Benton Community School Board

Wednesday, May 15, at Central Administration Office, Van Horne

ATTENDANCE: Directors Becker, Ludeking, Reinhardt, Stepanek and Thompson.

ABSENT: Directors Feuerbach and Nolte

The meeting was called to order and a quorum declared present.

ALSO PRESENT: Gary Zittergruen, Doug Embray, Shawn Pfiffner, Ryan Junge, Rob Arnold, Jason West and Anna Upah.

DELEGATIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, CONSIDERATIONS OF ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR THE AGENDA/ OPEN FORUM:The Board was recognized for their contributions to the school district, as May is School Board Recognition Month. Superintendent Zittergruen shared IASB Appreciation Certificates for each board member for service.

Action #180 APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion by Reinhardt and second by Thompson to approve the agenda as presented.

MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

Action #181 APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Motion by Becker and second by Reinhardt to approve the minutes of the April 8, April 9, and April 10 Special Board Meetings and the April 10, 2019 regular board meeting.

MOTION CARRIEDn ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

Action #182 WARRANTS

Motion by Reinhardt and second by Becker to approve warrants as presented.

MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

Action #183 FINANCIAL REPORTS

Motion by Thompson, second by Ludeking to approve financial reports as provided.

MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

BENTON REGULAR BOARD MEETING

Page 2 – May 15, 2019

Action #184 – SUMMER ACTIVITY WARRANTS:

Shawn Pfiffner provided a list of officials and other summer activity warrants for the Board’s consideration. Motion by Reinhardt, second by Becker to approve summer warrants as presented.

MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT REPORT: Anna Upah shared Professional Learning Update, focusing on District Mission Statement, Characteristics of Effective Instruction, Professional Learning Plan, Triad Goals, ALICE Training, Data Team Functions, Adverse Childhood Experiences, Standards Alignment, Vertical Team Goals, District Assessment Reporting, and Layered Continuum of Supports.

ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS:

Ryan Junge shared the following:

End of year testing going on now. 

Excited to see results and growth

Camp Wapsie Mon and Tues for 6th graders.

Roger’s Park, Brucemore, Children’s Museum, Wikkiup, Barnes & Noble, Twisters, Hoover Museum, Usher’s Ferry field trips for various grades.  Great culture and learning for our students. 

Special thanks to PTO, Colleen Reinhardt and Tim Lyons for all of their help with funding the field trips and setting up transportation for these great student experiences.  

Shawn Pfiffner shared the following:

Vocal Music- Just had Spring Java. They participated in State Large Group contest May 3rd. They received Division 1 superior ratings in Men’s Choir, Women’s Choir, and Concert choir. Mixed Choir received a Division II Excellent rating.

The Benton Community Concert Band received a Division II Excellent rating at the all state event this year. Both vocal and Band are gearing up for the band and choir Florida trip. They depart June 3rd thru the 9th.

FFA recently finished their annual FFA plant sale. It was great success. They have been busy with the spring livestock show and the state FFA conference.

Spring sports are into post season…or almost into post season.

Track takes off tomorrow morning for State. Truly exciting times as the Boys and Girls qualified 15 events from their District qualifier we were fortunate to host last Friday. We have a few events that are seeded #1 in the state. We sent them off with a Bobcat Spirit walk today.

Boys’ soccer opens post season play on Monday at 7:00 vs. Williamsburg. We are also hosting the South Tama vs. Mid-Prairie game at 5:00 as well.

Girls’ soccer opens up post season play on Tuesday, May 28th at 7:00 at Union.

Girls’ golf plays in Regionals at Grinnell this Monday, May 20th. Top two at Regionals qualifies for state.

Boys’ golf played in Sectionals at DeWitt last Thursday. They finished second behind #1 DeWitt and advanced to Districts this Friday at West Delaware. Top two advance to State. We are the #3 seed going in to Districts.

FCCLA qualified for Nationals back in April. Maya Sahu and Ms. Botkin are headed to Anaheim CA June 29 – July 4th. Her project is titled “Choose Love” and it is about creating awareness around autism. Maya has just finished up her second volunteer activity, creating tie blankets to donate. She also made Birthday Cakes for autistic children for free this semester, as a volunteer activity.

Finally…This Sunday is Commencement for our graduating seniors. Walk through is Friday morning. Exciting times as we honor the class of 2019. We will see you all there!

Superintendent Zittergruen shared that the Iowa Performance Profile will be released next week for Iowa public schools. This information is currently embargoed for release.

Action #185 SUPERINTENDENT CONTRACT APPROVAL:

Motion made by Ludeking, seconded by Thompson to approve contract for Dr. Pamela Ewell as the Superintendent of Schools at Benton Community effective July 1, 2019.

ROLL CALL VOTE: Becker, Ludeking, Reinhardt, Stepanek and Thompson

MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

Action #186 PERSONNEL RESIGNATION(S)

Brian Kramer – Head 7th Grade Girls Basketball

Andrew Bruemmer – 7-12 Social Studies Teacher; Asst. Varsity Football Coach

Emily Bruemmer – Special Ed Associate at the MS/HS

Jenny Fishel – Food Service

Justin Liddle – Middle School Cross Country Coach

Jeremy Suiter – Assistant Varsity Volleyball Coach

Mitch Hewitt – 9-12 Science Teacher, Assistant Varsity Football Coach

Jocelyn Sadler – Educational Associate at the Atkins Center (end of school year)

Maria Quackenbush – Associate Special Education

Motion by Reinhardt, second by Ludeking to approve resignations as presented.

MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

Action # 187 RECOMMENDATIONS

Brian Kramer – Head 8th Grade Girls Basketball

Larry Carlson – Spring Driver Education Teacher and Coordinator

Brianna Hillyer – MS/HS Science Teacher

Tracy Rodman – 2nd Grade Teacher (MA Step 6)

Krista Thompson – Maintenance Employee at MS/HS (effective 5-1-19)

Jack Waybill – Bus Driver (Transfer to new assignment)

Dave Kruse – Bus Driver (2019-20 school year)

Frank King – Bus Driver (2019-20 school year)

Justin Volesky – Bus Driver (2019-20 school year

Kory Winsor – Asst. Varsity Football

Garrett Albers – 7th Grade Boys Basketball

Heidi Keiper – 7th Grade Girls Basketball

Tracy Rodman – 2nd Grade Atkins Elementary.

Motion by Becker, second by Ludeking to approve recommendations as presented.

MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

EMPLOYEE CONTRACT / WORK AGREEMENT APPROVAL FOR 2019-20:

Action # 188 EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATES

Motion by Thompson, second by Becker to approve associate work agreements for the 2019-20 school year. Educational associates will receive a 40 cent hourly increase, with 9 associates receiving an additional longevity increase of 50 cents per hour.

ROLL CALL VOTE: Becker, Ludeking, Reinhardt, Stepanek and Thompson.

MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

Action #189 BUILDING SECRETARIES

Motion by Reinhardt, seconded by Becker to approve building secretary work agreements for the 2019-20 school year. Building secretaries will receive a 50 cent hourly increase, with 2 secretaries receiving an additional longevity increase of 50 cents. Additional information is included in your background packet.

ROLL CALL VOTE: Becker, Ludeking, Reinhardt, Stepanek and Thompson.

MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

Action #190 DISTRICT SECRETARIES: Motion by Thompson, second by Ludeking to approve district secretary contracts for the 2019-20 school year. District salaried secretaries would receive a salary increase minimum of $1250. District hourly rate secretarial staff will receive a 64 cent hourly rate increase and a cafeteria plan increase of 50 per month. Additional information is included in your background packet.

ROLL CALL VOTE: Becker, Ludeking, Stepanek and Thompson. Director Reinhardt abstained.

MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

Action #191 TRANSPORTATION STAFF: Motion by Reinhardt, second by Becker to approve work agreement contracts with the transportation staff for the 2019-20 school year. Route rates would increase by $3.25 per day, bus stop supervisors would receive a 50 cent daily increase, and special education drivers would receive a 60 cent hourly increase. Additional information is included in your background packet.

ROLL CALL VOTE: Becker, Ludeking, Reinhardt, Stepanek and Thompson.

MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

Action #192 PROGRAM DIRECTORS: Motion by Thompson, second by Ludeking to approve contracts for the program directors in Food Service, Transportation, and Technology for the 2019-20 school year. Employees will receive an $1800 salary increase and a monthly cafeteria plan increase of $25 per month.

ROLL CALL VOTE: Becker, Ludeking, Reinhardt, Stepanek and Thompson.

MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

Action #193 MAINTENANCE STAFF:

Motion by Reinhardt, second by Becker to approve work agreement contracts with the maintenance staff for the 2019-20 school year. The hourly rate increase for maintenance staff will be 50 cents and the employees will receive a $25 monthly increase in IRS 125 plan.

ROLL CALL VOTE: Becker, Ludeking, Reinhardt, Stepanek and Thompson.

MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

Action #194 FOOD SERVICE STAFF

Motion by Becker, second by Thompson to approve work agreement contracts with the food service staff for the 2019-20 school year. The hourly rate increase for food service employees will be 45 cents.

ROLL CALL VOTE: Becker, Ludeking, Reinhardt, Stepanek and Thompson.

MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

Action #195 OTHER EMPLOYEES:

Motion by Thompson, second by Ludeking to approve work agreements for other employees in the district not involved in a meet and confer bargaining group. I am recommending a 63 cent hourly rate increase for the nurse at the Norway Center and a 68 cent hourly rate increase for the Assistant Bus Mechanic.

ROLL CALL VOTE: Becker, Ludeking, Reinhardt, Stepanek and Thompson.

MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

Action #196 ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF: Motion by Reinhardt, second by Becker that the Board approve two-year continuing contracts for the administrative staff at Benton Community. I am recommending a $2,400 salary increase and $50 per month cafeteria plan increase for the administrative team. The contract recommendation is included in your background packet.

ROLL CALL VOTE: Becker, Ludeking, Reinhardt, Stepanek and Thompson.

MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

Action #197 BOARD POLICY

Motion by Thompson, second by Ludeking to approve board policy presented in review #100, #200.3, #200.4, #202.1, #209.6, #705.5

MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

DISTRICT INFRASTRUCTURE: The Board reviewed MS/HS Floor Project closure, MS/HS Door Project Update, MS/HS Science Classroom Renovation, and Norway Elementary Parking Lot and East Harper Street. No action taken.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

May 27 Memorial Day – NO SCHOOL

May 30 Special Board Meeting Bond Refinance 4:30 P.M.

June 4 Last Day of the School Year 1:00 p.m. Dismiss

June 5-7 PK-12 PD All Day

June 19 Regular Board Meeting 7:00 p.m.