Minutes of November 3 meeting of Bettendorf Community School Board

Schematics for renovations of Mark Twain and Thomas Jefferson approved, as well as phase 2 of additional improvements for BMS and Hoover Elementary.



Full minutes available, click Read More.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BETTENDORF COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
BETTENDORF, IOWA

Unofficial Minutes of the November 3, 2003, Regular Meeting (Pending Board Approval)

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 regular Board meeting at the Ray Stensvad Administration Center, 3311 Central Avenue, Bettendorf, Iowa, on November 3, 2003. President Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. and the Board recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Lynne Lindstrom, Board Secretary, verified that the meeting notice had been posted and mailed to the media as required by law.

Members present: Directors Anderson, Castro, Crockett, Luton, Mayer, Weigle. Members absent: Director Roski. Other officials present: John Perdue, Superintendent; Carol Webb, Assistant Superintendent; Maxine McEnany, Director of Financial and Business Services; Celeste Reuter, Director of Communications; Dana Vavroch, BEA Representative; Tim Holmes and Lucy Colville, Student Representatives, Lynne Lindstrom, Board Secretary.

2. Agenda Approval.

Motion by Director Weigle, seconded by Director Crockett, to approve the agenda as presented.

Ayes: 6 Directors Anderson, Castro, Crockett, Luton, Mayer, Weigle. Nays: 0 Absent: 1 Director Roski. Motion carried 6-0-1.

3. Comments and Suggestions from Audience. 3.01 President's Statement. On behalf of fellow Board members, at this time I would like to invite any member of the audience to step to the microphone with comments about items of interest or concern that do not appear on the agenda this evening. Please begin by stating your name and address. It would be most appreciated if you would limit your comments to three minutes so that we can keep the meeting moving in a timely fashion and allow others an opportunity to speak. We ask that you remember that Iowa law prohibits us from discussing specific employees or their job performance. If you have thoughts to share about items that are included as topics for tonight's meeting, we would invite those comments when we reach that point in the meeting. Thank you for your support of our school district.

There were no comments from the audience.

4. Commendations. 4.01 Student Spotlight on Bettendorf High School. Students from Bettendorf High School, and Dan Drexler, Industrial Technology Instructor, shared a presentation on a new Introduction to Technology Engineering course. 4.02 Jocelyn Kyte, Core Reading teacher at Paul Norton Elementary School, was selected to receive a Promising Teacher Award from the Iowa Council Teachers of English and Language Arts (ICTELA). Iowa colleges and universities are given the opportunity to select an outstanding student in English and language arts education as a recipient of this award, and Wartburg College chose Ms. Kyte for this honor. Recognition ceremonies were held October 10 at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel and Convention Center in Des Moines. 4.03 Armstrong Elementary School was recognized for its continued support of the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center. Their recent blood drive was successful in donating 33 pints of blood, which will help up to 99 patients receive life-sustaining transfusions. 4.04 In honor of Veterans Day on November 11, the Bettendorf Community School District recognizes the contribution of all those staff members and Directors who served our country in the armed services. The observance of this day helps preserve the spirit of patriotism, sacrifice, and the willingness to work together for the common good that these veterans have demonstrated. 4.05 Thank you to all District personnel who participated in the 2003/2004 United Way Campaign. Our total contribution was $18,310. 4.06 The following Middle School staff members presented at the 19th Annual Midwest Regional Middle Lever Conference held October 1-3, 2003 in Ames, Iowa. Over 750 attendees from Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota participated in this year’s event. The staff and the topics presented are: Michelle Bruty and Gwen Sones – Deal with it! Take Action Against Violence; Marianne Marcek & Melissa Bixby – The Differentiation Dilemma; Marilyn Phelan & Dave Sodac – The Time to Talk…IS NOW; Sandy White, Manuela Coffey, & Joe Lopez - Integrating TPRS Into a Text-based Foreign Language Program; Jo Mecham, Deb Patterson & Judy Wade – Fitness Unites with Nutrition (FUN): A School- wide Approach to Student Health. Principal Rick Herrig gave the keynote address: Middle School Concept: -Building the Plane in Flight, on Wednesday October 1; co-presented the topic Middle School Implementation: An Answer for No Child Left Behind during the Wednesday afternoon pre-conference and in a Thursday breakout; gave National Middle School Association greetings at the Thursday general session; and presented a Friday breakout entitled Classroom Practices that Work. 4.07 Greg Bouljon, language arts instructor at Bettendorf Middle School, was recently elected to a two-year term as president of the Iowa Council of Teachers of English.   1. Deb Patterson, 2002 Iowa Middle School PE Teacher of the Year, and Jo Mecham, Bettendorf Middle School Nurse, presented It’s All About F.U.N! at the Iowa Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance Annual Convention held on Saturday, October 25, 2003, at Cedar Falls. Mrs. Patterson and Mrs. Mecham shared how Bettendorf Middle School staff members promote healthy lifestyles through school activities during Fitness Unites with Nutrition Week. 2. Lindsey Negaard, a senior at Bettendorf High School, presented a paper she wrote, "An Alliance to Fight Global Hunger: Maternal Hunger in Brazil" at this year’s World Food Prize Symposium and Youth Institute in Des Moines on October 16–18. The World Food Prize is an international award recognizing the achievements of individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity or availability of food in the world. This year’s theme was Global Alliances to Fight Hunger, addressing the role of the United Nations in alleviating hunger and poverty around the world. In collaboration with three leading U.S. advocacy groups, the World Food Prize events will help build grass roots support for an Alliance Against Hunger in America.

5. Consent Agenda.

Motion by Director Luton, seconded by Director Crockett, to approve the consent agenda as presented.

Ayes: 6 Directors Castro, Crockett, Luton, Mayer, Weigle, Anderson. Nays: 0 Absent: 1 Director Roski. Motion carried 6-0-1.

1. 5.01 Approval of October 20, 2003, Special Board Meeting Minutes. 2. 5.02 Approval of October 20, 2003, Public Hearing Minutes. 3. 5.03 Approval of October 20, 2003, Regular Board Meeting Minutes. 4. 5.04 Financial Reports: a) Fund Balance Summary – July – September 2003 b) Unspent Authorized Budget c) Food Service Report 1. 5.05 Approval of November 3, 2003, Bills Recommended for Payment. 2. 5.06 Approval of Administrative Recommendations--Personnel. Administrative Contract Modification Tamara Rogers/Bettendorf Chamber of Commerce/School to Work Coordinator/Contract correction of base salary from 44,410 to 47,310 /Effective August 11, 2003 Schedule D Approval to Hire Alonzo Clayton/BHS/Head Freshman Boys Basketball Coach/$2454 /Replacing David Martin/Effective November 17, 2003 Megan Ramirez/TJ/5th Grade Intra-Extramural (7/8 Increment)/$3265 /Replacing Kathy Hayward/Effective October 21, 2003 Megan Ramirez/BHS/Head Freshman Volleyball Coach/$2209/Replacing Kari Petersen/Effective 2003-2004 school year only Schedule D Resignation Mark Kuntz/BMS/Head 8th Grade Volleyball Coach/Effective end of 2002- 2003 school year Kari Petersen/BHS/Head Freshman Volleyball Coach/Effective 2003-2004 school year only Classified - Recommendation for Employment Kim Kidwell/MT/Para Educator A/$11.05 per hour/27 hours per week Monday thru Thursday/New position due to student enrollment/Effective 10/20/03 Classified - Letter of Assignment Modification Erica Dalburg/RSAC/Administrative Assistant-receptionist/Same rate of pay/From 6 to 4.75 hours per day/Effective 10/21/03 RaNae Ehrecke/GW/Secretary B-Office/Same rate of pay/From 5 to 5.5 hours per day/Increased duties-realignment/Effective 10/6/03 5.07 Approval of Requests for Open Enrollment.

Into Bettendorf, 2004/05

Nicholas Downey, grade 6 (as of 2004/05), from Pleasant Valley For information only. The following students have open enrolled out of the Bettendorf Community School District: Out of Bettendorf, 2003/04 Alex Ray, grade 9, to Pleasant Valley, continuation due to change of residence

6. Discussion Items.

Shared Communications.

Director Castro suggested staff from BMS who attended the Midwest Regional Middle Level Conference share new ideas and trends with the Board.

Director Castro commented on the positive experience of teaching an intersession at Neil Armstrong Elementary in October.

Director Castro reported on an article he recently reviewed from a school board journal entitled “Harkin Secures $1.9 million to Restore Education Cuts to Iowa.” The article refers to a statewide cut in Title I grants from $63 million in 2002 to $61.1 million in 2003. Director Castro pointed out that in actuality the cuts to Title I resulted from a drop in poverty-level children in Iowa; which reduced the “size” of the program. Therefore, this decrease in funding was not necessarily a cut but rather a downsizing of a program based on less poverty-level children in Iowa.

Director Castro reported 4 out of 370 physical education students had opted out of a letter grade prior to the letter outlining changes to the program; and following the communication, two students chose to opt out.

Reporting for the Student Council, Tim Holmes and Lucy Colville reported the following: Hunger Drive concludes Wednesday. The Student Council made more money on the staff auction than last year. Student Council attended a leadership council in Ames for a second year and felt it was a worthwhile conference. Bettendorf students presented a breakout session entitled “Getting Credit for Student Council.” The blood drive will be held before the Christmas break. Students did service projects in the community, and the funds raised were given to the Hunger Drive. Student Council members are helping families with soldiers in Iraq by doing yard work for them.

Director Castro referred to the November 2 “Parade” section of the Quad City Times entitled “We Just Forge Ahead and Believe.” He encouraged Board members to read this article about a teacher who inspires excellences in his students. He also pointed out another article in the Parade section regarding the rising number of diabetes cases, quoting that one out of three will develop diabetes due to unhealthy eating habits and lack of exercise.

Schematic Design Update.

Gary Hintermeister, Downing Architects, and Rich Reyseck, Story Construction, presented schematic design updates for the renovations to Mark Twain and Thomas Jefferson planned for the summer of 2004. They also updated Directors on phase 2 of additional improvements to Bettendorf Middle School and Hoover Elementary to be completed the summer of 2004. The overall scope of the project is a three-summer work schedule from 2003 through 2005. The estimated cost is $6.5 million, which will be funded from the one-cent sales tax fund.

Grant Wood Accounting Software Demo.

Maxine McEnany, Director of Financial & Business Services, demonstrated the capabilities of the Grant Wood accounting software system which was implemented in July 1, 2003. Refinements and enhancements to the system will continue to be implemented on an ongoing basis. President Anderson conveyed the Board’s appreciation for Maxine’s leadership on the accounting system conversion and pointed out the long-term benefits to the district.

6.04 Long Range Financial Plan.

Superintendent Perdue and Maxine McEnany reviewed the long-range financial goals for the next three years, which included the following: Build a multi-year financial plan, linked to the strategic plan Bring greater cost efficiencies to all district operations Limit district budget growth (0%) with projected expenditures (estimated at 3-4%) Create “allowed growth” from within district and external resources Leverage alternate funding sources Maintain and grow educational programming and niches within the BCSD Aggressively market the BCSD Superintendent Perdue presented the long-range budget planning and ideas for generating revenue and future planning. A variety of financial projections and reports were shared with the Board. The Finance Committee will continue to play an active role in reviewing data and monitoring the financial environment.

Action Items.

7.01 Schematic Design Approval.

Motion by Director Crockett, seconded by Director Luton, to approve the proposed schematic designs for improvements to Mark Twain and Thomas Jefferson and the phase two improvements to BMS and Hoover Elementary to be completed during the summer 2004.

Ayes: 5 Directors Crockett, Luton, Mayer, Weigle, Anderson. Nays: 0 Abstained: 1 Director Castro. Absent: 1 Director Roski. Motion carried 5-0-1-1.

Director Castro stated he was uncertain as to the need for air- conditioning the gymnasiums; however; he was in favor of installing the air handling systems in those areas.

7.02 ISJIT (Iowa Schools Joint Investment Trust) Investment Advisory Agreement.

Superintendent Perdue presented the ISJIT resolution for approval, stating all school corporations that have approved an ISJIT resolution, whether they currently have funds invested in ISJIT or not, must approve the ISJIT Board’s selection of Investment Advisor.

Motion by Director Mayer, seconded by Director Crockett, to approve (i) Voyageur Asset Management Inc. as the ISJIT Investment Advisor, (ii) the ISJIT Amended and Restated 12b-1 plan for the Iowa Schools Joint Investment Trust (including the Diversified Portfolio and the Direct Government Obligation Portfolio), and (iii) the ISJIT Marketing and Service Agreement between MidAmerican Investment Advisory Group, Inc. and Iowa Schools Joint Investment Trust and hereby authorizes its Board Secretary to execute the proxy statement.

Ayes: 6 Directors Mayer, Weigle, Anderson, Castro, Crockett, Luton. Nays: 0 Absent: 1 Director Roski. Motion carried 6-0-1.

1. Approval of SBRC (School Budget Review Committee) Additional Allowable Growth.

Superintendent Perdue explained that schools having a higher September 2003 enrollment than the prior year can receive an on-time funding budget adjustment up to 100% of the enrollment increase by approving the SBRC application.

Motion by Director Crockett, seconded by Director Mayer, to approve the SBRC application for the maximum on-time funding budget adjustment and modified allowable growth for increased enrollment and maximum modified allowable growth for open enrollment out to the maximum extent allowable.

Ayes: 6 Directors Weigle, Anderson, Castro, Crockett, Luton, Mayer. Nays: 0 Absent: 1 Director Roski. Motion carried 6-0-1.

8. Superintendent’s Report. Health Insurance Update. Superintendent Perdue updated the Board on discussions regarding increased health insurance costs and potential options to help contain costs. Dialogue continues with the various association presidents and principals on this topic. BOE Ads. In the interest of better informing the public, Superintendent Perdue proposed an advertisement of upcoming Board meeting topics in the Bettendorf News. Directors agreed to publish the notice on a three-month trial basis and further evaluate it at a later date. Director Castro suggested an advanced journalism student be invited to attend Board meetings and report the news of the Board to staff. BOE Special Interest Topics. Directors reviewed the timeline for special interest topic presentations. Next Agenda Planning. Superintendent Perdue reviewed agenda items for the regular Board meeting scheduled at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 17.

9. Future Events and Informational Items. 1. Saturday, November 1, Bettendorf Community Schools Foundation Fundraiser, 6:30 p.m., Putnam Museum/IMAX Theater 2. Wednesday, November 12. Superintendents Student Advisory Council, 8:00 a.m., Bettendorf Middle School 9.03 Thursday, November 13, Parent Executive Council, 12:00 noon, RSAC 9.04 Monday, November 17, Board of Education Meeting, 7:00 p.m., RSAC

10. Adjournment.

Motion by Director Mayer to adjourn the meeting at 9:57 p.m.



_______________________________________

Barry Anderson, President ATTEST:

__________________________________ Lynne Lindstrom, Secretary