MASON CITY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Summary of the Minutes of the Board of Education Meeting

March 17, 2008

 

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

 

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

 

Superintendent Keith Sersland introduced Talent Development Program instructors Linda Zillig and Stacey Anderson to introduce students present to demonstrate inventions submitted to the Invention Convention competition.  The students and their inventions have qualified for the state competition.  Ms. Zillig shared the competition requires students to think of a problem, decide on a solution and then create an invention for the solution.  Students presenting to the Board were Alexis Acker with her invention Mitten Dryer on the Go; Abby White with her invention Super Bookmark; Angela Eppens and Alaina Berg with their invention Double A’s 2-in-1 Ear and Eye Warmer; and Nick Hinton and Conner Williams with their invention Handy Helper.

 

A motion was made by Director Appelgate and seconded by Director Young to approve the minutes of the special session of the Board of Education held February 15, 2008, the minutes of the regular meeting of the Board of Education held February 18, 2008, and to approve the minutes for the Committee of the Whole Meeting held March 10, 2008.  Ayes all.

                                                                                               

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

 

Director Thoms exited the meeting at this point.

 

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

 

Director of Finance Ramona Jeffrey reviewed state formulas and guidelines related to the certified budget.  Mrs. Jeffrey presented historical information regarding key trends in enrollment, general fund expenditures, and budget authority.  Information regarding budget enrollment estimates figured on the projected enrollment declines was also presented.  The public hearing for the purpose of approving the 2008-2009 certified budget will be held on April 10.

 

Director of Personnel Martin Gordon reviewed the following personnel changes: New Hires – Jason Wedgbury, Roosevelt Middle School Principal; Leave of Absence Request for 2008-2009 – Kathryn Maldonado; Resignations – Mindy Becker, Karen Brown and Leanne Rand; and New Hires/Supplemental – Heather Collins, Randall Lewis, Angela Brodersen, Karl Schaper and Kristine Christensen.  A motion was made by Director Young and seconded by Director Appelgate to approve the personnel changes.  Ayes all.

 

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

 

Superintendent Keith Sersland reviewed dates for the calendar with the Board.  Superintendent Sersland highlighted the changes in the calendar and the teacher work day due to the make-up day schedule for March 21, 2008.

 

President Jim Spicer reminded the Board of the special session scheduled for April 10, 2008, with the agenda items of the certified budget hearing and the closed session for the discussion of the superintendent search.

 

President Jim Spicer reviewed the process and dates related to hiring the new superintendent.  The posting for this position has closed and background checks and references are in the process of being made.  The Board will meet in closed session on March 31, 2008, to review applicant materials and five semi-finalists will be selected by the Board to be scheduled for interviews.

 

President Spicer reported on information from the recent board meeting of the Iowa Association of School Boards.  Legislative issues information was shared regarding open meetings law, school board election terms are being considered for a four-year term rather than the current three-year term and the one-cent sales tax legislation.

 

Superintendent Keith Sersland shared e-mail correspondence from a parent chaperone of the band trip to Chicago.  The e-mail complimented the students and staff for their professional demeanor and dress and the district should be very proud of how the students represented the district and our city.

 

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

 

Superintendent Sersland reported on the following:  (1) Update on Administrative Hiring, Interviewing and Changes – Superintendent Sersland announced the Roosevelt Middle School Principal position was accepted by Jason Wedgbury, the current associate principal.  Mr. Sersland also shared the interviews for the elementary principal position at Hoover Elementary started today.  Four candidates are being interviewed.  Committees made up of a cross section of administrators, teachers, support staff and parents will be part of the interview process.  Following completion of the interview process and the acceptance of the position by the candidate, the district will announce who has accepted the principal position at Hoover Elementary.   (2) Update on Legislative Matters – Superintendent Sersland provided the Board with a copy of the IASB (Iowa Association of School Boards) Action Line Legislative Activity electronic newsletter highlighting the information on the state penny debate and the legislative items President Spicer reported on from the IASB board meeting.

 

A motion was made by Director Hoffman and seconded by Director Young to approve the renewal of a cooperative sponsorship of an activity with North Central High School and Nora springs-Rock Falls Community School District for boys swimming for the 2008-2009 school year.  Ayes all.

 

A motion was made by Director Appelgate and seconded by Director Hoffman to approve open enrollment applications for the 2008-2009 school year.  Ayes all.

 

A motion was made by Director Young and seconded by Director Appelgate to hold a closed session 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 6:44 p.m.

 

Director Robert Thoms reentered the meeting at 6:55 p.m.

 

At 7:24 p.m. a motion was made by Director Hoffman and seconded by Director Appelgate to return to open session.  A roll call vote was taken resulting in ayes all.

 

A motion was made by Director Jayawardena and seconded by Director Young to adjourn.  Ayes all.  The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.

 

 

Susan A. Deike

Recording Secretary                                                   

 

 

James Spicer

Board President