ALGONA COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Regular Meeting
January 8, 2024
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 5:00pm. on the above date. The time of the meeting was moved up to 5:00pm from 7:00pm due to the winter storm warning.
Present: Davis, Louwagie, Nugent, Vinci, Mitchell, Owen (5:09pm), Limbaugh (5:16pm)
Absent: None
Others Present: Superintendent Carter, Secretary Chapman, Janie Eischen, Brian Wilson
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
All motions are unanimously approved unless noted.
COMMUNICATIONS TO THE BOARD: None
Approve Agenda: Louwagie moved to approve the agenda. Seconded by Mitchell. Motion carried.
Consent Items: Vinci moved to approve the consent items and Louwagie seconded. Motion carried.
Superintendent Report: Carter spoke to the board about the importance and roles of the Area Education Agencies to the district. A review of the projected finances was also reported. School safety was discussed with the recent shootings at Perry Community School in the past week. Superintendent Carter shared the processes and training that Algona has in place currently. Communications with the local authorities is ongoing.
Administrative Report: Janie Eischen reported on the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) testing from last spring. Highlights from the results: High school students increased in every grade and every content. The percentage of students in Advanced ELA/Literacy increased in every grade but one with many of those being double digit increases. Eischen also informed the board of Algona’s participation in the Teacher-Paraeducator Registered Apprenticeship Program (TPRA). Three (3) teacher associates are currently in the program. Algona is part of a larger consortium in the program.
OLD BUSINESS
Board Policies-2nd Reading: The second reading of policies 409.7 Licensed Employee Military Leave, 501.04 Entrance Admissions, 501.06 Student Transfers, 501.07 Student Transfers Out or Withdrawals, 501.08 Student Attendance Records and 503.02 Expulsion (revise to match IASB) was held. Nugent moved to approve the second reading of the policies. Vinci seconded. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Board Policies 1st Reading: The first reading of board policies 501.4-501.8 was held. There were no changes. The board will hold a second reading in February.
Accept Licensed Early Retirement Applications: The district received one early retirement application from Jean Davis. Jean has met all criteria and Mr. Carter recommended approval. Owen moved to approve the early retirement application from Jean Davis. Mitchell seconded the motion. Rodney Davis abstained due to his relationship with Jean. Ayes: Limbaugh, Owen, Nugent, Mitchell, Vinci, Louwagie Nays: None, Abstain: Davis Motion carried. Thank you to Jean for her many years of service to Algona Schools!
Classified Early Retirement Program: Vinci moved to approve a Classified Early Retirement program for the 2023-2024 with a cap of 5 applicants. Requirements for eligibility include 25 years of continuous full-time service. This is a one time benefit that must be brought to the board for consideration and is not guaranteed for future years nor is a precedent. Mitchell seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Open Enrollment: Limbaugh moved to approve the four (4) open enrollment applications received. Seconded by Louwagie. Motion carried.
Resignations: Nugent moved to approve the following resignations: Jean Davis-Interventionist/Title 1/Homeschool Coordinator, Shelby Ellefson-Teacher Associate Garrigan, Theresa Kuecker-HS Secretary, Jake Adams-Freshmen Baseball, Danelle VanGorkom-Dance Coach and Jordan Gorham-MS Teacher Associate. Seconded by Owen. Motion carried.
Contracts: Owen moved to approve the following contracts pending completion of any and all certifications not already obtained: Ashley Reynolds-MS Teacher Associate, Jake Adams-JV Baseball. Seconded by Vinci. Motion carried.
Closed Session: Davis moved to enter into a closed session at 6:09p.m. to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation and that individual requests a closed session. (21.5(1)(i) Performance Review Superintendent). Seconded by Louwagie. Roll call vote: Davis, Limbaugh, Louwagie, Mitchell, Nugent, Owen and Vinci. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Exit closed session at 6:38pm.
Adjourn: Limbaugh moved to adjourn at 6:38pm. Seconded by Owen. Motion carried.
Board President Board Secretary
