BOARD/ADMINISTRATIVE WORK SESSION January 17, 2005 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, Mark Hunt, Shirley Exline, Lauri Hughes absent: Brian Farmer Administrators present: Dick Whitehead, Al Row e, Jim Rotter, Greg Leytem, Mark Gronemeyer Others in Attendance: Diane Heldt, C.R. Gazette Tim Osw ald of Piper Jaffray & Co. briefed the Board on the implications associated w ith tw o possible Debt Service actions. Mr. Osw ald explained that a current refunding of the 1998 issue, given the current interest rates, w ould net the District a savings of approximately $229,396 over the life of the bonds. Also explained w as a three year scenario to sell the $35,000,000 in bonds if approved by the voters in March. Given the District s expected valuation growth, Mr. Osw ald projected that the $4.05 debt levy w ould only be necessary the first year and w ould decrease each year as the valuations are realized. Also discussed w as the Districts A1 bond rating. He explained this w as an exceptional rating considering the Districts current debt and successful completion of it s new elementary w ithout a large fluctuation in the Districts cash balance position. Alison Mollman, Prairie High School student visited w ith the Board concerning the Districts policy on student to student harassment. She indicated that she has experienced, and w itnessed other students experience, harassment based on sexual orientation and perceived sexual orientation. Alison further explained that other high schools in the metro area have adopted language in their policy s to address this issue. Alison shared information and distributed information to the board about student gender identity issues and asked that the board consider a change in District policy. Al Row e, Director of Instructional Services, updated the Board on the progress of seniors completion of the Basic Academic Skills Certificate. Currently, five students have not passed their tests, 4 of these students are attending classes at Lincoln Learning Center. Al Row e discussed the progress of the Professional Development plan. Staff are currently analyzing student achievement data. This w ill then be analyzed at grade level and class roster levels. Class roster information w ill help staff focus their teaching on student needs. Superintendent Whitehead review ed options to make up snow days. It w as decided that the current 6 make up days w ould occur in June unless additional days occurred. Then other options w ould be explored. Superintendent Whitehead discussed the recent legislative visit to the District w here it w as indicated that a 4% growth for fiscal year 06-07 w ould be addressed early in the session and an additional 2% growth may also be discussed. The Board review ed Policy Series 400.0-401.18 The session w as concluded at 6:40 pm Jim Rotter, Board Secretary
MINUTES BOARD MEETING January 17, 2005 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, Hunt, Hughes absent: Farmer Jim Rotter, Board Secretary, verified that the meeting notices had been posted as required by law. Other individuals in attendance were; Barb Manternach, Keith Miller, John Titler, Joan Cochrane, Greg Leytem, Mark Gronemeyer, Diane Heldt. 1-17-05-01 Motion by Hughes, seconded by Flatgard to approve the agenda as presented. President Bauer welcomed visitor comments and requests to speak to the board. 1-17-05-02 Motion by Hunt, seconded by Hughes to approve minutes of the Board Administrative Work Session and Regular Meeting of December 20, 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 December 31, 2004; to approve the following list of bills: #067698 through #068079. Mark Gronemeyer, Prairie High School Principal, recognized Joan Cochran, High School Business Teacher, for receiving the North Central Business Education Association Distinguished Service Award in October, 2004. Mr. Gronemeyer also discussed Joan s outstanding contribution to the High School Program with emphasis in the area of BPA. Greg Leytem, Prairie Middle School Principal, recognized Lia Cohen, Middle School Art Teacher, for being recognized by the University of Iowa as an Outstanding International Educator. Al Rowe, Director of Instructional Services, shared the ITBS and ITED test scores with the Board. Scores indicate a plateau effect in reading at the 4 th, 8 th, and 11 th grades. Math scores
indicate the highest proficiency rating ever at the 4 th, 8 th, and 11 th grades. Moving forward, it was emphasized that instructional strategies by staff must be refined to move past the plateau level and assist those students in special education programs. Julie Hauser, Director of Nutritional Services, updated the Board on participation of students in the nutritional programs. Meals served per day are up 150 district wide. Participation rate is at 69% for the lunch programs. Breakfast at the elementary buildings is from 46-58% participation. The Board discussed ideas on how the nutritional program could work in concert with the physical education program to help students make healthy food choices. Jim Rotter, Director of Business Services, shared preliminary information concerning the 05-06 fiscal year budget. Budget figures will be finalized once information is received from the state. 1-17-05-03 Motion by Exline, seconded by Zahradnik to approve the successful completion of probationary status for: Teri Billick (Paraprofessional), Melinda Michaelis (Paraprofessional); to approve the Resignation of: Brenda O Brien (Paraprofessional) ; to approve the extended leave under the Family Medical Leave Act of: Kimi Hynek from March 20, 2005 to April 29, 2005, To Approve extended leave to Lia Hansen-Cohen from February 25, 2005 to the end of the school year. To approve Early Separation for: Edward Heilers (Director of Buildings & Grounds), Marlene Hayek (MS Teacher), Ronald Newland (HS Teacher), Judy King (Ridge Teacher). 1-17-05-04 Motion by Exline, seconded by Zahradnik to approve open enrollment in for the 2004-05 school year for; Keith Meade (4); to approve open enrollment in for the 2005-06 school year for; Joshua Werning (K) 1-17-05-05 Motion by Exline, seconded by Zahradnik to approve first Semester graduates Krosby Rahne and Tara Volesky. 1-17-05-06 Motion by Exline, seconded by Zahradnik to approve second and final reading of revised Board Policies; 203.2, 204.2, 204.4, 204.7 and 204.14. Superintendent Whitehead presented the findings and recommendations of the 5-6 and 7-9 Committee s. Each recommendation outlined the Educational Specifications, Values and Beliefs, and the Recommended Value-Based Design Activities for the proposed building configurations.
Steve Knierem, of OPN Architecture presented a concept of the proposed 7-9 building for Board review. Input was discussed and received so that the final concept drawings could be completed for public review. Keith Miller, Barb Manternach, and John Titler of the Kids First Committee presented petitions with 721 signatures of eligible electors who reside in the District. Board President Bauer declared that this was the time and place to present a Petition to the Board requesting an election signed by 721 eligible electors of the District. 1-17-05-07 Motion by Exline, seconded by Hughes to adopt a resolution calling a special election on the issuance of bonds on Tuesday March 15, 2005 from 7:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M. at which election there will be submitted the following questions: Proposition A Shall the Board of Directors of the College Community School District, in the Counties of Benton, Linn, and Johnson, State of Iowa, be authorized to contract indebtedness and issue General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $29,500,00 to provide funds to build and construct a Middle School building, remodel, repair, and improve schoolhouses, and to purchase and improve land? Proposition B Shall the Board of Directors of the College Community School District, in the Counties of Benton, Linn, and Johnson, State of Iowa, be authorized to contract indebtedness and issue General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $5,500,000 to provide funds to build and furnish a Performing Arts Center at the High School building, it being understood that it is contingent upon the approval of Public Measure A submitted to the electors of the School District on this date? Roll Call Vote: Ayes 6 - Nays 0 1-17-05-08 Motion by Hughes, seconded by Hunt to set the date of February 21, 2005 at 7:00 P.M. for a Public Hearing on phases II & III of the Heights Carpet Replacement Project.
1-17-05-09 Motion by Flatgard, seconded by Hunt to approve a resolution authorizing the publication of the notice of a meeting, the notice of sale, and approving electronic bidding procedures of not to exceed $4,600,000 General Obligation School Refunding Bonds for January 31, 2005. Roll Call Vote: Ayes 6 - Nays 0 The Board set the following dates for building visits: Prairie View Prairie Ridge Prairie Middle School Prairie High School Prairie Heights Prairie Crest Prairie Oaks February 16 th March 10 th March 16 th April 4 th April 15 th May 9 th May 20 th 1-17-05-10 Motion by Hughes, seconded by Hunt to adjourn at 10:07 P.M. Randy Bauer, President James Rotter Jr., Secretary