August 15, 2022
North Mahaska Board of Education met in regular session on August 15, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. in the Jr./Sr. High Library in New Sharon, Iowa. Those members present:Brett Morris, Michelle Sampson, Dirk Wilkin (via Zoom), and Todd Vanderwilt. Also present: Sherrill Strobel, Nancy Hargis, Tracy Swanson, Emily Pattison, Amber Goemaat, Scott Palmberg (Zoom), Lynn Price (Zoom), Angela Livezey, and Sarah McGriff.
Dirk Wilkin called the regular meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
A motion was made by Vanderwilt and seconded by Sampson to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Sampson and seconded by Vanderwilt to approve the consent agenda. Motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS
PUBLIC FORUM
Sherrill Strobel expressed her desire for a paper activities schedule and school calendar that has school events listed.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
No written communication.
OPPA UPDATE - TRACY SWANSON, & EMILY PATTISON
Emily Pattison is the new regional director for OPAA overseeing North Mahaska. Tracy reviewed the three action plans that are in place for OPAA this year. She shared the cleaning charts, menu, and information regarding new employees. There will be five menu options in the elementary - 2 hot options, salad, pb&j, and a cold to-go option. In the high school there will be 6-7 menu options - 2 options, salad, cold to-go option, pizza bar, and a student favorite. The sodium levels will remain the same as last year and whole grains have changed from 50% last year to 85% this year.
OLD BUSINESS
ROOF UPDATE - SCOTT PALMBERG VIA ZOOM
More detail was given regarding the option of total roof replacement including material lead time and project timeline for summer install in 2023. Lynn Price from DrySpace joined the conversation and explained that from the perspective of a contractor, they would focus on keeping the building watertight everyday and sequencing would consist of stripping the roof down to the decing and then installing thermal board and vapor barrier (night tie in to keep everything watertight). From there, the layers of insulation would be installed and then underlayment of the metal panels. Total duration of the project is roughly 3.5-4 weeks beginning in June when students are dismissed for the summer. Mr. Price also noted that materials placed in September of 2022 are scheduled to arrive in quarter 1 or quarter 2 of 2023, so the project should be sent to bid as soon as possible. Mr. Palmberg believes they could have bid documents ready by mid to late September. Mr. Price explained that the sheeting boards have the longer lead times at this point and if the project was bid this fall, the materials should be ready for a June install.
NEW BUSINESS
APPROVE SCHOOL LUNCH & BREAKFAST FEES FOR STUDENTS
A motion was made by Morris and seconded by Vanderwilt to approve the school lunch at $2.15 for student breakfast and $3.20 for student lunch, and $2.50 for adult breakfast and $4.15 for adult lunch fees for 2022-2023. Motion carried.
APPROVE CONTRACT TO DIGITIZE EMPLOYEE FILES AND ORIENTATION MATERIALS
A motion was made by Vanderwilt and seconded by Morris to approve the contracts to digitize employee files. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Morris and seconded by Sampson to approve the contract to digitize orientation materials. Motion carried.
APPROVE OPTION FOR ROOF REPAIR RESTORATION OF THE ELEMENTARY GYM
A motion was made by Morris and seconded by Vanderwilt to approve the option 3, for full replacement of the elementary gym roof. Motion carried.
APPROVE EXPENDITURE FOR CAFETERIA FURNITURE
A motion was made by Vanderwilt and seconded by Sampson to approve the expenditure for the cafeteria furniture. Motion carried.
APPROVE BOND INVESTMENT SUBJECT TO ROOF RESTORATION PROJECT SCHEDULE
A motion was made by Morris and seconded by Sampson to approve bond reinvestment subject to the roof restoration project schedule from the architects. Motion carried.
BOARD POLICY REVIEW
A motion was made by Sampson and seconded by Morris to approve the second reading of policies 402.2, 501.14, 501.15, 504.5, 504.5R1, 505.5, 507.2, 507.2E1, 607.2, 704.6, 804.5, 804.7, 804.7R1, 901, and the 700 series. Motion carried.
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
No principal’s report during summer months, but Mrs. Livezey shared communication that was sent to parents regarding the second grade maternity leave.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
UPDATE ON OPERATIONAL SHARING OF SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER
The City of New Sharon denied our request for operational sharing based on limited staff availability, but this may be incorporated in the future once staff is hired. Law enforcement will continue to do child watch and will walk the perimeter of the building when they are in the area. Mrs. Livezey also shared that a vulnerability assessment will be conducted on the school once the governor’s office has issued information on the safety funding.
TRANSPORTATION UPDATE
The District is still seeking drivers for the school year.
UPDATE ON FACILITIES
- JR./SR. HIGH PARKING LOT - Mrs. Livezey is working with Garden and Associates for insight on repair of the north side of the Jr./Sr. high school parking lot.
- WALKWAY REPAIRS - They are also discussing handicap accessibility to outdoor fields via outdoor walkways and repair of existing walkways.
PRESENTATION AT PLEASE PASS THE LOVE CONFERENCE
Mrs. Livezey, Mrs. Goemaat, Mr. Veiseth, and Mrs. DeBoef presented at the Please Pass the Love Conference regarding the positive things happening at North Mahaska through mental health support and programs.
COMMENTS
Mrs. Livezey informed the board that she applied for a competitive grant for a social worker to provide SEL guidance.
Mr. Vanderwilt asked if a committee should be formed to represent bus drivers and address concerns around the position and what can be offered and fixed to attract and retain people. Mrs. Livezey thought that was a very positive idea and that may be a good next step. The board will work on a committee meeting on September 19 prior to the board meeting.
Mrs. Livezey explained that the paper flier calendars were not printed because activities change so frequently and activities were not printed for the same reason on the school calendar. The activities will be printed in the Warhawk Megaphone this year, but Mrs. Livezey is advocating that these dates be added next year to the calendar and the fliers be printed while always guiding the public back to the website for the up to date calendar.
Mr. Morris expressed concern about the AED being moved to the concession stand. Mrs. Sampson asked if the AED could be taken by the trainers out to practice by the trainers. Mrs. Livezey suggested working with the school nurse to discuss access and the decisions of where the AEDs are placed.
Mr. Morris asked if GPAs are correct. Mrs. Goemaat explained that there is an issue in PowerSchool and there are some inconsistencies that are being addressed and worked through right now.
Mr. Wilkin asked about the current state of the gates. Mrs. Livezey explained that the north gate is closed at night but the south gate stays open because of the fitness center.
THANK YOU
Brandon Bandstra for repainting the goal posts and doing sandblasting around the school.
Miranda Johnson and FFA advisory for the achievements of the FFA this year.
ADJOURN
A motion was made by Sampson and seconded byVanderwilt to adjourn the meeting at 7:57p.m. Motion carried.
Sarah McGriff
Board Secretary
Dirk Wilkin
Vice President
