Board Agenda-2024.12.16

CRESTON COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Regular Board Meeting

December 16, 2024 - Meeting at 5:30 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.

 

 

Don Gee

Board President

 

Galen Zumbach,

Vice President

 

Dr. Amanda Mohr,

 

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 November 18, 2024
    2. Financial Reports
      1. All Funds Financials
    3. Bills
      1. All Funds Report
    4. Agreements, Contracts, & Resignations
      1. Contracts and Resignations
    5. Donations
    6. Volunteers
  2. Communications and Reports
    1. Student and Staff Recognition
    1. Director of District Services Report
    2. PK-4 Principal’s Report
    3. Activity Directory Report
    4. Business Manager’s Report
    5. Superintendent’s Report
      1. Enrollment & State Aid Overview
    6. Early Childhood Facility Planning
      1. Tentative Timeline - Budget (updated 11.18.24)
      2. Project Spending
    7. 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, Mrs. Greene, Mr. Royster, and Mr. Stender will represent the district during negotiations.  Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.
      RECOMMENDATION: Approve director _______ and director _______ as lead negotiators to negotiate with the Creston Education Association and AFSCME Local 3467.
      Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay
    2. Consider approving the resolution for Gross Pay up for district-directed and approved employees and individuals pursuing certification.
      ACTION:       Districts are required to include tuition payments (Learn & Earn and TPRA) over $5,250 as taxable income.  We have consulted with the district attorney to develop a plan that holds employees who are directed by the district to receive further education harmless.  This impacts seven 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 $4,517.74. Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.

RECOMMENDATION: Approve the resolution for 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 $319,448.26 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 $13,538.98 related to the English Language Learning (ELL) program for students who have exceeded five years of weighting that are included on the Fall 2024 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 2025-2026 Modified Supplemental Allowance (MSA) At Risk

ACTION: The At-Risk program focuses on attendance, mental health, behaviors, and students who may be identified as at-risk.  Administration and staff identify and work with students to help them develop positive relationships, acceptable behaviors, and academic completion.  We offer an alternative program for students who are at risk of dropping out of school or having trouble adjusting to the general education setting. This is one of the few ways the school board can impact the local levy.  Like most funds, there are significant restrictions on how these funds can be spent. The total MSA is $520,625.  Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.

RECOMMENDATION: Approve the 2025-2026 Modified Supplemental Allowance At Risk budget for $520,625.
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 20, 2025, 5:30 p.m. Regular Board Meeting
  • Monday, February 17, 2025, 5:30 p.m. Regular Board Meeting
  • Monday, February 24, 2025, 5:30 p.m. Budget workshop
  • Monday, March 24, 2025, 5:30 p.m. Regular Board Meeting (note one week later)
  • Monday, March 31, 2025, 5:30 p.m. First Public Hearing on Certified Budget
  • Monday, April 21, 2025, 5:30 p.m. Regular Board Meeting and Second Public Hearing on Certified Budget
  • Monday, May 19, 2025, 5:30 p.m. Regular Board Meeting
  • Monday, June 16, 2025, 5:30 p.m. Regular Board Meeting