ALGONA COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Regular Meeting
February 12, 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 7:00pm. on the above date.
Present: Rodney Davis, Tom Nugent, Andrea Vinci, Lany Mitchell, Jay Limbaugh
Absent: Brent Owen, Todd Louwagie
Others Present: Superintendent Joe Carter, Secretary Lisa Chapman, Janie Eischen, Brad Sudol, Jill Schutjer
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
All motions are unanimously approved unless noted.
COMMUNICATIONS TO THE BOARD: None
Approve Agenda: Limbaugh moved to approve the agenda. Seconded by Mitchell. Motion carried.
Consent Items: Nugent moved to approve the consent items and Vinci seconded. Motion carried.
Superintendent Report: Carter reviewed both finances and legislative activities.
Administrative Report: Curriculum Director Janie Eischen and Elementary Principals Brad Sudol and Jill Schutjer gave a presentation to the board about the LETRS training that the PK-6 are currently undergoing. This initiative is now one of the state’s projects. Algona is already implementing some of the practices.
Eischen, Sudol and Schutjer exit 7:34p.m.
OLD BUSINESS
Board Policies-2nd Reading: Vinci moved to approve the second reading of the following policies: 401.13 Staff Technology Use - Social Networking, 401.13R1 Regulation, 502.07 Smoking-Drinking-Drugs, 605.06 Internet Appropriate Use, 605.06R1 Regulation, 701.01 Depository of Funds, 701.02 Transfer of Funds, 703.01 Budget Planning. Seconded by Nugent. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Board Policies 1st Reading: The first reading of board policies was held for the following policies: 501.13 Students of Legal Age, 501.14 Open Enrollment Transfers-Procedures as a Sending District, 601.15 Open Enrollment Transfers-Procedures as a Receiving District, 501.16 Homeless Children & Youth and 803.1 Disposition of Obsolete Equipment. The second reading will be held in March.
Board Policy 505.8 Parental Involvement: This policy is required to be reviewed annually. The district’s current language matches IASB’s recommendations. Carter reviewed the process for our Title 1 schools that adheres to policy. Limbaugh moved by to approve this reading and review and approve as the first and second readings so as to comply with the annual review requirements. Seconded by Mitchell. Motion carried.
Set Public Hearing #1 for Budget: Nugent moved to approve March 25, 2024 at 5:00pm as the date of the first public hearing for the 2024-2025 budget. Seconded by Limbaugh. Motion carried.
HS English Staff Stipend: Due to the district not being able to fill one High School English position, two current staff members gave up planning periods to take on additional duties. Carter recommended a $3,000 stipend for those duties. Vinci moved to approve the stipend and Mitchell seconded. Motion carried.
Bus Barn Lease Agreement: The Kossuth County Ag Association submitted the annual lease for bus barn use. The amount for the current year is $23,000. Mitchell moved to approve the lease agreement and was seconded by Nugent. Motion carried.
Band Fundraisers: Band instructor, Nick Liebl, requested two fundraisers. The first fundraiser is for the sale of value cards to raise funds for concert clinicians, instruments, maintenance of instruments and marching band supplies and fees. The second fundraiser is for additional lesson opportunities for band students. Liebl’s hope is to create a trust (likely through the foundation) to manage the funds for the perpetual private lesson fund. Vinci moved to approve the fundraisers. Seconded by Limbaugh. Motion carried.
Truck Purchase: The “Bulldog Truck” was provided to the district by Kemna Auto over the last year in a lease. The lease has ended and Kemna would like to offer the truck to the district at a discounted purchase cost of $43,500. Current retail book value is $46,000. Limbaugh moved to approve the purchase of the truck and was seconded by Mitchell. Motion carried. (Davis abstained as an employee of Kemna Auto).
Sealed Bids for 2007 Ford Ranger & 2007 School Bus: Sealed bids were received for a 2007 Blue Bird school bus and a 2007 Ford Ranger. The high bid for the 2007 Blue Bird bus was received from Monson Salvage at $800. The high bid for the 2007 Ford Ranger was received by Jerome Meneke for $1,425.00. Limbaugh moved to approve both of the high bids received and was seconded by Nugent. Motion carried.
Open Enrollment: Vinci moved to approve the three open enrollment applications received. Seconded by Mitchell. Motion carried.
Resignations: Nugent moved to approve the following resignations: Shannon Trunkhill-MS Softball (will move to volunteer), Jamie Elbert-Bertha Godfrey Teacher Associate. Seconded by Limbaugh. Motion carried.
Contracts: Mitchell moved to approve the following contracts pending completion of any and all certifications not already obtained: Vickie Steenhoek-HS Secretary (move from HS/MS Receptionist/Secretary), Trevor Arnold-Freshmen Baseball, Lili Hou-MS Teacher Associate and Kameryn Etherington-MS Softball Coach. Seconded by Vinci. Motion carried.
Adjourn: Limbaugh moved to adjourn at 7:59p.m. Seconded by Vinci. Motion carried.
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Board President Board Secretary
