PV Board mulls after-school study session at jr. high

MEMBERS PRESENT: Regular meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. Feb. 5, 2007 by President Dayman. Members present: Adams, Dayman, Messman, Paulsen, and Witters. Absent: Huegel and Schurr. Also present: Jim Spelhaug, Cyndy Behrer, Mike Clingingsmith, Brian Strusz, Joanne Noble, Chris Harvey, and others.

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

COMMUNICATIONS: President Dayman welcomed visitors to the meeting.

Director Huegel arrived at 5:02 p.m.

A question arose relative to the January issue of the Spartan Shield newspaper. Questions had to do with appropriateness of content and how it is decided what gets published.

Dr. Spelhaug provided a general overview of Iowa law relative to student newspapers, noting substantial freedoms are granted the student press. A more extensive review will be provided at a future meeting.

Cyndy Behrer congratulated PVCHS senior Rachel Schurke who set a new school record by bowling a 3-game series of 685.

She also congratulated the PVCHS Group Improvisation Team of Tom Elsey, Aaron Hewitt, Katie McGee and Aisha Ragheb for earning straight Division One ratings at the State Speech Contest February 3.

Dr. Spelhaug shared the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy renewal power point presentation with the board and audience.

CONSENT AGENDA: Motion by Witters, second by Adams 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 22 Regular Board Meeting; the resignation of Tammi Naumann as a special education teacher at Riverdale Heights; the regular employment of Cherish Stickel as an educational aide at Pleasant View; the probationary employment of Kimberly Alman as a special education interpreter and Lisa Hartford as a general education aide both at Riverdale Heights; the extra-duty assignments of Lori Osterberg as assistant softball coach - 2007 season and as head softball coach - 2008 season and Julie Martin as assistant varsity women’s soccer coach - 2007 season; the extra-duty drops of Eric Crawford as head varsity girls tennis coach and Nicole Murray as assistant varsity girls soccer coach both effective immediately, and Rusty VanWetzinga as varsity softball coach effective the end of the 2007 softball season.

EXPENSES APPROVED: Motion by Huegel, second by Witters that General Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $233,646.37 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Messman, second by Adams that Nutrition Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $19,680.88 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Paulsen, second by Witters that Elementary/Junior High Activity Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $3,404.66 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Witters, second by Huegel that High School Activity Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $18,236.94.

Motion by Adams, second by Witters that PPEL Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $37,289.57 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

2007-2008 FOOD SERVICE PRICES: Joanne Noble, Food Service Director, recommended an increase in student meal prices for the 2007-08 school year to offset escalating wage, food and other food service costs. The recommendation is to adjust prices by $ .05. Current year lunch prices are: elementary - $1.60, junior high - $1.70, and senior high - $1.80. Student breakfast ($1.00) and milk ($ .30) would not increase. With the increase, the cost of student lunches remains comparable and in some cases lower than other Scott County school districts.

Motion by Messman, second by Huegel that the board approve the recommended food service price increases for the 2007-08 school year. Roll call vote. Ayes – Messman, Paulsen, Witters, Adams, Dayman, Huegel. Nays – none. Motion carried.

PVJH SCHEDULING OPTIONS

Brian Strusz, PVJH Principal, shared a draft plan to address the learning needs of junior high students. For some time, the junior high faculty and staff have been looking for effective and efficient ways to help students with school work. Currently, the junior high time schedule and busing make it challenging to assist students with their curricular concerns.

The proposal involves creating an after school study session opportunity for all students from 2:35 to 3:15 daily. Aides would monitor study halls during the day to free up teacher prep time. This would make most teachers available for students during the study session.

Among the benefits this schedule provides are: consistent time everyday after school to assist students with their homework and collaboration time for teachers during the school day.

This option is made possible by the new addition which will allow study halls to be scheduled into the cafeteria. Club and athletic activities would take place from 3:25 – 5:00 p.m. with the activity buses leaving the junior high at 5:10 each day.

Costs of the idea would be additional aide time and an increase in buses for activity late runs.

This idea was discussed with the board and will be presented to Junior High parents in a question and answer format.

FEBRUARY 19 BOARD MEETING MOVED TO FEBRUARY 20: Due to the fact that the February 19 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 20 at 7:00 p.m.

Motion by Witters, second by Adams that the Board approve moving the February 19 board meeting to Tuesday, February 20 at 7:00 p.m. due to the President’s Day Holiday falling on February 19. Roll call vote. Ayes – Witters, Adams, Dayman, Huegel, Messman, Paulsen. Nays – none. Motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 6:42 p.m.

The Pleasant Valley Community School District is compiling a list of children to be considered for next year’s Preschool classes. This program is available to students in the Pleasant Valley Community School District attendance area. Please indicate your interest in this program by completing the information below. We will contact you later this spring to arrange a time for you and your child to visit the preschool. During this visit your child will be screened and you will fill out a registration packet. We hope to complete the class roster before the end of the school year to help parents plan for fall preschool opportunities.

The classes will be located at Bridgeview Elementary School in LeClaire. Students will attend Monday through Thursday in either a morning or afternoon session. District transportation will be available to shuttle children from the south end (Riverdale/Pleasant View attendance areas) of the district. There is no charge for these preschool services.

Please share this information with any families who will have children four years of age on or before September 15, 2007.

The information below can be returned to the school office or mailed directly to Bridgeview Elementary School, P.O. Box 332, Pleasant Valley, IA 52767.

Preschool Registration Information - 2007-08

Child’s Name:

Birthdate:

Parent(s):

Address:

Telephone:

School Attendance Center:

Bridgeview, Cody, Pleasant View, or Riverdale Hts.