PV board approves 1 percent property tax increase

PV Board Minutes 3.19.07

MEMBERS PRESENT: Regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Dayman. Members present: Dayman, Messman, Paulsen, Schurr, and Witters. Absent: Adams and Huegel. Also present: Jim Spelhaug, Cyndy Behrer, Mike Clingingsmith, Brian Strusz, Randy Teymer, Chris Harvey, and others.

EXEMPT SESSION APPROVED: Motion by Messman, second by Schurr that the board hold an exempt session for the purpose of negotiations as provided in section 20.17(3) of the Code of Iowa. Roll call vote. Ayes – Messman, Paulsen, Witters, Dayman, Schurr. Nays – none. Motion carried.

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

COMMUNICATIONS: The district congratulated the four elementary math teams on their first through fourth place finish at the regional math bee held on Wednesday, March 7. Pleasant View placed first, Riverdale Heights second, Cody third and Bridgeview fourth while Pleasant Valley students took the top 10 individual honors and placed 15 students in the top 23.

Director Messman thanked the Board, administration, faculty and staff for their part in her positive experience as a board member. Mrs. Messman and her family are moving from the area and this was her last meeting.

Dr. Spelhaug presented Mrs. Messman a plaque for her years of service on the Board from 2003 – 2007 and thanked her for her service to the children of the district.

President Dayman read a thank you note from the family of Frank Weber, a former board member and board president, who passed away recently.

Junior High advisor Clint Heitz introduced drama club members Rachel Schultz and Alex Wilkinson. They discussed their participation in mini drama workshops with high school drama club members as well as their other activities throughout the school year. Mrs. Sue Carter and Mrs. Suzett Lindquist were also present and thanked for their volunteer efforts on behalf of the junior high drama club. Parents Tim Wilkinson and Rhonda Green were also thanked for their support.

CONSENT AGENDA: Motion by Paulsen, 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 March 5 Regular Board Meeting; the resignation of Mary Kauten as a food service worker at Riverdale Heights; the regular employment of Stacy Robertson as a food service worker at Riverdale Heights; the extra-curricular assignments of Darren Erickson as assistant sophomore baseball coach and Courtney Kipp as assistant varsity girls soccer coach; three open enrollment applications-in for 2007-08 from Bettendorf Schools; and the cooperative agreement for student teachers with Luther College.

EXPENSES APPROVED: Motion by Witters, second by Messman that General Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $99,677.54 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Schurr, second by Witters that Nutrition Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $47,275.10 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Paulsen, second by Schurr that Elementary/Junior High Activity Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $1,538.84 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Messman, second by Paulsen that High School Activity Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $15,232.86 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Witters, second by Schurr that a PPEL Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $79,891.74 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Paulsen, second by Witters that a Capital Projects Fund warrant be issued in the total amount of $35,150.00 in payment of the invoice presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Messman, second by Schurr that an Internal Service Fund warrant be issued in the total amount of $59,380.46 in payment of the invoice presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

ACCEPTANCE OF 2005-06 AUDIT REPORT: Mr. Clingingsmith presented the 2005-06 audit report from Hunt, Kain & Associates, P.C. for approval. The auditors issued an unqualified opinion on the district’s financial statements. This is the best outcome an organization can receive from an audit. Mr. Clingingsmith had reviewed the audit for the board at the previous meeting.

Motion by Paulsen, second by Witters that the Board accept the audit report from Hunt, Kain & Associates for the year ended June 30, 2006. Roll call vote. Ayes – Paulsen, Schurr, Witters, Dayman, Messman. Nays – none. Motion carried.

PVJH SCHEDULING RECOMMENDATION: Pleasant Valley Junior High School principal Brian Strusz introduced the concept of an after-school study table at the February 5 board meeting. Since that time the Junior High has held two public meetings for parents (where current 6th and 7th grade parents were mailed invitations), information was sent out via board minutes, and planning continued with faculty. He reported that feedback from parents has been supportive and the faculty and administration continue to believe this concept will be a powerful intervention. Anticipated annual costs to support the program are $40,000 - $50,000. The school day and bus schedule will remain the same. Study table will be between the end of school and start of practices. Junior High teachers will all be available to provide assistance to students on homework and projects.

Motion by Witters, second by Schurr that the Board accept the recommendation to create a junior high study table for the 2007-08 school year. Roll call vote. Ayes – Witters, Dayman, Messman, Paulsen, Schurr. Nays – none. Motion carried.

SUMMER SCHOOL UPDATE: Cyndy Behrer reported that in its efforts to improve student achievement through summer school, the district is proposing significant changes at all levels. At the elementary, Pleasant Valley will partner with the Scott County Y program to modify PV CARES and expand its services to include a “Read and Romp” format for students who have completed grades 1 and 2. 6th grade students will be moved to the junior high and given reading and math support in that environment in an effort to address skill development while assisting in the transition process. The junior high summer school program will serve students who have recently completed grades 6 and 7 and who could use reading and math support in those areas. At the high school level, a new reading course will be offered to students completing 8th and 9th grade who would benefit from additional reading support. Students completing this course successfully will receive .25 high school credit.

Motion by Witters, second by Paulsen that the Board approve the proposed revisions to the district’s summer school programming for the 2007 Summer School session. Roll call vote. Ayes – Witters, Dayman, Messman, Paulsen, Schurr. Nays – none. Motion carried.

COOPERATIVE SWIMMING AGREEMENT WITH NORTH SCOTT: Randy Teymer, PVCHS Associate Principal for Activities, presented the 2007-08 Cooperative Swimming Agreements. The district has held a cooperative agreement with North Scott for boys and girls swimming for over fifteen years and he reported that it continues to operate on a very positive basis. Currently, the district has 2 girls and 10 boys at the high school level and 3 girls at the junior high level from North Scott participating. North Scott is responsible for transporting their students and is billed $250 per student for costs related to the program.

Motion by Paulsen, second by Messman that the Board approve the cooperative swimming agreement for high school and junior high boys and girls with North Scott for 2007-08. Roll call vote. Ayes – Paulsen, Schurr, Witters, Dayman, Messman. Nays – none. Motion carried.

AUTHORIZATION TO PUBLISH PROPOSED 2007-08 CERTIFIED BUDGET AND ESTABLISHMENT OF DATE FOR 2007-08 CERTIFIED BUDGET HEARING

Mr. Clingingsmith explained that it is necessary to publish the proposed 2007-08 certified budget and to establish a date and time to hold a public hearing and adopt the certified budget for 2007-08. At the last two board meetings, Dr. Spelhaug and Mr. Clingingsmith presented a preliminary review of 2007-08 property tax levy rates. It was decided at the last board meeting to set the district’s property tax levy rate for 2007-08 at $13.99 per $1,000 taxable valuation (rounded to the nearest penny). This would be a $0.13 per $1,000 increase over the 2006-07 rate.

Motion by Witters, second by Schurr that the Chief Financial Officer be directed to publish a proposed budget summary reflecting a tax levy rate not to exceed $13.99341 per $1,000 taxable valuation and to establish a date and time of April 9, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. to hold the public hearing and adopt the certified budget for 2007-08. Roll call vote. Ayes – Witters, Dayman, Messman, Paulsen, Schurr. Nays – none. Motion carried.

FIRST APRIL BOARD MEETING - APRIL 9: Due to the first board meeting in April falling during spring break, Dr. Spelhaug recommended that it be moved to Monday, April 9, 2007, 6:30 p.m.

Motion by Paulsen, second by Witters that the board approve the first meeting in April be held on Monday, April 9, 2007, 6:30 p.m. Roll call vote. Ayes – Paulsen, Schurr, Witters, Dayman, Messman. Nays – none. Motion carried.

MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORTS: Mr. Clingingsmith presented the monthly financial reports for February. Through February, general fund revenue totaled $14,497,660 and expenses totaled $14,293,157. The fund balance in the General Fund at February 28, 2007 was $2,124,528. 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 February financial reports.

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

APPROVE 2007-08 CONTRACT WITH SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION (SEIU), LOCAL 199: Mike Clingingsmith reported that a tentative agreement was reached with the SEIU (Service Employees International Union, Local 199) for the 2007-08 fiscal year. The agreement equates to a 4.00% total package increase with an across the board $0.46 per hour increase on wages. District new money for 2007-08 is 6.30% and state allowable growth for 2007-08 is 4.00%. Some additional custodial time (one-half hour per day at Riverdale Heights Elementary School) was agreed to as part of the settlement. The cost of this additional custodial time is included as part of the 4.00% total package increase.

Motion by Witters, second by Paulsen that the board approve the 2007-08 contract with Service Employees International Union, Local 199 as presented. Roll call vote. Ayes – Witters, Dayman, Messman, Paulsen, Schurr. Nays – none. Motion carried.

EXEMPT SESSION - NEGOTIATIONS: The Board met in exempt session for the purpose of negotiations from 8:27 – 9:04 p.m.

The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.