ALGONA COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
August 8, 2022
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 7:00 p.m. on the above date.
Present: Bartelt, Davis, Limbaugh, Louwagie, Nugent, Vinci
Absent: Owen
Others Present: Superintendent Carter, Secretary Chapman, Janie Eischen, Brian Nelson, Jared Cecil, Amy Dreyer (exited 8:00pm), Mark Dreyer, Avery Dreyer (exited 8:00pm), Diane & Keith Dwire (exited 8:00pm), Mike VanDenHemel-KLGA Radio, Ryker Brinley
All motions are unanimously approved unless noted.
Approve Agenda: Limbaugh moved to approve the agenda with moving the closed session to immediately after approving the agenda, seconded by Nugent.
Motion carried.
New Business-CLOSED SESSION Moved to the beginning of the meeting for ease of video and radio broadcast and convenience of members involved. Vinci moved to enter into closed session at 7:01pm citing Iowa Code 21.5(1)(a) to discuss records which may be held confidential under either Iowa or federal law and Iowa Code 22.7(1) to provide confidentiality including personal information in a student’s file and personal information in personnel records. Seconded by Bartelt. Ayes-Vinci, Bartelt, Limbaugh, Nugent, Louwagie, Davis. Nays-none. Owen is absent.
The board exited the closed session at 8:00pm.
Consent Items: Louwagie audited invoices and found everything to be in order. Vinci moved to approve the Consent Items, seconded by Louwagie. Motion carried.
Superintendent Report:
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Job Fair-Ten (10) positions were needed. Five (5) were filled that night and will be approved later in the meeting.
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School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC) – Meeting is to be held August 16th at 5:30pm. Achievement data will be reviewed.
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Board Retreat: August 10 from 5pm-7pm. Topics include Reorganization, Future School Schedules (4 day week), Assessment Data, Future Facility Planning and School Safety.
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Start of School Schedule- New teachers begin August 15, all staff will begin August 17. Grades 5-12 will begin 5-12 and grades K-4 will begin August 24.
New Business:
GRADE APPEAL- Nugent commented that there has been poor judgment and communication issues need to be addressed with teachers. Superintendent Carter and Principal Cecil agreed with the assessment of Nugent. Vinci noted that this is a tough decision for the board and agreed with the others’ opinions. Vinci also said that the standards by which teachers are evaluated is how competency is measured in Iowa Code. Vinci moved to accept the grade as presented. Nugent seconded. Motion carried.
APPOINT DELEGATE REPRESENTATIVE & ALTERNATE- Due to convening of a special meeting with Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) on Tuesday, September 13, the district needed to appoint a delegate and alternate. Vinci moved to appoint Davis as the delegate and Nugent as the alternate. Seconded by Limbaugh. Motion carried.
HIGH SCHOOL HANDBOOK- Principal Cecil reviewed changes to the High School Handbook for the 2022-2023 school year. The three noted changes included: removal of open enrollment rules, study hall and commons rules and open campus. Open campus is dealt with on an individual basis. Attendance procedures were updated to current practice and philosophy and formatting changes. Parents and students review the handbook at the beginning of the school year. Nugent moved to approve the High School Handbook. Bartelt seconded. Motion carried.
COACHES HANDBOOK- Superintendent Carter reviewed the changes in rules and language of the Coaches Handbook for 2022-2023. Louwagie moved to approve the Coaches Handbook and Limbaugh seconded. Motion carried.
ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL- Administration proposed an alternative setting for at-risk students to complete their coursework. A room will be rented at the Iowa Lakes Community College building for $250 per month (a PPEL expense). A ½ time teacher will need to be hired. Vinci moved to approve the Alternative School program and Nugent seconded. Motion carried.
1st READING BOARD POLICIES-Superintendent Carter reviewed the following policies: 203 Board of Directors’ Conflict of Interest, 402.2 Child Abuse Reporting, 501.14 Open Enrollment Transfers Sending District, 501.15 Open Enrollment Transfers Receiving District, 505.5 Graduation Requirements, 507.2 Administration of Medication to Students, 607.2 Student Health Services, 710.04 Meal Charges. Changes were proposed to comply with legislative updates. A second reading will be done at the September board meeting.
IOWA LAKES COMMUNITY COLLEGE CONTRACTS-Louwagie moved to approve the following contracts with Iowa Lakes Community College-Auto Tech, Broadcasting, Nurse Aid and Career Connect. Bartelt seconded. Motion carried.
OPEN ENROLLMENT- Vinci moved to approve nine (9) open enrollment applications into the district. Seconded by Bartelt. Motion carried.
PERSONNEL
Resignations-Nugent moved to approve the following resignations: Nick Kuecker-HS Intramurals, Anna Guge-Teacher Associate, Lisa Howland-Teacher Associate, Kaden Wadle-Teacher Associate. Seconded by Limbaugh. Motion carried.
Contracts-Louwagie moved to approve the following contracts: Cathy Mosley-Food Service, Daniel Clemons-Food Service, David Solbach-Food Service, Lindsey Baker-Teacher Associate, Tanya Zeman-Teacher Associate, Nicole Ricke-Teacher Associate and Krista Kahle-Teacher Associate. Seconded by Bartelt. Motion carried.
Limbaugh moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:50pm. Seconded by Vinci. Motion carried.
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Board President Board Secretary
