Public Hearing January 13, 2025
A public hearing of the Forest City Community School Board was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by President Troy Thompson at the District Office, Forest City, Iowa. Members present: David Reese, Cody Hennigar, Beth Clouse, Troy Thompson, Rick Wiley, Andrew Fedders, and Kim Severson. Absent: none. The President announced that this is the time, place and date to hold a public hearing on the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimated costs for the Forest City High School Site Improvement construction project. There were no written or oral comments. After discussion, President Thompson declared the hearing closed at 6:31 p.m.
Regular Meeting January 13, 2025
The Board of Directors of the Forest City Community School District met for a regular meeting on January 13, 2025, at 6:31 p.m. at the District Office, Forest City, Iowa.
After a quorum was established the meeting was called to order by President Troy Thompson. Members present: David Reese, Cody Hennigar, Beth Clouse, Troy Thompson, Rick Wiley, Andrew Fedders, and Kim Severson. Absent: None. Beth Clouse moved to approve the agenda. David Reese seconded the motion with the proposed changes. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Administrative Reports:
- Sec’y Meinders presented the monthly financial reports, taxable valuations for the upcoming 2025-26 budget and teacher lane change requests.
- Sup’t Lehmann provided information on the Academic Pod concept we are exploring in the elementary school for grades 3 and 4, updates on facility projects, significant improvement in absenteeism rates, and upcoming strategic planning.
The following consent agenda items were reviewed: minutes of the December 9, 2024 regular meeting, open enrollments, employee contracts and contract adjustments, employee resignations, donations, sick leave bank request, early graduation request, job descriptions, financial statements, and bills for payment. After discussion, Kim Severson moved to approve all consent agenda items. Rick Wiley seconded the motion. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
- Open Enrollment Out: Kayden Back and Ryker Beck.
- Open Enrollment In: Jude Casey, Natalie Barker, Vada Roberts, and Gabriela Lawson.
- Employee Contracts: Jostin Heimer, middle school paraprofessional; Farrah Olson, work experience coordinator beginning with the 2025-26 school year.
- Employee Contract Adjustments: Elena Koontz, paraprofessional increase in hourly rate.
- Employee Resignations: Pam Krein, middle school paraprofessional.
- Donations: Lifetime Nut Covers to FFA; Body Gaming and Benevity to Elementary PBIS; and the following to student negative lunch accounts: Forest City Card Club, Barb Lovick, Hair Designs, Amy Frakes, and James Wirth.
- Early Graduation Request: Rina Maiava and Landen Patten
- New Job Description: 2.53 Work Experience Coordinator
In old business, the board reviewed the specifications, plans and bids from contractors for the high school site improvement construction project. Kim Severson moved, Andrew Fedders seconded, to approve the plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated total cost for the high school site
improvement construction project. On January 7, 2025, bids were received for the project. A total of seven (7) bids were received with base bids ranging from $981,240 to $1,229,000 and with pricing for four (4) add alternates also being provided. The low bid was submitted by Larson Contracting of Lake Mills, Iowa, with a base bid price of $981,240.00 and an additional $102,351 for all 4 alternates for a total of $1,083,591.00. Rick Wiley moved, Beth Clouse seconded to approve the bid submitted by Larson Contracting along with the approval of all four alternates to be completed with the project. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
The board reviewed the 2025 Legislative Priorities.
In new business, Kim Severson moved, Andrew Fedders seconded to approve the review of the following board policies: 603.1, 603.2, 603.3, 603.4, 603.5, 102, 401.1, 401.6, 501.9,501.9 R1, 710.1 R1, 710.1 E1,
710.1 E2. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
A new sharing agreement between Garner Hayfield-Ventura, North Iowa, and Forest City for the Work Experience Coordinator was presented. Beth Clouse moved, David Reese seconded for its approval with the final dollar amounts to be finalized after staff contact negotiations conclude this spring. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
E-rate bids for category 1 internet services were reviewed. Kim Severson moved, David Reese seconded to approve the bid submitted by Winnebago County Telecom Association (WCTA) for a five year term at a rate of $1,102.00 per month. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
The board will meet next for a work session on the District’s Strategic Plan on January 22, 2025 at 5:30
p.m. February 10, 2025 meeting topics were discussed.
Kim Severson moved, Cody Hennigar seconded to enter into closed session to evaluate the superintendent and school business official pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5(1)(i). Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried. The time was 6:59 p.m. At 7:16 p.m. President Thompson declared the closed session complete and returned to open session.
David Reese motioned to adjourn the regular meeting. Kim Severson seconded the motion. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:16 p.m.
Troy Thompson, President Sara Meinders, Board Secretary
