Bettendorf School Board minutes 5.17.04

BOARD OF DIRECTORS, BETTENDORF COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Unofficial Minutes of the May 17, 2004, 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 May 17, 2004. President Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:05 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, Roski. Members absent: Director Weigle. Other officials present: John Perdue, Superintendent; Carol Webb, Assistant Superintendent; Maxine McEnany, Director of Financial and Business Services; Celeste Reuter, Director of Communications; Lucy Colville and Tim Holmes, Student Representatives; Lynne Lindstrom, Board Secretary.

Kaitlyn Danko, Paul Norton Elementary School, read her 1st place entry in the American Legion 2004 ìWhat the Flag Means to Meî essay contest.

2. Agenda Approval.

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

Ayes: 6 Directors Anderson, Castro, Crockett, Luton, Mayer, Roski. Nays: 0 Absent: 1 Director Weigle. 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 Congratulations to Chloe Biermann, Grant Wood Elementary School, who is the 2nd place winner in the American Legion 2004 ìWhat the Flag Means to Meî essay contest. She received a certificate of recognition and a $50 U.S. Savings Bond. 4.02 Six 8th grade Middle School students were guest speakers at the Child Therapy Conference held at Genesis East on Friday, March 12th. Area counselors, therapists, social workers and other professionals attended the all-day conference. Hannah Bates, Ben Gheer, Brianna Daily, Ben Chestnut, Brad Albee and Donisha Fernaays were featured speakers, along with four students from West High School and three North High School students. The students answered questions and provided feedback about various teen issues, including: positive assets in their lives, drug and alcohol issues, bullying and harassment, eating disorders, dating, peer pressure, and teachers who made a difference in their lives.

4.03 Bettendorf Middle School held their 18th annual Battle of Books, a voluntary reading program for 7th and 8th graders. This year, 300 students participated, and read from a list of forty books so they were able to answer questions about these books in the "battles." The following two teams were the winner of the tournament of the top 16 teams, all of whom were excellent this year. Winning team: 8th graders Alex Lubbers, Jessica Emard, and Emily Kenneke; 2nd place: 8th graders Audrey Medina, Maurine Avila, and Kaci Baker. Trophies and awards will be given at a pizza party in May, sponsored by Happy Joeís. Carmen Farwell is the faculty coordinator of this event.

4.04 Congratulations to Molly Bonderer-Kirklin won the spelling bee held at Neil Armstrong on April 29th and will represent her school at the state spelling bee in Des Moines. Molly is a fourth grader in 4A.

4.05 Congratulations to the following senior athletes who have been nominated as finalists for the Bettendorf High School Athlete of the year: Amanda Dunlavy, Megan Flynn, Amanda Frahm, Allison Sanyi, Beth Whalen, Euseph Messiah, Sean Rizzo, Oliver Rorer, Colin Stringer and James Wetzel. This event will be held on June 2 at 6:00 p.m. in the BHS cafeteria.

4.06 The Bernie Saggau Award goes to a senior who has proven to be a patriotic American with strong religious and moral convictions, and who lives and professes the qualities of honesty, integrity, loyalty and sportsmanship. This yearís Bettendorf High School winner is Steve Marsh.

4.07 Nancy Emmerson, Bettendorf High School language arts teacher, recently qualified for national certification as Certified Journalism Educator (CJE). The CJE pin and certificate will be presented to her during a convention in Seattle next spring.

4.08 Bettendorf High School students participated in the Large Group Contest, an annual state competition hosted by the Iowa High School Music Association. They received the following Divisional Ratings: Symphonic Band, Division II (Excellent); Wind Ensemble, Division II (Excellent); Concert Chorale, Division I (Superior); Treble Clef Choir, Division I (Superior); String Orchestra, Division I (Superior); Full Orchestra, Division III (Good). The event featured Concert Bands; three types of Choirs: mixed (boys & girls), treble clef (girls), and bass clef (boys); and two Orchestras (string and full orchestra with strings, wind instruments and percussion). There were 24 choirs, 18 bands and 10 orchestras from 10 Eastern Iowa schools including Bettendorf, Davenport Assumption, Davenport Central, Davenport West, Davenport North, Pleasant Valley, North Scott, Clinton, Muscatine and Burlington. Approximately 2,500 students participated.

4.09 Bettendorf Middle School served as a host site for the Iowa Association for Middle Level Education Sectional conference held on March 3. Middle School staff who presented at the conference included: Carmen Farwell, Linda Goff, Marilyn Phelan, Lisa Wilson, Robert Byram, Kathy Hayward, and Cheryl Brogla-Krupke ñ Brain Research; Michelle Bruty ñSugar and Spice, and Things That Arenít Nice: What Educators Need to Know About Girl Bullying; Rick Herrig ñ What Works in Schools; Lisa Cox ñ Teaching the Whole Learner = Differentiation; Manuela Coffey and Joe Lopez ñ Integrating TPRS into a Text-Based Foreign Language Program; and Jo Meacham and Carol West ñ Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Fact, Fiction and Treatment.

5. Consent Agenda.

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

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

1. 5.01 Approval of May 3, 2004, Informational Meeting Minutes. 2. 5.02 Approval of May 3, 2004, Regular Board Meeting Minutes. 3. 5.03 Approval of May 3, 2004, Special Board Meeting Minutes. 4. 5.04 Approval of May 4, 2004, 1st Disciplinary Hearing Minutes. 5. 5.05 Approval of May 4, 2004, 2nd Disciplinary Hearing Minutes. 6. 5.06 Approval of May 4, 2004, 3rd Disciplinary Hearing Minutes. 7. 5.07

Financial Reports. 8. Approval of May 17, 2004, Bills Recommended for Payment.

9. Approval of Administrative Recommendations--Personnel.

Certified Approval to Hire

Roxanne Westphal/BHS/Art/1.0 FTE/MA, 5/$35,098 /Replacing Karen Blomme/Effective 2004-2005 school year

Certified Contract Modification

Janet Brown-Lowe/BHS/German/Decrease from 1.0 FTE to .83 FTE /Effective 2004-2005 school year

Schedule D Resignation

Nicole DeKeyzer/GW/Teacher Assistant Team Leader/Effective 5/11/04 Larry Flathman/BMS/Assistant Intramural Football Coach/Effective 6/30/2004 Dana Nichols/GW/Teacher Assistant Team Leader/Effective 5/11/04 Kristen Nyberg/PN/Norton Assistant Team Leader/Effective 6/30/04

Schedule D Approval to Hire

Emily Burr/BHS/Co-Director of Dramatic Arts/$2147.50/Replacing .50 of 1.0 FTE Joan Lenz/Effective 2004-2005 school year Kristy Cleppe/BHS/9th Grade Volleyball Coach/ $2,209/Replacing Jennifer Flug/Effective 2004-2005 school year.

Grant Funded ñ Resignation

Annetta Cooper/TJ/Birth-to-Five Parent Liaison/Effective 7/1/2004

Classified ñ Reduction in Force

Carolyn Garnaas/NA/Para Educator A/Effective 6/18/2004 Donna Hafner/MT/Para Educator B/Effective 6/7/2004 Carol Hanrahan/MT/Para Educator B/Effective 6/7/2004 Stephanie Krueger/BMS/Para Educator A/Effective 6/7/2004 Christine Maestri/BMS/Para Educator A/Effective 6/7/2004 Cindy Meyer/GW/Para Educator B/Effective 6/7/2004 Pamela Niebuhr/BMS/Para Educator A/Effective 6/7/2004 Mary Obert/BHS/Para Educator B/Effective 6/7/2004 Classified ñ Resignation James Adams/BMS/Para Educator A/Effective 8/20/2004

Classified - Recommendation for Employment

Sandra James/HH/Para Educator B/$9.65 per hour/6.25 hours per day/Replacing Paul Vermette (transfer)/Effective 5/5/04 Pamela Robertson/MT/Secretary B-Media Center/$10.94 per hour/7 hours per day/Replacing Mary Broderick (transfer)/ Effective 2004/2005 school year Theresa Schlechting/BMS/Secretary B/$10.94 per hour/7.5 hours per day/Replacing Barb Pratt (retirement)/Effective 2004/2005 school year

Classified ñ Letter of Assignment Modification

Dorothy Gellerstadt/GW/Food Service-Satellite Worker/Same rate of pay/From 2.5 to 2.75 hours per day/Realignment due to higher participation/Effective 5/5/04 Marilyn Leonard/GW/Food Service-Satellite Worker/Same rate of pay/From 3.5 to 3.75 hours per day/Realignment due to higher participation/Effective 5/5/04 Lynne Lindstrom/RSAC/Payroll Accountant/Board Secretary/Foundation Secretary/$14.42 per hour/8 hours per day/Addition of Payroll duties to LOA/Replacing Christine Johnson/Effective 5/17/04 Debbie Petersen/NA/Food Service-Satellite Worker/Same rate of pay/From 1.25 to 3.75 hours per day/Addition of lunch duties/Effective 5/5/04 Florence Tournear/GW/Food Service-Satellite Worker/Same rate of pay/From 3.5 to 2.75 hours per day/Resigning breakfast hours only/Effective 5/5/04

1. Approval of 2003/04 Bettendorf High School Graduates.

2. Approval of Student Teaching Agreement for 2004/05 with Augustana College.

3. Approval of Requests for Open Enrollment.

Into Bettendorf, 2003/04

Lacey Thorson, grade 10, from Pleasant Valley, continuation due to change of residence Lance Thorson, grade 8, from Pleasant Valley, continuation due to change of residence

For information only.

The following students have open enrolled out of the Bettendorf Community School District:

Out of Bettendorf, 2003/04 Ronald Mikos, grade 5, to Pleasant Valley, continuation due to change of residence

Out of Bettendorf, 2004/05

Brittany Caldwell, kindergarten (as of 2004/05), to Pleasant Valley

6. Discussion Items.

Shared Communications.

Director Luton inquired as to utilization of the designated ìsnow dayî on the school calendar. Superintendent Perdue indicated it was used this year with little impact on absences for students and staff; however, it was somewhat problematic for SEIU and BESA staff due to a contractual holiday, which needed to be traded for the make-up snow day. With the potential of starting the school year earlier for the 2005/06 school year, he did not feel a ìsnow dayî would be needed within the school year but would be added to the end of the calendar with little impact.

Special Education Program Overview.

Ms. Bonnie Fisher, provided an overview of the special education program and major initiatives over the past few years, including growth in new programming, staffing patterns, comparative state and AEA data, alternative educational settings, cost reductions, and future trends.

High School Schedule Refinements.

BHS Principal Jimmy Casas and members of the Academic Affairs & School Improvement Teams highlighted data findings and refinements to the high school schedule. Principal Casas reviewed the rationale for the Professional Learning Community Model, with the primary focus being student achievement.

He shared recommendations for adjusting the block schedule, which included responding to students who are not learning, allowing time for teacher collaboration, ensuring high levels of learning, and ensuring success for all students. Principal Casas indicated no additional funding would be needed for this proposal.

He and his team have made on-site visits to other schools utilizing this model, researched best leadership practices, assessed the status of the schedule, met with staff, and worked with the leadership teams to make recommendations.

He shared faculty and student survey results regarding the trial schedule. The BHS leadership teams (Academic Affairs and School Improvement Team) came together and discussed how to make the greatest impact on both the low and high achievers. Departments are interested in making refinements to the current schedule to tie in with district goals. The draft schedule proposed is being recommended as a two-year pilot program beginning with the 2004/05 school year and would include adjustments to class time in order to allow for study sessions; and allow time for faculty to formulate action plans and collect and examine data to ensure success; provide after-school mentoring/tutoring.

The Board brought the following comments forward:

1. Three days per week is too much, suggesting Tuesdayís and Thursdayís for staff meetings at the end of the school day.

2. Dissatisfaction expressed with the extended lunch hour and students out in the community during school hours.

3. Language Arts staff are enthusiastic about supplemental lesson plan.

4. Study sessions should be scheduled the last period of the day.

5. Mentoring program for freshmen students a positive change.

6. Concern the study session is not required of students with Dís in grades 11 and 12.

7. Loss of instructional time is a concern.

8. Why change the entire schedule for the C and D students? Would there be a better way to improve their achievement?

9. Concern for early outs and inequity among school staff with planning time.

10. Will students ìin needî utilizing this time?

11. During the trial period, was there adequate staff available to address student concerns during study sessions (math/algebra)?

12. Concern for the length (two years) of the pilot program.

13. Itís refreshing to see an opportunity for improvement proposed.

Pauline VenHorst, Special Education teacher, pointed out that Pleasant Valley High School has a study block at the end of their school day. Freshmen are required to attend; however, upper classmen have the choice. Students and staff appreciate the time this offers for one-on- one teacher/student contact in addition to time for goal setting, implementing academic initiatives, etc.

Student Representative Lucy Colville indicated the study sessions have been more valuable than she originally thought they would be and believes the end of the day would be the most suitable time to schedule these.

Principal Casas invited members to contact him if there were specific areas of concern. If approved, he indicated the Board would receive quarterly reports including data collection, feedback, and proposed changes as needed.

Superintendent Perdue commended staff and Principal Casas for the their vision, efforts, and collaborative approach. The Board of Education will further discuss this topic at their Board Retreat on June 12, with final action scheduled at their regular meeting on Monday, June 21, 2004.

The Board recessed at 9:35 p.m. and reconvened at 9:45 p.m.

Core Time Report.

Discussion was delayed due to time restraints.

Student Fees 2004/05.

Superintendent Perdue presented a recommendation to increase student lunch fees district wide by $.05 beginning with the 2004/05 school year. He stated this was the only fee change for the coming year.

Board Retreat Date and Topics.

Directors discussed the upcoming Board Retreat, which was rescheduled to Saturday, June 12. Superintendent Perdue asked for input and reviewed a draft agenda for the Board Retreat.

7. Action Items.

7.01 Approval of Student Fees for 2004/05.

Motion by Director Castro, seconded by Director Luton, to approve an increase of $0.05 for student lunches district wide beginning with the 2004/05 school year.

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

1. Bid Award for BHS Photo Lab.

Mr. Gary Hintermeister, Downing Architects, reviewed renovations to the BHS Photo Lab, including plumbing, countertops, storage, ceiling/lighting, new flooring, painting, and door replacement. Six bids were received, with the low bidder being Gilbert Leech Construction. Completion is scheduled for August 20, 2004.

Motion by Director Roski, seconded by Director Mayer, to approve the bid for the BHS Photo Lab remodel by Gilbert Leech Construction with a base bid amount of $211,930, and Alternate #1 in the amount of $26,675; for a total bid not to exceed $238,605.

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

1. Approval of Amendment of Fiscal Year 2003/04 Budget.

Ms. Maxine McEnany, Director of Financial & Business Services, presented the amended budget for 2003/04, containing total expenditures of $41,194,331, due to miscellaneous grant expenditures received this year due to timing of construction projects completion.

Motion by Director Luton, seconded by Director Crockett, to approve the amendment to the 2003/04 budget adopted on April 7, 2003, by changing estimates of expenditures as presented in the notice of public hearing for amendment of current budget for 2003/04.

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

8. Superintendentís Report.

1. Elementary Enrollment & Kindergarten Reports. Superintendent Perdue share updated enrollment data and the need to balance special education enrollment amongst the buildings. Additionally, the Board reviewed the half-day kindergarten requests as well.

2. Construction Update. Superintendent Perdue announced the districtís website has a link to summer construction projects, with photo illustrations of progress on construction.

3. Middle School House

4. Superintendent Perdue shared highlights of the BMS House 4 Looping Team Report, which was contained in the Board packet.

4. Next Agenda Planning. Superintendent Perdue reviewed a draft agenda for the June 7, 2004, meeting, including a reception to honor retirees at 6:00 p.m.

9. Future Events and Informational Items.

1. Tuesday, May 18, Board Policy Review Committee, 5:00 p.m., RSAC

2. Thursday, May 20, Parent Executive Council, 12:00 noon, RSAC

3. Friday, May 21, BCS Foundation Board Meeting, 12:00 noon, RSAC

4. Friday, June 4, End of Year Staff Luncheon, 11:00 a.m., BHS Cafeteria

5. Sunday, June 6, BHS Graduation, 2:00 p.m., BHS

6. Monday, June 7, Board/Retiree Reception, 6:00 p.m., RSAC and Board of Education Meeting, 7:00 p.m., RSAC

10. Adjournment.

Motion by Director Mayer to adjourn the meeting at 10:23 p.m.

_______________________________________

Barry Anderson, President ATTEST:

__________________________________ Lynne Lindstrom, Secretary