ALGONA COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Regular Meeting
November 11, 2024
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 7:00pm. on the above date.
Present: Tom Nugent, Brent Owen, Rodney Davis, Andrea Vinci, Todd Louwagie, Lany Mitchell
Jay Limbaugh
Absent: None
Others Present: Superintendent Joe Carter, Secretary Lisa Chapman, James Rotert, Lois Gent, Drew Severson, Justine Garman, Rudy Wieck, Molly Montag, Betsy Becker, FFA Members-Walker Eilerts, Graden Ruger, Grant Kramer, Ace Studer, Kara Rotert, Grace Luitjens, Tucker Brunsvold, Harry Reynolds, Hana Perez, Alissa Engel, Kadence Thompson,
All motions are unanimously approved unless noted.
Approve Agenda: Nugent moved to approve the agenda. Seconded by Limbaugh. Motion carried.
Communications to the Board: The FFA Chapter attended the National Convention in Indianapolis, IN. Members reported to the board about their highlights. The contests and trips provide leadership and communication opportunities. FFA members and sponsor Betsy Becker exited at 7:16p.m.
Consent Items: Louwagie moved to approve the consent items and Mitchell seconded. Motion carried.
Superintendent Report: Carter provided the board with enrollment figures. Certified enrollment was finalized in October. Algona’s certified enrollment increased by 35. Actual students increased by 25. The Iowa Association of School Board Convention is November 21st in Des Moines.
Administrative Report: James Rotert, Middle School Principal, informed the board about the English Language Learner (ELL) leadership team that was put together this year. Those members include Lois Gent, Drew Severson, Justine Garman and Bre Wieck. The team was put together to support both students and staff in creating a collaborative environment. Drew discussed how vocabulary is an important part of the foundation in learning a language. Justine reviewed the process of learning new vocabulary words. Lois Gent reviewed her process of co-teaching foundational skills with students whether it is word strategies or any further work that may need to be done in a small group. Rudy Wieck, Asst. Middle School Principal, also spoke to the board regarding updated restorative practices. The process is currently in year 3. Eighty-seven percent of the teachers feel that the practice they are currently using is working. Middle school staff exited at 7:56p.m.
OLD BUSINESS
Board Policies-2nd Reading: Owen moved to approve the second reading of the following policies: 507.01 Student Health & Immunization Certificates, 507.02 Administration of Medication to Students Authorization, 507.02E1 Administration Consent Form, 507.02E2 Medication to Students, 507.02E3 Delivery of Health Services by the Student, 507.02E4 Parental Authorization & Release Form, 507.03 Communicable Diseases-Students, 507.05 Emergency Plans & Drills, 507.06 Student Insurance, 507.07 Custody & Parental Rights, 507.08 Student Special Health Services, 507.09 Wellness and 700 Purpose of Non Instructional & Business Services. Seconded by Vinci. Motion carried.
Modified Allowable Growth - Special Education: The correct amount for the special education deficit is $1,640,161.29. Vinci moved to approve $1,640,161.29 for the 2023-2024 special education deficit modified allowed growth request. Seconded by Owen. Motion carried.
Superintendent Goals from October Meeting: Postponed for discussion and approval from the October meeting, goals and subgoals are presented with subgoals. Louwagie moved to approve the following as the goals for the current school year: Goal 1 last year was to Manage school operations and resources to promote each student’s academic success and well-being. Goal 2 last year was to Cultivate an inclusive, caring, and supportive school community that promotes the academic success and well-being of each student. And Goal 3 last year was Develop and support intellectually rigorous and coherent systems of curriculum, instruction, and assessment to promote each student’s academic success and well-being. Sub goals:
1) Visit each building 36 times or more throughout the 2024-2025 school year.
2) Meet one on one with every staff member in the district throughout the 2024-2025 school year.
3) As a District, lower our chronic absenteeism rate during the 2024-2025 school year.
Seconded by Owen. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Board Policies First Reading: The first reading of board policies was held for the following policies: 508.01 Class or Student Group Gifts and 508.02 Open Night. The second reading will be held in December.
Girls Wrestling Sharing Agreement: Vinci moved to approve a sharing agreement with North Iowa for girls wrestling. The fee is $200 per wrestler while the home district provides transportation Seconded by Louwagie. Motion carried.
Resolution for Continuation of Instructional Support Levy: The Board of Directors of the Algona Community School District, in the County of Kossuth, State of Iowa, met in regular session, in the PAC Boardroom, 600 S. Hale Street, Algona, Iowa, at 7:00 P.M., on the above date. There were present President Davis, in the chair, and the following named Board Members:
Others Present: Limbaugh, Nugent, Vinci, Mitchell, Louwagie, Owen
Absent: ___________None____________________________
Vacant: ___________None____________________________
* * * * * * * * *
The President of the Board called up for consideration the Resolution to Consider Continued Participation in the Instructional Support Program which requires that a public hearing be held on this proposal. Director Limbaugh introduced the following Resolution and moved its adoption. Director Nugent seconded the motion to adopt. The roll was called, and the vote was:
AYES: Davis, Louwagie, Mitchell, Owen, Vinci
NAYS: None
The President declared the Resolution adopted as follows:
RESOLUTION TO CONSIDER CONTINUED PARTICIPATION IN THE INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT PROGRAM WHEREAS, the Board of Directors has determined that to continue the current level of services and to fund the ongoing programs of the School District, continuation of participation in the Instructional Support Program for a period of five years is necessary and in the best interests of the District and its residents and students; and WHEREAS, the Board of Directors wishes to consider continued participation in the Instructional Support Program as provided in Sections 257.18 through 257.21, Code of Iowa; and WHEREAS, the authorization for the current Instructional Support Program will expire on June 30, 2026; and WHEREAS, this Resolution sets forth the proposal of the Board of Directors, including the method that will be used to fund the program; and WHEREAS, notice of the time and place of a public hearing must be published: NOW, THEREFORE, it is resolved:
1. The Board of Directors wishes to consider continued participation in the Instructional Support Program as provided in Sections 257.18 through 257.21, Code of Iowa, for a period of five years, commencing with the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.
2. The additional funding for the Instructional Support Program for a budget year shall be determined annually and shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the total regular program district cost for the budget year and moneys received under Section 257.14, Code of Iowa, as a budget adjustment for the budget year.
3. Moneys received by the District for the Instructional Support Program may be used for any general fund purpose.
4. The Instructional Support Program shall be funded by instructional support state aid and a combination instructional support property tax levied annually upon the taxable property within the School District commencing with the levy of property taxes for collection in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, and an instructional support income surtax imposed annually, the percent of income surtax to be determined by the Board for each budget year to be imposed upon the state individual income tax of each individual income taxpayer resident in the School District on December 31, 2026, and each year thereafter.
5. The Secretary is authorized and directed to give notice of a public hearing to be held in the PAC Boardroom, 600 S. Hale Street, Algona, Iowa, on December 9, 2024, at 7:00P.M.
6. Following the public hearing the Board intends to take action on the question
whether to continue participation in the Instructional Support Program.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 11th day of November, 2024.
Rodney Davis, President of the Board of Directors
ATTEST: Lisa Chapman
Secretary of the Board of Directors
Financial Health Analysis: Carter highlighted the top eight financial indicators as noted in the Financial Health Analysis prepared by Lisa Chapman, School Business Official. Mitchell moved to approve the Financial Health Analysis FY24. Seconded by Louwagie. Motion carried.
Bus Barn Lease: Owen moved to approve the 2024-2025 bus barn lease agreement with the Kossuth County Fair Association in the amount of $25,000. Seconded by Limbaugh. Motion carried.
Middle School Girls Wrestling Coach: Owen moved to approve a second middle school girls wrestling coach. Seconded by Mitchell. Motion carried.
Classified Staff Stipend: Education Salary Supplement funding was used to support a 4% increase in FY25 wages. An additional amount of $300 was recommended by Mr. Carter to hourly staff that have completed their mandatory trainings. Louwagie moved to approve the stipend and Limbaugh seconded. Motion carried.
Open Enrollment: There were 5 open enrollment applications. Mitchell moved to approve the applications. Seconded by Louwagie. Motion carried.
Resignations: Louwagie moved to approve the following resignations upon finding suitable replacements: Steve Young-MS Football Coach, James Rotert-MS Football Coach. Seconded by Nugent. Motion carried.
Contracts: Owen moved to approve the following contracts pending completion of any and all certifications not already obtained: Tiffany Diekhuis-Bertha Godfrey Teacher Associate, Shane Meschke-Volunteer MS Boys Basketball Coach and Grace Herbst-Ulmer - MS Girls Wrestling Coach Assistant. Seconded by Vinci. Motion carried.
Nugent moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:30p.m. Seconded by Owen. Motion carried.
Board Secretary Board President
