School Board: Meeting Minutes

September Board Minutes

by Karin Borchers

September 17, 2008

Unapproved Minutes of the West Sioux Board of Education
September 15, 2008,
Regular & Organizational Board Meeting
Administrative Board Room, 7:00 PM

Present: Vice President, Tim McKenney

Board Members: Vande Pol, Anderson, SmitAlso present: Olson, Borchers, Buryanek, Kramer, Bartunek

Absent: Ortiz

Meeting called to order by Vice President, Tim McKenney. Motion by Anderson, seconded by Smit, it was; RESOLVED: to amend the agenda to include the approval of the resignation of Ryan Schwiesow as Assistant Football Coach.

Aye: Unanimous

Motion by Smit, seconded by Vande Pol, it was; RESOLVED: to approve the amended agenda, minutes of the August 14, 2008 and September 3, 2008 meetings, financial statements, and bills for September. Principal Kramer pointed out an error in the information presented at the Special Meeting on September 3. The grant received by the City of Ireton will cover $150,000 of the cost of the Pre-School/Daycare, not $275,000 as reported. Minutes will be corrected to reflect this change.

Aye: Unanimous

Jennifer Topete of Wee Care/Kiddieland was present to thank the Board for their support in the past and to request $5000 again this year to help with increasing costs. The Board will take the request under advisement. Principal Kramer praised the excellent program offered by Wee Care and the cooperative effort with West Sioux.

A thank you for the complimentary passes over the last years was received from the Walker family, who will be leaving the community soon. A letter stating approval for a Homeless Grant for $26,512 was shared. These funds are used for the Summer School program.

Sharilyn Buryanek and Amy Jo Yost, elementary teachers were present to share information on the new Guided Reading Curriculum. Mrs. Buryanek shared a BEE Book (Bring Everything Everyday) that the students are using. It serves as a parent-teacher communication tool, and develops responsibility and organization skills in the students. Mrs. Yost demonstrated the Balanced Literacy Binders that are used to organize reading, writing, and word work. They are used to teach independence and organization while a teacher works with small groups.

Principal Buryanek introduced a proposed new course for the High School "Introduction to Veterinary Science". There is a national shortage of large animal veterinarians. Congress is considering incentives to stimulate interest in the field. Mr. Chapman would offer the class and work in conjunction with local veterinarians, Dordt College, which offers a Pre-Vet program, and possibly with ISU. This would provide relevant training for today's world. As far as is known, no other school offers such a program, and would put West Sioux on the cutting edge. The Board was very supportive.

Denny Peters, AD reported on changes in the War Eagle Conference. Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn has requested membership which has been approved by the Superintendents and Boards of all schools involved. Remsen-Union has also applied for membership. Adding new members will result in many schedule changes for WEC schools for the next year. Due to increased transportation costs, the Athletic Department is discontinuing attendance at coaching clinics, scouting trips, State tournament attendance etc. to help cut costs. The Board questioned if the ICN could be used more efficiently to provide more training around the state.

Principal Kramer reported that PBS is working successfully. Each year is showing more improvement in student behavior. The elementary has done Universal Screenings of all students to determine early intervention for students before Special Ed placement is needed. The Pre-School/Daycare has opened in temporary quarters at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Although space is cramped, WS has excellent help and the programs, along with the Before and After School care, are going well. Currently there are 14 children in daycare, a very successful start.

Principals Buryanek and Kramer reviewed the topics for today's inservice. Principal Buryanek reported a decline in low grades since implementing ABC-I. 41-43 students plan to participate in the Senior Trip. Costs continue to increase

Superintendent Olson shared new transportation guidelines to help cut fuel costs to the district. These were compiled by the Transportation Director and Administrators. Fuel costs have nearly tripled in the last six years. Cost cutting measures must be implemented.

The One Cent Sales Tax use option was overwhelmingly supported by voters. Superintendent Olson expressed appreciation for the confidence of the voters.

The Cadre group, which guides the curriculum and staff development, will be meeting on inservice days to reduce the cost of substitutes for half days.

Business Manager, Paula Bartunek, reviewed a chart comparing enrollment, state aid, transportation costs, open enrollment numbers, utility costs, and salaries for the last six years. West Sioux has lost 41 students and $1.7 million in Open Enrollment costs over that period. A huge deficit in state funding can be seen at the point when the state eliminated the Budget Guarantee.

This was the third read of Code 504.1-505.4 - Student Organizations. Motion by Smit, seconded by Anderson, it was; RESOLVED: to approve as written.

Aye: Unanimous

This was the second read of Code 505.6 - 506.1, 506.3-507.2 - Graduation Requirements / Records with a correction made.

This was the first read of Code 414.1 - Classified Employee Vacations. After some discussion, it was determined that the policy needs to be re-written. Superintendent Olson will research state policy and/or contact the school's attorney.

This was the first read of Code 905.2 - Smoke Free Environment. New legislation requires wording changes.

Motion by Smit, seconded by Vande Pol, it was; RESOLVED: to approve the following contracts:

Linda Jordan, Pre-School Special Ed Associate; Heather Kaskie, Emma Bouza, Tammy Sieck, Norma Brown, Christine Raduechel, and Ashley Steckelberg as Pre-School/Daycare Associates; Jeri Strong and Steve Strong, Part-time Custodians; Tracy Westcott-Riepma and Theresa Schiefen, Bus Associates; Mike Kallsen, William Buryanek, Curt Anderson, Lori Davis, Substitute Bus Drivers; Jane Waterman, Basketball Cheerleader Sponsor; and Nate Roberts, Assistant HS Boys' Basketball Coach.

Aye: Smit, Vande Pol, McKenney

Abstained: Anderson

Motion by Smit, seconded by Anderson, it was; RESOLVED: to accept the resignations of Dennis Weerheim, MS Softball Coach, and Ryan Schwiesow, Assistant Football Coach.

Aye: Unanimous

Motion by Anderson, seconded by Smit, it was; RESOLVED: to accept the Early Retirement request of Denny Peters at the end of the 2008-2009 school year. A request for early payout was tabled until next meeting.

Aye: Unanimous

Open Enrollment requests, one in and one out of West Sioux, were presented. Both were accepted.

Motion by Vande Pol, seconded by Smit, it was; RESOLVED: to approve the 2009 Senior Trip to Washington, D.C.

Aye: Smit, Anderson, Vande Pol

Nay: McKenney

Motion by Anderson, seconded by Smit, it was; RESOLVED: to approve the list of fundraisers for the 2008-2009 year.

Aye: Unanimous

Motion by Smit, seconded by Vande Pol, it was; RESOLVED: to pre-authorize payment to food suppliers to receive discounts.

Aye: Unanimous

Principal Kramer recommended that lunch prices for Pre-School/Daycare students be reduced to $1.00 for lunch and $.75 for breakfast. The students eat smaller portions and smaller portions will be provided. Motion by Vande Pol, seconded by Anderson, it was; RESOLVED: to reduce the prices as recommended, retroactive to the beginning of the school year.

Aye: Unanimous

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Olson and Activities Director, motion by Smit, seconded by Anderson, it was; RESOLVED: to accept Remsen-Union into the WEC.

Aye: Unanimous

Mr. Peters reported Ryan Kramer, Soccer Coach, the players and spectators were in the top 10% of sportsmanship ratings as determined by the referees. The Board congratulated Mr. Kramer and his team.

A request to allow a neighboring school district bus to enter the West Sioux district for transportation of open enrolled out students was received. Motion by Smit, seconded by Anderson, it was; RESOLVED: to deny the request as against school policy since a dangerous turnaround is not involved.

Aye: Unanimous

Randy von Hagel, Transportation Director, requested permission to dispose of a 1991 non-running vehicle as salvage. Motion by Anderson, seconded by Vande pol, it was; RESOLVED: to allow the request.

Aye: Unanimous

A discussion on attending the Iowa School Board Convention was held. Although the majority felt it very worthwhile, as an attempt to curtail costs, the consensus was to send only Armando Ortiz as our legislative delegate and possibly the Superintendent this year.

Superintendent Olson thanked Teresa Vande Pol for her service on the Board and presented her with a plaque of appreciation. He thanked Tim McKenney for his service and a job well done and will be presenting him a plaque as well.

Motion by Smit, seconded by Anderson, it was; RESOLVED: to adjourn and dismiss the retiring Board at 9:20 PM.

Aye: Unanimous

Armando Ortiz, President ATTEST: Karin Borchers, Board Secretary

The organizational meeting of the school board members of the West Sioux Community School was held at the Administrative Board Room on Monday, September 15, 2008 at 9:20 PM.

There were present: Doug Smit, Curt Anderson, Ryan Schwiesow, Jody Anderson, Paul Olson (Superintendent), Paula Bartunek (Business Manager), Karin Borchers (Board Secretary), Kim Buryanek (Principal), Ryan Kramer (Principal)

Absent: Armando Ortiz

The Sioux County Auditor submitted the following results of the canvass of voters by the County Board of Supervisors: Director District III – 157 votes were cast for Tim McKenney, 195 write-in votes were cast for Ryan Schwiesow. Director District IV - 310 votes were cast for Jody Anderson, and a scattering of 11 write-in votes. One cent sales tax use option votes were 277 yes and 68 no.

The Board Secretary/President Pro Tem administered the Oath of Office to Ryan Schwiesow and Jody Anderson.

The President Pro Tem called for nominations for President of the school board. C. Anderson nominated Smit. Seconded by Schwiesow. With no further nominations, Smit was appointed as President. President Smit then requested nominations for Vice President. Schwiesow nominated Ortiz. Seconded by C. Anderson. J. Anderson nominated C. Anderson, but with no one to second, nominations ceased. With no further nominations, Ortiz was appointed as Vice President.

Doug Smit was appointed to serve on the County Conference Committee for 2008-2009, and Armando Ortiz was appointed to serve on the Legislative Action Network for 2008-2009.

It was the consensus of the Board to set the second Monday of each month at 7:00 PM for the regular board meeting.

It was the consensus of the board to continue using the modified Roberts Rules of Order and the addendum as the operating rules and practices for conducting our business meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 9:40 PM. A Public Hearing will be held regarding plans for the Ireton Pre-School/ Daycare project on Monday, September 29, 2008 at 7:00 PM in the Board room. The next regular meeting will be October 13, 2008 at 7:00 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Karin Borchers, Board Secretary