PV board eyes PPEL tax renewal vote in early 2007

MEMBERS PRESENT: Regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Dayman. Members present: Adams, Dayman, Messman, Paulsen, Schurr. Absent: Huegel and Witters. Also present: Jim Spelhaug, Cyndy Behrer, Mike Clingingsmith, Chris Harvey, Jim Wichman, Michael Strobbe, Darcie Kress, Erin Thiessen, Rebecca Yerington and others.

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

COMMUNICATIONS: President Dayman welcomed visitors to the meeting.

Director Adams thanked the district for sending him to the Iowa Association of School Boards convention where he served as the district’s legislative delegate.

In an update on the PVJH Wellness addition, Dr. Spelhaug reported that the steel has been delivered and the precast panels are now scheduled to be delivered on November 27th.

He also reported that work has begun on the 2007-08 school calendar, with area school districts attempting to coordinate dates. The board will receive the calendar for a public hearing no later than January, 2007.

Riverdale Heights principal, Jim Wichman introduced fifth grade teachers Michael Strobbe, Darcie Kress, Erin Thiessen, and Rebecca Yerington and students Erin Mitchell, Brandon Pickett, Neil Saigal, Robert Chaney, Alexis Toporowski, Meredith Bruster who have participated in different landscaping projects around their school. Mr. Strobbe shared a PowerPoint that showed the Character Counts Garden and several other landscaped areas. Funds and labor have been provided by the fifth grade students, their parents, fifth grade teachers, Mr. Jim Gossard, Mr. Gary Kunz, Alcoa, the district, and Scott County Regional Authority grants.

CONSENT AGENDA: Motion by Messman, second by Paulsen 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 November 6 Regular Board Meeting; the resignations of Nancy Bisbee and Nicole Flowers, school nurses at Riverdale Heights and Bridgeview respectively; and three open enrollment applications-in for 2006-07 from Bettendorf Schools.

EXPENSES APPROVED: Motion by Paulsen, second by Messman that General Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $229,126.70 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Adams, second by Schurr that Nutrition Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $16,080.22 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Messman, second by Adams that Elementary/Junior High Activity Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $1,105.00 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Adams, second by Paulsen that High School Activity Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $16,422.71 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Paulsen, second by Messman that PPEL Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $6,836.09 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Schurr, second by Adams that Capital Projects Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $202,799.88 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Adams, second by Messman that an Internal Service Fund warrant be issued in the total amount of $8,022.53 in payment of the invoice presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Director Witters arrived at 7:55 p.m.

GRADUATE FOLLOW-UP STUDIES: Ms. Behrer reviewed data from the Two Year and Six Year Graduate Follow-up Studies. The two year survey had a 43% return rate and the six year survey had a 41% return rate. Responses indicated a strong sense of preparedness in the areas of English, Mathematics, and Science as well as a number of specific comments and suggestions for course modification.

Motion by Adams, second by Paulsen that the Board accept the graduate follow-up studies as presented. Roll call vote. Ayes – Adams, Dayman, Messman, Paulsen, Schurr, Witters. Nays - none. Motion carried.

SECOND & FINAL READING OF REVISED BOARD POLICY 605.1, “PROGRESS REPORTS OF STUDENTS”: Cyndy Behrer presented Board Policy 605.1, “Progress Reports of Students” for its second and final reading. The policy is being updated to include required language regarding how the district informs parents of primary age students of reading level progress.

Motion by Paulsen, second by Witters that Board Policy 605.1, “Progress Reports of Students” be approved as amended. Roll call vote. Ayes – Paulsen, Schurr, Witters, Adams, Dayman, Messman. Nays – none. Motion carried.

PHYSICAL PLANT & EQUIPMENT LEVY RENEWAL POWERPOINT PRESENTATION

Dr. Spelhaug presented a draft PowerPoint of the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy presentation for the board’s review. The board anticipates holding a referendum in February or March of 2007 to renew the PPEL (Physical Plant and Equipment Levy) for another 10 years at its existing rate. This levy has been utilized by the district since 1968 and is a very important resource for addressing costs associated with upkeep and repair, building remodeling, additions, and equipment acquisition.

The board critiqued the PowerPoint and offered suggestions. It will be presented again at the December 4 meeting. Public information sessions will be conducted in January and February.

MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORTS: Mr. Clingingsmith presented the monthly financial reports for October. Through October, general fund revenue totaled $6,903,761 and expenses totaled $5,159,383. The fund balance in the General Fund at October 31, 2006 was $3,664,402. He also presented reports on the Management, PPEL, Capital Projects, Debt Service, Nutrition, Internal Service, and Activity Funds. There were no significant variances from projections in the October financial reports.

Motion by Schurr, second by Adams that the Board accept the monthly financial reports for October as presented. Roll call vote. Ayes – Schurr, Witters, Adams, Dayman, Messman, Paulsen. Nays – none. Motion carried.

DECEMBER 4 BOARD MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 5:00 P.M.: Due to the High School Band Concert starting at 7:00 p.m. on December 4, Dr. Spelhaug recommended that the Board begin its meeting at 5:00 p.m.

Motion by Witters, second by Paulsen that the Board approve changing the starting time of the December 4 Board meeting to 5:00 p.m. Roll call vote. Ayes – Witters, Adams, Dayman, Messman, Paulsen, Schurr. Nays – none. Motion carried.

HOPEWELL AVENUE LEASE: Chief Financial Officer Mike Clingingsmith informed the Board that he has served notice of lease termination to Mr. Dean Paustian, which would allow the District to consider alternatives for leasing the Hopewell Avenue farm property in 2007. Mr. Paustian has been the lessee of the property since the 1996 growing season. After discussion, the board was in consensus that the lease agreement with Mr. Paustian be renewed rather than put out for bid. The total lease payment for the 25 acres would be $4,525.00. The Board will take formal action on the Hopewell Avenue lease at the December 4 board meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.