BENTON COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 

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

BENTON REGULAR BOARD MEETING, WEDNESDAY, March 17, 6:00 PM 

DISTRICT OFFICE BOARD ROOM 

Vice-President Thompson announcement: This meeting is held electronically and in person as per Iowa Code Section 21.8 which permits a governmental body to conduct a meeting by electronic means. Public access will be provided to the extent reasonably possible. The notice of the meeting on our school website indicating the “place from which the communication originates and where/how public access is provided to the conversation,” and meeting minutes will be kept. 

Regular Meeting 

1. Call to Order: 6:00 P.M: 

Present: Meeting was called to order by Vice President Thompson, Becker (arrived 6:30 p.m.), Ludeking (on Zoom), Nolte (on Zoom), Stepanek, Upah, and Werning. A Quorum was declared present. 

Also Present: Tyler Brandt, Dr. Ewell, Dr. Bieschke, Doug Embray, Rachel Ireland, and Wendy Refstie. 

2. Delegations, Communications, Considerations of Additional Items for the Agenda 

No action. 

3. Open Forum 

Rachel Ireland shared with the board concerns regarding alleged unauthorized access to Norway Elementary. She also shared her concerns about food service staff regulations. 

4. Action Item #85 – Approval of Agenda 

Motion by Stepanek, second by Upah to approve agenda as presented. 

MOTION CARRIED 

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE 

5. Action Item #86 – Schedule Publishing and Hearing for Certified Budget – April 7, 2021 

Motion by Nolte, second by Werning to approve the Publication and set hearing date of April 7, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. for the Certified Budget Fiscal Year 2022 and Budget Amendment for Fiscal year 2021 for Publication. 

MOTION CARRIED 

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE 

6. Action Item #87 – 2021-2022 CALENDAR 

Dr. Ewell and Dr. Bieschke shared the proposed calendar for FY’22. Discussion focused on instructional hours, professional development, state requirements for collaboration, snow days, and impacts of COVID 19. Director Ludeking shared concerns regarding instructional hours and taxpayer sensitivity to student instruction. Director Stepanek offered that allowances for collaboration had positive impacts on student achievement during the pandemic crisis. Dr. Ewell suggested a future time in work session to discuss FY 23 calendar considerations, survey possibilities, and further input opportunities for calendar development. Motion by Nolte, second by Stepanek to approve the 2021-2022 school calendar. 

MOTION CARRIED 

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE 

7. School Improvement Report 

Deputy Tyler Brandt and Dr. Bieschke shared information on current efforts being made to incorporate the school resource officer position into the school activities and culture. Items shared focused on specific program efforts district-wide for student safety, promotion of positive habits, and positive choices. Handout provided. No action. 

8. Administration Report 

No action. 

9. COVID-19 Vaccine Update 

Deployment of a sophisticated coordination process with Benton Community Public Health to provide the COVID-19 vaccine. This past week, March 10, many employees were provided with the second dose. Additionally, many more employees will receive their second dose March 24. 

No action on this item – information only. 

10. Action Item #88 – Phone System 

Motion by Becker, second by Nolte to approve the competitive phone system quote from ITS Technologies for $47,823. 

MOTION CARRIED 

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE 

11. Action #89 – Collective Bargaining Agreement 

Motion by Becker, second by Stepanek to approve BCEA Bargaining Agreement with FY’22 wage 2.93%, total package 2.27%. 

MOTION CARRIED 

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE 

12. Facilities Update 

As weather has improved and snowpack is melting, various projects will resume work. High priority items include fencing, press box, bleachers, high slope roof MS/HS, and wood pole repair. Estimates continue to revolve around the $6 million threshold. EMC will be updating project funding in the next few weeks pending final estimates being processed with Perfection Restoration. No Action 

a. Van Horne Elementary 

The Board discussed options for use of the Van Horne Elementary facility. Review of current facility needs for improvement were shared. Merits of incorporating this facility into the current district work being conducted by OPN Architects was encouraged. If after the current study by OPN has concluded and “time” would be recognized to next action steps, direct wide, the board would like to consider possible options for rent, lease, or district defined use for this facility. No action. 

13. Action Item #90 – Preschool Playground Project, Request for Proposals 

Motion by Upah, second by Werning to approve that the Superintendent submit an RFP for preschool playground improvements. 

MOTION CARRIED 

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE 

14. Action Item #91 – Business Services 

Motion by Thompson, second by Nolte to approve the following policies as reviewed and revised. 

MOTION CARRIED 

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE 

15. Action Item #92 – Consent Agenda 

Motion by Upah, second by Becker to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. 

A. HIRES 

1. Patrick Schulte, Custodian, Norway Center 

2. Isaiahn Powell, Teacher (Business Education, – HS 

3. Ronald Banhart, Sub Bus Driver 

4. Heidi Keiper – 8th grade basketball coach 

5. Ashley Phelan – 7th grade basketball coach 

6. Andy Kauder – Co-Ed Bowling Coach 

7. Sandra Fribley – Teacher – Family Consumer Science and FFCLA Sponsor – 

8. Hunter Semelroth – Teacher – Science – MS/HS 

B. VOLUNTEERS 

1. Volunteer Golf Coach – Garrett Albers 

C. RESIGNATIONS 

1. Zach Samson, Middle School Science 

2. Zach Samson, Asst. Varsity Football Coach 

3. Erin Janss, Bowling Coach 

4. Kaitlin Botkin, 7-12 Family and Consumer Sciences 

5. Kayla Vogt, Spec. Ed. Associate 

6. Rebecca Owens – MS/HS Science 

D. SPRING ACTIVITIES PAY SCHEDULE 

E. MEETING MINUTES 

1. Board Meeting Minutes – 2/17/21 

F. CONTRACTS 

1. Cooperative Agreement – University of N. Iowa 

2. Agreement of Cooperation – Mt. Mercy University 

G. CONCURRENT COURSES 

1. Concurrent courses – changes from Kirkwood College 

MOTION CARRIED 

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE 

16. Superintendent 

a. Update and Report 

1. APRIL 7 board meeting – CERTIFIED BUDGET, HEARING FOR BUDGET 

a. Retiree recognition 

b. Approve bid for playground 

2. ESSER II funds and future ESSER III funds (one-time grant funds) 

a. GOAL #4 UPDATE: Facilities & Infrastructure Goals – Update 

1. March 24 – Community Facility tours – 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. 

2. April 14 – FSAC meeting, 6:00 p.m., HS Library 

3. April 28 – FSAC meeting, 6:00 HS Library 

4. May 19 – OPN presentation and update for the Board 

B. Resources 

C. Goal# 5 UPDATE: Marketing and Customer Satisfaction Update 

17. Action Item #93 – Adjournment 

Motion by Upah, second by Nolte to adjourn meeting at 9:03 p.m. 

MOTION CARRIED 

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE