BENTON COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

IN THE COUNTIES OF TAMA, BENTON, AND IOWA, STATE OF IOWA

WORK SESSION AND BENTON REGULAR BOARD MEETING

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2019, 7:00 PM

BENTON COMMUNITY CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION OFFICE BOARD ROOM

304 1^ST STREET, VAN HORNE, IOWA 52346

Work Session Opened: 6:00 P.M.

Meeting Outline:

Zoom session with Cooperative Strategies – Michael Hobson – demographics, potential assistance

Goals

Discuss Goal #4 – rough data

Goal on a page – DRAFT version

Discuss Goal #5 – rough data

Goal on a page – to be developed

Introductions: Michael Hobson (Zoom), Dr. Ewell, Doug Embray, Roy Becker, Theresa Ludeking, Matt Nolte, Pat Stepanek, Theresa Thompson, Phil Eastman, Anna Upah, Rob Arnold, Shawn Pfiffner, and Jason West.

Michael Hobson outlined services provided by Cooperative Strategies with specifics to demographics, district enrollment study, community relations, policy support, stakeholder meetings, and various report options for data study. Cooperative Strategies will present a proposal for District-Wide Demographic Data Collection and Sub Division Yield Analysis.

Dr. Ewell shared information on district transportation, current enrollment unofficial count data, preschool demographics, outlined transfinder transportation software capacities and future use. ‘Goal on a Page’ was presented for review in relation to Goal #4. Discussion on how data was collected and condensed for future action by the board. Handouts provided.

Director Nolte requested that the board review for duplication of efforts to improve infrastructure with the consideration of future study. Highlighted the different infrastructure needs for Keystone Elementary and Atkins Elementary. Would like to study more and have data that reflects east and west demographics for the district.

Director Stepanek discussed the need to work in a cooperative pattern with our local communities. Stay informed and be active with school data that could assist with community development. Can goals be reversed engineered to support both community and school needs?

Dr. Ewell summarized the need to stay focused on data collection efforts for future decision making. Reinforced the need to move forward with facilities study, demographic data collection, and begin review of financial capacities.

Work Session Closed 6:59 P.M.

REGULAR BOARD MEETING: CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 P.M.

ATTENDANCE: Becker, Feuerbach, Ludeking, Nolte, Stepanek, and Thompson.

ABSENT: Director Reinhardt.

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

ALSO PRESENT: Dr. Ewell, Doug Embray, Ryan Junge, Phil Eastman, Rob Arnold, Anna Upah, Jason West, Shawn Pfiffner, Taylor Peterson, Emma Redington, Maggie Hartzler, Jake Voss, and Michael Hobson (via zoom technology).

DELEGATIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, CONSIDERATIONS OF ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR THE AGENDA/ OPEN FORUM:

1. Dr. Ewell introduced the contracted mental health therapists from Tanager. They provided a brief overview of their work in our school district. No motion needed at this time. Approval for contracted services under the agenda item for PERSONNEL.

1. Therapists from Tanager – Contracted Services (contract was approved in July) who provided us with an overview of their site-based services for our school district. Tanager Director, Maggie Hartzler, was also here.
   1. Taylor Peterson – serving Keystone and MS/HS
   2. Emma Redington – serving Norway and Atkins

OPEN FORUM: No public comment.

Action #29 Approval of Agenda

Motion by Becker, second by Thompson to approve agenda as presented.

MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

Action #30 APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Dr. Ewell recommended approval of the minutes as presented.

Motion by Nolte, second by Feuerbach to approve agenda as presented.

MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

Action #31 WARRANTS

Doug Embray reported on the financial reports, and Dr. Ewell and Mr. Embray recommend approval of the Financial Reports as presented

Motion by Ludeking and second by Feuerbach to approve warrants as presented.

MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

Action #32 FINANCIAL REPORTS

Motion by Nolte, second by Thompson to approve financial reports as presented.

MOTION CARRIED

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

Action #33 AFFIDAVITS OF DEPOSITORY BANKS FOR FY20

Motion by Becker, second by Thompson to approve Affidavits of Depository Banks as presented for FY20.

MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

Action #34 APPROVE FISCAL 2019 CLOSE OF FINANCIAL REPORTS

Motion by Thompson, second by Becker to approve financial close for FY 19

MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

Action #35 ALLOWABLE GROWTH AND SUPPLEMENTAL AID, FY19 SPECIAL EDUCATION DEFICIT

Motion by Nolte, second by Feuerbach to request allowable growth and supplemental state aid in the amount of $613,969,40 for the negative special education balance; Benton Community CSD, 0609.

MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS

A combined administration report was linked to review. If you have questions, please ask one of the admininstrators or directors during the meeting. Thank you! Administration Report

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT REPORT

Quizlet about our district conducted by Anna Upah. Anna Upah led the board, administration through an activity that promotes team building, communication, and critique via a technology device.

FACILITIES:

Facilities Study Proposal

Facilities RFP Facilities Master Plan Benton CSD FY 20

Mr. Embray shared with the board rationale and focus document to further the discussion with the Board on District-Wide Facilities Study and Master Plan. The board discussed the possibilities of distribution of a request for proposal for this action at a future date. No action taken with this item, information only.

Action #36 CONSENT AGENDA

Dr. Ewell recommended the approval of the entire consent agenda. (Note: Board members can approve the consent agenda in its entirety. Typically, a consent agenda is approved as a whole. If one of the items needs to be pulled out and tabled, the Board has that prerogative.)

Suggested Motion: Approve the consent agenda as presented, including approving the denial of 3 open enrollment requests due to late filing. (No Names were spoken at the Board Meeting, but names were to be included in the minutes of the meeting.).

Motion by Nolte, second by Thompson to approve consent agenda as presented.

MOTION CARRIE ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

Personnel:

Resignations:

Lori Oberreuter – Associate, Success Center

Recommendations:

1. Hires –
   1. Holly Kimm – Sped Ed Associate – Atkins Center –
   2. Jill Ary – Sped Ed Associate – Atkins Center
   3. Valerie Chapman – Spec. Ed Associate – Norway Center
   4. Tina Vogt – Spec. Ed. Associate – MS/HS
   5. Billie Jo Zhorne – Spec. Ed. Associate – MS/HS
   6. Pat Gorkow – driving school vehicles, pulling trailer

1. ADDITONAL RECOMMENDATIONS
   • Tanager Therapists – contracted services
     1. Taylor Peterson – serving Keystone and MS/HS
     2. Emma Redington – serving Norway and Atkins
   • Sharing a school counselor with Vinton
     1. 2 days / week instead of 1 day/week

Contract Modifications Due to Educational Advancement-

Student Activity Trip Request Approvals – None

1. OPEN ENROLLMENT
   • Dr. Ewell recommends approval of the Denied Application for Open Enrollment for reason of — Application filed late.
     1. Cheyenne Fisher – Application filed late. Does not meet good cause.
     2. Damon Heeren – Application filed late. Does not meet good cause.
     3. Trevor Busenbark – Application filed late. Does not meet good cause.

Contracted Service FOR REGULAR EDUCATION:

Residential services for a student through Lutheran Services of Iowa, provided by Waverly Shellrock CSD. We are responsible for the educational part of this service.

Recover Health contract – nursing services for a medically fragile student.

1. FUNDRAISERS – for 2019-20

UPCOMING EVENTS

1. Superintendent information
   • Rough data – initial numbers requested by board members
     1. Buildings, classrooms, and space
     2. Student population
   • Professional Development – Sept. 18, early dismissal 1:00
   • Homecoming – Sept. 27
   • All Activities
   • Leadership team – admin. and directors – working with Iowa Quality Center – Sept. 25 – Leadership models and future work as leaders, capitalizing on leadership and how we get better at what we do!
   • Learning opportunities for the board at regular meetings
   • School Board Election timelines
   • Discussion – next meeting – naming rights with donations
     1. No policy specifically on this
     2. Do have policy on Gifts, Grants and Bequests – 704.6
   • Next meeting –
     1. Oct. 16 – 6:00 Work Session, 7:00 regular meeting
     2. Nov. 18 – 7:00 p.m.
     3. IASB State Convention – Nov.
        1. Iowa Association of School Boards – state meeting – Nov. 20-21
        2. Attending? Please indicate days, hotel needed, etc.… at THIS LINK
        3. I will register board members and we will book your hotel room.

Action #37 ADJOURNMENT: 9:25 P.M.

Motion by Nolte, second by Feuerbach to adjourn meeting.

MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE