Board Agenda-2024.1.16

CRESTON COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Board of Directors Regular Meeting

January 16, 2024

Boardroom, 801 N. Elm, Creston, IA

 

The vision of the Creston Community School District is to provide the foundation for students to become lifelong learners and positive, confident, and compassionate citizens.

 

Per Iowa Code Section 21.4(1)(b) the school board shall meet and conduct the regular board meeting electronically when it is impossible or impractical. Please call this toll-free number 1-312-626-6799 to access the board meeting to participate in the public hearing. Please click on this link or visit this address https://shorturl.at/fOX24  to access the board meeting.

 

  1. The public is welcome to join remotely and observe school board meetings. Remote access information is provided above.
  2. To help facilitate the Public Forum, participants must contact the Board Secretary by noon on the day of the board meeting. The Iowa Association of School Boards advises school board members to listen to constituents and refrain from commenting during public forums. The practice of the district is for board members to listen and to direct the administration to follow up with the participant(s).
    1. Participants shall provide their names and address.
    2. Participants shall indicate the topic they wish to address.
    3. Participants shall indicate which administrator they have addressed their concerns with.
    4. Participants are asked to limit their time to three minutes.
    5. Please see Policy 213 Public Participation in Board Meetings for more information.
  3. Board meetings are recorded and available to the public on the district website for one month.
  4. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. If you have any questions, please contact Board Secretary Billie Jo Greene at 641-782-7028 bgreene@crestonschools.org

 

Meeting number (access code): 874 5077 7737

Meeting Password:   Creston

Join by phone:

1-312-626-6799

 

Regular Board Meeting

Agenda

 

 

  1. Call to Order by _______________ Time: ___________

The President will call the meeting to order using the gavel if necessary. The President will request those with communication devices to either turn them off or place them on silent mode. This may be a good time to introduce any special guests. A binder labeled Public Copy of Board Materials containing board meeting materials is available for public review at the table at the side of the room. Meeting agendas are available for the public at the table at the side of the room. Meeting agendas, materials, and minutes are also available on the district web page.

 

Galen Zumbach,

Board President

 

Dr. Amanda Mohr,

Vice President

 

Don Gee

 

Dr. Brad James

 

Sharon Snodgrass

 

Deron Stender,

Superintendent

 

Billie Jo Greene,

School Business Official

 

Bill Messerole,

High School Principal

 

Scott Driskell. AP/Activities Director

 

Lesa Downing. Middle School Principal

 

Casey Tanner, Elementary Principal

 

Callie Anderson, ECC Principal

 

  1. Pledge of Allegiance

The president will ask the members and audience to face the flag for the Pledge of Allegiance.

  1. Approval of Agenda

Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

  1. Public Forum

The President will ask the Board Secretary if any requests for public comment have been received. The Board will listen to public comments and in accordance with district policy 213, will direct questions to the Superintendent or the appropriate staff.

  1. Consent Items

The President will ask for a motion to accept the Consent Agenda as presented or amended. The President will call for a vote with a motion and a second.

    1. Minutes of  December 18, 2023
    2. Financial Reports
      1. All Funds Financials
    3. Bills
      1. All Funds Report
    4. Agreements, Contracts, & Resignations
      1. Contracts and Resignations
      2. Aureon Agreement and Installation
        1. This agreement renews the service and support for technology and communication/telecommunication systems.  The new agreement shifts software from local servers to the cloud for improved management and efficiency.  We anticipate this agreement will also improve our connectivity and decrease disruptive service.
    5. Donations

Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

  1. Communications and Reports
    1. DLR Presentation
    2. Early Childhood Center Principal’s Report
    3. Elementary School Principal’s Report
    4. Business Manager’s Report
    5. Superintendent’s Report
    6. Early Childhood Facility Planning
      1. Tentative Timeline (updated 12.20.23)
      2. Tentative budget (updated 10.10.23)
    7. Board Discussion
  2. New Business
    1. DLR project approval of Schematic Design submittal for the Early Childhood Center

ACTION: This is a formal process that recognizes the next phase of the ECC/EMS project (schematic Design). Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.

RECOMMENDATION:  Approve Schematic Design submittal with DLR. 

Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

    1. DLR project approval of Geotechnical Investigation for the Creston Early Childhood Center.

ACTION: Tests need to be taken on the ground where the ECC/EMS project is planned and this allows for those tests to be conducted.  Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.

RECOMMENDATION:  Approve the Geotechnical Investigation for the ECC/EMS project.

Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

    1. Consider approving Middle School exploratories, electives, and TAG Leadership.

ACTION:   Generally the school board approves course catalogs and course additions at the same time as the handbook in June.  The new middle school courses were not included at that time and fell through the cracks.  We are presenting them for school board approval as a matter of record.  Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions. 

RECOMMENDATION:    Approve new middle school courses for 2023-2024.

Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

    1. Consider approving the 2024-2025 Modified Supplemental Allowance (MSA) At Risk Summary.

ACTION: The At-Risk program focuses on attendance, mental health, behaviors, and students who may be identified as at-risk.  Administration and staff identify and work with students to help them develop positive relationships, acceptable behaviors, and academic completion.  We offer an alternative program for students who are at risk of dropping out of school. This is one of the few ways the school board can impact the local levy.  Like most funds, there are significant restrictions on how these funds can be spent. The total MSA is $522,768  Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.

RECOMMENDATION: Approve the 2024-2025 Modified Supplemental Allowance At Risk plan and budget for  $522,768.
Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

    1. Consider setting public hearing for the proposed 2024-2025 school calendar.
      ACTION:        As required by the Iowa Code, the district shall notify the public and hold a hearing on the proposed school calendar.  The administration recommends setting February 19, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the Central Office Board Room as the date, time, and place for the public hearing of the proposed 2024-2025 school calendar.

RECOMMENDATION: Approve setting a public hearing for February 19, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the Central Office Board Room as the date, time, and place for the proposed 2023-2024 school calendar.
Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

    1. Consider approving the second reading of revised Policies & Policy 503.8

ACTION: IASB has revised policies to reflect the legislative changes and Department of Education guidance. Policy 503.8 was drafted by the district's legal counsel to support compliance with state legislation.  The administration has reviewed the policies and recommends approval. Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.

RECOMMENDATION: Approve the second reading of policy updates in Vol. 32.1 and 503.8.

Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

    1. Consider approving protocol for employee notification of arrest, criminal charges, or child abuse complaints.

ACTION: At the request of the school board, the central office researched how other districts and local organizations address self-reporting of criminal activity.  Each organization handles it differently and we propose the following protocol used by the West Des Moines School District.  We suggest a protocol rather than a policy so our policies reflect those of the Iowa School Board Association and the protocol can be included in the staff handbook which is reviewed and adopted by the school board annually.  Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.

RECOMMENDATION: Approve the protocol for employee notification of arrest, criminal charges, or child abuse complaints.

Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

    1. Consider approving out-of-state travel and leave for Superintendent Stender for 2024.

ACTION: Per the superintendent's contract, travel and leave to attend business out of the state require school board approval.  Mr. Stender represents the district, Iowa, and Region 3 on the National Executive Board for the American Association of School Administrators (AASA). AASA covers expenses for all travel and expenses except the National Conference. There may be additional opportunities for professional development and representation that require advance notice and board approval. Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve out-of-state travel and leave for Superintendent for 2024.

Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

  1. Adjournment: Time: _____ pm.
    Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

Future meetings in the Creston boardroom at 801 N. Elm Street, Creston, unless otherwise noted:

  • Monday, February 19, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting
  • Monday, March 18, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting