6:00 Work Session
Superintendent Evaluation
At 6:06 Marliss Roberts called the meeting to order. Mrs. Brueck was not present. Coen handed the board some sort of packet that I didn’t get. Linda Garwood also provided a letter to the board that I didn’t get. Marliss asked Pat whether he wanted an open forum or not. He said the cabinet was welcome but not the public. They then went into closed session.
I. Call to Order – Welcome 7:20 p.m.
II. Pledge of Allegiance
III. Adoption of Agenda
Kendel motioned to accept. Garwood seconded. Agenda approved.
IV. Public Comments
Debra Gibbs spoke in support of the rehab of 1309 South 10th property. She’s really excited about the rehab of the property. Betty ? also spoke about approving of the property being rehabbed by the BHS construction class. She likes that the brush has been removed.
V. Public Hearing
2. BHS Chiller Replacement
No one from the public spoke. The hearing was therefore closed.
VI. Presentation of Investment
3. Great Western Bank-Jim Olson
He presented a check of $15,000 for the building and trades program. He commended Mr. Coen and his team on making this happen. If the program is a success, Great Western will provide funds again in the future. Coen thanked Great Western Bank.
VII. Consent Agenda
4. Minutes, Bills, Human Resources Report, and Gifts
Garwood moved the bills be paid. Hatteberg seconded. Kendell clarified that the special board meeting minutes were not provided in this board packet but will be loaded on line with other minutes. Approved. Bross abstained.
VIII. District Positive Accomplishments- TSA National Competition-Scott Thorne
Hannah and Spencer Brown spoke about going to TSA National Competition. Hannah brought her rubber band powered airplane. She described the events in which the team competed. Spencer made a bridge and placed 2nd at State and made semi-finals at National. They thanked the board for the financial support. TSA - technology student association. Bross asked him what he learned at nationals. Spencer said he learned to plan well and use materials and time wisely. Coen asked how the experience plays into the college plans. Hannah said she is in the engineering program at the high school and this gives her insight into engineering. Spencer wasn’t sure about what he wanted to do yet but he thinks this experience may have influenced him to choose engineering.
IX. Superintendent’s Report
He worked with late registration at the admin center. This will continue through September. He emceed the public library reading awards this summer. He enjoys this a lot. Its nice to be around kids who like to read. He completed explanation and expectations meetings with new employees and the SAM. He attended the Monday night Burlington City Council meeting about construction project. The City Council was behind it. He promptly made Joseph (son) go cut down trees on the property. He worked with parents about issues. He conducted a home visit. They held an administrative retreat which Sharon planned and implemented. He met the new teachers. He spoke to person from dept. of ed and confirmed that BCSD is not disproportionate. He credited Brenda Mitchell for the turn around. He worked with two students in regards to the upcoming welcome back at the auditorium. Anikka Cook will be a speaker at the welcome back at the auditorium. The other student , Cody ?, will be working at this too. The office was closed Friday due to an electrical issue at Admin. He sent the staff home. The football team will work at construction house to clean it for construction trades class. He let a student into Bracewell so he could get his senior pictures taken. Transitional kindergarten has low numbers. The class size may be too small to exist. They are going to get more students for this class. He encouraged voters to get involved and vote so somebody can’t sneak in as a write in. Parking at the auditorium for the welcome back will be limited.
X. Items for Discussion
5. BHS Chiller Replacement Bids
Kesterke presented info on this. He brought the bids in for the project. Six contractors for the pre bid meeting. They received four bids. Home Town Plumbing and Heating was the low bid. They did the boiler project at JMEC about a year ago. It went well. Garwood motioned to accept the low bid. Bross seconded, Kendell asked about the second lowest bid being from a local company. Kendell asked if we had experience with this company before. Kesterke used them when he worked with a different district. He said they were ok. Alliant is working on getting BCSD rebate on the system. Passed with Kendell voting against.
6. Special Education Delivery Plan
Brenda Mitchell presented. It’s a five year plan and must be turned in by the end of September per the state. It was devised by two different committees in different years. The only new addition on one page is adding info on early childhood education. We are moving to a co-taught preschool program. State of Iowa said we must provide the least restrictive environment for all grade levels even preschool. Page 4 - caseloads. Page 5 - no changes in delivery system. Page 6 - caseload concerns start off with the principal and then goes to Brenda. She thinks it should go to principal first. Back to page 4 - caseloads. This may be an area that may induce conversation. This has been vetted with se teachers on committee. Level I,II, III labels havd created communication problems. There was a confusion between the funding level and the educational level the student was at. Levels refer to funding more than services.
Robberts asked whether a student could have different level needs. The committee wanted to clarify the weighting and program labels. Licensure - instructional strategist I -can work with students with mild-moderate needs. Strat II (ID)- moderate to severe. Strat II (BDLD) - ??
Most students can be served by strat I. If student requires alternative assessment, teacher must be Strat II. Committee starting defining by licensure. The next change was to make more equitable the case loads. 20 students=20 weights. Previously teachers teaching level 3 students couldn’t have more than six students. There could actually be as many adults as students. Mitchell said we need to make students who aren’t too dependent on adults. Stratt II no more than 10 students no more than 27 students on roster. Strat 1 - 20, not exceed total weight of 27. Bross said the math doesn’t work. There was some discussion on this and he finally agreed it did. Brenda thanked people who participated on the committee balancing what is right for students while being fiscally responsible. They tried to make sure that teachers have what they need to do their job. Vickstrom asked about how students get into the system and then get out. Brenda gave examples of students who left special ed. She is working with BD teachers to keep kids in classes. They are working on a more inclusive model. This is not about the IEP but about the delivery model. It does not supercede what is written in the IEP. Coen said something about parents dissenting. He always encourages SE teacher to help the parent write the dissent letter. Bross moved to accept plan, Vickstrom seconded.
Passed..
7. District Assessment Plan
Sharon Dentlinger presented. She highlighted some changes on the assessments for the district. Testing has different purposes. Some are mandated by the state and some are diagnostic. Smarter Balanced still hasn’t happened. Its $29/student. Even the Iowa Assessment is going up because it is going to be an online test in the future. The one we use currently is cheaper because it is paper. Second science test will be developed in district and more targeted to the things we are teaching. This will be done over the course of the year. Kindergarten test was done five times a year. This will change because of the trimester system.
The assessment plan was shared with all teachers. All schools must give IA in the spring this year. Kendell - will the later date impact registration? Sharon - No.
XI. Board Communications
Garwood - Meeting tonight was loaded with positive info and excited about the new school year and program. We are following our mission statement and providing an education for all students. Thanks to all the hard work this summer.
Bross - Time the kids go back to school. Thanked Coen for diligence making sure that every student that gets a driving permit gets a warning about distracted driving. Thankful looks like getting ADA ramp finished at admin building.
Vickstrom - We need to thank everyone from faculty to admin. Importance of the school systems and get out and vote for the three people. Need everyone in the community behind the school system. Making headway with people we haven’t addressed before with construction class and food service classes. Marketable skills result in good lives.
Hatteberg - Thanks everyone for hard work getting ready for school year and in particular Great Western Bank and Mr. Coen and cabinet in leadership in putting out in innovative situations. A high school student said to her: I never lose. I only win or I learn. She challenged all to think the way.
Kendell - Thanks for investment by Great Western Bank. Appreciated the ladies that came and spoke about how much nicer the property looks already. He received an anonymous phone message complementing how the buildings and properties look. School will be starting, drive safely. Thanks to the staff for working over the summer.
Robberts - Thank you for maintenance workers and job they do. Buildings look great. Start dates : August 23rd. Start times are on the school websites and Facebook. Congrats on kicking off a great year. Thanks to Great Western Bank and the ladies that spoke about the house. Thanks to Mr. Coen and others that set up the police academy this summer. Thanks for getting tased Mr. Coen. Thans Garwood, Vickstrom, and Kendell for turning in paperwork to run for school board. They don’t get a monetary award for doing this. Thanks for expressing a desire to make a four year commitment again. Garwood - 24 years as board member. Encourage people to get out and vote for other offices and for school board. People don’t realize how many hours board members put in.
XII. Adjournment
Adjourn 8:28.
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