SIDNEY COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
SIDNEY, IOWA
REGULAR MEETING 7:30 P.M. FEBRUARY 18, 2008
President Jeff Jorgenson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Directors present were Jeff Jorgenson, Randy Bishop, Heidi Lowthorp, Janet Teten and Mike Daly. Also present were Superintendent/ Secondary Principal Gregg Cruickshank, Elementary Principal Carolyn Maher and Board Secretary/Treasurer Joyce Morgan.
RECOGNITION OF GUESTS
Several guests were in attendance.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AS AMENDED
H. Lowthorp moved to approve the agenda as amended. M. Daly seconded. Ayes 5, Nays 0. Motion passed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE REGULAR MEETING OF JANUARY 21, 2008
J. Teten moved to approve the minutes from the regular board meeting of January 21, 2008. R. Bishop seconded. Ayes 5,
Nays 0. Motion passed.
CONSIDER BILLS TO PAY
J. Teten moved to approve the vendor bills for the month of February 2008. H. Lowthorp seconded. Ayes 5, Nays 0. Motion passed.
FINANCIAL REPORTS
H. Lowthorp moved to approve the financial reports for the month ending January 2008. J. Teten seconded. Ayes 5, Nays 0. Motion passed.
REQUEST TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
Jerry Berry, from the Sidney Fire and Rescue, visited with the Board about a possible property trade in the future. Sidney Fire and Rescue is looking for a site to build a new station. They have an interest in the property currently occupied by the bus barn.
ADMINISTRATORS’ REPORTS
Mrs. Maher presented the Elementary Principal’s Report.
Mr. Cruickshank presented the Superintendent’s/Secondary Principal’s Report.
ACTION ITEMS
Resignation of Personnel
H. Lowthorp, with regret, moved to approve the resignation of Scott Eno as 5-12 Instrumental Music Teacher. R. Bishop seconded. Ayes 5, Nays 0. Motion passed.
M. Daly, with regret, moved to approve the resignation of Amy Silhacek as Pre-School Teacher. J. Teten seconded. Ayes 5, Nays 0. Motion passed.
Budget Guarantee Resolution
BE IT RESOLVED that director R. Bishop moved that the Sidney Community School Board of Directors, consistent with Iowa Code Section 257.14 will levy property tax for the fiscal year in order that the district’s 2008-09 regular program district cost will be 101% of the 2007-08 program district cost or the district’s 2008-09 regular program district cost will be increased by 50% of the difference between 2003-04 regular program district cost plus any monies received under Section 257.14 as a budget adjustment for the 2003-04 minus 2008-09 regular program cost, whichever is greater. J. Teten seconded. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
Policy Review
J. Teten moved to approve the reviewed policies 506.1 – 506.3. H. Lowthorp seconded. Ayes 5, Nays 0. Motion passed.
Assured Resolution for Sidney CSD participation with Kornerstone Kids Daycare
BE IT RESOLVED that director J. Teten moved that the Sidney Community School Board of Directors indicate its support for the operation of Kornerstone Kids Child Care, Inc. facility; and in the event that Kornerstone Kids Child Care, Inc. is unable to make a monthly payment on the loan secured by the United States Department of Agriculture, the district will contribute a maximum of $2000 annually for a maximum of five years, so the Kornerstone Kids Child Care, Inc. will not default. All parties understand that the Sidney Community Schools is not co-signing the USDA loan and does not have a secured interest in the property. If Kornerstone Kids goes out of business, the district will not be held liable for any indebtedness. R. Bishop seconded. J. Jorgenson aye, R. Bishop aye, H Lowthorp aye, J Teten aye, M Daly nay. Ayes 4, Nays 1. Motion passed.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Iowa Standards for School Leadership – The Board reviewed the proposed evaluation instrument for the Superintendent.
Legislative update – The four percent allowable growth and the statewide penny were discussed.
Sharing With Area Districts / Staffing –Superintendent Cruickshank will meet with the Hamburg administration and band teacher February 20 to discuss sharing opportunities. The superintendent and athletic director from Fremont-Mills will visit with Superintendent Cruickshank and Kent Larsen February 19 to discuss golf and cross country sharing. Midwest Busing is putting together some figures on transportation sharing for the Fremont County Schools. Extra duty openings and assignments were also discussed.
March 4 community meeting. – The superintendent discussed the format of the district viability meeting and the information that will be presented to the public.
CELEBRATIONS
The Sidney Math Counts Team placed fourth at the regional competition at Council Bluffs. They were also the top placing small school team. They will advance to the State competition at Des Moines.
Congratulations to the Jazz Band. They are district champions and qualified for the Iowa State Jazz Championships. Cassie Berry was named the Outstanding Soloists.
ADJOURNMENT
M. Daly moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 p.m. R. Bishop seconded. Ayes 5, Nays 0. Motion passed.
THE NEXT REGULAR BOARD MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 17, 2008 AT 7:30 P.M. AT THE BOARD ROOM.
A strategy session was held immediately following the regular board meeting to discuss negotiations.
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President Board Secretary/Treasurer
SIDNEY COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
This publication of minutes is the unofficial report of action taken. Official minutes are available for review at the Sidney Community School District after approval at the next regular board meeting.