Public Hearing
October 10, 2022 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 Gary Ludwig at the District Office, Forest City, Iowa. Members present: David Reese, Beth Clouse, Gary Ludwig, Troy Thompson, 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 its Resolution to Consider Continued Participation in the Instructional Support Program. There were no written nor oral comments. After discussion, President Ludwig declared the hearing closed at 6:31 p.m.
Regular Meeting
October 10, 2022
The Board of Directors of the Forest City Community School District met for a regular meeting on October 10, 2022 at 6:31 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: Gary Ludwig, David Reese, Beth Clouse, Troy Thompson, Keila Buffington, and Kim Severson. Absent: Eric Kingland.
Troy Thompson moved to approve the agenda with the addition of item 6.k. Update to Job Description 2.50 Dean of Students to Director of Student Support and Technology Integration and removing employee contracts for Director of Student Support and Technology Integration and contract for Executive Director of Teaching and Learning from 4.0 Consent Agenda to item 5.a. Old Business. Beth Clouse seconded the motion Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Administrative Reports:
- Zach Dillavou, Middle School Principal, presented on professional development goals and plans, and student presentations.
- Sec’y Meinders shared the financials for the month of September along with a summary of income surtax in the current year budget and the upcoming process of redistricting of director districts as required due to the 2020 census.
- Sup’t Lehmann reviewed the upcoming IASB Convention, Certified Enrollment update, and mascot petition.
The following consent agenda items were reviewed: minutes of the September 12, 2022 regular meeting, open enrollments, employee contracts and resignations, donations, sick leave bank requests, financial statements, and bills for payment. After discussion, Troy Thompson moved to approve all consent agenda items. Beth Clouse seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
- Employee Contracts: Kimberly Redenius, Bus Route Driver; Julie Sherwood, Bus Driver and Maintenance; Levi Nettleton, Archery
- Employee Resignations: Tom Clarey, Archery; Micahel Bohl, Archery
In old business, Kim Severson moved, Keila Buffington seconded to approve new employment contracts for Mike Van Oort as Director of Student Support and Technology Integration for the remainder of 2022-23 school year and Zachary Dillavou as Executive Director of Teaching and Learning for the 2023-24 school year. Ayes: five. Nays: Beth Clouse. Carried.
Under new business, scheduled review and proposed changes to policies 402.1, 402.2, 402.3, 402.4, 402.6 was read with policies 502.10 being revised and 502.10R1FC being rescinded. Troy Thompson moved to approve the policies as presented. David Reese seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Forest City Education Association (FCEA) and the Forest City Board of Education was presented in regards to an adjustment to compensation for unused personal days. Troy Thompson moved to approve the MOU as presented. Kim Severson seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Sup’t Lehmann presented a cooperative sharing agreement for girl’s wrestling. Troy Thompson moved to approve the sharing agreement as presented. Kim Severson seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Sec’y Meinders presented an investment plan for additional funds on hand to maximize interest income for the remaining 2022-23 fiscal year and beyond. Keila Buffington moved to approve the investment plan as presented. Kim Severson seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Sec’y Meinders presented the recently submitted Annual Transportation Report (ATR) as submitted to the Iowa Department of Education for the 2021-22 fiscal year.
Sec’y Meinders presented the 2021-22 Special Education Supplement (SES) as submitted to the
Iowa Department of Education along with a request to the School Budget Review Committee (SBRC) for allowable growth due to the negative special education balance. Beth Clouse moved to approve the SBRC request of $791,022.08 in allowable growth as presented. Keila Buffington seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Sec’y Meinders presented the district’s 2021-22 Annual Financial Health Report along with a summary of the recently submitted Certified Annual Report (CAR) to the Iowa Department of Education. Kim Severson moved to approve the financial health analysis as presented. Troy Thompson seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
A resolution to consider continued participation in the Instructional Support was presented. Keila Buffington moved to approve the proposed resolution; David Reese seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Sup’t Lehmann presented an action plan for the district to switch from trimesters to semesters for the 2023-24 school year to better align with educational requirements and educational partners. Keila Buffington moved to approve the transition to semesters next school year; Troy Thompson seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Marcia Tweeten, citizen, who had requested time to address the board in regards to a concern with administration and strategic hiring plan but was unable to attend the meeting. Jason Blaser, Forest City Education Association President, requested to speak on the agenda topic and was allowed to address the board.
Troy Thompson moved, Keila Buffington seconded to approve the change in title to job description 2.50 from Dean of Students to Director of Student Support and Technology Integration. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
November meeting topics were discussed. A work session will be held prior to the regular meeting at 5:45 p.m. in the middle school computer science room.
Troy Thompson motioned to adjourn the regular meeting. Beth Clouse seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
The Forest City CSD Board of Education will go into an exempt session to discuss planning steps for the negotiation process with the Forest City Education Association according to Iowa Code 20.17(3).
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Gary Ludwig, President Sara Meinders, Board Secretary
