Board Agenda-2023.09.18

CRESTON COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Board of Directors Regular Meeting

September 18 2023 – Meeting 6:00 p.m.

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.

 

In accordance with 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 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 concern 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

 

 

 

 

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 and 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.

 

Don Gee,

Board President

 

Dr. Amanda Mohr,

Vice President

 

Galen Zumbach

 

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. With a motion and a second, the President will call for the vote.

    1. Minutes of August 21, 2023, September 5, 2023
    2. Financial Reports
      1. All Funds Financials
    3. Bills
      1. All Funds Report
    4. Agreements, Contracts, Resignations, & Terminations
      1. Contracts, Resignations, Termination
      2. Top Notch Fireworks Agreement
      3. Homecoming DJ Agreement
    5. Donations
    6. Volunteers

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

  1. Communications and Reports
    1. ECC Principal’s Report
    2. Elementary Principal’s Report
    3. Business Manager’s Report
    4. Superintendent’s Report
    5. Board Discussion
  2. New Business
    1. Consider Approving Allowable Growth and Supplemental Aid for Special Education (updated 9.15.23)
      ACTION:        As a standard practice, administration asks the Board to consider approving the application for additional allowable growth and supplemental aid. In addition to the overall general operating fund budget, school districts monitor revenues and expenditures of special education and report annually to the Department of Education. Districts can spend more than they take in for special education, but the excess expense must be covered with general fund dollars. When the district reports a negative fund balance in special education, the state allows districts to recover the spending authority for those expenditures. The School Budget Review Committee (SBRC) will consider allowing recovery of the budget authority at their annual meeting in December. Administration recommends approving the Request for Modified Allowable Growth and Supplemental Aid for the FY23 Special Education deficit.  The historical data is included in the Business Managers Report. Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.
      RECOMMENDATION: Approve request for Modified Allowable Growth and Supplemental Aid for the FY23 special education deficit of $399,975.38.
      Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay
    2. Consider Approving Pathway To Being A Panther Agreement
      ACTION:  Due to the challenges of hiring licensed staff, I recommend the district support a model that attracts and supports student teachers and creates a pipeline to our staffing needs.  One of the district goals is to attract staff to our district and the Pathway To Being A Panther agreement may help attract student teachers to our district where they will gain experience and hopefully transition into our classrooms.  I hope the agreement attracts student teachers to our rural district by supporting their needs and paying for their student teaching credits (up to $10,000) and offering a living stipend ($700 per month) for up to four months.  The district will identify the areas of need and offer the Pathway To Being a Panther to student teachers who meet our criteria and needs.  The district can choose when to whom we offer the program to  and will evaluate the model to determine if it helps meet the district's goal of attracting teachers.  This is a general fund expenditure. Currently the district is offering incentives to those with a BA to obtain a teachers license and this will hopefully be proactive rather than reactive. If approved, this may be implemented this winter. Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.
      RECOMMENDATION: Approve Pathway To Being A Panther Agreement. 
      Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay
    3. Consider Approving Supervising Teacher Agreement
      ACTION: To support our teachers who accept the responsibility of supervising a student teacher, I recommend the district provide a $500 stipend to supervising teachers (limited to one per semester) for their time and commitment to supporting future educators. The intent is to attract and support student teachers and create a pipeline to our staffing needs and potential employees. This is a general fund expenditure and we will monitor the effectiveness of the program to identify changes and continuation.  This may be implemented this winter.  Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.
      RECOMMENDATION: Approve Supervising Teacher Agreement.. 
      Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay
    4. Consider Approving Early Notice Incentive
      ACTION: Due to limited licensed personnel, it is beneficial for the district to have advance notice and resignation of employment.  I propose that the district provide an incentive for licensed staff to provide early notice and a resignation to help us get an early edge on planning and find potential candidates if necessary. The stipend is a general fund expenditure and we will monitor the effectiveness of the program to identify changes and continuation.  Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.
      RECOMMENDATION: Approve Early Notice Incentive. 
      Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay
    5. Consider approving the seconded reading of revised Policies IASB Vol. 30.4, Vol. 31.2, Vol.31.3, Vol 31.4 and 908-910

ACTION: Please review the proposed IASB  policy updates..  The policies have been revised as a result of new and revised legislation.  District staff have reviewed the policies and present them to you for your review and consideration.   Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.

RECOMMENDATION: Approve seconded reading of policy updates in Vol. 30.4, Vol. 31.2, Vol.31.3 Vol 31.4 and 908-910

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

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

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

  • Monday, October 16, 2023, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting
  • Monday, November 20, 2023, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting
  • IASB Convention November 15-17 in Des Moines