East Buchanan Community School District - Regular Board Meeting Minutes – October 9, 2024
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, Andrew Maas, Tim Recker, Andy Sperfslage, and Heather Steffens. Administrators attending were Superintendent Kory Kelchen, MS/HS Principal Eric Dockstader, Dean of Students Nathan Reck, and Business Manager/Board Secretary Teresa Knipper. Several visitors attended the meeting. Motion carried with all ayes unless otherwise noted.
Approve Agenda – Motion by Maas, second by Recker to approve the agenda as presented.
Approve Consent Agenda - Motion by Cooksley, second by Steffens to approve the consent agenda. Items included on the Consent Agenda: minutes from the regular meeting on September 11, 2024; resignation of Nicole Walztoni as associate, hiring of Craig Hutton as head boys’ basketball coach; hiring of Barb Bullerman as speech director; expenditures listed; and financial reports.
Administrative Updates and Reports – Reck presented FAST data compared to goals and that the elementary participated in homecoming week by having dress up days and decorating doors. Dockstader reported that homecoming week went well and explained how concurrent enrollment is used in the district with the concurrent profile from Hawkeye Community College. Kelchen reported preliminary certified enrollment numbers and that the cameras have all been installed with doors to be installed in a few weeks.
Request for Allowable Growth – Motion by Steffens, second by Recker to approve the request for allowable growth and supplemental aid for the negative special education balance of $96,245.36
Snow Removal Bids – One bid was received. Motion by Recker, second by Steffens to approve the bid from Jeff Childers at a rate of $90/hour per piece of equipment for snow removal during the 24-25 school year.
JH/HS Student Handbook Amendment – Motion by Maas, second by Recker to approve the addition of the grading scale to the JH/HS student handbook as presented.
Early Graduation Requests – The list of early graduation applicants was provided by the high school principal and guidance counselor. Motion by Cooksley, second by Steffens to approve the early graduation requests as presented.
English Learners Excess Cost - Motion by Steffens, second by Recker to submit a request to the SBRC for a modified supplement amount of $22,036.50 due to excess costs of providing the EL program in the prior year.
Early Retirement Policies – Kelchen provided the most recent policies and presented options for board members to consider for the next board meeting.
Board Policy Review – Motion by Steffens, second by Cooksley to approve the second reading of board policy 501.15 as presented.
Student Questions - One student asked about the security cameras and if it was required by the state.
BucPr1de – A big crowd was at the homecoming game and shout-out to Nurse Tracy for handing all the health office visits.
Adjourn – Motion by Steffens, second by Cooksley to adjourn the meeting at 5:43 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 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.