Glenwood Community School District
Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors
Central Office Conference Room - 103 Central, 3rd Floor, Glenwood, IA 51534
Monday April 10, 2023
1. Call to Order & Roll Call – President Matt Portrey called the Regular Meeting to Order at 6:00 p.m. Upon roll call the following Board of Education (BOE) members responded as being present: Curt Becker, Eva Krueger, Elizabeth Richardson, Matt Portrey, and John Zak.
2. Approval of Agenda – J Zak made a motion to approve the agenda with modification. E Krueger seconded the motion. All voted “aye”. Motion Carried
3. Spotlight on Education – Spotlight on Education Certificates were presented to the following four groups:
3A. The All State Large Group Short Film group received “1” ratings at the district and state speech events and were one of six short films chosen as “All State”. The students participating were Jabe Rounds, Liam Hays, Sawyer Patzer, Alex McQueen, Erik Russell, Jackson Griffin, Ashton Wiese and Jess Herron.
3B. Individual Speech students who were named “All State” were Ashton Wiese chosen for acting and Sawyer Patzer chosen for the prose category.
3C. The Jazz Band under the direction of Dan Schoening and Dave Clark qualified for the Iowa Jazz Championships for the 19th consecutive year. The group earned a fifth-place finish. The students participating in the Gold Jazz Band were Julia Nightser, Tyler Schmitt, Quinn Richardson, Ashley Weinburgh, Sydney Rohrberg, Kianna Herron, Evan Belt, Jackson Griffin, Aaron McPherson, Aubrey Mullanix, Sawyer Patzer, Logan Mowery, Avery Lorson, Kathryn Graham, Ashton Wiese, Mayor Buchanan, Trice Buchanan, Briten Maxwell, Nolan Clark, Jessica Herron and Jabe Rounds.
3D. The Jazz Choir qualified for the Iowa Vocal Jazz Championships for the first time since 2018. Five students under the direction of Kevin Kilpatrick earned sixth place in the state. The students participating were Dallis Taylor, Aubrey Mullannix, Aaron McQueen, Evan Belt and Conner Edick.
4. Friends of Education - None
5. Consideration of Action on Consent Items – E Richardson made a motion to approve the consent agenda including items 5A through 5L. C Becker seconded the motion. All voted “aye”. Motion Carried
5A. Approval of Minutes
Minutes were approved for the March 13, 2023 Regular Meeting and March 27, 2023 Special Meeting and Work Session.
5B. Approval of Board Policies - Second Reading Approvals:
|
POLICY # |
DESCRIPTION |
|
702.2 |
STUDENT SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION ELIGIBILITY |
5C. Approval of Board Policies - First Reading Approvals:
|
POLICY # |
DESCRIPTION |
|
None |
|
5D. New Hires - Contingent upon completion of pre-employment requirements & favorable background check results
|
NAME |
POSITION |
SALARY |
|
Molly Goodman |
Child Care Associate @ Kid’s Place |
$10.82 per hour |
|
Rachel Hook |
Substitute Suburban Driver |
$43.00 per route |
|
Lillian Lewellen |
Child Care Associate @ Kid’s Place (High School Student) |
$10.00 per hour |
|
Samuel Peterson |
Teacher Contingent upon receipt & review of official transcripts |
$45,356 - (23-24)
|
|
Brody Taylor |
Seasonal Summer Mower |
$11.54 per hour |
5E. Transfers
|
NAME |
FROM / TO |
WAGE |
|
Melanie Doyle |
From 2nd Grade Teacher to 1st Grade Teacher |
23-24 Wage |
|
Ana Hanna |
From HS Special Ed BSP Teacher to High School Special Education Teacher - Level I |
23-24 Wage |
|
Allison Henderson |
From Transitional Kindergarten Teacher to Kindergarten Teacher |
23-24 Wage |
|
Monique Jens |
From 4 days per week_ to 5 days per week |
No Change |
|
Connie Olson |
From General Education Assoc. to Student Services Administrative Assistant |
$18.00 / hour |
|
Jennifer Stortenbecker |
From HS level I to Middle School Special Education Teacher - Level I |
23-24 Wage |
|
Ashley Vanderpool |
From Food Service Floater to Special Education Associate - Level 2/3 |
$12.81 / hour |
|
Megan Wake |
From Elementary Special Education Teacher to K-12 Behavior Intervention Instructional Coach |
23-24 Wage |
|
Louise Weber |
From Food Service Cook to Assistant Kitchen Manager |
$13.34 / hour |
|
Heidi Weilage |
From High School Special Education BSP Teacher to HS ESP |
23-24 Wage |
5F. Separation from District - Coaching positions are contingent upon finding a suitable replacement
|
NAME |
POSITION |
REASON |
DATE |
|
Carrie Goshorn |
Teacher |
Resignation |
End of the 22-23 SY |
|
Cannon Lester |
Building Custodian |
Resignation |
April 11, 2023 |
|
Calvin Little |
Child Care Associate @ Kid’s Place Daycare |
Resignation |
March 27, 2023 |
|
Christine Miller |
10 Month Building Secretary |
Resignation |
May 26, 2023 |
|
Destiney Tyson |
Child Care Associate @ Kid’s Place Daycare |
Resignation |
April 7, 2023 |
|
Richard Vela |
Building Custodian |
Resignation |
April 12, 2023 |
|
Jennifer Young |
Teacher |
Resignation |
End of the 22-23 SY |
5G. Open Enrollments
|
NAME |
DISTRICT REQUESTED |
REASON |
RESIDENT DISTRICT |
APPROVE OR DENY |
FUNDED |
|
Daxen C. |
Council Bluffs |
Remain after move |
Glenwood |
Approve |
Yes |
5H. Approval of Financial Reports
Approval of bills and financial reports as of March 31, 2023.
5I. Fundraising Requests
|
GROUP |
DESCRIPTION |
PURPOSE |
AMOUNT |
DATES |
|
West Library |
BOGO Book Fair |
Library Books |
AMAP |
05/03-11/2023 |
|
Cheerleaders |
Sponsor My Cheer Season |
2023-2024 Season Expenses - Camp Expenses; Apparel |
$7,200 - $10,800 |
05/01 - 09/01/2023 |
5J. Out of State and Overnight Travel
|
REQUESTED BY |
ACTIVITY |
DESTINATION |
DEPARTURE DATE |
RETURN DATE |
|
Deb Fajardo |
Inventionland |
Pittsburgh, PA |
May 10, 2023 |
May 12, 2023 |
|
Nicole Guild |
Inventionland |
Pittsburgh, PA |
May 10, 2023 |
May 12, 2023 |
|
Chad Lang |
Inventionland |
Pittsburgh, PA |
May 10, 2023 |
May 12, 2023 |
|
Amie Abbott |
Inventionland |
Pittsburgh, PA |
May 10, 2023 |
May 12, 2023 |
|
Heather Diekmann |
Inventionland |
Pittsburgh, PA |
May 10, 2023 |
May 12, 2023 |
|
Julie McMullen |
Inventionland |
Pittsburgh, PA |
May 10, 2023 |
May 12, 2023 |
|
Jessica Jones |
Inventionland |
Pittsburgh, PA |
May 10, 2023 |
May 12, 2023 |
|
Sarah Smith |
Inventionland |
Pittsburgh, PA |
May 10, 2023 |
May 12, 2023 |
|
Ashlie Salazar |
Inventionland |
Pittsburgh, PA |
May 10, 2023 |
May 12, 2023 |
|
Samantha Wilson |
Inventionland |
Pittsburgh, PA |
May 10, 2023 |
May 12, 2023 |
|
Michelle Wegner |
Inventionland |
Pittsburgh, PA |
May 10, 2023 |
May 12, 2023 |
|
Amanda Cowell |
Inventionland |
Pittsburgh, PA |
May 10, 2023 |
May 12, 2023 |
|
Megan Beery |
Inventionland |
Pittsburgh, PA |
May 10, 2023 |
May 12, 2023 |
|
Anne Vorce |
Inventionland |
Pittsburgh, PA |
May 10, 2023 |
May 12, 2023 |
|
Molly Dean |
Kansas Relays |
Lawrence, KS |
April 14, 2023 |
April 15, 2023 |
|
Becky Ruth |
Drake Relays |
Des Moines, IA |
April 27, 2023 |
April 29, 2023 |
|
Becky Ruth |
State Track |
Des Moines, IA |
May 18, 2023 |
May 20, 2023 |
|
Mark Starner |
Kansas Relays |
Lawrence, KS |
April 14, 2023 |
April 15, 2023 |
|
Mark Starner |
Drake Relays |
Des Moines, IA |
April 27, 2023 |
April 29, 2023 |
|
Jordan Bueltel |
Kansas Relays |
Lawrence, KS |
April 14, 2023 |
April 15, 2023 |
|
Jordan Bueltel |
Drake Relays |
Des Moines, IA |
April 27, 2023 |
April 29, 2023 |
|
Katie Wilson |
Drake Relays |
Des Moines, IA |
April 27, 2023 |
April 29, 2023 |
|
Katie Wilson |
Kansas Relays |
Lawrence, KS |
April 14, 2023 |
April 15, 2023 |
|
Jessica Miller |
FFA State Leadership Conference |
Ames, IA |
April 16, 2023 |
April 18, 2023 |
|
Dan Schoening |
Iowa Bandmasters Conference |
Des Moines, IA |
May 11, 2023 |
May 12, 2023 |
5K. Grant Requests
|
NAME |
PURPOSE |
AMOUNT |
|
None |
|
|
5L. Curriculum
|
CONTENT |
DRAFT/FINAL |
SCHOOL YEAR |
|
None |
|
|
6. Announcements and Communications
6A. Comments from Public –
Ann Staiert, a former Board of Education member, spoke and expressed a grateful thank you to the Board of Education for what they do for the Glenwood CSD. She specifically expressed appreciation concerning current situations and fact checking for issues at hand in making Glenwood CSD the best it can be, especially in challenging times.
Kris Lappala spoke on behalf of more than thirty community members, parents, and business owners to thank and congratulate the Board of Education on their swift action to retain Activities Director Jeff Bissen. He also expressed continued concern related to the attrition of teachers and staff of the district, specifically the high school. He indicated that community members, parents and business owners look forward to hearing the results of the high school culture and climate study that is currently in progress. He indicated that the mission remains 1. Support the Teachers and Staff as valued and respected members of the District and Community and 2. To do what we can to make all the schools in the Glenwood CSD the best example of what public education has to offer in the State of Iowa.
6B. Comments from Board of Education –
Director Elizabeth Richardson briefly reported on the National COSSBA Conference that four Board of Education members, Superintendent Dr. Devin Embray and Chief Financial Officer / Board Secretary Treasurer Tim Reinert attended from March 29, 2023, to April 2, 2023. Additional information will be discussed at the April 24, 2023, Special Meeting and Work Session.
Board of Education President Matt Portrey provided a summary of the relevant details concerning the retention of Activities Director Jeff Bissen, who elected to stay in Ram Country to support students, families, the community; and contribute to the mission, success and growth of the district. Mr. Bissen was offered a position at Harlan Community School District, his hometown and high school alma mater. To retain Mr. Bissen a compensation package was put together that increased his compensation package by approximately $10,000 and clarified on-going job responsibilities. Mr. Bissen agreed to the new FY24 contract terms, declined the offer from Harlan CSD and elected to remain in Glenwood.
BOE President Portrey also addressed public concerns relating to the Glenwood Community School Districts property tax levies. At the April 4, 2023, Mills County Supervisors Tax Assessment Meeting, certain information was inaccurately communicated by County Officials. The districts property tax rate has remained consistent in the range of $15 to $16 dollars per thousand of assessed value over the past five years, FY19 to FY23. The percentage of the Glenwood City Consolidated tax rate that is attributable to the district has also remained in a tight range between 37% and 40% for these years. The percentage is approximately one percent under the K12 Schools state average for each fiscal year referenced. Property tax levied is used to support students & teachers, maintain facilities, implement technology improvements, and provide other resources necessary to fuel continued successful growth.
6C. Legislative Update – Superintendent Dr. Embray provided a legislative update to the BOE. The recently passed Transparency and Bathroom bills were discussed and explained.
6D. Presentations – None
6E. GRC Campus Closing Update – Superintendent Embray provided an update on planning discussions relating to the GRC closing, master site plan and facilities. At this point the school district’s involvement will be very limited due to the smaller than anticipated developable area identified by the master plan for the campus and the various other constraints being imposed by the State of Iowa.
7. Reports -
Building Administrators, Special Education, School Improvement, Activities Director, Kids Place, Technology, Food Service, Transportation/Building and Grounds & Print Shop reported on their respective buildings or areas of accountability.
8. Old Business – None
9. New Business – A. to D.
9A. Approval of Agreement with Morningside University
J Zak made a motion for approval of the Agreement with Morningside University for the placement of teacher education candidates for student teaching, practicums, field experiences and internships. E Krueger seconded the motion. All voted “aye”. Motion carried.
9B. Approval of Agreement and Addendum with Timberline Billing Service, LLC
E Richardson made a motion for approval of the Agreement and Addendum with Timberline Billing Service, LLC to continue processing the district’s claims for Medicaid Reimbursement. E Krueger seconded the motion. All voted “aye”. Motion carried.
9C. Approval of Revised Five-year Facility Maintenance Plan
C Becker made a motion for approval of the revised five-year facilities maintenance plan. J Zak seconded the motion. All voted “aye”. Motion carried.
9D. Approval to Levy Tax for Prepayment of General Obligation Bond
J Zak made a motion for approval to levy tax for partial early optional redemption of GCSD General Obligation School Refunding Bonds, Series 2020, on the first call date of May 1, 2025. The levy will be a portion of the proposed FY24 Budget that will be discussed and approved at the April 24, 2023, Special Board Meeting and Work Section. E Krueger seconded the motion. All voted “aye”. Motion carried.
10. Adjournment
As there was no further business to come before the Board at this time, a motion was made by E Richardson and seconded by J Zak to adjourn the regular meeting at 6:31 p.m. All voted “aye”. Motion carried.
_______________________________ __________________________________
Matt Portrey, Board President Tim Reinert, Board Secretary / Treasurer