BEA notes from 9-11-17 Board meeting

School Board Minutes 9/11/17

1. Call to Order- Welcome
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Adoption of Agenda - 

1. Robberts - Moment of silence for 9/11 - special thanks for our special services. Motion Hatteberg - Second Bross - approved

4. Public comments

1. Miranda Coleman - Parent of students in the district who has concerns - Changes in the middles school especially at Edward Stone.  Administration changes that caused some people to leave the district and those administrators got replaced by a principal with one year experience and a person who was not licensed to be an administrator.  The schools got rid of RTC and structured study hall  - How is this going to impact students? This happened the last semester at Aldo Leopold and she feels that wasn’t as much time to evaluate how effective that change was.  When she looked at state report card, Ed Stone is doing well, while Aldo Leopold is not performing as well.  Why did we change that study hall time when we were doing well with it?  Why is the after school program the only time a kids can have a study hall?  Why did we remove RTC?  Teachers have to  handle the issues more, and she knows of one issue where the teacher kept the student that should have been sent out, which ruins the classroom environment.  Why would we change something that worked?  Why replace good administration?  Robberts - we cannot answer your questions now, but please talk with Mr. Coen and/or Mrs. Dentlinger and other board members to share your concerns.  They would be willing to sit with you.  Thanks for expressing your opinions, we want to help you.  Please leave your name and number with Mr. Coen or Mrs. Dentlinger.  No other public comments

5. Consent Agenda - Minutes, Bills, Human Resources Report,Travel  and Gifts

1. 21st century grant after school programs are being paid for by grant money?  Reynolds said yes - approved

6. District Positive Accomplishments - Homecoming Activities

1. Coen - Kennel is here tonight.  He loves their constant, cool, school spirit, and how the Kennel encourages the spirit of younger students. Matt Rowland - they are loud which is good for support.  Colby - What he most likes about the Kennel is how the upperclassman brought him and others in so they are not scared and can have fun. Tristen - it is cool to meet others and be apart of something to show spirit.  The Kennel then showed a chant - marching to the beat - gave direction for the board to follow (Let me hear your Grayhound Spirit…). Applose to follow.  Robberts - thank you for bringing the spirit here. Kendall - This makes a big difference for the teams when the Kennel is there to cheer the team on.

7. Student Representative Report - Matt Rowland

1. Lot of underclassmen are coming in and we want underclassman to get involved.  I saw the spirit growing up and wanted it be apart.  We felt like the leadership was lacking the last few years and we are trying to build it up to spread out of our boundaries, and bring more people up.

8. Superintendent's Report

1. Coen - This has been an emotionally trying week.  There was the loss of student at Blackhawk, which is always hard.  DACA was found unconstitutional and the ruling is in conflict with the BCSD mission statement.  He provided something in writing he wants the board to look at.  If he is going to make a statement about it, he wants to make it with the board over this issue.   Met with news source about the buildings trades class and some other student thing I can’t remember.  He did a forum with educational issues, met with Hawkeye and Silgin containers to build up a scholarship program.  This will be a future resource for our community. Former governor Vilsack’s wife will be at Ed Stone middle school to speak, and the BEF to be there to help.  We hope that she will help us out.  Greater Burlington Partnership wants to increase the significance of skilled workers in Iowa.  Invited Coen and Keane to DSM for some meeting that will have the dude from Dirty Jobs.  Plan on bringing building trade student.  Fertilizer plant willing to give us a massive amount of furniture for free. Mr. Reynolds will get the stuff appraised to give them the tax write off.  Attended the some school board forum thing.  One thing that was brought up was ways to get associates teaching degrees.  This would provide some pathway to get the education the need and help them stay in the district. ACT scores are back and we did well.  We did better than the state average.  We are doing well with that section of our students. He is willing to talk with board about what the numbers means, who it reflects, etc.  With the tragedy at Black Hawk, he found some positive things.  He came back to the high school one day and did not see one kid walking around.  This is a change from 3 years ago when he came into position.  We have some really bad days and we have to stop and see the good.  It never does any good to to dwell on the bad.  We needs to dust ourselves off and see the good and keep pushing.  AND… Americans get out and exercise their right to vote tomorrow from 12-8 pm. He mentioned the places to vote, and this will be the last year when the elections will not be on an election date.  If we don’t get people out then we get what we get.  He was not saying anything about the board (laughter around).  Be an informed voter.  This is for everybody in the city, property tax, dollars and all the people.   Kendall - You had a busy week.

9. Items for Discussion

1. Senator, and Representative Visit (Information Only) with Tom Greene and Dennis Cohoon.  Greene - The good and the bad.  It is good the be back.  DSM is a new learning experience and he is honored and pleased that he was elected.  There are a lot of tough issues.  We are not the federal government. We can’t make out own money, and we have had to dip into the reserves twice.  Farming communities will have to spend money, as well as manufacturers.  Education is a big portion of it,  K-12 and state schools.  We are dealing with the big money.  We have to prudent with the money.  It is your money and we need to move it where it is needed most.  Cohoon- Thank you.  This next year will be a difficult financial year.  We need to look at the priorities.  The surplus was six years ago is gone and used for tax cuts for companies, some not even Iowa grown.  Education is the most important for discussion. Iowa was one of the leaders in education when he started in the legislation years ago.  That has changed and other states are passing us, and we need to get back and make it a priority in legislature.  We are requiring public schools to do more with less.  The state wants more testing, but wants the schools to pay for it.  Other issues are taking funds from public schools.  Funding education is what he wants to see improve.  We haven't been over 4% since 1992.  Back then school aide then was up to 13% .  Now it is 1.1% and it has been decreasing.  You can’t keep underfunding schools and expect them to compete with other schools in other states or countries.  Then it is left to school boards to make the cuts ander there is no easy choice.  Currently at the the state level, it is just a straight party vote rather than a discussion to make the best choices.  Unfortunately, this next year will not be a great year for schools.   Water quality, health care, job training, and tax reform are all on the ticket.  Robberts - What unfunded band-aids are we going to have to deal with that are coming down the pipes?  What do we need to be prepared for?  Greene - That is why we are here to listen to you.  Pleased to see Coen to talk about the election - $200,000 to run this election.  When it is moved to the general election will save $6,000 (?).  Vouchers will be up for discussion and I am not a fan.  Educational Savings Accounts has benefits.  College saving accounts helps parents/students.   This is going to be a tough financial year.  It was hard to vote for the 1.1% ($40 million), it is not enough.  If the employment is up, then more can enroll students to the Burlington area.  He grew up to WB went to ND and his children all did well in BCSD and was pleased in their education and in public education.  I am for what is best for all students.  Vickstrom - If education is made a priority, down the road, what is a solution?  Greene - Jobs and economy to bring people to the community, to buy homes, and raise kids here.  We have to show them how good it is and they need to see how proud we are.  Vickstrom - We are slipping and it is obvious.  We have to look at 3-4 years down the road  and see what will work.  We need to look externally rather than internally.  What works well for other schools.  Cohoon we do need to look to see what others are doing, but we need to make education a priority.  We increased student aide by 1.1%, but the year before we cut 71 million.   We add it here but take it out over here.  Vickstrom -  We need school systems that will add skills to the community. - Bross there is a disconnect with Dept. of Ed. and schools.  He read something and something about Iowa’s enrollment doesn’t look to increase compared to other locations.  So the Dept of Ed is not going to fund the way it should.  Thank you for your input we need to know what is going to happen.  When you look at balancing education money, health care, and other issues, just know schools deal with mental health issues and other issues.  Don’t cut education.  Look at education as a holistic situation.  Hatteberg - If kids are struggling with issues in life, then they are not going to learn.  If we focus on it all, then we can do better.  We need to all work together.  Garwood - Smarter Balance, the state said not to do it and then decided to move towards it.  Cohoon -He wasn’t part of that discussion but the director of education is brought in from the governor and he/she will either go for or against the governor.   They are led by different members of the government, depending on who is in office.  It is too early to see how Reynolds is going to go, so it just depends.  Robberts - We encourage you to consider how Smarter Balance will affect students.   Please listen to other boards, SPED parents, other parents.  Some do a lot of research on these tests.   She has frustration on how the focus in on testing her child rather than teaching her child.  Kendall - He has frustration with the climate in the last year of education.  Education got beat up (funding, chapter 20, division of employees).  There is negativity towards education.  I understand that there were changes, but it is demoralizing to educators, families.  It was negative.  So this upcoming session, whatever you can do to improve this climate will be good.  Frustration is coming from teachers when classes are overloaded or they have to deal with other issues.  If Des Moines values education then they need to show it.  It should be the priority.  Improve the rhetoric and tone for the people who are out trying to get the job done.  Brueck - Vouchers? Greene - It will likely come up, but I am against it.  I have many meetings coming up and I understand the concern.  Education savings accounts, yes, vouchers, no.  Cohoon - The hold up on education savings accounts could be the dollars on it all.  Concern is the the republican party has overreached this year and it hurts education.  The change is too fast and too far. As for other bills, there is an online learning bill being talked about in the house and it opens up online learning to every district.  Not aware of the conversation, but wants to see the accountability of the program and cost.  He will keep an eye on it.  Does funding follow that student for the online learning?  Kendall - Penny tax to be extended?  Will it be extended until 2029?  How will that be funded/divided?  Cohoon - No guarantee where it will be spent. Depends on who is in office.  Garwood - Open enrollment funds (talking to Greene).  State and federal dollars follow the student but local money stays.  Greene - I still agree and Cohoon does too.  I agree with Kendall about the negativity, but there is dirtiness on both sides for the.  Let’s be civil.  Introducing a bill in January to solve open enrolment issue.  This year, 4 million of Burlington’s money is going to supplement other districts and that is wrong and we are working on that and trying to get bipartisan involvement.  Garwood - Many other districts are not facing the same magnitude of enrolment issues and we need to solve it.  Cohoon - something - Bross - we are property poor, we don’t get the rural… (Internet when out on hsteacher exactly at 8:00 pm- took a couple of minutes to get the internet back on - sorry for lost info).  Greene- Thank you all for your support and go out and vote and I support the three of you on tomorrow’s election.  Bross - Some story about Vicksburg Mississippi during the Civil War.  Grant was set to take charge of Mississippi.  Deadly ordeal over a month and and 90,000 people died.  What he got out of it was that all of them were Americans.  we are all iowans and have iowan children we need to support.  

2. Ballot for Great Prairie Area Education Agency Board Member to Director District #9

1. Coen - Her term expires soon.  She is the only choice unless we write someone in. Motion Vickstrom and garwood seconds.   Hatteberg - she will do a nice job.  Approved

3. Board Appointed School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC)

1. Sharon - Every fall to elect membership - board members, parents community members.  The list of members are provided, and meet 4 times a year.   Bross motion, Brueck second.  Kendall - How do they get involved?  Sharon - Principle recommendations and gets the word gets spread out.  Kendal - have you thought about spreading out to PTO groups and other people like that?  Approved

4. Bank Approval for Public Funds Deposited - TEFLPlus Program Resolution

1. TEFL -  Updates stuff for public funds and look at best options - Garwood motion and Brueck second.   Bross - Surprised that there are no Burlington companies for this.  Robberts - But we do have many local investments with banks, companies, etc. - Approved

5. City Donation of House for Buildings & Trades Class

1. Coen - We received a large donation toward the house.  The city offered to give the house and they gifted us the house for educational purposes.   Insurance is there too.  Hatteberg motioned, Bross seconded.  Vickstrom - Who is the project manager? Coen - Frank Miller and Company - Some guy I didn’t get the name of is the head guy.  Only 60 % is gutted, and once that is done, then he will do the rest. Vickstrom - Chain of command? Coen - I have the order and also the community involvement, unions are working with the college.  Vickstrom - I have seen projects fall apart without management.  Brueck - What happens after the house is built?  Coen - Working with Mr. Wagner to help families to pull in a family he is working with and find the family that best suits the program to take the house. What happens if they don’t follow through?  They have to kick the family out if they not do what they are supposed to do.  They need to learn they have to behave in a way according to the rules. Plan on continuing this year after year.  Focus is on the fundamental structure of the family.  This will lead to better structure and responsibility and lead to a better community.  Teaching the family skills to become successful.  This is a 10 - 20 year down the road mission.   There are members of the community who want to help with this.  We give a young person a mentor to help them through life.  Brueck - Bridges out of proverty? Coen - We are looking at Education something something.  Bross - are we okay with Dillan’s rules and landlord/tenant laws?  Coen will fight to make sure that we find people who will see this is okay.  We are not in line right now, but we are looking into it and I will fight for it.  There are lawyers who will work pro bono to help with such issues.  Kendall thinks we will see growth sooner, we saw it at a couple of school board meetings ago when people talked about how the neighborhood looked better already.  Coen - One of the objectives is, like Harmony church has a car to work program, to have rewards when they do well.  How empowering these programs can be when mom can become a homeowner and take responsibility for this.  Her kids can rewarded and go to the zoo.  The kids can see the mom work hard and study, and then learn from that.  The ministering community has done a wonderful job stepping up for our community.   Approved

6. Saunderson Park Lease with City extension

1. Coen/ Rynolds - We didn’t know we owned it.  Reynolds - Best interest of both parties to keep it.  Robberts - We are not out money, and the city maintains it.  Brueck motioned, Garwood second.  Bross - We own it, not the city? Robberts - Yes, it is an asset to the city and adds a park to the community.  Vickstrom - The city needs to know we own it and see that we are letting the community for it.  Bross - Liability, insurance? Robberts - It looks like the burden is on the city.  Approved

10. Board Communications

1. Vickstrom - Get out and vote, and lean on the Greene and Cohoon.  We need to get rid of the animosity and do what is best.  Make education a priority.
2. Brueck - Get out and vote for the three names.
3. Hatteberg - Acknowledge the $7000 plus for gifts.  Thank you Miranda for speaking your concerns from the community.  We need to create understanding between the community and board.
4. Kendall - Thank you Robberts for 9/11 moment of silence.  The younger generations have no memory of this event.  Matt thank you for the Kennel. Mrs. Coleman thank you for sharing your concerns and let us know.  Legislators thank you, they have a tough job and DSM anger is real.  Election tomorrow.  There are people who have fought for your right to vote.  The 6 here are first class people and have the goal of putting students first and.  I don’t think anyone at this table has an agenda and we are all working together.
5. Robberts - Today has great historical remembrance.  Never forget is an accurate phrase.  This was a productive meeting, and thanks for the Grayhoud spirit.   Thanks to the legislators who came. I hope they heard our concerns.  Appreciate community impact in input.  School board election tomorrow.  Thank you for putting your name in and spending all the hours that are behind the scenes.  Thank you with the greatest thanks we do this for no money.
6. Garwood - Appreciation for the gifts.  Huge thank you for student representative to remind us that we are all are grayhounds and your leadership to include everyone.  It is good to see that it is not just a student click on student council. Thank you to community and city with the help and support of our needs and give and take with their requirement.  Thank you Coen for his leadership and all for education.   9/11, my son was a marine at the time and thank you Robberts for helping us remember.
7. Bross - Grimes fun fest  is Sept 29.  Homecoming coming up, Sep 22 is the game and Sept 23 is the dance.  Thanks to the building trades and all the support.  SIAC committee thank you for serving.

11. Adjournment - pass