6:00 p.m. – Regular Meeting
PLACE: Central Office – Board room, 304 1st Street, Van Horne, Iowa 52346
1. Call to Order – Meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.
Directors: Becker, Nolte, Thompson, Upah and Werning. Phillips arrived 6:15 p.m.
A Quorum was declared present.
Also Present: Dr. Bieschke, Dr. Ewell, Larry Carlson, Tim Lyons, Anna Selk, Melisa Venneman, Rob Arnold, Beth Grob and Tandi Brannaman.
2. Delegations, Communications, Considerations of Additional Items for the Agenda
None
3. Action Item #96 – Approval of Agenda
Motion by Werning, second by Upah to approve agenda.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
4. Action Item #97 – Calendar Committee
Mr. Carlson presented the calendar and background information regarding the calendar committee suggestions to administration and the superintendent.
Motion by Thompson, second by Nolte to set the date for the 2023-2024 calendar hearing to be December 21, 2022
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
5. School Improvement Report
Moved to Next month
6. Open Forum
No comments.
7. Action Item #98 – Bus Bid RFP
The District will need to go out for bids to begin the purchase process for 2 new buses for the 23-24 school year.
Motion by Nolte, second by Upah to approve the Request for Proposal to seek competitive bids for the purchase of 2 school buses.
a. Bus Specifications
b. Bus Specifications
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
8. Action Item #99 – Board Director District Map
The Board has reviewed the new board director district map.
Motion by Thompson, second by Upah to set the date for the Board Resolution for January 18, 2023.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
9. Action Item #100 – Facility Capital Improvements and Master Plan.
Tandi Brannaman provided a review of the Board’s progress.
Motion by Thompson, second by Nolte to approve the General Obligation Bond Petition and Bond Issue language as presented.
a. Petition and General Obligation Bond
Shall the Board of Directors of the Benton Community School District in the Counties of Benton, Iowa, and Tama, State of Iowa, be authorized to contract indebtedness and issue General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $48,500,000 to provide funds to build, furnish, and equip a new elementary building in Van Horne and to acquire and improve the site; to build, furnish and equip an addition to Atkins
Elementary building and related remodeling; to implement HVAC systems and safety improvements at the Middle/High School building; to remodel, improve, furnish and equip existing spaces in the Middle/High School building, including a secure entryway?
Directors Roll Call Vote: Becker – Aye, Phillips – Aye, Nolte – Aye, Thompson – Aye, Upah – Aye, and Werning – Aye.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
10. Administration Report
Information only.
11. Action Item #101 – Calendar Change
Motion by Thompson, second by Nolte to approve the calendar change from PK-6 Parent-Teacher Conferences on March 8 & 9, 2023 to February 28 and March 1, 2023 with early dismissal at noon and Parent-Teacher Conferences from 2:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
12. Action Item #102 – Fundraisers
Fundraisers – 2022-2023
Motion by Werning, second by Thompson to approve the 2022-2023 fundraisers as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
13. Action Item #103 – Early Retirement Plan and Resolution
Motion by Phillips, second by Nolte to let it be resolved that the Benton Community School Board will offer their early retirement plan for the 2022-2023 school year, ending at the finality of the 2022-2023 school year, for eligible employees and as per the plan details and requirements.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
14. Action Item #104 – School Budget Review Committee (SBRC) – Modified Supplemental Amount (MSA)
$207,213.12
Districts may make a request to the SBRC for a modified supplemental amount (MSA) (i.e. spending authority) for on-time funding (awarded in current year) if the certified enrollment count of the current year exceeded the certified enrollment count of the prior year. We are also requesting for the costs of providing instructional services to limited English proficient (LEP) students being served beyond the five years of weightings.
Motion by Thompson, second by Phillips to approve the request to the SBRC for modified supplemental amount of $207,213.12.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
15. Superintendent Retirement and Replacement
Board discussion was held and review of contract with Trent Grundmeyer
Stakeholder Survey
Application Period
Board Reviews Application Pool
Conduct interviews
Selection
No action taken.
16. Action Item #105 – Business Services:
General fund is stable with a positive fund balance. We have seen increased costs of goods and services but remain vigilant to compare quotes and find the most responsible pricing. Fund 22 (Management) experienced some increasing expenses for insurance coverage relating to workers comp premium and replacement value of our bus.
Motion by Nolte, second by Upah to Approve the warrants and financial reports as presented.
1. WARRANTS
4. FINANCIAL REPORTS
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
17. Policy Review – Tabled
18. Action Item #106 – Consent Agenda:
The Consent Agenda includes common topics.
*ALL HIRES ARE CONTINGENT ON BACKGROUND CHECK, PROPER LICENSING, AND RELEASE FROM CURRENT CONTRACT IF APPLICABLE
Motion by Nolte, second by Upah to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.
i. HIRES
● Chelsea Moser – Rehire – MS/HS
● Nathan Werning – Custodial
● Allison Bys – Assistant Bowling Coach – MOU
● Amy Fiser – Substitute Bus Driver
ii. Volunteers
● Adrian Erickson – Volunteer Assistant Robotics Sponsor
● Nolan Krueger – Volunteer Boys Basketball Aide
iii. Resignations
● Kim Straka – Food Service
iv. Meeting Minutes
● October 5, 2022
● October 19, 2022
● October 26, 2022
● November 2, 2022
v. Contracts
● College Community Special Ed Contracts
● Grundmeyer Contract
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
19. Superintendent Report
a. Bond referendum schedule
b. Upcoming Board Meetings
i. Dec. 7th, 6:00 p.m. Work Session
ii. Dec. 14th, 6:00 p.m. Work Session
iii. Dec. 21, 6:00 p.m., Regular meeting
● Introduction of 6 new teaching staff
20. Action Items 107 & 108 – Closed Session
a. 21.5(1)(i) – To discuss the purchase or sale of particular real estate only where premature disclosure could be reasonably expected to increase the price the governmental body would have to pay for that property or reduce the price the governmental body would receive for that property.
Action Item #107 – Motion by Nolte, second by Werning to go into closed session.
Roll call vote to go into closed session Directors: Becker – Yes, Nolte – Yes, Phillips – Yes, Thompson – Yes, Upah – Yes, and Werning – Yes.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
Theresa Thompson recused herself from this meeting.
Action Item # 108: – Motion by Werning, second by Nolte to come out of closed meeting.
Roll call vote to come out of closed session Directors: Becker – Yes, Nolte – Yes, Phillips – Yes, Thompson – Abstained, Upah – Yes, and Werning – Yes.
MOTION CARRIED
MAJORITY PRESENT VOTING AYE
No Action
21. Action Items #109, #110 and #111 – Closed Session
As per Iowa Code 21.5(e) To discuss whether to conduct a hearing or to conduct hearings to suspend or expel a student, unless an open session is requested by the student or a parent or guardian of the student if the student is a minor.
Present: Ariel Munch
Action Item #109 – Motion by Nolte, second by Upah to move into closed session.
Roll call vote to go into closed session Directors: Becker – Yes, Nolte – Yes, Phillips – Yes, Thompson – Yes, Upah – Yes, and Werning – Yes.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
Action Item #110 – Motion by Nolte, second by Upah to come out of the meeting.
Roll call vote to come out of closed session Directors: Becker – Yes, Nolte – Yes, Phillips – Yes, Thompson – Yes, Upah – Yes, and Werning – Yes.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
Action Item #111 – Motion by Nolte, second by Thompson to approve the consent agreement in lieu of expulsion with services.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
22. Action Items #112, #113 and #114 – Closed Session
As per Iowa Code 21.5(e) To discuss whether to conduct a hearing or to conduct hearings to suspend or expel a student, unless an open session is requested by the student or a parent or guardian of the student if the student is a minor.
Motion by Nolte, second by Upah to move into closed session.
Action Item #112: It has been moved and seconded to go into closed session.
Roll call vote to go into closed session Directors: Becker – Yes, Nolte – Yes, Phillips – Yes, Thompson – Yes, Upah – Yes, and Werning – Yes.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
Action Item #113: Motion by Thompson, second by Nolte to move out of closed session.
Roll call vote to move out of closed session Directors: Becker – Yes, Nolte – Yes, Phillips – Yes, Thompson – Yes, Upah – Yes, and Werning – Yes.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
Action Item #114: Motion by Thompson, second by Nolte to approve the student consent agreement, who is the subject of the school violation.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
23. Action Item #115 – Adjournment
Motion by Nolte, second by Thompson to adjourn meeting.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
Meeting adjourned at 10:23 p.m.
Jim Magdefrau 