Call to Order - Board Secretary Knipper called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm. The board recited the East Buchanan Mission Statement. Board members present were Scott Cooksley, Tim Recker, Andy Sperfslage, Heather Steffens, and Shawn Stone. Administration attending were Superintendent Dan Fox, HS/MS Principal Eric Dockstader, Elementary Principal Jacklyn Letzring and Business Manager/Board Secretary Teresa Knipper. Several visitors attended the meeting. Motion carried with all ayes unless otherwise noted.
Election of President – Board secretary Knipper called for nominations for president. Sperfslage was nominated with no other nominations. Sperfslage was declared president and oath was administered by board secretary.
Election of Vice-President – Sperfslage called for nominations for vice-president. Steffens and Cooksley were nominated. Nominations ceased, and votes counted with Cooksley declared vice-president. Sperfslage administered oath to Cooksley.
Appoint Board Secretary – Motion by Cooksley, second by Recker to appoint Teresa Knipper as board secretary. Sperfslage administered oath of office to Knipper.
Appoint Board Treasurer – Motion by Stone, second by Steffens to appoint Marilyn Steinkamp as board treasurer. Knipper will administer the oath of office to Steinkamp later.
Appoint Legal Counsel – Motion by Steffens, second by Cooksley to appoint Steve Weidner of Swisher and Cohrt as legal counsel for the district and board of directors.
Approve Official Depositories – Motion by Stone, second by Recker to approve the official depositories as presented: $10 million maximum deposit at Citizens State Bank, $2 million maximum deposit at UMB, and $2 million maximum deposit at Iowa Schools Joint Investment Trust.
Designate Official Publication – Motion by Cooksley, second by Steffens to designate The Winthrop News as the official publication of the district.
Set Meeting Schedule – Motion by Recker, second by Stone to approve the second Wednesday of each month at 5:00 pm as the school board meeting date and time.
Public Hearing – Flexibility Fund – Sperfslage opened the public hearing at 5:08 pm. Fox explained the flexibility fund and options for the board to consider. Motion by Stone, second by Cooksley to close the hearing at 5:11 pm.
Public Hearing – Director District – Motion by Steffens, second by Stone to open the public hearing at 5:11 pm. Fox explained the requirement of reviewing director districts after US census every 10 years and shared information that will be placed on the district website. Motion by Stone, second by Steffens to close the public hearing at 5:22 pm.
Approve Agenda - Motion to approve the agenda was made by Stone, second by Recker.
Approve Consent Agenda - Motion to approve the Consent Agenda was made by Cooksley, second by Stone. Sperfslage abstained. Items included on the Consent Agenda: minutes from the regular meeting on November 9, 2022; minutes from the special meeting on November 30, 2022; minutes from the work session on November 30, 2022; hiring of Sherry McCollough as associate; hiring of Adam Hoefer as HS math teacher for the 2023-2024 school year; expenditures listed; and financial reports.
Administrative Updates and Reports – Letzring reported that an event was held on November 21st for parents to be in the building, the winter concert was held, the PTO provided a meal for conferences, PBIS tokens are being used, and that FAST testing will be in January. Dockstader reported the winter concert was held on December 12th with a string quartet accompanying the choir, band director Casey Kingdon is doing a great job with his classes, guidance counselor Paula McGraw and CTE teacher Erin Kelchen are planning the career fair for March 8th, the number of MOC students has increased, and plans for updating the hallway near the HS office. Fox reported that shared maintenance Chad O’Brien from Independence CSD is filling in for buildings and grounds supervisor Mike Kerkove during his absence, the current student absence rate is 6.9% which is still below the 10% required to report to the state, and that the safety grant is still being worked on.
Early Graduation Applicants – Motion by Stone, second by Recker to approve the early graduation applicants as presented.
Flexibility Fund Resolution – Motion by Cooksley, second by stone to approve the flexibility fund resolution as discussed. The resolution was adopted as follows: WHEREAS, HF 565 School Flexibility Fund, was established in the 2017 Legislative Session to provide local control and flexibility regarding the use of ending balances in certain categorical funds effective July 1, 2018; and WHEREAS, the East Buchanan Community School Board of Directors conducted a public hearing on December 14, 2022 as required by Iowa Code 298A.2(d), using the form of public hearing prescribed by the Iowa Department of Education, which was published in the same manner as required in Iowa Code 24.9, to provide adequate notice to stakeholders and transparency of intended board action; and WHEREAS, the East Buchanan Community School District has fulfilled the needs intended to be met by the following categorical funds, as hereby certified by the Board of Directors, and that the statutory requirements for the following original sources of funds have been met, have been repealed, or are no longer in effect as noted: Professional Development funds received under Iowa Code 257.10 (10) were used to meet all statutory requirements of Iowa Code 284 and a balance remains unencumbered and unobligated at the close of FY2022. WHEREAS, the East Buchanan Community School District has transferred the following funds authorized pursuant to HF 565 into the School Flexibility Fund: Professional Development funds received under Iowa Code 257.10 (10) ending balance of $162,363.04 of which $100,000.00 was transferred to the Flexibility Fund from FY2022. WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the East Buchanan Community School District has determined the needs of students would be better served by the flexible expenditure of these funds during the budget year beginning in or after the calendar year in which the transfer to the flexibility fund occurs, for the following purposes:
- Unpaid, inactive Student Meal account in the school nutrition fund under Iowa Code 283A.11(6) to pay individual student meal debt $771.95
- Work experience coordinator of $10,250.00
- Edgenuity services for high school science of $23,375.00
- High school science substitute teacher of $30,443.40
Now, therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors of the East Buchanan Community School District, acknowledges the transfer of such funds to the Flexibility Fund within the General Fund, and requires expenditures accordingly for those purposes stated above, total amount of $64,840.35 to be available for expenditure effective for the 2023 Fiscal Year. RESOLVED, that the Superintendent is directed to include the information concerning such expenditure in the budget certified in accordance with Iowa Code 24; and be it further RESOLVED, that the Superintendent is directed to provide a copy of this Resolution to the Iowa Department of Education as they prescribe and make such Resolution available for any audit of the district performed under chapter 11. Resolution approved December 14, 2022 by the East Buchanan board of directors: Ayes: Cooksley, Recker, Sperfslage, Steffens, Stone. Nays: none.
Annual Board Policy Review – Fox presented the changes to the retirement policies as discussed during the work session on November 30, 2022. Motion by Steffens, second by Recker to approve policy 407.6 – Certified/Salaried Personnel Retirement and policy 413.2 – Classified Employee Retirement as presented. Stone abstained. Motion carried.
#BucPr1de – There are 75 members in the archery club and school gyms are staying busy with activities.
Student Questions – Students asked if science will continue to be an online class and why do director districts change.
Adjourn – Motion by Steffens, second by Cooksley to adjourn the meeting at 6:11 pm.
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 am and 4:00 pm.