BENTON COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE COUNTIES OF TAMA, BENTON, AND IOWA, STATE OF IOWA
BENTON REGULAR BOARD MEETING, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 6:00 PM
DISTRICT OFFICE BOARD ROOM
President Becker 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
- Call to Order: 6:00 P.M:
Present: Meeting was called to order by President Becker, Ludeking, Nolte (Zoom),
Stepanek, Thompson, Upah, and Werning. A Quorum was declared present.
Also Present: Jan Brown, Daniel Brown, C.J. Eilers, Dr. Bieschke, Dr. Ewell, Douglas D.
Embray, Maureen Arndt, and Gina Embray. - Action Item # 94 – Delegations, Communications, Considerations of Additional Items
for the Agenda
Dr. Ewell presented two additional items for consideration for the consent agenda:
Substitute Associate and HS Band Director Resignation.
Motion by Thompson, second by Stepanek to add items to consent agenda.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE - Open Forum
No public comment. - Action Item #95 – Approval of Agenda
Motion by Upah, second by Werning to approve agenda as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE - Recognition of Retirees
Board of Education recognized the following retirees with a retirement clock: Doug Embray,
Gina Embray, Jan Brown, Kathy Barta, Tom Leonard, and Maureen Arndt.
No action taken. - Action Item #96 – FY 22 CERTIFIED BUDGET
Motion by Thompson, second by Nolte to approve the FY’22 Budget setting tax rate of
$10.44 and affirming the FY’21 budget amendment increasing other expenditures of $6.2
million dollars due to district-wide storm damage.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
BENTON REGULAR BOARD MEETING
Page 2 – April 7, 2021 - School Improvement Report
Mr. Arnold and Mr. Junge presented information on alternate block/skinny schedule
implementation, development, and practice for the MS/HS. Discussed current study of
MS/HS efforts in study via “high school redesign” supported by GWAEA. Practical
application of study for content area courses, schedule adjustment in time due to Pandemic,
and future considerations for offering of a Virtual Online School Academy Success Center.
Board discussed differences in context of open enrollment status, home school participation,
at risk student population, and traditional student needs.
No action taken. - Action Item #97 – APEX
Motion by Stepanek, second by Thompson to approve the purchase of Apex for $17,000 – a
3-year subscription as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE - Administration Report
No action on this item – information only. - Facilities Update – No action
Restoration and repair have been hectic the last 15 days. We have met the expectation that
the stadium be open for our first spring activity track meet held Monday evening. Many of
our staff pulled together and made this happen. We want to publicly thank everyone for
working hard to allow us to use our stadium.
Remaining projects are continuing as scheduled with the warmer weather. We expect all
district ball fields to be ready by the start of “town” ball seasons. Roof work at the MS/HS
will become more visible and will impact access in some areas for the short term. Current
work schedule has the MS/HS Roof High Slope completion to be June 30, 2021. Bleacher
work will begin at the softball and baseball fields in the next couple of weeks. Dr. Bieschke
and Dr. Ewell have been working on some really nice signage for the MS/HS. General
building, fitness center, and stadium. Vendors will be starting installation in the coming
week. We have some general cement repair to the sidewalks and the driveway areas at the
MS/HS to begin next month. The plan is to have this work complete by graduation
weekend.
Van Horne Elementary:
Executive Summary: OPN has this on their list to assess. Expect to see a report from them
sometime during the facilities study process. - Action #98 – Student Fees/Online Processing and Receipting Software
Motion by Ludeking, second by Stepanek to approve the purchase of InTouch as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
BENTON REGULAR BOARD MEETING
Page 3 – April 7, 2021 - Action Item #99 – Preschool Playground Project
Motion by Ludeking, second by Nolte to approve the bid for the Atkins playground
equipment to Cunningham Recreation/Game Time playgrounds at THE BID COST OF
$56,248.31. Board approved the superintendent moving forward with replacing other
playground materials such as curbs, rubber tiles, mulch, trike area, and fencing.
MOTION CARRIED - Action Item #100 – Business Services
Motion by Stepanek, second by Upah to approve warrants and financial reports as
presented.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE - Action Item #101 – Consent Agenda
Motion by Upah, second by Becker to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.
A. HIRES
a. Lauren Tandy – Elementary Teacher – assigned to Keystone Elementary Center
b. Lacey Johnson – 5 – 6th Band Teacher – assigned to Norway Intermediate Center
c. Shelley Flack – Sub Associate
B. RESIGNATIONS
a. Tracy Rodman – Elementary Teacher
b. Jill Martin – Elementary Teacher
c. Cynda Mehlert – Preschool Teacher
d. Conner Tipping – High School Band Instructor/Teacher
C. MEETING MINUTES – 3/17/21
D. CONTRACTS - Hands Up Communication
Motion by Upah, second by Ludeking to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE - Action Item#102 – Policy Review
a. Policy 206.7 – Board Security and Protection
b. Policy 208 – Ad Hoc Committees
c. Policy 208E1 – Ad Hoc Committees Exhibit
Motion by Thompson, second by Nolte to approve policies as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE - Superintendent
UPDATE & REPORT - Brief overview of our inclusionary practices (culture, racial, inclusive practices, equity).
- ESSER II funds and future ESSER III funds (one-time grant funds) update
i. GOAL #4 UPDATE: FACILITIES & INFRASTRUCTURE GOAL – UPDATE - March 24 – Community Facility tours – 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.
- April 7 – OPN presentation, update for Board (changed to May 19)
- April 14 – FSAC meeting, 6:00 p.m., HS Library – review assessments of MS/HS & Norway bldgs.
- April 28 – FSAC meeting, 6:00 HS Library
- May 19 – OPN presentation and update for the Board
ii. GOAL #5 UPDATE: MARKETING AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION – UPDATE - ✔ Acquire Apptegy – begin development, rollover late spring/summer – in
progress - District informational/promotional booklet – almost complete – DRAFT
- Promotional and informational video clip – in progress
- ✔ Newspaper stories with Cedar Valley continue – see 3-ring binder
iii. Demographic Study update - Action Item #103 – Exempt Session
The Board discussed strategy in matters relating to employment conditions of employees who are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement. I.C. 21.9 Certain negotiating sessions or strategy meeting when the meeting falls within the exemption of Public Employment Relations Act I.C. 20.17(3)
Exempt session start: 8:10 P.M.
Exempt Session Open
Motion by Thompson, second by Ludeking to approve the wage and salary increases as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE - Action Item #104 – ADJOURNMENT 10:25 P.M.
Motion by Upah, second by Thompson to adjourn meeting at 10:25 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
