Board Agenda - 2023.2.20

CRESTON COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Board of Directors Regular Meeting

February 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://is.gd/vmnZsQ 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 4594 6574

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, 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. Open Hearing on the proposed  2023-2024 school calendar

Board President states, "At this time we will hold the hearing on the 2023-2024 school calendar.  Is there anyone present who wants to voice any oral objections to the proposed calendar?"  Following a pause to allow anyone to voice their opinion, he will turn to the board secretary and ask, "Do we have any written objections to the proposed calendar?".  After the board secretary presents any written objections, the president closes the hearing by stating "I now declare the open hearing closed."

  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 January 16, 2023, February 10, 2023
    2. Financial Reports
      1. All Financials
    3. Bills
      1. All Funds Report
    4. Contracts
      1. Contracts and Resignations

 

    1. Donations
    2. Fundraisers

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

 

  1. Communications and Reports
    1. Student and Staff Recognition
    2. Middle School Principal’s Report
    3. High School  Principal’s Report
    4. Business Manager’s Report
    5. Superintendent’s Report
    6. Projects
      1. ESSER III Funded Positions & Programs
      2. Capital Projects FY 24
    7. Board Discussion
  2. New Business
    1. Consider setting public hearing on the district's 2023-2024 budget proposal
      ACTION:       In accordance with Iowa Code, the district is required to provide an opportunity for public comment on the budget proposal.  We propose that a hearing be scheduled for April 10, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the Central Office Board room.  Once the hearing is complete, the school board can vote to adopt the proposed budget.  Districts are required to post the hearing notice in its designated newspaper no less than 10 days and no more than 20 days prior to the date of the public hearing.  Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.
      RECOMMENDATION: Approve setting public hearing for April 10, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the Central Office Board Room as the date, time, and place for the proposed 2023-2024 budget.

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

    1. Consider setting March 14, 2023 at 2 pm the quotation date for the elementary middle school playground, equipment, and surfacing project. 
      ACTION: This action provides notice the district is seeking quotes for the project and aligns with the timeline for work to be completed over the summer. DLR is working with the district to manage this project.  This is an eligible SAVE expenditure and the project has been on the district’s to-do list for several years. Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.
      RECOMMENDATION: Approve setting March 14, 2023 at 2 pm the quotation date for the elementary middle school playground, equipment, and surfacing project

 

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

    1. Consider approving the proposed  2023-2024 school calendar

ACTION: In accordance with Iowa Code 279.10(1) the public hearing has been held for the proposed 2023-2024 school calendar.  The focus of the calendar is on instructional time to support learning, instruction, and professional development.  The proposed calendar reflects 1,147 hours of instruction (exceeds the state requirement of 1,080 hours by 67 hours or 10 days).   This calendar reflects 174 student days and 191 licensed contract days. Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.

RECOMMENDATION:  Approve the 2023-2024 school calendar.   

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

    1. Consider approving updates to the Panther Pride Preschool Handbook

ACTION:  Mrs. Anderson  revised the health and safety language in the preschool handbook and proposed changes are in red text on pages 13 and 29.  Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.

RECOMMENDATION: Approve revised Panther Pride Preschool Handbook changes.

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

    1. Consider approving revised Job Descriptions

ACTION: The district job descriptions have been revised to reflect changes to two positions at central office (Central Office Generalist I & II). Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.

RECOMMENDATION: Approve revised job descriptions.

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

    1. Consider approving the purchase of a used bus for 2022-2023

      ACTION:   The district requested bids for a used route bus to replace a bus that has been determined to be unfit for student transportation by IDOT. The bus is a new (2024) bus but classified as used because a district ordered it and changed their order after the bus was already being built.  The only miles on the bus are due to transport from the factory to School Bus Sales.  The used bus is discounted and is available for immediate delivery to the district.  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. This bus will be purchased from the general fund as a one time expenditure for $119,500 (includes trade in value of $500).  Mr. Fariss received one bid for a used bus and recommends the bid from School Bus Sales for $119,500 from the 2023 budget. Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.

      1. School Bus Sales

RECOMMENDATION:   Approve the purchase of a used bus from School Bus Sales for 2022-2023.

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

    1. Consider approving the purchase of a new bus for 2023-2024

      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 24 purchases and will be paid by PPEL/SAVE). Mr. Fariss received three  bids and recommends the bid from School Bus Sales for $125,500 from the 2024 budget. Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.

      1. School Bus Sales
      2. Truck Center
      3. Hoglund Bus Company

RECOMMENDATION:   Approve the bid and bus purchase from School Bus Sales for 2023-2024.

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:

  • Wednesday, March 8, 2023, 6:00 p.m. Budget Workshop
  • Monday, March 20, 2023, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting
  • Monday, April 10, 2023, 6:00 p.m., Budget Hearing Meeting
  • Monday, April 17, 2023, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting