Board Agenda-2023.12.18

CRESTON COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Regular Board Meeting

December 18, 2023 - Meeting at 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 board meeting day. 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 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. 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  November 20, 2023
    2. Financial Reports
      1. All Funds Financials
    3. Bills
      1. All Funds Report
    4. Agreements, Contracts, & Resignations
      1. Contracts and Resignations
      2. 28E Agreement for School Resource Officer
      3. Southwestern Community College EMS 210 Agreement
    5. Donations
    6. Volunteers

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

  1. Communications and Reports
    1. DLR presentation
    2. Student and Staff Recognition
    3. Middle School Principal’s Report
    4. High School Principal’s Report
    5. Activity Directory Report
    6. Business Manager’s Report
    7. Superintendent’s Report
    8. Early Childhood Facility Planning
      1. Tentative Timeline
      2. Tentative budget (updated 10.10.23)
    9. Board Discussion
  2. New Business
    1. Consider approving the appointment of two Board members to the Creston Education Association and AFSCME Local 3467 negotiations teams
      ACTION:       This is a formal process to serve on the negotiations team with the Creston Education Association and AFSCME Local 3467.  Two board members along with Mrs. Greene and Mr. Stender will represent the district during negotiations.  Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.
      RECOMMENDATION: Approve director _______ and director _______ as lead negotiators and director _______ as the alternate negotiator for the district to negotiate with the Creston Education Association and AFSCME Local 3467.
      Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay
    2. Consider approving the resolution to Gross Pay up for district-directed and approved employees and individuals pursuing certification.
      ACTION:       The district, like many other districts, recently learned that we are required to include tuition payments over $5,250 as taxable income.  We have consulted with the district attorney and to develop a plan that holds employees harmless who are directed by the district to receive further education.  This impacts four employees who are pursuing an endorsement in education that benefits the district.  The total cost to the district to hold these individuals harmless is about $6,863.  We are considering options and the impact for next year.  Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.

RECOMMENDATION: Approve the resolution to gross pay for district-directed and approved employees and individuals pursuing certification.

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

    1. Consider approving the Modified Supplemental SBRC Application for increased Open Enrollment.

ACTION:  The district is authorized to submit a request to the School Budget Review Committee a modified supplemental amount of $223,799.00 due to open enrollment out from the previous year.  Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.

RECOMMENDATION:  Approve open enrollment modified supplemental allowance.

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

    1. Consider approving the Modified Supplemental SBRC Application for increased Limited English Proficient(LEP) Beyond Five Years.

ACTION: The district is authorized to submit a request to the School Budget Review Committee for a modified supplemental amount of $18,018.00 related to the English Language Learning (ELL) program for students who have exceeded five years of weighting that are included on the Fall 2022 certified enrollment headcount. Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.

RECOMMENDATION:  Approve LEP modified supplemental allowance. 

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 the regular board meeting for January 16, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.

ACTION:   To avoid conflict with the state caucus being held on January 15, I request approval to move the regular board meeting to Tuesday, January 16 at 6:00 p.m.  Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.

RECOMMENDATION:   Approve January 16, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. as the date and time for the workshop and regular board meeting at 6:00.

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

    1. Consider closed session to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation and that individual requests a closed session as provided by Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(i)X

ACTION:   Under Iowa Code, Chapter 21.5, the reason for holding a closed session must be announced and entered in the minutes (the specific reason is listed above). A roll call vote must be taken, and the minutes must show how each member voted on closing the session.

RECOMMENDATION:   Move that we hold a closed session as provided in section 21.5(1)(i) of the open meetings law to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation and that individual requests a closed session.

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

    1. Consider action if necessary pending Item F

ACTION:   Pending Item F.

RECOMMENDATION:   Pending Item F.

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:

  • Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at 3:00 p.m., staff meeting on the Early Childhood addition; and at 5:00 p.m. public meeting at the High School Auditorium.
  • Tuesday, January 16, 2024, 5:00 p.m. workshop followed by Regular Board Meeting
  • Monday, February 19, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting