December 14, 2020
The Board of Directors of the Webster City Community School District in the counties of Hamilton, Webster and Wright, State of Iowa, met in regular session, December 14, 2020, in the School Administration Office Board Room, Webster City, Iowa.
ITEM 1. – Call to Order – The Board President called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ITEM 2. – Roll Call – Members answering roll call were Ms. Williams, Mr. Pruismann, Mr. Stroner, Mr. Patterson and Ms. Van Diest. Also present, via Zoom, were members of the media and other interested parties.
ITEM 3. – Approval of Agenda – It was moved by Mr. Stroner, seconded by Mr. Patterson, to approve the agenda by adding Access Systems Agreement to the Action Items. Motion carried.
ITEM 4. – Open Comment to the Board – Dr. Ross read an email sent by Amy and Dave Shannon regarding high school students needing to be in school in person, every day at the High School. The email also mentioned when a motion is being made by the Board, and when asking for all those in favor, the Board should also be asking for all those opposed.
ITEM 5. – Discussion Items
A. COVID Update –
- Joe Shanks, Activities Director, gave the Board an update on the mitigation efforts taking place at High School athletic events. Those efforts include: only using the west entrance to the competition gym; two attendees per coach/participant; no one will be allowed in the gym until 15 minutes prior to the event start time; and the gym will be cleared when each event is over. Mr. Shanks also mentioned events will be streamed on YouTube.
- Lea Ahrens and Cindi Sweedler, School Nurses, will be updating holiday travel practices and sharing the information with staff.
- Dr. Ross told the Board vaccinations for staff could be available late January/early February and that a google form will go out to staff for their input.
ITEM 6. – Action Items
- Snow Day Operations – Motion by Mr. Stroner, seconded by Mr. Patterson, to approve snow day operations. Motion carried.
- Hearing on Proposed Resolution – President Van Diest opened the hearing at 6:47 p.m. and announced this was the time, place and date to hold a hearing on the proposed Resolution to Continue Participation in the Instructional Support Program. The following persons appeared: none. After hearing no comments from the audience, President Van Diest declared the hearing closed at 6:49 p.m.
- Resolution to Continue Participation in the Instructional Support Program – Director Pruismann introduced the following Resolution and moved its adoption. Director Williams seconded the motion to adopt. The roll was called, and the vote was:
AYES: Williams, Pruismann, Stroner, Patterson, Van Diest
NAYS: None
The President declared the Resolution adopted as follows:
RESOLUTION TO CONTINUE PARTICIPATION IN THE INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors has determined that to continue the current level of services and to fund the ongoing programs of the School District, continuation of participation in the Instructional Support Program for a period of five years is necessary and in the best interests of the District and its residents and students; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors has given consideration to continue participation in the Instructional Support Program as provided in Sections 257.18 through 257.21, Code of Iowa; and
WHEREAS, the Board has published notice of the time and place of a public hearing on the Resolution; and
WHEREAS, a hearing has been held upon the proposal to continue participation in the Instructional Support Program and any objections are overruled:
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED:
- The Board of Directors determines that it is consistent with the five year finance plan to fund the ongoing programs and services of the School District and it is in the best interest of the School District to continue participation in an Instructional Support Program as provided in Sections 257.18 through 257.21, Code of Iowa, and to provide additional funding therefor for a period of five (5) years commencing with the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022.
- The additional funding for the Instructional Support Program for a budget year will be determined annually and will not exceed ten percent (10%) of the total regular program district cost for the budget year and moneys received under Section 257.14, Code of Iowa, as a budget adjustment for the budget year.
- Moneys received by the District for the Instructional Support Program may be used for any general fund purpose.
- The Instructional Support Program shall be funded by instructional support state aid and a combination instructional support property tax levied annually upon the taxable property within the School District commencing with the levy of property taxes for collection in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, and an instructional support income surtax imposed annually, the percent of income surtax to be determined by the Board for each budget year to be imposed upon the state individual income tax of each individual income taxpayer resident in the School District on December 31, 2021, and each year thereafter.
- Unless, within twenty-eight days following the adoption of this Resolution, the Secretary of the Board receives a petition containing the signatures of eligible electors equal in number to not less than one hundred or thirty percent of the number of voters at the last preceding regular school election, whichever is greater, asking that an election be called to approve or disapprove this action of the Board adopting the Instructional Support Program, this action of the Board is final and the Secretary is authorized and directed to certify a copy of this Resolution to the Department of Management.
In the event a petition containing the required number of signatures is filed with the Secretary of the Board within twenty-eight days of the adoption of this Resolution, the President shall call a meeting of the Board to consider rescission of this Resolution, or to direct the county commissioner of elections to submit the following question to the qualified electors of the School District at a special election.
If the Board determines to submit the question to the electors, the proposition to be submitted shall be as follows:
Shall the Board of Directors of the Webster City Community School District, in the Counties of Hamilton, Webster, and Wright, State of Iowa, be authorized for a period of five (5) years to continue to levy and impose an instructional support tax in an amount (after taking into consideration instructional support state aid) of not exceeding ten percent (10%) of the total of regular program district cost for the budget year and moneys received under Section 257.14, Code of Iowa, as a budget adjustment in the budget year, and be authorized annually, in combination, as determined by the Board, to levy an instructional support property tax upon all the taxable property within the School District commencing with the levy of property taxes for collection in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, and to impose an instructional support income surtax upon the state individual income tax of each individual income taxpayer resident in the School District on December 31 for each calendar year commencing with calendar year 2021, or each year thereafter, the percent of income surtax to be determined by the Board for each fiscal year, to be used for any general fund purpose?
- Bond Interest Payment – Motion by Mr. Patterson, seconded by Mr. Stroner, to approve the bond interest payment in the amount of $16,031.25. Motion carried.
- Nurse Stipend – Motion by Ms. Williams, seconded by Mr. Pruismann, to approve the one-time stipend for Lea Ahrens and Cindi Sweedler for the contact tracing work done this year. Motion carried.
- Natural Gas Program Participation Agreement – Motion by Mr. Pruismann, seconded by Mr. Patterson, to approve the Natural Gas Participation Agreement. Motion carried.
- Special Education Contract – Motion by Mr. Stroner, seconded by Ms. Williams, to approve the Special Education Contracts for student services with Des Moines Community School District. Motion carried.
- Access Systems Agreement – Motion by Mr. Patterson, seconded by Mr. Stroner, to approve the Access Systems Agreement. Motion carried.
Item 7. – Personnel
- Contract Recommendations – Motion by Mr. Stroner, seconded by Ms. Williams, to approve the early retirement application and resignation of Mindy Mossman, Pleasant View Elementary Principal. Motion carried.
Item 8. – Other
A. Items from the Superintendent –
- Dr. Ross told the Board she has been getting emails regarding the District’s COVID dashboard. The numbers reported on the dashboard come from the School Nurses and it would be hard to include the number recovered as those numbers are not part of the District’s tracking process.
- Dr. Ross told the Board the CDC guidance regarding travel has changed and the District will be updating its practices.
- Dr. Ross reminded everyone to try and avoid gatherings at Christmas and she wished everyone Happy Holidays and a Merry Christmas.
B. Items from the Board –
- Mr. Patterson stated he was glad students were back to in-person learning
- Mr. Stroner asked what would determine the learning model after the holidays.
- Ms. Williams asked when the second semester started.
ITEM 9. – Consent Items - It was moved by Mr. Stroner, seconded by Ms. Williams, to approve the minutes of the November 23, 2020 Board Meeting, to approve General, Schoolhouse, Lunch and Activity Fund Reports, payment of the bills and claims as listed at the close of these minutes, to approve the interfund transfer and the fundraising report. Motion carried.
ITEM 10. – Adjournment - A motion was made by Mr. Patterson, seconded by Mr. Pruismann, to adjourn the meeting at 7:25 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
The next Regular Board Meeting will be Monday, January 11, at 6:00 p.m. at the School Administration Office Board Room. Board Meetings are subject to change dependent upon need.
Attest: Attest:
Kathy Biere, Secretary Beth Van Diest, President