Summary of the Minutes of the Board
of Education Meeting
The regular meeting
of the Board of Education was called to order by Vice President
A motion was made by Director Thoms and
seconded by Director Hoffman to approve the agenda. Ayes all.
A motion was made by Director Jayawardena and
seconded by Director Thoms to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the
Board of Education held
A motion was made by Director Hoffman and
seconded by Director Appelgate 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 November.
Director of Personnel Martin Gordon reviewed
the following personnel changes: New
Hires – Dianne Christeson, Nancy Dierks, and Colleen Flaherty and Resignations
– Susan Frescaz and Brandi Nehls. A
motion was made by Director Appelgate and seconded by Director Hoffman to
approve the personnel changes. Ayes all.
The calendar dates were reviewed. Superintendent Keith Sersland made note of
the Iowa School Board Association Legislative Conference scheduled for January
22 in
Ryann Dear of 729 S. Carolina Pl.,
Assistant Superintendent Hal Minear reviewed
a list of recent accomplishments by students and staff members.
Mason City High School Principal Doug
Kennedy provided the Board with information regarding the Iowa High School
Project. The Iowa Department of
Education in cooperation with the Area Education Agencies and the
Key priorities for the Iowa High School Project
and the participating schools are to improve the performance of struggling
students and make available statewide to all high schools what is learned by
this project. The project sponsors and
coordinates the annual Iowa High School Summit.
Superintendent Sersland reported on the
following: (1) January 3 Caucuses and
School Facilities –
Superintendent Sersland shared which facilities have been scheduled for use
during the January 3 Iowa Caucuses. The
district has several activities scheduled the same evening and Mr. Sersland
informed the Board of those activities and the arrangements being made to
accommodate both the activities and the caucuses in those facilities. (2) AP Exam Scholarships – Superintendent
Sersland shared the district and high school concern that the cost of the AP
(Advance Placement) exams may be a burden on some students and taking multiple
AP exams increases this burden. The
tests are about $90.00 per exam.
Conversations have been held with some of the Adopt A School sponsors
and they have been very enthused about supporting donations for AP exam
scholarships for students.
Superintendent
Sersland recommended a proposed school calendar for the 2008-2009 school year.
The New Mohawk Day for new middle school and new high school students is
A motion was made by Director Hoffman and seconded by Director Jayawardena to approve a three-year agreement with GS Consulting for the coordination, preparation, filing, licensing and acting as the agent for the district’s participation in the E-rate Discount FCC Program. Ayes all.
A motion was made by Director Hoffman and second by Director Thoms to enter into a contract with Tryon and Associates, Inc. for the purpose of conducting the search for a new superintendent. Ayes all.
A motion was made
by Director Hoffman and seconded by Director Appelgate to hold a public hearing
on
A motion was made
by Director Appelgate and seconded by Director Hoffman to hold a closed session
as to conduct a strategy meeting of a public employer concerning
employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement as provided in Section
20.17(d) of the Code. A roll call vote
was taken resulting in ayes all. The
Board went into closed session at
At
A motion was made by Director Hoffman and seconded by
Director Thoms to adjourn. Ayes all. The meeting was adjourned at
Susan A. Deike
Recording Secretary
Timothy D. Becker
Board Vice President