Minutes - 03.13.2023

ALGONA COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

March 13, 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 immediately following (7:11pm) the meeting of the newly reorganized Algona CSD on the above date. 

 

Present:               Davis, Limbaugh, Louwagie, Bartelt, Nugent, Vinci

Absent:                Owen

 Others Present:  Superintendent Carter, Secretary Chapman, Morgan Kuecker, Abby Kissinger, Lany Mitchell, Janie Eischen

 

All motions are unanimously approved unless noted.

No comments from the public.

 

Approve Agenda:  Vinci moved to approve the agenda as amended (moved the ELL Program before Superintendent’s report). Seconded by Bartelt. Motion carried.

 

Consent Items:  Louwagie moved to approve the consent items and Limbaugh seconded. Motion carried.

 

Administrative Report: Morgan Kuecker and Abby Kissinger, English Language Learner Teachers spoke to the board about their program. Kuecker’s and Kissinger’s main role is to collaborate with general education teachers. The curriculum uses lots of imagery. Testing helps dictate what is needed for each student. The elementary pulls students out of the classroom for a half hour at a time. The teachers are resources for the families to connect with the community. Technology utilization is key in helping with communication. Staff also helps parents and students with getting jobs, driver’s training, making and getting to appointments. Staff has used other districts as resources to find better and additional ways to help the students learn that have larger populations of non English speaking students.

Kissinger & Kuecker exited 7:26p.m. 

 

Superintendent Report: Superintendent Carter presented a preliminary overview of the FY24 budget. The proposed rate is $9.82.

 

NEW BUSINESS

700 Series Board Policies Second Reading: The 700 Series deals with Non-Instructional Business Operations. Carter reviewed the changes for policies to align with the Iowa Association of School Board’s (IASB) recommendations. Policy 705.4 aligns with IASB’s recommendations, but the district added regulations to spell out items to be considered public purpose and authorized to expend. Nugent moved to approve the 700 series updates and second review.  Seconded by Louwagie. Motion carried.

 

Open Enrollment: The district received one application for open enrollment out. Limbaugh moved to approve the application and Vinci  seconded. Motion carried.

 

MS & HS Track Fundraiser: Coach Greg Wellman requested approval for a track fundraiser. The fundraiser will be to sell McDonald’s Value Cards. Wellman expects to profit $4,000. The funds will be used to buy warm ups, uniforms, meals and track equipment.  Louwagie moved to approve the fundraiser and Bartelt seconded.  Motion carried.

 

Scoreboard Naming Agreement: Ryan and Brad Hoover contacted the district about making a $20,000 donation for a new scoreboard in honor of Janice Hoover. Along with the donation, Brad and Ryan requested that the scoreboard be named ‘Janice Hoover Memorial Scoreboard’ along with Brad and Ryan’s business advertisement. The name will remain with the life of the scoreboard.  Vinci moved to accept the donation and agreed to the naming of the scoreboard. Seconded by Limbaugh. Motion carried. The board thanks the Hoover Family for their generous donation.

 

FY22 Audit: Carter reviewed the results of the audit with the board. There were no issues of non-compliance. There were no instances of expenses for conflict of interest. Limbaugh moved to approve the audit and Nugent seconded the motion. Motion carried.

 

Resignations:  Vinci moved to approve the following resignations: Kim Oldenkamp-Bryant Teacher Associate, Krista Valetti-Food Service, Crystal Menage-Food Service and Bailey Connors-HS Vocal Music. Seconded by Bartelt. Motion carried.

 

Contracts: Louwagie moved to approve the following contracts pending completion of any and all certifications not already obtained and background clearing: Travis Birkey-MS Baseball, Shane Meschke-Volunteer MS Baseball and Nick Liebl-Summer Band Lessons-June 2023. Seconded by Vinci. Motion carried.

 

Closed Session: Limbaugh moved to enter into closed session at 8:13pm citing Iowa Code § 21.5(1)(i) 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. Seconded by Bartelt. Roll call vote: Ayes-Bartelt, Davis, Limbaugh, Louwagie, Nugent, Vinci. Nays-none. Absent-Owen. Motion carried. All guests exited.

Exited Closed Session at 8:46pm.       .

 

Adjourn:  Louwagie moved to adjourn at 8:46pm. Seconded by Limbaugh. Motion carried.

 

 

Board President Board Secretary