The Board of Directors of the Forest City Community School District met for a regular meeting on February 12, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. at the District Office, Forest City, Iowa.
After a quorum was established the meeting was called to order President Troy Thompson. Members present: David Reese, Cody Hennigar, Beth Clouse, Rick Wiley, Troy Thompson, Shelby Korth, and Kim Severson. Kim Severson moved to approve the agenda. Rick Wiley seconded the motion. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Liz Thompson, director of the Forest City Education Foundation, introduced herself to the board and acknowledged the strong partnership between the school district and the foundation and her desire to continue those collaborations.
Administrative Reports:
● Sec’y Meinders presented on categorical funds for 2024-25, upcoming budget meetings, and monthly financial reports;
● Sup’t Lehmann provided information about solar project, energy audit review, employee apparel incentive, and upcoming career & technical student organization requirements.
The following consent agenda items were reviewed: minutes of the January 8, 2024 regular meeting and organizational meeting, financial statements, payment of bills, and the following:
● Open Enrollment (Out): Ayden Grundy & Archer True
● Open Enrollment (In): Lilyanna Hanson-Bakkum
● Employee Contracts: Bryant Cook, HS Social Studies Teacher and 0.5 HS Yearbook; Claire Branstad, Elementary Special Education Teacher; Mallory Ziesmer, Elementary Director of Student Services and Supports.
● Employee Resignation (end of the year): Nate Gremmer, HS Paraprofessional; Merriya Ruiter, HS Yearbook (with ability to complete one more year at 0.5); Barbara Determann, HS Paraprofessional; Kristin Heidemann, Communications Director
● Donations: CAF $42.68; Donations to FFA drone (Farmers Trust $200, Van Wall $500, NSB $100, Forest City Ford $100, K.C. Nielsen $250); Eugene Griffin Music Scholarship $650 for UNI Honor Band hotel rooms; Atlantic Bottling $100 for Elem PBIS; $1930.01 Immanuel Lutheran for lunch account balances; $750 Sno Jammers for lunch account balances;
After discussion, Beth Clouse moved to approve all consent agenda items, Rick Wiley seconded the motion. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
In old business, Supt Lehmann reviewed the 2024 legislative priorities with the board. Melissa Hesner, Lead Regional Administrator for Region 7, along with her team of Nikki arentson and Kristin Schmidt from the Central Rivers AEA presented the to the board on the different AEA supports they provide to the Forest City CSD.
In new business, the following policies were reviewed: 502.7,502.8,502.8R1,502.8E1, 502.9, 502.10, 713 (former 401.13), 713.R1 (former 401.13R1), 605.6, 605.6R1, 605.8 (NEW), 605.8R1 (NEW), 701.1, 701.2, 701.3, 701.4, 703.1, 703.2 (rescinded). Kim Severson moved to approve policies as read and approve the first reading of new policies 605.8 and 605.8R1 as presented, Rick Wiley seconded the motion. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Sec’y Meinders presented the financial audit report for fiscal year 2023 as prepared by district auditor Schnurr and Company, LLP. Rick Wiley moved, Beth Clouse seconded to approve the report as presented. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Quotes to purchase a new tractor for the maintenance department were presented. Rick Wiley moved, Shelby Korth seconded to approve the purchase of a new John Deere 6100 tractor with loader, pallet forks, and snow blower from KC Nielsen of Buffalo Center for the amount of $137,350 with trade in of the fleet's 2004 John Deere 6220 tractor. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
David Reese moved, Kim Severson seconded to approve the replacement of T-8 lights to LED lighting in the middle school and high school’s hallways and cafeteria from Kruger Electric for the amount of $46,978. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Beth Clouse moved, Rick Wiley seconded to approve the replacement of the middle school gymnasium roof for a total of $126,600 by Mid-West Roofing Company. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Beth Clouse moved, Cody Hennigar seconded to approve the replacement of the district office roof for a total of $68,850 by Mid-West Roofing Company. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Quotes to purchase a district wide intercom notification system were presented. Kim Severson moved, Shelby Korth seconded to approve the purchase of a new system from Haddock Education Technologies in the amount of $95,566 which includes the intercom system, speakers, and server. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Quotes to purchase a district wide telephone system. Rick Wiley moved, Cody Hennigar seconded to approve the purchase of a new system from Winnebago County Telecom Association (WCTA) in the amount of $44,515 which includes new phones and installation and training. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Kim Severson moved, Beth Clouse seconded to approve the Worth County Development Authority (WCDA) donation and budget for 2024-2025 as presented for a total of $113,880.53. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Beth Clouse moved, Rick Wiley seconded to approve the amended FFA farm lease as presented with the City of Forest City and Heritage Park of North Iowa as presented. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Quotes to purchase power over ethernet (POE) injectors were presented. Rick Wiley moved, Shelby Korth seconded to approve the purchase of POE injectors from Aercor in the amount of $12,822 as presented as the district’s E-rate purchase for the 2024-25 school year. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried. E-Rate will reimburse up to 70% of this cost.
Rick Wiley moved, Beth Clouse seconded to approve the replacement of classroom lighting to LED lighting in the elementary classrooms with dimmers from Kruger Electric for the amount of $108,000. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Shelby Korth moved, David Reese seconded to approve the agreement for purchasing a seat from Belmond-Klemme CSD in the North Iowa Therapeutic Instructional Consortium. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Suggestions for the March 11, 2024 meeting were discussed.
Beth Clouse moved, Rick Wiley seconded to enter into closed session to evaluate the superintendent pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5(1)(i). Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
The time was 8:47 p.m.
At 9:36 p.m. President Thompson declared the closed session complete and returned to the regular meeting.
David Reese motioned to adjourn the regular meeting. Kim Severson seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:37 p.m.
_________________________ ____________________________
Troy Thompson, President Sara Meinders, Board Secretary
