Board Agenda-2023.10.16

CRESTON COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Board of Directors Regular Meeting

October 16 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  September 18, 2023
    2. Financial Reports
      1. All Funds Financials
    3. Bills
      1. All Funds Report
    4. Agreements, Contracts, & Resignations
      1. Contracts and Resignations
      2. Prom DJ Agreement
      3. Smart Site Agreement
        1. New website interface supported by ParentSquare (district communication module)
    1. Donations
    2. Volunteers
    3. Approve Jane Shantz as the District Homeless Coordinator
    4. Approve Bill Messerole as the District 504 Coordinator
    5. Approve Sexual harassment/Level I Investigators:  Angie Bolinger, Kelsey Malmanger, Scott Driskell; Sexual Harassment/Level II Investigator:   Union County Attorney; Equity Coordinator/Affirmative Action:  Deron Stender
    6. Approve Superintendent Deron Stenders attendance at the Safety & Innovation Summit in Salt Lake City, Utah, November 11-14, 2023
      1. Summit attendance is by invitation only. The district will not incur any expenses as the summit covers all associated expenses

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

  1. Communications and Reports
    1. Teacher Leadership Report
    2. Middle School Principal’s Report
    3. High School Principal’s Report
    4. Business Manager’s Report
    5. Superintendent’s Report
    6. Early Childhood Facility Planning
      1. Tentative Timeline
      2. Tentative budget
    7. Board Discussion
  2. New Business
    1. Consider approving the amended AIA Agreement with DLR Group for design, bidding and construction phase services related to the Early Childhood Center addition and EMS remodel.

ACTION:   For several years, the district has been working with DLR to provide facility planning and project management. The support and communication from DLR has been positive and there is value in continuing the relationship with them as the district starts the planning process for the Early Childhood addition and EMS remodel.  This AIA agreement is for the Early Childhood Center addition and EMS remodel.  AIA agreements are a standard agreement between DLR and the district and outlines the terms and associated costs for design, bidding, and management.  These costs will be included in the total project costs and paid from the revenue purpose statement funds. Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.

RECOMMENDATION:   Approve the amended contract with DLR Group for design, bidding, and construction management services for the Early Childhood addition and EMS remodel.

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

    1. Consider approving a contract Topographic Survey Proposal services related to the Early Childhood Center addition and EMS remodel.

ACTION:   The district has been working with DLR Group to propose a Site Survey at the Elem-Middle School and High School for the upcoming addition and renovation project.  DLR recommends awarding the Site Survey Services to Garden & Associates, LTD for $26,250.  The survey cost is $26,250 and will be paid for from the SAVE/PPEL funds. Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.

RECOMMENDATION:   Approve contract with Garden & Associates LTD to complete a topographic survey for $26,250.

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

    1. 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 and whom we offer the program. We will evaluate the model to determine if it helps meet the district's goal of attracting teachers.  This is a general fund expenditure. Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.
      RECOMMENDATION: Approve Pathway To Being A Panther Agreement. 
      Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay
    2. 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, ____ NayConsider
    3. Consider Approving purchasing softball & baseball scoreboards
      ACTION:       We recognize the need for early planning to secure equipment and complete projects.  The district capital outlay plan identifies projects for five years and beyond.  The softball and baseball scoreboards are identified projects for the FY 24 budget.  Mr. Driskell and Mr. Briley have met with representatives from Daktroniks to review equipment and installation plans.  The district has a long standing relationship with Dakroniks as a reliable vendor.  Based on the estimates, the total cost for the new scoreboards is $56,094.  These are in the FY 24 budget and are eligible SAVE/PPEL expenditures.  Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions. 
      RECOMMENDATION:  Approve purchasing softball & baseball scoreboards from Daktroniks.
      Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay
    4. Consider approving the purchase of a new bus for 2024-2025 (updated)

      ACTION:   The district requested bids for one new route bus to replace an existing bus to maintain the fleet. The district followed district policy and Iowa Code in the bid process. The bid prices reflect the net price with trade in.  Maintaining a replacement cycle ensures our students and staff are being safely transported and the transportation fleet is well maintained. Buses and vehicles can be purchased from PPEL and/or SAVE funds that are designated to equipment and facility improvements (these are FY 25 purchases and will be paid by PPEL/SAVE). Mr. Busch received three bids and recommends the bid from Hoglund Bus Company for $141,750 from the 2025 budget. Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.

RECOMMENDATION:   Approve the bid and bus purchase from Hoglund Bus Company for $141,750 from the 2025 budget.

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

    1. Consider approving the purchase of two new suburbans for 2023-2024.

      ACTION:   Last spring the district requested bids for two suburbans.  Due to supply chain issues, local dealers were not able submit a bid.  The district has a need to replace the Yukon and an additional suburban.  The district is able to purchase two suburbans through the state bid process to meet our needs. This is an eligible purchase from the PPEL and/or SAVE funds.  Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.

RECOMMENDATION:   Approve the bid and purchase of two suburbans from Karl Auto Group for $111,800.

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

    1. Consider approving Modified Supplemental for LEP excess cost

ACTION:  This is a new requirement from the Department of Education.  The purpose is to increase public awareness of the district's request for a modified supplemental allowance due to the increased cost of LEP.  Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.

RECOMMENDATION:   Approve a request to the SBRC for a modified supplemental amount of $34,148.89 due to excess costs of providing the LEP program in the prior year.

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

    1. Consider approving the first reading of Policy  503.08: Discipline of Students Who Make Threats of Violence or Cause Incidents of Violence

ACTION: Due to new legislation, the Department of Education has provided guidance on the model districts shall use to classify levels of discipline.  Administration has reviewed the guidance and will comply with the new legislation to the best of our abilities.  The guidance is fairly ambiguous and districts are asking for clarity that may or may not be provided.   The policy has been revised to reflect the new legislation.  Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.

RECOMMENDATION: Approve first reading of revised policy 503.08.

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

    1. Consider approving the 2023-2024 additional payment for activities

ACTION:  This action item supports sound fiscal responsibility by recognizing compensation to individuals that are not covered by a master agreement.  This practice provides guidance and a record of business. Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.

RECOMMENDATION:   Approve 2023-2024 additional payments for activities.

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, November 20, 2023, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting
  • IASB Convention November 15-17 in Des Moines
  • Monday, December 18, 2023, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting