I. Call to Order – Welcome 7:00 p.m.
II. Pledge of Allegiance
III. Adoption of Agenda- athletic conference moved up after broken centrifuge contract- 8 moved up to 4
IV. Public Comments
The Board encourages citizens to attend its meetings. Citizens have this opportunity
to comment on issues and concerns (Policy 210.9 & 213)-
Tracy Leone- Teamsters 238- busdrivers since 1978- district offered to gut except for budget issues- no excuse for gutting contracts- union busting- current contract allows district to manage staff- and schedule- approach is not necessary- contracts create stability for the staff and district
District is permitted to negotiate still- respects drivers? Negotiate differently. If you want to prove you respect workers- IA city- they thought union busting was a good idea- Iowa City board changed after it came out.
Our bus drivers carry our most precious cargo- the students.
Jesse Case- Teamsters- from Iowa City- represent bus drivers- state legislature made sweeping changes- mandatory topics prohibited and some permissive- put in board’s lap- overreach to bargain insurance- allows board to overreach even more- cut law for nursing home inspections- boards decided to cut further than they had to- Why would the board do that? It’s bad for our families and our communities- district’s mission is to inspire students- breaking labor relations isn’t inspiring. Why would you over reach at a point when the law has already over reached. Maintain labor relations the way it has always been. Not inspiring to students.
Liz Sanning- proud employee and resident of Burlington- great place to live- rich with hard working people- regardless of how others may see our city. Our district is a microcosm of our community. Burlington has lost population- so have we- we have to have best education- no easy solutions- have to reduce spending- possible reduction in employees. Weighs heavily on each board member. Encouraged to see Mr. Courtney’s item about adding permissive items back to our contracts- adds honor back to our employees- respect for we the employees for BCSD.
Ryan Drew- lifelong BHS resident- trades program- come as citizen and president of des moines henry county labor alliance. Support. Don’t want to presume they know what the district wants. Fights and attacks on men and women- happening across the state. What cities and boards can reward among the group. How do we reward excelling workers and teachers. We don’t hear the upside. It’s an attack on our workers. Eliminates democratic process. 42 years with no major conflict. Remember how board is only temporary caregivers- Leadership- look at yourselves as leaders- workers rights- stand up to bullies- fight against them- speaking up against bullying- fellow child who is taking advantage of another student. They can do it. Previous board actions- gut collective bargaining. Unilateral decision to eliminate that process.
Success to leadership is a partnership with management. Embrace the challenge and help.
Support resolution to re-enact language. Err on the side of the workers.
Joel Sieren- represent BEF- update on what we have going on. 2 weeks from today giving out 1000 books to children. 1000 books in fall. 1000 books in fall. Feb 26- 12-1. Approved 50k in scholarships. Approved 25k in teacher grants. Gave 30k to pieces program. Over 100k to support children in district. Appreciate what you guys do.
V. Consent Agenda
2. Minutes, Bills, Human Resources Report, and Gifts- moved by Kendell- approved by Courtney. Noted 1.5 mil payment to west burlington schools by Kendell.
VI. District Positive Accomplishments- Recognition of Saturday School Staff- Coen- BILA not here. Sharon introduced Keane. Several teachers who give time to work with students. Keane started it. Director Vickstrom comes a lot. Kalina, Reid, Kehoe, Vickstrom, and Keane. Students come, bring work if they need help. Buy donuts and juice. Sometimes it’s social. Sometimes its academic assistance. Anyone is welcome to come. Gives students extra help if they need it. Held in BILA- west side of IA building. Keane didn’t know this was on there.
Robberts thanked Keane and Vickstrom for their volunteerism. Dean just goes for the donuts.
VII. Student Representative Report- Matt Rowland- swim meet- had 5 male swimmers go to iowa city for the meet- swim team is building. Too fast to catch- broke school records. 1st year held in aquatic center in iowa city. 2 wrestlers qualified for state. This week is vice versa week. Dress up days and dance. Pro Start Culinary invite coming up. Winner goes to nationals.
VIII. Superintendent’s Report- Coen- Fastest kid in history of school. Over 3.5, 47 credits- matt is a fine example for young kids. Dream catchers- working with loebsack’s office- matt working to help the vet- he’s an outstanding young man. Hospice appreciates dream catchers.
Got a call from Hawkeye about e rate stuff. Kesterke driving around checking roads and schools. Board update has links- if you don’t know how to work links he gave instructions.
Ed Stone- congratulated swim coach. Link for ERIC- search engine- research is a rabbit hole. Need to make sound decisions. Case study- winning the game and it’s not a game- about attendance. Attended 2nd crime task force- discussed with chief beard- working diligently at addressing issues that are in our community. New guy ellis from hawk eye- if you’re not involved in crime in burlington, you’re safe. Attended SCC luncheon. Talked about cost of concurrent enrollment. We can increase opportunity for students to increase opportunities for students to take class. 1 cent sales tax- allow districts to scoop into that. Overwhelmingly- superintendents were against this. They want to build build build. Wants penny back- we could use to help our children. Calendar is ready to go. Follow up on discussion with high school- food service audit. Member Vickstrom- staggering issues we have here- Coen’s mom- hose came off washing machine. I’m writing to the board about my own parents- health issues we’re facing. Insurance rates and all those things. Called Great River- anyway I can help with initiatives. Aging population- it’s not open enrollment. Fewer kids. 2.8 kids per family to 1.8. Average age in burlington is 40. We have a great school, problem is the demographics. Greg continues to work diligently concerning health care costs for our employees- pay could be much smaller than it was last year. Greg is getting after it. Great river conversation- local medical services- iowa city and genesis. Great river stepped right up and said how can we help you.
Congrats to swimmers and wrestlers. Do the right thing for our public. Vickstrom- do we have an idea on what the cost is to us- Greg- we haven’t got official renewal yet. We don’t know the numbers yet. It may be between 25-30%. Looking at all options and ways to reduce costs. A heck of a burden (dean said).
XIV. Items for Discussion
3. 2018-2019 Calendar Recommendation- Brenda- online feedback went very well. 402 respondents. Over half from staff. 47% from students and parents. 14 member committee. Met 3 times. Looked at all of the comments. Spoke in favor or against the high lights. Difference had to do with spring break. Other ended in may.
Committee looked more closely at online ranking of the two- those that ranked two highest scores- 32% of respondents picked 1. 32% said 4 and 5 on a scale. 130 people very much liked or liked calendar one.
Last year we had a lower number. Brenda is happy with the response.
Vickstrom- half days?
Brenda- half days are listed as full days on the calendar
Coen- try not to bus the kids for half a day and then bus them home.
Mitchell- draft 2- 187 people- 46% were in favor. That’s why they’re recommending. There were 2 to pick from.
Applauds the calendar committee.
Proposal is draft 2. Starts aug 23. No spring break. Time around easter. Ends may 29.
Bross- noticed a correction that needs made.
Kendell- were staff notified that they could vote- we got a notification we could vote. Were staff notified at the front end. That was the calendar committee. Committee got feedback from the buildings. Kendell voted.
Kendell- staff go from jan 21 to march 19- no days off. He’s concerned about that. The plows in the ground- Coen says.
If this is something the staff chooses, he doesn’t want to argue against it.
Bross moved for approval- 2nded by Kendell. Passed unanimously.
4. Broken Centrifuge Contract for Soccer & Football 2018-2020-
Shay two different options- 3 year or 5 year. Football goes up per game 100. 950 per game- had to add equipment. Lock in for 5 years or continue to go with 3 years. No problems whatsoever. Great working relationship.
Moved by Kendell for 5 years. 2nded by Courtney. Bross ?s- can we terminate if something goes wrong- shay doesn’t know. Gets paid as accumulated- we don’t pay it all upfront. Vickstrom- Is there another vendor that would do the same thing. Shay- maybe-
Coen- Bob Bensmiller in Mt. P- his equipment isn’t as good.
Kendell- it’s impressive- can we get streamed live? Shay says he doesn’t know why they couldnt. Comes out of general athletic fund. Can we get sponsors for live streaming for games. Contract says internet streaming is available at no cost.
Kendell- it would be nice to do. Shay is concerned would lower attendance.
5 year passed unanimously.
8. New Athletic Conference- Coen and Keane presented to SE conference. We want to get out of Mac and join SE. Trying to get Ottumwa to join. In July, Ottumwa not ready to make move. Coaching staff with Coen and Keane- thought it was time to get out of Mac- change trajectory of athletic program. AD at Mt Pleasant- SE allowing burlington to come in. asking Coen to draw up a formal letter to give to MAC and SE. 2 year process to leave the Mac. 2019-2020.
Robberts- does this affect seasons of sports. 2 sports that in 4A and 3A compete in different seasons. Golf is flipped in 3A. Swim we would keep nonconference meets. Every other sport lines up same as a 3A school.
Coen- talk about declining enrollment. 20 students from being 3 A this year. trend from 1980. We will most likely be a 3A school. Top schools in mac are almost twice as big as we are.
Would allow students more time in class. Less travel time for teams.
Kendell- extension of middle schools. Creates long term rivalry. Are coaches concerned about changing sports? Everything has been positive from our side.
Motion to approve- Vickstrom, 2nded by Courtney- passed unanimously
5. Poggemiller Productions Contract- production sound- continuation of services for graduation. We have used in previous years. How does cost compare? Greg- he believes it’s the same. Is there a cost increase? Greg looking. It’s the same.
Moved by Bross, 2nded by Kendell- passed unanimously.
6. Request for Public Forum Chapter 20- Coen- need to do as a board- discuss- if we are, then where and how? Cabinet’s responsibility- opportunity for board to decide do they want to have a chapter 20 meeting. If they do, then the cabinet has to make it happen.
Mr. Courtney moves, Vickstrom 2nds. Discussion.
Courtney- legislature did things he didn’t agree with. Mistake by them. Took everything else out. That’s what makes a job liveable. Things that are in the handbook. It was wrong to make that move. 20% of schools in state didn’t do that. 50% didn’t. IASB said 50 didn’t. They’re getting along fine this year. We would heal problems with employees and board. It’s all going to be negotiating. During all the years we had a contract. It’s a document worth keeping and expanding.
Vickstrom- he was a teacher before we had collective bargaining. Contract had predictability. Handbook leaves it up in the air. Collective bargaining allows sides to come to an agreement. When it was all said and done, both sides had a part in it. He’s stubborn. He wants to be part of that process. Educators are reasonable. Trying to inspire kids. Diminishing that is a sad situation.
Robberts- other thoughts?
Bross- request is to have a hearing on Ch 20. Hearing would imply someone needs an education on the topic. We have had legal advice. He read the law. This board is educated on the subject. We know the facts. Some of the things that have been said- talk down to the board as if we don’t know what is going on. Hearing would imply something needs fixed- not convinced something needs fixed. Handbook is working. LMC is functioning. Doesn’t see a need to fix. Disappiontedi in claims that have been brought about in union busting. Inappropriate. Didn’t get elected to be partisan. Wants what’s best for kids and board. It’s not union busting. Board meeting in public.
Robberts reminds public to be quiet.
All of us don’t always agree on comments that board members make. Nor do we attack board members. Bross apologizes for interrupting you. You have to right to express your thoughts.
Bross is concerned that partisanship has crept into the process. Not good for staff.
For those points, he’s not understanding why we need a public hearing. This is not the venue for that. Legistalure put the rules in place. That’s not our issue here. Our issue is we need to do what’s best for the kids. People don’t like chapter 20 as it’s written. No point in having a hearing.
Kendell- tends to agree with Bross about we don’t need to have a public forum. Our emails are public. Nothing secretive about it. We discuss and answer emails. Doesn’t know what a public forum would do. Spiral of negativity. Why are we on the receiving end of negativity. Following what the state said. We never said to strip rights that teachers had. Board wanted to protect teacher’s rights. In the handbooks we did that. What’s broken? What needs fixed. Sympathize. I’d be upset if I were an employee. Where are we mistreating people.
Mr. Reynolds up to 25-30% increase in insurance- budget topic- we would have to reduced more staff members to pay for insurance. Previous process wasn’t perfect. Willing to give handbook time.
Doesn’t mean to see reason to hold a forum. What’s wrong with the handbook.
Courtney- don’t need a meeting to discuss it. He wants to reinstate the language. Doesn’t understand why see if there’s a problem. We don’t have a contract anymore. The board isn’t partisan. It’s local control. In his view- he believes- he’s a union man- he’s biased- we have taken away our employees rights to have a voice in their jobs. He thinks the board is wrong in what they did last year.
Kendell- one or two specifics at a time. Negotiate those at the time. Don’t do it wholesale. Put us back where we were. That wasn’t the best option for burlington.
Vickstrom- was everything a problem.
Coen- has the language of what it used to be. Comparison between then and now.
Robberts- hasn’t given appropriate notice. She is concerned- doesn’t know that a public forum is an appropriate vehicle. Our staff members have come and said they have nothing. Has had several members who have voiced concerns. Staff feels district can do whatever they want. We need to educate staff on what is there. I have no seniority now. She knows that seniority does matter. A recent hiring decision. People are not understanding that the handbook does have specific items in there. Like Brueck and Hatteberg expressed, we haven’t educated our staff well enough to know that the handbook is good. We need to refine it and make edits with staff input. How do we address specific items. LMC worked together between management and staff. When people say public forum, it implies people don’t reach out to them. Concerned because there are inaccurate perceptions.
We as a district need to do something to correct those, and educate our staff. There are still things that matter. Such as how seniority comes into play. How changes are made to lanes and what policies are. When someone tells them that they have nothing. She doesn’t want them to think that. We want them here.
Health insurance is looking grim. Doesn’t know that a public forum is the answer. If there are issues that aren’t being resolved, we need to step up.
Courtney- there are so many questions that apparently haven’t been discussed before.
Robberts- we aren’t doing an adequate job of what is there. There isn’t an understanding.
Courtney- maybe that wouldn’t be a good time.
Bross- why can’t they do that anytime. Not important.
Kendell- hopes employees feel comfortable asking hr and admin. Employees don’t realize what rights they have. Have hr draw up a document.
Board members can’t give those answers.
Vickstrom- fear of the unknown- you don’t know what the issues are. He doesn’t want a bitch session. Something proactive. Looking for positive returns. He doesn’t understand what we have. He doesn’t get what’s in the handbook. If board doesn’t know, how can employees know.
Bross- that’s not a public forum. He just doesn’t see it. We could attend if we wanted to.
Coen- if cabinet did a training- to educate staff on the handbook.
Courtney- if you look around this room- lots of employees are here- to ask and see what the board is thinking.
Kendell- you make a good point. Would like to see. This topic is so dominating education is in burlington. Distracting to staff trying to educate students. Need to settle that down. Cabinet isn’t looking for an additional task.
Courtney- what was the reason for creating the handbook- Bross- point of order- is this part of this motion
Robberts- doesn’t know if it is
Discussions held in exempt session. Those are exempt. Not open record. Not going to ask question.
Courtney- can’t say it?
Robberts- each board member doesn’t have the same answer. There was discussion that staff had something to refer to. A guide. Something to assist and clarify. Discussion with legal counsel.
When was handbook approved- july 17. Passed unanimously.
Any further discussion?
Nope.
Courtney voted aye, vickstrom abstained. Everyone else nay.
7. Request for Public Forum Declining Enrollment- Coen- document that compiled demographics changes in burlington.down 17.5 mil. Main change has come in population shift. Age of population. It’s not open enrollment. It’s less people. University of iowa- turn open enrollment around. Get out of mac. Issue is not open enrollment. Just fewer children. 200 less kdg, 200 less 1st, all the way up. Look at Dakotas. 10 school districts gone in the last 3 years. Iowa doesn’t have as many people as they used to. No need to bring people in to talk about it.
Courtney- ton of emails from people- happy with emails board members are getting. Willing to use emails- doesn’t want a complaint session. We need to pay attention to the complaints and emails we are getting.
Coen- we got 2 additional police officers- perception is that we are much worse than we are. Issue is multifaceted. Poverty levels. Disease. Ball of humanity. Working diligently at improving that. So complex- emails are forwarded on to coen. Robberts thanks Coen for dealing with the issue within a few hours. Following up on each concern.
Vickstrom- where is our are of development. Coen goes to the meetings. Gets asked to participate in special meetings.
I stopped listening for a little.
They’re going to put the white house ramblings out as a president.
Public- keep the emails coming.
Kendell- we got a good number of emails. He responded to all. The board isn’t a faceless person.
Hopefully emails will continue. Kendell- open enrollment is a problem. We can’t take our eyes off of. those neighboring districts will recruit more.
Coen- we have to continue watching open enrollment. Intel counter intel. There are people that stand to gain money by tearing us down. We have to get our message out. Uses matt rowland as an example of a good kid.
Courtney is complimentary of the schools.
Robberts encourages more emails.
9. Budget Proposal-
Reynolds- previous work session presentation- talks numbers
Recommendations in the agenda- mitchell and 2 secretaries- computer lab associaties- TK and assoc- elem art pos .5- 2 elem teaching- assist athletic dire- hs extra duties- added 200k from cash reserve to balance the budget.
Robberts- last couple weeks- board members visited elementaries- would like to thank the principals- understand eliminating spec services position. Gives more work to elem admin. The admins all stepped up and didn’t complain. Robberts commends them.
Teachers were good and talkative- sad to see the computer lab associates eliminated- they were being used in the buildings.
TK is a good concept. Don’t know that cost with num students justifies that. Autism room at corse- k2. Level 3 rooms at blackhawk. Many of the principals indicated they can hold back kdg. Sad to see rest of positions go, also. Not targeting them with cuts. Last year we targeted high school.
Courtney- at last meeting- do we need an asst athletic director. Coen says ms principals and assts will cover those.
Admins can do that. We were not required to have the position.
Courtney doesnt like giving up the TK.
Vickstrom- how many retirees were classroom teachers- 4. Will those positions be filled? Yes, they will.
They will all be filled. If we don’t, we would save more.
Health insurance increases concerns robberts. We had to use 120 to keep secretaries. We can’t eliminate those. 80k from cash reserve- add that into insurance.
Greg- once we receive renewals- 280k went toward insurance last year- anything we can apply to that we will.
Is it essential that we list a number?
We won’t have health insurance numbers for a while.
Robberts- not trying to use all our cash reserves.
Bross- problem is that health insurance will go up.
Bross would rather go higher than 200k.
Vickstrom- duties reduced at hs- duties will be reassigned with others.
Pain shared throughout the system.
Kendell- half time art savings- 22k
Bross- moves that cuts as listed are approved, with 250k from cash reserves are used with balance going to health insurance.
2nded by Kendell.
130k applied to health insurance-
Bross- had same question about TK- felt like we could handle it pretty well.
Computer lab associates- they are used to offset planning time and cohorts? That is correct.
Are we still going to be able to do that? It will appear in different times. Some reduction will occur.
Kendell- appreciates the motion. Hope they read that motion carefully.
Robberts- thanks elem staff that feel they are getting hit by this. Relationships at elem are amazing. Kids there are great and they’re learning a lot. Good to see that.
Passed unanimously except for Vickstrom.
10. Closed Re-Admission Hearing
11. Closed Re-Admission Hearing
12. Closed Re-Admission Hearing
13. Closed Re-Admission Hearing
14. Closed Hearing Expulsion
X. Board Communications
The members will have the opportunity to share items and events.
Kendell- thank you to maintenance crew and drivers. ?- when is kindergarten roundup.
Bross- shoutout to girls hs basketball team- didn’t get to all the elementaries.
Robberts- thanks Kesterke and staff.
Thanks to BEF for donations.
Thanks other board members- don’t know that people realize amount of time they spend. Returning a large number of emails. Attacks on the district and on some board members with differing viewpoints.
XI. Adjournment
XII. Exempt Session-Negotiations
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