed session.  The board entered into closed session at 7:12 pm.  The board exited the closed session at 7:55 pm.  No official transaction took place during the closed session.

ADJOURNMENT – McCardle moved to adjourn the meeting.  Trimble second. Motion carried 4-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:57 pm.

Respectfully Submitted:

 

______________________________________      _____________________________________

Kim Hansen, Board President                                  Laura Morine, Board Secretary