July 12, 2021
The North Mahaska Board of Education met in regular session on June 21, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. in the high school library in New Sharon, Iowa. Those members present: Dirk Wilkin, Arvin DeBoef, Michelle Sampson, Margaret Ratcliff, and Keith Foster. Also present: Angela Livezey, Amber Goemaat, Ben Gannon, Ryan Groom, Brett Morris, Acacia Morris, Trace Goemaat, PJ Stout, Courtney Sanders, Larry Moore, Jacob Clark, Jac Munson, Laren Basillio, Lucas Nunnikhoven, Emily Sampson, Hannah Sampson, Will Goemaat, Kincaid Mitchell, Kelly Mitchell, Jon Goemaat, Gail Morris, Renee Ferguson, and Sarah McGriff.
Dirk Wilkin called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
A motion was made by DeBoef and seconded by Ratcliff to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Ratcliff and seconded by Foster to approve the consent agenda. Motion carried.
PUBLIC FORUM
There was no one present for the public forum.
COMMUNICATIONS
DESIGN CONSTRUCTION INTEGRATION GROUP – BEN GANNON
Ben Gannon gave an update on the construction project.
In the fitness center, the block work is close to being completed. Tile flooring is being laid in the restrooms, and it is being completed relatively quickly.
All of the ventilation units are installed in the classrooms and the piping is being completed now. The electrician will then make the connections to the units to complete that phase.
Sheetrock has been started in the administrative space in the elementary school, and it is on track for that section to be turned over on August 6.
A meeting is scheduled for Thursday to discuss the flooring option for the kindergarten rooms. The flooring presented at the last meeting was not accepted as the patterns contrasted the fixtures that are already in the rooms.
Mr. Gannon confirmed that he will give the board a tour of the space at the August meeting.
TEENSERVE STUDENTS’ REQUEST
Students and leaders from the local TeenServe group presented to the board a request to host next year’s TeenServe Workcamp at North Mahaska’s facilities. Brett Morris explained that TeenServe would be staying in the building with an adult to student ratio of 5:1. Mr. Morris explained that the TeenServe staff would show up a week in advance and prep the classroom for the campers, with a tentative date for the camp next year being June 26-July 2. He also ensured the board that TeenServe would reimburse the school for any supplies used by the students as well as reimbursement for the cost of the custodial staff necessary for the event. Acacia Morris noted that the TeenServe staff also takes pictures of each classroom before students enter to ensure everything is put back exactly as it was found. Mr. Morris presented data from 2011 that TeenServe typically has an economic impact on a community in the amount of roughly $200K - with inflation, he estimates the impact in the current year is around $300K-400K. Arvin DeBoef asked how the homes are chosen that will be worked on by the campers. Mr. Morris explained that homeowners are able to put in a request and then a volunteer from TeenServe will do a work order write-up for each request to decide which homes are in the most need of assistance, taking into consideration poverty, disabilities, home improvement needs, etc. Mrs. Livezey expressed her appreciation for the TeenServe students and all they did this year as well as how well this event would align with the North Mahaska mission to create positive, productive citizens. Mr. Wilkin asked about the background check process for adults who may want to volunteer close to the workcamp date. Jac Munson explained that when a late volunteer shows up, they are on-boarded and a background check is run in realtime, not letting the volunteer join the group until the background check is clear. Mrs. Livezey asked about security and Mr. Morris explained that TeenServe does have a 24 hour security guard and nurse on staff in the building. Mr. Wilkin asked what the next steps are if the board approves TeenServe to be at North Mahaska. Mr. Morris explained that TeenServe would then send someone to North Mahaska to review the space and while it wouldn’t be guaranteed to be hosted at NM, it would be likely.
A motion was made by DeBoef and seconded by Sampson to approve TeenServe to be hosted at North Mahaska in 2022. Motion carried.
AD UPDATE - RYAN GROOM
Ryan Groom presented an update on his first year as Athletic Director. He explained that he learned to double check on tasks because on occasion he ran into officials and umpires not showing up. Mr. Wilkin asked how to alleviate that problem. Mr. Groom explained his process to assign officials at the beginning of the year, check again at the beginning of the season, and send a reminder again the week of the event to ensure he doesn’t have to find a replacement. The second lesson Mr. Groom said he learned this year is to address situations immediately and have tough conversations as soon as needed. Mrs. Livezey added that Mr. Groom did receive Fierce Conversation training through the AEA as well. Mr. Groom expressed that he felt more confident going into his second summer season of sports and is recognizing areas to streamline and improve along the way as well. He explained his system of communication with coaches as well as the communication and support he has received from other ADs in order to streamline processes here at North Mahaska. Mr. Groom presented a five year plan, including a focus on accountability for coaches, building the pride in NM’s programs, focusing on fundraisers, and updated North Mahaska branding and social media sites. Snap Raise is the new fundraising platform that will be used, which is an online platform that will result in a higher percentage of donations going directly to North Mahaska instead of to the cost of the fundraising items. In his five-ten year plan, Mr. Groom included the resurfacing or replacing of the gym floor, continued updates to the new fitness center, and perforated vinyl on the school windows for both safety and branding purposes. Mr. Groom went into detail about the decision to have one concession stand at softball and baseball games this year, including lack of volunteers, less inventory and waste, saving money on paying workers, and the fact that NM was the only school with two concession stands. He noted that profit-wise, this system is working better and that the concession stand has had just as high of sales this year as in previous years.
Mr. Wilkin asked about coaching handbooks and if there was a way to standardize the handbooks across sports. Mr. Groom explained that coaches are to turn in handbooks to him before the season starts and that he has communicated non-negotiables to each coach that must be included in the handbooks, including conduct policies, practice policies, and the policies that the school has for athletic events. Mr. Wilkin encouraged Mr. Groom to continue to follow-through with coaches and the use of a 360 feedback tool with coaches at the end of each year.
OLD BUSINESS
UPDATE ON GEER II FUNDS - GRANT
No updates are available at this time.
NEW BUSINESS
APPROVE ANNUAL WAGE REPORT
A motion was made by DeBoef and seconded by Foster to approve the annual wage report. Motion carried.
APPROVE JR./SR. HIGH HANDBOOK
A motion was made by Foster and seconded by Sampson to approve the Jr./Sr. High Handbook. Motion carried.
APPROVE ELEMENTARY HANDBOOK
A motion was made by Sampson and seconded by Ratcliff to approve the Elementary Handbook. Motion carried.
REVIEW OF BOARD POLICY -2ND READING 503.6
A motion was made by Ratcliff and seconded by DeBoef to approve the adoption of Board Policy 503.6 as presented by IASB. Motion carried.
REVIEW OF BOARD POLICY - 2ND READING 503.6R1, 503.6E1, 503.6E2, 503.6E3
A motion was made by DeBeof and seconded by Sampson to approve the adoption of Board Policies 503.6R1, 503.6E1, 503.6E2, 503.6E3 as presented by IASB. Motion carried.
APPROVE ARTICULATION AGREEMENT W/ IHCC
A motion was made by Ratcliff and seconded by DeBeof to approve the Articulation Agreement with IHCC. Motion carried.
APPROVE FIXED ASSET INVENTORY PROPOSAL
A motion was made by DeBoef and seconded by Ratcliff to approve the fixed asset inventory proposal from Asset Services. Motion carried.
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
No principal’s report in June and July.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
ALL WEATHER TRACK UPDATE
Mrs. Livezey informed the board that Midwest Track will be performing warranty work on lanes seven and eight of the track with an estimated completion by the end of the summer. The track was built in 2016 and when the school built the track it was to last 7-8 years before a resurfacing was necessary. Midwest Track says there is no warranty for the pebbling that is occurring on the entire track at this time, even though it has only been 5 years. Mrs. Livezey reached out to other schools who said that their experience resealing their track cost between $40K and $80K and that resurfacing could be upwards of $120K-150K. Mrs. Livezey requested a maintenance list and timeline from Midwest Track for both resealing and resurfacing the track, and intends to continue conversation with Midwest Track regarding why the maintenance is already becoming necessary and how to alleviate this in the future with maintenance and upkeep.
COMMENTS
Mr. DeBoef commented that the current concrete floors in the kindergarten room look acceptable with the tables and chairs set up in the room and feels that the longevity would be better than a new epoxy floor.
Mr. Wilkin commented that he hopes communication continues regarding a facilities spending plan for athletics.
Mr. Wilkin also asked that a communication go out to the Class of 2020 letting them know how their funds from the senior class trip are being utilized for the new courtyard windows. Previously the plan had been to use the funds for lights for the outdoor basketball courts but Musco had offered to donate the lights for that project and so funds were rerouted to the window project.
THANK YOU
Mat Club for funding a portion of the new wrestling room wall mats.
Ryan Groom for replacing the outdoor school signage.
ADJOURN
A motion was made by DeBoef and seconded by Sampson to adjourn the meeting at 8:18p.m. Motion carried.
Sarah McGriff
Board Secretary
Dirk Wilkin
Board President
