The Board of Directors of the Forest City Community School District met for a regular meeting on February 8, 2023 at 6:30 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. Gary Ludwig and Kim Severson attended electronically as it was inconvenient to do so otherwise. The meeting was turned over to Vice President Keila Buffington to be run by President Ludwig due to his attendance electronically.
Troy Thompson moved to approve the agenda. Beth Clouse seconded the motion Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Administrative Reports:
● Middle School Principal, Zach Dillavou, presented to the board about Jazz Up January, staff turnover and interviews along with the new hires recently acquired. Mr. Dillavou introduced computer science instructor Ryan Friederich, who presented to the board information on artificial intelligent tools and how they can be used in the classroom.
● Secretary Meinders presented to the board the budget calendar for setting the 2023-24 budget, the district’s taxable valuations, and financial reports for the month of January.
● Sup’t Lehmann provided monthly analytics from our website, baseball and softball scoreboards purchases, IASB work session, flex account transfer proposal, and request for mascot review.
The following consent agenda items were reviewed: minutes of the January 9, 2023 regular meeting, open enrollments, employee contracts, employee resignations, donations, financial statements, and bills for payment. After discussion Troy Thompson moved to approve all consent agenda items. seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
● Employee Contracts: Lucas Rayhons, Middle School Science Teacher for 2023-24; Parker Eaton, High School Social Studies Teacher for 2023-24;
● Employee Resignations: Paul Jensen, Varsity Boys Assistant Basketball Coach (end of season); Ken Steil, Bus Driver; Tara Millard, FFA Assistant (end of 2022-23); Chad Moore, Head Football Coach; Bev Lindsay, Food Service (end of 2022-23).
In old business, the board reviewed new redistricting options as provided by Jodi Flory, geospatial engineer. After discussion, Troy Thompson moved to approve map number two (2) as presented. Gary Ludwig seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Sup’t Lehmann reviewed the 2023 legislative priorities.
In new business, board policies were reviewed. Standard review: 406.1, 406.2, 406.3, 406.4, 406.5, 406.6; 2nd Reading: 401.1FC, 401.1RFC; IASB Quarterly Review: 216.2, 607.1, NEW 701.5, NEW 701.5R1, 705.1, 705.1R2, 804.7R1 Troy Thompson moved to approve the policies as presented. Beth Clouse seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Sup’t Lehmann reviewed the negotiated agreement with the Forest City Education Association (FCEA). After discussion, Beth Clouse moved to approve the agreement as presented. Troy Thompson seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Troy Thompson moved, Kim Severson seconded to approve the Worth County Development Authority (WCDA) budget for 2023-2024 as presented. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Beth Clouse moved, David Reese seconded to approve a student exclusion agreement. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Troy Thompson moved, Gary Ludwig seconded to approve a bid submitted by Midwest Tennis + Track to recondition the two track surfaces for a total amount of $178,167. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Troy Thompson moved, Beth Clouse seconded to approve a bid submitted by Mid-West Roofing Company for a total amount of $184,920 to replace sections 4-4d of the high school roof. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Gary Ludwig moved, Kim Severson seconded to approve bids submitted by FLR Sanders, Inc. to remove, furnish, and install a new gymnasium floor in the middle school gymnasium for a total amount of $116,770 and REW Services Corporation for the removal of asbestos containing materials in the middle school gymnasium which includes the stage flooring for an amount of $41,721. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Troy Thompson moved, Beth Clouse seconded to approve a bids submitted Hart-Hammer, Inc. to replace two (2) HVAC units at the high school for a total amount of $217,300 along with Johnson Controls for $35,950 to install new RTUs VAV controls and Johnson Controls for $38,580 to upgrade the server and user interface. CR Holland Crane services will also be utilized for the project at $335/hour, with operator, port-to-port. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
David Reese moved, Troy Thompson seconded to approve a bid submitted by Hoglund Bus Company for a total amount of $263,698 to purchase two (2) 77 passenger school busses to be delivered on or before 12/1/2023. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Sec’y Meinders presented the financial audit report for fiscal year 2022 as prepared by district auditor Schnurr and Company, LLP. David Reese moved, Beth Clouse seconded to approve the report as presented. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
March 13, 2023 meeting topics were discussed.
Troy Thompson motioned to adjourn the regular meeting. David Reese seconded the motion. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
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Keila Buffington, Vice President Sara Meinders, Board Secretary
