Regular Meeting
July 10, 2023
The Board of Directors of the Forest City Community School District met for a regular meeting on July 10, 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 Reece, Eric Kingland, Beth Clouse, Troy Thompson, Keila Buffington, and Kim Severson. Troy Thompson moved to approve the agenda. Beth Clouse seconded the motion Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Administrative Reports:
- Sec’y Meinders presented to the board information in regards to end of the fiscal year preparations, audit calendar and the financial reports for the month of April.
- Sup’t Lehmann provided information on summer projects, IASB Convention, and windmill maintenance.
The following consent agenda items were reviewed: minutes of the June 12, 2023 regular meeting, open enrollments, employee contracts and contract adjustments, employee resignations, donations, financial statements, and bills for payment. After discussion, Keila Buffington moved to approve all consent agenda items. Troy Thompson seconded the motion. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
- Employee Contracts: Phillip Porter, 9/10 Assistant Football Coach; Sarah Kirschbaum, High School Paraprofessional; Karina Rayhons, Elementary Paraprofessional; Kim Brass, High School Paraprofessional; Jason Blaser, High School Basketball Practice Coach
- Employee Contract Adjustments: Claire Branstad, Associate Elementary for the W.I.N. program
- Employee Resignations: Vicki Dehrkoop, Elementary Paraprofessional and Tammy Larson, Middle School Paraprofessional
In Old Business, the board discussed the solar field project with Troy Thompson and Eric Kingland volunteering to assist with ongoing discussions. The board also discussed the previously approved calendar for 2023-2024. With the State of Iowa now allowing up to 5 e-learning days for instructional time, Troy Thompson moved, Kim Severson seconded to approved the use of up to 8 e-learning days total for the year instead of just the 5 days as previously approved. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
In new business, board policies were reviewed: 104, 104.R1, 402.2, 402.5 (NEW), 408.1, 503.7 (NEW), 503.7E1 (NEW), 503.7E2 (NEW), 505.4, 601.1, 603.5, 605.1R1, 605.2, 605.3, 605.3R1, 605.3E5(NEW), 605.5, 505.5, 604.7, 604.1, 501.5, 505.8, 600, 601.1, 606.1, 606.6, 707.2, 707.5, 707.6, 710.1, 711.3, 711.4, 711.5, 804.1, 804.2. Keila Buffington moved to approve the policies as presented, Beth Clouse seconded the motion. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Beth Clouse moved, Troy Thompson seconded to approve a maintenance agreement with NIACC for the John V. Hanson Career Center as presented. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Sup’t Lehmann presented a list of 2024 Legislative Priorities as established by the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) and Rural School Advocated of Iowa (RSAI). Priorities for RSAI were reviewed. Keila Buffington moved to table the decision in regards to the IASB priorities, David Reese seconded. Action item tabled. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
The print center black and white copier lease was discussed. Troy Thompson moved, Kim Severson seconded to approve a new lease agreement with Access Systems for 60-months for a new Ricoh unit. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Kim Severson moved, Beth Clouse seconded to approve the purchase of a new Chrysler Pacifica Mini-Van for student transportation needs from Forest City Ford. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried. Abstain: Troy Thompson.
Troy Thompson moved, Eric Kingland seconded to approve the purchase of a used 12 passenger Ford Transit 350 van from a vendor to be determined at a price not to exceed $70,000. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Beth Clouse moved, Troy Thompson seconded to approve the recurring rental agreement with North Iowa Community Action Organization (NICAO) for building usage during the 2023-24 school year. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Keila Buffington moved, Kim Severson seconded to approve the Summit-Tribune as the Board’s official publication for the 2023-2024 school year. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Troy Thompson moved, Eric Kingland seconded to approve to approve Tom Montgomery as Level I Investigator, Ross Eiden as the Level I alternate investigator, and Level II investigator as Steve Hepperly for the 2023-24 school year. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Eric Kingland moved, Troy Thompson seconded to approve Ahlers & Cooney as the District’s legal counsel for 2023-24. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Sec’y Meinders asked that the depository banks be set as Manufacturer’s Bank and Trust with a depository limit of $16,000,000. After discussion, Keila Buffington moved to approve depositories as presented. Kim Severson seconded the motion. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Eric Kingland moved, Kim Severson seconded to approve the continuing communications sharing agreement with Central Springs Community School District for 2023-24 as presented. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Sec’y Meinders presented an updated investment plan for district funds. Keila Buffington moved, Troy Thompson seconded for the purchase of an additional $1,775,000 in various certificates from various funds at MBT of Forest City to maximize interest income. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
August 14, 2023 meeting topics were discussed.
Eric Kingland moved, David Reese seconded to go into closed session to evaluate the Superintendent and School Board Secretary pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5 (1)(i). Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried. The time was 7:43 p.m. At 8:50 p.m., President Ludwig announced the closed session was complete and returned to regular session.
Kim Severson motioned to adjourn the regular meeting. Troy Thompson seconded the motion. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:51 p.m.
_________________________ ___________________________________ Gary Ludwig, President Sara Meinders, Board Secretary
