Pleasant Valley School Board meeting 7.7.2003

Year round school calendar discussions

MEMBERS PRESENT: Regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Debbie Dayman. Members present: Barsness, Coon, Dayman, Hoffmann, O'Hara, Romans, Thornton. Absent: None. Also present: Jim Spelhaug, Mike Clingingsmith, Chris Harvey, Debbie Menke, Brian Strusz, Cyndy Behrer, Jean Rittmer, Steve Evans, Delores Staack, Beth Johnson, Leigh White, Rand Westlund, Roya Francis, Joe Adam, Representative Joe Hutter, Erica Thornton and others.

AGENDA APPROVED: Motion by Barsness, second by Dayman that the Agenda be approved as presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

COMMUNICATIONS: President Dayman welcomed visitors to the meeting.

Deb Mulvania and Brian Volkens representing First Central State Bank, LeClaire, presented the district with a check in the amount of $525.

Ms. Roya Francis presented a "Petition Opposing the Pleasant Valley Community School District Balanced Calendar Proposal" to the board and indicated that it contained names representing 421 households.

The Board welcomed Ms. Cyndy Behrer to the table as the newly appointed Assistant Superintendent. Ms. Behrer thanked the Board for their support and expressed her excitement for her new capacity with the district.

Dr. Spelhaug reported that the district has one elementary guidance counselor position to fill, but with that exception, the faculty is fully staffed for the 2003-04 school year.

Dr. Spelhaug described a problem that developed at the Pleasant View elementary addition due to a leak in a hot water pipe. Carpet in two rooms was found wet after the water had been turned on for the new boiler. He also reported that the excavation crew is on site to begin the water retention pond.

CONSENT AGENDA: Motion by O'Hara, second by Thornton that the Consent Agenda be approved as presented. All Ayes. Motion carried. The Consent Agenda consists of the following: approval of the minutes of the June 16, 2003, Regular Board meeting; the resignations of Laurie Coon as an elementary counselor at Bridgeview and Cody and Carrie Landau as Juvenile Court Liaison Officer, the employment of Mary Stavnes as an 8th grade Life Science instructor at PVJHS, Brant Clausen as 8th grade boys basketball coach, Beth Huinker as 7th grade volleyball coach, Alice Reid as the PVCHS assistant vocal music conductor, Jennifer Stangl as 7th grade girls track coach, Roxanne Schmertmann as a one-half time nurse at Bridgeview Elementary, Teresa Kraft as a Junior High Summer School Aide; two open enrollment applications-in - one from Davenport Schools and one from Bettendorf Schools for the 2003-04 school year; appointment of Don Dehner as district child abuse investigator with Michele Barnes serving as alternate and Jim Sweeney as

outside investigator for the 2003-04 school year; and the following resolutions to comply with the district's requirements for appointments normally handled in the Board of Directors Annual Meeting:

Be it resolved that the Board President, Board Secretary, Chief Financial Officer and Superintendent be authorized to sign warrants authorized by the Chief Financial Officer to be drawn upon the General Fund, Management Fund, Physical Plant and Equipment Levy Fund, Debt Service Fund and Nutrition Fund accounts maintained at Great River Bank & Trust, LeClaire, Iowa.

Be it resolved that the Board President, Board Secretary, Chief Financial Officer and Superintendent be authorized to sign warrants authorized by the Chief Financial Officer to be drawn upon the Imprest Payroll Account maintained at Quad-City Bank & Trust, Bettendorf, Iowa.

Be it resolved that the Board President, Board Secretary, Chief Financial Officer and Superintendent be authorized to sign warrants authorized by the Chief Financial Officer to be drawn upon the Elementary/Junior High Fund and Internal Service Fund accounts maintained at Valley State Bank, Eldridge, Iowa.

Be it resolved that the Board President, Board Secretary, Chief Financial Officer and High School Principal be authorized to sign warrants authorized by the Chief Financial Officer to be drawn upon the High School Activity Fund account maintained at Wells Fargo Bank Iowa, N.A., Davenport, Iowa.

Appointments of Treasurer and Secretary:

Joyce Bauwens is appointed as Treasurer of the Pleasant Valley Community School District for a one year term. The term will begin July 1, 2003, and end June 30, 2004.

Christine Harvey is appointed as Secretary of the Pleasant Valley Community School District for a one year term. The term will begin July 1, 2003, and end June 30, 2004.

Secretary and Treasurer will be bonded in the amount of $10,000 as per Code of Iowa, Section 291.2.

Appointment of Lane & Waterman as District Legal Counsel.

Amend Resolution Naming Depositories.

Resolved, that the Pleasant Valley Community School District of Pleasant Valley in Scott County, Iowa, approves the following list of financial institutions to be depositories of the Pleasant Valley Community School District funds in conformance with all applicable provisions of Iowa Code Chapter 12C. The Treasurer of the Pleasant Valley Community School District is hereby authorized to deposit the Pleasant Valley Community School District funds in amounts not to exceed the maximum approved for each respective financial institution as set out below.

Northwest Bank & Trust Co. $15,000,000 U.S. Bank $15,000,000 Quad City Bank & Trust $15,000,000 Great River Bank & Trust $15,000,000 Valley State Bank $15,000,000 Wells Fargo Bank Iowa, N.A. $15,000,000 First Central State Bank $15,000,000

EXPENSES APPROVED: Approval of June 30, 2003 bills was as follows:

Motion by Thornton, second by Coon that General Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $104,478.42 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Coon, second by Barsness that Nutrition Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $38,836.86 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Barsness, second by O'Hara that Elementary/Junior High Activity Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $15,805.32 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by O'Hara, second by Thornton that PV Spirit Gear, Ltd. warrants be issued in the total amount of $7,627.18 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Coon, second by Hoffmann that Schoolhouse Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $47,780.69 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Approval of July 7, 2003 bills was as follows:

Motion by O'Hara, second by Romans that General Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $15,840.08 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Romans, second by O'Hara that Nutrition Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $3,514.62 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Thornton, second by Coon that High School Activity Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $36,006.68 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Barsness, second by Coon that Schoolhouse Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $32,177.28 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Romans, second by O'Hara that an Internal Service Fund warrant be issued in the total amount of $2,375.00 in payment of invoice presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

BALANCED CALENDAR UPDATE: Dr. Spelhaug updated the Board on the Balanced Calendar issue. He reported that since the last board meeting an additional 23 surveys were received bringing the total number received to 662 (34%) with the following updated results:

? 202 (30.5% of returned surveys 10.4% of households) indicated: Our family prefers the district adopts a balanced calendar. ? 162 (24.5% of returned surveys 8.3% of households) indicated: Our family would be satisfied with either calendar. ? 252 (38.1% of returned surveys 13% of households) indicated: Our family prefers to stay on the traditional calendar. ? 45 (6.8% of returned surveys 2.3% of households) indicated: Our family has not made up our minds on this issue.

In attempting to answer the key question, "Is it reasonable to assume that no more than 137 additional households of those that have not responded are in opposition to this idea?" Dr. Spelhaug pointed out three indicators that provide evidence which help predict likely outcomes.

1. Of the 23 surveys returned since the last board meeting, 6 (26%) were in favor and 12 (52%) were in opposition to a changed calendar.

2. Given the importance of Pleasant Valley and Bettendorf being on the same calendar, it is important to consider how likely it is that Bettendorf, if Pleasant Valley stays in the study, is to adopt the calendar.

3. Dr. Spelhaug recommended that the Board give consideration to the newly received petition as an indicator and not a conclusion. The petition will be checked to see that households are being counted and not names (the 20% threshold is based on households) and that names are those of people who currently live in the district and have children enrolled in K-12 grades for the 2003-04 school year. A random calling check will also be done to verify signature intent.

The Board discussed how to determine if the 20% threshold has been reached and the need to continue discussions of time related ideas if the balanced calendar issue should be set aside.

Dr. Spelhaug reinforced that if the balanced calendar idea is set aside, time must remain a factor in considering ways to improve student achievement.

Several people in the audience spoke in regard to the balanced calendar issue; more were opposed than in favor of it.

Director Thornton brought a letter from Nancy McConnell regarding the balanced calendar and California's experiences to the Board's attention.

Motion by Romans, second by Coon that the board establish the criteria that if 20% or more of the 2003-04 parent households oppose a change to a balanced calendar, the study to consider the implementation of such calendar be discontinued. Roll call vote. Ayes - Romans, Barsness, Coon, Dayman, Hoffmann, O'Hara. Nays - Thornton. Motion carried.

ADMINISTRATION OF OATH OF OFFICE FOR BOARD SECRETARY: President Dayman issued the Oath of Office to the Secretary of the Board, Christine Harvey, who will in turn issue the Oath of Office to the Treasurer of the Board, Joyce Bauwens.

REVIEW BOARD POLICY 603.1a, "INSUFFICIENT CLASSROOM SPACE": The Board reviewed Board Policy 603.1A, "Insufficient Classroom Space" which is required by law and Board Policy to be reviewed on an annual basis. No changes to the policy were recommended.

Motion by O'Hara, second by Thornton that Board Policy 603.1A, "Insufficient Classroom Space" stand as written. Roll call vote. Ayes - O'Hara, Romans, Thornton, Barsness, Coon, Dayman, Hoffmann. Nays - none. Motion carried.

REVIEW BOARD POLICY 606.1, "NONDISCRIMINATION": The Board reviewed Board Policy 606.1, "Nondiscrimination". No changes were recommended except for the updating of the name, Don Dehner, as the official responsible for compliance.

Motion by Barsness, second by Coon that Board Policy 606.1, "Nondiscrimination" be approved as written. Roll call vote. Ayes - Barsness, Coon, Dayman, Hoffmann, O'Hara, Romans, Thornton. Nays - none. Motion carried.

IASB LEGISLATIVE ACTION PRIORITIES: The Iowa Association of School Boards is seeking Proposed 2004 Legislative Action Priorities and Resolutions. The Board directed the Superintendent to draft proposals focusing on school finance for discussion, prioritizing, and approval at its next meeting.

The Board expressed its appreciation to Representative Joe Hutter, who was in attendance, for his input.

The Board adjourned at 8:36 p.m.

Next Board Meeting Monday, July 21, 2003 7:00 PM Belmont Administration Center Registration Dates Thurs., Aug. 7 10 AM - 7:00 PM Elem./J.H. 9 AM - 3 PM H.S. A-F Fri., Aug. 8 9 AM - 4:00 PM Elem./J.H. 9 AM - 3 PM H.S. G-L Mon., Aug. 11 9 AM - 3 PM H.S. M-R 3 PM - 6:45 PM Open Registration Tues., Aug. 12 9 AM - 3 PM H.S. S-Z Wed., Aug. 13 9 AM - 3 PM Makeup Registration Thurs., Aug. 14 8 AM - 12 PM H.S. Registration at Bridgeview Counselors will be available on Thursday, August 7, 2003. **Note** Monday, August 18, 7:00 PM, Student/Parent Orientation Program in the high school auditorium for incoming 9th grade students and students new to the district.

First Day of School Wednesday, August 20, 2003

Pleasant Valley Schools Foundation Alumni Data Base If you are an alumnus of Pleasant Valley Community Schools, we would like to hear from you. We are developing an alumni data base and will make this available for class reunions. Please let us know your address and phone number and year of graduation so you can be kept informed of your class events. Call (319)332-5550 or e-mail harveychris@pleasval.k12.ia.us.