PPEL tax levy renewal vote planned for Feb. 13

PV Board Minutes 12.04.06


MEMBERS PRESENT: Regular meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by President Dayman. Members present: Dayman, Huegel, Messman, Paulsen, Schurr, and Witters. Absent: Adams. Also present: Jim Spelhaug, Cyndy Behrer, Mike Clingingsmith, Chris Harvey, Bill Barker, Debbie Menke and Ray LaFrentz.

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

COMMUNICATIONS: President Dayman welcomed visitors to the meeting.

Cyndy Behrer shared that the district had learned that out of 44 students recently inducted into Phi Beta Kappa at The University of Iowa, three (3) were former PVHS graduates (Class of 2003).

Dr. Spelhaug reported that the SCRA Grants have been awarded and the district is the recipient of a total of $94,881.00 which includes grants for the Waterford Early Reading Program ($51,439), Elementary Schools-Geography equipment upgrade ($8,442), PVCHS Food Lab Renovation ($10,000), and PVJH Addition and Remodeling project ($25,000). The district thanked the Scott County Regional Authority for these and previous grants which have allowed the district to provide programs and equipment that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise.

PV ATHLETIC BOOSTER PRESENTATION: Bill Barker, President of the Pleasant Valley Athletic Booster Club presented the club’s check in the amount of $31,250 which is the first of four installments that will total $125,000 for equipping the junior high wellness facility that is currently under construction. He said the organization is providing a greater emphasis to funding programs at the lower grade levels in addition to the high school. Dr. Spelhaug and the Board thanked the club for being a crucial partner in supporting and improving the district’s athletic programs.

CONSENT AGENDA: Motion by Witters, second by Huegel 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 20 Regular Board Meeting; the resignations of William Bunch as a part-time custodian at PVCHS, Jill Ferns as an educational aide at PVCHS, Tracy Garcia as an office aide at Riverdale Heights, and Ed Morrissey as head football coach; the recommendations for employment of Catherine Francis as the school nurse at Riverdale Heights and Joette Strobbe as the school nurse at Bridgeview; the regular employment of Brooke Terry as the business clerk at PVCHS; the probationary employment of Cherish Stickel as an educational aide at Pleasant View; and three open enrollment applications-in – one for 2006-07 and two for 2007-08 all from Bettendorf Schools.

Dr. Spelhaug expressed gratitude and appreciation to Ed Morrissey for his years of service to PV students as the head football coach.

EXPENSES APPROVED: Motion by Paulsen, second by Messman that General Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $113,792.92 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Huegel, second by Witters that Nutrition Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $64,553.86 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Messman, second by Witters that Elementary/Junior High Activity Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $1,721.62 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Witters, second by Schurr that High School Activity Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $41,646.58 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Paulsen, second by Schurr that PPEL Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $77,254.47 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Huegel, second by Witters that Capital Projects Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $1,127.50 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

2007-2008 HIGH SCHOOL COURSE OF STUDY CHANGES: PVCHS Principal Debbie Menke presented course of study changes for the 2007-08 school year. Courses that will be added are: Algebra II, Personal Finance, Education Academy – Introduction to Education/Exploring Teaching, Pleasant Valley Singers, and Women’s Ensemble. The course Application of Statistics will be removed and the name of the course Advanced Algebra Trig will be changed to Algebra II/Trigonometry. Pleasant Valley Singers will take the place of 9th grade choir.

Motion by Messman, second by Paulsen that the board approve the changes to the 2007-08 Course of Study as presented. Roll call vote. Ayes – Messman, Paulsen, Schurr, Witters, Dayman, Huegel. Nays – none. Motion carried.

PHYSICAL PLANT & EQUIPMENT LEVY RENEWAL DISCUSSION

Dr. Spelhaug presented a revised draft PowerPoint of the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy presentation for the board’s review. It will be presented for a final review at the December 18 meeting. The board reached consensus to hold a referendum on February 13, 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. There will be a motion to formalize the date at the December 18 meeting.

APPROVAL OF EARLY GRADUATES: Debbie Menke presented eleven names of PVCHS students who have submitted their request to graduate early. All are subject to successfully completing graduation requirements. All of the students plan to continue their post-secondary education.

Motion by Witters, second by Schurr that the Board approve the candidates for early graduation as presented. Roll call vote. Ayes – Witters, Dayman, Huegel, Messman, Paulsen, Schurr. Nays – none. Motion carried.

SAFETY UPDATE: Dr. Spelhaug provided the board a summary of on-going safety updates throughout the district. The junior high has had three cameras installed – one in the main hallway and two on the exterior of the building; office entrance doors are being replaced with glass doors to provide more visibility to the entryway; signage at all of the elementary buildings is being updated; plans are being considered to remodel the front entrance at the high school; and Level II drills (students remain in classrooms and doors are locked) will begin to be practiced after the holiday break.

HOPEWELL LEASE: Chief Financial Officer Mike Clingingsmith recommended renewing the lease of the Hopewell Avenue farm property to Mr. Dean. Paustian who has been the lessee of the property since the 1996 growing season at the rate of $181.00/acre or $4,525.00 for the 25 acres.

Motion by Witters, second by Huegel that the Board renew the 2007 Hopewell Avenue farm lease to Dean Paustian for the total sum of $4,525.00. Roll call vote. Ayes – Witters, Dayman, Huegel, Messman, Paulsen, Schurr. Nays – none. Motion carried.

FINAL ACCEPTANCE OF CODY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLASSROOM ADDITION PROJECT: Mr. Clingingsmith also recommended that the Board approve final acceptance of the Cody Elementary School Classroom Addition Project. Per Section 573 of the Iowa Code, this will begin the thirty-day time line required for subcontractors to make claims against Frye Builders & Associates. The district knows of no claims pending. At the end of the thirty-day period, the district will make final payment of money retained for completion of the project. The amount owed to Frye Builders & Associates for retainage on the project is $34,673.66.

Motion by Huegel, second by Paulsen that the Board approve final acceptance of the Cody Elementary School Classroom Addition Project and authorize the payment of the final retainage amount of $34,673.66 to Frye Builders & Associates at the end of the thirty-day period if no claims are made against them. Roll call vote. Ayes – Huegel, Messman, Paulsen, Schurr, Witters, Dayman. Nays – none. Motion carried.

2007-08 AT-RISK BUDGET: Mr. Clingingsmith presented the 2007-08 At-Risk budget for approval. The changes in the budget are reflective of increased personnel costs associated with raises and transferring .25 FTE of remedial reading teachers salary and benefits from Title I to At-Risk due to Title I being in a deficit situation due to decreased Federal funding. This would result in a $ 0.06942 per $ 1,000 taxable valuation increase in the levy if there is no increase in taxable valuation.

Motion by Witters, second by Messman that the Board approve the 2007-08 at-risk allowable growth budget application as presented. Roll call vote. Ayes – Witters, Dayman, Huegel, Messman, Paulsen, Schurr. Nays – none. Motion carried.

DECEMBER 18 MEETING START TIME - 6:30 P.M.: Dr. Spelhaug recommended that the December 18, 2006, board meeting begin at 6:30 p.m. to allow the Board to attend a holiday social function following the meeting.

Motion by Paulsen, second by Huegel that the Board approve changing the starting time of the December 18 Board meeting to 6:30 p.m. Roll call vote. Ayes – Paulsen, Schurr, Witters, Dayman, Huegel, Messman. Nays – none. Motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 6:46 p.m.