Minutes - 2021.01.25

January 25, 2021

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, January 25, 2021, 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 (via Zoom), Mr. Stroner, Mr. Pruismann (via Zoom), Mr. Patterson (via Zoom) 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 Ms. Williams, to approve the agenda.  Motion carried. 

ITEM 4. – Open Comment to the Board – Dr. Ross read an emails from:

  1. LuAnn Garvey advocating for Webster City High School teachers
  2. High School Staff expressing their disappointment in the lack of support at the January 11 board meeting
  3. Dr. Ross commending the efforts of staff for their hard work and accomplishments

ITEM 5. – Discussion Items –

  1. FIRST LEGO League Update – Mark Murphy, Director of Technology, recognized the District’s FIRST LEGO League teams competing in a virtual FLL Regional Qualifier event.  The Lynx in Motion team, consisting of middle school students Owen Anderson, Evie Davis, Zeke Doolittle, Gaven Holmstrom, Brooklyn Neddereyer, Malachi Streigle, Tristan Tusing and Ben Youngdale received several awards.  Coach Julie Pagel received the Regional Coaches Award.   
  2. High School Learning Update – Dan Johnson, High School Principal, reported that the first day of in-person instruction went well with the help and support of many staff to make it happen. 
  3. High School Study Discussion – Tyler Riley with FEH Design explained that they are preparing three options for High School renovation or new construction for Board discussion.  Those options include:  remodel existing building, build new and tear down old building while leaving competition gym, or build new and tear down old building while leaving competition gym and auditorium.

ITEM 6. – Action Items

  1. Loan Against SAVE for Elementary Air Conditioning Projects – Motion by Mr. Stroner, seconded by Mr. Pruismann, to approve directing staff to proceed with plans to borrow against SAVE to allow the Pleasant View and Sunset Heights air conditioning projects to happen simultaneously and to have information made available regarding a five year loan vs a four or nine year loan.  Motion carried.     
  2. Fundraising Requests – Motion by Mr. Stroner, seconded by Mr. Patterson, to approve the fundraising requests of the High School cheerleaders to sell Thirty-One products, Webster City Middle School to host a monthly visit from Kona Ice, and for the High School Vocal Boosters to sell singing Valentines.  Motion carried. 

ITEM 7. - Personnel

  1. Contract Recommendations – Motion by Mr. Patterson, seconded by Mr. Pruismann, to approve the resignation of Linda Jansen, High School Special Education teacher, and the salary recommendations for Mighty Trojan Childcare staff members Abbey Pruismann and Lynnea Loughry.  Motion carried. 
     

ITEM 8. – Other -

  1. Items from Dr. Ross –
  1. Dr. Ross thanked the high school staff for making in-person learning happen and Iowa Central Community College for the use of classrooms. 
  2. Dr. Ross alerted the Board and public about a fast-tracked bill in the Iowa legislature that would allow vouchers for non-public schools and take away resources from public schools.  She encouraged everyone to reach out to their legislators immediately. 
  1. Items from the Board -
  1. Ms. Williams wanted staff to know that she read all the responses from the High School prior to the Board vote on January 11.  She hoped the first day of in-person learning went well and thanked staff as they have done a fantastic job dealing with COVID.  
  2. Ms. Van Diest said she appreciated everything the staff and students have done during this difficult time.

ITEM 9. – Consent Items – It was moved by Mr. Stroner, seconded by Ms. Williams, to approve the minutes of the January 11, 2021 Board Meeting.  Motion carried. 

ITEM 10.  – Adjournment - A motion was made by Mr. Patterson, seconded by Ms. Williams, to adjourn the meeting at 7:03 p.m.  Motion carried. 

The next Regular Board Meeting will be Monday, February 8 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