DAVENPORT COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT DAVENPORT SCHOOLS ACHIEVEMENT SERVICE CENTER JIM HESTER BOARD ROOM Achievement Service Center 1606 BRADY STREET DAVENPORT, IOWA 52803 MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2013 REGULAR BOARD MEETING 7:00 PM The Board of the Davenport Community School District in the Counties of Scott and Muscatine, State of Iowa, met on Monday, October 28, 2013 for their Regular Meeting. The meetings were held at the Achievement Service Center, 1606 Brady St., Davenport, Iowa, in said District. President Johanson called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:00PM. On roll call the following board members were present: Directors: Ralph Johanson, Nikki DeFauw, Rich Clewell, Bill Sherwood, Jamie Snyder, Ken Krumwiede and Maria Dickmann. Dr. Tate and other administrators were present. Director Snyder read the vision statement. I. SHOWCASE A. Buchanan Elementary Principal, Cindy Lewis and several teachers and the School Administrative Manager provided an overview of Buchanan's B.A.R.K. (Buchanan Students Are Respectful and Kind) initiative. B.A.R.K. is a positive behavior program written and implemented by teachers this fall. Goals of the program are to demonstrate, teach, and expect respectful behaviors resulting in a school climate that supports learning. The staff shared data and discussed how they implement this building wide behavior plan. Several board members asked questions and commented on how impressed they are with the program. There was a discussion about how they train the Para-educators and that teachers have noticed students emerging as leaders in the program. Incentives used and how important it is for students to have the opportunity for reflection was also mentioned. Director Sherwood suggested they look into idea of a behavioral report card like the KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) used in some charter schools. II. COMMUNICATIONS (Including Open Forum) A. November 4, 5:30PM, Committee of the Whole, ASC, Jim Hester Board Room B. November 5, 3:00PM, Legislative Advocacy Meeting, ASC, Executive Board Room C. November 6, 4:00PM Policy Committee, ASC, Executive Board Room D. November 11 th CLOSED for Veteran s Day E. November 12 th Tuesday, 7:00PM Regular Meeting, ASC, Jim Hester Board Room F. November 14, 6-7:30PM, Public Discussion on School Start Date and High School Block Schedule, North High School Auditorium. G. November 18, 6-7:30PM, Public Discussion on School Start Date and High School Block Schedule, West High School Auditorium H. November 25, 7:00PM, Regular Meeting, ASC, Jim Hester Board Room I. November 28 th & 29 th CLOSED for Thanksgiving. 1
J. Open Forum for Community Input Sue Miller - 3497 Spencer Drive, Bettendorf Advocated for renewal of the Jefferson Edison contract. Ashley Mack 1627 W. Pleasant St. Davenport - Shared how her son has been bullied. Ciara Schwenn 2704 Fairmount, Davenport & Tara Peeters, 8300145 St. Davenport- Advocated to allow students to wear t-shirts in memory of Skylar Kraft. Kathy Morris-1837 W. 37 th St. Davenport-Talked about how grandson has been bullied. Kathleen Mata- 2507 Warren St Davenport. - Supports renewal of Jefferson-Edison contract. III. CONSENT AGENDA To conserve time and focus attention on non-routine matters on the agenda, the Board considered a number of items grouped together as a Consent Agenda, all items to be approved in one motion. A. Reading of the Minutes of the Last Regular and Intervening Meetings October 7, 2013 (Committee of the Whole), October 10, 2013 (Closed Sessions at 3:30 and 5:00PM), October 14, 2013 (Regular Meeting). Personnel: Appointments, Resignations, Retirements, Leaves, Etc. APPOINTMENTS: CERTIFICATED Ashby, Laura Degree: B.A. Step 1 Grade 3 Effective: October 21, 2013 Truman Elementary Salary: $34.438.00 prorated to $24,758.13 for the remaining 133 days in the year APPOINTMENTS: SUPPLEMENTAL CONTRACTS Breinich, Elizabeth 15% (0.5 FTE) Teacher-in-Charge $2176.50 prorated to 147/185 days $1,729.44 Truman Elementary Corey, Kitzmann 7% Head Wrestling $2,031.00 Smart Intermediate Flaherty, Sandra 15% Teacher-in-Charge $4,353.00 prorated for 133/185 days to $3,129.45 Monroe Elementary APPOINTMENTS: CLASSIFIED Andrews, Ann Effective: October 21, 2013 Salary: $10.46/hr Central High Hours: 6.5 hrs/day Disterhoft, Brandi Effective: October 21, 2013 Salary: $10.81/hr Madison Elementary Hours: 6.5 hrs/day 2
Haynes, Velma Effective: October 28, 2013 Salary: $10.81/hr Buchanan Elementary Hours: 6.50 hrs/day Le Grand, Cari Effective: October 15, 2013 Salary: $9.96/hr Blue Grass Elementary Hours: 6.50 hrs/day Triplett, Kaleisha Effective: October 8, 2013 Salary: $10.31/hr Washington Elementary Hours: 6.50 hrs/day RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS: CERTIFICATED Butikofer, Eugene Effective: November 1, 2013 Special Education Years of Service: 1 yrs 2 mos Jackson Elementary Ralfs, Lori Effective: November 1, 2013 Reading Intervention Specialists Years of Service: 13 yrs 4 mos Truman Elementary RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS: SUPPLEMENTAL CONTRACTS Froehlich, Brad 5% Boys Bowling $1,451.00 Central High Hallquist, Coleen 7% Girls 7 th Gr Basketball $2,031.00 Smart Intermediate Miller, Darren 12% Assistant Wrestling $3,482.00 Central High Schollaert, Cynthia 15% Teacher-in-Charge $4,353.00 prorated for 49/185 days to $576.48 Monroe Elementary Ross, Kristle 12% Basketball Girls Assistant $3,482.00 North High Willis, Christine 15% (0.5 FTE) Teacher-in-Charge $2,176.50 prorated for 38/185 days to $447.06 Truman Elementary RETIREMENTS: CLASSIFIED Allen, William Effective: October 18, 2013 Custodian Years of Service: 7 yrs 5 mos Jackson Elementary Gravert, Mary Effective: November 8, 2013 Years of Service: 9 yrs 1 mo Children s Village West 3
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS: CLASSIFIED Janssen, Brandon Effective: October 30, 2013 Custodian Years of Service: 2 mos Blue Grass Elementary Scott, Richard Effective: November 1, 2013 Maintenance Years of Service: 8 yrs 5 mos Operations Center Voss, Erica Effective: October 31, 2013 Years of Service: 1 month Wilson Elementary LEAVES OF ABSENCE: CLASSIFIED Strong, Richard Unpaid Leave of Absence Maintenance Effective: September 19, 2013 February 14, 2014 Operations Center Motion: Director Krumwiede moved the board approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Director Snyder seconded the motion. Discussion: None. Vote: The vote of the motion was called and recorded as follows: Ayes: Krumwiede, Snyder, Clewell, Dickmann, Sherwood, DeFauw and Johanson. Motion carried. IV. APPROVAL OF BILLS Motion: Director Clewell moved the board approve the following resolution for the adoption of the bills from the bill listing period: October 10, 2013 through October 23, 2013: Resolved all claims presented to the Board having been duly certified as correct by the Secretary, reviewed by the administration and board members, and they are hereby audited and allowed as just claims and warrants drawn on the Treasury for the several amounts. Further Resolved, the payment of claims and salaries be approved as presented with the following voided check: #311308 payable to Barnes & Noble in the amount of $5,728.57 (wrong amount). Director Dickmann seconded the motion. Discussion: President Johanson asked for more information about check #311413 for $5,000 and Marsha Tangen said she would have to research this. He also requested that the bill listing be sorted by dollar amount in descending order. Vote: The vote on the motion was called and recorded as follows: Ayes: Clewell, Dickmann, DeFauw, Snyder, Sherwood, Krumwiede and Johanson. Motion carried. 4
V. SUPERINTENDENT REPORT Dr. Tate asked Jillian Townsell, Federal Programs Specialist, to report on the Greater Achievement Plan Gala this past Saturday. Ms. Townsell explained how the Gala was a big success with very high attendance due to efforts such as providing transportation, child care and having translators available. They had break-out sessions and two motivational speakers. She said students really felt supported and overall the event was very successful. Student board members reported on activities at their individual schools. Students from North High, Caroline Emory and Hannah Herington reported on the huge success North students had at the IHSMA All-State Auditions. Nine choir members made all-state and for the first time three freshman vocalists made all-state chorus. Hannah also reported on the success of the football team. Adam Kall and Elise Castro from Central High reported on the marching band the upcoming musical and how choir members at their school also made all-state. Beth Houghton and Cody Pribble reported on the Iowa Youth Congress and a presentation from a local police officer. VI. OTHER ITEMS REQUIRING ACTION A. Approval of Plans and Specifications for Restroom Renovation Phase 3 Motion: Director DeFauw moved the board approve the plans and specifications as presented for the Restroom Renovation Phase 3 Project. Director Clewell seconded the motion. Discussion: Director Sherwood asked about waterless urinals and Scott Martin said they would not be a good fit for this particular project. Sherwood also asked about automatic flush valves and Mr. Martin provided more detail. President Johanson announced this was the time and place to hold a public hearing on this project which published in the Quad City Times on Friday, October 18, 2013. No one came forward to be heard. The public hearing was then declared closed. Vote: The vote on the motion was called and recorded as follows: Ayes: DeFauw, Clewell, Krumwiede, Snyder, Dickmann, Sherwood and Johanson. Motion carried. B. Approval of Change Order for West Auditorium Dimming System Motion: Director Sherwood moved the board approve a change order in the amount of $137,240.63 for an upgrade to the West High School auditorium dimming system. Director Clewell seconded the motion. Discussion: Director Snyder asked about the information from Mr. Martin that indicated a significant portion of the cost of this project reflects the short timeline to install between the November 2 nd play and Christmas performances in December and asked how much this would be. Mr. Martin said this represents approximately $20,000 to $30,000 of the costs and was so high because it would involve running two shifts in order to meet the deadline to be ready for holiday performances. Mr. Martin indicated the current system is operable. Director Sherwood stated he understands the desire to have it ready for holiday performances, however he doesn t 5
recommend including the extra cost. Director Dickmann asked student board members for their opinion and they provided some feedback. Amendment to the motion: Director Sherwood moved to amend the motion to authorize the total amount with the condition that no extraordinary circumstances be imposed to meet a particular time deadline. Director Snyder seconded the motion to amend. Discussion on amendment: None Vote on amendment: The vote on the amendment was called and recorded as follows: Ayes: Sherwood, Snyder, Krumwiede, DeFauw, Clewell, Dickmann and Johanson. Motion carried. Discussion on original motion: None. Vote on original motion with amendment: The vote on the motion was called and recorded as follows: Ayes: Sherwood, Clewell, Krumwiede, DeFauw, Snyder, Dickmann and Johanson. Motion carried. C. Appeal for Allowable Special Education Administrative Costs Motion: Director Dickmann moved the board accept the Administration s recommendation to apply to the School Budget Review Committee (SBRC) to appeal their decision from 3-25-2013 for administrative costs associated with providing special education services in a private facility and request their approval of $25,273.20 which was previously denied. Director Krumwiede seconded the motion. Discussion: President Johanson asked about the FTE and staff costs. Ms. Tangen explained the difference between FTE and time dedicated to oversight of Whittenmyer. Vote: The vote on the motion was called and recorded as follows: Ayes: Dickmann, Krumwiede, Sherwood, DeFauw, Clewell, Snyder and Johanson. Motion carried. D. Request for Modified Allowable Growth for Special Education Deficit Motion: Director Sherwood moved the board accept the Administration s recommendation to apply to the School Budget Review Committee for modified allowable growth and a supplemental aid payment for its negative special education balance for the 2012-13school year. Director Clewell seconded the motion. Discussion: Director Sherwood asked how we came to this point and wanted assurances an error such as this would not happen again. Ms. Tangen explained how they have reviewed year end procedures with all staff involved to make sure they are reading reports correctly and there are now two different departments checking 6
the information. President Johanson asked for clarification on allowing for 2013 but not 2014 and Ms. Tangen provided an explanation. Tangen explained if we are denied she will appeal it. Vote: The vote on the motion was called and recorded as follows: Ayes: Sherwood, Clewell, Snyder, Dickmann, Krumwiede, DeFauw and Johanson. Motion carried. E. Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) Membership Motion: Director Krumwiede moved the board join the Iowa Association of School Boards for the annual membership fee of $10,688.00. Director Clewell seconded the motion. Discussion: Director Krumwiede provided a history of the district s involvement in this organization. Mr. Galen Howsare, Deputy Executive Director and CFO of IASB was in attendance at the meeting. Director Krumwiede asked him why Davenport should once again join this organization. Mr. Howsare explained the benefits of membership and discussed how the organization is an advocate for schools, provides board training, and discussed other advocacy efforts of the organization. He said the Governor respects their organization and their lobbyists are asked for input on a regular basis. He reported their audit is being released tomorrow with no findings. He emphasized why it is important for Davenport to be members and how advocacy takes the entire team. Board members asked several questions about how they will better represent the larger districts and their position on funding inequity and the early start date. Mr. Howsare stated IASB is in favor of keeping the start date under local control. Director Clewell asked about their position on early childhood literacy and how helpful they would be in promoting our legislative advocacy priority. Mr. Howsare explained that Davenport could present the resolution on the floor of the delegate assembly. Clewell asked about using the IASB list serve and Howsare said he would have to check on that. Director Dickmann asked about IASB s position on high stakes testing and he provided more details. Director Sherwood said it is a flawed organization but is in favor of joining because this will help the district make a bigger impact in Des Moines. President Johanson stated the President of the Board of IASB he assured him that things have changed for the better within the organization. He will be looking to the IASB for leadership with the issue of funding inequity. There was a discussion about membership dues and Howsare explained that the membership cycle runs June through July and the board would have until September 20 th of 2014 to pay dues for next year. Howsare also explained they are willing to extend the deadline for selecting a delegate. Vote: The vote on the motion was called and recorded as follows: Ayes: Krumwiede, Clewell, Dickmann, Sherwood and Johanson. Nays: Snyder and DeFauw. Motion carried. 7
F. Delegates to the IASB Assembly & Convention in November 2013 President Johanson asked board members to select a delegate and alternative for the IASB Delegate Assembly. Director Clewell suggested Director Dickmann and Snyder but they will be attending workshops. Director Krumwiede suggested Director Clewell but he will also be in a workshop during the assembly. Director Sherwood nominated Director Krumwiede and he agreed to serve as the delegate. Director Sherwood agreed to serve as the alternate. Motion: Director Clewell moved the board approve Director Krumwiede to serve as the Davenport School Board delegate to the IASB Assembly and Director Sherwood to serve as the alternate. Director Dickmann seconded the motion. Discussion: None. Vote: The vote on the motion was called and recorded as follows: Ayes: Clewell, Dickmann, Snyder, Sherwood, Krumwiede and Johanson. Abstained: DeFauw. G. Policy Review Motion: Director DeFauw moved the board approve policy committee recommendation for the following policies: Director Snyder seconded the motion 402.04 - Education Requirements 501.16- Open Enrollment Between Districts 401.41 Communicable Diseases: Employees 401.23 Private Use of Public Property 602.04 Special Federal, State, or Privately Financed Programs -(Policy Committee recommends deletion). Discussion: There was a discussion about the criteria for policy 501.16 and it was agreed this policy would go back to the policy committee. Amendment: Director DeFauw amended the motion to remove policy 501.16-Open Enrollment Between Districts. Director Sherwood seconded the motion. Discussion on amendment: None. Vote: The vote on the amendment was called and recorded as follow: Ayes: DeFauw, Sherwood, Krumwiede, Clewell, Snyder, Dickmann and Johanson. Motion carried. President Johanson noted the amended motion is to approve the policy committee s recommendations for the following policies: 402.04 - Education Requirements 401.41 Communicable Diseases: Employees 401.23 Private Use of Public Property 8
602.04 Special Federal, State, or Privately Financed Programs -(Policy Committee recommends deletion). Vote: The vote on the motion was called and recorded as follows: Ayes: DeFauw, Snyder, Krumwiede, Clewell, Dickmann, Sherwood and Johanson. Motion carried. VII. DISCUSSION A. Textbook Adoption-AP Spanish Juli Staszewski and Guy Heller came forward and explained why this adoption is out of the regular cycle and also noted that professional development will be provided if the adoption goes through. There was a discussion about the technical components and how this adoption has a supersite that allows access to audio and videos of authentic language broadcasts. Director Sherwood said they are doing a great job. Student board members provided input on the value of the technical additions. Director Dickmann asked why they selected this particular book and one of the teachers provided more details. B. Diversity Plan Criteria Director Clewell provided an overview of the history from 1971 to the present time on how the district went from a desegregation plan to the current diversity plan to help improve the diversity in the district. He explained how the desegregation plan was based on race but that in 2007 the Supreme Court ruled that race could no longer be used as the sole criteria for integrating schools. After this ruling the district changed to the current diversity plan which does not include race but uses socioeconomic status (SES) and standardized test scores as the criteria. Clewell stated that 5 districts in Iowa have diversity plans and explained the various criteria used in these districts. Clewell stated he agrees that SES is a good criterion to use to integrate schools, but disagrees with the use of standardized test scores. To support this idea he quoted from Iowa Code 281-17.2 which defines minority student as the following: shall be defined by a local school board in its diversity plan, and may include consideration of any one characteristic or a combination of the following characteristics except that race may not be either the sole or the determinative characteristic: socioeconomic status, ethnicity/national origin, English language learner status, or race. Based on his reading of Iowa Code he stated the district is in violation of state law with the current diversity plan. Director DeFauw respectfully disagreed with Clewell s interpretation of the code. DeFauw said the definition doesn t say that these are the only allowable characteristics but that race cannot be the sole determinative characteristic of the policy. DeFauw believes the examples listed in the code are illustrative not inclusive. She reiterated that our diversity plan at that time and as recently as this year was reviewed by both legal counsel and the Department of Education and does not believe the district is in noncompliance with state law. She also mentioned that we have a was allowed to even have a diversity plan because the district was so out of compliance in terms of segregation at the time race was eliminated. The administration spent a significant amount of time running different scenarios to determine which characteristics would most closely align with the criteria used for the desegregation plan. They came to the conclusion that SES and test 9
proficiency were the two indicators that most closely matched the previous criteria. DeFauw stated she remembers that Clewell urged the board at that time to include race in the diversity plan and there was lengthy conversations about this at that time and most recently as well with the staff that was involved in developing the plan. She explained that staff said they elected not to include race because at some point that would have been the determinative characteristic even with using three criteria. Director Sherwood agreed with Director DeFauw on the interpretation of the code but also recommended this be reviewed by legal counsel for a definitive response on the definition listed in the code. Sherwood is hesitant to include race in the diversity plan but also stated he is not completely satisfied with the current diversity plan. He said the district should be investigating more avenues for improving diversity and suggested creating a standing committee that would work on this sole issue. Director Krumwiede asked Director Clewell if he wanted to include race in the diversity plan and what steps would be required to change the plan at this time. Clewell would like the policy committee to submit this for legal consideration first. Director DeFauw supports seeking legal interpretation of the language, however, she is also aware of the diligence given and scrutiny the district was under at that time to make sure the district was in compliance and she fails to see how we could be out of compliance. President Johanson stated that the decision was rushed but it was also significantly studied by the lawyers and the administration. The discussion that took place earlier this year on this topic was also significant and noted that if this policy is modified it requires approval by the Department of Education before it can be adopted. He said he will follow up on getting the clarification from legal counsel. Clewell said he thinks race is important and he has a problem redirecting himself from decades of civil rights law that s indicated that race is important and now we say nothing about race. He stated his preference for the diversity plan criteria would be staying with socioeconomic status but to also include race. Director Sherwood said he thought it was important to not leave the public with the impression that the board has no activity in the area of racial equity. He mentioned recent diversity trainings for staff, efforts to draw attention to improving minority participation and success in AP classes and increasing minority teaching staff. He said we do lots of things in this regard and that one word in one policy is not going to make that much difference to the average student. He emphasized the need to create a standing committee that would focus on racial equity. President Johanson reiterated he will get the information from legal counsel and the board can move forward from there. C. Policy Review 602.01-Program Goals and Objectives Director DeFauw explained this policy was before the policy committee for routine review and it didn t look congruent with the textbook adoption policy. Juli Staszewski distributed a handout listing the 8 step curriculum and development process and reviewed that for the board. Director DeFauw said there still seems to be a disconnect between the 5 year plan for curriculum revision and a 10 year plan for textbook adoption and asked Staszewski if the policy committee needs to adjust one or both of those time frames accordingly. Staszewski said she is confident that the 10 year cycle is the best we can afford. Director Sherwood said that in the future we will probably 10
have to have a discussion about a big technology buy and asked how this might impact the cost of textbooks and that moving toward more electronic text may save the district money. Staszewski responded that at the secondary level they are working toward electronic text, but at the elementary level students use materials that are manipulative. It was mentioned that a 2 tiered policy could be considered. Director DeFauw asked Staszewski to provide a recommendation on this policy prior to November 6 th when the policy committee meets again. President Johanson asked if we spend a substantial amount of money on books now does this preempt our decision down the road to use more technology. He thinks the answer to the question is, in part, yes, and cautioned her to not spend too much money on books and not enough money on technology VIII. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS None. IX. BOARD REPORTS/REQUESTS Director Dickmann reported she attended the Greater Achievement Plan Gala on Saturday and this was a great event for the district. Director Sherwood had the following board request for an agenda item: I would like a discussion on establishing a board ad hoc committee to explore the expansion of the K-8 model in the district. Director DeFauw reported that North and West volleyball won their sub-state meet this evening. This is a good showing by both schools. Director Clewell reported that he and fellow board members Synder and Dickmann attended the Iowa Youth Congress send off at Kimberly Center who are trying to get their bill passed on cell phone use. Director Krumwiede expressed condolences on the passing of Mike Lake, former principal of McKinley and Harrison, and Bill Rettko former principal at West High School. ADJOURNMENT Director Clewell moved the board adjourn. Director Krumwiede seconded the motion. By consensus President Johanson declared the meeting adjourned at 9:50 PM. Mary Correthers, Board Secretary/Treasurer 11