Public Hearing
April 10, 2023 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, Eric Kingland, and Keila Buffington. Absent: Kim Severson. The President announced that this is the time, place and date to hold public hearings on the following:
- 2023-24 Annual Budget;
- 2022-23 Budget Amendment;
- and Resolution to expend funds from the District’s flexibility account.
There were no written or oral comments. After discussion, President Ludwig declared the hearing closed at 6:31 p.m.
Regular Meeting
April 10, 2023
The Board of Directors of the Forest City Community School District met for a regular meeting on April 10, 2023 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, Eric Kingland, and Keila Buffington. Absent: Kim Severson. Keila Buffington moved to approve the agenda. Beth Clouse seconded the motion Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Administrative Reports:
- Chad Moore, Asst High School Principal and Activities Director, spoke to the board about scheduling, future plans for Hall of Fame, spring sports kicking off, referee and umpire shortages for baseball/softball along with potential increase in fees to officials.
- Zach Dillavou, Middle School Principal, spoke to the board about upcoming transitions for 4th grade student to middle school and 8th grade student to high school, summer school, middle school professional development, his transition and goals for his new position as Director of Teaching and Learning, portrait of a graduate work and professional learning communities.
- Sec’y Meinders presented to the board information in regards to employee open enrollment for benefits, business office activities, and the financial reports for the month of March.
- Sup’t Lehmann provided information on summer projects, end-of-the-year schedule, Academic Awards Program, Radium Girls play program, admittance costs to athletics, retirement tea, and a potential special meeting at the end of the month.
The following consent agenda items were reviewed: minutes of the March 13, 2023 regular meeting and the April 4, 2023 work session, open enrollments, employee contracts, employee resignations, donations, financial statements, and bills for payment. After discussion, Troy Thompson moved to approve all consent agenda items. David Reese seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
- Employee Contracts: Patrick Wirth, Custodial/Maintenance; D.J. Wolfram, Sub Bus Driver; Pamela Krein, Paraprofessional
- Employee Contracts for the 2023-24 School Year: Paige DeArmoun, 1st Grade Teacher; Michael Pettengill, High School Science Teacher; Alaina Scott, 4th Grade Teacher; Ashlynn Brandt, 3rd Grade Teacher; Hayli Hutchinson, Middle School Special Education Teacher; Kent Jorgensen, Assistant Varsity Football Coach; Ryan Eastvold, Assistant Varsity Boys Basketball Coach
- Employee Resignations at the end of the 2022-23 School Year: Andy Eastvold, Assistant Varsity Wrestling Coach; Tara Millard, Assistant Speech Coach; Melanie Espeland Harms, Elementary Special Education Teacher; Jason Crail, Middle School Concession Stand Advisor and Middle School Student Council Advisor; Beth Snyder, Vocal Accompanist; Angel Clary, Elementary Paraprofessional; Allison Klaassen, 2nd Grade Teacher; Sheryl Putz, ELL Assistant; Tabitha Jermeland, Assistant Varsity Volleyball Coach; Alisa Sand, Paraprofessional; Brian Hovenga, Assistant Varsity Cross County Coach.
In old business, Sup’t Lehmann reviewed the 2023 legislative priorities.
In new business, board policies were reviewed. Standard review and updates: 408.1, 408.2, 408.3, 503.1 Student Conduct. Troy Thompson moved to approve the policies as presented Beth Clouse seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Sup’t Lehmann presented an updated lease agreement between Forest City Schools and the Forest City Economic Development Authority for their space at the District Office. Keila Buffington moved, Eric KIngland seconded to approve the lease as presented. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
President Ludwig reviewed the upcoming November 2023 School Board Elections and the newly approved director districts.
Keila Buffington moved to approve the Flexible Spending Resolution to expend funds from the District’s flexibility account over the next two years in the amount of $600,000 Troy Thompson seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
David Reese moved, Eric Kingland seconded to approve the 2023-2024 Annual Budget as published. Ayes: six. Nays: None. Carried. The 2023-24 budget is set at $26,301,696 in total spending with a proposed property tax rate of 10.99068 per $1,000 taxable valuation, a decrease of 0.040830 from the current year total levy rate of 10.990680.
Troy Thompson moved, Beth Clouse seconded to approve an amendment to the 2022-2023 Annual Budget as published. Ayes: six. Nays: None. Carried. The 2022-2023 budget amendment increased total spending by $401,340 overall total expenditures of $27,569,119.
Sec’y Meinders presented the North Iowa Therapeutic Instructional Consortium Agreement for the 2023-24 school year. Beth Clouse moved to approve the agreement as presented. Troy Thompson seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Sec’y Meinders presented an amendment to the Four Oaks Family and Children’s Services Agreement of which the Forest City Schools is their fiscal agent. Keila Buffington moved to approve the agreement as presented. Troy Thompson seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Sup’t Lehmann presented revisions to the High School Handbook Discipline/Good Conduct policy. Beth Clouse moved to approve the revisions as presented. Troy Thompson seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Sup’t Lehmann presented revisions to the Middle School Handbook Discipline/Good Conduct policy. Troy Thompson moved to approve the revisions as presented. Eric Kingland seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Sup’t Lehmann and Sec’y Meinders presented a facility plan overview with future projections.
Elementary Principal Jones presented the purchase of $47,703.60 for Bridges Math, a new elementary math curriculum. Eric Kingland moved to approve the purchase of curriculum from Bridges Math as presented. Keila Buffington seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Sup’t Lehmann presented a consent to collateral assignment of 28E agreement with Waldorf University. Troy Thompson moved to approve the consent as presented. Keila Buffington seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
May 8, 2023 meeting topics were discussed. David Reese motioned to adjourn the regular meeting. Troy Thompson seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:21 p.m.
_________________________ ___________________________________
Gary Ludwig, President Sara Meinders, Board Secretary
