East Buchanan Community School District
Regular Board Meeting Minutes – August 9, 2023
Call to Order - President Andy Sperfslage 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, and Shawn Stone. Board member Heather Steffens was absent. Administration attending were Superintendent Dan Fox and Business Manager/Board Secretary Teresa Knipper. HS/MS Principal Eric Dockstader and Elementary Principal Jacklyn Letzring were absent. Several visitors attended the meeting. Motion carried with all ayes unless otherwise noted.
Approve Agenda - Motion by Cooksley, second by Stone to approve the agenda with the addition of a presentation by AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP coordinator.
Approve Consent Agenda - Motion by Stone, second by Recker to approve the consent agenda. Items included on the Consent Agenda: minutes from the regular meeting on July 12, 2023; resignation of Amanda Hoffman as assistant HS volleyball coach; resignation under retirement policy of Kelly Griswold; expenditures listed; and financial reports.
Community/Program Presentations – Heather Huegel and George Aberle reported on how the Mexico trip this summer went. AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP coordinator Jake Bass presented information regarding the program to the board.
Administrative Updates and Reports – Letzring reported schedules are ready, the math materials are in, and the teachers will be trained on the math curriculum next week. Dockstader reported that Kelly Henderson has been working on scheduling students, Nicole Reck has been working half days, and changes will be made to MTSS to help students that are struggling. Fox reported that new teaching staff will start on August 16th with all staff days scheduled for August 21st and 22nd, that changes are being made to TLC/mentoring, and that Adam Halford is looking for another 12-passenger van. The facilities update included that the track is painted, the overgrowth in the southwest corner has been cleared with plans to add a walking trail, all playground pieces have been delivered, and changes being made to the old playground equipment to meet preschool requirements.
23-24 Transportation Director Sharing Agreement - Motion by Stone, second by Cooksley to approve the transportation director sharing agreement with Alburnett CSD as presented.
23-24 MS/HS Student Handbook – Dockstader explained the changes to the handbook. Motion by Stone, second by Recker to approve the 23-24 MS/HS student handbook with changes as discussed.
2024 Legislative Priorities – The board selected Teacher Recruitment & Licensure, Teacher PD & Retention, Supplemental State Aid, and Local Accountability & Decision Making as the district’s top 4 legislative priorities.
Playground – Fox presented a quote for two slides to add to the old playground equipment for $8,339. Motion by Cooksley, second by Stone to approve the purchase up to $8,500.
Board Policy Review – Motion by Stone, second by Recker to approve the first reading of policy 605.1R1 as discussed.
Board Policy Review – Motion by Stone, second by Recker to approve the second reading of policies 104, 104.R1, 213, 402.2, 402.5, 408.1, 601.1, 603.5, 605.1, 605.1R1, 605.2, 605.3, 605.3R1, 605.3E5, 605.5, 605.7R1, 607.2, 607.2R1, 804.5, and 804.5E1 as presented.
#BucPr1de – Shout out to Huegel and Aberle for chaperoning the students for 10 days for the Mexico trip and to the staff that work at the school over the summer. There have been many students doing Q&A in the weight room.
Adjourn – Motion by Cooksley, second by Recker to adjourn the meeting at 6:03 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.