February 8, 2010 Work Session and Board Meeting Minutes

 

 

Call to Order

President Romens called the Work Session to order at 6:02 p.m.

 

Upon roll call the following Board members responded as being present: President Romens, Henry Clark, Dave Blum, David Warren and Linda Young.

 

A Board work session on the Fiscal Year 2011 budget was held. Business Manager, Shirley Lundgren, shared financial projections based on several different what ifs. How much will have to be cut from the FY 11 budget was discussed. The board and administrators submitted ideas on how to make the necessary cuts. A preliminary budget will be presented at the March meeting.

 

The regular board meeting started at 7:00 p.m.

 

On a motion made by Dave Blum and seconded by Linda Young the Board unanimously approved the minutes of January 11, 2010 and January 25, 2010, the bills and financial statements as well as seven incoming open enrollment applications and four outgoing open enrollment application for. Also approved were the letters of resignation and requests for the early retirement incentive from Elizabeth Wanning, associate, and Cathy Stone, secretary, effective at the end of the 2009-10 school year.

 

During the public forum Susan Reed addressed the Board regarding the cut the state made in Teacher Salary Supplement funds. Margo Young presented the Board with GEA’s ideas for cutting costs in the district. Students Ericka Schwanke and Ali Lunning addressed the Board expressing their disappointment that the Instructional Support Levy did not pass. Karen Bueltel also expressed her disappointment that the ISL did not pass and thanks the ones who voted for the ISL. She promised that she and others will continue to do their best to teach with limited resources.

 

Dance Team members in attendance, Danelle Newman, Shelby Cronk, Jordyn Peterson and Shelbie Congdon along with the coaches, Sue Collins and Ruth Congdon, were recognized for their accomplishments which include a team academic award and 4th and 5th place showings at state dance competition. Several students are currently participating in the All Southwest Iowa Band. West K-Kids raised over $1,700 for Haiti relief. Middle School students Caitlin Brown and Emma Gray had art work chosen for the Youth Art Month Gallery. All 16 students participating in large group speech contest received Division I ratings. West students exceeded their reading goal by reading over 854,500 pages this year.

 

Joan Crowl, Northeast Elementary Principal, and teachers Tami Bertini, Julie McMullen, Karen Hansen, Ann Aldrich, Dawn Hillyer and Diane Von Tersch presented a power point on the co-teaching program.

 

The Board delayed action on Approval of the Canvass of Votes for the February 2, 2010 special election until the March meeting as the canvass of votes was not ready.