ALGONA COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Regular Meeting
January 13, 2025
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
The Board of Directors of the Algona Community School District, in the County of Kossuth, State of Iowa, met in regular session in the Boardroom, Performing Arts Center, 600 S. Hale Street, Algona, Iowa at 5:34pm. on the above date.
Present: Rodney Davis, Todd Louwagie, Lany Mitchell, Jay Limbaugh
Absent: Brent Owen, Andrea Vinci, Tom Nugent
Administration: Superintendent Joe Carter, Secretary Lisa Chapman, Janie Eischen
Visitors: Mike Vandy-KLGA Radio, Jacob Tjaden-City Administrator , Molly Montag-Algona Publishing
Approve Agenda: Louwagie moved to approve the agenda. Seconded by Mitchell. Motion carried.
Consent Items: Mitchell moved to approve the consent items and Limbaugh seconded. Motion carried.
Superintendent Report: Carter reviewed mid-year financials. The current budget and projections are healthy.
Administrative Report: Janie Eischen, Director of Teaching & Learning, spoke to the board about the Teacher-Paraprofessionals Registered Apprentice (TPRA) Program that is partially funded by the state. This program creates a culture of “growing your own” and assisting the district to fill open teaching positions.
OLD BUSINESS
Board Policies-2nd Reading: Limbaugh moved to approve the second reading of the following policies: 600 Goals & Objectives of the Education Program, 601.01 School Calendar, 601.02 School Day, 602.1 Curriculum Development, 602.2, Curriculum Implementation, 602.3 Curriculum Evaluation and 602.4 Pilot-Experimental-Innovative Projects. Seconded by Louwagie. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Board Policies First Reading: The first reading of board policies was held for the following policies: 210.2 Board meeting Times: Change in our policy, moving our board meetings from the Second Monday at 7:00 to the Second Monday at 5:30, 603.3 Special Education, 603.2 Summer School Instruction, 603.4 Multicultural Gender Fair Education, 603.5 Health Education, 603.6 Physical Education, 603.7 Career Education, 603.8 Teaching about religion, 603.9 Academic Freedom, 603.10 Global Education, 603.11 Citizenship, 102 Equal Educational Opportunity, 401.01 Equal Employment Opportunity, 401.6 Limitations to Employment References, 501.9 Chronic Absenteeism & Truancy. The second reading will be held in February.
Early Retirement Applications: Louwagie moved to approve the five early retiree applications from Marie Berke, Sara Curtis, Zoe Heider, Julie Stein and Tong Uk Yi. Mitchell seconded the motion. The board thanked the teachers for their many years of service. Motion carried.
Fieldhouse Change Orders: There are three (3) additional expenses for the Fieldhouse that include signage. Limbaugh moved to approve the large “A” in the front exterior for $17,027.50, the vinyl bulldog on the translucent panels in the front for $3,823 and the template for the north wall where bulldogs will be reused from the retaining wall at $326. Louwagie seconded the motion. Motion carried.
School Resource Officer: Limbaugh moved to approve the 28E Agreement with the City of Algona to contract the services of a school resource officer. The estimated cost to the district is $100,000 with funding from the Management Fund being used. Louwagie seconded. Motion carried.
Out of State Trip: Mitchell moved to approve the out of state trip for the 7th Grade TAG students skiing in Mankato, MN in March and the 7/8 TAG Jazz Choir students to Chanhassen Dinner Theater in Chanhassen, MN in April. Louwagie seconded. Motion carried.
Open Enrollment: There are five (5) timely filed open enrollment applications. Louwagie moved to approve the applications and was seconded by Mitchell. Motion carried.
Resignations: Limbaugh moved to approve the following resignations: KaraAnn Reinke-4th Grade Teacher, Megan Hamilton-HS Football Cheer (upon finding suitable replacement). Seconded by Louwagie. Motion carried.
Dismissal: Limbaugh moved to approve the dismissal of Jason Moser-Bus Driver. Seconded by Mitchell. Motion carried.
Contracts: Louwagie moved to approve the following contracts pending completion of any and all certifications not already obtained: Katie Locke-Bryant Teacher Associate and Logan Lentz-MS Softball Coach. Seconded by Limbaugh. Motion carried.
Louwagie moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:12p.m. Seconded by Mitchell. Motion carried.
Board Secretary Board President
