September 19, 2022
The North Mahaska Transportation Committee met prior to the regular board meeting on September 19, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. to brainstorm ways to retain and recruit bus drivers for the district and discuss any issues to address. Those board members present: Brett Morris and Todd Vanderwilt. Also present: Angela Livezey, Amber Goemaat, Jeff Walston, and Sarah McGriff.
North Mahaska Board of Education met in regular session on September 19, 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, Stacie Johannes, Lisa Ossian, Tracy Swanson, Polly Ehret, Amber Goemaat, Scott Palmberg (Zoom), Angela Livezey, and Sarah McGriff.
Keith Foster called the regular meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
A motion was made by Sampson and seconded by Vanderwilt to approve the agenda with the addition of approving the E-Rate service agreement and considering an employee’s request for leave of absence. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Wilkin and seconded by Vanderwilt to approve the consent agenda. Motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS
PUBLIC FORUM
Lisa Ossian, candidate for Iowa House District 88, introduced herself to the board as an advocate for public schools and teachers.
Sherrill Strobel asked if there could be a trash can by the north entrance and asked if there is any data collecting in student enrollment and whether open campus is affecting this at all.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
Mrs. Livezey shared that there was a communication to administration from IHSAA stating that NM was one of 207 schools (56.7%) who had no student-athletes or coaches ejected during the 2021-2022 school year.
CONSTRUCTION - HVAC
Mrs. Livezey shared an update with the board and there is no additional information at this time.
ACADEMIC FOCUS - PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES -INSTRUCTIONAL COACH
Stacie Johannes shared an update on the professional development that is being provided to all NM teachers around Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) . PLCs are groups of teachers with a shared mission, shared goals, and collective commitments, working interdependently to increase student learning. In her presentation, Mrs. Johannes included a quote from a book (PLC at Work and Your Small School): "By getting insanely clear about student learning outcomes, it will be possible to shift to a rising trajectory in a few years." Mrs. Johannes shared the district's current reading and math data as well as goals the staff set for increasing student achievement.
OLD BUSINESS
ROOF UPDATE
Bid opening for the masonry repairs occurred on September 15 at 2:00pm. We had three companies who were invited to bid, and we received all three bids.
NEW BUSINESS
APPROVE EARLY GRADUATION REQUEST
Tabled.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF CLASSROOM SPACE BOARD POLICY 606.1
The board reviewed board policy 606.1. Mrs. Livezey shared that there are three class sections in 6th grade and there will be three in 2nd grade when the teacher returns from leave. Mrs. Goemaat explained that junior high classes run between 18.25-18.5 students and high school classes run between 18-19 students, choir is 85 students, and the largest PE class is 37 students. The current 6th grade class is three sections and many of the courses they are moving into in 7th grade are already at three sections. This is an issue that will need to be addressed for next year in order to accommodate all students.
UPDATE ON BOND INVESTMENT
Ms. McGriff provided an update that last month’s investment growth was 1.843% in ISJIT. Scott Palmberg will provide her with a long term calendar for the funds by the next board meeting to consider other possible investment options.
REQUEST FOR ALLOWABLE GROWTH -SPECIAL EDUCATION DEFICIT
A motion was made by Morris and seconded by Sampson to approve the allowable growth request amount of $188,059.89. Motion carried.
APPROVE SUBSTITUTE BUS DRIVER ROUTE PAY
A motion was made by Vanderwilt and seconded by Sampson to approve substitute driver pay in the amount of $49.42/route. Motion carried.
APPROVE REGULAR ROUTE DRIVER PAY FOR CURRENT BUS DRIVERS
A motion was made by Morris and seconded by Sampson to approve regular route bus driver pay. Motion carried.
APPROVE OPEN ENROLLMENT TRANSFER REQUEST FOR STUDENT ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY
A motion was made by Vanderwilt and seconded by Sampson to approve the open enrollment transfer request for student athletic eligibility. Motion carried.
APPROVE BID FOR ELEMENTARY GYMNASIUM MASONRY REPAIRS
A motion was made by Vanderwilt and seconded by Sampson to approve the elementary masonry repair bid from MTS. Motion carried.
BOARD POLICY REVIEW
A motion was made by Vanderwilt and seconded by Sampson to approve the first reading of the following policies:
105 (NEW)
800 SERIES
900 SERIES
CONSIDER EMPLOYEE’S REQUEST FOR EXTENDED LEAVE
A motion was made by Morris and seconded by Sampson to approve Jess Jones’ request for extended leave through the first semester. Motion carried.
APPROVE E-RATE SERVICE AGREEMENT
A motion was made by Sampson and seconded by Vanderwilt to approve the E-Rate service agreement. Motion carried.
APPROVE POTENTIAL SCHOOL TRIPS
A motion was made by Morris and seconded by Vanderwilt to approve the list of potential school trips. Motion carried.
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
FULL VALUE CONTRACT
Mrs. Livezey, Mrs. Goemaat, and Mr. Veiseth shared the full value contract that was built with the entire staff that includes staff commitments for the entire year.
GOOD CONDUCT POLICY
Mrs. Goemaat shared the good conduct policy with the board.
POWERSCHOOL UPDATE
PowerSchool has caused some issues at the beginning of the year as they switch to PowerSchool express. Mrs. Goemaat shared that they have worked through most glitches and are in a better place at this time. She also shared the difficulties that would come with switching providers from PowerSchool and that it would put much more stress on the system at this time. She suggested staying with PowerSchool for the time being as they sort out their changes.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
SCHOOL SAFETY PRESENTATION & RETURN TO LEARN PLAN
Mrs. Livezey shared the school safety presentation and the return to learn plan.
TRANSPORTATION UPDATE
Mrs. Livezey shared that transportation is still piecing together routes and has some potential drivers in training. We anticipate a full-time route driver to start at the beginning of October. We still need to find one part-time route driver at a minimum. Ryan Groom, Randy Moffit, Mike Mitchell, Dwane McClure, and Wendy Sampson have been driving a majority of the activities.
SEL GRANT
Mrs. Livezey wrote a grant for dollars to support our students and staff in the area of social emotional learning. The Conditions for Learning Survey data shows students can benefit from work around emotional safety. The initial information received indicates the grant award is $51,000. The district is excited to have these additional funds to support students and staff. Grant funds must be spent on coaching of staff to improve students’ emotional safety and professional development for the mental health team.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN OVERVIEW 2022-2023
Mrs. Livezey shared the PD plan overview for the school year.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR SEPTEMBER 19, 2022
Mrs. Livezey shared today’s PD agenda.
IASB CONFERENCE - NOVEMBER
Mrs. Livezey asked any board members who are interested in attending the conference to let her know.
FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS - HANDICAP ACCESSIBILITY
Mrs. Livzey is working with Gardner and Associates for ideas to improve the parking lot and handicap accessibility to our outdoor facilities.
COMMENTS
Mr. Morris thanked Angela for her work on the SEL grant.
Mrs. Sampson received feedback that students and parents are excited about the new guidance counselor Ms. Moore.
Mr. Vanderwilt appreciated the transportation meeting prior to the board meeting and the efforts to improve the transportation program.
Mrs. Livezey asked for a work session prior to the meeting in October.
THANK YOU
Dale Schwechel for his donation for scholarships and the WIN wall.
First State Bank for feeding the NM community before the football game.
Ms. Moore for all of her hard work at the beginning of the year with student scheduling.
ADJOURN
A motion was made by and seconded by to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m. Motion carried.
Sarah McGriff
Board Secretary
Dirk Wilkin
Vice President
