August 16, 2021
The North Mahaska Board of Education met in regular session on August 16, 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, Lindsay Thoreson, Sherrill Strobel, Kayla Scholtus, Justin, Scholtus, Trent Kain, Ben Gannon, 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 DeBoef and seconded by Sampson to approve the consent agenda. Motion carried.
PUBLIC FORUM
Kayla and Justin Scholtus addressed the board regarding an incident and the good conduct code. The board will review the information provided and follow up with the administration as they find necessary.
COMMUNICATIONS
DESIGN CONSTRUCTION INTEGRATION GROUP – BEN GANNON
Ben Gannon and Trent gave an update on the construction project.
The building will be open to a point where everyone can function in school, but the project will not be 100% complete at the start of the school year.
Ben explained that test and balance needs to be done at the completion of the project for the new mechanical system. This was not bought out during bids and there was some miscommunication, so a third part test and balance agent has to be hired. DCI has offered to pay half of the cost of this because it should have been bought out during the bid process. There is room in the contingency to pay for this cost.
Mrs. Sampson asked where the wrestling room hoist would be. Ben explained that it will be in the elementary gym because it will not fit in the high school gym due to the basketball hoops.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ESSER III RETURN TO LEARN PLAN
No comment was made.
OLD BUSINESS
UPDATE ON GEER II FUNDS - GRANT
Mrs. Livezey called the governor’s office because NM has yet to receive a response regarding our GEER II application and the social worker has to book two months in advance in order to provide the services. The grant application was due in March. Mrs. Livezey has not received a response yet from the governor’s office, but she did hear from the state department that they will be making an announcement by the 20th or before. NM did move forward with booking the mental health services as this cost should be allowable under the grant guidance. If the grant is not awarded, ESSER III funds will be utilized. The cost is roughly $38,000.
KINDERGARTEN FLOORING
The board approved a new flooring to be installed in the kindergarten rooms over Christmas break.
TEENSERVE
TeenServe will be hosted at North Mahaska in 2022.
NEW BUSINESS
APPROVE SUPPORT STAFF HANDBOOK
A motion was made by DeBoef and seconded by Ratcliff to approve the support staff handbook. Motion carried.
APPROVE CERTIFIED STAFF HANDBOOK
A motion was made by Ratcliff and seconded by Sampson to approve the certified staff handbook. Motion carried.
ESSER III PLAN
Mrs. Livezey explained that the ESSER III funds will be spent over the course of a few years. Supplies will be purchased for cleaning and disinfecting supplies, repairing and improving facilities to reduce the risk of virus transmission, technology for students with poor connectivity issues, an interventionist for 4-8 grade, an extra first grade classroom teacher, kept fifth grade at three classrooms, and an additional instructional coach for staff.
Ben Gannon of DCI explained that the control sequence on the mechanical system was updated to exchange the interior air with the exterior air more often. This cost difference will be paid for with ESSER III funds. A water fountain was also purchased for the elementary school.
RETURN TO LEARN PLAN
Mrs. Livezey explained that the federal government requires every district to have a return to learn plan as some schools are not yet back to face-to-face instruction. She directed the board to the department of health guidance regarding mask guidance and contact tracing guidance. NM will not mandate masks due to state guidelines and will not be doing contact tracing. Parents are encouraged to practice safe hygiene and keep their students home if they are sick. Cleaning practices in the school will be continued. The plan also includes an online schedule in case the school were forced to close due to COVID. The plan is available online with an area for public contact.
GUIDANCE FROM DE & IDPH FOR OPENING SCHOOLS
Mrs. Livezey provided the guidance from the DE and IDPH with the main points being that masks cannot be mandated in the school.
APPROVE EARLY GRADUATION APPLICATION
A motion was made by DeBoef and seconded by Ratcliff to approve Austin Fisher’s early graduation application. Motion carried.
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
OPEN HOUSE & BACK TO SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
The open house for the elementary school will be held on Monday from 2pm-6pm.
Mrs. Goemaat shared that on Monday night at 6pm will be the 7th grade and new student orientation.
FALL SPORTS KICK OFF
August 20 the sports team will be showcased with scrimmages at the school. The booster club will have the concession stand open for the event with beef donated by the Cattleman’s Association. SnoBiz will also be available. Volleyball will begin at 5:30pm, cross country will relay the football for the scrimmage through town, and then the football scrimmage will take place.
FFA GRANTS
Mrs. Goemaat explained that Mrs. Johnson applied for FFA grants for a community garden and a system for the classroom that will be available for this school year.
SPANISH TRIP
Mrs. Goemaat gave an update that the spanish trip is now down to two male students and one parent, two of which will not attend if a vaccine is required. Should this be the case, the trip may need to be cancelled with a travel voucher offered to the student. The decision will have to be made by February at which point the board will address this issue. Mr. Wilkin asked if there is an option to combine the trip with another Iowa school. Mrs. Goemaat answered that our Spanish students were originally supposed to guide the Fort Dodge French class students through Spain, but now those trips do not line up due to an extension that North Mahaska added on. It’s a possibility, but the trip would need to be altered.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
ALL-WEATHER TRACK UPDATE
Mrs. Livezey reached out to the company that originally installed the all-weather track for an assessment of the current track life and when a resealing or resurfacing will need to be done. There is currently a warranty in place that will expire in October. Mrs. Livezey will follow up with the attorney to ensure that the warranty can’t be used for the current damage to lanes 7 and 8.
IASB ANNUAL CONFERENCE - NOV. 17 & 18
Mrs. Livezey shared information regarding the dates for the IASB annual conference and informed them that should the board members wish to attend, the school will get them registered.
DONATION TO NMEF
NMEF has recently received a large donation from the settlement of a local trust. Mr. DeBoef shared that the foundation will make decisions about how the funds will be allocated based on a list of recommendations from Mrs. Livezey and the business office.
NM HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
Mrs. Livezey shared the preliminary 2021-2022 NM highlight video that will be shared at back to school, on the website, and on social media.
FOOD SERVICE - OPPA UPDATE
OPAA provided a nutrition program update handout to the board. Mrs. Livezey reviewed it, including that meals are still planned to be free for students for this year unless the federal government gives different guidance.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Mrs. Livezey explained that staff are required to collaborate 36 hours per year. This can be difficult on a day to day basis, so NM is bringing in Solution Tree to do a training on the 20th to be sure all staff are started on the right foot for the new year and understand all of their requirements.
COMMENTS
Mrs. Ratcliff mentioned that she had been asked about building trades courses at NM. Mrs. Goemaat explained that there has not been enough interest to host the courses at the school, but students are able to participate at Indian Hills via concurrent enrollment.
Mr. DeBoef commented how thankful he and NM are for Trace Goemaat and Ben Johannes for their hard work as summer custodial help this summer.
THANK YOU
Kiah, Ron, Craig, DeeAnn, Jeff - have had extra building cleaning and organization due to construction
Emmerson Jedlicka - helped with iPad Set Up
Joni Downs - helped with iPad Set Up
Kei Arthur - helped with iPad Set Up
Bruce Peiffer - helped with building cleaning
Shayla Schilling - helped with building cleaning
Crystal DeBoef - helped with building cleaning
Eleanor Robinson - helped with building cleaning
ADJOURN
A motion was made by DeBoef and seconded by Samspon to adjourn the meeting at 8:29p.m. Motion carried.
Sarah McGriff
Board Secretary
Dirk Wilkin
Board President
