ALGONA COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
September 11, 2023
The Board of Directors of the newly organized Algona Community School District, in the County of Kossuth, State of Iowa, met in session in the Boardroom, Performing Arts Center, 600 S. Hale Street, Algona, Iowa at 7:00pm on the above date.
Present: Rodney Davis, Jay Limbaugh (7:07pm), Tom Nugent, Lany Mitchell, Todd Louwagie, Brent Owen, Andrea Vinci
Absent: None
Others Present: Superintendent Joe Carter, Board Secretary Lisa Chapman, James Rotert,
Rudy Wieck, Megan Rasmussen, Janie Eischen, Cameron Sheda
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
All motions are unanimously approved unless noted.
Nugent moved to approve the agenda as presented. Mitchell seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Consent Items: Louwagie moved to approve the consent items and was seconded by Vinci. Motion carried.
Building Assignments: Building Assignments were set as follows: Davis-Middle School, Louwagie-Bertha Godfrey, Vinci-High School, Mitchell-Middle School, Nugent-Lucia Wallace, Owen-High School and Limbaugh-Bryant.
Superintendent Report: Superintendent Carter shared preliminary enrollment numbers. He also asked the board for agenda items for the Superintendent’s Advisory Committee (SIAC) meeting for which has not yet been set. An early retirement program was discussed. A proposal will be brought to the October meeting. Carter also reminded the board of key dates for the school board election in November.
Communications to the Board: Superintendent goals from the prior year were distributed to the board. The board was asked to bring any specific goals or ideas to him in the next weeks. In October the board will develop goals for the 2023-2024 year.
Administrative Report: Mr. Rotert spoke to the board regarding absenteeism. A big topic among the middle school and administration is about what teachers can do to combat absenteeism. The middle school is using a tiered approach to work with students and parents. Creating intentional relationships and celebrating positives are pieces of the process. Mr. Wieck reported to the board that the new cell phone policy has been going well. The policy is highly supported by teachers. Students know the rules and parents are backing administration when enforcement is required. Wieck noted some of the positive outcomes such as increased communication in the classroom and less bullying reported. Mrs. Rasmussen reviewed results of the Conditions of Learning Survey that was given in the Middle School. This report gives the district information about how students feel about climate and culture in the school. Social and emotional team leaders, as well as additional staff, have been meeting to review the results. Staff has a united focus to work on relationships, both teacher and student as well as student to student. Many of the results were positive increases since last year.
Rotert, Wieck, Rasmussen and Eischen exited 7:51pm.
OLD BUSINESS
Second Reading of Board Policies: Policies 404-404R1 Employee Conduct & Appearance, 405.1 Licensed Employee Defined, 405.2 Licensed Employees, Recruitment & Qualifications, 405.3 Licensed Employee Individual Contracts, 405.5 Licensed Employee Work Day, 405.6 Licensed Employee Assignment, 405.9 Licensed Employee Probationary Status and 401.07 Employee Travel Compensation were all reviewed in August. Limbaugh moved to approve the second reading with revisions and Owen seconded. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
First Reading of Board Policies-Policies 407.1 Licensed Employee Resignation, 407.2 Licensed Employee Contract Release, 407.3 Early Retirement Policy and 407.4 Licensed Employee Suspension are currently up to date with IASB recommendations. The board will review the policies at the second reading in October.
Open Enrollment: Vinci moved to approve the 13 open enrollment applications (7 out and 6 in). Mitchell seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Resignations: Nugent moved to approve the following resignations: Chrysta Bruns-Lucia Wallace Teacher Associate, David Solbach-Food Service. Limbaugh seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Dismissals: Carter recommended the dismissal of Jonathan DePiro as HS Custodian. Owen moved to approve the dismissal and Mitchell seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Contracts: Owen moved to approve the following contracts pending completion of any and all certifications not already obtained and background clearing: Jordan Gorham-MS Teacher Associate, Greg Leslie-Bus Driver Sub, Allison Jones-MS Teacher Associate, Mallory Zwiefel-HS Teacher Associate, Drama (Play) & Speech Sponsor, Mindy Vitzthum-HE ELL Teacher Associate, Brad Sudol-MS Girls Basketball Coach and Erin Cogdill-MS Teacher Associate. Seconded by Louwagie. Motion carried
Owen moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:56pm. Seconded by Limbaugh. Motion carried.
Board President Board Secretary
