TO: BENTON COMMUNITY BOARD OF EDUCATION 

FROM: DR. PAMELA EWELL, SUPERINTENDENT 

RE: SPECIAL MEETING, WORK SESSION 

TIME: TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 2022, 5:30 P.M. 

SPECIAL MEETING, WORK SESSION 

PLACE: Central Office – Board room 

304 1st Street 

Van Horne, Iowa 52346 

SPECIAL MEETING 

1. CALL TO ORDER – 

The Special Meeting of the Board was called to order at 5:38 p.m. 

Directors Present: Directors Ludeking, Nolte, Phillips, Thompson, Upah and Werning. A quorum was declared present. 

Also Present: Melisa Venneman, Anna Selk, Dr. Ewell and Dr. Bieschke. 

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

None 

3. Action Item #178 – Approval of Agenda 

Motion by Nolte, second by Upah to approve the agenda as presented. 

MOTION CARRIED 

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE 

4. Action Item #179 – Board Adoption of Resolution – For September 13, 2022 Voter-Approved Physical Plant and Equipment Levy – RESOLUTION OF ELECTION 

Motion by Nolte, second by Werning to approve the Resolution of Election for a $1.34 voter approved physical plant and equipment levy to place this question to the voters on September 13, 2022, to be used for the purposes as authorized by Chapter 298 of the Iowa Code. 

The board vice-president called for a roll call vote. 

MOTION CARRIED 

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE 

RESOLUTION OF ELECTION 

Director Nolte introduced and caused to be read the Resolution hereinafter set out and moved its adoption; seconded by Director Werning; after due consideration by the Board, the President put the question upon the adoption of said Resolution and the results of the roll call vote were: 

Aye Nolte, Werning, Ludeking, Thompson, Upah, Phillips 

DIRECTORS 

Nay ___________ 

DIRECTORS 

Whereupon the President declared said Resolution duly adopted as follows: 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Benton Community School District deems it necessary and desirable that the District obtain additional funds through the physical plant and equipment levy to be used for the purposes as authorized by Chapter 298 of the Iowa Code; and 

WHEREAS, the District wishes to take action to allow voters to approve a Physical Plant and Equipment Levy consisting of a tax on all the taxable property in the school district of an amount not to exceed one dollar and thirty-four cents ($1.34) per one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) of assessed value in any one tax year for a period commencing on July 1, 2023, not to exceed ten (10) years; 

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Board of Directors of the Benton Community School District, in the Counties of Benton, Iowa, and Tama, State of Iowa, that the Secretary be requested to present the following question to the County Commissioner of Elections for presentation to the voters of the District on September 13, 2022: 

Shall the Board of Directors of the Benton Community School District in the Counties of Benton, Iowa, and Tama, State of Iowa, be authorized for a period of ten (10) years, to levy annually, as determined by the Board, a voter-approved physical plant and equipment property tax not to exceed one dollar and thirty-four cents ($1.34) per one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) of the assessed valuation of the taxable property within the school district commencing with the levy for collection in the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023, to be used for the purposes permitted by Iowa law? 

All resolutions or orders or parts thereof in conflict are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict. 

Passed and approved June 21, 2022. 

_Roy Becker ______________ 

President, Board of Directors 

Attest: Dr. James Bieschke , Secretary, Board of Directors 

BENTON COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 

PHYSICAL PLANT AND EQUIPMENT LEVY BALLOT QUESTION 

SHALL THE FOLLOWING PUBLIC MEASURE BE ADOPTED? 

Shall the Board of Directors of the Benton Community School District in the Counties of Benton, Iowa, and Tama, State of Iowa, be authorized for a period of ten (10) years, to levy annually, as determined by the Board, a voter-approved physical plant and equipment property tax not to exceed one dollar thirty-four cents ($1.34) per one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) of the assessed valuation of the taxable property within the school district commencing with the levy for collection in the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023, to be used for the purposes permitted by Iowa law? 

5) Susan Bowersox – OPN Architect 

Questions were provided to OPN architect Susan Bowersox and she responded to the Board questions. No action. 

6) Personnel – Tabled 

7) Action Item #180 – Elementary Desk ad Chairs 

We are in need of desk and chairs at each of our elementary centers. Dr. Bieschke proposed competitive quotes from 2 companies. Dr. Ewell concurred. Discussion ensued regarding 21st century furniture which will be considered as we determine future improvements. 

• Worthington Direct 
• Virco Sales 

Motion by Phillips, second by Upah to approve the competitive quote from Virco (quote #8266400) for the purchase of desks and chairs to be used in each elementary school. 

MOTION CARRIED 

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE 

8) Action Item #181 – Student Transportation Vans 

Our current vans have 235,000 and 195,000 respectively and are 10 yrs. old. We are in need of purchasing two vans for replacement. We are currently unable to order new vehicles through our local dealers due to inability to secure inventory. Tim Lyons, Transportation Director, has been pricing vans for the last year and believes the competitive quote 1 is the recommendation. Superintendent Ewell concurs with this recommendation. 

• Competitive Quote 1 
• Competitive Quote 2 
• Competitive Quote 3 
• Competitive Quote 4 
• Competitive Quote 5 

Motion by Phillips, second by Ludeking to approve quote 1 from Rallye Truck and Sales for the purchase of two (2) vans for student transportation. 

MOTION CARRIED 

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE 

9) Action Item #182 – Cell Phones 

Administrators are expected to use their personal cell phones for work and to respond to calls and text messages from the superintendent, staff, coaches, and sometimes parents. Administrators will receive a $50/month reimbursement for use of their own personal cell phones. Our AD receives a school paid cell phone. 

Recommendation by Phillips, second by Ludeking to approve $50/month reimbursement for personal cell phones use for school purposes. 

MOTION CARRIED 

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE 

10) Action Item #183 – Teacher Salary Supplement 

As per our requirements with the statewide Teacher Supplemental Salary amount and by recent state requirements, certified teachers will receive $375 (less taxes & IPERS) in June. 

Motion by Upah, second by Werning to approve the $375 Teacher Supplemental Salary for each certified teacher who receives a June paycheck. 

MOTION CARRIED 

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE 

11) Action Item #184 – Adjournment 

Motion by Werning, second by Ludeking to adjourn special meeting. 

MOTION CARRIED 

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE 

Meeting adjourned at 6:17 p.m. 

Work Session – June 21, 2022 

Susan Bowersox attended via Zoom. She responded to Theresa Ludeking’s questions 

FACILITIES MASTER PLAN – DISCUSSION DURING WORK SESSION 

Discussion 

CONSENSUS-building