BEA notes from 1-28-19 BCSD Board meeting

Here's a link to the meeting:
https://youtu.be/7slW9Az4rFc

Here are my notes from the meeting:

I. Call to Order – Welcome 7:00 p.m.

II. Pledge of Allegiance

III. Adoption of Agenda

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)- none, the live stream started after this.

V. Consent Agenda

2. Minutes, Bills, Financial Reports, Human Resources Report, and Gifts- Courtney moved for approval. Robberts 2nded. Courtney draws attention to open enrollment out. Kendell- problem with open enrollment money is that ⅓ is property tax dollars of Burlington residents leaving Burlington. Courtney points out he’d like to bring those kids back to our district. Passed with Brueck abstaining.

VI. District Positive Accomplishments- 2019 Mentoring for Youth Impacted by Opioids in Rural Iowa Grant- Reynolds presented on behalf of Cassie Gerst. We are 1 of 6 districts- get 50,000 per year for 3 years. Provides 1 staff member and all training and staff. Including with pieces after school (club M). Mentors and volunteers. Grant was delayed with govt shutdown but should get soon.

Kendell- good news. Based out of BHS? Will continue to do after grant?

Reynolds- don’t have to.

VII. Student Representative Report- stayed home.

VIII. Superintendent’s Report- weather last week. Continuing this week. Non certified staff early retirements coming in. Head principals meeting- impressed with Butler’s schedule. Who is going to be teaching where next year? Cory has 99% done- senior teachers in each area- mentioned seniority. KCPS- most calls about weather. Wife and Coen attended senior night at BHS. end of 16 years of chasing kids around. Attended portion of grayhound way meeting- distributed hats and gloves to students. Working on parade of excellence on Friday- meetings at Central office. Attended MLK events- one at loft- Greater Burlington. Was able to take it all in. I have a dream speech given by a student.

Kendell- extra effort hats and coats - thanks for community donations.

Coen- items were on buses so drivers could distribute. Schools also have them.

Vickstrom- how we’re dealing with kids that don’t ride the bus. Keep them in our thoughts.

Coen- yep.

Courtney- lots getting rides.

IX. Items for Discussion

3. Teacher Leadership Realignment- Johnson- committee met jan 11- review and revise framework- changes bringing leadership in line with right sizing- and with amount per pupil.

Revised job descriptions- savings around 250k.

Robberts- original grant was a long drawn out process. Had to renew in last year or two. Do these positions fall into this?

Johnson- yes, plan has to be submitted for state approval. Changes are similar to what other districts have.

Robberts- won’t lose other dollars.

Reynolds- when TLC started it was a grant. We were one of the few that got it at first. It is now rolled in to the funding formula- open enrollment affects this as well.

Vickstrom- who picks up tech coaches?

Johnson- each building will have an instructional coach- generalist and be able to handle tech. Also a position for stem specialist- this person can help district wide.

Vickstrom- what’s happening with Carper?

Johnson- we have really strong coaches. All coaches have to reapply for new positions. Most of them are probable reapplying.

Kendell- losing elem tech coaches- 100s of thousands to go 1 to 1. Don’t think we fully utilize that- this concerns him.

Johnson- elem tech coaches were only there 1 day a month. General agreement on committee and staff that supports needed but weren’t really meeting the needs.

Kendell- hopes that works out.

Robberts moves for approval, Brueck 2nded. Passed unanimously, with Vickstrom abstained.

4. Bid letting for BHS Softball Field- Reynolds and Kesterke. Age of system- want to replace lights. Poles are 35 years old or older. Poles bow. 4 poles with a bunch of LED lights. Bidding out for new concrete base and metal poles and lights installed- and demo. BCSD will do the electrical portion.

Kendell- reducing electricity not quite half?

Kesterke- hoping to get a rebate from alliant. Lights have 25 year warranty. Can be remotely turned on. Good system with great warranty.

Kendell- was a problem at first at Bracewell?

Kesterke- Musco has stayed on top of it.

Courtney- what kind?

Concrete base with metal poles.

Courtney- from Musco?

Kesterke- has to go out for bids. Comes out of PPEL funds.

Coen- did the poles fail inspection?

Kesterke- no, poor lighting quality and poles bowing.

Kendell- LEDs are great. Timeline?

Kesterke- done for softball season. Pretty sure lights are around 40 years old.

Robberts approves bid letting, 2nd from Courtney- passed unanimously.

X. Board Communications

The members will have the opportunity to share items and events.

Courtney- nope

Vickstrom- none

Brueck- thanks to Gerst for getting grant.

Robberts- thanks to Gerst, bus drivers, maintenance workers- cold jobs to take care of students and facilities.

Kendell- thanks to Coen and Mehaffy for checking the roads. Never 2nd guesses superintendent decision.

Courtney- no win situation.

Kendell- don’t send students if you don’t think it’s safe.

Coen- parents- go over winter driving skills with students. Drive like roads are slick. Bus mechanics- didn’t have one bus gel up or airline freeze up- they did a great job challenging environment.

Motion to adjourn at 727.

XI. Adjournment

BEA notes from 1-14-19 BCSD Board Meeting

BCSD Board of Directors Meeting January 14, 2019

I. Call to Order - Welcome. 7:25 PM Robberts, Brueck absent.  Courtney on phone.

II. Pledge of Allegiance

III. Adoption of Agenda

Motion to adopt - Hatteberg, Kendell seconded.  Passed

IV. Public Comments

Dave Ziller spoke about early retirement for non certified employees.  He mentioned that a board member said that they don’t offer a cost savings with this.  He then explained why they would be a cost savings if allowed to retire early particularly in the maintenance department.

Fred Starling spoke about concern about a statement made from a teacher towards student about shooting.  He questioned what progress had been made about the teacher. As a pastor he has been asked about it. Others with children there have concerns about it.  He didn’t quite understand about why the teacher added the standing the ground law statement. He wondered whether the statement came from the teacher or from the newspaper.  He gave an example about himself He was parked over on Madison near a housing complex. He was on a cell phone so he pulled over. Two police came to see what he was doing.  He doesn’t know who called and he doesn’t know why they felt the need to call about him. He then explained how someone who follows the stand my ground law might view him as a threat.  He is very concerned and wanted to know why the stand the ground law was added to this issue.

Victoria (?) had a concern about children in school.  She wanted to know why they aren’t being taught to write in cursive and to read in cursive.  She feels it will limit them in the future.

V. Consent Agenda

Minutes, Bills, Human Resources Report, and Gifts

Motion to accept Kendell and second by Hatteberg seconded.  Kendell noticed there was $10,000 for Amazon. He advocates using local sources.  Bross asked to pull head varsity girls tennis coach for consideration. The applicant withdrew the application.  Passed.

VI. District Positive Accomplishments - PAW Backpack Program

Bryan Johnson presented the Paw Backpack Program with Craig Fenton from Transitions DMC.  It started by Craig contacting him about moving this to the District because the District can food from the Iowa Food Bank.  JMEC cafeteria has become a food bank. There is a food bag program and a pantry. Most comes from the Iowa Food Bank. He explained how the process works to get food.  There have been food drives to support the program. There have been some monetary donations from organizations. The backpack program goes directly to students. They started in November.  This week they will send food bags to about 290 kids. Students get on the list by school referral. There is a core group of volunteers that come every other Sunday to pack the bags. The Eagles Club is a big supporter of the program.  This year they gathered and wrapped gifts for all kids in the program. About 300 packages were delivered for Christmas. The food program is similar to other pantries. They aren’t trying to compete with other pantries so they picked days and hours when other pantries aren’t open.  They helped about 120 families. They average about 18-20 families when open at night. Both programs require some paperwork to participate in the programs. Bross asked if it was new. The food bag program has been around for three years. All the donations are going through the school district and not through DMC Transitions.  They don’t keep student information and can’t identify the students. The school doesn’t have to pay for anything while when this was done at St. Vincent de Paul, it cost $5000/month. (I don’t know why). Craig Fenton thanked them for letting them into the schools. Vickstrom asked if they were going to move? Johnson said yes and it wouldn’t be as good as the setup at JMEC.  Bross asked if they any stories from the people who benefit from it. Johnson gave an example. Fenton talked about the generous guidelines for this. Bross suggested student clubs might want to volunteer. Fenton gave kudos to the Leo Club for their participation over three years.

VII. Student Representative Report

Kaely Lawler talked about Leo Club having 10 members meeting a goal.  They were awarded something. On January 26 Dream Catcher is doing pancake thing for Hospice House.  She mentioned the boys basketball team. Through Angel Tree clubs adopted 20 homeless students and provided gifts.

VIII. Superintendent’s Report

Happy New Year.  Right sizing has had a great deal of work.  Cory collected data. He mentioned the survey of teachers.  In his report he talked about the survey speaking for itself.  He then had it projected. It was limited to the people that are actually moving.  It doesn’t include someone's’ opinion that is not moving. Most teachers want to follow their job.  Over 90 % of Corse teachers wanted this. Fifth and 6th grade teachers said 68.2% wanted this. The 7th and 8th 85% said follow their jobs.  Friday morning admin met before normal business hours at Wake and Bake on how they are going to use Hound Town Day to help move these teachers via high school students.  Lacy Johnson is making a right sizing document to get information. Holiday greeting cards were sent to students that are moving. Lacy is gone this week getting training. He attached a short article from the New York Times about question (?).  Something about the “why” questions. I’m not sure where he going with this or what it has to do with this.

Coen did receive email from a teacher  wanting to apply for early retirement but isn’t 55 until November.  However, the money would have to come out of general funds. For this reason she had to be denied.  Attended to normal student, parent, faculty issues. Attended a noon Kiwanis meeting. Wrote a scholarship recommendation.  Did something else. He and Kesterke communicated about the snow removal and got it cleaned up.

IX. Items for Discussion

4. Early Retirement Applications

Greg Reynold presented.  Nine were submitted. Total cost $270,000 over two years.  Hatteberg moved to accept. Second by Tom Courtney. Kendell was disappointed with only nine.  Courtney said something but I couldn’t understand. Coen then talked about the incredible cost of health insurance.   He said we need to do something with health insurance costs. Kendell, Bross, Courtney agreed. Vickstrom said many were concerned with IPERS.  Courtney agreed. Passed.

5. Support Staff Early Retirement

Greg said they looked at this.  This would include anyone who works 30 hours per week and ten years, 55.  There would be 51 staff members that would meet this. This would include two administrators.   He referenced two different plans we used in the past. It’s based on sick leave left. The board had examples of what an average would be and it would be paid out over two years.  The total cost would be $389,000 if all took it. This would come out of the management fund. Vickstrom asked how many would be replaced. Administrators always get replaced at higher prices according to Vicktrom. Kendell asked if  administrator contracts get something. They get a 401b. No one else gets this. According to Kendell the administrators already have a retirement plan funded by the district. Hatteberg asked how much was allocated for the teacher early retirement.  Greg said how much was still left. Courtney then interjected that this was done to save money and asked if it does work. Greg said on general it works with certified staff it works. Courtney wanted to make sure it saves money. Greg said the savings depends on the type of employee.  Courtney motioned that the board offer something to support staff. Bross asked for more definition. $25 year of service and $50 sick day. Vickstrom seconded. Kendell asked if included all categories and Courtney said yes. Hatteberg didn’t think they would save giving anything to administrators.  Kendell asked Greg if administrators were included the last time and they weren’t. Bross said we would be paying associates about ⅓ of what they currently work for. Greg said food service payment would be $9000. Bross appreciates the service of all but early retirement is not a golden parachute and something to line nest with.  If it doesn’t save the District, it isn’t good policy. Hatteberg referenced the changes of right sizing and this would be the year to offer these because of this. Then she talked about the transportation/maintenance people. She said maybe maintenance could save money Kendell said he was uncomfortable start debating on who was more or less deserving.  Hatteberg said she wasn’t saying who was deserving but what the cost saving was. Kendell didn’t want administrators in this. Kendell asked if there was a cap set for certified staff. He suggested the set a cap on non certified staff like 20-25. Bross asked if Kendell wants to amend the motion. Hatteberg then suggested changing it to 15 years instead of 10 years with the district.  Greg then checked his spreadsheet. Then there would only be 41 eligible. Kendell amended to exclude administrators and take 25. Vickstrom seconded. Based on seniority. Amendment passed. Kendell asked for savings for this from Greg. It was $233,000. Between certified and non it would be $500,000+. Bross voted against. Motion passed.

6. Transportation Bus Bids

Allen Mehaffy presented bus bids on two new busses to replace a  2001 and 2003 busses. There were three companies and he said to take the low bid.  Hatteberg motioned to accept and someone seconded. Kendell asked about problems with diesel engines.  Vickstrom as if we have good diesel mechanics and Mehaffy said yes. Motion carried.

7. Certified Staff Handbook Job Classification Change for July 1, 2019

Cory Johnson presented a proposal to change classification of teachers due to building realignments.  This was approved by LMC at December meeting. Kendell moved, Hatteberg seconded. Hatteberg asked about special teachers.  Will they be elementary K-6? Etc. Johnson said it depended on the building they went to. Ed Stone and high school are in the high school classification and the specials at these buildings will be this classification.  Passed.

8. Facilities Committee

Something about temporary committees can be board appointed.  Mr. Kendell is the only on this so far. Coen then added Keane and Kesterke.  Bross asked for board members (no more than 2) to join. Coen asked for Hatteberg because the push for the auditorium.  Hatteberg agreed to do it. Kendell nominated someone (couldn’t hear who it was). Hatteberg seconded. Passed.

9. Closed Session - Expulsion Recommendation JM011419 - done before meeting

X. Board Communications

Courtney is in Arizona and happy to be there.  Nice and warm.

Vickstrom nothing

Hatteberg said we have been getting quite a few emails and encourage people to continue to do so.

Kendell was going to congratulate music booster and Mrs. Cook starting the auditorium fund.  Thanks to MR. Kesterke and crew for clearing snow

Bross appreciates public comments and values public input and emails. Sometimes they can respond and sometimes they can’t.  He attended a Grimes. PTO meeting where Corse parents attended. Purple Aires caroled at WalMart. Vickstrom then said we need to do academic stuff such as the science department.  Bross said we value all employees - students first, staff always. We can’t do anything without them. Encourage teachers and all to continue on. Thank you all.

10. Superintendent Evaluations - Closed Session 8:42

XI. Adjournment