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.

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

Postville CSD

Board of Education Meeting

July 16, 2018

Superintendent’s Notes

 

5 a/b. Minutes, bills, and financial reports

5 c. Hires:  Daryl Schultz/High School Volleyball Coach and Kirsten Richardson/Elementary Special Education

5 d. Resignations:  Daryl Schultz/Game Manager, Kirsten Richardson/After School Program Director, Kari Sass/School Nurse, and Kallie Heitland/Paraprofessional   

5 e. Transfers:  None

5 f. Acceptance of Donations/Gifts to the District (see attachment)

6. The board needs to consider renewing the Instructional Support Levy for five more years.  The new ISL would exist from 2020-2025 and generate approximately $320,000/year for the general fund.  The revenue can be used for any general fund purpose and would consist of property taxes and an income surtax.  The current income surtax rate is 13%.

The renewal process is as follows:

1. The board adopts the scope of the new Instructional Support Levy.
2. The board holds a public hearing on the matter.
3. The board formally considers the Instructional Support Levy.                                                             

7. The board needs to create legislative priorities for the 2019 General Assembly.  The priorities will be forwarded to the Iowa Association of School Boards for consideration in their legislative platform.  The board needs to consider the following recommendations:

1. Extension of the State Penny for School Infrastructure through 2050.  This bill came very close to passing during the last legislative session and will likely make it through in 2019.
2. Equity legislation that will help schools with high transportation costs and equity with the district cost per pupil.  This legislation needs to be made a permanent part of the aid and levy. At the moment, the funding is only for one year.  Postville’s district cost per pupil is $6,744. The highest amount for Iowa District’s is $6,906 which is a difference of $162/student.  The goal of the legislation is to get all school districts to $6,906.
3. Oppose the concept of Education Savings Accounts.  ESAs would divert public funds to private school systems which would drain tax dollars from the state’s commitment to public schools.       

8. The board needs to consider the second reading of policy updates.

• 604.6 Instruction at Post-Secondary Educational Institutions.  The policy was revised to reflect the current law. Supplemental weighting cannot be applied to  Post Secondary Education Opportunities if the school already has a concurrent enrollment course that is the same as the PSEO.
• 213 Public Participation in Board Meetings.  The policy should be updated per the needs of the board.  Similar policy language will be reflected in board policies: 213.1R1, 402.5 and 502.4.
• 213.1R1 General Complaints by Citizens
• 402.5 Public Complaints by Employees
• 502.4 Students Complaints and Grievances

9. The board needs to consider the 2018-2019 milk and bread bids.
10. The board needs to consider the 2018-2019 school fees.
11. The board needs to consider a flooring bid from Diversity Inc. for $18,562.50.  This company uses an epoxy floor covering which is durable, easy to clean and nice looking.  We need to do the lower high school hallway, four restrooms, and one classroom.
12. The board needs to consider raising the substitute pay for the following positions: Substitute Cooks from $10.00/hour to $10.50/hour, Substitute Custodians from $10.00/hour to $10.50/hour, Substitute Aides from $10.00/hour to $10.50/hour, Substitute Secretaries from $12.50/hour to $13.00/hour, and Substitute Nurses from $15.00/hour to $16.00/hour.
13. The board needs to consider two change orders for the kitchen project.  The plaster walls are going to be covered with ¼ inch polymax boards and there will be a trap door installed for the utility tunnel in the kitchen storage room.
14. The board needs to consider a list of elementary classroom furniture items.  We are updating the 4th grade classrooms this year along with assorted pieces.  The total for the furniture is approximately $16,270.

 

 

Postville CSD

Board of Education Meeting

April 9, 2018

Superintendent’s Notes

 

5 a/b. Minutes and bills

5 c. Hires: Jaqueline Vargas/Special Education Associate, Jesenia Vargas/Special Education Associate, Patricia Uhal/7th8th Grade Math Teacher, Sean Singewald/Head Junior High Football Coach, Ty Halverson/Head Junior High Football Coach, Derek Friederich/Summer Technology Assistant, Teresa Berg/Summer Technology Assistant, Aandi Deering/High School Head Girls’ Basketball Coach, Laura Storlie/High School Science Teacher, Brad Rose/Summer Driver Education, Susie Merrifield/Assistant Junior High Track Coach, Kevin Johnson/High School Social Studies Teacher, Kevin Johnson/Head JH Wrestling Coach, and Sean Singewald/Junior High Assistant Wrestling Coach

5 d. Resignations: Angela Adney/Kindergarten Teacher and Volleyball Coach, Mary Jo Moore/Guidance Counselor’s Aide, Sean Singewald/Junior High Head Wrestling Coach, Aandi Deering/Assistant Boys’ Basketball Coach, and Brad Bucknell/J.H. Football,     

5 e. Transfers: Ashley Cioccio/3rd Grade, and Lisa Snitker/2nd Grade     

5 f. Acceptance of Donations/Gifts to the District (see attachment)  

5g. I am recommending we continue with the lawn mowing contract for the 2018 mowing season with A and S Lawn Service.  They are adding the space around the Child Care Building for an extra charge.  The contract is enclosed.

5h. Senior Trip – Twin Cities – Monday, May 14, 2018 and Tuesday, May 15, 2018

5i. Please refer to the attachment for end of the year make-up days.

7. The board needs to hold a public hearing on the FY19 Budget.  Please refer to the attachments.

8. The board needs to consider the FY19 School District Budget.   

9. The board will consider the first reading of policy updates 415.1A Job Description for Junior/Senior High Principal and Activity Director’s Secretary, 415.1B Job Description for Elementary Principal Secretary, and 415.1C Job Description for K-12 Secretary.  For the 2018-2019 school year, the administration is recommending the district add a K-12 Secretary position and update the job descriptions for the elementary and junior/senior high principals. Please refer to the attachments for more details. Also, the board will review and consider a board policy regarding “online fundraising campaigns”.   

10. The board needs to consider continuation of the Elementary Guidance Sharing Agreement with the MFL MM Community School district for the 2018-2019 school year.  I am recommending we continue this agreement.

11. The board needs to consider continuation of the Transportation Director Sharing Agreement with the MFL MM Community School district for the 2018-2019 school year.  I am recommending we continue this agreement.

12. The board needs to consider the lease agreement with the Postville Child Care Services.  The board reviewed the contract back in February; however, there have been some changes. The maintenance and cleaning sections were updated along with the length of the contract.  The contract will be in place until April 9, 2023. Please review the attachment.

13. The board needs to consider a technology purchase for SMART Panel TVs.  The SMART TVs will be installed this summer and billed to the district in December.  We will have a 3 year semi-annual purchase lease and pay for them with the capital projects fund. This project will complete the full elementary installation for next school year.

14. The board needs to hold a closed session to discuss negotiations strategy for the 2018-2019 non-bargaining contracts.

15. The board needs to consider/approve non-bargaining contracts for the 2018-2019 school year.

16. The board needs to consider a shared contact and letter of assignment for Melissa Fettkether.  The contract would share the School Business Official with North Winneshiek for the next 15 months through September 30, 2019.  North Winneshiek will compensate Postville for the costs associated with this agreement. The North Winn SBO recently resigned to take a similar position at the Crestwood School District.

17. Mr. Knudtson would like the board to consider increasing the FTE for the Ag. and Business Teachers from .57 to .64.  He will explain the calculations at the meeting. Please refer to the attachment.

18. The board needs to consider a resolution supporting the State maintaining the commercial property tax “backfill” which was established in 2013.  The legislature is working on legislation that will phase out the backfill. It would cost our district $32,625 in funding. Please review the attachments.

19. Melissa will have information for you to review regarding the district’s Community Eligibility Provision.

Postville CSD

Board of Education Meeting

February 12, 2018

Superintendent’s Notes

 

5 a/b. Minutes and bills

5 c. Hires: Elizabeth Crawford/After School Tutor and Kirsten Richardson/After School Coordinator

5 d. Resignations: Diane Engen/21st Century Grant Site Coordinator and Annette

Deering/Lunch Room Computer Para   

5 e. Transfers: Luke Steege 7-12 At-Risk/Athletic Director and Donna Green/Preschool Paraprofessional   

5 f. Acceptance of Donations/Gifts to the District (see attachment)

7. Learning and Leadership – Jenny Schutte, Dani Rose, and RJ Olsen will present on the Differentiated Accountability Model and review items from the recent Department of Education Site Visit.  

 

Differentiated Accountability Differentiated Accountability (DA) is Iowa’s accountability model designed to provide support for public districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and Area Education Agencies (AEAs) when and where they need it most. The DA model is built to support compliance with state and federal law as well as build capacity in five conceptual areas essential to continuous improvement in education: Assessment and Data-Based Decision-Making, Universal Instruction, Intervention System, Leadership, and Infrastructure.

 

8. The board will hold a public hearing for the 2018 elementary building improvement projects.
9. The board will consider bids for the 2018 elementary building improvement projects.    
10. Purchase or Real Property form the City of Postville

1. The board will consider the Child Care Building purchase agreement with the city.  It will cost the district $248,547.85 and be paid from the capital projects fund.  The district will take possession on Wednesday, February 14, 2018.  According to our insurance agent, the replacement value of the building is $950,000.  The board will consider the assignment, assumption, and release of the USDA Grant Agreement.  The district must continue to honor the grant that was used to build the building.  The school could be liable if the grant requirements are not met.  The board will consider the termination of the current 28E agreement between the city and school district.  Currently, the city owns the building which sits on the school’s property and the school has a lease for the basement classroom.  The board action will resolve these items.
2. The board will consider a resolution for an inter-fund loan between the general fund and the capital projects fund.  The inter-fund loan will be a 1% interest rate and will be paid back by October 1, 2018.  We are doing this to maintain our cash flow for the summer projects.

11. The board will consider a summer project bid for upgrading the thermostats at the John Mott Building for $13,300.  The digital thermostats will be placed in the lower high school rooms.
12. The board will consider a summer project bid to update the internet cables at the elementary school.  The bid is from ETS in Cedar Rapids at a cost of $40,625.  The current cables are cat5 which are obsolete.  They were installed prior to 1998.  Noah said we will potentially receive 85% e-rate reimbursement for the project.
13. The board will consider a summer project bid for new access points throughout the district.  The bid is from ITS in Monticello at a cost of $58,400.80.  The district will receive $50,000 in e-rate funding to assist with this project.
14. The board will need to discuss the pros/cons of a split junior high athletic season.
15. The board will go into closed session under 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.
16. The board needs to consider an open enrollment request.   

 

Postville CSD

Board of Education Meeting

November 13, 2017

Superintendent’s Notes

 

Consent Agenda

5 a/b. Minutes and bills

5 c. Hires: Abdiwahab Ali/Migrant Coordinator and Adult Education Liaison, Nick

Zieman/Middle School Boys’ Basketball Coach, Shelby Varney/Boys’ Track, Erin

Hutchins/Assistant Girls’ High School Coach, and Michael Henricksen/Custodian 2nd

Shift at the Elementary School

5 d. Resignations: Paula Enyart/Basketball Cheerleading and Sheyla Chavez/After School

Program

5 e. Transfers: Randy Martie/Custodian Modified 1st Shift (10:00 A.M. – 6:30 P.M.)  

5 f. Acceptance of Donations/Gifts to the District (see attachment)

5 g. Approve the 2017-2018 PCSD Desegregation Ratio and Category Matrix   

7. Learning and Leadership – We are going to invite the new teachers to introduce themselves at

the board meeting.

8. The board needs to consider the second reading of the board policies: 502.6 Weapons,

507.2 Smoking Drinking Drugs, 503.1 Student Conduct, 503.1.R1 Student Suspension,

503.2 Expulsion, 503.5 Corporal Punishment, and 905.2 Tobacco Nicotine Free Environment.  The board policies reflect the current samples from the Iowa Association of School Boards policy book.  

9. The board needs to consider a School Budget Review Committee modified supplemental

amount request.  This application is for costs associated with increased enrollment and

English Language Learner Beyond 5 Years for the 2017-2018 year in the amount of

$273,489.10.

10. The board will hold a public hearing for the summer 2018 roofing project.

11. The board will need to consider roofing bids for the 2018 roofing project.  Glen and I are

recommending Service Roofing as the low bidder.  They did the roofing work last

summer for our school.   

Postville Board of Education Meeting

Regular Scheduled Monthly Meeting 6:30 P.M.

Fine Arts Center Lobby

November 13, 2017

 

Regularly Scheduled Monthly Meeting 6:30 P.M.

1. Call to Order
2. Welcome Visitors
   1. Hazard Mitigation Planning – Corey Snitker
3. Approval of Agenda
4. Items to be Removed From the Consent Agenda
5. Consent Agenda
   1. Approval of the October 9, 2017 Regular Meeting Minutes
   2. Approval of the monthly bills
   3. Hires
   4. Resignations
   5. Transfers  
   6. Acceptance of Donations/Gifts to the District
   7. Updated PCSD Desegregation Ratio and Category Matrix
6. Reports
   1. Superintendent
   2. Principals
   3. Curriculum Director/Dean of Students
7. Learning and Leadership  
8. Second Reading of Board Policies
   1. 502.6 Weapons
   2. 502.7 Smoking Drinking Drugs
   3. 503.1 Student Conduct
   4. 503.1.R1 Student Suspension
   5. 503.2 Expulsion
   6. 503.5 Corporal Punishment
   7. 905.2 Tobacco Nicotine Free Environment
9. School Budget Review Committee for Increased Enrollment and English LanguageLearner Beyond 5 years Modified Supplemental Amount Request $273,489.10
10. Public Hearing for Summer 2018 Roofing Project
11. Accept Bids for Summer 2018 Roofing Project
12. Items for the December Board Meeting
13. Adjournment

Next Board Meeting: Monday, December 11, 2017 at 6:30 P.M.