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February 13, 2023 Superintendent’s Notes

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Postville CSD
Board of Education Meeting
February 13, 2023
Superintendent’s Notes

Consent Agenda 

5 a/b. Minutes, Bills, and Financial Reports 

5 c. Hires:  Jenny Fangman, Ellie Kinley, Angel Flack, April McQuade, Jennifer Benda, Trinna Navarro, Kristine Streicher/Elementary Tutoring 

5 d. Resignations: Sarah Ferguson/Elementary Teacher/Separation Agreement  

5 e. Acceptance of Donations/Gifts to the District          

5 f. Open Enrollment Applications: Out to Decorah/Noah Hunt/1st Grade, Out to Decorah/Olivia Hunt/2nd Grade   

5 g. Special Education Contracts

  1. Student Attending Postville
  2. Student Attending South Winneshiek 

5 h. Field Trips

  1. Overnight Music Trip to St. Louis, MO 4/13/23-4/15/23
  2. Overnight Senior Trip to Milwaukee 4/21/23-4/22/23 

New Business 

9. The board will consider a proposal from Lindsay Salinas to have a certified therapy dog in the library.  This does not cost the district anything as Lindsay is paying for the training and health care for Milo who is a standard poodle.  The plan along with the vaccinations are enclosed.

10. The board will consider the final phase of the network switch upgrades for the district.   

FYI

From Google: What are network switches used for? A network switch allows two or more IT devices to communicate with one another. In addition to connecting to end devices like PCs and printers, switches may be connected to other switches, routers, and firewalls, all of which can provide connectivity to additional devices. 

There are two bids.  One from ITS for $42,195.98 and one from Midwest Cloud Computing for $48,030.47.  E-Rate funding will pay for $27,000 while the district will need to pay the balance of the approved bid.   

11. The board will consider a contact with Counseling and Family Centered Services, Inc for the 2023-2024 school year.  They provide mental health counseling for students at a deeper level than what our guidance counselors can furnish.  This is a new service which will fill the void for some of our most needy students.  The district can use at-risk/dropout funds, along with ESSER and Title IV to pay for this service.  It is for 33 days at a cost of $29,700.   

12. The board will consider the first reading of board policy updates 216.2, 607.1, 701.5, 701.5R1, 705.1, 705.1R2, and 804.7R1. 

 

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Postville CSD

Special Board of Education Meeting

January 26, 2023

Superintendent’s Notes

The Postville School Board will hold a special board meeting on Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 5:30 P.M. in the Fine Arts Lobby.  The agenda has staffing adjustments along with the next steps for filling the superintendent’s position.  The staffing adjustments include the resignation of Tim Dugger/Superintendent along with hiring Kyle Brock as the assistant high school football coach and Ryan Holthaus as the agriculture education teacher and FFA Advisor.  The board will discuss a vision on how they want to fill the vacant superintendent position.  The choices include, sharing a superintendent with another school district or hiring a replacement.  The board will need to have a clear and equitable process if you decide to hire a replacement.  The hiring timelines are in your favor because it is still January.  In order for this to happen, I would recommend hiring an external partner to conduct the search.  Grundmeyer Leader Services is a hiring firm that is used throughout the state and has provided a proposal for you to review.  If approved, this contract will put into motion the hiring process.

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Postville Community School District 

Special Board of Education Agenda 

Postville Fine Arts Center Lobby

Thursday, January 26, 2023

5:30 P.M.

 

  1. Call to Order
  2. Staffing
    1. Resignation and Hires 
  3. Information/Discussion regarding the Superintendent Hiring Process
  4. Consider Contract with Grundmeyer Leader Services 
  5. Closed Session pursuant to Iowa Code Sections 21.5(1)(a)
  6. Adjournment

January 9, 2023 Superintendent’s Notes

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Postville CSD
Board of Education Meeting
January 9, 2023
Superintendent’s Notes

Consent Agenda 

5 a/b. Minutes, Bills, and Financial Reports 

5 c. Transfers: Heather Staley/Elementary Positive Behavior Support Teacher         

5 d. Acceptance of Donations/Gifts to the District 

5 e. Field Trips

i. Mrs. Kruckman is requesting to take four high school students to the Meistersinger Honor Choir at Wartburg College on January 22 and 23, 2023.

ii. Senior overnight music trip to St. Louis, MO from 4/27/23-329/23.  It will be paid through music fundraising activities and student contributions. 

5 f. Volunteers: Todd Neal/Assistant Girls’ and Boys’ Wrestling Coach, Mac Hughes/Assistant Girls’ and Boys’ Wrestling Coach

New Business 

7. The board will consider a School Budget Review Committee modified supplemental amount request for the 2023-2024 school year.  The request is for $256,898, which will pay for the at-risk/dropout prevention programs. 

Background Summary

Iowa Code and Iowa Administrative Code define at-risk language in the following ways:

281–Iowa Administrative Code 12.2(256) Definition of At-Risk

“At-risk student” means any identified student who needs additional support and who is not meeting or not expected to meet the established goals of the educational program (academic, personal/social, career/vocational). At-risk students include but are not limited to students in the following groups: homeless children and youth, dropouts, returning dropouts, and potential dropouts.

281–Iowa Administrative Code 12.5(13) Provisions for at-risk students

Each school district shall include in its comprehensive school improvement plan the following provisions for meeting the needs of at-risk students:                                         

1. Valid and systematic procedures and criteria to identify at-risk students throughout the school district’s school-age population,

2. Determination of appropriate ongoing educational strategies for alternative options education programs as required in Iowa Code section 280.19A, and

3. Review and evaluation of the effectiveness of provisions for at-risk students. This subrule does not apply to accredited nonpublic schools.

Each school district using additional allowable growth for provisions for at-risk students shall incorporate educational program goals for at-risk students into its comprehensive school improvement plan. Provisions for at-risk students shall align with the student learning goals and content standards established by the school district or by school districts participating in a consortium. The comprehensive school improvement plan shall also include objectives, activities, cooperative arrangements with other service agencies and service groups, and strategies for parental involvement to meet the needs of at-risk children. The incorporation of these requirements into a school district’s comprehensive school improvement plan shall serve as the annual application for additional allowable growth designated in Iowa Code section 257.38.

In addition, the dropout prevention portion of the application focuses on the following goals: staying in school, progressing in school, and completing school.

The modified supplemental amount will fund the at-risk/dropout prevention programs through a combination of state aid and local property taxes.

Postville School District Program Components 

1. 50% K-12 Guidance Counselors’ Salary and Benefits

a. Denise Mauss

b. Mannon Bushman

c. Rachel Sandhorst 

2. 100% 7-12 At-Risk/Athletic Director Position Salary and Benefits

a. Zach Corsbie

3. 100% Alternative School at the RISE Academy

a. Amy Norby

b. Online Curriculum

4. 70% Elementary Positive Behavior Support Teacher 

a. Not Currently Filled  

5. 10% Principal Salary and Benefits

a. Brendan Knudtson

b. Jennifer Schutte 

January 9, 2023 Board Meeting Agenda

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Postville Community School District
Board of Education Agenda
Postville Fine Arts Center Lobby
Monday, January 9, 2023
5:30 P.M.
https://tinyurl.com/postvilleschoolboard

  1. Call to Order
  2. Welcome Visitors
  3. Approval of Agenda
  4. Items to be Removed From the Consent Agenda 
  5. Consent Agenda
    1. December 12, 2022, Special Meeting Minutes and Regular Meeting Minutes
    2. Monthly Bills and Monthly Financial Reports
    3. Transfers
    4. Acceptance of Donations/Gifts to the District
    5. Field Trips
      1. Overnight High School Choir Trip to Wartburg College for the Meistersinger Honor Choir 1/22/23-1/23/23 
      2. Overnight Senior Music Trip to St. Louis, MO 4/27/23-4/29/23
    6. Volunteers 
  6. Reports
    1. Superintendent
    2. Principals 
  7. School Budget Review Committee Modified Supplemental Amount Request for the 2023-2024 At-Risk/Dropout Prevention Program $256,898
  8. Items for the February Board Meeting 
  9. Adjournment

Next Board Meeting: Monday, February 13, 2023, at 5:30 P.M.

Postville Fine Arts Center Lobby

December 12 2022 Superintendent’s Notes

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Postville CSD
Board of Education Meeting
December 12, 2022
Superintendent’s Notes

Special Meeting

At 5:30 P.M., the board will meet in closed session regarding a student disciplinary issue and will take formal action after the closed session is over.  The regular meeting will begin at approximately 5:50 P.M.

Regular Monthly Meeting

Consent Agenda 

5 a/b. Minutes, Bills, and Financial Reports 

5 c. Special Education Contracts:

  • South Winneshiek CSD/Student is attending Postville.
  • NFV/Student is attending Postville.
  • Allamakee/Student is attending Waukon from Postville. 

New Business 

7. Crystal Duffy from the Postville Library and Postville Heart and Soul will be at the meeting to introduce herself and discuss the programs she works with.

8. The board will review the district purchasing policies and procedures.   

9. The board will consider an agreement with the Iowa Net High Academy.  This program allows students to take online schooling that includes a live teacher.  This is an option for students who may need a slightly different program than we can offer.  We are able to still count them on our enrollment while they are taking these classes.   

13. The board will consider designating the Postville Herald as the District’s official newspaper. 

14. The board will consider designating Ahlers and Cooney as the district’s legal counsel.

15. The board will consider designating the following depository banks and their limits:

  • Freedom Bank $4,000,000
  • Fidelity Bank $2,500,000
  • Iowa Schools Joint Investment Trust $4,000,000
  • UMB Bank (Bond ) $300,000

 

December 12, 2022 Board Meeting Agenda

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Postville Community School District
Board of Education Agenda
Postville Fine Arts Center Lobby
Monday, December 12, 2022
5:50 P.M.
https://tinyurl.com/postvilleschoolboard

 

Annual Meeting (Even-Years)

  1. Call to Order
  2. Welcome Visitors 
  3. Approval of Agenda
  4. Items to be Removed From the Consent Agenda 
  5. Consent Agenda
    1. Approval of November 14, 2022, Regular Meeting Minutes   
    2. Monthly Bills and Monthly Financial Reports  
    3. Special Education Contracts
  6. Reports
    1. Superintendent 
    2. Principals
  7. Information/Discussion/Crystal Duffy/Postville Heart and Soul 
  8. Information/Discussion/Purchasing Policies and Procedures  
  9. Iowa Net High Academy Contract 
  10. Election of Officers
    1. Oath of Office to Board President and Vice President (by Board Secretary/Treasurer) 
  11. Establish Meeting Location, Times, and Dates
  12. Appointments
    1. Board Secretary/Treasurer
      1. Oath of Office to the Secretary/Treasurer
    2. County Conference Boards
      1. Winneshiek
      2. Fayette
      3. Clayton
      4. Allamakee 
    3. Legislative Network
    4. IASB Delegate Assembly Representation  
    5. Sub-Committees
      1. Audit Review (2 Board Members)
      2. Superintendent Evaluation (2 Board Members)
  13. Name Official Publication 
  14. Designation of Legal Counsel
  15. Designation of the Depository Banks and Their Maximum Limits 
  16. Items for the Next Meeting 
  17. Adjournment

Next Board Meeting: Monday, January 9, 2023, at 5:30 P.M.

Postville Fine Arts Center Lobby

December 12, 2022 Board Meeting Agenda

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Postville Community School District
Board of Education Agenda
Postville Fine Arts Lobby
Monday, December 12, 2022
5:30 P.M.

  1. Call to Order
  2. Closed session pursuant to Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(a): To review or discuss records which are required or authorized by state or federal law to be kept confidential or to be kept confidential as a condition for that governmental body’s possession or continued receipt of federal funds. 
  3. Action on Student Discipline    
  4. Adjourn

November 14 2022 Superintendent’s Notes

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Postville CSD
Board of Education Meeting
November 14, 2022
Superintendent’s Notes

Consent Agenda 

5 a/b. Minutes, Bills, and Financial Reports 

5 c. Hires:  Bruce Kleve/Substitute Bus Driver, Kristine Streicher/Substitute Bus Driver, Bret Corlett/Junior High Assistant Wrestling, Bret Corlett/High School Assistant Girls’ Wrestling Coach, Doris Toj/Full-Time Elementary Paraprofessional, Sandy Lopez/Part-Time Elementary Paraprofessional                                   

5 d. Resignations:                         

5 e. Transfers: Julie Trappe/Full-Time Elementary Paraprofessional         

5 f. Acceptance of Donations/Gifts to the District 

5 g. Early Graduation Requests: Alexandra Perez, Erik De Leon

5 h. Open Enrollment Application: Out to South Winneshiek/Miguel Olayo/7th Grade, Out to South Winneshiek/Antonio Sheffner/7th Grade 

5 i. Contract Adjustments:  For the 2023-2024 Year/Rachel Sandhorst/Guidance Counselor from .4 FTE to 1.0 FTE

5 j. Volunteers: Brendan Knudtson/Assistant Junior High Wrestling Coach 

5 k. A student from Postville is attending special education programming in the Cedar Rapids School District.

New Business 

7. The board will consider a new teaching position for the 2023-2024 school year.  The full-time job will be called the Elementary Positive Behavior Support Teacher. This teacher would lead the elementary Positive Behavioral Instructional Supports program along with interventions for extra social, emotional and behavioral support.  Research has shown that students who feel an attachment to school are less likely to misbehave, miss school, and perform better academically.  The position will be paid for from a combination of Federal Title IV Funds and the State At-Risk Allocations.  See the attachment for more information.   

8. The board will consider the second reading of board policy updates: 401.14, 402.3, 408.1, 601.2, 602.1, 602.2, 602.3, 605.1, 605.1R1, 605.2, 605.3, 605.3E1, 605.3E2, 605.3E3, 605.3E4, 605.3R1, 605.4, 605.5, 711.10, 802.4.  The policy changes work to accomplish two goals: increased compliance with the requirements of Iowa Code Chapter 279.74 (HF 802); and increased transparency with streamlined procedures for parents to view and challenge instructional and library materials.

9. The board will consider the Allamakee Hazard Mitigation Plan Resolution.  This will allow the district to be represented by the Allamakee County Emergency Management in its development. 

10. The board will consider a School Budget Review Committee modified supplemental amount request.  The application is for costs associated with increased enrollment in the amount of $129,727.50.  

11. The board will consider a School Budget Review Committee modified supplemental amount request.  The application is for costs associated with the Limited English Proficient (LEP) Instruction beyond 5 years in the amount of $112,455.21.

November 14, 2022 Board Meeting Agenda

Posted on by admin

Postville Community School District
Board of Education Agenda
Postville Fine Arts Center Lobby
Monday, November 14, 2022
5:30 P.M.
https://tinyurl.com/postvilleschoolboard

  1. Call to Order
  2. Welcome Visitors
  3. Approval of Agenda
  4. Items to be Removed From the Consent Agenda 
  5. Consent Agenda
    1. October 12, 2022, Regular Meeting Minutes
    2. Monthly Bills and Monthly Financial Reports 
    3. Hires
    4. Resignations 
    5. Transfers  
    6. Acceptance of Donations/Gifts to the District
    7. Early Graduation Requests
    8. Open Enrollment Applications 
    9. Contract Adjustments
    10. Volunteers 
    11. Special Education Contract/Student Attending Cedar Rapids CSD
  6. Reports
    1. Superintendent
    2. Principals 
  7. Elementary Positive Behavior Support Teacher/New Teaching Position  
  8. Second Reading of Updated Board Policies: 401.14, 402.3, 408.1, 601.2, 602.1, 602.2, 602.3, 605.1, 605.1R1, 605.2, 605.3, 605.3E1, 605.3E2, 605.3E3, 605.3E4, 605.3R1, 605.4, 605.5, 711.10, 802.4
  9. Allamakee Hazard Mitigation Plan Resolution/The district will be represented by the Allamakee County Emergency Management in its development.   
  10. Request to the School Budget Review Committee in the amount of $129,727.50 for Increased Enrollment during the Fall of 2022
  11. Request to the School Budget Review Committee in the amount of $112,455.21 for Limited English Proficient (LEP) Instruction beyond 5 years during the Fall of 2022
  12. Items for the December Board Meeting
    1. Annual Meeting for the 2023 Calendar Year  
  13. Adjournment

Next Board Meeting: Monday, December 12, 2022, at 5:30 P.M.

Postville Fine Arts Center Lobby