Public Hearing
April 12, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.
A public hearing of the Forest City Community School Board was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by President Dave Bartlett in the District Office, Forest City, Iowa.
Members present: Pat Hobbs, Cindy Carter, Dave Bartlett, Gary Ludwig, Keila Buffington, and Kim Severson. Absent: Eric Kingland.
The President announced that this is the time, place and date to hold a public hearing on the District’s safe return to in-person instruction and continuity of services as per the requirements of the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ARP ESSER or ESSER III). There were no written nor oral comments. After discussion, President Dave Bartlett declared the hearing closed at 6:33 p.m.
Regular Meeting
The Board of Directors of the Forest City Community School District met for a regular meeting on July 12, 2021 at 6:33 p.m. at the District Office, Forest City, Iowa.
After a quorum was established the meeting was called to order by the President, Dave Bartlett.
Members present: Pat Hobbs, Cindy Carter, Dave Bartlett, Gary Ludwig, Keila Buffington and Kim Severson. Absent: Eric Kingland.
Cindy Carter moved to approve the agenda. Keila Buffington seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried. There were no administrative reports.
Sup’t Lehmann presented to the board on the newly updated Board of Education website, summer projects, beginning of the year schedule, and a congratulation to board member Cindy Carter for being honored as Rotarian of the year.
Sup’t Lehmann reviewed the following consent agenda items: minutes of the June 14, 2021 regular meeting, open enrollments, employee contracts, employee contract adjustments, employee resignations, and donations. After discussion, Cindy Carter moved to approve all consent agenda items. Keila Buffington seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
·Employee Contracts: Jerry Jensen, Custodian.
·Employee Contract Adjustments: Mary Espelien from 4 hours to 7 hours per day.
·Employee Resignations: Justin Uhlenhopp, Instructional Coach; Samantha Butler, MS Science, Asst. Golf, MS Student Council; Troy Hobscheidt, Alternative School Teacher; Derek Ziesmer, Middle School Football.
Under old business, Sup’t Lehmann provided the new timeline for the project.
Under new business, information in regards to the recent District Equity Audit was presented.
Sup’t Lehmann reviewed with the board a resolution ordering an election of a Revenue Purpose Statement to authorize expenditures from revenue received from the State Secure and Advanced Vision for Education Fund, and ordering the publication of a notice of election. Cindy Carter moved to approve the proposed resolution, Keila Buffington seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Sup’t Lehmann presented to the board the District’s Return to Learn Plan. Keila Buffington moved to approve the plan as presented, Pat Hobbs seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Sup’t Lehmann explained the 2021-2022 school calendar has enough hours included to allow the use of up to five (5) E-Learning days. E-Learning days (days students learn and teachers teach electronically from home) would be used during the school year when circumstances, such as weather, do not allow for in-person learning. Gary Ludwig moved, Kim Severson seconded to allow the use of up to five (5) E-learning days with nor more than two (2) in a row for the 2021-2022 school year. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) funds are now available to all schools. Sec’y Meinders shared the District’s plan for the $996,817.00 allocation to the District. Twenty (20) percent of the allocation must be used to directly address learning loss due to the Covid-19 pandemic which is a part of the proposed plan. Pat Hobbs moved, Cindy Carter seconded to approve the plan as presented. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Sup’t Lehmann presented a list of 2022 Legislative Priorities as established by the Iowa Association of School Boards. Kim Severson moved, Keila Buffington seconded to accept the following priorities most important to the Forest City CSD Board of Education: Supplemental State Aid, Mental Health, Vouchers and School Choice, and School Funding Equity. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Sup’t Lehmann recommended the board approve Tom Montgomery as Level I Investigator, Ross Eiden as the Level I alternate investigator, and Level II investigator as Steve Hepperly for the 2021-2022 school year. Cindy Carter moved, Gary Ludwig seconded to approve the appointments as presented. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Professional Development plans for the 2021-2022 school were presented. Pat Hobbs moved, Kim Severson seconded to approve plans as presented. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
The board discussed the continuation of their membership with the Rural School Advocates of Iowa. Keila Buffington moved, Cindy Carter seconded to approve the new standards for evaluation of the school’s Superintendent and Principals. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Sup’t Lehmann informed the Board of new standards required in the evaluation of Superintendents and Principals beginning with the 2021-2022 school year. Pat Hobbs moved, Kim Severson seconded to approve the membership for 2021-2022. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
After reviewing the monthly financial statements. Keila Buffington moved to approve the following statements as presented. Kim Severson seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
After reviewing the monthly bills, Cindy Carter moved to approve the following for payment as presented. Gary Ludwig seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Pat Hobbs motioned to adjourn the regular meeting. Keila Buffington seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:27 p.m.
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Dave Bartlett, President Sara Meinders, Board Secretary
