BENTON COMMUNITY BOARD OF EDUCATION
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
TIME: JULY 20, 2023
6:00 p.m. – Regular Meeting
PLACE: Central Office – Board room 304 1st Street Van Horne, Iowa 52346
6:00 p.m. – Regular Meeting
1. Call to Order – Meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.
Directors Present: Director Kaiser, Director Ludeking, Director Nolte, Director Thompson, and Director Werning were present.
A quorum was declared Present.
Also Present: Rob Arnold, Melisa Venneman, Ryan Junge, Melody Spence, James Bieshcke, Shawn Pfiffner, Jason West, Katie Bauder, Scott Shaw, Laura Miner, and Phil Eastman.
2. Delegations, Communications, Considerations of Additional Items for the Agenda
None
3. Action Item #1 – Approval of Agenda
Motion by Werning, second by Nolte to approve the agenda as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
4. Open Forum
None
5. Action Item #2 – 2023-2024 Board Secretary Appointment
Motion by Ludeking, second by Kaiser to approve the appointment of Melody Spence as Board Secretary
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
Director Thompson administered the Oath of Office.
6. Action Item #3 – Appointment of Board Member – DISTRICT 4
Motion by Nolte, second by Kaiser to approve the appointment of Scott Shaw as Board Director for District #4.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
Board secretary swore in Scott Shaw as director of District 4.
7. School Improvement Report – Laura Miner
District Career & Academic Plan & Career Planning
The board reviewed a survey that was created with the help of Shive-Hattery as a draft for Board review. Discussion was held on needed edits. Item tabled pending further discussion and revision.
10. Action Item #4 – 2023-2024 HANDBOOKS
b. Elementary Student Handbook 23-24
c. Elementary Curriculum Manual 23-24
d. Secondary Curriculum Manual 23-24
e. High School Course Handbook
i. Changes Made to All Employee Handbook
Motion by Nolte, second by Kaiser to approve the handbooks as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
11. Action Item #5 – Business Services
Work continues to close FY’23 and open FY’24. We are also through Stage 1 &2 edits to the CAR with the exception of some receipting to date. General fund expenditures are higher this month due to 2nd semester open enrollment billing. There will be an increase in Fund 33 and 36 spending with summer projects and transportation expenses.
a. WARRANTS
b. ADDITIONAL WARRANTS
i. Additional July FY24 Warrants
d. FINANCIAL REPORTS
Motion by Werning, second by Ludeking to approve warrants and reports as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
12. Quit-Claim Deed
We are in the process of obtaining a survey of the land in order to officially process the quit-claim deed. This will be brought back to the Board when this work is completed.
13. Action Item #6 – Van Purchase
Mr. Lyons has provided quotes for three vans for the board to review along with a transport quote. Mr. Lyons would like to purchase 2 vans (quote #1 and #2) and have them delivered to Van Horne by approval of a transport company (van transport quote). These purchases will be made from our Sales Tax Fund if approved.
Motion by Nolte, second by Ludeking to approve the purchase of school vans in Quote #1, #2, and the transport quote or, if the vans are now unavailable, up to $60,000 per van.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
14. Action Item #7 – IASB Legislative Priorities
a. IASB 2023 Legislative Platform
b. IASB 2023 Legislative Priorities– there are 22 priorities and we must select 4.
i. Prior year priorities
1. Teacher Recruitment and Licensure
2. Supplemental State Aid
3. Mental Health
4. Expanding Educational Opportunities
My recommendation for Legislative Priorities
a. Teacher Recruitment and Licensure
b. Supplemental State Aid
c. Mental Health
d. Local Accountability and Decision-Making
Motion by Kaiser, second by Ludeking to approve the IASB Legislative Priorities.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
15. Action Item #8 – Consent Agenda
i. HIRES
1. Melissa Sherbon, Special Ed Associate, MS/HS – Recommendation
2. Gary Stearns, Food Service, Warehouse and Van Driver – Recommendation
3. Alissa Dengler, 7th Grade Social Studies – Recommendation
4. Kalli (Grieder) Phinney, 3-year-old Preschool, Keystone – Recommendation
5. Bethannie Fox – HS Cheer Sponsor – Recommendation
6. Lori Schlee, Sign Language Interpreter, Atkins – Recommendation
7. Rebecca Erger, Food Service, Norway – Recommendation
ii. TRANSFERS – Superintendent approved
iii. RESIGNATIONS
1. Kory Winsor, 7th Grade Social Studies
2. Lorie Towle – Van Horne PM Bus Stop Supervisor
3. Debra Eiler – Special Ed. Associate, Atkins Elementary
4. Shyanne Wiegel, Food Service, Norway
iv. GRANTS
1. East Central Region grant – $8,585 – mental health, Tanager, Go Guardian, Chris Norton
v. MEETING MINUTES
vi. CONTRACTS
1. Endorsement assistance (reimbursement) – Brooke Osborn
2. MOU with University of Dubuque
3. Grant Wood AEA Mentoring and Induction Consortium Agreement
vii. MEETING DATES
2. SIAC Meetings- September 27, 2023 – January 24, 2024 – April 3, 2024
Motion by Kaiser, second by Nolte to approve Consent Agenda as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
16. Action Item #9 – Policy Review
104 – Anti-Bullying/Anti-Harassment Policy Current Policy 104
104.R1 – Anti-Bullying/Anti-Harassment Investigation Procedures Current Policy 104.R1
New Policy 1st Reading:
402.05 – Required Professional Development for Employees
503.07 – Student Disclosure of Identity
503.07E1 – Report of Student Disclosure of Identity
503.07E2 – Request to Update Student Identity
Motion by Nolte, second by Werning to approve the policy revision and review as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
17. SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
a. Congratulations!
b. Trainer for activities
c. August 15, 2023 introductions of Board members to new staff (video?)
d. Invitations to August 16, 2023 all opening session/ staff welcome at 9 am
e. Beginning of the Year Schedule
i. Tuesday, August 15 – New staff orientation
ii. Wednesday, August 16 – opening session/ staff welcome and staff meetings
iii. Thursday, August 17 – PL – all staff at MS/HS for full day/ Beef Producers for lunch
iv. Friday, August 18 – Flex Day
v. Monday, August 21 – Open House (change in contract time to 11:30-7:30)
vi. Tuesday, August 22 – CLDT, Meetings, etc.
vii. Wednesday, August 23 – First Day & Board Meeting with new staff (if Board wants to change to the 23rd)
f. School Board Elections
i. First day to file nomination papers – August 28, 2023
ii. Last day to file nomination papers – September 21, 2023 – 5 p.m.
g. Facilities Update- building prep, carpet at Norway, concrete repairs, HVAC, handicap accessibility at Keystone, parking line painting, free tables from Alburnett.
18. Action Item #10 – Adjournment
Motion by Kaiser, second by Nolte to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
Meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Jim Magdefrau 