2021-08 August 11 Minutes

EAST BUCHANAN CSD

Call to Order:  President Greg Schmitt called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm.  The board recited the East Buchanan Mission Statement.  Board members present were Greg Schmitt, Scott Cooksley, Andy Sperfslage, Heather Steffens, and Shawn Stone. Administration attending were Dan Fox, Superintendent/Elementary Principal; Eric Dockstader, HS/MS Principal; and Teresa Knipper, Business Manager/Board Secretary.  Several visitors attended the meeting.

Public Hearing:  President Schmitt called for a motion to open the public hearing regarding the use of SAVE fund for athletic complex improvements.  Motion by Sperfslage, second by Stone to open the public hearing was made at 5:03 pm.  Motion carried with all ayes.  Schmitt explained plans for the athletic complex.  One member of the public asked about the netting.  No other comments from the public.  Motion to close the public hearing was made at 5:11 pm by Stone, second by Cooksley.  Motion carried with all ayes.

Approve Agenda:   Motion to approve the agenda was made by Steffens, second by Sperfslage.  Motion carried with all ayes.

Approve Consent Agenda:    Motion to approve the Consent Agenda was made by Stone, second by Cooksley.  Motion carried with all ayes.  Items included on the Consent Agenda:   minutes from the regular meeting on July 14, 2021; expenditures listed; financial reports; resignation of Diane Ward as associate; hiring of Abbey Thurn, Shana Wall, Mandi Smith, Michelle Cooksley, Nathan Reck, Tiffany Bowers, Lee White, and Erin Kelchen as District Leadership Team (DLT) members; and hiring of Kelsi Giese, Lee White, Teresa Snyder, Chad Lamker, Paula McGraw, Christy Meyer, Jena McElroy, Aly Franck, and Nathan Reck as Teacher Mentors.

FFA Parliamentary Procedures Team:  Jon Doese, FFA Advisor, explained to the board what is involved in being on the parliamentary procedures team.  The team won at the state level and advanced onto the next level.  Four members of the FFA Parliamentary Procedures Team then presented the process of a motion from initial motion through to adoption of the motion and end of the meeting. 

Administrative Updates and Reports:   Dockstader presented guidance regarding House File 802:  Parameters for Racism and Sexism Training from the Iowa Department of Education.  He explained to the board that the district is not teaching critical race theory; however, the history of racism is.  Fox presented plans for professional development days prior to the start of the year, that the custodial staff is finishing up, there are several support staff vacancies yet to be filled, and that most elementary teachers have been in the building preparing for the school year.  He also showed the board an example of improvements being made to the district’s website and that the new phone system has been installed with training scheduled.  The lunch program was discussed as needing improvement.  Student attendance issues were also discussed with the board requesting that it be addressed with a plan in place by the end of the first trimester.

21-22 Sharing Agreements with Independence for Buildings & Grounds Director – Fox updated the board on the meeting with Independence and recommended that the agreement continue.  Motion by Sperfslage, second by Steffens to approve the 21-22 Sharing Agreement with Independence for Buildings & Grounds Director.  Ayes:  Schmitt, Sperfslage, Steffens, Cooksley.  Nay:  Stone.  Motion carried.

21-22 Sharing Agreement with Independence for Human Resources Director – Fox updated the board on the meeting with Independence and recommended that the agreement continue.  Motion by Steffens, second by Sperfslage to approve the 21-22 Sharing Agreement with Independence for Human Resources Director.  Motion carried with all ayes.

21-22 Sharing Agreement with Alburnett for Transportation Director –Motion by Cooksley, second by Stone to approve the 21-22 Sharing Agreement with Alburnett for Transportation Director.  Motion carried with all ayes.

21-22 Sharing Agreement with North Linn for LMC Teacher –Motion by Steffens, second by Stone to approve the 21-22 Sharing Agreement with North Linn for LMC Teacher.  Motion carried with all ayes.

Legislative Priorities:  The list of IASB Legislative Resolutions was reviewed by the board.  The board selected Standards & Accountability, Mental Health, Supplemental State Aid, and Local Accountability & Decision-Making as the district’s priorities.

Back to School Protocol:  Fox presented guidance from IDPH and information to be contained in a letter to the school community regarding procedures, masks, and transportation. Masks will be available on busses/vans and students in the same family will sit together.

Board Policy Review – 1st Reading:  Motion by Steffens, second by Sperfslage to approve the first reading of board policies 900 series and 804.6 as discussed.  Motion carried with all ayes.

Buccaneer Brag-About:  FFA group did a great job showing parliamentary procedure, summer school went well, and fall sports are getting started.

Adjourn – Motion by Cooksley, second by Sperfslage to adjourn the meeting at 7:00 pm.  Motion carried with all ayes.

The above are not official minutes until approved at the next regular board meeting.  A copy of the official minutes may be viewed in the office of the Board Secretary any Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.