REGULAR MEETING OF THE GREEN HILLS AEA BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND PUBLIC HEARING OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET

Transcription

1 REGULAR MEETING OF THE GREEN HILLS AEA BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND PUBLIC HEARING OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET MINUTES Unofficial Red Oak Regional Office 6:01 p.m. 212 E. Coolbaugh Street Red Oak, Iowa President Raymond Storm called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Roll call revealed the following persons present and/or absent. Board Members Present: Randy Brown, Ed Gambs, Marland Gammon, Ken Lee, Jake Jere Ann Powers, Richard Schenck, Raymond Storm, and Julie Wilken Board Members Absent: Karen Thomsen AEA Staff Present: Lane Plugge, Chief Administrator Linda Perdue, Board Secretary Kerry Aistrope, Regional Administrator Terri Bush, Regional Administrator Lori Kinyon, Director of Human Resources Emily Nelson, Director of Finance and Board Treasurer Angie Shindelar, Math Consultant David VanHorn, Associate Administrator Approval of Agenda Ms. Wilken moved approval of the, Board agenda; seconded by Mr. Lee. The motion carried on a unanimous voice vote. Approval of Minutes Mr. Schenck moved approval of the December 17, 2013, regular meeting minutes; seconded by Mr. Gammon. The motion carried on a unanimous voice vote. Hearing on Proposed Budget The estimated revenue, expenditures and notice of this hearing have been properly advertised in official county newspapers in each county in which the principal place of business of a school district that is a part of the Green Hills AEA is located. Proofs of publications may be viewed in the office of the board secretary. Starting at 6:04 p.m., a public hearing on the proposed budget was conducted. Ms. Nelson, Director of Finance, presented the proposed Budget. There was no one present from the public who wished to make a formal statement. The hearing was concluded at 6:11 p.m. Approval of the Proposed Budget Administration recommended that the Board approve the Proposed Budget for submission to the Iowa Department of Education.

2 Page 2 Mr. Schenck moved approval of the budget projecting total resources and requirements of $34,984,590. This includes General Fund amount of $34,447,173, Special Education Instruction amount of $119,702 and Juvenile Home Instruction amount of $417,715 for submission to the State Board of Education. The motion was seconded by Ms. Wilken. Roll call vote: Yes: Lee, Gammon, Brown, Powers, Storm, Wilken, Schenck, Gambs No: None Absent: Thomsen The motion carried. Open Forum There were no comments from the public in attendance. Board Presentation Math Grade Level Academy Project Angie Shindelar, Math Consultant, provided a presentation on the Grade Level Academy project. Implementing the new Iowa Core Mathematics Standards at the K-8 level presents new challenges for teachers and students. The Grade Level Academy project is working with five schools in the south region to build a coherent plan for implementing the new Iowa Core Mathematics Standards that includes a yearly plan for instruction, best practice instructional strategies, math pedagogy, quarterly assessments aligned to the new standards, and designing and implementing an intervention plan for students needing additional support. Financial Reports Ms. Wilken reported that she had reviewed the bills and moved approval/acceptance of the following: a. Approval of the Anticipated Cash Flow Chart through February 25, b. Acceptance of the General Fund Financial Report for December 2013, indicating a beginning balance on December 1, 2013, of $2,838,720.45, receipts of $1,663,255.74, disbursements of $2,255,256.92, and an ending balance on December 31, 2013, of $2,246, c. Acceptance of the Fiduciary Fund Financial Report for December 2013, indicating a beginning balance on December 1, 2013, of $16,737.69, receipts of $125.10, disbursements of $388.19, and an ending balance on December 31, 2013, of $16, d. Acceptance of the December 31, 2013, quarterly budget status report reflecting total commitments against the budget of $13,057,150.76, and total revenue received of $11,067, e. Approval for payment of bills in the amount of $245,683.31, expense accounts of $42,397.89, fiduciary fund warrants of $388.19, and operating fund manual warrants of $57, f. Acceptance of the December 31, 2013, Investment Report balance of $1,926, in the General Fund. Mr. Schenck seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Yes: Gammon, Brown, Powers, Storm, Wilken, Schenck, Gambs, Lee No: None Absent: Thomsen The motion carried. Mr. Brown volunteered to review bills for the February Board meeting.

3 Page 3 Resolution Regarding Early Notification of Retirement This resolution allows the Agency to seek early notification from up to five certified employees who plan to retire at the end of the school year. Early notification will allow the Agency to better plan for the allocation of resources and recruitment for the school year. Ms. Wilken moved approval of the following resolution: PURPOSE: The purpose of this resolution is to encourage certified employees to advise the Board of Directors of Green Hills AEA of their intention to retire at the end of the school year by providing a financial incentive to do so. The Agency will not discriminate against any employee on the basis of age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, or disability through the application or administration of this resolution. ELIGIBILITY: The Board reserves the right to determine how many employees will be granted an early notification benefit. At the time of adoption of this resolution, the Board has determined that the number of employees who will be granted benefits is limited to the first five (5) who submit a retirement letter effective at the end of the school year. The Board expressly reserves the right to change this number and to reject any application for an early notification benefit once the designated number of employees has submitted notification to the Board. Recipients will be determined on a first-come, first-served basis, based upon the date on which the employee s notice and retirement letter is received by the Director of Human Resources. For benefits to be payable, the employee must submit an original signed letter indicating their intent to retire by February 14, Any decision by the Board to waive this deadline shall not establish any precedent with regard to any other notification which fails to meet the February 14 deadline. AMOUNT OF BENEFIT: A certified employee whose notification is accepted by the Board will receive an early notification benefit of $1,000. This payment will be subject to any applicable payroll taxes. The motion was seconded by Mr. Brown and carried on a unanimous voice vote. Personnel Matters Lori Kinyon, Director of Human Resources, presented personnel items for Board consideration. Mr. Gambs moved approval/acceptance of the following personnel items: Retirement of Certified Staff: Betty Brummett, Literacy Consultant, effective the end of the 2013/2014 school year Sharon Irelan, Science Consultant, effective the end of the 2013/2014 school year Judith Jackson, Speech-Language Pathologist, effective the end of the 2013/2014 school year Charlotte Herrman, Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, effective the end of the 2013/2014 school year Retirement of Classified Staff Denise Barnett, Instructional Materials Assistant I, effective February 28, 2014 Resignation of Classified Staff Withdrawn Richard Crall, School Based Interventionist, effective February 7, 2014 (Resignation Withdrawn) Substitute Speech-Language Pathologist to Be Paid Per Diem for the 2013/2014 School Year Virginia Marquard Per Diem: $366.55

4 Page 4 Certified Staff Extended Days Stacy Buresh, Speech-Language Pathologist, three days August 29 and 30, 2013 for Teacher Quality Early Childhood Institute and November 1, 2013 for Teacher Quality Teach Town training Per Diem: $ Valorie Caputo, Educational Audiologist, two days July 15 and 16, 2013 for Teacher Quality Google Summit Per Diem: $ Cheryl Case, Occupational Therapist, two days July 15 and 16, 2013 for Teacher Quality Google Summit Per Diem: $ Michelle Custer, Special Education Consultant, two days August 29 and 30, 2013 for Teacher Quality Early Childhood Institute Per Diem: $ Rachel Eikenberry, School Psychologist, one day November 23, 2013 for Teacher Quality Book Study Discussion Group Per Diem: $ Diane Emsick, Speech-Language Pathologist, three days, November 15, 20, 2013 and January 10, 2014 for Speech support in West Region Per Diem: $ Deanna Etherington, Media Specialist, eight days December 7, 2013 for Teacher Quality Book Study, September 6, 13, 20 and 27, 2013 for preparation and instruction of Internal Professional Development Technology Meetings and November 25, 26 and 27, 2013 for preparation for presentations, Consulting in schools Per Diem: $ Judy Griffin, Instructional Technology Consultant, two days for Teacher Quality Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) Digital Learning Transition (DTL) training and Teacher Quality Who Owns the Learning Book Study Per Diem: $ Lenna Hiatt, Speech-Language Pathologist, five days December 11, 18, 2013, January 3, 8 and 15, 2014 for extra help for Speech-Language Pathologist shortage Per Diem: $ Ami Leath, Early Childhood Consultant, one day November 23, 2014 for Teacher Quality Book Study Per Diem: $ Sameena Noetzel, School Psychologist, one day August 30, 2013 for Teacher Quality Early Childhood Institute Per Diem: $ Blair Voigt, Speech-Language Pathologist, one day for Teacher Quality Auditory Processing Disorder Book Study Per Diem: $ Deborah Zebill, Life Skills Consultant, one day January 3, 2014 for Teacher Quality Book Study Per Diem: $ The following Certified Staff received a per diem for attending the Teacher Quality 21 st Century Learners Conference on October 4 or 11, 2013: Billie Jo Clausen, Early Childhood Specialist Per Diem: $ Jane King, School Psychologist Per Diem: $ Sameena Noetzel, School Psychologist Per Diem: $ Seth Piro, School Psychologist Per Diem: $ Patricia Schliesman, Speech-Language Pathologist Per Diem: $ Denise Volker, School Psychologist Per Diem: $345.11

5 Page 5 The following Certified Staff received a per diem for attending the Teacher Quality Personalizing Your Professional Development training on November 8, 2013: Diane Emsick, Speech-Language Pathologist Per Diem: $ Deanna Etherington, Media Specialist Per Diem: $ Susan Rensch, Early Childhood Specialist Per Diem: $ Contracted Staff Cindy Burchett received the following stipend: $150 for instruction of Human Relations Independent Study course on January 6, 2014 Thomas Micek received the following stipend: $150 for instruction of Human Relations Independent Study course on December 12, 2013 Certified Staff Vacancies for the 2013/2014 Contract Year Speech-Language Pathologist (2 FTE) Creston, Harlan Certified Staff Vacancies for the 2014/2015 Contract Year Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (1 FTE) Glenwood Classified Staff Vacancies for the 2013/2014 Contract Year Instructional Materials Assistant I (1 FTE) Halverson The motion was seconded by Mr. Gammon and carried on a unanimous voice vote. Approval of Contracts and Grant Award Letters of Agreement Dr. Plugge presented the following items for board approval: a. Iowa West Foundation Grant Award Letters of Agreement 1. The Agency has received the Iowa West Foundation Grant Award Letter of Agreement for the operation of the Summer 2014 Leadership Academies for middle school students. This Letter of Agreement details the conditions and uses of the $27,000, 1:1 matching funds (50% Iowa West and 50% local schools). The Agency will serve as the fiscal agent for the grant. 2. The Agency has received the Iowa West Foundation Grant Award Letter of Agreement for the research plan for the implementation of a regional Career Technical Education Institute. This Letter of Agreement details the conditions and uses of the $50,000, 1:1 matching funds (50% Iowa West and 50% local schools). The Agency will serve as the fiscal agent for the grant. b. Contract with Mediacom This contract is for cable modem Internet connectivity at the future Atlantic regional office location. It is a three-year contract, effective July 1, 2014, through June 30, 2017, with a $ per month cost and one time installation setup fee of $ c. Other Employee Background Investigation Service Participant Agreement This agreement is with Local Government Services, Inc, (LGS) a wholly owned subsidiary of the Iowa Association of School Boards, and effective until June 30, Green Hills AEA will pay LGS for each Employee Background Investigation performed through its provider One Source at a cost of $6 per employee checked through February 28, Starting March 1, 2014, the cost

6 Page 6 increases to $9 per employee. This screening is being provided to help Iowa schools and AEA's meet the requirements of Iowa Senate File 452 and includes the following registry checks: Iowa Courts on Line Iowa Child Abuse Iowa Adult Abuse National Sex Offender Registry for all 50 States Mr. Gammon moved to approve the contracts and grant award letters of agreement as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lee and carried on a unanimous voice vote. Local School District Requests for Transportation Approval -- Bus Routes Operating Outside the District s Boundaries -- Code of Iowa 285.9(3) Chapter 285.9(3), Code of Iowa, requires the AEA Board of Directors to approve all bus routes outside the boundary of the school district operating the buses. This has been interpreted to mean regular routes and regular special education routes, not field trips or activity trips. Requests were received from Clarke Community School District. Mr. Gambs moved to approve the Requests for Transportation Approval from Clarke Community School District as presented; seconded by Ms. Wilken. The motion carried on a unanimous voice vote. Administrative Reports a. Administrative Reports Directors who want a business card with Green Hills AEA information were asked to submit the form provided to the Board secretary. Dr. Plugge provided information regarding the e-newsletter, Education Funding Fact of the Week. Each week during the legislative session, the electronic newsletter is sent to all members of the General Assembly through the joint efforts of Iowa Association of School Boards, School Administrators of Iowa, Iowa Area Education Agencies, Iowa State Education Association, and the Urban Education Network of Iowa in support of adequate and timely school funding. The AEA Boards of Directors Conference is scheduled in Des Moines on April 10-11, Dr. Plugge provided a brief report on budget planning for and a legislative update. Dr. Plugge stated that the 21 st Century Learners conference will be held on October 3, 2014, at the Underwood High School and on October 10, 2014 at the Creston High School. Dr. Plugge announced that this fall GHAEA will hold an All Staff opening meeting this year in Creston. For the past several years the fall opening meetings have been held regionally. David VanHorn announced that the Google Summit will be held on June 23-24, 2014, at Glenwood High School. b. Roster of Responsibility Update Dr. VanHorn provided additional data on the Roster of Responsibility (ROR)--a service model involving GHAEA special education representatives working closely with special education teachers to impact achievement of students receiving special education services. c. Board Reports No Board reports were provided.

7 Page 7 Time and Place of Next Meeting The next regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Green Hills AEA will be held on February 25, 2014, at the Red Oak Regional Office, 212 E. Coolbaugh Street, in Red Oak. Adjournment Mr. Storm announced that following adjournment the Board will meet as provided in Iowa Code Section 20.17(3) for a collective bargaining strategy session. With no further business, President Raymond Storm declared the meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m. Linda Perdue Board Secretary Raymond Storm Board President