January 18, 2010 Board Meeting
MINUTES,
Regular Meeting
Anita Board of Education
Monday, January 18, 2010, 7:30 p.m.
The Anita Board of Education was called to order by President Randall J. Rabe for the regular meeting on January 18, 2010 at 7:31 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. There were no visitors.
POSITIVE COMMENTS: Positive comments were received by the Board. One accomplishment was that we were able to have school every day last week. ITBS scores are back for the elementary and look good. The teacher sharing arrangement with Atlantic and Rex Mehrhoff is going well. The wrestlers are doing well. “Pink Out” night is tomorrow night with activities being planned. Audubon Community School representatives are coming to our school to observe our one-to–one laptop initiative.
AGENDA CHANGES: No changes were made to the agenda.
CONSENT AGENDA: A motion was given by Director Williamson that was seconded by Director Kinzie to approve the agenda, minutes of the regular meeting of December 21, 2009 and joint board meeting January 11, 2010, and the bills. The motion carried with a 5-0 vote. The bills were approved in the amount of $160,625.73 from the General Fund, $4,279.13 from the SILO Fund, $80.99 from the Elementary Activity Fund, $13,188.32 from the High School Activity Fund, and $4,006.69 from the Hot Lunch Fund.
APPROVE FINANCIAL REPORTS: December 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 Kauffman. The motion carried 5-0.
CALENDAR CHANGES: We have missed six days of school due to the weather. We made one day up on January 4. A motion to amend the calendar to make February 15 and April 5 student attendance days was made by Kauffman, seconded by Kinzie. The motion carried 5-0. All other days will be added to the end of the year.
RESIGNATION: Dominic Giegerich submitted his resignation as head baseball coach for the 2010 season. A motion from Kinzie to accept the resignation was seconded by Williamson. The motion carried with a 5-0 vote.
BOARD POLICIES: Second reading of Board Policy 434 Voluntary Early Retirement was made. The policy would provide an early retirement incentive of $15,000 per eligible employee. Employee must be 55 years of age and have 15 consecutive years of service to the district to be eligible. Application deadline is February 15, 2010. Payments would be made in two equal installments on January 15 of 2011 and 2012. Approval of the second reading of the Early Retirement Incentive Policy was motioned by Kauffman, seconded by Williamson. The motion carried 5-0.
DISCUSSION ON REORGANIZATION/DRAFT PETITION: The Board reviewed the draft reorganization petition and discussed the joint board meeting held on January 11. The next joint board meeting will be held on February 4, 2010 at 7 pm at the CAM High School media center.
CONSENT TO DUAL REPRESENTATION: Both Anita and C & M School Districts agreed to use Derrick Franck as legal counsel for the reorganization effort. Because he will be representing both districts, he has asked each district to approve a “Consent to Dual Representation” form. Motion to approve the form was made by Kinzie, seconded by Williamson. The motion carried 5-0.
BUDGET DISCUSSION –GOALS: Discussion was held on goals for the district financially. The Board would like to see a minimum of $600,000 in spending authority. Mr. Brazell stated that he will look at staff to make any cuts.
SITE VISIT REPORT: Mr. Brazell received the Department of Education’s report on the Site Visit last Tuesday. He said there were many positive comments and he read some of the negative comments. Each board member will receive a copy of the report to review.
PRESCHOOL PROGRAM: Discussion was held on the four-year-old preschool grant that is in the process of being developed. Both districts will file the grant together. Working together, we will have a stronger chance of receiving the grant and one teacher could be shared between the two districts.
RACE TO THE TOP: The State of Iowa and the Department of Education are pushing the Race to the Top application. They are asking local districts to adopt a Memorandum of Understanding to participate in the grant if it is funded. Approval to submit a Memorandum of Understanding to participate in the Race to the Top grant was made on a motion by Kinzie, seconded by Gregersen. Motion carried 5-0.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: The Superintendent/Elementary Principal’s report included an upcoming meeting of the Rural Education Group in Johnston on January 21. The Iowa Association on School Boards will have its legislative meeting in our area on March 9. Mr. Brazell listed Governor Culver’s top ten priorities from his recent State of the State speech.
The Secondary Principal presented a list of questions to the Board regarding technology in education. Feedback can be given on his blog on the school’s website.
LOOKING AHEAD: Looking ahead items are presentations on the interactive white boards (February) and Project Lead the Way (March).
ADJOURNMENT: President Rabe declared the meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
signed Randall J. Rabe, Board President
signed Linda Edwards, Board Secretary
