December 20, 2021
The North Mahaska Board of Education met in regular session on December 20, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. in the high school library in New Sharon, Iowa. Those members present: Dirk Wilkin, Michelle Sampson, Keith Foster, Todd Vanderwilt, and Brett Morris. Also present: Angela Livezey, Amber Goemaat, Sherrill Strobel, RD Keep, Lindsay Thoreson, Renee Ferguson, and Sarah McGriff.
Dirk Wilkin called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
A motion was made by Sampson and seconded by Foster to approve the agenda with the addition of items 6F, 6G, and 6F. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Sampson and seconded by Vanderwilt to approve the consent agenda. Motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS
PUBLIC FORUM
Sherrill Strobel asked what the policy is for the parking lot gates. Mrs. Goemaat answered that the gates are locked every night between 10:30-11:00pm, but that there have been custodial illnesses over the last couple of weeks and there may be a day that the gates did not get locked due to substitutes.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
UPDATE ON CONSTRUCTION -DCI GROUP
Trent Kain gave an update on the construction project. HVAC and keyless entry work are continuing. The kindergarten flooring is still set to be installed over break. There is an electrical issue being resolved in the fitness center, as the outlets were not able to handle the power of the treadmills.
DISTRICT COMMUNICATION UPDATE - RD KEEP
RD Keep shared an update on district communications, including that the date of the next Megaphone will be January 6. In addition, he shared that there are over 30,000 photos on the district Smugmug site, which can be accessed via the NM website.
OLD BUSINESS
No old business at this time.
NEW BUSINESS
REVIEW ROOFING OPTIONS - PRESENTATION BY NEUMANN MONSON
Neumann Monson presented four options via Zoom for phase two of the construction project, replacing the roof. Further follow-up is needed regarding the options before a decision is made.
APPROVE AIA CONTRACT W/ NEUMANN MONSON ARCHITECTS
Tabled until January meeting.
APPROVE PREMIER FURNITURE QUOTE FOR HIGH SCHOOL - STATE PRICING GUARANTEED
A motion was made by Foster and seconded by Morris to approve the Premier Furniture quote. Motion carried.
APPROVE MJC MEDICAID CONTRACT
A motion was made by Sampson and seconded by Vanderwilt to approve the MJ Care medicaid contract. Motion carried.
REVIEW BOARD GOALS
The board goals that were reviewed in October were re-reviewed now that Brett Morris and Todd Vanderwilt are now on the board.
INCREASE IN SUB PAY FOR CUSTODIANS TO $15/HR
A motion was made by Morris and seconded by Sampson to approve an increase in sub custodian pay to $15. Motion carried.
INCREASE IN PRESCHOOL ROUTE PAY TO $50 NOON ROUTE
A motion was made by Vanderwilt and seconded by Foster to approve an increase in the preschool bus route pay to $50/ hour.
A motion was made by Sampson and seconded by Foster to pay mileage for substitute drivers to come drive the preschool route. Motion carried.
WEIGHTED GRADING FOR AP COURSES
Mrs. Goemaat explained the need for a tiered weighting for AP courses and other non-school district provided courses, as the level of rigor differs between course providers. She will present more information regarding this plan and ask for approval at the January meeting.
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
IOWA SCHOOL PERFORMANCE PROFILE - ELEMENTARY
Mrs. Livezey reviewed the Iowa School Performance Profile for the elementary school data. The elementary grading overall performance was rated as commendable. There were no areas with support required.
IOWA SCHOOL PERFORMANCE PROFILE - JR./SR. HIGH
Mrs. Livezey reviewed the Iowa School Performance Profile for the Jr./Sr. High data. The grading overall performance was rated as commendable and there were no areas with support required. She informed the board that the North Mahaska School Leadership Team analyzed the data from these performance profiles to identify areas of growth, areas of strength, and implications for professional development. Currently, the January professional development agenda ties in well with the goals that have stemmed from this data.
ELEMENTARY - MOVIE SPONSORED BY PACT
The Elementary will be going to the Capri Theatre on the following dates as a PBIS reward to see the movie Sing 1: Monday December 20 @ 8:30am (grades 5-6), Tuesday, December 21 @ 8:30am (grades K-1), Tuesday, December 21 @ 12:30pm (grades 2-4).
OMAHA ZOO TRIP - MAY 2022
Mrs. Livezey explained that the zoo trip was postponed last year due to COVID. She shared that the district is looking to take grades 6, 7, and 8 this year to make the trip up to those students who did not get to attend in the past. NM PACT will be sponsoring a majority of this trip. The district charters buses and the students will travel to the Omaha Zoo for the day in May, leaving the school around 7:15am and returning around 8:30pm.
The 5th and 6th grade students will be taken to the zoo next year and then will be back on track for a trip every other year.
The funds raised from the elementary walk-a-thon help pay for the trip. Additionally, the North Mahaska Education Foundation typically pays for the student meals and/or admission into the zoo.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
DISTRICT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT - JANUARY 3, 2022
Mrs. Livezey shared the professional development agenda for the upcoming January 3 PD day.
WEIGHT ROOM FACILITIES
Mrs. Livezey highlighted the update from DCI earlier in the meeting regarding hardware that needs to be installed for the treadmills. Opening of the fitness center facilities is postponed until this is complete, but policies are being reviewed in order to get the facility open as soon as possible.
ANTICIPATED OPENINGS FOR 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR
There are currently anticipated openings for a secondary science teacher and a K-12 art teacher for the 2022-2023 school year.
OPAA REPORT - NOVEMBER 2021
The OPAA board report for November was shared with the board.
TRANSPORTATION CHALLENGES
Mrs. Livezey shared that there have been many transportation challenges recently, including a bus breakdown and shortage of drivers. She informed the board that they are looking to combine a couple of routes, but that there is still a struggle to recruit bus drivers.
VACCINATION POLICY
A meeting date was set for January 6th at 6pm to set policy for vaccination requirements, should the 6th Circut’s ruling not be appealed and a stay passed.
COMMENTS
Mr. Morris asked if the board could have a future conversation regarding our current grading scale.
Mr. Wilkin asked how our current grading system correlates with standard based grading and how Iowa Core applies to our current grading scale. He also asked about our current curriculum and how it aligns with Iowa Core. Mrs. Goemaat will have this data gathered for the grading scale board conversation.
Mr. Wilkin reviewed the RSAI priorities and noted that they do align with NM’s school board at this current time.
THANK YOU
Kiah Bucklin, Kathy Breen, and Bob Breen for help with buses.
ADJOURN
A motion was made by Sampson and seconded by Foster to adjourn the meeting at 8:18p.m. Motion carried.
Sarah McGriff
Board Secretary
Dirk Wilkin
Board President
