ALGONA COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
January 9, 2023
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: Davis, Limbaugh, Louwagie, Bartelt, Nugent, Owen, Vinci
Absent: None
Others Present: Superintendent Carter, Secretary Chapman, Dean of Students Brian Morgan, Janie Eischen, Brian Wilson
All motions are unanimously approved unless noted.
Approve Agenda: Owen moved to approve the agenda. Seconded by Nugent. Motion carried.
Consent Items: Owen moved to approve the consent items and Limbaugh seconded. Motion carried.
Superintendent Report: Superintendent Carter discussed school funding state wide. Teaching salaries, shortage areas and the state supplemental aid funding were reviewed. Carter also reviewed Algona’s finances. As forecasted, finances look good through fiscal year 2028. Adjustments will need to be made as the district heads to FY28.
Administrative Report
High School: Dean of Students Brian Morgan reported to the board regarding attendance and communication with students and families. Morgan discussed chronic absenteeism. Algona High School absenteeism dropped 30% from last year. The number of students failing classes has also dropped by 85%. Consistent habits are encouraged. Advisors are focused on the holistic student.
NEW BUSINESS
Food Service Wages: Current wages for the Food Service Department are low in comparison to industry averages. Limbaugh moved to approve an increase in the hiring rate from $11.15 to $13.00. Individuals will be updated in accordance with the increase throughout the department. This change will be effective with current payroll. Seconded by Owen. Motion carried.
Board Policies 2nd Reading: The second reading of the 600 Series board policies was held. The 600 Series policies address students and the educational programs. Most current policies already align with the Iowa Association of School Board recommendations. Other policies were updated to align with language provided by law and recommended by IASB. Vinci moved to approve the second reading of the 600 Series and Bartelt seconded. Motion carried.
Baseball Lights/Poles Bid: One bid was received in the amount of $500 from Jack Limbaugh. Owen moved to approve the bid and Vinci seconded. Ayes-Owen, Vinci, Louwagie, Bartelt, Nugent, Davis. Nays-None. Abstain-Limbaugh. Motion carried.
Open Enrollment: Vinci moved to approve two open enrollments into the district. Seconded by Nugent. Motion carried.
Resignations: Louwagie moved to approve the following resignations: Roxann Gifford-Food Service, Shannon Struecker-Teacher Associate, Heather Fowler-Food Service, Karla Grandgenett-Teacher Associate, Heather Pesicka-Food Service and Spencer Holmes-MS Baseball. Seconded by Vinci. Motion carried.
Contracts: Nugent moved to approve the following contracts pending completion of any and all certifications not already obtained: Cheyenne Studer-Teacher Associate Lucia Wallace, Alyssa Gremmer-Teacher Associate Middle School, Marcia Monson-Food Service and Jake Adams-9th Grade Baseball. Seconded by Limbaugh. Motion carried.
Adjourn: Limbaugh moved to adjourn at 7:41pm. Seconded by Owen. Motion carried.
Board President Board Secretary
