Minutes
Regular Board of Directors’ Meeting
May 18, 2020
5:30 p.m. Board Conference Room, Adams Elementary School
Call to Order:
Board Vice-President Duane Horsley called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. via teleconference due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Board members present: Onica Ulveling, Cindy Johnson, Jennifer Munson, Duane Horsley, and Karen Friedlein. Duane Horsley agreed to chair the meeting as Karen Friedlein was out of town and uncertain of her internet connection reliability. Staff members present: Dr. Casey Berlau, and Gary Bengtson. Others present: Nathan Konz, and Rebecca McKinsey.
Approval of Agenda:
It was moved by Jennifer Munson to approve the agenda as presented. Duane Horsley seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the motion passed as follows:
Ayes: Onica, Cindy, Jennifer, Duane, Karen Nays: None
Consent Agenda:
- Minutes of the April 27th, Board meeting:
- Bill listings in the following amounts:
General Fund $328,552.45
Student Activity Fund $4,220.09
Physical Plant and Equipment Levy $6,072.94
Local Option Sales Tax $23,531.99
Debt Service $918,329.30
Nutrition Fund $32,183.43
- Resignations:
- Field Trips:
- Items Withdrawn from Consent Agenda:
It was moved by Cindy Johnson to approve the consent agenda. Jennifer Munson seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the motion passed as follows:
Ayes: Cindy, Jennifer, Duane, Karen, Onica Nays: None
Public Forum:
- School Board Appreciation Month:
Dr. Casey Berlau stated that May is School Board Appreciation month and he thanked the Board members for all they do for the children in the community.
- Public Comment:
There was no one present with an issue to bring before the Board.
Donations:
There were no donations for the month.
Personnel Report:
A. Approval for Employment:
The following recommendations for employment were presented for approval:
• Randy Bissen is recommending Katie Kock for a Head Varsity Girls’ Basketball coaching position. If approved, Ms. Kock would be on Step 0 of the salary schedule and would receive $4,485.00. Approval is recommended.
• Jerry Raymond is recommending Kim Cleveland for a special education teacher associate position at the Carroll Middle School. If approved, Ms. Cleveland would work 7 hours per day and be paid $11.50 per hour. Approval is recommended contingent upon receipt of a clear background check.
• Sue Ruch is recommending Julie Chumbley for the Before and After School Program Director position at $18.00 per hour for 4 hours per day. In addition Ms. Chumbley will continue to work 3 hours per day as a general education teacher associate at her current rate of pay for that position. Approval is recommended.
• Sue Ruch is recommending Kelly Sander for a special education teacher associate preschool position at Fairview. If approved she would work 6.75 hours per day. Approval is recommended contingent upon receipt of a clear background check.
• Casey Berlau is recommending Diane Renneke be approved for a Letter of Assignment to continue employment as the district’s accounts payable coordinator on an as-needed basis This Letter of Assignment would become effective July 1, 2020 and continue through a date to be determined. IPERS contributions and health insurance coverage would continue. Diane would be approved to work up to 30 hours per week if needed. Approval is recommended.
• Sue Ruch is recommending the following teachers for Teacher Leadership positions at Fairview and Adams Elementary:
Ryan Simmelink Instructional Coach
Holly Warnke PLC Leader
Candice Ostrich PLC Leader
Sarah Schroeder PLC Leader
Peggy Hamilton PLC Leader
Sara Hamilton PLC Leader
Carrie Hampton PLC Leader
Kathy Halbur PLC Leader
Becky Roberts PLC Leader
Tina Netusil Mentor
Bev Schmitt-Kirsch Mentor
Ali Schon Mentor
Amanda Warnaca Mentor
Ashley Wuebker Mentor
• Jerry Raymond is recommending the following teachers for Teacher Leadership positions at Carroll Middle School:
Ann Neumann Instructional Coach
Christena Miller PLC Leader
Jesse Strong PLC Leader
Kaitlynn Kaufman PLC Leader
Lindsey Pick PLC Leader
Peggy McDonald PLC Leader
Rachel Menken PLC Leader
Tom Borchers PLC Leader
Jodi Handlos Oversight Committee
• Tammie McKenzie is recommending the following teachers for Teacher Leadership positions at Carroll High School:
Becky Boes Instructional Coach
Shelley Helmich PLC Leader
Bob Pauk PLC Leader
Doug Leiting PLC Leader
Nicole Cote PLC Leader
Kim Renning Oversight Committee
• Dr. Casey Berlau recommended Kelli Schulz for an Instructional Coach position
B. Contract Modifications:
Dr. Berlau stated that Sue Ruch is recommending that teacher associate Paula Finken’s letter of assignment be increased to include 1.75 hours in the morning working in the Before and After School Program as a general education teacher associate. Ms. Finken currently works 6.75 hours per day as a special education teacher associate at Fairview. Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year she will work will work 6.25 hours in special education and 1.75 hours in general education for a total of eight hours per day.
It was moved by Karen Friedlein to approve the employment recommendations and contract modification as stated. Onica Ulveling seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the motion passed as follows:
Ayes: Jennifer, Duane, Karen, Onica, Cindy Nays: None
- Non-Bargaining Wages and Salaries:
Dr. Casey Berlau presented a recommendation to approve a pool of funds for non-bargaining staff totaling $88,669 or a total increase of 2.76%. The increase would be a package increase of 2.75% for all groups except secretaries which would be 2.85%.
It was moved by Jennifer Munson to approve the pool of $88,669 or a 2.76 package increase for non-bargaining personnel. Onica Ulveling seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the motion passed as follows:
Ayes: Duane, Karen, Onica, Cindy, Jennifer Nays: None
Administrative Report:
- Superintendent Report:
Dr. Berlau updated the Board on graduation plans for the district. The plan now would be for a graduation ceremony in the Carroll Athletic Stadium on the weekend of June 27th. Each graduate could invite four guests and social distancing would be required. He stated retiring personnel would be recognized virtually this spring and would be invited back to the district in August for recognition.
Dr. Casey Berlau also reviewed flexibility in school start date with the district planning to remain at August 25, 2020. He said district continues to work on the Return to Learn Plan which will be filed with the state.
- Administrator Mentoring and Induction Program with SAI:
Dr. Casey Berlau reported that the district is required to have a mentoring program for new administrators. He stated the district has used the School Administrators of Iowa Mentoring and Induction Program since this became a requirement.
It was moved by Jennifer Munson to approve the agreement with School Administrators of Iowa for the 2020-2021 school year. Karen Friedlein seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the motion passed as follows:
Ayes: Karen, Onica, Cindy, Jennifer, Duane Nays: None
- Transportation Agreement with Region XII COG:
Dr. Casey Berlau presented a transportation agreement with Region XII Council of Governments for transporting a student to the Woodward Academy during the school year. This agreement is a continuation to an existing agreement the district has with Region XII this year.
It was moved by Cindy Johnson to approve the transportation agreement with Region XII Council of Governments. Onica Ulveling seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the motion passed as follows:
Ayes: Onica, Cindy, Jennifer, Duane, Karen Nays: None
- 2020-2021 Student Registration Process:
Dr. Casey Berlau reported that a press release was distributed today stating that online registration for the 2020-2021 school year will be available as of July 1, 2020. Walk-in registration will be held July 27th and July 28th in the Adams Elementary Board Conference Room.
- Approve Agreement with Carroll Education Association:
Dr. Casey Berlau reminded the Board that they settled a two year agreement with the Carroll Education Association last year and that agreement called for a 2.75% package increase for the 2020-2021 school year. The agreement both sides settled on includes a 5.36% insurance increase, $230 on the base salary, and several minor changes in Schedule C stipends to reach the 2.75% increase.
It was moved by Jennifer Munson to approve the 2.75% package agreement with the Carroll Education Association for the 2020-2021 school year. Onica Ulveling seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the motion passed as follows:
Ayes: Cindy, Jennifer, Duane, Karen, Onica Nays: None
- Approve Agreement with the Carroll Education Support Association:
Dr. Casey Berlau said that the Board settled a two year agreement with the Carroll Education Support Association last year and that agreement called for a 3.59% package increase for the 2020-2021 school year. The agreement both sides settled on includes a 6.63% insurance increase, $.30 per hour for teacher associates, $.59 per hour increase for the route drivers, $.60 per hour for the activity drivers, and $.25 per hour increase for the student/supply driver.
It was moved by Jennifer Munson to approve the 3.59% package agreement with the Carroll Education Support Association for the 2020-2021 school year. Karen Friedlein seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the motion passed as follows:
Ayes: Jennifer, Duane, Karen, Onica, Cindy Nays: None
- Approve CEA Employee Handbooks:
- Approve CESA Employee Handbooks:
Dr. Casey Berlau presented the employee handbooks for the CEA and the CESA for the 2020-2021 school year. The handbooks are unchanged from the previous year.
It was moved by Karen Friedlein to approve the CEA and CESA employee handbooks as presented. Cindy Johnson seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the motion passed as follows:
Ayes: Duane, Karen, Onica, Cindy, Jennifer Nays: None
- Update Job Descriptions:
Dr. Berlau presented an updated job description for the position of Student Information Specialist.
It was moved by Karen Friedlein to approve the revised job description for the position of Student Information Specialist. Jennifer Munson seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the motion passed as follows:
Ayes: Karen, Onica, Cindy, Jennifer, Duane Nays: None
Business Office Report:
- Lunch Prices for 2020-2021:
Gary Bengtson recommended this item be tabled until the next Board meeting.
- Capital Outlay:
- Water Heater:
Dr. Casey Berlau presented three bids for a replacement water heater at Adams Elementary. The low bid was from Carroll Controls for a cost of $11,350.00.
It was moved by Jennifer Munson to accept the bid from Carroll Controls for a water heater at a cost of $11,350.00. Karen Friedlein seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the motion passed as follows:
Ayes: Onica, Cindy, Jennifer, Duane, Karen Nays: None
- Technology Purchases:
Dr. Berlau presented a request from Craig Rowedder to purchase 350 chromebooks at a cost of $199 apiece from FireFly Computers for a total cost of $78,050.00. These would replace exiting district chromebooks.
It was moved by Jennifer Munson to approve the technology purchases.
Karen Friedlein seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the motion passed as follows:
Ayes: Cindy, Jennifer, Duane, Karen, Onica Nays: None
- Summer Projects – Buildings and Grounds:
Dr. Berlau briefly reviewed some possible summer projects and stated the district would be working on a more comprehensive project list in the future. He said the district may be more conservative than usual with questions on both the PPEL and sales tax funding due to the COVID pandemic.
- Budget Reports:
Gary Bengtson briefly reviewed the budget reports but stated that due to the date of the Board meeting this month personnel costs for May were not included. Updated reports will be available later in the week.
Correspondence/Announcements/Information:
- Last Day of School – May 22nd
- Regular June Board Meeting – June 15th
- Special Board Meeting – End of Year Bills – June 26th – Noon
Suggestions for June 15th Board Meeting:
- Approve Student and Staff Handbooks for 2020-2021:
Adjournment:
It was moved by Jennifer Munson to adjourn the meeting at 7:10 p.m. Karen Friedlein seconded the motion. Unanimous approval.
____________________________ _____________________________
Karen Friedlein, President Gary Bengtson, Board Secretary
Approved: _____________________
