Regular Meeting
The Board of Directors of the Forest City Community School District met for a regular meeting on May 13, 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, Beth Clouse, Rick Wiley, Troy Thompson, Shelby Korth, and Kim Severson. Absent: Cody Hennigar. Agenda item “6.k. Trophy Case” was added to the agenda for Board Approval. Beth Clouse moved to approve the agenda with the change noted. Rick Wiley seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Administrative Reports:
- High School Principal, Ken Baker, provided the board with a summary of high school professional development activities, graduation preparations, activities fair, continued sharing between the middle school and high school, and ISASP testing.
- Elementary Principal, Brad Jones, presented a review of the recent spring concerts, field trip to the Surf Ballroom, preschool parents night, 4th grade bike safety program, RSVP pen pal program, Title I reading parents night, and end of the year PBIS building wide celebrations.
- Director of Teaching & Learning, Zach Dillavou, provided the board with a review of Portrait of a Graduate work and the reset focus to ensure our students are career ready.
- Sec’y Meinders presented monthly financial reports.
- Sup’t Lehmann provided information on NIACC Pathways to Success program, end of the year schedule, human resources director position, and Waldorf Top of Iowa arts show.
The following consent agenda items were reviewed: minutes of the April 8, 2024 regular meeting and the April 29, 2024 public hearings and special meeting, financial statements, payment of bills, and the following:
- Open Enrollment (Out): Myra Anderson and Grace Anderson;
- Open Enrollment (In): Thor Lorenzen, Storm Lorenzen, Oliver Lorenzen, Asher Kemnitz, and Jace Kemnitz;
- Employee Contracts for 2024-25: Marissa Norby, high school and middle school physical education and health teacher; Mattew Welp, grades 3-5 Guidance Counselor; Kris Linder and Tracy Helgeson and Courtney Rogne, shared middle school student council advisors; Ethan Weiss, middle school special education teacher; Allison Klaassen, 3rd grade teacher; Tyler Anderson, full time substitute teacher, head football coach and middle school boys track coach; Justin Tegland, substitute bus driver; Tami Dillavou, Director of Elementary Student Services; Sarah Nelson, Preschool-2nd grade teacher;
- 2024-25 Mentoring and Professional Learning Committee (PLC) payments;
- Employee Resignation (end of the year): Jodee Stricker, elementary special education; Mallory Ziesmer, Director of Elementary Student Services;
After discussion, Kim Severson moved to approve all consent agenda items, Shelby Korth seconded the motion. Ayes: five. Nays: none. Carried. David Reese abstained.
In old business, Sup’t Lehmann provided an overview of potential future facility plans. David Reese moved, Shelby Korth seconded to proceed with the following projects for the summer of 2025 with estimated costs: Athletic Complex Gateway $1.22 million, Choir Room to Locker Room $650,000, Auditorium to Choir Room $108,000. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Sup’t Lehmann presented an amendment to the 2024-25 Forest City Education Association Comprehensive Master Agreement and teacher contract adjustments as required by the newly implemented teacher salary minimums in Iowa. Kim Severson moved to approve both the agreement and the teacher contract amendments. Rick Wiley seconded. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried. David Reese abstained.
In new business, the following policies were reviewed: 504.1, 504.2, 504.4, 504.6, 405.2, 411.2, 504.5 (rescind), 507.8R1, 704.1, 704.6, 704.6R1 (New), 706.2, 706.3, 706.3R1, 707.1, 707.2 (rescind), 707.3 (rescind), 707.4, 707.6 (rescind). Beth Clouse moved to approve policies as read. David Reese seconded. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Sharing agreements for the 2024-25 school year were presented. Kim Severson moved to approve the following sharing agreements: Media Specialist with Garner-Hayfield Ventura CSD, English Language Learner Teacher (ELL) with Garner-Hayfield Ventura CSD, Communication Director with Central Springs CSD, Social Worker with Central Springs CSD, School Business Official with Central Springs CSD, and Superintendent with Central Springs CSD. Rick Wiley seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Andy Buffington, Emergency Management Coordinator, informed the Board of the 2024 Winnebago County hazard mitigation plan.
President Thompson reviewed the list of Forest City High School graduates. After discussion, Shelby Korth moved to approve the list of graduates for the Class of 2024 contingent upon meeting the graduation requirements established by the Board of Education. Kim Severson seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Kim Severson moved to approve the fees and nutrition prices for the 2024-25 school year. David Reese seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried. School fees remain unchanged with nutrition prices increasing by $0.05 per meal.
A resolution to allocate funds to Central Rivers AEA for 2024-25 was presented. Beth Clouse moved, Shelby Korth seconded to share 100% of our media service and educational service funds to the AEA. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Sup’t Lehmann and Sec’y Meinders (on behalf of the entire Forest City Community School Community) expressed a thank you to all school board members for their service to the district in honor of May being School Board Recognition month.
A new job description, “2.32 Director of Strength and Conditioning”, was presented to support physical education curriculum and the athletic department for our students. Kim Severson moved to approve the job description as presented. Rick Wiley seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Shelby Korth moved, Beth Clouse seconded to approve the submitted milk bid from Anderson Erickson for the 2024-25, 2025-26, and 2026-27 school years at the negotiated and mutually agreed upon pricing. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
David Reese moved, Kim Severson seconded to approve Colleen Jacobs, Tom Blomme, and Kathy Jerome to the Forest City Community School District Hall of Fame as recommended by the Hall of Fame Committee. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Rick Wiley moved, Beth Clouse seconded to approve the bid submitted by Cabinets Etc. to construct and install trophy cases in the high school entrance for an amount of $33,069. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Suggestions for the June 10, 2024 meeting were discussed. David Reese motioned 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 9:00 p.m. At 9:21 p.m., Rick Wiley motioned, second by Shelby Korth, to return to regular session. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried. The time was 9:21 p.m.
Beth Clouse motioned to adjourn the regular meeting. David Reese seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:21 p.m.
_________________________ ____________________________
Troy Thompson, President Sara Meinders, Board Secretary
