BOARD/ADMINISTRATIVE WORK SESSION November 15, 2004

Transcription

1 BOARD/ADMINISTRATIVE WORK SESSION November 15, 2004 Board President Randy Bauer called the session to order at 5:00 p.m. in the Educational Services Center Board Room. Board members present:, Norm Zahradnik, Randy Bauer, Sandy Flatgard, Brian Farmer, Mark Hunt, Shirley Exline; absent; Lauri Hughes Administrators present: Dick Whitehead, Al Row e, Jim Rotter, Mark Gronemeyer, Dave Brauhn, Greg Leytem, Kathy Miller, Laurene Lanich, Sue Skala Others in Attendance: Mark Brown, KCRG New s, Diane Heldt, CR Gazette, Jim Dostal Board members debriefed one another on their observations from building visits at Prairie View, Prairie Ridge and Prairie Heights. Director Exline commented on her positive impressions of the Art and Music rooms. She further discussed the kid s excitement about voting in the presidential election. Directors Hunt, Farmer, Flatgard and Bauer also shared their impressions. Each commented on the calm climate and neat and orderly manner that w as apparent. President Bauer thanked the Elementary Principals in attendance for their efforts. Mark Gronemeyer, High School Principal participated in a discussion w ith the Board concerning the High School Relevancy Committee. The Board expressed their pleasure w ith the recent visit of high school students and staff to explain the collaboration and cooperation currently under w ay in the student built house project. Possibilities for future high school curriculum offerings w ere discussed w ith the main emphasis on areas that include real life experiences, community service offerings, and life skills courses. Mr. Gronemeyer indicated that the high school staff w ould be participating in the SAI Summit to be held in Des Moines on December 14 th. Al Row e, Executive Director of Learning Services led a discussion w ith the Board and Building Administration on the topic of Staff Development. Several options to be considered for further discussion w ere explained to the Board. Data from the Building Administrative team supported a morning model w here time w ould be set aside each morning for collaborative staff development efforts. The staff development ideas w ill now be discussed formally w ith the district staff. Superintendent Whitehead requested that the Board Members share their ideas concerning the 15 in 5 initiative for the Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce. Ideas for consideration w ill be forwarded to the Chamber. The session w as concluded at 6:35 pm Jim Rotter, Board Secretary

2 PUBLIC HEARING INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT PROGRAM November 15, 2004 The hearing was called to order by President Bauer at 7:00 p.m. in the Educational Services Center Board Room. Roll call indicated the following members present: Bauer, Farmer, Zahradnik, Exline, Hughes, Flatgard, Hunt Jim Rotter, Board Secretary, verified at President Bauer s request that the hearing notice had been published as required by law in the Cedar Rapids Gazette on October 28, No written objections were received by the Board Secretary nor were there any comments from the audience concerning the hearing agenda Motion by Hunt, seconded by Hughes to approve the agenda as presented Motion by Hunt, seconded by Exline to adopt a resolution to participate in the instructional support program for the school year with funding that will not exceed six and one-half percent (6.5%) of the total regular program district costs for the budget year. Monies received for the instructional support program may be used for the purpose of reducing K-12 class size and expanded professional development. Roll Call Vote: Ayes 7 Nays Motion by Hunt, seconded by Farmer to adjourn at 7:06 p.m. Randy Bauer, President James Rotter Jr., Secretary

3 MINUTES BOARD MEETING November 15, 2004 Board Minutes are not official until approved at the next regular scheduled board meeting. The Meeting was called to order by President Bauer at 7:05 p.m. in the Educational Services Center Board Room. Roll call indicated the following members present: Bauer, Zahradnik, Flatgard, Exline, Farmer, Hunt, Hughes absent: none Jim Rotter, Board Secretary, verified that the meeting notices had been posted as required by law. Other individuals in attendance were; Mark Gronemeyer, Jim Dostal, Ying Ying Chen, Dan Bubon, Rocky Bennett, Ed Heilers, Linda Leggat, Julie Zastrow, Tracy Laue, Marsha Rasmussen, Shannon Kehoe, Cheryl Kiburz Motion by Zahradnik, seconded by Flatgard to approve the agenda as presented. President Bauer welcomed visitor comments and requests to speak to the board Motion by Flatgard, seconded by Zahradnik to approve minutes of the Board Administrative Work Session, and Regular Meeting of October 18, 2004; to approve the summary of Fund Balances, the Athletic Summary, the Expenditures to Date Report, and the Miscellaneous Revenue Summary for the Month ended October 31, 2004; to approve the following list of bills: # through # Ying Ying Chen, Prairie Ridge Principal recognized the Ridge Grant Writing Committee consisting of; Helen Armstrong, Kirsten Aschim, Nicole Greazel, and Susan Dubishar for their collaborative work on the Artist in Residence program. Superintendent Whitehead recognized Dave Trachta, Counselor at Prairie Ridge, for his work on the Cedar Valley after-school program. Dave has been working to expand opportunities for these students to help close the achievement gap for selected students through after school programming.

4 Rocky Bennett, Administrative Assistant, and Dan Bubon, Associate Principal, at Prairie High School presented first trimester attendance and discipline data to the Board. Data indicates that the numbers of dress code violations are up primarily due to the staff s follow through of the building demerit system. The buildings new attendance policy was also shared with the Board. Clear expectations for excused and unexcused absences have been defined and followed. Also shared was the Districts Truancy Procedures which includes the availability of Linn County Courtroom s for meetings with students and parents who have continual absences. Cheryl Kiburz, Systems Thinking Facilitator, led a presentation with other selected staff on the benefits of System Thinking. Examples of classroom work were shared along with an overview of what Systems Thinking is. How System Thinking is used as a set of tools for students and staff was also included. College Community is being considered as one of four regional training centers for Systems Thinking for the school year. Ed Heilers, Director of Buildings and Grounds, reported to the Board on the progress and status of Buildings and Grounds initiatives. It was reported that the buildings and grounds staff has moved into its new building with immediate benefits realized. Primarily, they now have the room necessary to work on equipment and store district supplies for distribution. Also discussed was the Districts planned upgrades of the current HVAC control system and Card Entry Security Systems supplied by Johnson Controls. Superintendent Whitehead gave the Board a brief timeline that is to be followed by the current 5 th -6 th Committee and 7 th -9 th Committee. Both groups are working on presentations to the Board for the months of December and January Motion by Hunt, seconded by Farmer to approve the Employment of: Kevin Breazeale (Ambassadors Sponsor), Sara Sickels (Freshman Wrestling and JV/Varsity Wrestling Sponsor): To approve the successful completion of probationary status for: Larry Zach (Mechanic), Kristina Hartgrave (Para), Sheila Pulkrab (Para), Amanda Drysdale (Para), Brenda O Brien (Para), Shelly Fish (Para), Whitney Dill (Para), Jan Boettcher (Clerk), Kristin Grabe-Crinigan (Cook), Mary Nanke (Cook); to approve the Resignation of: Doug Arnold (Fresh. Boys Basketball), Rachel Tank (Para), & Ed Heilers (Director of Buildings and Grounds) effective June 30, 2005; to approve the extended leave under the Family Medical Leave Act of: Tina Naaktgeboren from November 29, 2004 to March 25, 2005, Brandee Gehl from January 8, 2005 to February 21, 2005, LeAnn Briesemeister from March 27, 2005 to May 23, 2005, Kim Rakers from November 19, 2004 to December 13, 2004; to approve the extended leave without pay of; Patty Konecny from November 19, 2004 to January 2, 2005; to approve the termination of; Tonya Vasquez (ECC) and Rod Thomas (Study Hall Para & Bus Driver) Motion by Hunt, seconded by Farmer to approve open enrollment in for the school year for; David Merchan (1), Jordan Woodward (2),

5 Samantha Murphy (7), Richard Poulson (2), Lindsey Algers (9), Dakota Ray (7), Hunter Smith (2); to approve open enrollment out for the school year for; Arnold Smith (11) Motion by Hunt, seconded by Farmer to approve change order #3 with Wendler Engineering and Construction on the Buildings & Grounds/Concession Stand Projects for an additional $11, Motion by Hunt, seconded by Farmer to approve the form of contract and sharing agreement between the District and the College Community Foundation for a shared position where the Foundation would be responsible for 25% of the cost and the District responsible for 75% Motion by Hunt, seconded by Farmer to approve out of the country travel to Italy from June 9-16, 2005 for High School Art and Social Studies Students and for travel to Costa Rica from June 1-9, 2005 for High School Spanish Students Motion by Flatgard, seconded by Hunt to approve the Bus Bid from School Bus Sales Inc. of Waterloo, Iowa for 4 transit style school busses in the amount of $240, Motion by Hunt, seconded by Zahradnik to approve the first reading of Board Policy Hazardous Chemicals Motion by Hughes, seconded by Farmer to approve the School Calendar with a start date of August 17, 2005 and scheduled end date of May 30, 2006 for the School Year.

6 The Board conducted a Policy Review of Series Suggested changes will be brought to the Board in December for consideration Motion by Hunt, seconded by Hughes to adjourn at 9:57 p.m. Randy Bauer, President James Rotter Jr., Secretary