MINUTES OF JANUARY 18, 2012 BOARD MEETING
BOARD MEETING JANUARY 18, 2012
by Marilyn Mickey
January 24, 2012
REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF EDUCATION
RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY SCHOOL
A regular meeting of the Riverside Board of Directors was held on January 18, 2012 at the Riverside Middle School. President Greg Hansen called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. Board members present were: Murray Fenn, Greg Hansen, Dan Ives, Phil Reed and Matt Bowen. Jeff Buckingham arrived at 7:00 p.m.
AGENDA
Murray Fenn moved, Phil Reed seconded adoption of the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
PRESENTATION BY MRS. WHITE, TITLE I TEACHER
Dianne White, Elementary Title I reading teacher, gave a presentation on the Title I reading program, the assessment and testing that is done at the lower elementary level to assess student’s reading ability and identify students in need of extra help and those that need to be challenged. She stated that the smaller class size in Kindergarten and First Grade really helps the teachers’ ability to work with the children to achieve the most potential.
OPEN FORUM
No public spoke during the open forum.
Dr. Sutton informed the board that there will be a site visit next year with preliminary preparations beginning now.
Pam Danker and Jack Fox have requested information about enrollment, district debt and bond rates in regard to the school bond election.
CONSENT AGENDA
Matt Bowen moved, Phil Reed seconded approval of the consent agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously. Items on the consent agenda included approval of minutes of prior meeting, approval of bills and claims and financial reports. Personnel included acceptance of the resignation of Mary Stempel effective at the end of the 2011-12 contract to take the early retirement incentive. Also approved was Pete Langenhan as a volunteer for high school boys basketball and Hillary Gingrich as assistant girls soccer coach per Salary Schedule B.
ACTION ITEMS
PRINCIPAL’S REPORTS
Mr. Gute, HS principal reported that basketball and wrestling are going well and the first speech contest is this weekend. All high school students have been issued laptops which are working well. Professional development on Monday covered reading strategies and technology.
Mr. Meek reported the Olweus night went well with 60 adults and over 100 students attending the presentation and activities. Five parents are interested in helping with future activities and will be referred to the SIAC committee.
EARLY START WAIVER FOR 2012-13
Murray Fenn moved, Matt Bowen seconded approval to submit the Early Start Calendar Waiver for the 2012-13 school year. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION FOR FISCAL STABILITY
Phil Reed moved, Jeff Buckingham seconded a resolution that the Riverside Board of Education considers the fiscal stability of the district to be imperative to maintaining the best educational environment for students, staff, and communities and believes that an unspent balance equal to 15% of the General fund budget and cash reserve balance equal to 15% of the General Fund budget is a realistic and appropriate goal for the district to reach and/or maintain. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION FOR BUDGET GUARANTEE
Phil Reed moved, Matt Bowen seconded a resolution that the Board of directors of the Riverside Community School District, consistent with Iowa Code section 257.14 will levy property tax for the fiscal year in order that the district’s 2012-13 regular program district cost will be 101% of the 2011-12 regular program district cost or the district’s 2012-13 regular program district cost will be increased by the maximum percent difference allowed by statute between the 2011-12 regular program district cost plus any monies received under section 257.14 as a budget adjustment for the 2011-12 minus 2012-13 regular program cost, whichever is greater. Motion carried unanimously.
2012-13 CALENDAR
Dr. Sutton handed out three potential calendars for the next school year, developed after suggestions from staff and parents. Several members expressed their dislike of late starts, but recognized the importance of teacher in-service. With “inquiry based learning” being promoted, teachers will need more instruction in order to implement it in their classrooms. Administrators will coordinate with districts we share teachers with to develop the best possible calendar, with an early March target date for the final draft. No board action was necessary.
SURVEILANCE SYSTEM AT ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL BUILDINGS
In order to improve student and staff safety, administrators would like to explore the possibility of surveillance systems at the elementary and middle school buildings. Similar equipment is already used at the high school and on buses to monitor student behavior. Any equipment purchased would be transferrable to a new building. Dr. Sutton was given permission from the board to get bids.
CLEANING SERVICE BIDS
With the potential retirement of two custodians, the board discussed future personnel/services to provide janitorial services. Dr. Sutton will be meeting with BCS, the company currently cleaning the Middle School building and will research other possible companies. No board action necessary.
BIDS FOR MOWING AND TURF CARE CONTRACTS
Dan Ives moved, Murray Fenn seconded permission to advertise for mowing and turf care contracts for the 2012 season. Motion carried unanimously.
MACEDONIA DEMOLITION
Demolition and dirt work at the Macedonia building site should be finished this week. The contractor has done a good job and the attorney should have the property transferred to the city next week. No board action necessary.
SHARING AGREEMENTS FOR 2012-13
As of now, sharing agreements for staff will remain the same as the current year: Transportation and Maintenance supervisors, HS science and Industrial Arts teachers with AHST, Business Manager and Elementary Counselor with Griswold, Art teachers with Harlan and East Mills. Mrs. Hardy will be teaching college English classes through IWCC. Some of these positions are subject to change depending on need of each district.
NEGOTIATIONS – CLOSED (EXEMPT) SESSION
Dr. Sutton updated the board on the negotiation process and what positions will need to be filled in the coming year. No board action was necessary.
SUPERINTENDENT EVALUATION-CLOSED SESSION
Murray Fenn moved, Dan Ives seconded the board go into closed session at 8:05 p.m. “as provided in section 21.5(1)(i) of the open meetings law to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose performance is being considered to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation, as that individual has a requested a closed session.” Motion carried unanimously. The board came out of closed session at 8:10 p.m.
Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Marilyn Mickey, Secretary
