October 18, 2021
The North Mahaska Board of Education met in regular session on October 18, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. in the high school library in New Sharon, Iowa. Those members present: Michelle Sampson, Arvin DeBoef, and Margaret Ratcliff. Also present: Angela Livezey, Amber Goemaat, Trent Kain, Sherrill Strobel, RD Keep, Lindsay Thoreson, Tim Veiseth, Laura Wieman, Tracy Swanson, Renee Ferguson, and Sarah McGriff.
Arvin DeBoef called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
A motion was made by Ratcliff and seconded by Sampson to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Ratcliff and seconded by Sampson to approve the consent agenda. Motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS
There was no written communication or public forum.
DESIGN CONSTRUCTION INTEGRATION GROUP
Trent Kain and Brandon Schulte gave an update on the construction project.
From an architectural standpoint, the project is wrapped up. There is still some copper for the air conditioning units that is difficult to acquire right now, and the lockers should be here in the next couple of weeks. The mat hoist for the wrestling room should also be here in two weeks. The mechanical controls also have a few bugs that are being worked out, specifically on the heating as we begin utilizing that function. TAB and commissioning is now starting and final punch list items are being worked out by Bi-State and DCI.
Mrs. Sampson asked about the open steam trap in the hallway that was hot to the touch last week, and Trent answered that it was addressed the day of and fixed. Additionally, she asked about a drainage issue in the locker rooms, which Trent noted is being tested and adjusted now as well.
Mr. DeBoef asked if training for the AC and heating units would take place, and Trent assured him that it would as soon as all of the bugs are fixed and mechanics are finalized.
Mrs. Livezey asked when the warranty for the mechanical units went into effect since the copper wire has not been acquired yet. Mr. Schulte said that because the units are not running yet, he does not believe that the warranty has not begun yet, but he will follow up and ensure this is finalized with the closeout paperwork.
FFA & FFA ADVISORY - MIRANDA JOHNSON AND JUSTIN STOUT
Mrs. Johnson and FFA Advisory President Justin Stout presented to the board that they are looking to move forward with establishing an FFA Alumni Chapter, which is run under the National FFA Organization. They presented the board with the requirements to charter this local chapter as well as the benefits of having more people involved to assist with FFA fundraisers as well as an opportunity to create scholarships for students to be involved in FFA events. This will result in funds for dues and fees, t-shirt sales, and all other FFA costs outside of the Land Lab, greenhouse, and the FFA Scholarship Funds to be run through the separate Alumni Chapter bank account. No funds will be removed from the current school activity account.
OPAA FOOD MANAGEMENT UPDATE
OPAA directors updated the board regarding the nationwide supply chain shortage and how it is affecting North Mahaska’s school lunch program. The students are still being provided two lunch options plus the salad bar each day, but the options may be different than last year. With a turnover of staff at OPAA and the shortage, there are a number of processes being explored to present students with as many options as possible.
OLD BUSINESS
No old business at this time.
NEW BUSINESS
REVIEW CERTIFIED ENROLLMENT
Mrs. Livezey reviewed certified enrollment for the 2021-2022 school year. Actual enrollment is up by 13.66 students compared to last year. Overall served enrollment is up 32.86 students, reaching a total of 600.14 students served by the North Mahaska School District.
REVIEW BOARD GOALS
The board reviewed their short-term and long-term board goals. Mrs. Livezey noted that these would be reviewed with the new board members after the November election as well. Mr. DeBoef asked about the next phase of the bond revenue and utilizing it for a new roof. Mrs. Livezey answered that the district will be working with Piper-Sandler to create a plan, but will try to hold off as long as possible for the project due to current high material costs.
APPROVE LIST OF ITEMS TO SELL
Mrs. Livezey presented the board with a list of items that will be sold beginning November 1. Items will be sold on GovDeals.com and the link to the North Mahaska GovDeals page will be posted on Facebook and on the school website. A motion was made by Sampson and seconded by Ratcliff to approve the list of items to sell as well as the prices as presented. Motion carried.
APPROVE STUDENT OVERNIGHT TRIPS FOR 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR
A motion was made by Ratcliff and seconded by Sampson to approve a list of potential student overnight trips for the 2021-2022 school year. Motion carried.
APPROVE EARLY GRADUATION REQUEST
A motion was made by Sampson and seconded by Ratcliff to approve the early graduation request for Harley Thomas, pending all requirements are met. Motion carried.
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
SCREENING DATA FOR FAST K-6
Mrs. Livezey presented the screening data for K-6, noting that the goal is to have 80% of all K-6 students meeting the benchmark by the end of the year. She noted that the assessment results were utilized in the professional development meeting today to help teachers set their goals. Instructional coaches also help support these goals. This data will be captured again during winter and spring and a progress update will be given at those times.
7-12 PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCE UPDATE
Mrs. Livezey updated on behalf of Mrs. Goemaat that many parents gave feedback regarding conferences, noting that they would like to go back to having conferences towards the end of October as in previous years. This will be taken into consideration and implemented when making the draft school calendar for the 2022-2023 school year.
BOARD POLICY 501.9 - PARTICIPATION IN STUDENT ACTIVITIES
The board reviewed policy 501.9 stating that students must be present for at least the last four periods of the school day in order to participate in evening activities. The board feels that this is a fair policy and decided to uphold the policy. The policy will be refreshed in the principal’s memo to parents as a reminder of these requirements.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
ALL WEATHER TRACK UPDATE
Mrs. Livezey updated the board that a letter has been sent to Fisher Track asking them to fix lanes 7 and 8 under the track warranty. She also noted that a structural spray will need to be put on the track in the next year or two at the cost of the school.
TRAFFIC FLOW UPDATE
EMC conducted a traffic flow analysis of the north parking lot. Mrs. Livezey reviewed the results of this analysis with the board and noted that the suggested improvements are being implemented with a completion date of October 30. Renee Ferguson noted that there is a fire hydrant in the parking lot that may need to be marked so that a car cannot be parked too closely. Mrs. Livezey said that she will follow up to determine the requirement for this.
NORTH PARKING LOT REPAIR
Mrs. Livezey explained that the northwest corner of the north parking lot is in need of repair. There is currently a piece of painted concrete that is sticking up and will need to be fixed. A patron recently fell in this area and while it’s unclear whether the piece of concrete was a factor, once the insurance company has examined the event, the school will move forward with fixing this area to prevent any accidents in the future.
DISTRICT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT -OCTOBER 18
Mrs. Livezey reviewed the professional development agenda that took place today, October 18, which highlighted the district goal of increasing literacy comprehension.
BOARD ELECTIONS
There are two citizens running for board election on November 2, Brett Morris in District 5 and Todd Vanderwilt in District 4. Mrs. Livezey informed the board that they are both running unopposed. She reviewed the procedure that will take place after the election and once votes are canvassed, noting that the organizational meeting will be held and the new members will be sworn in at the November board meeting. Then, a new board president and vice president will be elected.
SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS
Mrs. Livezey explained that there is a substitute teacher shortage this year, resulting in difficulty covering teacher absences. She noted that the board could consider raising substitute pay in order to draw more substitute teachers, but that NM’s current substitute teacher pay rate is comparable to other districts.
BUS CAPACITY
There was a concern brought up by a parent regarding room on buses, stating that their student had to sit on the floor of a bus. This concern was brought up to bus drivers who did not recall this incident, and the highest capacity that has been on a bus is 52 students on a 65 passenger bus. Mrs. Livezey said that she got on a bus that had 52 students and noticed that students were not wanting to double up on seats. Buses had far fewer students last year due to adding a bus for COVID and social distancing requirements, so this year is presenting itself as an adjustment for students. Mrs. Livezey visited with the students on the bus to ensure that everyone had a seat.
WEIGHT ROOM FACILITIES
Mrs. Livezey explained that the new weight facility is not currently open for community use. Before the weight room can be open to the public, the weight room must be completed, a schedule must be set for the weight room, the insurance company must review the matter, and the board must vote on community access.
COMMENTS
No comments were made.
THANK YOU
RD Keep for his work with the SmugMug site.
Greg Walkup for picking up trash on the football field.
ADJOURN
A motion was made by Sampson and seconded by Ratcliff to adjourn the meeting at 7:30p.m. Motion carried.
Sarah McGriff
Board Secretary
Dirk Wilkin
Board President
