Pleasant Valley School Board Minutes 2.7.05

MEMBERS PRESENT: Regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Vice-President Tana Barsness. Members present: Barsness, Messman, OíHara, Schurr. Absent: Dayman, Hoffmann, and Kaminski. Also present: Jim Spelhaug, Cyndy Behrer, Mike Clingingsmith, Chris Harvey, Deb Menke, Danielle Spaete, Eric Larew, Jeff Meyers, Kate Stangler, Erik Belby, and others.

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

COMMUNICATIONS: Cyndy Behrer congratulated the high school speech contestants for their three Division I and one Division II ratings received at the State Speech Contest on February 5.

Dr. Spelhaug reported that the district is now offering on its website, www.pleasval.k12.ia.us, an opportunity for parents and district residents to register for PVCSD Enews. Beginning with the 2005-2006 school year, most forms of general communications (e.g. newsletters; Take Me Homes) will be sent via Enews and not by paper.

High School Principal Debbie Menke introduced the Advanced Placement (AP) teachers who then gave the board highlights of their courses: Danielle Spaete ñ AP Physics; Eric Larew ñ AP Literature; Eric Crawford ñ AP Micro Economics; Jeff Meyers ñ AP European History; Kate Stangler ñ AP Language/Composition; Erik Belby ñ AP Calculus. The Board thanked these teachers for their extra efforts on behalf of education. In the 2003-04 school year, 175 PV students took AP classes. 87% of the students who took an AP test in 2003-04 scored 3 or better, which is the level required for college credit. This is considerably better than the state and national average.

CONSENT AGENDA: Motion by OíHara, 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 January 17, 2005, regular board meeting and executive session; the resignations of Stacey Ruff as a reading specialist at Bridgeview Elementary and as freshman volleyball coach effective March 23, 2005, Denise Neilson as PVJH building secretary effective January 21, 2005; the probationary employment of Linda Houston as PVJH building secretary effective February 1, 2005, Pamella Wells as a school bus driver effective February 1, 2005 and Terry Zahare as a special education aide at Riverdale Heights effective January 31, 2005; and the

employment of William Keleture as Assistant Boys Track Coach; two open enrollment applications-in for 2004-05 from Bettendorf Schools and eleven 2005-06 open enrollment applications-in ñ two from Bettendorf schools and nine from Davenport schools; and the cooperative agreement for student teachers with Iowa State University.

EXPENSES APPROVED: Motion by OíHara, second by Schurr that General Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $256,575.16 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Messman, second by OíHara that Nutrition Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $17,177.20 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Schurr, second by Messman that Elementary/Junior High Activity Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $1,499.85 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by OíHara, second by Schurr that High School Activity Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $20,612.98 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Messman, second by OíHara that PPEL Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $52,734.42 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Schurr, second by OíHara 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.

PRESENTATION OF MATERIALS ON DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SITE VISIT: Cyndy Behrer shared with the board the overview presentation that has been prepared for the Department of Education site visit (February 15 ñ 17). As part of the requirements for the Department of Education Site Visit, the district must provide an overview presentation thoroughly describing the constellation and characteristics of the district. The presentation must also address the following five components related to the school improvement process: Student benefit as a result of school improvement; Leadership aligned with school improvement; Implementation of action plans for school improvement; Professional development aligned with school improvement; Evaluation and reporting of school improvement results.

SECOND READING AND APPROVAL OF REVISIONS TO BOARD POLICIES: 201.4, ìELECTIONSî, 201.5, ìMEMBERSHIPî, 201.7, ìORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD, 202.3, ìVICE-PRESIDENTî, 202.4, ìSECRETARYî, 202.5, ìTREASURERî, 202.6, ìCONFLICTS OF INTERESTî, 203.1, ìFORMULATION-ADOPTION OF POLICYî, 203.4, ìSTANDING COMMITTEESî, 204.1, ìREGULAR MEETINGSî, 204.4, ìANNUAL MEETINGSî, 204.13, ìSCHOOL DISTRICT RECORDSî: As presented and reviewed at the January 17 board meeting, Dr. Spelhaug explained that the district wanted to establish a more systematic way to review board policies. In order to accomplish this, the services of the Iowa Association of School Boards were engaged to review the entire policy book. Several updates were recommended to the policies in the Series 200, ìBoard of Directorsî, of the board policy book.

Motion by Schurr, second by OíHara that the Board approve revisions to Board Policies: 201.4, ìElectionsî, 201.5, ìMembershipî, 201.7, ìOrganization of the Board, 202.3, ìVice-Presidentî, 202.4, ìSecretaryî, 202.5, ìTreasurerî, 202.6, ìConflicts of Interestî, 203.1, ìFormulation-Adoption of Policyî, 203.4, ìStanding Committeesî, 204.1, ìRegular Meetingsî, 204.4, ìAnnual Meetingsî, 204.13, ìSchool District Recordsî as presented. Roll call vote. Ayes ñ Schurr, Barsness, Messman, OíHara. Nays ñ none. Motion carried.

2005-2006 CALENDAR: Dr. Spelhaug presented the proposed 2005-2006 calendar which substantially follows the schedule used this current year. The first day of school is Wednesday, August 17. Winter Break is scheduled for December 23 ñ January 3, spring break from March 20-24, graduation on May 21, and the last day of school on May 26. Three other items of note include: 1) Conference Schedule ñ at the elementary level the proposed conference schedule will be three days each semester . . two from 3:20 ñ 6:00 and one from 4:00 ñ 8:00. This eliminates four early outs and aligns the number of slots available for conferences (28) more closely with class sizes. At the junior high fall conferences are shortened by ? hour and the format of spring conferences is changed. During the spring we go from two to one day and focus the first couple hours on placement questions. The second part of the evening is by invitation to students who are not meeting expectations relative to academic or behavioral standards. The high school is considering adding a second night of conferences in the fall but this is not yet finalized. 2) Governorís proposed professional development days: The Governor has included money in the budget for each school district to add two professional development days. These would be non-student days. Right now these days are placed on January 3 and May 30. If these days are funded the January 3 date will remain. If the days are not funded we will keep the 3rd as an extra day of winter break. Either way students will not be in session. The day at the end of May could end up being segmented as extensions on to our early out time. 3) Spring Break ñ PV will not be aligned with Bettendorf. Bettendorfís spring break is a week earlier which is not favorable to the junior highís exploratory classes; it is boyís state basketball week, and the elementary math competition.

The board will take action on the calendar at the next meeting.

BOARD MEETING - FEBRUARY 22: Due to the fact that the February 21 Board Meeting falls on Presidents Day which is a district-wide holiday, Dr. Spelhaug recommended that the second Board meeting in February be moved to Tuesday, February 22 at 7:00 p.m.

Motion by Messman, second by Schurr that the February 21 Board meeting be moved to Tuesday, February 22 at 7:00 p.m. due to the Presidentís Day Holiday falling on February 21. Roll call vote. Ayes ñ Messman, OíHara, Schurr, Barsness. Nays ñ none. Motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 9:17 p.m.

Please Join Us

Retirement Reception for Judy Simonson

Wednesday, March 9, 2005

3:00-5:00 p.m.

Bridgeview Media Center

FOR SALE

The Pleasant Valley Community School District has Power Macís in the 5200 and 5400 family for sale at $10.00 per unit. Keyboard, mouse, and power cord included. Contact Ladonna Czachowski - 332-5550 X1022.

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:

SEPTEMBER 16, 2005 - Last date for open enrollment requests for entering kindergarten students for the 2005-06 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.

Safety Hotline

344-4469

School Safety at Bettendorf & Pleasant Valley Schools

In Cooperation with the Bettendorf Police Department & Scott County Sheriffís Department

Pleasant Valley Schools

Foundation

Alumni Data Base

If you are a graduate of Pleasant Valley Community Schools, weíd 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.

You are cordially invited to participate in the Alcoa & PV Golf Benefit for the Pleasant Valley Schools Educational Foundation at Palmer Hills Golf Course.

Monday, April 25, 2005.

11:00 A.M. Shot Gun Start.

Funds raised provide PVCHS student scholarships!

Cost - $125 which includes green fees, carts, snacks, beverages, & pork chop sandwiches at the conclusion.

Hole & Tee Sponsorships available at $100 each.

Plan to join us for an afternoon of golf while benefiting PVCHS seniors!

Visit the district website www.pleasval.k12.ia.us for a registration form.

Contact Chris Harvey at

(563)332-5550 X1018 or harveychris@pleasval.k12.ia.us

Through the Foundation, PVCHS seniors have been presented 175 scholarships totaling $142,500 over the past thirteen years. Join the fun on April 25 and help support this worthy goal!