Minutes
Regular Board of Directors’ Meeting
September 21, 2020
5:30 p.m. Board Conference Room, Adams Elementary School
Call to Order:
Board President Karen Friedlein called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. in the Board Conference Room of the Adams Elementary School. Board members present: Onica Ulveling, Cindy Johnson, Jennifer Munson, and Karen Friedlein. Duane Horsley joined the meeting via telephone. Staff members present: Dr. Casey Berlau, Gary Bengtson, Patrick Rabbitt, Jerry Raymond, and Tammie McKenzie. Others present: Brad Jorgensen, Jen Jorgensen, Jen Sibenaller, Anne Collison, Jean Ludwig, Nikki Olberding, Casie Forke-Burke. The meeting was also streamed on Zoom due the COVID-19 pandemic.
Approval of Agenda:
It was moved by Jennifer Munson to approve the Board agenda. Cindy Johnson 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 August 17, 2020 Board meeting:
- Bill listings in the following amounts:
General Fund $233,747.51
Student Activity Fund $19,057.77
Local Option Sales Tax $11,052.01
Nutrition Fund $24,858.17
Physical Plant & Equipment Levy $15,425.04
- Resignations:
- Items Withdrawn from Consent Agenda
It was moved by Jennifer Munson to approve the consent agenda as presented. Onica Ulveling seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the motion passed as follows:
Ayes: Cindy, Jennifer, Duane, Karen, Onica Nays: None
Public Forum:
Several parents addressed the Board about their concerns that the Carroll Middle School was thinking of going to the hybrid model. They encouraged the Board to maintain in-person learning especially for students under high school age. They also suggested the on-line learning would include either live or recorded lessons from their individual instructors. Concern was also raised on how decisions on quarantine were being made and who was making those decisions.
Personnel Report:
A. Employment Recommendations:
• Dr. Casey Berlau is recommending Malinda Mehlhaff for an RN position for the 2020-2021 school year. If approved, Ms. Mehlhaff would be on Step 10 of the Nurse’s salary schedule and would receive $28,791.00. Approval is recommended retroactive to August 27th. One year contract
• Tammie McKenzie is recommending Deb Grote for a regular education teacher associate position at Carroll High School. If approved the hiring would be retroactive to 9/4/20. If approved, Ms. Grote would work 7 hours per day and would be paid $11.84 per hour. Approval is recommended.
• Randy Bissen is recommending Kim Becerra for a middle school volleyball coaching position. If approved, Ms. Becerra would be on Step 7 of the salary schedule and would receive $1,970. Approval is recommended contingent upon receipt of clear background checks.
• Sara Anderson is recommending Tanner Gehling for a foodservice worker position. If approved Mr. Gehling would work 5.5 hours per day and would receive $10.00 per hour.
• Sara Anderson is recommending Rosie Rivas for a foodservice worker position for 5.75 hours per day. Ms. Rivas will work in multiple buildings filling in where needed. If approved, her rate of pay would be $12.50 per hour. Approval is recommended.
B. Volunteer:
• Tammie McKenzie and Bill Polking are recommending Sean Canuso as a volunteer with the speech program. Approval is recommended.
C. Contract Modifications:
• Pat Rabbitt is recommending Amanda Augustus be considered for a Special Education Severe Profound Teacher Associate position for 3.75 hours out of her current 6.75 hour/day position retroactive to September 1st. If approved her rate of pay for the severe profound hours would be $12.72 per hour.
• Pat Rabbitt is recommending Amanda Felix be considered for a Special Education Severe Profound Teacher Associate position for 3.25 hours out of her current 6.75 hour/day position retroactive to September 1st. If approved her rate of pay for the severe profound hours would be $12.67 per hour.
• Pat Rabbitt is recommending Paula Finken be considered for a Special Education Severe Profound Teacher Associate position for 3.25 hours out of her current 8 hour/day position retroactive to September 10th. If approved her rate of pay for the severe profound hours would be $13.42 per hour.
• Pat Rabbitt is recommending Stacy Rummerfield be considered for a Special Education Severe Profound Teacher Associate position for 3.25 hours out of her current 6.75 hour/day position retroactive to September 1st. If approved her rate of pay for the severe profound hours would be $12.92 per hour.
• Pat Rabbitt is recommending Allison Hike be transferred to a Special Education Severe Profound Teacher Associate position for 6.75 hours per day retroactive to September 1st. If approved her rate of pay for the severe profound hours would be $12.92 per hour.
• Tammie McKenzie is recommending Sarah Fineran be transferred to a Special Education Teacher Associate position effective September 24, 2020. If approved her rate of pay would be $12.10 per hour.
It was moved by Jennifer Munson to approve the volunteer, the contract modifications, and the personnel recommendations with the stipulation that the nursing position is for one year only. Onica Ulveling seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the motion passed as follows;
Ayes: Jennifer, Duane, Karen, Onica, Cindy Nays: None
Donations:
Dr. Casey Berlau reviewed the following donations with the Board:
• Slumberland of Carroll would like to donate 300 gallons of hand sanitizer to the Carroll Community School District.
• Kerri Ladehoff would like donate $250 to Tiger Vision.
• The Carroll Rivalry Cup committee donated 14 new golf bags to the boys and girls golf programs.
It was moved by Jennifer Munson to approve the donations. Onica Ulveling seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the motion passed as follows:
Ayes: Duane, Karen, Onica, Cindy, Jennifer Nays: None
Administration Report:
- Superintendents’ Report:
Dr. Casey Berlau began his report by stating that the district’s desire is that all students be in school. He said that currently the district has a total of six students and one staff member who have tested positive for COVID-19. In addition, one hundred and three students are currently quarantined. At this point of the year the district has had approximately 350 students who have been quarantined at some point. Although the data is not perfect it appears that 3 of the quarantined students later tested positive. The majority of cases are from exposure outside of school. This year the attendance rate is consistently running at between 95 and 97 percent. That attendance number is very similar to what the district reported a year ago. The district always reports absentee rates above 10 percent but reaching that number does not mean the building must close.
Dr. Berlau reported that Carroll High School has been in the hybrid model but the district is not currently recommending that for the middle school. He stated the district has plenty of PPE products on hand including gloves, disinfectant, etc.
Dr. Berlau stated that the process for determining quarantine recommendations typically begins with a parent, family member, or public health notifying the school of a potential exposure or positive case. The school then begins to work on contract tracing based on seating charts and other data to determine who may have been exposed. Less than six feet of distance for over 15 consecutive minutes is the standard measurement. That information is sent to public health and either public health or school nurses are making the telephone contact on quarantine recommendations. Quarantine is for fourteen days. Students that test positive are out for ten days from when symptoms first appear.
The Board encouraged the schools to think outside the box with regard to spreading students out to achieve the six foot distance requirement.
- Principals’ Report:
Each principal reported on activities within their buildings including COVID related changes they have implemented.
- Superintendent’s Goals for 2020-2021:
Dr. Casey Berlau reviewed a draft of his goals for the 2020-2021 school year.
Those goals centered around three areas: facilities, training in the area of hiring and human resources, and communications.
- Board Governance Plan for 2020-2021:
Dr. Casey Berlau reviewed a Board of Education Governance Plan for 2020-2021. The report identifies various action items and reports the Board will consider by month.
- Course to College Americorps – College Access Data Sharing Agreement:
Dr. Casey Berlau presented a data sharing agreement with the Iowa College Student Aid Commission. It was moved by Cindy Johnson to approve the Course to College Americorps – College Access Data Sharing Agreement. Onica Ulveling seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the motion passed as follows:
Ayes: Karen, Onica, Cindy, Jennifer, Duane Nays: None
- Secretary to the Transportation Department:
Dr. Casey Berlau presented a job description and a proposal to hire a secretary to assist the transportation department. The Board suggested changing the job title from secretary to assistant to the transportation director.
It was moved by Jennifer Munson to create the position of assistant to the transportation director and move ahead with filling the position. Cindy Johnson seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the motion passed as follows;
Ayes: Onica, Cindy, Jennifer, Duane, Karen Nays: None
- Activity Event Manager: Audio/Visual:
Dr. Casey Berlau presented a job description for an Activity Event Manager: Audio/Visual. This position would replace the Audio Visual Coordinator position in the master contract with the CEA from years ago. The Board suggested the district allow the position be shared among individuals.
It was moved by Jennifer Munson to approve the job description of Activity Event Manager position to assist in the livestreaming of Carroll Community School District events and approve hiring for the position. Onica Ulveling seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the motion passed as follows:
Ayes: Cindy, Jennifer, Duane, Karen, Onica Nays: None
- 28E Agreement with Woodward-Granger Community School District (Grandwood)
Dr. Casey Berlau presented an agreement to Establish a Consortium to Jointly Administer an Instructional Program at Grandwood located within the boundaries of the Woodward-Granger Community School District. He stated the district currently has one student enrolled in this program.
It was moved by Jennifer Munson to approve the agreement with the Woodward-Granger Community School District. Cindy Johnson seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the motion passed as follows:
Ayes: Jennifer, Duane, Karen, Onica, Cindy Nays: None
- Board Policy Revisions:
The Board held a first reading of the following policies and consider waiving the second reading:
• 102 – Equal Education Opportunity
• 104 – Anti-Harassment Anti-Bullying
• 104R1 – Anti-Bullying and Anti-Harassment Regulation
• 105 – Title IX: Discrimination and Harassment on Sex Prohibited
• 401 – Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action
• 424R1 – Abuse of Students by School District Employees
• 426 – Affirmative Actions Grievance Procedure – Delete
• 525 – Student Complaints and Grievances
• 607 – Education Equity
The Board held a second reading on the following policies:
• 427 – Family and Medical Leave, FMLA Notice to Employees, Regulation
and Leave Definitions
• 502 – Student Absences
It was moved by Jennifer Munson to approve the second reading for Board policies 427 and 502. Cindy Johnson seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the motion passed as follows:
Ayes: Duane, Karen, Onica, Cindy, Jennifer Nays: None
It was moved by Jennifer Munson to approve the first reading of Board policies 102, 104, 104R1, 105, 401, 424R1, 525, 607 and waive the second reading and delete policy 426. Cindy Johnson seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the motion passed as follows:
Ayes: Karen, Onica, Cindy, Jennifer, Duane Nays: None
Business Office Report:
A. FY 2020 Annual Settlements:
Gary Bengtson reviewed the annual settlement with the Board. The report detailed the cash balances in each district account as of June 30, 2020.
It was moved by Jennifer Munson to receive and file the Annual Settlements Report. Onica Ulveling seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the motion passed as follows:
Ayes: Onica, Cindy, Jennifer, Duane, Karen Nays: None
- Certified Annual Report:
Gary Bengtson reviewed a summary of the 2019-2020 Certified Annual Report that was filed with the State of Iowa on September 11, 2020.
It was moved by Jennifer Munson to receive and file the 2019-2020 Certified Annual Report. Karen Friedlein seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the motion passed as follows;
Ayes: Cindy, Jennifer, Duane, Karen, Onica Nays: None
- Special Education Supplement for 2019-2020:
Gary Bengtson reviewed the 2019-2020 Special Education Supplement with the Board. The preliminary balance in the special education program on June 30, 2020 was -$707,099.14 compared with a balance of -$662,594.30 for the previous year.
It was moved by Jennifer Munson to request modified allowable growth and supplemental aid for the special education deficit of -$707,099.14. Cindy Johnson seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the motion passed as follows:
Ayes: Jennifer, Duane, Karen, Onica, Cindy Nays: None
- Report on CARES Funds, FEMA Grant, and GEERS Funds:
Gary Bengtson gave a brief report to the Board on federal funds received by the district to assist with COVID related expenses. Dr. Casey Berlau reported on GEERS funding to be received from the state and the district’s plans to use the funding for hot spots and other technology related equipment.
Correspondence/Announcements/Information:
- IASB Employee Relations Conference (virtual) – October 1, 2020
- IASB 75th Annual Convention & Delegate Assembly
November 17th – 19th – virtual platform
- September 21st – No School Professional Development Day
- Homecoming – October 9th
Suggestions for October 19th Board Meeting:
- Certified Enrollment Report
Adjournment:
It was moved by Jennifer Munson to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 p.m. Cindy Johnson seconded the motion. Unanimous approval.
____________________________ _____________________________
Karen Friedlein, President Gary Bengtson, Board Secretary
Approved: _____________________
