PV Board seeks applicants to fill upcoming board vacancy

MEMBERS PRESENT: Regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Vice-President Schurr. Members present: Adams, Huegel, Paulsen, Schurr and Witters. Absent: Adam and Dayman. Also present: Jim Spelhaug, Cyndy Behrer, Mike Clingingsmith, Marie Randol, and Chris Harvey.

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

COMMUNICATIONS: Marie Randol asked questions regarding the district’s decision to contract with Durham School Services for bus transportation and the costs related to the decision. Dr. Spelhaug replied the bid from Durham is approximately $10,000 more in “hard” costs than the projections of what it would cost the district to operate the system. The three criteria for the decision were student safety, customer service, and cost.

Vice-President Schurr read the district’s Mission Statement: The mission of the Pleasant Valley Community School District, as a premier innovative district in the Midwest, is to prepare students to succeed in a diverse, global society by providing superior quality opportunities in a safe environment for each student to become a life long learner by continuously improving and customizing the educational experience.

Cyndy Behrer congratulated the PVCHS girls soccer team on their win over Bettendorf and their advancement to the State tournament.

She thanked the Scott County Regional Authority for awarding Pleasant Valley Schools approximately $80,000 in the spring granting cycle. The grants received are the Waterford Early Learning (Phase IV) - $51,439; Junior High Remodeling (Phase II) - $25,000, and Math & Reading Summer Success - $2812. On behalf of the Board, faculty and students Ms. Behrer expressed appreciation for the district’s partnership with the SCRA.

Ms. Behrer commended the Board for its decision to provide the parent survey electronically this spring. The number of electronic returns to the survey has exceeded 800 which is over 200 more than received with previous paper surveys.

She congratulated the PVJH Spirit Gear organization and its sponsor Mary Jo Gruneich. The group embroidered over 520 pieces of apparel this year and has donated $4,200 back to the school through its earnings.

Dr. Spelhaug announced that due to a conflict in July, Director Adams’ last board meeting will be June 18. Dr. Spelhaug reminded district residents that the deadline for applying is June 29, 2007. (Anyone interested in applying for the Director District 5 opening should contact Chris Harvey at (563)332-5550 X1018 or harveychris@pleasval.k12.ia.us. A director district map is available on the district’s website at www.pleasval.k12.ia.us. The candidate must reside within the boundaries of Director District 5 and be an eligible elector.)

The board will meet on July 16 to interview candidates and make a selection. The new member will be sworn in on August 6. This appointment will run through September 11, 2007 at which time the school election will take place. There will be a one year term for Director District 5 on the ballot at that time.

Dr. Spelhaug said that demolition work has begun on two capital improvement remodeling projects; the Junior High’s kitchen and the Family and Consumer Science room at PVCHS.

CONSENT AGENDA: Motion by Adams, 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 May 21 Regular Board Meeting and the May 24 Special Meeting; the employment of Julie Doyle as an elementary teacher at Pleasant View elementary and Lori Osterburg as an at-risk teacher at PVCHS both for the 2007-08 school year; the resignations of Michelle Bump as a special education aide at Riverdale Heights, Diane Kapalis as a special education aide at PVCHS, and Shari Terry as a special education aide at Pleasant View all effective the end of the 2006-07 school year; the increase in Rhonda Tisinger’s Letter of Assignment as a library assistant aide from 21 hours/week to 29 hours/week effective the 2007-08 school year; and the probationary employment of Michele Even as an educational aide at PVJH effective August 14, 2007 and Phillip Van Wassenhove as a year round part-time custodian at PVCHS effective May 21, 2007.

EXPENSES APPROVED: Motion by Huegel, second by Adams that General Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $489,494.90 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Paulsen, second by Witters that Nutrition Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $50,045.66 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Adams, second by Huegel that Elementary/Junior High Activity Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $6,338.56 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Witters, second by Adams that High School Activity Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $27,429.60 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Adams, second by Paulsen that PPEL Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $6,867.30 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

MEASURES OF ACADEMIC PROGRESS (MAP) END OF THE YEAR ASSESSMENT SUMMARY: During the 2006-07 school year, the district began using a new assessment, the Measures of Academic Progress, or MAP test, to gauge student progress. The test was administered to all students in grades 3-8 in the fall (early September) and then again this spring (late April/early May). Individual student progress reports have been mailed to all families whose students completed the test. These most recent reports begin to provide growth data to parents based on the two administrations of the test. Classroom teachers have seen various summary reports and have had discussions about the percentage of their students achieving the growth targets in the areas of math and reading. Ms. Behrer reviewed several of the district reports summarizing the district growth and spring performance and answered questions relative to the first year of test implementation.

2007-2008 BOARD SCHEDULE DISCUSSION: Dr. Spelhaug and the Board discussed the 2007-08 board meeting schedule provided below. This schedule moves away from the traditional 1st and 3rd Mondays in order to avoid 2007-08 calendar conflicts. This schedule will be an agenda item on the June 18 board meeting agenda.