MASON CITY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Summary of the Minutes of the Board of Education Meeting

October 15, 2007

 

The regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by President James Spicer at 5:30 p.m. in the Board Room of the School Administration Building.  Present were James Spicer, President; Michele Appelgate, Tim Becker, Gary Hoffman, Darshini Jayawardena, Robert Thoms and Mark Young, Directors.

 

President Spicer noted an addendum to the agenda, the addition of agenda item number 63 – Cooperative Sponsorship of an Activity.  A motion was made by Director Hoffman and seconded by Director Becker to approve the agenda.   Ayes all.

 

The minutes of the regular meeting of the Board of Education held September 17, 2007, and the Committee of the Whole Meeting held October 8, 2007, were presented for approval. A motion was made by Director Becker and seconded by Director Appelgate to approve the minutes.  Ayes all.

 

A motion was made by Director Hoffman and seconded by Director Young to approve the payment of bills.  Ayes all.

 

Director of Finance Ramona Jeffrey reviewed the receipts, disbursements, and cash balance in each of the fund accounts for the month of September.

 

Director of Personnel Martin Gordon reviewed the following personnel changes: New Hires – Dyan Ausborn, Sonya Dahle, Denise Ward, Connie Lindsay, Brandi Nehls, Raleigh King, Elizabeth Lofing, Ramona Scholl, Mindy Becker, and Jessica Arndt; and New Hires/Supplemental – John McKay, Dion King, Tom Kirby, Jason Keston, Heather Horner, Dan Ramaeker and Jake Phillips.   A motion was made by Director Becker and seconded by Director Appelgate to approve the personnel changes.  Ayes all.

 

The calendar dates were reviewed. 

 

Superintendent Keith Sersland shared correspondence from former board president Sam Hunt thanking the Board for the years of service plaque and the kind words and recognition at his final meeting in September.  Superintendent Sersland reported on the Roosevelt Middle School tree planting project and next spring a Ginko tree will be planted at

Roosevelt Middle School in honor of Sam’s years of service to Mason City Community School District and the community.

 

There were no requests to address the Board during the Open Forum.

 

Assistant Superintendent Hal Minear reviewed a list of recent accomplishments by students and staff members. 

 

Assistant Superintendent Hal Minear provided the Board with the 2007-2008 Certified Enrollment Summary as filed with the State of Iowa.  Assistant Superintendent Minear reviewed this enrollment data and made special note of row seven, the actual enrollment which is 3,933.9.  This is an enrollment decline of 78.3 students this year.  Mr. Minear provided the Board with a five-year comparison of the count indicated on row seven of the Iowa Department of Education Certified Enrollment report.  This five-year comparison shows a steady decline in students for the past five years.

 

Director of Finance Ramona Jeffrey provided the Board with a list of committee members for the Insurance Study Group Committee.  A tentative agenda prepared by Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc., the district’s insurance consultant, was shared with the first meeting scheduled for October 30.

 

Director of Instructional Programs Kathryn Schladweiler provided the Board with a report on the district professional development courses scheduled for teachers and administrators for three dates in addition to the building-based professional development scheduled for Tuesday mornings.  The district has contracted with AEA 267 and outside consultants to provide courses that relate to our long-range student achievement goals.  The four course offerings available which consist of 15 contact hours are as follows:  A Framework for Understanding Poverty, Level I; A Framework for Understanding Poverty, Level II; Differentiating Instruction:  Meeting the Needs of All Learners; and Making Thinking Flourish in Mathematics.

 

Superintendent Keith Sersland reviewed Board Policy 903.4 – Public Conduct on School Premises and Board Policy Regulation 903.4R1 – Public Conduct on School Premises Regulation.  This policy and regulation recommendations are being presented in accordance with Senate File 588, Sec. 38 requirements regarding a civility policy addressing the behavior of students, staff, parents and visitors.  This policy and regulations will be presented for second reading and approval at the November regular meeting of the Board.

 

At the September meeting President Spicer was elected to represent the Board at the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) Delegate Assembly during the IASB Annual Convention in November. Due to President Spicer’s seat on the IASB Board of Directors, he is not eligible to represent the District as a voting delegate.  Director Becker volunteered to represent the District as the voting delegate and Director Hoffman volunteered to be the alternate.

 

Superintendent Sersland reported on the following:  (1) Reauthorization of N.C.L.B. – Superintendent Sersland provided the Board with a handout from the National School Board Association, “A Quick Reference Guide, No Child Left Behind Improvements Act of 2007, Provisions and Rationale”  as a follow up to the resolution passed by the Board in July regarding N.C.L.B.  This N.C.L.B. Act expires in 2007, but an extension of this act is anticipated.  (2) Girls’ Bowling – Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union – The girls athletic union has sanctioned girls’ bowling as an Iowa high school sport.  Girls’ bowling has been an activity/club at Mason City High School and last year approximately 30 girls participated.  Superintendent Sersland recommended the Board approve girls’ bowling as a sanctioned sport at Mason City High School.  This would enable the team to play other sanctioned teams and participate in state sponsored events and tournaments.  A motion was made by Director Young and seconded by Director Appelgate to sanction girls’ bowling as a team sport at Mason City High School.  Ayes all.

 

A motion was made by Director Becker and seconded by Director Appelgate to award a five-year beverage contract for concession sales and student vending machines (bottled water only) at the high school and middle schools to Pepsi America.  Ayes all.  A summary of the bids received is attached.

 

Superintendent Keith Sersland presented anti-bullying/harassment board policies 104, 104.E1, 403.5, 403.5E1, 502.10, and 502.10E1 for first reading.  August 20, 2007, updates to these policies were approved by the Board.  Additional changes are being recommended by the Iowa Association of School Boards due to a recent United States Supreme Court case.  Superintendent Sersland recommended the Board approve the adoption of this policy with the changes on the first reading since the changes were minor.  A motion was made by Director Hoffman and seconded by Director Young to approve these policy changes.   Ayes all.

 

Two open enrollment applications for the 2007-2008 school year were taken under consideration.  A motion was made by Director Young and seconded by Director Appelgate to approve these applications.  Ayes all.

 

A motion was made by Director Becker and seconded by Director Young to approve an application for cooperative sponsorship of an activity with Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock Community School District for orchestra for the 2007-2008 school year.  Ayes all.

 

A motion was made by Director Young and seconded by Director Appelgate to adjourn.  Ayes all.  The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.

 

 

Susan A. Deike

Recording Secretary                                                      

 

 

James Spicer

Board President