SIDNEY COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
SIDNEY, IOWA
REGULAR MEETING 7:30 P.M. NOVEMBER 19, 2007
President Jeff Jorgenson called the meeting to order at 7:30p.m.
Directors present were Jeff Jorgenson, Randy Bishop, Heidi Lowthorp, and Janet Teten. Also present were Superintendent/ Secondary Principal Gregg Cruickshank, and Board Secretary/Treasurer Joyce Morgan. Director Mike Daly was absent.
RECOGNITION OF GUESTS
Peter Johnson
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
J. Teten moved to approve the agenda. H. Lowthorp seconded. Ayes 4, Nays 0. Motion passed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE REGULAR MEETING OF OCTOBER 15, 2007
J. Teten moved to approve the minutes from the regular board meeting of October 15, 2007. H. Lowthorp seconded. Ayes 4, Nays 0. Motion passed.
Director Mike Daly arrived at 7:35 p.m.
CONSIDER BILLS TO PAY
M. Daly moved to approve the vendor bills for the month of November 2007. R. Bishop seconded. Ayes 5, Nays 0. Motion passed.
FINANCIAL REPORTS
H. Lowthorp moved to approve the financial reports for the month ending October 2007. M. Daly seconded. Ayes 5, Nays 0. Motion passed.
ADMINISTRATORS’ REPORTS
Mr. Cruickshank presented the Superintendent’s/Secondary Principal’s Report.
Carolyn Maher arrived at 8:51 p.m.
Mrs. Maher presented the Elementary Principal’s Report.
ACTION ITEMS
Resignation of personnel
R. Bishop moved to accept the resignation of Mark Graham, Assistant Wrestling Coach. J. Teten seconded. Ayes 5, Nays 0. Motion passed.
Employment of Personnel
J. Teten moved to approve Bob Rasmussen as Assistant Wrestling Coach. R. Bishop seconded. Ayes 5, Nays 0. Motion passed.
Facilities Study
The original quote for $9,450 for a facilities study by Kucirek Engineering provided for a review of the educational adequacy of the high school, but did not include a review of the elementary building and the elementary gym. They will do a review of the three facilities for $13,450.
R. Bishop moved to approve an additional $4,000, for a total of $13,450 dedicated to the facilities study. The study will be funded through the LOSST fund.
H. Lowthorp seconded. Ayes 5, Nays 0. Motion passed.
Policy Adoption
J. Teten moved to adopt policy 903.4. M. Daly seconded. Ayes 5, Nays 0. Motion passed.
Policy Review
H. Lowthorp moved to approve the reviewed policy 414.4 R. Bishop seconded. Ayes 5, Nays 0. Motion passed
M. Daly moved to approve the reviewed policies 501.1 – 501.16. R. Bishop seconded. Ayes 5, Nays 0. Motion passed.
Sidney Education Association
H. Lowthorp moved to recognize the SEA as the bargaining agent for the certified staff. R. Bishop seconded. Ayes 5, Nays 0. Motion passed.
R. Bishop moved to approve the appointments of Director Jorgenson and Director Daly to the Board’s negotiation team. J. Teten seconded. Ayes 5, Nays 0. Motion passed.
Modified Allowable Growth – At Risk Funding
R. Bishop moved to access modified allowable growth for at-risk programs for the 2008 – 09 fiscal year, with the maximum modified allowable growth not to exceed $104,907. M. Daly seconded. Ayes 5, Nays 0. Motion passed.
ISCAP Series B Participation
M. Daly moved to participate in the ISCAP series B. J. Teten seconded. Ayes 5, Nays 0. Motion passed.
Fremont County Truancy
J. Teten moved to approve Sidney CSD participation in the Fremont County truancy protocol and enforcement. R. Bishop seconded. Ayes 5, Nays 0.
Athletic Sharing
The consideration of further athletic sharing was tabled.
Discussion items
Iowa Standards for School Leadership
State statute requires Iowa school administrators to be evaluated on six standards. The Board will devote time over the next several meetings to studying the standards and reviewing current procedures for evaluating administrators.
Special Education
The Board reviewed current levels of staffing and funding.
Sharing with area districts
Director Jorgensen and Superintendent Cruickshank are going to meet with the Fremont-Mills Board President and Superintendent sometime in January. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss improving educational opportunities for students in each district.
AEA 13/14 proposed merger
The Boards of AEA 13 and 14 have been engaged in discussions about a possible merger. AEA 13 has provided excellent service to the District. The primary concern of administrators in AEA 13 would be a reduced level of service should a merger occur.
Math vacancy
After discussing various options, the Board directed Superintendent Cruickshank to advertise for the Math vacancy created by Mrs. Scott’s retirement.
CELEBRATIONS
Congratulations to the Sidney Students that participated in the “Best Christmas Pageant Ever.”
Congratulations to the Cowboy football team for making the state play-offs for the second consecutive year.
ADJOURNMENT
M. Daly moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:13 p.m. R. Bishop seconded. Ayes 5, Nays 0. Motion passed.
NEXT REGULAR BOARD MEETING DECEMBER 17, 2007 AT 7:30 P.M. IN THE BOARD ROOM.
___________________________________________ _________________________________________
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.