Regular Meeting January 10, 2022
The Board of Directors of the Forest City Community School District met for a regular meeting on January 10, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. at the District Office, Forest City, Iowa.
After a quorum was established the meeting was called to order by the President, Gary Ludwig. Members present: David Reese, Eric Kingland, Beth Clouse, Gary Ludwig, Troy Thompson, and Keila Buffington. Absent: Kim Severson. Keila Buffington attended electronically as it was inconvenient to do so otherwise. Troy Thompson moved to approve the agenda, Beth Clouse seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
High School principal, Ken Baker, presented on teacher professional development, 2022-2023 school year preparations, Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) results, iJag program, and Mr. Smith and the introduction of ‘Tracker’ the therapy dog.
Superintendent, Darwin Lehmann, presented an invitation from Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) to a day on the hill and discussed the regular meeting time of day.
Sup’t Lehmann reviewed the following consent agenda items: minutes of the December 13, 2021 regular meeting and January 3, 2022 special meeting, open enrollments, employee resignations, early retirement benefit requests, resignations, and donations. After discussion, David Reese moved to approve all consent agenda items. Eric Kingland seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
● Employee Resignations: Dawn Plessel, Food Service; Anne Stene, FCHS Student Council Advisor (at the end of the school year); Amanda Shirk, Paraprofessional; and Inga Nelson, Custodian (at the end of the fiscal year).
● Early retirement benefit requests with resignation at the end of the 2021-22 school year from the following teachers: Linda Putney, Mike Van Oort, Cathy Kruse.
● Early retirement benefit request with intent to resign at the end of the 21-23 school year from the following teachers: Gail McCarthy, Debra Kleveland, Dan Rosacker, Teresa Pietsch, and Murray Anderson.
In old business, Supt. Lehmann reviewed the 2022 Legislative Priorities.
Under new business, a reading of renewing board policies 210.1, 210.2, 210.3, 210.4, 210.5, 210.6, 210.7, 210.7R1, 210.8, 210.8E1, and 210.9 was read. Eric Kingland moved to approve the policies as presented. Troy Thompson seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried. Beth Clouse moved, Troy Thompson seconded for the second reading of Board Policies 403.7, 403.7R1, 403.7R2, 403.7E1, 403.7E2, 403.7E3 regarding the OSHA ETS to be tabled. Ayes: David Reese, Eric Kingland, Beth Clouse, Gary Ludwig, and Troy Thompson. Nays: Keila Buffington. Carried.
Secretary Meinders presented to the board a new Federal Funds Policies and Procedures manual as requested by the district auditor for compliance with federal requirements. Keila Buffington moved, Troy Thompson seconded for approval of the presented manual for district usage and guidance. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Sup’t Lehmann presented the board with an updated timeline for the solar project and other basic information in regards to the upcoming project.
Sup’t Lehmann informed the board that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) have recently updated their isolation recommendations for persons testing positive with COVID-19 and isolation. Troy Thompson moved, Eric Kingland seconded to approve the five (5) day isolation with the ability to return to school and/or work on day six (6) with the commitment to wear a mask until day ten (10). Ayes: six, Nays: none. Carried.
After reviewing the monthly financial statements. David Reese moved to approve the statements as presented. Beth Clouse seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
After reviewing the monthly bills, Eric Kingland moved to approve the following for payment as presented. Troy Thompson seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Troy Thompson motioned to adjourn the regular meeting. Eric Kingland seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried. The regular meeting adjourned at 7:14 p.m.
_________________________ __________________________
Gary Ludwig, President Sara Meinders, Board Secretary
