UNOFFICIAL MINUTES MUSCATINE BOARD OF DIRECTORS PLANNING MEETING APRIL 23, 2012 The Board of Directors of the Muscatine Community School District, in the County of Muscatine, State of Iowa, met in planning session on Monday, April 23, 2012 at 4:30 p.m. at the Administration Center. President Tim Bower called the meeting to order. Directors Tammi Drawbaugh, Brenda Garcia- Van Auken, Penny Jones, Nathan Mather, and Mary Wildermuth were present. Director Dennis Fox was absent. Also present were Superintendent Bill Decker, Director of Elementary Innovation and Instruction Shane Williams, Director of Secondary Innovation and Instruction Diane Campbell, Director of Human Resources Wes Fowler, Director of Finances Jean Garner, Director of Special Programs Jan Collinson, and Director of Operational Services Walter Crowder. Shane Williams, Scott Comstock and members of the Technology Committee presented to the board the 1:1 Implementation proposal. They demonstrated to the board how the district can maintain the 1:1 implementation throughout the next 10 years using funds from the Property, Plant, and Equipment Levy (PPEL) and local option sales tax monies. Superintendent Decker also shared that the projected numbers are conservative as farmland property valuation is expected to increase. Mr. Williams reviewed with the board the survey results of teachers and students. 91% of teachers rated having the 1:1 Implementation as favorable to very favorable. The students are also excited about the possibilities. Mr. Williams shared that professional development for teachers in regards to the 1:1 implementation would follow a comparable model as last year s tech training took place. Professional development modules will be offered during Planning for Student Success Time at each building. He noted that the task will be the need to differentiate instruction to meet the varied needs of staff. The board was given a first draft of the Technology Policy Handbook for students. It was explained that this document is a working document and will likely continue to be as the process continues and new information is gleaned from districts already implementing a 1:1 scenario. Mr. Williams shared that the beauty of the timing is that Muscatine can see what worked for other school districts and what didn t work and use that information as we create our own handbook/program. He stressed that this handbook will continue to be a living document. Other items talked about include a digital driver s license for students that denotes the kind of access each student can have on their computer. For instance, a 6 th grader may not need access to certain websites that a 12 th grader might need. The computers, 1
internet access, etc. will be tailor- made for each individual student and can also take into account the wishes of parents. Superintendent Decker gave an update on the high school project. He shared that FEH has been meeting regularly with staff and school administrators getting feedback from current drawings. He noted that one of the most recent changes is that with the time constraints regarding the HVAC units. The contractor assigned to work on the HVAC indicated that the timeline is such that the cost to remove and install the new HVAC would be considerably higher than if the district would wait one year. After discussing this with maintenance staff, it was discovered that the issue is not that the HVAC will seize up but that the automatic controls would fail. The worst- case scenario would be that staff would then be in charge of manually turning on and off the HVAC units. He was also reassured by the maintenance staff that mechanical parts can still be found if needed. Superintendent Decker then reviewed a timeline indicating that the 1:1 implementation will not impact Jefferson construction and other potential district construction projects in the future. The timeline and estimated funding illustrated PPEL and sales tax monies, construction expenses, and 1:1 expenses through FY19. Superintendent Decker stated that it is the commitment of the district that Jefferson will have a 21 st century school environment comparable to other elementary buildings within the district. The meeting adjourned at 6:12 p.m. 2
UNOFFICIAL MINUTES MUSCATINE BOARD OF DIRECTORS PLANNING MEETING APRIL 23, 2012 The Board of Directors of the Muscatine Community School District, in the County of Muscatine, State of Iowa, met in regular session on Monday, April 23, 2012 at 6:14 p.m. at the Administration Center. President Tim Bower called the meeting to order. Directors Tammi Drawbaugh, Brenda Garcia- Van Auken, Penny Jones, Nathan Mather, and Mary Wildermuth were present. Director Dennis Fox was absent. Also present were Superintendent Bill Decker, Director of Elementary Innovation and Instruction Shane Williams, Director of Secondary Innovation and Instruction Diane Campbell, Director of Human Resources Wes Fowler, Director of Finances Jean Garner, Director of Special Programs Jan Collinson, and Director of Operational Services Walter Crowder was absent. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. President Bower welcomed visitors and media representatives. No one spoke during the Citizens Speak portion of the meeting. Director Jones asked that the minutes and employment recommendations be removed from the consent agenda and considered in their normal sequence in the agenda. A motion was made by Director Mather and seconded by Director Wildermuth to approve the consent agenda to include: the bills and claims dated April 23, 2012, the student teaching agreement with the University of Northern Iowa, and the boy s cross country field trip to Estes Park YMCA, Colorado on July 8-14, 2012 as submitted by Chris Foxen. All ayes; motion carried. Director Jones requested that the minutes be amended to include the discussion on mastery grading and SuccessMaker professional development for teachers. The minutes will then be brought to the board for approval at its May 14, 2012 meeting. The board heard a second reading on policies 601.30 Virtual Online Courses with Administrative Procedures and 603.05 Alternate Measures for College Credit Options. Wildermuth to approve the following policies: 601.08 Summer School Instruction 601.10 Physical Education 3
601.16 Teaching Controversial Issues 601.20 Programs for Students At- Risk 601.22 Preschool Program 603.00 Student Assessment 703.01 Purchasing and Bidding 703.07 Bidding Procedures for Public Improvements All ayes; motion carried. Director of Human Resources Wes Fowler presented the employment recommendations for approval. Wildermuth to approve the layoffs of Kathleen Eichelberger, Mary Kisner, Megan Thompson, and Alison Daufeldt (due to uncertainty of grant funding) and Nic Coffman, Katie Golien, Jessica Jones, and Tammy Wagner (due to position of long- term substitute ending) and the resignations of Robert Struthers high school science, Erin Teel Jefferson 2 nd grade, and Pam Cantrell high school assistant speech and debate. All ayes; motion carried. Director Jones abstained due to conflict of interest. Wildermuth to approve the new hires of Anna Payne MHS Math g2, Daniel Hawkins MHS Physical Education, Andrew LeClere CMS Science, and Katie Chambliss 8 th grade volleyball coach. All ayes; motion carried. Mr. Fowler presented the hourly settlements for approval. He noted that the drivers unit has not yet settled because they have had several people gone that need to be involved with the decision. A motion was made by Director Jones and seconded by Director Wildermuth to approve the hourly settlements as follows: Custodial, Maintenance, and Mechanics: 3.12% (Year 11-12) and 3.19% (Year 12-13), Secretarial, Clerical, Aides, & Paraeducators: 3.10% (Year 11-12) and 3.36% (Year 12-13), Food & Nutrition Workers: 3.40% (Year 11-12) and 3.90% (Year 12-13) All ayes; motion carried. Jean Garner, Director of Finance, reported on the March, 2012 financial and treasurer s balance for the General, Schoolhouse, Nutritional, Activity, and Payroll funds. 4
Mrs. Garner reviewed with the board the different options that the board may consider should they wish to begin the process of initiating the Instructional Support Levy. This levy can generate up to $2.2 million in spending authority for the district which it will need for 2013-14 in order to keep the programming that is available now for students. She explained that there are four options for consideration: board approved property tax, board approved property tax and income surtax, voter approved property tax, or voter approved property tax and income surtax. It is her recommendation that the board begin the process to approve the board approved property tax option. This option would give the district a more solid number for budgetary purposes as the income surtax portion would not become available to the district until 2014-15. She also noted that the public, should they so wish, could then petition the board to put this on the ballot in September of this year. The public would need to gather 100 signatures or 30% of the last election (whichever is greater) in order for this to be put on the ballot. Discussion centered on whether this should go to the voters first. Mrs. Garner noted that the cost of an election would be approximately $7,500 and would come from the general fund. Superintendent Decker noted that the maximum levy would be $1.80/thousand in property tax valuation. He reminded the board that the administration had discussed buying down the levy if using property tax which would keep the taxes the same amount for that year. The ISL levy rate is set by the board. He further reminded the board the district s issue is much more spending authority than it is cash. A motion was made by Director Mather and seconded by Director Jones to approve the Intent to Participate in the Instructional Support Levy via voter approved property and income surtax and set the public hearing for Monday, May 14, 2012. Ayes: Mather, Jones, Wildermuth. Nays: Bower and Drawbaugh. Director Garcia- Van Auken abstained. Motion failed. A motion was made by Director Mather to approve the Intent to Participate in the Instructional Support Levy via voter approved property tax and set public hearing for Monday, May 14, 2012. There was no second. The motion did not move forward. Director of Elementary Innovation and Instruction Shane Williams presented the 1:1 Technology Implementation for the board s approval. Wildermuth to approve the 1:1 Implementation Plan as presented. Ayes: Bower, 5
Drawbaugh, and Wildermuth. Nayes; Garcia- Van Auken, Jones, and Mather. Motion failed. Director Mather stated that he would like to see how this implementation will be assessed in its effectiveness to raise student achievement before he approves moving forward. Director Garcia- Van Auken stated that she would like to see the policies developed before she approves the plan. Mather to approve the Elementary Student Handbook. All ayes; motion carried. A motion was made by Director Wildermuth and seconded by Director Drawbaugh to approve the Concurrent Agreement with MCC for the Automotive Technology class. All ayes; motion carried. A motion was made by Director Mather and seconded by Director Jones to approve the Franklin Construction Project change orders. All ayes; motion carried. A motion was made by Director Jones and seconded by Director Wildermuth to approve the Request for Substantial Completion of the Franklin Construction Project. All ayes; motion carried. President Bower informed the board and public of future meetings and important dates: April 29, 2012 4 p.m. Excellence in Education Clarion Hotel May 14, 2012 7 p.m. Regular Meeting City Hall May 20, 2012 2 p.m. Graduation MHS June 11, 2012 7 p.m. Regular Meeting City Hall The June 4, 2012 goal planning session will need to be rescheduled. Board members were asked to forward dates in June that they are unavailable in order to find a date that works for all board members. Discussion was held regarding requests for agenda items from board members. In order to avoid open meeting s law violations, agenda items should be sent to Mr. Decker and Lisa in a timely manner to allow for adequate time for discussion and preparation. Some agenda suggestions can be discussed individually if warranted and thus, would alleviate strain on length of the meeting. 6
A motion was made by Director Jones and seconded by Director Garcia- Van Auken to adjourn the meeting. All ayes; motion carried. Time: 7:35 p.m. Tim Bower, President Lisa Mosier, Secretary 7