Minutes - 12.11.2023 Organizational Meeting

 

ALGONA COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Organizational Meeting

December 11, 2023

 

The Board of Directors of the Algona Community School District, in the County of Kossuth, State of Iowa, met in regular session (organizational) in the Boardroom, Performing Arts Center, 600 S. Hale Street, Algona, Iowa at 7:00pm. on the above date. 

 

Present:               Davis, Louwagie, Nugent, Vinci

Absent:                Mitchell, Limbaugh, Owen

Others Present:  Superintendent Carter, Secretary Chapman, Janie Eischen, Brian Wilson

 

All motions are unanimously approved unless noted.

 

Secretary Chapman gave the oath of office to Andrea Vinci, Todd Louwagie and Tom Nugent. 

 

Election for President of the Board was conducted by Secretary Chapman. Nugent nominated Davis as Board President. Vinci seconded. There were no other nominations. Vinci moved to cease nominations for President. Motion carried. Votes were called for the appointment of Rodney Davis as Board President. Davis, Louwagie, Nugent, Vinci-Aye. None-Nay. Absent-Mitchell, Limbaugh, Owen. Davis was declared President.

 

The oath was administered to Davis as Board President by Secretary Chapman.

 

Davis called for nominations of Vice-President. Nugent moved to nominate Limbaugh as Vice-President. Vinci seconded. Motion carried. There were no other nominations. Vinci moved to cease nominations.  Votes were called for the appointment of Jay Limbaugh as Vice-President of the Board. Davis, Louwagie, Nugent, Vinci-Aye. None-Nay. Absent-Mitchell, Limbaugh, Owen. Limbaugh was declared Vice-President.

 

COMMUNICATIONS TO THE BOARD: The Financial Health Analysis, prepared by Secretary Chapman, was presented. The board was given the document last week for review. The information will be supplemental to the annual audit. Financial summaries regarding fund balance, enrollment, tax rates, assets and liabilities are just a few of the topics discussed. Overall the fund balance saw a decrease, but was mostly in regard to how the district was required to book tax receivables due to the reorganization. 

 

Approve Agenda: Vinci moved to approve the agenda, moving the closed session to January agenda due to the number of absent board members. Seconded by Louwagie. Motion carried.

 

Consent Items: Nugent moved to approve the consent items and Louwagie seconded. Motion carried.

 

Superintendent Report: Iowa School Performance Profiles are created to assess school districts. The Every School Succeeds Act (ESSA) replaced No Child Left Behind (NCLB). The profile includes information about proficiency, growth, graduation rates, post secondary testing, English language proficiency, environment, and equity measurements. A school listed with a Comprehensive Rating will receive more support. Algona School District received a Commendable rating at the High School level. The elementary and Middle School received a Commendable rating. Superintendent Carter reviewed highlights from the profile which showed many ratings above the state average. Many areas of growth were noted in multiple areas.

 

OLD BUSINESS

Board Policies-2nd Reading: The second reading of policies 401.1 Equal Employment Opportunity, 503.01 Student Conduct, 503.01-R(1) Student Conduct Regulation were read. Louwagie moved to approve the second readings. Seconded by Vinci. Motion carried.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Board Policies 1st Reading: The first reading of board policies 409.7 Licensed Employee Military Leave, 501.04 Entrance-Admissions, 501.06-Student Transfers In, 501.07-Student Transfers Out or Withdrawals, 501.08 Student Attendance Records was held. There were no changes and currently match the recommendations by Iowa Association of School Boards. The following policies were reviewed as well, but are not current  policies of Algona CSD and will not be considered for adoption: 501.09-Student Absences-Excused, 501.9E1 Request for Remote Learning Form, 501.10-Truancy-Unexcused Absences, 501.10R(1)-Truancy-Unexcused Absences Regulation, 501.11-Student Release During School Hours, 501.12-Pregnant Students. Policy 503.02-Expulsion is a required policy and also reviewed. The board will hold a second reading in January. 

 

Approve Fieldhouse Project Bid: The district received bids from seven (7) contractors for the Fieldhouse Project. The low bid was submitted by Kingland Construction Inc. Superintendent Carter recommended the approval of the reasonable and responsible low bid. Vinci moved to approve the bid from Kingland Construction Inc. at $12,814,000 (includes alternates). Nugent seconded the motion. Motion carried. 

 

Dropout Prevention Application: Louwagie moved to approve the SBRC Modified Supplement Dropout Prevention application in the amount of $366,914. Vinci seconded the motion. Motion carried.

 

Kossuth County Conference Board Members: Vinci moved to appoint Todd Louwagie as the representative for the Kossuth County Conference Board. Seconded by Nugent. Motion carried.

 

Algona Community School Foundation Member: Vinci moved to appoint Jeff Knapp as a member of the Algona Community School Foundation. Seconded by Louwagie. Motion carried.

 

SBRC Application:

Increased Enrollment: The district’s administration is authorized to submit a request to the School Budget Review Committee for a modified supplemental amount of $797,025 due to an increase of certified enrollment from the prior year. Nugent moved to approve the request and Louwagie seconded. Ayes: Davis, Louwagie, Nugent, Vinci, Nays: None. Absent: Limbaugh, Mitchell, Owen. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0. 

 

Open Enrollment Out: None

 

EL Instruction Beyond 5 Years:  The district’s administration is authorized to submit a request to the School Budget Review Committee for a modified supplemental amount of $8,031 related to the English language learning program for students who have exceeded five years of weighting that are included on the Fall 2023 certified enrollment headcount. Louwagie moved to approve the request and Nugent seconded. Ayes: Davis, Louwagie, Nugent, Vinci, Nays: None. Absent: Limbaugh, Mitchell, Owen. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0. 

 

Open Enrollment: Vinci moved to approve the six (6) open enrollment applications that have been filed. Seconded by Louwagie. Motion carried.

 

Contracts: Vinci moved to approve the following contracts pending completion of any and all certifications not already obtained: Ashton Collins-.5 Seton Teacher Associate. Seconded by Louwagie. Motion carried.

 

Resignations: Nugent moved to approve the following resignations: Marilyn Berte-Middle School Teacher Associate and Adam Orban-Head Musical Sponsor. Seconded by Louwagie. Motion carried.

 

Adjourn: Louwagie moved to adjourn at 7:35pm. Seconded by Vinci. Motion carried.

 

 

Board President Board Secretary