East Buchanan Community School District
Annual and Regular Board Meeting Minutes – December 11, 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, Andy Sperfslage, and Heather Steffens. Board member absent was Tim Recker. 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.
Election of President – The board secretary acted as president pro-tem. The board secretary took nominations for president. Sperfslage was nominated. No other nominations were made. Motion to cease nominations by Steffens. Ballots were counted by the board secretary with Sperfslage declared the president. The oath of office was administered by the board secretary.
Election of Vice-President - Sperfslage took nominations for vice-president. Maas and Steffens were nominated. Ballots were counted and Maas was declared vice-president. The oath of office was administered by the president.
Appoint Board Secretary - Motion by Maas, second by Steffens to appoint Teresa Knipper as board secretary. The oath of office was administered by the president.
Appoint Board Treasurer - Motion by Steffens, second by Cooksley to appoint Marilyn Steinkamp as board treasurer. The board secretary will administer the oath.
Appoint Legal Counsel - Motion by Steffens, second by Maas to appoint Ahlers & Cooney as legal counsel.
Approve Official Depositories - Motion by Maas, second by Cooksley to approve the official depositories and maximum deposits as: Citizens State Bank ($10 million), UMB ($2 million), and ISJIT ($10 million).
Name Official Publication - Motion by Steffens, second by Cooksley to approve Independence Bulletin Journal as official publication for the district.
Establish dates and times of school board meetings - Motion by Steffens, second by Cooksley to approve the second Wednesday of each month at 5:00 pm as the school board meeting date and time.
Approve Agenda – Motion by Maas, second by Steffens to approve the agenda as presented.
Approve Consent Agenda - Motion by Cooksley, second by Maas to approve the consent agenda. Items included on the Consent Agenda: minutes from the regular meeting on November 13, 2024; FY24 financial reports; expenditures listed; and current fiscal year financial reports.
Administrative Updates and Reports – Reck reported staff has been working as a team with Mellisa Schweitzer and Kris McMurrin working as custodians in the evening, staff and students helping with trash and staff filling in for the activity director on Tuesday evening. He also reported the music program was well attended, friends and family reading day was a success, and a snowflake social is planned the week before winter break. Dockstader reported that PLC is getting HS/MS teachers into groups to use Leader in Me and the pep band sounded great at the game the previous night. Kelchen explained the Teacher Accelerated Learning Grant being offered by the state and that the cell phone policy may be in legislative session.
Consider Purchase of Vape Detectors – Kelchen presented quotes for vape detectors. No action taken. Tabled for next meeting.
Consider Elementary Visitor Station – Kelchen presented a quote. No action taken. Tabled for next meeting.
Consider SBRC Application for MSA – Motion by Steffens, second by Maas to approve the SBRC application for MSA for open enrollment out of $61,046 and EL instruction beyond 5 years of $1,643. Motion carried with all ayes.
Consider Out of State Field Trip Request – A field trip request form was presented by the fine arts department to look at options for their out of state music trip. Board agreed that it is okay to look at options.
Health Insurance Discussion – Kelchen presented rates in the Iowa Star group as compared to current plan.
Denovo Work Session Discussion – Work session is scheduled for January 22, 2025 at 5:00 pm to meet with Denovo Construction.
Graduation Ceremony Time Discussion – Dunkerton and East Buchanan graduation ceremonies are scheduled at the same time. Board agreed to change the start time to 3:00 pm.
Student Questions - Students asked about new classroom furniture, use of events gym restrooms during the day, visitor check-in stations, and how the baseball team can get updates to the ball field.
BucPr1de – Students behaved well at the elementary concert.
Adjourn – Motion by Steffens, second by Cooksley to adjourn the meeting at 6:07 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.