Board Agenda-2024.11.18

CRESTON COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Board of Directors Regular Meeting

November 18, 2024 – 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.

 

Per 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 1-929-336-5572 to access the board meeting to participate in the public hearing. Please click on this link or visit this address meet.google.com/uix-bbyc-bcm  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

 

Join by phone

‪(US) +1 434-623-2922 PIN: ‪654 208 084#

 

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.

  1. Pledge of Allegiance

The president will ask the members and audience to face the flag for the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

 

Galen Zumbach,

Board President

 

Dr. Amanda Mohr,

Vice President

 

Don Gee

 

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          5-8 Principal

 

Callie Anderson, PK-4 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 October 21, 2024
    2. Financial Reports
      1. All Funds Financials
    3. Bills
      1. All Funds Report
    4. Agreements, Contracts, & Resignations
      1. Contracts and Resignations
      2. Nolte Cornman & Johnson Audit 3-Year Agreement
    5. Donations
    6. Volunteers
  2. Communications and Reports
    1. Student and Staff Recognition
    1. Middle School Principal’s Report
    2. High School Principal’s Report
    3. Business Manager’s Report
    4. Superintendent’s Report
      1. Enrollment & State Aid Overview
    5. Early Childhood Facility Planning
      1. Tentative Timeline - Budget (updated 11.18.24)
      2. Project Spending
    6. Board Discussion
  2. Adjournment: Time: _____ pm.
    Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

 

Organization Meeting for 2024-2025

  1. Call to Order by _______________ Time: ___________

The Board Secretary will call the meeting to order.

 

Galen Zumbach

 

Dr. Amanda Mohr

 

Don Gee

 

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          5-8 Principal

 

Callie Anderson, PK-4 Principal

 

 

 

  1. Approval of Agenda

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

  1. New Business
    1. The school board will elect a president and a vice president who shall hold office until November 2025
      1. The president's 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 2025.
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 5:30 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 except for March, which is the fourth Monday at 5:30 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 $20,000,000 and PMA up to $20,000,000 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 Creston Early Childhood Playground Equipment and Surfacing Contract.

ACTION: Mrs. Anderson and the district worked to secure a playground grant and reduced pricing with Game Time/Cunningham Recreation.  The grant and negotiations process has resulted in significant savings of $478,610 to the district and project.  Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve the Creston Early Childhood Playground and Surface contract to GameTime, ℅ Cunningham Recreation for $676,989.12

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

    1. Consider approving the purchase of two new buses for 2025-2026

      ACTION:   The district requested bids for two new activity buses to replace older buses and maintain the fleet. Both buses are climate-controlled and have understorage which is why the price is significantly higher than a traditional bus. The district followed district policy and the Iowa Code in the bid process and reflects the net price.  The district will now follow a replacement cycle that ensures our students and staff are being safely transported and the transportation fleet is well maintained. These buses will be purchased from PPEL and/or SAVE funds that are designated for equipment and facility improvements (these are FY 26 purchases and will be paid by PPEL/SAVE-note that some of these funds are from the debt service income). Mr. Busch received three bids and recommended the bid from Hoglund Bus Company for $327,870 for two buses from the 2026 budget. The district will sell three used buses. Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.

RECOMMENDATION:   Approve the bid and purchase of two buses from Hoglund Bus Company for $327,870 from the 2026 budget.

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

    1. Consider approving the second reading of Policy Primer 33.1
      ACTION:  IASB has revised the following policies to comply with state and federal laws.  This is the first reading of these policies.  The administration has reviewed these policies and addressed them accordingly. Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.

RECOMMENDATION: Approve the second reading of Policy Primer 33.1.
Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

  1.       L.  Consider approving the sale of public property.

                        ACTION:  I request annual approval and authority to manage the sale and disposal of public property.  This allows the district to have the flexibility to manage the sale and disposal of public property without delay.  The district will follow state codes in the disposal and sale of public property. Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.

RECOMMENDATION:  Approve granting authority to the Superintendent to sell and dispose of public property as necessary and in accordance with Iowa Code.

                  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 16, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting
  • Monday, January 20, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting
  • Monday, February 17, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting