Minutes of Pleasant Valley School Board meeting January 19

Includes design approval of renovation projects as well as info on bus bids.

PV Board Minutes 1.19.04

MEMBERS PRESENT: Regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Vice-President Tana Barsness. Members present: Barsness, Messman, O'Hara, Schurr, Thornton. Absent: Dayman and Hoffmann. Also present: Jim Spelhaug, Cyndy Behrer, Mike Clingingsmith, Christine Harvey, Michele Barnes, Nancy Dehner, Bev Anderson, Mary Ritter, Linda Heiselman, Mary Beth Kunau, Diane Fight, Coky Powers, Sarah Thompson, Paige Baker, Andrew McKay, Sarah Miller, Samantha Hartz, Lynn Rider, Justine Baker, Elizabeth Comp, Aaron Harmon, Abby Schickling, Brandon Schickling, Nathan Schickling, MaryJo Harmon, Yvette Shearer, Christine Lang, Mary Thompson, Sue and Bill Rider, and others.

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

COMMUNICATIONS: Director Messman thanked the district for allowing her to attend Interest Based Bargaining training January 7 and 8 and the IASB ABLE meeting regarding on January 8. She said both meetings were very worthwhile experiences.

Dr. Spelhaug added that the Interest Based Bargaining training is a significant commitment on behalf of the district and a cornerstone to the district's philosophy and culture. He thanked board members Messman and Schurr, the teachers and administrators who participated and the trainers Chris Rembold, Dale Barber, and Lynette Claeys for providing a very worthwhile training session.

Dr. Spelhaug introduced a new segment to the board meeting - student/faculty recognition. This segment, under Communications, will be a time at various meetings throughout the year to celebrate achievements by students and faculty. The schedule will rotate to include each of the schools.

Bridgeview students and teachers Mary Ritter and Linda Heiselman presented their Sixth Grade Reading Coaches program. This program was begun four years ago at Bridgeview and involves sixth graders who coach first and second graders in their reading. The teachers and students reviewed the training they receive and the methods they use to help the younger students. All were commended by the Board for their commitment. Bridgeview Sixth Grade Reading Coaches for the fall session were: Sarah Thompson, Paige Baker, Andrew McKay, Sarah Miller, Samantha Hartz, Lynn Rider, Justine Baker, Elizabeth Comp, Aaron Harmon, Abby Schickling, Rachel Shaw, Lynn Ralston, Kinsey Johnson, Caitlin Kundert, Cassidy Piersall, and Kendra Bright.

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 January 5, 2004, Regular Board meeting; the recommendation to increase Anna VanWetzinga's Letter of Assignment as a special education aide at PVCHS from five and one-half hours per day to six and one-half hours per day; the probationary employment of Robert Boyd as a part-time custodian at PVCHS and Ron Groth as a part-time custodian at Pleasant Valley Junior High; one open enrollment application-in for the 2004-05 school year and one open enrollment application-in for 2003-04 from Bettendorf Community Schools; a student teaching agreement with The Franciscan University; and a specialized transportation service contract with River Bend Transit.

EXPENSES APPROVED: Motion by Messman, second by Thornton that General Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $154,870.80 in payment of invoices presented. Roll call vote. Ayes - Messman, O'Hara, Schurr, Thornton, Barsness. Nays - none. Motion carried.

Motion by Thornton, second by Schurr that Nutrition Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $20,797.44 in payment of invoices presented. Roll call vote. Ayes - Thornton, Barsness, Messman, O'Hara, Schurr. Nays - none. Motion carried.

Motion by O'Hara, second by Messman that Elementary/Junior High Activity Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $2,804.33 in payment of invoices presented. Roll call vote. Ayes - O'Hara, Schurr, Thornton, Barsness, Messman. Nays - none. Motion carried.

Motion by Schurr, second by O'Hara that High School Activity Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $18,728.05 in payment of invoices presented. Roll call vote. Ayes - Schurr, Thornton, Barsness, Messman, O'Hara. Nays - none. Motion carried.

Motion by Thornton, second by O'Hara that PPEL Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $51,251.70 in payment of invoices presented. Roll call vote. Ayes - Thornton, Barsness, Messman, O'Hara, Schurr. Nays - none. Motion carried.

Mrs. Dayman arrived at 7:50 p.m.

STUDENT RESEARCH MODEL - INQUIRY PROCESS: ELP teacher Mary Beth Kunau and Media Specialists Bev Anderson and Nancy Dehner presented a K-12 research model librarians and ELP teachers are incorporating into student learning activities. Known as the Inquiry Process, the model helps students gather information by first formulating a question to guide their investigation and then reviewing pertinent resources to answer that question. With this framework and organizing tool, students are not as likely to copy details of lesser importance and increasingly likely to retain important learning and develop strong thinking skills. The model is being integrated into all levels; elementary, junior high, and high school.

Motion by Messman, second by Thornton that the Board approve the research model, "Inquiry Process" as presented. Roll call vote. Ayes - Messman, O'Hara, Schurr, Thornton, Barsness, Dayman. Nays - None. Motion carried.

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL OF HIGH SCHOOL & BRIDGEVIEW RENOVATION PROJECTS: District architect, Steve Zbylicki was present to update the board on the progress of the Bridgeview and High School construction projects. As a result of further work on the design details and development of the projects the architect and administration made two recommendations: a) To address current and future HVAC capacity issues one of the existing chillers will be replaced (both are 18 years old) to bring capacity to 400 tons. The approximate cost of this project is $200,000 to $275,000. b) Design Variable Air Volume (V.A.V.) HVAC systems instead of unit ventilators into current and future projects. This provides better overall climate and mechanical control. For the Bridgeview project, this will cost approximately $50,000.

The proposed schedule includes a construction start date in April, 2004 with completion in July, 2005 for the High School project. The Bridgeview project's schedule includes a construction start date of May, 2004 with completion in July, 2005.

Motion by Thornton, second by O'Hara that the board approve the design development documents for the Bridgeview and High School addition projects as presented. Roll call vote. Ayes - Thornton, Barsness, Dayman, Messman, O'Hara, Schurr. Nays - none. Motion carried.

BUS BIDS: Dr. Spelhaug reminded the board that bus bids were approved at the December 15, 2003 board meeting. However, as purchase orders for these buses were being prepared, it was discovered that the vendor could not provide air brakes as outlined in the specifications for the 18 passenger handicapped unit. Since this is a major cost item throughout the life of the vehicle, Ray LaFrentz, Director of Operations recommended rescinding the Wisconsin Bus Sales bid and accepting the bid of Thomas Bus Sales of Des Moines at a per unit price of $64,826 with a $2,000 trade in allowance, for a total net price of $62,826 which is $1,035.00 more than the original vendor's bid.

Motion by Dayman, second by Messman that the Board rescind the bid of Wisconsin Bus Sales for one Bluebird/Chevy 18 passenger handicapped lift vehicle for a total purchase price of $61,791.00 due to failure to meet specifications. Roll call vote. Ayes - Dayman, Messman, O'Hara, Schurr, Thornton, Barsness. Nays - none. Motion carried.

Motion by Schurr, second by O'Hara that the Board accept the bid of Thomas Bus Sales of Des Moines for one Thomas/Freightliner 18 passenger handicapped lift vehicle for a total purchase price of $62,826.00. Roll call vote. Ayes - Schurr, Thornton, Barsness, Dayman, Messman, O'Hara. Nays - none. Motion carried.

MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORTS: Mr. Clingingsmith presented the monthly financial reports for December. Through December, general fund receipts totaled $9,609,778 (44.3%) and expenditures totaled $10,560,645,(46.7%). The December target for receipts and expenditures was 50.0 %. 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 Thornton that the Board accept the monthly financial reports for December as presented. Roll call vote. Ayes - O'Hara, Schurr, Thornton, Barsness, Dayman, Messman. Nays - none. Motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.