The Board of Directors of the Forest City Community School District met for a regular meeting on August 14, 2023 at 6:15 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, Troy Thompson, Keila Buffington, and Kim Severson. Absent: Beth Clouse. Troy Thompson moved to approve the agenda. Keila Buffington seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Keila Buffington motioned, Troy Thompson seconded to enter into closed session to review or discuss records that are required or authorized by state or federal law to be kept confidential as per Iowa Code 21.5(1)(a). Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried. The time was 6:15 p.m. Beth Clouse entered the closed session at 6:23 p.m. At 6:32 p.m. President Ludwig announced the closed session was complete and the Board returned to the regular meeting. Troy Thompson motioned, seconded by Keila Buffington to add item 6.H. to the agenda, “Approve application from Braiden Rollefson (student) to open enrollment out and deny the request for a waiver of athletic eligibility as requested“. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Administrative Reports:
● Principal Jones shared his appreciation of new teacher training for the five new teachers in his building and that the building is nearly ready for the first day of school thanks to the district’s custodial staff. Additional information was shared in regards to classroom location changes and gym floor updates.
● Principal Leichsenring shared updates about recent building meetings, attendance initiative plans for the year, collective resume data and interaction with the three new teachers in her building.
● Principal Baker shared information regarding building updates, schedules for the new school year and work with the two new teachers in his building.
● Asst. Principal and Activities Director Moore updated the board on exterior scoreboards and the new sound system, Relay for Life changes, fall sports kicking off and scrimmages, Homecoming, duty rosters (442 spots to be filled) and official shortages and cost estimates for the year.
● Sec’y Meinders presented to the board information in regards to end of the fiscal year preparations, beginning of the school year calendar, new employee wellness program, IPERS compliance review results, and the financial reports for the month of July.
● Sup’t Lehmann provided information about the beginning of the year schedule, IASB Convention dates, and the active shooter training event.
The following consent agenda items were reviewed: minutes of the July 10, 2023 regular meeting, open enrollments, employee contracts and contract adjustments, employee resignations, donations, financial statements, and bills for payment. After discussion, Troy Thompson moved to approve all consent agenda items, Eric Kingland seconded the motion. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
● Employee Contracts: ELL Assistant: Elena Koontz; Paraprofessionals: Rebecca Heyer, Kathy Kurtzleben, Tiegan Huntley, Jeanne Dick, and Helena Rogers; Food Service Worker: Tora Buffington
● Employee Contract Adjustments: Marcy Hanson, Food Service, increase in hours per day
● Employee Resignations: Paraprofessionals: Allison Strommen and Kristi Pedelty
In Old Business, Eric Kingland moved, Kim Severson seconded to set the 2023-24 Legislative Priorities of the Board as Governance/Home Rule, Mental Health, Teacher Recruitment & Licensure, and School Choice/Public Education. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Troy Thompson moved, Beth Clouse seconded to purchase a 2024 Chrysler Pacifica Touring L from Mason City Ford/Chrysler for the amount of $37,000 as this was the least and most responsible bid. This purchase replaces the previously approved van purchase from Forest City Ford approved on July 10, 2023. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
In new business, board policies were reviewed: 411.1, 411.2, 411.3, 411.4 ,411.5, 411.6, 411.7, 411.8 and 2nd reading: 402.5, 503.7, 503.7E, 503.7E2, 605.3E5. Troy Thompson moved to approve the policies as presented, Keila Buffington seconded the motion. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Kim Severson moved, Troy Thompson seconded to approve changes to job description 6.02 Food Production Manager to 6.02 Lead Food Production Worker with changes approved as presented. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Beth Clouse moved, David Reese seconded to approve the annual audit engagement services agreement with Schnurr and Company as presented. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
As fiscal agent of the NITC Consortium, Troy Thompson moved, Beth Clouse seconded the approval of a new agreement between Four Oaks and the NITC Consortium for a lease agreement with Immanuel Lutheran Church of Forest City. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Due to a location change, an edited 2023-24 North Iowa Consortium Agreement was reviewed. David Reese moved, Eric Kingland seconded to approve the changes to agreement as presented. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
2023-24 student handbooks for preschool, elementary, middle school and high school were presented to the board for review. Troy Thompson moved, Keila Buffington seconded to approve the changes to handbooks as presented. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
The professional development plan for 2023-24 was presented. Troy Thompson moved, Beth Clouse seconded to approve the plan. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Eric Kingland moved, seconded by Keila Buffington to approve the application from Braiden Rollefson (student) to open enrollment out and deny the request for a waiver of athletic eligibility as requested. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
September 11, 2023 meeting topics were discussed.
Troy Thompson motioned to adjourn the regular meeting. Kim Severson seconded the motion. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m.
Gary Ludwig, President Sara Meinders, Board Secretary
