PV Board to have another vacancy

PV Board Minutes 5.7.07

MEMBERS PRESENT: Regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Dayman. Members present: Adam, Adams, Dayman, Huegel, Paulsen, Schurr and Witters. Absent: None. Also present: Jim Spelhaug, Cyndy Behrer, Mike Clingingsmith, Marie Randol, Don Dehner, Jim Wichman, Tony Hiatt, Ed, Janie, and Regan Odegard, Becky Larson, Ken Brockhouse, Tom Bloomingdale, Erv Huebner, Ray Joens, Mark Staetler, Camelia, Daniel, and Jorge Rodriguez, Joey Schuler, Kathy Jerz, Mickey Malmgren, Ann Malmgren, Todd Landauer , Dylan and Lori French, Chris Harvey and others.

EXECUTIVE SESSION APPROVED: Motion by Paulsen, second by Huegel that the Board hold a closed session as provided in section 21.5(1)(i) of the open meetings law to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose performance is being considered to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation, as that individual has requested a closed session. Roll call vote. Ayes – Paulsen, Schurr, Witters, Adam, Adams, Dayman, Huegel. Nays – none. Motion carried.

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

COMMUNICATIONS: President Dayman thanked Pleasant Valley Junior High PTA for providing refreshments for the board meeting to celebrate Board Appreciation Week which is May 13 – 19. She added thanks to PTA’s throughout the district for all of their work on behalf of the children of Pleasant Valley.

Dr. Spelhaug presented each board member with a certificate of appreciation and thanked them for their leadership and continuing service to students and community.

The Board thanked the High School PTA and many individuals and businesses throughout the community for their support of the Right After Prom event. Additional thanks to Sheriff Department Liaison Deputy Jayne Ruckoldt and the many organizations that put together the pre-prom reenactment activity.

President Dayman congratulated the cast and crew of Pajama Game for their outstanding performance.

Director Adams commended the Shield for its lead editorial relative to school violence.

Director Adams also announced that he and his wife will be moving from the area prior to the next election. The board and administration expressed appreciation for his service to the children of the district. The district will announce timelines for the naming of a replacement at an upcoming board meeting. Citizens residing in Director District #5 interested in this seat should contact Chris Harvey at harveychris@pleasval.k12.ia.us or (563)332-5550 X 1018.

Director Witters suggested that parents be reminded that the district’s website (www.pleasval.k12.ia.us) contains directions to all of the MAC (Mississippi Athletic Conference) schools. On the website, click on High School, then Activities, and then Directions.

Dr. Spelhaug thanked the community for supporting the Alcoa/PV Foundation Golf Event which took place on Monday, April 30. This event raised approximately $20,000 - $22,000 to support scholarships for PV graduating seniors each spring.

Dr. Spelhaug announced that the PV Elementary Math teams had competed very well at the state competition after sweeping the regional competition. Students, parents and coaches will be honored at the next board meeting.

On an annual basis, the Buffalo Bill Post #347 of the American Legion sponsors a flag essay contest around the theme, “What the American Flag Means to Me” for the 5th grade students across the Pleasant Valley School District. Ken Brockhouse and other members of the American Legion Post #347 were in attendance to present savings bonds to the fifth grade students from each of the elementary schools whose essays were chosen as this year’s winners. The following students were recognized and read their essays: Bridgeview Elementary - Regan Odegard; Cody Elementary - Joey Schuler; Pleasant View Elementary - Daniel Rodriguez; Riverdale Heights Elementary - Mickey Malmgren and Dylan French. The essays from the Riverdale Heights students were chosen to represent Pleasant Valley at the District level. Mickey was awarded 5th place at the District level. Dr. Spelhaug and the Board thanked and applauded the students and members of Buffalo Bill Post #347 for their work and service to the country.

MEMORIAL DAY PROGRAM: Mr. Brockhouse invited the community to the American Legion’s Memorial Day program on Monday, May 28, 2007, 11:00 a.m., at Bridgeview School in LeClaire.

CONSENT AGENDA: Motion by Adams, second by Witters 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 April 23 Regular Board Meeting; the employment of Joe Youngbauer as a social studies teacher at PVJH for the 2007-08 school year; the regular employment of Kimberly Alman as an interpreter aide at Riverdale Heights effective May 9, 2007, the resignation of Nikki Doerge as a special education aide at Bridgeview effective the end of the 2006-07 school year, the probationary employment of Robert Andrews as a year round part-time custodian at PVCHS effective April 23, 2007; the following extra-duty additions – Stephanie Howe, head sophomore softball coach, Randy DePover, co-assistant varsity baseball coach, Jon Thoreson, co-assistant varsity baseball coach, Rob Wood, head sophomore baseball coach, Jeff Paul PVJH social studies department leader, Tony Runkle, PVJH science department leader, Trishia Ryser, PVJH specials department leader, Chris Kohn, head freshman football coach, Mike Strobbe, head sophomore football coach, Joe Ambrose, assistant varsity football coach, Craig Clark, assistant varsity football coach; and the following extra-duty drops – Chris Kohn, assistant freshman football coach, Tom Hoskins, head freshman football coach, Mike Strobbe, assistant varsity football coach, Mike Duncan, assistant sophomore football coach, Joe Ambrose, head sophomore football coach, Craig Clark, assistant sophomore football coach.

EXPENSES APPROVED: Motion by Witters, second by Adams that General Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $225,309.72 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Huegel, second by Schurr that Nutrition Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $77,417.65 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Adams, second by Witters that Elementary/Junior High Activity Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $7,730.58 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Adam, second by Witters that High School Activity Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $20,135.45 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Paulsen, second by Huegel that PPEL Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $73,282.12 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Adams, second by Paulsen that Capital Projects Fund warrant be issued in the total amount of $11,875.00 in payment of the invoice presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Witters, second by Schurr that Internal Service Fund warrant be issued in the total amount of $2,375.00 in payment of the invoice presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

DISCUSSION OF SUMMER BOARD SCHEDULE: The Board continued its discussion of the summer schedule of meetings giving consideration to a single meeting in July.

Motion by Witters, second by Adams that the board hold one board meeting in July, 2007 and adopt the following schedule for board meetings: June 4, June 18, July 16, August 6, and August 20. Roll call vote. Ayes – Witters, Adam, Adams, Dayman, Huegel, Paulsen, Schurr. Nays – none. Motion carried.

APPROVAL OF STUDENT HANDBOOKS: Jim Wichman, Steven Cotton, and Tom Maher recommended changes to the Student/Parent Handbooks for the 2007-2008 school year. They pointed out that the Junior High, Bridgeview, and Cody’s telephone numbers have changed to the 332 prefix (PVJH – 563-332-0200 and Attendance – 563-332-0201; Bridgeview – 563-332-0215 and Attendance – 563-332-0216; and Cody – 563-332-0210 and Attendance – 563-332-0211). Also, all schools will begin using their physical addresses instead of the current post office box. Dr. Spelhaug said that both old and new phone numbers will be able to be used for some time and the district will keep the current post office box for up to one year as the district transitions to the physical addresses. Debbie Menke discussed the high school attendance policy and some possible changes with the board. Any changes to the attendance policy will be brought to the board at one of the next couple meetings.

Motion by Adam, second by Paulsen that the board approve the proposed changes to the student/parent handbooks for the 2007-08 school year. Roll call vote. Ayes – Adam, Adams, Dayman, Huegel, Paulsen, Schurr, Witters. Motion carried.

TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK: In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, President Dayman read the following Proclamation:

WHEREAS, today’s teachers mold our future citizens through their guidance and education, and
WHEREAS, today’s teachers encounter students of widely differing backgrounds and abilities, and
WHEREAS, our society expects public education to provide quality education services to all children, no matter what their backgrounds or abilities, and
WHEREAS, our country’s future depends, in large measure, upon the education our youth receive today, and
WHEREAS, teachers spend countless hours outside their classrooms preparing lessons, evaluating progress, counseling and coaching students and performing community service, and
WHEREAS, our community recognizes that its teachers are providing quality education services to our children,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT the Pleasant Valley Board of Education designates the week of May 7-11, 2007, as Teacher Appreciation Week in this community, and
BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED THAT the Board calls on the community to join with it in personally expressing appreciation to our teachers for a job well done.

REVIEW END OF YEAR SCHEDULE/MAKE-UP DAYS: With two missed school days for inclimate weather the last day of school is Friday June 1. Dr. Spelhaug explained that issue is the day missed in grades 7-12 because of a power outage. Since schools were in session at other levels, it is local discretion whether the day is made up for those two buildings. He recommended and the board reached consensus that the district not make up that day for 7-12 students. The last day of school for all levels is Friday, June 1.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: The Board met in executive session for personnel from 8:15 – 9:30 p.m. for the purpose of conducting the superintendent’s annual evaluation.

APPROVE SUPERINTENDENT’S CONTRACT: In open session, motion by Huegel, second by Adam that the Board approve the extension of the superintendent’s contract through 2009-10. Roll call vote. Ayes – Huegel, Paulsen, Schurr, Witters, Adam, Adams, Dayman. Nays – none. Motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 9:32 p.m.