Minutes - 2023.2.27

Minutes

Board of Directors Regular Meeting

February 27, 2023

5:30 p.m. Board Room, Adams Elementary

 

Call Meeting to Order: Board President Cindy Johnson called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.

 

Public Forum: No members of the public addressed the board.

 

Roll Call: Board members Karen Friedlein, Duane Horsley, Cindy Johnson, Kristen Lundstrom and Onica Ulveling were all present.

 

Approval of Agenda:

It was moved by Duane Horsley and seconded by Onica Ulveling to approve the Board agenda.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

Recommendation from the Reconsideration Committee:  Onica Ulveling moved to approve the recommendation from the reconsideration committee’s February 20, 2023 meeting to keep the books A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury, and A Court of Frost and Starlight in the CHS media center.  Kristen Lundstrom seconded the motion.  The motion on A Court of Thorns and Roses and A Court of Frost and Starlight passed on a vote of 4–1 with Karen Friedlein voting No.  The motion on A Court of Mist and Fury passed on a vote of 3-2 with Karen Friedlein and Duane Horsley voting No.

 

Opening Offer for 2023-2024 from CEA: CMS Teacher and CEA representative Jesse Strong presented the opening negotiation offer for 2023-24 from CEA with an increase to base salary of $38,000 and total package excluding insurance of $810,237.57 or 8.30%.

 

Opening Offer for 2023-2024 from CCSD to CEA: Dr. Berlau presented the opening offer to CEA from CCSD for 2023-24 with an increase to base salary of $35,000 and total package excluding insurance of $182,857.94 or 2.02%.

 

Presentation:  School Improvement Advisory Council parent members Sondra Rierson and Lindsay Haukap presented to the board regarding the recent SIAC meeting content around the district/building strategic plans and the committee’s appreciation for the data, goals, and work being addressed in the buildings and shared with SIAC members. They discussed some of the conversations that have happened at SIAC meetings around mental health, professional development, rigor of the coursework, and closing the campus at the high school to increase instructional time.

 

Open Public Hearing on the Proposed 2023-24 School Calendar:  President Cindy Johnson declared the public hearing open at 5:47 p.m.  No members of the public addressed the board regarding the calendar.  Dr. Berlau highlighted the main changes with the schedule, including conference weeks having just one night of conferences and March having a full spring break week.

 

Close Public Hearing: President Cindy Johnson declared the public hearing closed at 5:49 p.m.

 

Consider Approval of 2023-2024 School Calendar:  Karen Friedlein moved and Onica Ulveling seconded to approve the 2023-2024 School Calendar as presented.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

Donations: Onica Ulveling motioned and Duane Horsley seconded to approve the following donations: Woodmen of the World, Arcadia Unit - breakfast and office supplies for the staff at CMS for Feb. 13th PD day; Kas Clausen - $250 to The Tiger Cupboard; and Delta Dental - 144 toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss to each Fairview and Adams Elementary.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

Consent Agenda:

  1. Items withdrawn from consent agenda
  2. Minutes from January 16, 2023, January 30, 2023, Reconsideration Committee Minutes February 20, 2023           
  3. Bill List – General Fund- $728,936.21; PPEL- $5,322.41; Nutrition- $49,305.79; Activity Fund - $24,410.10
  4. Administrative Reports
    1. Director of Teaching and Learning
    2. Fairview Elementary Report
    3. Adams Elementary Report
    4. Middle School Report
    5. High School Report
  5. Job Description:  Teacher: Title I
  6. Board Policy Review
    1. First Reading of Board Policies

514            International Students In Student Foreign Exchange Program

                        515            Homeless Children and Youth

    1. Second Reading of Board Policies

                        900             Statement of Guiding Principles

                        902             Releases to News Media - Internal Unit News

                        903             Release to New Media - Board Matters

                        632             Homework

                        632.R1 Homework Regulation

                        500             Objectives for Equal Educational Opportunities for Students

                        501            Compulsory Attendance

                        502            Student Absences - Excuses

                        503            Entrance - Admissions

It was moved by Duane Horsley and seconded by Onica Ulveling to approve the consent agenda as presented.  The motion passed on a unanimous roll call vote.

 

Personnel Report:

RESIGNATIONS:

  1. Michelle Jacobson wishes to resign from her T2K-4th grade music instructor position at the end of the 2022-2023 school year. Michelle has worked at CCSD for two years.
  2. Kristen Campbell wishes to resign from her high school physical education teaching position at the end of the 2022-2023 school year. Kristen has taught at CCSD for one year.
  3. Kyla Schafer wishes to resign from her 4-6 Music position at the end of the 2022-23 school year. Kyla has worked for CCSD for 11 years.
  4. Pam Austin wishes to resign from her Business Teaching position at the end of the 2022-2023 school year. Pam has worked for CCSD for 7 years.
  5. Hailey Klocke wishes to resign from her Tiger Zone teacher associate position effective February 1st.
  6. Jordan Janssen wishes to resign from her special education teacher associate position at Fairview effective February 14th. She will continue to be under contract as a bus driver.
  7. Doug Hoffmann wishes to resign from his custodial position effective March 25th. Doug has worked for CCSD for sixteen years.
  8. Mark Skillen wishes to resign from his custodial position effective February 28th, 2023.  Mark has worked for CCSD for 13 years. 

RECOMMENDATIONS:

  1. Crystal Boes is recommending Amber Gross for a fourth grade teaching position. Amber is a graduate of Iowa State University and is currently working on her Master's Degree in Literacy Education at Morningside University. Amber is currently teaching at Logan-Magnolia CSD. If approved Amber would be on Step 3 of the BA+15 lane of the 2023-2024 salary schedule. Signing bonus of $2,000 is also recommended.
  2. Kourtney Abbotts is recommending Joyce Bierl for the Senior Class Sponsor position. If approved Joyce would receive $1,000.
  3. Kourtney Abbotts is recommending Trevor Joiner for the PE/Strength and Conditioning teaching position as well as Weight Room Coordinator position. Trevor has most recently been teaching at Des Moines Public Schools. If approved he would be on Step 5 of the MA lane of the 2023-2024 salary schedule. Signing bonus of $2,000 is also recommended.
  4. Kourtney Abbotts is recommending Xavier Hernandez for the high school PLTW/Science teaching position. Xavier has most recently been substitute teaching at CCSD. Xavier is a graduate of West Texas A & M University with a degree in biology. He is currently in the RAPIL (Regents Alternative Pathway to Iowa Licensure) program. If approved he would be on Step 0 of the BA lane of the 2023- 2024 salary schedule. Signing bonus of $2,000 is also recommended. Approval is recommended contingent upon his receiving CTE Endorsement.
  5. Sue Ruch is recommending DeAnn Leiting for a Behavioral Interventionist position. DeAnn has a BA from Buena Vista University and Master of Social Work Degree from University of Iowa. She has served as a School Social worker at Ar-We-Va, Heartland Family Service in Harlan, and at Heartland AEA. She has also served as a therapist for Senior Life Solutions and Seasons Center for Behavioral Health. Most recently she has worked at Prairie Lakes AEA (Pocahontas) and the Audubon/Coon Rapids CSD. If approved DeAnn would be paid $64,709. Signing bonus of $2,000 is also recommended.
  6. Kourtney Abbotts is recommending Samantha Block for the high school counselor position. Samantha is a graduate of Buena Vista University and has a master's degree in Professional School Counseling. She has most recently been working as a counselor at Newell-Fonda School. If approved Samantha would be on Step 8 of the MA lane of the 2023-2024 salary schedule. Signing bonus of $2,000 is also recommended.
  7. Craig Rowedder is recommending Cody Wardell for the Technology Technician position. If approved Cody would work 40 hours/week and be paid $20/hour, starting March 1, 2023.
  8. Sue Ruch is recommending Nathan Wuebker for a special education teacher associate at Fairview. If approved Nathan would be paid $13.35 per hour. (Base for Sped TA $13.05 plus thirty cents for 14 years of experience). If approved he would work 6.75 hours per day and begin working March 6th.
  9. Sue Ruch is recommending Abby Munson for a regular education teacher associate position at Fairview (TigerZone). If approved Abby would be paid $12.79 per hour, the base TA pay. If approved she would work 2.25 hours per day and 3 to 4 days/week. If approved she would start March 7th.

CONTRACT MODIFIATIONS:

  1. Jerry Raymond is recommending that Margaret Gruba's teacher associate contract be modified from 4 hours/day to 5.25 hours/day. Margaret's schedule changed when she began driving bus for CCSD in addition to working as a TA at CMS.
  2. Kristen Promes was approved for a Special Education Teaching position for 2023- 2024. Casey Berlau is recommending that Kristen receive a $2,000 signing bonus in addition to her 23-24 salary.
  3. Kourtney Abbotts is recommending that Kristi Shanks contract be amended to add an extended 15 days to her contract for the 2023-2024 school year. Kristi will be taking on some of the student scheduling duties that Mr. McCartan previously did.

VOLUNTEERS:

  1. Sue Ruch would like to recommend the following as volunteers at Fairview: Lindsay Haukap, Courtney Cook, Tasha Goecke, Alicia Patrick, Amanda Halbur, Maria Cullen and Shellie Haluska. Approval of volunteers is recommended contingent upon receipt of clear background checks.

 

Administrative Report:

A.     Approve Wellness Committee – Dr. Berlau discussed with the wellness policy and the related wellness committee.  The current board policy committee that includes district staff, parents/community members, board members, and students along with the food service director, PE and nursing staff, will serve as the wellness committee and will complete the triennial assessment of the policy goals at an upcoming policy committee meeting.

B.    CHS Course Handbook for 2023-2024 – CHS Principal Kourtney Abbotts presented the CHS course handbook for 2023-2024 noting that pieces related to DMACC course offerings are not yet final.  She discussed the pathways concept that is being implemented.  Duane Horsley moved and Onica Ulveling seconded to approve the CHS course handbook.  The motion carried unanimously.

C.    Staffing Plan – Dr. Berlau discussed staffing plans for the upcoming year and where the district currently stands for hiring positions that had been previously approved by the board.

 

Business Office Report:

  1. Capital Outlay:
  1. Garden Tractor – this was tabled to a future meeting.
  1. Change Order on Air Conditioning Project at CMS and FV – The Board reviewed the AIA Document and Carroll Control Systems change order documents, noting that the original contract value of the project of $609,700 is decreasing by $63,600 due to value engineering for a revised contract price of $546,100.  Onica Ulveling moved and Karen Friedlein seconded the change order reducing the project by $63,600.  The motion carried unanimously.
  2. Instructional Support Levy (ISL) Renewal – The board discussed the election timing for the ISL renewal as well as the extension for the Revenue Purpose Statement for the SAVE fund dollars.  The board is tentatively planning on putting the ISL renewal on the November 7th, 2023 election.
  3. Budget Updates
  4. Resolution for interfund balance transfers: For the year ending 6/30/22, the preliminary interfund balances due from the Nutrition Fund and TigerZone were $113,033.46 and $47,557.37.  At the completion of our FY22 audit, the nutrition fund and TigerZone fund must pay those interfund balances to the general fund with board resolution.  Duane Horsley moved and Onica Ulveling seconded to pay the interfund balances due to the General fund from the Nutrition and TigerZone funds for the final FY22 audited interfund balances up to the preliminary amounts presented.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Closed Session for Superintendent Evaluation: At 6:57 p.m., Onica Ulveling moved and Duane Horsley seconded to enter closed session under the provisions of Code of Iowa 21.5.1.i.: “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.  This session will also be closed to comply with the confidentiality of personnel records requirements.”  The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.

 

At 8:02 p.m., President Cindy Johnson declared the meeting open.

 

Adjournment:

It was moved by Onica Ulveling and seconded by Duane Horsley to adjourn the meeting at 8:03 p.m.  Unanimous approval.  The board then entered an exempt session to discuss negotiation strategy.