November 16, 2009 Board Meeting
MINUTES,
Regular Meeting
Anita Board of Education
Monday, November 16, 2009, 7:30 p.m.
The Anita Board of Education met prior to the regular November meeting to prepare for the District’s site visit in December. All members were present and no action was taken at this time.
The Anita Board of Education was called to order by President Randall J. Rabe for the regular meeting on November 16, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. in the media center at the high school. Members present for opening were Jeff Gregersen, Nick Kauffman, Chuck Kinzie, Randall J. Rabe, and Julie Williamson. Others present were Superintendent John Brazell, High School Principal Dominic Giegerich, and Secretary Linda Edwards.
POSITIVE COMMENTS: Positive comments were received by the Board. The vocal department’s presentations of “Performing with the Stars” were excellent and the Conference Vocal Festival was a success. Four students were selected to participate in the All-State Chorus: Cassidy Carr, Colton Carr, Daniel Holste, and Jenna Karas. Mrs. Harris received word that she would be traveling to Washington DC in January to accept the Presidential Award for Teaching Excellence. She will also have the opportunity to visit one of the NASA Space Centers. The Walking School Bus program went very well. Congratulations were extended to the fall sports teams. Mr. Brazell commented that illness numbers have been down in comparison to other schools.
AGENDA CHANGES: No changes were made to the agenda.
CONSENT AGENDA: A motion was given by Director Kinzie that was seconded by Director Kauffman to approve the agenda, minutes of the regular meeting of October 19, 2009, and the bills. The motion carried with a 5-0 vote. The bills were approved in the amount of $36,383.22 from the General Fund, $2,681.81 from the PPEL Fund, and $4,279.13 from the SILO Fund.
APPROVE FINANCIAL REPORTS: October financial reports for the funds of General, Management, PPEL, PERL, SILO, High School Activity, and Hot Lunch were offered the Board. After reviewing the financial reports, Gregersen motioned to accept these financial reports. This was seconded by Williamson. The motion carried 5-0.
LATE OPEN ENROLLMENT REQUEST: An open enrollment request was received after the deadline for submission. The application cited alleged harassment but the application was denied due to lack of evidence. Gregersen motioned to deny the application. This was seconded by Williamson. The motion carried 5-0.
DISCUSSON ON REORGANIZATION: The School Improvement Advisory Committee will be asked to attend the joint board meeting on January 11, 2010 to discuss the topic of reorganization. A potential date for the reorganization vote will be set and we will work back from that and create a calendar of action steps.
CERTIFIED ENROLLMENT REPORT: Certified enrollment count for the 2009-2010 school year was 274.4 compared to 272.3 last year for an increase in enrollment of 2.1.
SBRC ALLOWABLE GROWTH FOR INCREASE IN ENROLLMENT: An increase in enrollment allows districts to request modified allowable growth or spending authority from the School Budget Review Committee. Also open-enrollment students who were not counted on last year’s certified enrollment generate modified allowable growth. A motion to approve a request to the SBRC for modified allowable growth for an increase in enrollment and open enrollment not previously on the count was presented by Kinzie, seconded by Kauffman and carried with a 5-0 vote. The amount of the request is $33,927.
AT-RISK PLAN: An updated at-risk plan was presented to the Board and approved on a motion by Kauffman, seconded by Williamson and carried with a 5-0 vote. The plan is designed to help with dropout prevention and has a better identification process. Teachers can recommend students they feel need help. Currently a certified teacher is in the at-risk room which is felt to be a better situation.
AT-RISK/MODIFIED ALLOWABLE GROWTH AND DROPOUT PREVENTION: The 2010-2011 At-Risk Modified Allowable Growth and Drop Out Prevention application is due December 15th. This would provide funding for the alternative school and for staff to work with at-risk students. A motion by Gregersen, second by Kinzie to approve the At-Risk/Modified Allowable Growth application was approved on a 5-0 vote.
EARLY START DATE FOR 2010-2011: There is a statutory start date for Iowa schools. If we plan to use any date earlier than this, we need to have the board approve an early start date and this is reported on our Spring BEDS report. Kinzie moved, seconded by Kauffman to approve an early start date. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote.
RURAL SCHOOLS RESOLUTION: Dr. Gary Drummond is leading the effort to start an Iowa Rural Schools Association. He is a retired superintendent from Seymour, Iowa. The plan is to have sponsors handle the expenses so there is no charge to be a member at this time. The following resolution was passed on a motion presented by Gregersen, seconded by Kauffman and carried with a 5-0 vote:
RURAL SCHOOLS RESOLUTION WHEREAS, Iowa rural education is quality education that results in high levels of student achievement; and WHEREAS, a strong commitment by all levels of government is necessary to ensure excellence in rural education; and WHEREAS, preserving the inherent strengths of the rural way of life is critical to the wellbeing and the vitality of this state, and WHEREAS, cooperation with the public and private sectors is essential in addressing the needs and concerns of rural education, and WHEREAS, rural schools and rural communities are unique and diverse; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THIS SCHOOL DISTRICT, that we acknowledge and support the initiatives of the Rural Schools of Iowa; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we will work with them to educate our elected officials of our importance in educating tomorrow’s future leaders.
FINAL SITE VISIT PREPARATION: The Board reviewed the site visit schedule and made plans for the Department of Education’s site visit December 1 and 2.
SECOND READING OF BOARD POLICY 201.6 Terms of Office of Board Members: Due to legislative changes, terms of office of board members has changed from three years to four years. The policy was changed to reflect this. A motion to approve the second reading of policy 201.6 was made by Gregersen, seconded by Williamson and carried with a 5-0 vote.
EARLY GRADUATES: Requests for early graduation in December 2009 were reviewed from Jordan Kopp, Ranae Huggins, Joshua Behnken, Blake Butcher, Brandon Ramsey, and Danielle Holste. A motion to approve their early graduation was made by Kauffman, seconded by Kinzie and carried on a 5-0 vote.
BOARD POLICY 411.2 Classified Employee Qualifications: The second reading of new policy 411.2 Classified Employee – Qualifications, Recruitment, Selection was made and a motion to approve the new policy was moved by Gregersen, seconded by Williamson and carried with a 5-0 vote.
BOARD POLICY 434 Early Retirement (Notification): The Board reviewed the Early Retirement Notification Policy and discussed the funding of this policy. This policy offers an opportunity for eligible certified employees to receive an incentive for an early resignation for the purpose of retirement. No action was taken on this item.
EARLY RETIREMENT INCENTIVE POLICY: Discussion was held regarding early retirement incentives. Other districts’ policies and frequently asked questions were presented to the Board. The District is looking at this option because it may help reduce staff costs paid from the General Fund. Early retirement incentives are funded through the Management Fund. Mr. Brazell will meet with two board members (Rabe and Kinzie) to work on budget issues, including retirement, reduction and taxes. No action was taken on this item.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: The Superintendent/Elementary Principal’s report included the upcoming IASB Convention, changes to the Iowa Association of School Board’s personnel and some problems they are facing, a report on attendance at elementary parent-teacher conferences, and the 10% across the board cuts.
The Secondary Principal reported on the use of Moodle, the Course Management System that CAM High School uses to deliver curriculum to students. He reported on increased usage by students, teachers, and guests.
LOOKING AHEAD: Looking ahead items are Negotiations and presentations by students and a presentation on the Promethean Boards.
ADJOURNMENT: President Rabe declared the meeting adjourned at 9:21 p.m.
signed Randall J. Rabe, Board President
signed Linda Edwards, Board Secretary
