B l o
o m f i e l d , I o w a
"One School...One Community...One Goal" "The Best That We Can Be!" |
Sam Miller,
Superintendent
608 South
Washington Street
Bloomfield,
Iowa 52537
641.664.2200
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MINUTES DAVIS COUNTY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION Work Session and Regular Meeting November 16, 2009 UNOFFICIAL
The work session was called to order by Superintendent Sam Miller at 6:00 p.m. Members present: Alan Bodkins Alan Johnson Rod Lynch Rob Melvin Marty Owen (arrived at 6:14 p.m.) Sheryl Wright Ken WuthrichSuperintendent: Sam Miller Board Secretary/Business Manager: Betsy J. Bassett School administrators present: Joel Pedersen, middle school principal; Linda Perry, elementary school principal; Dan Roberts, director of support services; Ryan Woods, assistant high school principal and activities director. Patrons of the district present: Leon Wright, Marilyn Piper, Jane Hutchings, Stacie Howk, Lisa Benge, Ken Turner, Aleta Mikels, Dave Hawk, Sandy Warning, Linda McConnell, Lori Chaplin, Elaine VonBon, Brian Warning, Jennifer Birchmier, Kris McConaughey, Linda Ehrenhard, Danelle Howard, Pam Reynolds, Elaine Wilson, Mary Boas, Deb Norton. Superintendent Miller presented a PowerPoint regarding budget data, trend analysis and decision making to ensure fiscal stability. He talked about different choices the board needs to consider. He advised that five out of the six schools in our conference have implemented a spending freeze in their general fund as a result of the ten percent across-the-board cut in state aid announced by the governor on October 8, 2009. A discussion was held regarding early retirement plans and how such plans can save costs in the general fund because early retirement benefits can be paid from the management fund. Another possible savings comes from either not filling the position that opens up as a result of a retiring employee or hiring a new employee for that position at a lower salary than the veteran employee was receiving at the time of retirement. Superintendent Miller stated that the latter savings is true for certified employees but not so much for classified employees. The classified hourly wages are set in the union contract, and a new classified employee will be paid almost the same wage as the retiring employee was receiving. Rod Lynch thought the first thing the district should concentrate on is being as efficient as possible. When that is achieved then other things can be considered. Ken Wuthrich wanted to review any data that would show how larger class size affects student achievement. The work session ended at 6:55 p.m. A quorum being present, the regular meeting was called to order by President Marty Owen at 7:00 p.m. Members present: Alan Bodkins Alan Johnson Rod Lynch Rob Melvin Marty Owen Sheryl Wright Ken WuthrichSuperintendent: Sam Miller Board Secretary/ Business Manager: Betsy J. Bassett
School administrators present: Joel Pedersen, middle school principal; Linda Perry, elementary school principal; Dan Roberts, director of support services; Ryan Woods, assistant high school principal and activities director. Patrons of the district present (in addition to those listed at the work session): Chris Jackson, Rick Davidson, Jeff Ashmore, Gary McConnell and Scott Spurgeon of the Bloomfield Democrat. During the public comment time, Jeff Ashmore asked about some expenses approved at the last school board meeting. Rob Melvin moved to approve the tentative agenda as follows:
Rod Lynch seconded the motion. AYES-Bodkins, Johnson, Lynch, Melvin, Owen, Wright, Wuthrich. NAYS-None. Motion carried. Story Construction representatives gave an update on the new high school building project. The monthly Project Cost Summary was provided to board members. The imported fill is complete, masonry work is in progress and the footings and foundations are complete in several areas. There are approximately 40-45 workers on the project, of which about 10 or 12 are local workers. High school business teacher Sandy Warning gave a presentation about the Career Day held at the high school on October 29, 2009. She said it is the fifth bi-annual career day and 63 presenters participated. The district received a check for $50 in memory of Margaret Wegener who taught second grade in the district for 18 years. It was requested that the money be used for library books at the elementary school. It was National Education Week and Superintendent Miller thanked all staff members for their hard work. He also advised that in lieu of the notepads usually provided to district staff in recognition of National Education Week, this year the staff will be allowed to wear their Mustang Pride clothes all week long. Rod Lynch moved to approve the consent agenda items as follows:
Rob Melvin seconded the motion. AYES-Bodkins, Johnson, Lynch, Melvin, Owen, Wright, Wuthrich. NAYS-None. Motion carried. Ken Wuthrich moved to approve the Agreement for the Services of Susan Martin between the Davis County Community Schools and Great Prairie Area Education Agency. Rod Lynch seconded the motion. AYES-Bodkins, Johnson, Lynch, Melvin, Owen, Wright, Wuthrich. NAYS-None. Motion carried. Alan Bodkins moved to approve the high school Art Club trips to Chicago March 11-12, 2010 and to St. Louis on April 9, 2010. Sheryl Wright seconded the motion. AYES-Bodkins, Johnson, Lynch, Melvin, Owen, Wright, Wuthrich. NAYS-None. Motion carried. A hearing was held to allow patrons to express their concerns regarding the starting of school before Labor Day for the 2010-2011 school year. Gary McConnell, an Iowa State Fair board member, thanked the school board members for starting school after the State Fair is completed. No written comments were received. The board president declared the hearing closed. Sheryl Wright moved to approve the list of proposed 2009-10 early graduates as follows:
Rob Melvin seconded the motion. AYES-Bodkins, Johnson, Lynch, Melvin, Owen, Wright, Wuthrich. NAYS-None. Motion carried. Rod Lynch moved to approve the $2,000 payment to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for a violation by a contractor hired by the district for improper disposal of demolition waste. Rob Melvin seconded the motion. AYES-Bodkins, Lynch, Melvin, Owen, Wright, Wuthrich. NAYS-Johnson. Motion carried. Alan Bodkins moved to approve the request for allowable growth and supplement aid for the negative special education balance of $79,138.26 at the end of fiscal year 2008-09. Ken Wuthrich seconded the motion. AYES-Bodkins, Johnson, Lynch, Melvin, Owen, Wright, Wuthrich. NAYS-None. Motion carried. The board discussed the proposed early retirement plans for certified and classified employees. These plans are intended to reduce the potential for involuntary staff reduction, affect a cost savings to the school district and afford young, aspiring educational leaders an opportunity to serve by providing an economic incentive to employees to voluntarily elect an early retirement. It is the expressed intent to provide this incentive only for the 2009-2010 school year with the express understanding that the board may or may not offer an additional early retirement plan in the future. Employees who are eligible for early retirement under these plans and who wish to apply for benefits must do so no later than 4:00 p.m. on December 18, 2009. Rod Lynch moved to approve the Davis County CSD Certified Employee Early Retirement Plan, 2009-2010. Alan Johnson moved to amend the motion to add that any job opening created as a result of said early retirement plan will not be filled. However, it will depend on which employees apply for early retirement before it can be known which job positions may or may not be filled. Alan Johnson then withdrew his motion to amend. Rob Melvin seconded the original motion made by Rod Lynch. AYES-Bodkins, Lynch, Melvin, Owen, Wright, Wuthrich. NAYS-Johnson. Motion carried. Administrative Reports: Linda Perry – It was a good professional development day that day. Visitors were here from the Iowa Department of Education. Title I family nights will begin soon as well as after school assistance for Title I students. Joel Pedersen – The middle school professional development went very well that day. Ryan woods – Fall activities are completed and the winter activities are beginning. It was excellent professional development at the high school that day with Shannon Vesely. He thanked Sandy Warning for all her work with the Career Day. Dan Roberts – An extension was worked out with Joe Grim regarding moving of the building he purchased from the district. Mr. Grim will also move a couple of other buildings from the transportation complex. There is heat in the mechanic building now and the wash bay is also completed. Sam Miller – Representatives from the Iowa Department of Education were in the district that day to observe the professional development and how the innovative calendar is being implemented this year. It was stated that our district is doing good things and the data demonstrates that. Great Prairie AEA would like to use our district as a professional development model for other districts. The innovative calendar request for 2010-11 was approved by the Iowa Department of Education. He reminded board members that there will be no regular meeting in December. Alan Johnson thought there should be a regular December meeting in light of the financial situation. Superintendent Miller thought it would be best to wait and see the response to the certified early retirement plan. Alan Johnson submitted a proposal for a policy amendment that he would like on the agenda for the next board meeting. There being no further business to come before the board for consideration at this time, upon motion made by Ken Wuthrich and seconded by Rod Lynch, the President declared the meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Betsy J. Bassett Board Secretary/Business Manager
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