Board Agenda-2023.11.20

CRESTON COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Board of Directors Regular Meeting

November 20, 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 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

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

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 a vote.

    1. Minutes of  October 16, 2023
    2. Financial Reports
      1. All Funds Financials
    3. Bills
      1. All Funds Report
    4. Agreements, Contracts, & Resignations
      1. Contracts and Resignations
      2. Engagement Letter with Piper Sandler & Co.
        1. This is a standard agreement in accordance with the Iowa Code.  The agreement outlines the terms and conditions of the management and processing associated with the utilization of SAVE & PPEL funds borrowed to construct the new Early Childhood Learning Center and EMS/MS office remodel. The estimated cost for management and processing for bonding is $365,724.
      3. Lenox - East Union Girls’ Wrestling Agreement
        1. This is a standard agreement that outlines the cooperative agreement between the Lenox & East Union.
    5. Waiver for Eligibility for Activities
      1. A formal request was made by the parent of a new junior male student at Lenox.  The family moved to Prescott which is part of our district and the junior student enrolled at Lenox and would like to participate in activities.  The administration has evaluated the request and given the circumstances and fact that Lenox is not in the same conference, district, or region, it will not create a hardship for our students, programs, or district.  The administration recommends waiving the ineligibility timeline for this individual. 
    1. Donations
    2. Volunteers
  2. Communications and Reports
    1. Student and Staff Recognition
    1. Early Childhood Center Principal’s Report
    2. Elementary Principal’s Report
    3. Business Manager’s Report
    4. Superintendent’s Report
    5. Early Childhood Facility Planning
      1. Tentative Timeline
      2. Tentative budget (updated 10.10.23)
    6. Board Discussion
  2. Adjournment: Time: _____ pm.
    Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

 

Organization Meeting for 2023-24

  1. Call to Order by _______________ Time: ___________

The Board Secretary will call the meeting to order.

 

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. Approval of Agenda

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

  1. New Business
    1. Consider Certification of School Board Election Results

ACTION:   The certified results will be available at the board table.  Don Gee and Brad James are duly elected to the Creston Community School Board for a term of four years.  Please note that the final certification will be available at the board table on Monday.

RECOMMENDATION:   Approve Certification of the November 7, 2023 school board election with Don Gee receiving _____ votes, and Brad James receiving _____ votes.

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

    1. Administration of the Oath of Office to Elected Board Members

The president pro-term will administer the oath of office to new board members.

Oath of office: "Do you solemnly swear that you will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the state of Iowa and that you will faithfully and impartially to the best of your ability discharge the duties of the office of the board member  in Creston Community School District as now and hereafter required by law?"

    1. The school board will elect a president and a vice president who shall hold office until November 2024
      1. The president pro-term calls for president nominations; nominations need not be seconded. The board will then conduct a written vote on the nominations (board members must put their names on the ballot for public review). The president pro-term will announce the result of the vote, and will administer the oath of office to the newly elected president and the newly elected president will assume the chair.
        1. Administer oath of office to the President. The president pro-term will administer the oath of office to the president:

"Do you solemnly swear that you will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the state of Iowa and that you will faithfully and impartially to the best of your ability discharge the duties of the office of School Board President in Creston Community School District as now and hereafter required by law?"

Motion by: _____to nominate ______ for president, Seconded by: ________,

 Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

      1. The president calls for vice president nominations; nominations need not be seconded. The board will then conduct a written vote on the nominations (board members must put their names on the ballot for public review). The president will announce the result of the vote and will administer the oath of office to the newly elected vice president.
        1. Administer oath of office to the Vice President. The president will administer the oath of office to the vice president:

"Do you solemnly swear that you will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the state of Iowa and that you will faithfully and impartially to the best of your ability discharge the duties of the office of School Board Vice President in Creston Community School District as now and hereafter required by law?"

Motion by: _____to nominate ______ for vice president, Seconded by: ________,

 Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

    1. Consider Appointments of the School Board Secretary and School Board Treasurer

ACTION: Consider appointing Billie Jo Greene as School Board Secretary and School Board Treasurer through November 2024.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve Billie Jo Greene as School Board Secretary and  School Board Treasurer.
Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

    1. Consider Approving the Dates, Times, and Locations for Regular Meetings of the Board

ACTION: Currently the district meets the third Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the boardroom at the Central Office at 801 North Elm St.  Please remember, that with appropriate notice, the school board can meet as needed to conduct the business of the school board.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve school board meetings be held on the third Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the boardroom at the Central Office at 801 North Elm St.
Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

    1. Consider Approving Union and Adams County Conference Board Representative

ACTION: The board will appoint a representative to the Union and Adams County Conference Board. This is a committee that meets infrequently and requires very little time.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve Director __________, as the Union County Conference Board Representative, and Director, Don Gee, as the Adams County Conference Board Representative.

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

    1. Consider Approving Official Newspaper

ACTION: As required by law, the school board annually designates the official newspaper for the district.  The Creston News Advertiser has been the designated newspaper to post notices and official business of the district.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve the Creston News Advertiser as the district’s official newspaper.

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

    1. Consider Approving Bank Depository

ACTION: Districts are required to identify financial institutions to be depositories of the Creston Community School District funds in conformance with all applicable provisions of Iowa Code Chapters 452 and 453 (1993) as amended by 1984 Iowa Acts, S.F. 2220. 

The District’s primary bank is Iowa State Savings Bank (ISSB) and PMA Financial Network formally ISJIT.  The District recently negotiated competitive interest rates with ISSB and is satisfied with their services.  Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a resolution that Creston Community School District of Creston, IA in Union County, IA, approves Iowa State Savings Bank and PMA Financial Network as financial institutions to be the depository of Creston Community School District funds in conformance with all applicable provisions of Iowa Code Chapters 452 and 453 (1993) as amended by 1984 Iowa Acts, S.F. 2220.  The business manager, board secretary, and board treasurer are hereby authorized to deposit the Creston Community School funds at IASB.  Roll call vote: Naming Iowa State Savings Bank up to $15,000,000 and PMA up to $5,000,000 as the financial institutions of the depository.

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

    1. Consider Approving District Legal Counsel

ACTION: The District has a long-standing relationship with Ahlers & Cooney Law Firm.  Ahlers & Conney represents many Districts in Iowa and is well known for their expertise and work with public schools.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve Ahlers & Cooney Law Firm as the District Legal Counsel.

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

    1. Consider Approving early graduates

ACTION: Mr. Messerole recommends early graduation for students at the end of the first semester, pending successful completion of their current courses and district graduation requirements. Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve early graduation for students pending successful completion of the graduation requirements as set forth by the Board of Education and the State of Iowa.
Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

    1. Consider approving the first 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 first reading of policy updates in Vol. 32.1 and 503.8.

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

    1. Consider Approving Reconsideration Team

ACTION: New legislation requires districts to have a Reconsideration Team that is tasked with the responsibility of reviewing library material when a request for consideration is made (this is in reference to a formal request made by members of the public concerning the content of library materials). The proposed Reconsideration Team meets the state requirements with representation from a parent/community, staff, and administration.  Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve the Reconsideration Team.

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

    1. Consider entering into a Closed Session to Review the Emergency Management Plan as authorized by Section 21.5(1)(a) of the Open Meetings Law to Review or Discuss Records that are Required or Authorized to be Kept Confidential ACTION:  Emergency Operations Plans and Confidentiality:  Remember the Emergency Operations Plan is to remain confidential and to be discussed in closed session before Board approval.  Iowa Code section 280.30 - High-quality School Building Emergency Operations Plan states, “The plan shall be confidential and shall not be a public record subject to disclosure under Chapter 22.”  If someone were to ask you for a copy of the plan, you are legally authorized to deny them access to the plan.  Under Iowa Code, chapter 21.5, the reason for holding a closed session must be announced and entered in the minutes.  The reason must be for one of the reasons specified in the law.  Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.RECOMMENDATION:  Move to hold a closed session as authorized by section 21.5(1)(a) of the open meetings law to review or discuss records that are required or authorized to be kept confidential.Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay
    2. Consider Approving 2023-2024 Emergency Management Plan

ACTION:  School boards are required to annually approve the district Emergency Operations Plan.   Iowa Code section 280.30 - High-quality School Building Emergency Operations Plan states, “The plan shall be confidential and shall not be a public record subject to disclosure under Chapter 22.”  If someone were to ask you for a copy of the plan, you are legally authorized to deny them access. The district EOP team met regularly for the past 10 months to review and revise the EOP plan to support the changes in safety and security and improve processes and management.  A meeting with local law enforcement and emergency management was held before bringing this plan to the school board.  All agencies are on board and are integral to our safety and security planning.  Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.

RECOMMENDATION:  Approve the 2023-2024 Emergency Management Plan.

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, December 18, 2023, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting
  • Monday, January 15, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting
  • Monday, February 19, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting