2020.04.08 - Regular Meeting Minutes

Minutes of Regular Meeting
April 8, 2020

The Board of Directors
Clarinda Community School District

 

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of Clarinda Community School District was held Wednesday, April 8, 2020, beginning at 4:00 PM in the McKinley Central Office and Zoom for Public (Link found on district website under Menu - District Office - Zoom Link).

 

1.

Call to Order
President Jones called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm.

 

2.

Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

3.

Roll Call
The following board members were present:  President Jones, Vice President Sunderman, Bergren, Meyer (via cell), and Pulliam.

 

4.

Audience to Visitors
President Jones welcomed all visitors to the meeting via Zoom.

 

5.

Approval of Agenda
A motion was made by Sunderman, seconded by Bergren, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 5-0.

 

6.

Open Hearing on the Proposed 2020-2021 Budget
At 4:04 pm President Jones declared the start of the hearing on the proposed 2020-2021 budget. Hearing no verbal, and receiving no written objections to the proposed 2020-2021 budget, President Jones closed the hearing at 4:05 pm.

 

7.

Give Oath of Office to Colby Pedersen School Board Treasurer
President Jones administered the Oath of Office to Colby Pedersen, School Board Treasurer.  

 

8.

Consider Consent Agenda Items
A motion was made by Pulliam, seconded by Bergren, to approve the consent agenda items. Motion carried 4-0.  Sunderman abstained.

 

8. 1.

Approve Minutes of the March 25, 2020 Regular Meeting

 

8. 2.

Approve Minutes of the April 3, 2020 Special Meeting

 

8. 3.

Approve Bills
Director Pulliam found the bills in order. 

 

8. 4.

Approve Special Education Contracts for Clarinda Academy: Council Bluffs Community School District and Sioux Central Community School District.

 

8. 5.

Approve Resignation from Alyssa Biery, High School Assistant Volleyball Coach

 

8. 6.

Approve Resignation from Casey Hill, High School Assistant Boys Basketball Coach

 

8. 7.

Approve Resignation from James Lindsay, High School Science Teacher and High School Assistant Football and Track Coach

 

8. 8.

Approve Recommendation to Hire Emma Sunderman for Agricultural Science Position

 

8. 9.

Approve Recommendation to Hire Justin Ridnour for Industrial Technology Position

 

8. 10.

Approve Recommendation to Hire Logan Boydstun for High School Special Education/Middle School Instructor of Agricultural Exploratory Position

 

8. 11.

Approve Recommendation to Hire Thomas Smith for Spanish and Health Position

 

9.

Recognition & Reports

 

9. 1.

Financial Reports
Mr. Pedersen gave an overview of the financials. Office staff joined a Forecast5 webinar discussing potential financial impacts of COVID-19.

 

9. 2.

Winter Activities
Mr. Porter reported his focus is supporting athletes and coaches during this time; he is finding ways to celebrate students. The last public student event was Parade of Bands. He is attending Zoom meetings with H-10, state, and national athletic directors to discuss current situation. Winter activity accomplishments included Crew Howard (placed fourth) and Kale Downey going to state wrestling; Nathan Lindsay making second team All-Conference basketball and Connor Brown and Michael Shull Honorable Mention; and ten students making All-Conference Academic. Currently we are tied with Shenandoah for the Pride of Page County. The district is waiting to hear about spring season events.

 

9. 3.

Middle School Principal
Mr. Henely (via Zoom) reported on the Walking School Bus meeting. Students were able to access an area street map that showed bike racks. Mr. McClarnon found stored bike racks; they will be cleaned and placed where needed. Students looked at data for sidewalk accessibility and safety; they hope to have walking school bus next year. Huddle groups were meeting to discuss reading/math strategies and FAST/NWEA assessment data. Math Bee team made it to State with three in top 25 at Regionals. Twenty-two students qualified for Regional History/Science Bee. Finance & Econ Challenge students are awaiting state standings. Band students performed well at concerts and contests. NWEA assessment shows overall turn around because of focus on reading along with professional development.

 

9. 4.

Superintendent
Mr. Hill reported capital projects are on schedule and budget.  Football field site survey and geotechnical testing were done. Mr. Murphy will do a design and bring to board for approval. Radon testing was done; company suggested replacing HVAC system in Garfield gym. Three heat pumps are down and need replaced. Mrs. Bergman is communicating with staff and families via written forms and video segments called The Nest. Administration team and herself have reviewed COVID-19 protocol and what is best for the district. The district opted for voluntary status for continuous learning until April 30th but this can be shifted to required status for 7th-12th grade if other state requirements or guidance change. Voluntary status allows families to participate or not. Learning cannot be graded; staff will be able to communicate with students via Zoom. Student iPads and learning packets will be available Monday. Celebrations include a Differentiated Math scale-up grant for third graders and the district should qualify to be a K8 Title school next year. Feed the Birds Program continues to support families.  Tax rate for 2020-21school year went up because of Combined District Cost levy which district cannot control.

 

9. 5.

Board Correspondence
Jones – Clarinda is a great community who continues to come together.
Sunderman – He asked for staff and community to stay patient with the district as everyone is learning how to handle the pandemic.
Bergren – Because of the pandemic she is seeing communication growing in the community.
Meyer – A win in this pandemic is understanding the district’s demographics better.
Pulliam – She thanked everyone for the communication, support, and hard work in this trying time. Community is seeing several positives happening.

 

10.

New Business

 

10. 1.

Consider Setting Public Hearing on the District's 2019-2020 Amended Budget Proposal 
A motion was made by Sunderman, seconded by Bergren, to approve setting April 22, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. in the Central Office Board Room as the date, time, and place for the public hearing on the proposed 2019-2020 amended budget.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

10. 2.

Consider Adopting the 2020-2021 Budget
A motion was made by Pulliam, seconded by Sunderman, to approve the FY21 budget as presented.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

10. 3.

Consider adopting Resolution for Budget Guarantee
A motion was made by Pulliam, seconded by Bergren, to approve adopting the Budget Guarantee Resolution for FY21 for the regular program budget as allowed under Iowa Code 257.14.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

10. 4.

Consider approving the amended 2020-2021 calendar
A motion was made by Sunderman, seconded by Bergren, to approve amended 2020-2021 calendar.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

10. 5.

Consider Approving Monetary Donations for Feeding Our Birds
A motion was made by Bergren, seconded by Pulliam, to approve the monetary donations of $6999.57 from anonymous donors for Feeding Our Birds.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

10. 6.

Meeting Announcements:
Please note the schedule of meetings.

 

10. 6. 1.

Our next meetings are tentatively on Wednesday, April 15, 2020 - work session at 4:00 p.m. and a joint meeting with South Page at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room at McKinley, and April 22, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. in the Board Room at McKinley.

 

11.

Adjournment
A motion was made by Sunderman, seconded by Bergren, to adjourn the meeting at 5:43 pm.  Motion carried 5-0.