Board Minutes - 2024.06.17

 

Independence Community School Board Meeting

Regular Meeting

June 17, 2024             

 

REGULAR MEETING

The regular meeting of the Independence Community School Board was called to order by President Kim Hansen at 6:00 pm at the District Office, 1207 1st St West, Independence, Iowa on June 17, 2024. Board members present: Kim Hansen, Gina Trimble, Charlie McCardle, and Audrey Hill. Mitch Barnett joined via Zoom.  Also attending Supt. Phillips and Acting Board Secretary Schaul, Principals: Kleman, and Reidy, Directors: Burmeister and Noyes. Also, Janet Grafft and Rusty Donnelly were in attendance.   The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

AGENDA

Amendment to the agenda as follows: 

Add New Business Item 7.O. Consider Approval of the Capturing Kids’ Hearts Agreement for 2024-2025

7.O. becomes 7.P. and 7.P. becomes 7.Q.

Supt. Phillips made the note to remove policy 505.09 from the exhibits as it was reviewed/revised in March 2024 and was included in the packet inadvertently.

 – Trimble moved to approve the agenda as amended. Hill second, motion carried 5-0.

 

CONSIDERATION OF ACTION ON CONSENT ITEMS - Motion by Trimble, second by McCardle to approve the consent items.  Motion carried 4-0, McCardle abstained. 

 

A. Approval of the minutes of the public hearing and regular meeting on May 20, 2024 and the special meeting on May 24, 2024.

 

B. Approval of Board Policies (*changes noted)

Second Readings:

 

POLICY #

POLICY NAME

1.

405.02*

Licensed Employee Qualifications, Recruitment, Selection

2.

411.02*

Classified Employee Qualifications, Recruitment, Selection

3.

507.08 and R1*

Student Special Health Services and Special Health Services Regulation

4.

704.01*

Local – State – Federal – Miscellaneous Revenue

5.

706.02*

Payroll Deductions

6.

706.03* and R1*

Reduction in Employee Pay and Reduction in Employee Pay Regulation

7.

707.01*

Presentation and Publication of Financial Information

8.

707.02 Delete Policy;

Incorporated into Policy

707.01

Secretary/Treasurer’s Annual Report

9.

707.03 Delete Policy;

Incorporated into Policy 707.01

Publication of Financial Reports

10.

707.07*

Audit

 

       First Readings:

 

POLICY #

POLICY NAME

1.

505.01

Assignment of Courses

2.

505.02

Student Progress Reports and Conferences

3.

505.04

Student Honors and Awards

4.

505.05

Testing Program

5.

505.07

Early Graduation

6.

505.08

Commencement

7.

506.01, 506.01E1, 506.01E2, 506.01E3, 506.01E4, 506.01E5, 506.01E6, 506.01E7, 506.01E8, and 506.01R1

Education Records Access, Request of Nonparent for Examination or Copies of Education Records, Authorization for Release of Education Records, Request for Hearing on Correction of Education Records, Request for Examination of Education Records, Notification of Transfer of Education Records, Letter to Parent Regarding Receipt of a Subpoena, Juvenile Justice Agency Information Sharing Agreement, Annual Notice, and Use of Education Records Regulation

8.

506.02, 506.02E1, and 506.02R1

Student Directory Information, Authorization for Releasing Student Directory Information, and Use of Directory Information

9.

506.03

Student Photographs

10.

506.04 and 506.04R1

Student Library Circulation Records and Request for Access to Student Library Circulation Records

 

 

C. Approval of Resignations

NAME

ASSIGNMENT

DATE

Bob Beatty

JSH JH Cross Country Coach

05/29/2024

Chad Beatty

JSH Head Boys Basketball Coach

05/30/2024

John Butler

Bus Garage 4.0 hr Bus Driver

06/11/2024

Megan Rawlins

JSH JH Volleyball Coach

06/14/2024

Megan Rawlins

JSH Head Boys Track Coach

06/14/2024

Michelle Ryckman

ECC 4.0 hr Special Ed Para

06/04/2024

Maddie Wegmann

JSH Assistant Large Group Speech Director

05/21/2024

Gary Weston

Bus Garage 5.5 hr Bus Driver

06/07/2024

 

 

D. Approval of Transfers/Reassignments

NAME

PREVIOUS ASSIGNMENT

NEW ASSIGNMENT

SALARY

DATE

Matthew Mosher

JSH 8.0 hr Custodian

District Buildings and Grounds Worker

$18.60/hr

07/01/2024

Maddie Wegmann

JSH .5 FTE Large Group Speech Director

JSH 1.0 FTE Large Group Speech Director

$2,500

08/20/2024

 

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

 

NAME

ASSIGNMENT

SALARY

DATE

Jennifer Anderson

District Director of Special Education

$75,000

07/01/2024

Bradley Arnold

JSH Head Boys Basketball Coach

$5,500

11/18/2024

Morgan Kruse

JSH Math Teacher (One Year Contract)

$53,881

08/19/2024

John Moran

JSH Summer School Para

$13.50/hr

06/10/2024

Teri Neil

JSH Summer School Teacher

$35.00/hr

06/10/2024

Lisa Preuss

JSH Summer School Para

$20.27/hr

06/10/2024

Maddie Wegmann

JSH Auditorium Manager/Fall Play

$3,000

07/01/2024

Maddie Wegmann

JSH Auditorium Manager/Spring Musical

$3,000

07/01/2024

 

 

 

 

TLC:

 

 

 

Collaborative Team Leaders

 

 

LouAnn Bresson

ECC Preschool

$4,000

07/01/2024

Kelly Mitchell

East Elem 1st Grade

$4,000

07/01/2024

Kate Grover

East Elem 2nd Grade

$4,000

07/01/2024

Lyndzi Eschen

West Elem 3rd Grade

$4,000

07/01/2024

Jaci Matthews

West Elem 4th Grade

$4,000

07/01/2024

Paige Koritz

West Elem 5th Grade

$4,000

07/01/2024

Sara Thome

West Elem 6th Grade

$4,000

07/01/2024

Wade Stahr

JSH CTE (Career Technical Education)

$4,000

07/01/2024

Becky Uchytil

PK-6 Special Education

$4,000

07/01/2024

Kerry Pasker

District-Wide Interventions/Title I

$4,000

07/01/2024

Bridget Brown

District-Wide Lead Mentor Teacher

$4,000

07/01/2024

Content Leaders

 

 

 

Sue Henry

JSH English/Language Arts

$2,000

07/01/2024

Garry Anderson

JSH Science

$2,000

07/01/2024

Michael Doyle

JSH Math

$2,000

07/01/2024

Initiative Leaders

 

 

 

Jon Carey

JSH Capturing Kids Hearts (CKH)

$2,000

07/01/2024

Brook Carey

JSH Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)

$2,000

07/01/2024

 

 

 

 

F. Approval of Financial Reports

     1.  Bills – Director Trimble reviewed the bills – Hill will review in July

     2.  Budget Report

G.  Approval of Contractor’s Application for Payment #2 (Bid Form #2) and Payment #3 final (Bid Form #2) - Independence CSD – 2024 Baseball Field Improvements

H. Donations

     1. Guns vs. Hoses Fundraiser for ICSD Food Service Department

     2. Office Towne for ICSD Food Service Department

     3. Brandon United Methodist Women for ICSD Food Service Department

I. Grants

     1.  Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa Special Education Revamp

ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS and PRESENTATIONS

A. Comments from the Public. - none

B. Presentations

     1.  EMC Annual Insurance Proposal – Rusty Donnelly from Smith D&L Insurance reported information about the annual insurance proposal.

C. Comments from the Board/Superintendent – Two board members and Supt. Phillips recently attended 2nd Annual IASB Summit on Student Success.  Director Barnett announced that he has accepted a position at Texas A&M University and will be resigning at the July 15th board meeting.  Superintendent Phillips recapped the end of the year celebration with the staff which included the inaugural Golden Horseshoe Awards, the Wellness Walk, and staff lunch.  Supt. Phillips also explained the process of filling a school board vacancy.  

REPORTS

A. Building Administrator Reports

     1.  Junior-Senior High School

     2.  East Elementary/Early Childhood Center and West Elementary

    

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. Update of Fiscal Year 2023 Audit

The Fiscal Year 2023 Audit is not back yet. An extension has been filed through September 30, 2024.

 

NEW BUSINESS

A. Consider Approval of the Agreement with Concord Theatricals for the 2025 Spring Musical

Hill moved, Trimble second to approve the Agreement with Concord Theatricals for the 2025 Spring Musical.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

B. Consider Approval of the Memory Book Company Publication Agreement for 2024-2025

Trimble moved, McCardle second to approve the Memory Book Company Publication Agreement for 2024-2025.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

C. Consider Approval of the EMC Annual Insurance Proposal

Trimble moved, McCardle second to Approve the EMC Annual Insurance Proposal with the inclusion of the buy back $25,000 deductible, #2 one deductible for all three buildings, and add umbrella #3.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

D. Consider Approval of the PowerSchool Access Agreement with Grant Wood Area Education Agency for 2024-2025

Hill moved, Trimble second to Approve the PowerSchool Access Agreement with Grant Wood Area Education Agency for 2024-2025.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

E. Consider Approval of the Operating Agreement between St. John School and Independence Community School District through June 30, 2025

McCardle moved, Hill second to Approve the Operating Agreement between St. John School and Independence Community School District through June 30, 2025.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

F. Consider Approval of the Buildings & Grounds Manager Shared Services Agreement with East Buchanan Community School District (80/20%) 2024-2025

Striking the words “and stipend agreement” in Item #1 of the agreement.

McCardle moved, Trimble second to Approve the Buildings & Grounds Manager Shared Services Agreement with East Buchanan Community School District (80/20%) 2024-2025 while striking the words “and stipend agreement” in Item #1.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

G. Consider Approval of the School Social Worker Shared Services Agreement with East Buchanan Community School District (60/40%) for 2024-2025

Hill moved, Trimble second to approve the School Social Worker Shared Services Agreement with East Buchanan Community School District (60/40%) for 2024-2025.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

H. Consider Approval of the HR Director Shared Services Agreement with the Jesup Community School District (80/20%) for 2024-2025

Striking the words “and stipend agreement” in Item #1 of the agreement.

McCardle moved, Hill second to approve the HR Director Shared Services Agreement with the Jesup Community School District (80/20%) for 2024-2025 while striking the words “and stipend agreement” in Item #1.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

I. Consider Approval of the Curriculum Director Shared Services Agreement with Dike-New Hartford Community School District (80/20%) for 2024-2025

Striking the words “and stipend agreement” in Item #1 of the agreement.

Hill moved, Barnett second to approve the Curriculum Director Shared Services Agreement with Dike-New Hartford Community School District (80/20%) for 2024-2025 while striking the words “and stipend agreement” in Item #1.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

J. Consider Approval of the Director of Special Education Shared Services Agreement with Dike-New Hartford Community School District (80/20%) for 2024-2025

Striking the words “and stipend agreement” in Item #1 of the agreement.

Trimble moved, McCardle second to approve the Director of Special Education Shared Services Agreement with Dike-New Hartford Community School District (80/20%) for 2024-2025 while striking the words “and stipend agreement” in Item #1.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

K. Consider Approval of the Tri-County Child and Family Development Council, Inc. 2024-2025 Contracted Services Agreement

McCardle moved, Trimble second to approve the Tri-County Child and Family Development Council, Inc. 2024-2025 Contracted Services Agreement.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

L. Discussion of School Picture Vendors

No action, only information.  3 vendors returned RFP’s (Josten, Empire, and Lifetouch).  Comparison chart of 32 items/criteria with tech needs and family needs.  Lifetouch is the recommendation and the contract will be coming in July. 

 

M. Consider Approval of the Board Resolution to Transfer Funds of up to $10,000.00 for Protective Athletic Equipment

Resolution Authorizing Transfer of General Fund to Student Activities Fund for Protective Gear

Whereas participation in athletic and other school extracurricular activities furthers the skills, development, character and growth of our students, and

Whereas safety of our student athletes is of paramount importance to the district, and

Whereas student activity funds are insufficient to cover the costs of refurbishing of purchasing protective and safety gear required by the Athletic Associations for students participating in those activities, and

Whereas the Iowa Legislature authorizes school boards to use school general funds for these purposes consistent with the enactment of HF 564 during the 2017 Legislative Session, effective for the school year beginning July 1, 2016, and subsequent school years,

Be it Therefore Resolved:

That the Board of Directors of the Independence Community School District approves the transfer of up to $10,000.00 from the general fund to the student activity fund for expenditures that occurred between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024 for protective and safety gear required for athletic competition.

 

McCardle moved to approve the above resolution. Second by Trimble.  Roll call vote:  Hill – aye, McCardle – aye, Trimble – aye, Barnett – aye, Hansen – aye.  Resolution passed 5-0.

 

N. Consider Approval of Appointing Janet Grafft as Board Secretary/Treasurer as of July 1, 2024

Trimble moved, McCardle second to approve Appointing Janet Grafft as Board Secretary/Treasurer as of July 1, 2024.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

O. Consider Approval of the Capturing Kids Hearts Service Agreement for 2024-2025

McCardle moved, Hill second to approve the Capturing Kids Hearts Service Agreement for 2024-2025.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

P. Closed Session – Motion by Trimble, second by Barnett 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:  Hill – aye, McCardle – aye, Trimble – aye, Barnett – aye, Hansen – aye. 

Motion carried 5-0.

 

At 7:29 p.m. the board took a recess to clear the room for the closed session.  The board entered into closed session at 7:47 pm.  The board exited the closed session at 9:17 pm. 

 

Q. Superintendent’s Contract

McCardle moved, Barnett second to approve Superintendent Phillip’s salary of $176, 000, to add one year to the continuing three-year contract, and to amend item #13 to $2,000 upon successful completion of her doctorate degree in May of 2025.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

ADJOURNMENT – McCardle moved, Barnett second to adjourn the meeting.  Motion carried 5-0 and the meeting adjourned at 9:24 pm.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted:

 

 

______________________________________      _____________________________________

Kim Hansen, Board President                                  Lori Schaul, Acting Board Secretary