TO: BENTON COMMUNITY BOARD OF EDUCATION
FROM: DR. PAMELA EWELL, SUPERINTENDENT
RE: REGULAR BOARD MEETING
TIME: WEDNESDAY, May 17, 2023
6:00 p.m. – Regular Meeting
PLACE: Central Office – Board room
304 1st Street
Van Horne, Iowa 52346
SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNITION MONTH
RETIREE RECOGNITION
1) Call to Order – 6:00 p.m.
Directors: Roy Becker, Theresa Ludeking, Cynthia Phillips, Theresa Thompson, and Emily Kaiser.
Absent: Matt Nolte, Brenda Werning
A Quorum was declared present.
Also Present: Dr. Ewell, Dr. Bieschke, Mary Willhelmi and family, Barbara Mattison and family, Melisa Venneman, Shawn Pfiffner, Phil Eastman, Jason West, Tyler Maschino, Ryan Junge, Rob Arnold, Anna Selk, Melody Spence, Tyler Maschino and Deputy Tyler Brandt. Greg Kanz and Tandi Branneman joined via Zoom at 7:25 p.m.
Dr. Ewell recognized and thanked Board Members for all of their hard work and dedication to the district as this is School Board Association month.
2) Delegations, Communications, Considerations of Additional Items for Agenda
Addition of Cynthia Stamp resignation to the agenda and Aaron Cretin Supplemental coaching contracts.
3) Action Item #203 – Approval of Agenda
Motion by Phillips, second by Thompson to approve the May Agenda
MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
4) Recognition of Retirees
a) BARB MATTISON
b) MARY WILHELMI
c) DR. PAMELA EWELL
Board members recognized the dedication and accomplishments of the retirees. Cake and punch were served
5) Elementary Principal Introduction
Dr. Ewell introduced Katharine Bauder, new Keystone Elementary Principal, and her family to the Board.
6) Open Forum – None
7) School Improvement Reports
1. TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR
2. School Resource Officer
8) Administration Report
May 2023 Administrative Board Report
9) Action Item #204 – Curriculum Purchases – Mrs. Selk
There are a variety of resources in which teams have reviewed in different curricular areas for the year ahead. Feedback on the rationale for each curricular resource is listed. Each of the resources align with research-based practices and the Iowa Core.
Motion by Thompson, second by Kaiser to approve the curriculum purchases.
MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
10) Action Item #205 – Course Approval, Course Revision – Mrs. Selk
2023-24 HIGH SCHOOL COURSE BOOK
Course Change: CTE Math
Course Addition: School-to-Work Experience (Work-Based Learning)
Recommendation by Phillips, second by Kaiser to approve the CTE Math course change and the Work-Based Learning credit for students.
MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
11) Action Item #206 – 2022-2023 Graduates
Graduate List – Mr. Arnold
Motion by Kaiser, second by Ludeking to approve the 2022-2023 graduates.
MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
12) Survey Data – Dr. Ewell, Greg Kanz (Shive-Hattery), Tandi Brenneman (Shive-Hattery)
(Non-action item)
Post Bond Issue – Survey data & initial observations
Benton Co. (our school district area) = ~6,246 registered voters
# of people who voted March 7 = 2,224 (35%)
Hard copy Survey:
Surveys sent to 2,224 who voted
Returned: 787 or 35.3% of all sent out
a) Initial observations: The tax impact, economy and overall cost were the main factors influencing the way people voted. Closing Norway and constructing a NEW PK-6 in Van Horne were significant as well.
Discussion about deploying another survey this summer to all registered voters in the school district.
13) Action Item #207 – Instructional Support Levy Extension
The District will consider continuing our participation in the Instructional Support Levy Program which was authorized for 5 years and expires on June 30, 2024. Two meetings are required to complete action on a five-year levy. We will do these meetings in May and June. The notice of Hearing will be published in the newspaper and the hearing will be held June 21. The Instructional Support Levy is essential to our District as the moneys received are used for curriculum, supplies, teaching materials, textbooks, and other instructional items.
a) RESOLUTION OF INTENT TO CONTINUE PARTICIPATION
b) NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING
Motion by Thompson, second by Phillips to approve the Notice and Call of Public Meeting and approve the Resolution of Intent to continue participation in the Instructional Support Levy. The Public Hearing shall be scheduled for June 21, 2023, 6:00 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
14) Action Item #208 – Business Services
The Board will reviewed and considered the following warrants and financial reports.
a) WARRANTS
d) FINANCIAL REPORTS
i. GENERAL FUND
ii. ALL FUNDS REPORT
Motion by Phillips, second by Ludeking to approve the warrants and financial reports as presented.
MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
15) Action Item #209 – Consent Agenda
The Consent Agenda includes common topics.
*ALL HIRES ARE CONTINGENT ON BACKGROUND CHECK, PROPER LICENSING, AND RELEASE FROM THE CURRENT CONTRACT IF APPLICABLE
a) Hires
1. Katie Bauder, Principal, Keystone Elementary
2. Russ Thier, Substitute Bus Driver
3. Jacob Lacy, Custodian, MS/HS
4. Jeffrey Funk, Business Teacher, MS/HS
5. Taylor Warren, Eng./LA, HS
6. Dianna Duncalf, Atkins Food Service, Cashier
7. Bobbie Hilmer, 6th Grade Math Teacher, Norway
8. Brylee Bastion, 8th Grade Volleyball
9. Kim Fisher, Summer School, K-1, Keystone
10. Lauren Tandy, Summer School, 2nd-3rd
11. Brylee Bastian, Summer School, K – 1, Atkins
12. Jessica Bolar, Summer School, 2nd-3rd, Atkins
13. Aaron Cretin, MS Girls/Boys Cross Country Coach
14. Aaron Cretin, 8th Grade Girls Assistant Track & Field Coach
b) Transfers
1. Candi Benesh, Guidance Secretary, MS/HS
2. Krista Wiley, FS Position, Atkins
c) Resignations
1. Erika Hass, 4th Grade Teacher, Norway Elementary
2. Katie Nimtz, Special Education, MS/HS
3. Dawn Thys, 3-year-old Preschool Teacher, Keystone
4. Sarah Sellers, 2nd Grade, Keystone, Elementary
5. Emma Neighbor, MS Social Studies, MS/HS
6. Justin Liddle, Spanish, High School
7. Bridget Speer, Library/Media
8. Roxanne Sloan, Food Service, Atkins
9. Maria Olson, Preschool Associate, Atkins Elementary
10. Chris Chapman, PE Teacher, MS/HS and Keystone
d) Coaching and Sponsor Resignations
1. Justin Liddle, Asst. Varsity Girls Basketball
2. Justin Liddle, Spanish Club Sponsor
3. Mike Embretson, 7th Grade Girls Basketball
4. Mary Horst, Drama Assistant
5. Karen Brecht, Special Ed. Associate, MS/HS
6. Aaron Cretin, Asst. Varsity Boys Basketball
7. Emma Neighbor, Head MS Cross Country
8. Emma Neighbor, Asst. Coach, Track & Field
9. Bridget McWhorter, MS/HS Cheerleading
10. Isaiahn Powell, Asst. 7-8 Girls Track
11. Brylee Bastian, 7th Grade Volleyball
12. Chris Chapman, Asst. Varsity Football
13. Chris Chapman, Head Junior High Girls Track
14. Cynthia Stamp, Associate, Keystone
e) Fundraisers
Girls Golf Fundraiser
f) Meeting Minutes
April 12, 2023 Meeting Minutes
g) Contracts –
1. Tanager Therapist Support Agreement
a. Tanager Business Associate Agreement
2. Mentoring & Induction Agreement – GWAEA
7. Luther Memorandum of Understanding
8. GWAEA Letter of Understanding – VAST Science Program
Motion by Ludeking, second by Kaiser to approve the consent agenda as presented.
MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
16) Superintendent’s Report
Bond Vote and Facility Improvements
Regular Board meeting dates AND Professional Learning (DRAFT)
Matt Gillaspie – June 21 meeting
i. Review VPPEL options for the future, Sales Tax (SAVE) options for the future
Jun 21, 2023
-Dr. Ewell’s last Board meeting before retirement
July 19, 2023
-Dr. Bieschke begins as new Superintendent
17) Associate Superintendent Report
Review of needed equipment, possible repairs, technology
Staff i-Pads, Student Chromebooks
18) Action Item #210 and #211 – Exempt Session
IOWA CODE 21.9
A meeting of a Board to discuss strategy in matters relating to employment conditions of employees who are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement. I.C. 21.9.
Action Item 210:
Roll Call Vote to go into Closed Session: Director Becker Aye, Director Kaiser Aye, Director Ludeking Aye, Director Phillips Aye, and Director Thompson Aye.
MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
Board went into closed session at 9:13 p.m.
Action Item 211:
Roll Call Vote to come out of Closed Session: Director Becker Aye, Director Kaiser Aye, Director Ludeking Aye, Director Phillips Aye, and Director Thompson Aye.
MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
Board came out of closed session at 9:42 p.m.
19) Action Item 212 – Support Staff FY24 Wages and Salaries
Motion by Thompson, second by Kaiser to approve support staff wages and salaries.
MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
20) Action Item 213 – Administration Salaries
Motion by Thompson, second by Kaiser to approve Administration Salaries
MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
21) Action Item #214 – Adjournment
Motion by Phillips, second by Kaiser to adjourn Board Meeting at 9:44 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
Board Meeting adjourned at 9:44 p.m.
Jim Magdefrau 