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 Heather Steffens. Board member Shawn Stone was absent. Administration attending were Superintendent Principal 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.
Approve Agenda - Motion to approve the agenda was made by Steffens, second by Recker.
Approve Consent Agenda - Motion to approve the Consent Agenda was made by Cooksley, second by Recker. Items included on the Consent Agenda: minutes from the regular meeting on July 13, 2022, resignations of Liam Fitzpatrick as a teacher and Adam Riniker as baseball coach, hiring of Tyler Williams as assistant football coach, expenditures listed, and financial reports.
Administrative Updates and Reports – Letzring reported the board on the status of the elementary master schedule, that she has met with 90% of the staff, staff are working on their classrooms, that she is asking a lot of questions on how we do things at EB, and that Back to School night is soon. Dockstader explained how the district is handling physical science, chemistry, and middle school special education due to the absence of a teacher in those areas. Fox reported that online registration is now open, professional development for new teachers is next week, and that all staff are back on August 22nd with associates getting additional training. Fox presented the progress report from the general contractor.
Student and Employee Attendance Discussion – Fox reported that the handbook committee met and that certified staff hours are now 7:45 – 3:45 and that personal days will be paid out. Fox met with the student group to get their input and presented data regarding student attendance. The board reviewed the current student attendance policy and discussed changes that will be added to the handbook.
AgVantage FS Propane Heating Firm Price Contract – The board reviewed the two options available. Motion by Cooksley, second by Recker to accept option 2 of a $300 down payment and billing price of $1.78/gallon for September 1, 2022 through March 31, 2023.
Head Cook Wage – Fox recommended a $2.00 increase in base for the head cook due to the additional responsibilities with a shared food service director. Motion by Steffens, second by Recker to increase the wage as presented.
Substitute Teacher Compensation – Tabled
22-23 Preschool Handbook and Policies & Procedures – Fox presented changes to the current handbook. Motion by Steffens, second by Cooksley to approve as presented.
22-23 Elementary Handbook – Fox presented changes to the current handbook. Motion by Cooksley, second by Steffens, to approved as presented.
22-23 HS/MS Handbook – Dockstader presented changes to the current handbook including attendance changes per previous discuss in this meeting. Motion by Cooksley, second by Recker to approve the handbook as presented with changes.
Legislative Priorities – The board reviewed the list of 2022 legislative priorities and selected four to submit to the IASB as the district’s priorities. Those priorities are: Early Literacy, Mental Health, Market-Competitive Wages, and Teacher Recruitment & Licensure.
Board Policy Review – 2nd Reading – 2022 Legislative Session Updates – Information from IASB regarding changes to board policies due to the legislative session was presented. Motion by Steffens, second by Recker to approve the second reading with changes as discussed of policies 203, 402.2, 504.5, 504.5R1, 505.5, 507.2, 507.2E1, 607.2, 704.6, 804.5, 804.7, 804.7R1, and 901.
Board Policy Review – 1st Reading – Motion by Cooksley to approve the first reading of 501.14 and 501.15 with option 2 on all three choices, second by Steffens.
Board Policy Review – 2ND Reading – Tabled.
#BucPr1de – School starts August 23rd!
Adjourn – Motion by Steffens, second by Recker to adjourn the meeting at 7:19 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.