Minutes of 9/29 Bettendorf School Board meeting

Board discusses 2002 goals and budget reduction plans

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BETTENDORF COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
BETTENDORF, IOWA

Official Minutes of the September 29, 2001, Retreat Meeting

1. Call to Order.

The Board of Directors of the Bettendorf Community School District, in the County of Scott, state of Iowa, met in open session according to Iowa law for their Board retreat at the Ray Stensvad Administration Center, 3311 Central Avenue, Bettendorf, Iowa, on September 29, 2001. President Roski called the meeting to order at 8:04 a.m. Board Secretary, Lynne Lindstrom, verified that the meeting notice had been posted and mailed to the media as required by law.

Members present: Directors Anderson, Castro, Mayer, Roski, Weigle.
Members absent: Directors Arney, Luton.
Other officials present: John Perdue, Superintendent; Paul Bobek, Executive Director of Business Affairs, Lynne Lindstrom, Board Secretary.

2. Agenda Approval.

Motion by Director Anderson, seconded by Director Castro, to approve the agenda as presented.

Ayes: 5 Directors Anderson, Castro, Mayer, Roski, Weigle.
Nays: 0
Absent: 2 Directors Arney, Luton. Motion carried 5-0-2.

3. Board Goals.

Directors reviewed last year's Board goals and drafted their goals for the 2001/02 school year. These goals will be reviewed for approval at the October 1, 2001, Board meeting.



The Board recessed at 9:05 a.m. and reconvened at 9:13 a.m.

4. Future Board Strategic Discussion Topics and Future Community Forum Topics.

Directors examined and prioritized future Board strategic discussion topics for 2001/02. In the absence of Directors Arney and Luton, strategic discussion topics were not finalized. Input from Directors Arney and Luton will be obtained and reviewed at the regular Board meeting scheduled for October 1, 2001. Directors discussed ideas for future community forums and suggested two forums be held during the current school year unless an issue-driven need for an additional forum arises.

5. Budget Planning.

Superintendent Perdue shared a memo which will be sent to each staff member who oversees a budget, requesting a 10 percent reduction in the 2001/02 budget. The 10 percent reduction amount would then be put into a budget reserve account and reviewed in the spring of 2002 as a possible funding source to balance the 2001/02 budget or the 2002/03 budget. Should these needs not arise, the district will rebate these amounts to the budget. Additionally, directors provided input to Superintendent Perdue and Paul Bobek on potential reductions to the general fund budget should it be necessary.

6. Community Support for Arts Center.

The Davenport Museum of Art requested the district's support for the Scott County Bond referendum and the Figge Arts Center. Directors reviewed a letter which would be sent to Scott County voters, urging voters to vote "yes" on November 6 in support of the $5 million bond referendum and the Figge Arts Center. While directors support the Figge Arts Center and its benefits to district students, they voiced concern regarding the request for their support of the overall $5 million bond referendum and the letter drafted by the Davenport Museum of Art. Superintendent Perdue will communicate the Board's views to the Davenport Museum of Art and other local school districts.

7. International Travel.

In consideration of the national tragedy on September 11 and potential security issues, directors reviewed the current policies for foreign and domestic travel. Directors shared their concerns and suggested a letter be drafted to staff, parents, and students from Superintendent Perdue and President Roski regarding all domestic and international student educational travel. The following key components were suggested and would be incorporated into this letter:

Travel plans will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. The Superintendent and Board of Education may cancel an educational trip due to concerns from travel advisories about student safety.


The Board has not cancelled any travel at this time. Faculty sponsors and principals should monitor destinations and travel plans by visiting the US Department of State travel advisory web site ( HYPERLINK "http://travel.state.gov" http://travel.state.gov ) and consult with travel sponsors. Decisions to conduct the student travel may be made by the faculty sponsor with input from the building principal. If the decision is to continue with travel plans, students and parents may make their own personal decision.


Students who make deposits to travel agencies should be advised that their trip could be canceled due to changing world events or safety concerns. Deposits could be forfeited or reduced by travel agencies. The district will not be responsible for refunds or forfeiture of any student deposits based upon action the faculty sponsor, Superintendent, or Board of Education may take to cancel a trip due to safety concerns.
If a faculty sponsor decides not to participate in the trip, a substitute faculty sponsor would be allowed to participate. School district staff must supervise students traveling as part of a school-sponsored trip.


All compensation from eligible Schedule D stipends will continue to be paid to faculty sponsors who function in these roles. This condition will exist even if the Board of Education should cancel a trip. If the faculty sponsor chooses to withdraw from these duties, a prorated portion of the Schedule D increment would be made and reassigned to any other staff member eligible to fulfill this role.


There have been no changes to current BOE policies. Due to recent worldwide events, these policies may be reviewed during the year for possible modification.

Superintendent Perdue will draft a letter incorporating the above information for directors to review and approve at the October 1 Board meeting.

8. Adjournment.

Motion by Director Mayer to adjourn the meeting at 11:12 a.m.