Pleasant Valley Board of Education 10.20.2003

Bridgeview and High School construction projects outlined.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Debbie Dayman. Members present: Barsness, Dayman, Messman, O'Hara, Schurr, Thornton. Absent: Hoffmann. Also present: Jim Spelhaug, Mike Clingingsmith, Chris Harvey, Cyndy Behrer, Ray LaFrentz, Gail Smith, Drew Anderson, Robert Swinney, Eric Larew, Debbie Menke, Steve Zbylicki, Michele Barnes, Steve VanDyke and others.

AGENDA APPROVED: Motion by Thornton, second by O'Hara that the Agenda be approved as presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

COMMUNICATIONS: President Dayman welcomed visitors.

Directors Barsness and Messman thanked the District for allowing them to attend the District 6 Iowa Association of School Boards meeting in Mt. Vernon October 14. They reported that IASB has added two legislative priorities this year: Public Education Priority and Professional Development. These join the original two legislative priorities: Infrastructure Equity and Allowable Growth.

President Dayman reported that she, Director Messman, and Assistant Superintendent Cyndy Behrer had attended a meeting with State Representative Joe Hutter at the Bettendorf Library October 11 to discuss legislative issues.

Cyndy Behrer reported that three Pleasant Valley elementary schools scored in the top five out of twenty-three area schools participating in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's Mississippi River Eco-Meet. In the Eco-Meet, a team competition designed to promote better use of our area's natural and cultural resources, Riverdale Heights' team coached by Dave Langtimm placed second; Cody's team coached by Beth Krogman placed fourth; and Pleasant View's team coached by Grant Erickson placed fifth.

In answer to a question President Dayman had about the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation, Ms. Behrer explained that proficiency is an expectation for all students and all subgroups (English Language Learners (ELL) students, students with disabilities, ethnic groups and students with low socio-economic status).

In answer to a question Director Barsness had regarding the Master Student class at the October 6 meeting, Dr. Spelhaug responded that one Master Student Class is offered each semester at the high school. There are a total of thirty-two students taking the class with a mix of sophomores, juniors and seniors. Twenty are female and twelve are male.

On October 11, Dr. Spelhaug attended an Iowa State Education Association meeting on insurance in Cedar Rapids with Cathi Betts, Sixth grade teacher at Cody, and Joel Haack, Media Specialist at Riverdale Heights. He said the message of this meeting paralleled one hosted by Wellmark which he had attended in September.

In discussing the Consent Agenda item, "Grant Permanent Sanitary Sewer Easement", Dr. Spelhaug explained that when Riverdale Heights was constructed, the sewer easement did not extend to the edge of the District's property. Developers are adding apartments to the Regency complex and are seeking to have the easement extend to the District's actual property line. This is a brushy, wooded area in the northeast corner of the Riverdale Heights property. He recommended approval of this easement on the condition that: 1) the work be done when the school is vacant (there is a gas line within the easement); 2) the developer pays for the cost of the district's legal review; and 3) the grounds be returned to a graded/seeded state.

Dr. Spelhaug reviewed for the Board and the public the across the board budget cut implemented by Governor Vilsack and how the cuts will impact Pleasant Valley Schools. He highlighted a memo which he will send out to faculty and staff where he stated that the district's job is to save as much of the General Fund cut (-$264,446) as possible without putting more pressure on the district's cash reserves. Core field trips which were established after the last state budget cuts will be preserved but newly scheduled or discretionary trips will not be taken; temperature set points (69 degrees heating; 76 degrees cooling) will not be changed but additional conservation measures pursued; and travel and in-service activity will be restricted. Guided Reading Resources will move ahead but with a longer phase in than planned and building budgets will be frozen at last year's levels. While much of what can be shifted from the General Fund to the PPEL (Physical, Plant, and Equipment Levy) fund has been done, additional opportunities will be explored. He emphasized that it is the district's responsibility to provide students with the very best education possible while being excellent stewards of the public tax dollar. He encouraged the public, faculty and staff to stay connected to legislative discussions which impact school funding.

CONSENT AGENDA: Motion by O'Hara, second by Schurr 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 October 6, 2003, Regular Board meeting; the recommendation for employment of Kelly Benson as PVCHS Athletic/Activities secretary effective on or around November 17; one open enrollment application-in for the 2003-04 school year from Bettendorf Schools; granted permanent sanitary sewer easement in the northwest corner of the Riverdale Heights property to developers of the Regency complex.

EXPENSES APPROVED: Motion by Barsness, second by Messman that General Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $145,121.77 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Thornton, second by Schurr that Nutrition Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $57,404.33 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by O'Hara, second by Thornton that Elementary/Junior High Activity Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $6,503.82 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Messman, second by Barsness that High School Activity Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $14,531.30 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Schurr, second by O'Hara that Schoolhouse Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $252,914.46 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Barsness, second by Thornton that Internal Service Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $12,456.96 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

HOUSING UPDATE - CITY OF BETTENDORF: Steve Van Dyke, Community Development Director, City of Bettendorf, was present and reviewed housing developments that are located in the Pleasant Valley School District. He said there are approximately 125 housing starts per year in Bettendorf. Currently, the vast majority of those starts occur in the Pleasant Valley district. Two potentially large areas of growth are the 53rd St./Devils Glen Road area and the I-80/Middle Road area.

HIGH SCHOOL & BRIDGEVIEW RENOVATION PROJECTS: District architect, Steve Zbylicki of Frevert, Ramsey, Kobes Architects, reviewed renovation/expansion plans for Bridgeview Elementary and the High School. Both projects have been in the planning stages for several years. The cost will be covered by funds from the Local Option Sales Tax along with Physical Plant & Equipment Levy tax revenue. Dr. Spelhaug pointed out that at Bridgeview, there is a single section of fifth grade going through the school at the present time. When that class leaves, the school, as it is now, will not be able to accommodate two sections in every grade. In addition the preschool is accommodated in a temporary space taken out of the cafeteria, a special education class with a temporary space taken out of the library, and space is also needed for a required early childhood special education class. The addition will be approximately 6,900 square feet and will include a music room, science room, MD/Special Education room, Early Childhood/Special Education room, a guidance office, and storage. It will be built on to the west side of the building. The estimated total projected cost is $990,000.

The High School's project is two fold: First, a music addition will be added on to the south end of the building. The current choir and band rooms will be renovated. This addition will allow space for a choir room with office and storage, an orchestra room with office and storage, a band room with office and storage, a small ensemble room, a music computer lab, and music library room. The music addition will be approximately 7,150 square feet. Second, a Wellness/Weight Room will be added on to the east end of the building. It will be approximately 8,500 square feet (including a newly created entrance and corridor) and will be a multi-purpose space to house the weight training and cardio/vascular fitness equipment which are currently housed in locker room space or unavailable for lack of space. The estimated total cost of both high school projects is $2,200,000.

Mike Clingingsmith and Dr. Spelhaug reviewed the Five Year Capital Projects Plan to refresh the Board as to how the two construction projects were planned and budgeted. It was also discussed that Local Option Sales Tax revenues cannot be used to address the budget cuts to the General Fund and, as stated earlier in the minutes, PPEL is providing as much general fund support as is allowed by statute.

Motion by Thornton, second by Barsness that the Board approve the Bridgeview Elementary Classroom Addition and the High School Wellness and Music Classroom Additions conceptual plans and authorization for Frevert Ramsey Kobes Architects to proceed with preparation of bidding documents as recommended. Roll call vote. Ayes - Thornton, Barsness, Dayman, Messman, O'Hara, Schurr. Nays - none. Motion carried.

PLEASANT VIEW BOILER REPLACEMENT PROJECT CHANGE ORDER #2: Director of Operations, Ray LaFrentz presented Change Order Proposal No. 2 related to the boiler replacement project at Pleasant View Elementary School. It includes providing materials and labor to install outside air intake piping for the three new boilers. This change will help conserve energy and prevent boiler failures due to the improper operation of outside air dampers.

The total cost for Change order No. 2 is $5,120.00. There are sufficient funds in the district's PPEL contingency balance to cover these additional costs.

Motion by Schurr, second by O'Hara that the board approve the Change Order Proposal Request No. 2 in the total amount of $ 5,120.00 for the Pleasant View Boiler Replacement Project as presented. Roll call vote. Ayes - Schurr, Thornton, Barsness, Dayman, Messman, O'Hara. Nays - none. Motion carried.

MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT (SEPTEMBER): Mr. Clingingsmith presented the monthly financial reports for September. Through September, general fund receipts totaled $1,590,104 (7.4%) and expenses totaled $5,153,884,(23.9%). The September target for receipts and expenditures was 25 %. Mr. Clingingsmith informed the board that the district had received its first large draw of property taxes for the fiscal year on October 15. Therefore, the October receipts percentage should be closer to the target percentage. He also presented reports on the Management, PPEL, Capital Projects, Debt Service, Hot Lunch, Internal Service, and Activity funds.

Motion by O'Hara, second by Messman that the Board accept the monthly financial reports for September as presented. Roll call vote. Ayes - O'Hara, Schurr, Thornton, Barsness, Dayman, Messman. Nays - none. Motion carried.

SECOND READING OF BOARD POLICY 807.1, "FIXED ASSET CAPITALIZATION": Mike Clingingsmith presented new board policy 807.1, "Fixed Asset Capitalization", for its second reading. He explained that this is a policy that the district's financial auditors, Hunt, Kain & Associates, P.C., have indicated is now required because of the implementation of Governmental Accounting Standards Board Statement # 34 (GASB 34).

One of the major components of GASB 34 is the requirement that governmental entities, such as school districts, capitalize and depreciate all fixed assets (with the exception of land). Prior to the implementation of GASB 34, only fixed assets in the district's Proprietary (Nutrition) Fund were capitalized and depreciated. The policy will be on the next board agenda for its final reading and Board approval.

SCHOOL BUDGET REVIEW COMMITTEE (SBRC) APPLICATION FOR INCREASING ENROLLMENT & OPEN ENROLLMENT OUT RESOLUTION: Chief Financial Officer Mike Clingingsmith asked the Board to approve a resolution to apply to the School Budget Review Committee (SBRC) for on-time funding due to increased enrollment for this year and also modified allowable growth for open enrollment out. If approved, based on the district's current certified enrollment numbers as reported to the state by the October 1st deadline, the SBRC on-time funding would provide the district with $117,134 of additional spending authority for the additional 24.5 resident students and would also provide the district with additional spending authority of $ 2,278 for students who are open enrolled out this year who were not on the district's certified headcount last year. The combination of these two items would give the district $119,412 in additional spending authority for the 2003-04 school year. Mr. Clingingsmith recommended that the Board approve a motion to request the maximum amounts allowable from the SBRC based on the district's final certified enrollment numbers.

Motion by Barsness, second by Thornton that the Board request from the SBRC at its December 2003 meeting an on-time funding budget adjustment and modified allowable growth for open enrollment out students not on the previous year's certified enrollment count in the maximum amounts allowable. Roll call vote. Ayes - Barsness, Dayman, Messman, O'Hara, Schurr, Thornton. Nays - none. Motion carried.

2004-05 AT-RISK BUDGET: Cyndy Behrer explained that there is only one change being recommended in the 2004-05 At-Risk Allowable Growth Budget. The administration recommends increasing the amount of remedial reading teaching time being charged to At-Risk by .25 FTE bringing the total to 3.75 FTE in 2004-05. Due to the increasing costs and decreasing Title I funding, expenses are not being covered within the Title I budget. The implementation of this recommendation would shift the district's Title I deficit of approximately $11,000 from the general fund to at-risk.

Motion by Messman, second by Barsness that the Board approve the 2004-2005 At-Risk Allowable Growth Budget. Roll call vote. Ayes - Messman, O'Hara, Schurr, Thornton, Barsness, Dayman. Nays - none. Motion carried.

The Board adjourned at 9:22 p.m.

Next Board Meeting Monday, November 3, 2003 7:00 PM Belmont Administration Center

PUBLIC MEETINGS NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND (NCLB) & PLEASANT VALLEY

Superintendent Dr. Jim Spelhaug and Assistant Superintendent Cyndy Behrer will be giving presentations concerning NCLB legislation. The presentation will provide an understanding of the key provisions of the legislation and the issues/implications for the Pleasant Valley District. There will also be an opportunity for public input relative to how the district/community can most successfully respond to NCLB challenges. Remaining meetings include:

Bridgeview 6:30 PM Thursday, Nov. 6 PV High School 6:30 PM Monday, Nov. 10 Pleasant View 6:30 PM Tuesday, Nov. 11

4th Annual PV Athletic Booster Club Fall Social & Fund Raiser November 14 Tanglewood Pavilion 7:30 - 10:30 PM Cost: Free Will Donation

Fun, food, & exciting silent auction items and a chance to test your knowledge playing PV Sports Trivia. Dr. Spelhaug will discuss the plans for the new Wellness Center. Bring your friends, your checkbook and your enthusiasm to support PV Sports!

WALL OF HONOR NOMINATIONS

The Wall of Honor program was established in 1999 to recognize distinguished alumni who have graduated from PVCHS. Nominees must have been graduated at least ten years prior to induction and must meet the following criteria: * Academic Excellence * Outstanding success in their career * Made significant accomplishments in business or professional life * Distinguished human service Anyone wishing to submit a name for consideration as a Wall of Honor honoree should send a letter of nomination by November 15, 2003 to: Mrs. Deb Menke, Principal, PVCHS, P.O. Box 332, Pleasant Valley, IA 52722. Indicate the reasons why the individual should be considered for the Wall of Honor and the nominee's current address and telephone number. Nominations will be added to the pool of nominees from previous years. This year's recipient will be honored in April 2004 at the school's Academic Awards Night. Questions? Contact Deb Menke, PVCHS Principal, (563)332-5151 or Marty Jones, PTA Vice-President at (563)332-8455.

OPEN ENROLLMENT NOTICE

Parents/Guardians considering the use of the open enrollment option to enroll their child or children in another public school district in the state of Iowa should be aware of the following dates:

JANUARY 1, 2004 - Last date for regular open enrollment requests for the 2004-05 school year.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2004 - Last date for open enrollment requests for entering kindergarten students for the 2004-05 school year.

Parents/guardians of open enrolled students whose income falls below 160% of the federal poverty guidelines are eligible for transportation assistance. This may be in the form of actual transportation or a cash stipend.

Parents should be aware that open enrollment may result in the loss of athletic eligibility.

For further details, contact 332-5550.

PV BOOSTER CLUB SPARTAN CLOTHING

Before the holidays, the PV Booster Club's Spartan Clothing will be on sale Nov. 6th & 7th at the junior high conferences, and Dec. 13th, at the high school guidance office from 8:00-2:00.

Throughout the holiday season, holiday order forms are available on the PV website, www.pleasval.k12.ia.us, or at all of the school offices. The Deadline for holiday orders is November 7th. We cannot guarantee delivery before the holidays on orders received after Nov. 7. Pickup for holiday orders is on Saturday, December 14th from 8:00-2:00 p.m. at the H.S. Guidance Office. Mark your calendars!

Call Cathy Linn 332-4847 or Marsha Kline 332-6137 with questions.

District Residents Who Are Federal Employees

Please note that the Pleasant Valley Schools Educational Foundation is noted on Page 12 in the 2003 Illowa Bi-State Combined Federal Campaign booklet, "What Makes America Great", as organization #5028. If you are a federal employee, you can designate the Foundation as a recipient of your charitable giving. The Foundation has donated over $100,000 to PVCHS Seniors in the form of $500-$1000 scholarships over the last twelve years.

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 (563)332-5550 or e-mail harveychris@pleasval.k12.ia.us.