Minutes - 2021.03.08

March 8, 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, March 8, 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, 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. Pruismann, seconded by Mr. Stroner, to approve the agenda.  Motion carried unanimously

ITEM 4. – Open Comment to the Board – None received.

Dr. Ross introduced Tiffany McConnelee, who is being recommended for the Pleasant View Elementary Principal for 2021-2022. 

ITEM 5. – Hearing on the Proposed Issuance of Approximately $1,920,000 School Infrastructure Sales, Services and Use Tax Revenue Bonds – President Van Diest opened the Public Hearing at 6:02 p.m.  After no objections, President Van Diest closed the Public Hearing at 6:04 p.m. 

ITEM 6. – Discussion Items

  1. Prom plans (Dan Johnson and Marta Paukert) – Marta Paukert and Dan Johnson shared plans for prom to be held at the Hamilton County Show Arena at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds on Saturday, April 17, 2021.  COVID-19 procedures will be in place. 

ITEM 7. – Action Items

  1. Resolution Supporting the Proposed Issuance of Approximately $1,920,000 School Infrastructure Sales, Services and Use Tax Revenue Bonds

The President of the Board of Directors of the Webster City Community School District (the "School District") announced that this is the time, place and date to hold a hearing on the Proposed Issuance of Approximately $1,920,000 School Infrastructure Sales, Services and Use Tax Revenue Bonds.  The following persons appeared:

None.

The President declared the hearing closed.

Director Stroner introduced the following Resolution and moved its adoption.  Director Pruismann 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 SUPPORTING THE PROPOSED ISSUANCE OF APPROXIMATELY $1,920,000 SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE SALES, SERVICES AND USE TAX REVENUE bondS

WHEREAS, the School District receives revenue from the State of Iowa Secure an Advanced Vision for Education Fund ("SAVE Revenue") pursuant to Iowa Code Section 423F.2; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Iowa Code Chapter 423F and an election duly held in accordance therewith on April 3, 2018 approving a revenue purpose statement (the "Revenue Purpose Statement"), the Board of Directors is currently entitled to spend SAVE Revenue for school infrastructure purposes; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors is in need of funds for the following school infrastructure project(s): to remodel, repair and improve its existing Pleasant View Elementary and Sunset Heights Elementary buildings, including HVAC and related improvements, including costs of issuance and a debt service reserve fund if required by the purchaser; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors has deemed it necessary and advisable that the District issue School Infrastructure Sales, Services and Use Tax Revenue Bonds, which may be issued in one or more series over multiple fiscal years pursuant to Iowa Code Section 423F.2 and 423E.5, in the approximate amount of $1,920,000 for the purpose of providing funds to remodel, repair and improve its existing Pleasant View Elementary and Sunset Heights Elementary buildings, including HVAC and related improvements, including costs of issuance and a debt service reserve fund if required by the purchaser.  Any bond proceeds remaining after completion of this project will be used for other school infrastructure projects as authorized by the School District's Revenue Purpose Statement; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors has complied with the provisions of Iowa Code Section 423F.4 by providing notice and holding a public hearing on the proposal to issue such Bonds:

NOW, THEREFORE, it is resolved:

  1. The Board of Directors supports the proposal to issue approximately $1,920,000 School Infrastructure Sales, Services and Use Tax Revenue Bonds, which may be issued in one or more series over multiple fiscal years pursuant to Iowa Code Section 423F.2 and 423E.5, for the purpose of providing funds to remodel, repair and improve its existing Pleasant View Elementary and Sunset Heights Elementary buildings, including HVAC and related improvements, including costs of issuance and a debt service reserve fund if required by the purchaser.  Any bond proceeds remaining after completion of this project will be used for other school infrastructure projects as authorized by the School District's Revenue Purpose Statement.
  2. Eligible electors of the school district have the right to file with the Board Secretary a petition pursuant to Iowa Code Section 423F.4(2)(b), on or before close of business on March 22, 2021, for an election on the proposed bond issuance.  The petition must be signed by eligible electors equal in number to not less than one hundred or thirty percent of those voting at the last preceding election of school officials under Iowa Code Section 277.1, whichever is greater.
  3. In the event a petition containing the required number of valid signatures is filed with the Secretary of the Board on or before close of business on March 22, 2021, the President shall call a meeting of the Board to consider withdrawing the proposed Bond issuance, or directing that the question of the proposed Bond issuance be submitted to the qualified electors of the School District.

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 to issue approximately $1,920,000 School Infrastructure Sales, Services and Use Tax Revenue Bonds, which may be issued in one or more series over multiple fiscal years pursuant to Iowa Code Section 423F.2 and 423E.5, in the approximate amount of $1,920,000 for the purpose of providing funds to remodel, repair and improve its existing Pleasant View Elementary and Sunset Heights Elementary buildings, including HVAC and related improvements, including costs of issuance and a debt service reserve fund if required by the purchaser; with any bond proceeds remaining after completion of this project used for other school infrastructure projects as authorized by the School District's Revenue Purpose Statement?

PASSED AND APPROVED this 8th day of March, 2021.

  1. 2021-2022 School Calendar – Motion by Mr. Patterson, seconded by Mr. Stroner, to approve the 2021-2022 School Calendar.  Motion carried unanimously.
  2. Board’s Initial Proposal to WCEA – Motion by Mr. Stroner, seconded by Mr. Pruismann, to approve the Board’s initial proposal to WCEA which reflects a 2.48% total package increase and one year contract, with language openers for 2022-2023, as needed or desired.  Motion carried unanimously. 
  3. Board’s Initial Proposal to WCESA – Motion by Mr. Stroner, seconded by Mr. Patterson, to approve the Board’s initial proposal to WCESA which reflects a 3.26% total package increase and one year contract, with language openers for 2022-2023, as needed or desired.  Motion carried unanimously. 
  4. Set Public Hearing Date for the FY22 Budget – Motion by Mr. Patterson, seconded by Mr. Pruismann, to set the public hearing date for the FY2022 budget for March 22, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.  Motion carried unanimously. 
  5. Access Systems Agreement Revision – Motion by Mr. Stroner, seconded by Mr. Patterson, to approve the Access Systems Agreement revision.  Motion carried unanimously. 
  6. University of Northern Iowa Cooperative Agreement – Motion by Mr. Stroner, seconded by Ms. Williams, to approve the University of Northern Iowa Cooperative Agreement for field experience and student teaching placement.  Motion carried unanimously. 
  7. Special Education Contract – Motion by Mr. Stroner, seconded by Ms. Williams, to approve the Special Education Contract for student services with Des Moines Community School District.  Motion carried unanimously. 
  8. Fundraising Requests – Motion by Mr. Pruismann, seconded by Mr. Stroner, to approve the Junior/Senior Prom fundraiser and Webster City High School Cheerleading Fundraiser with Kona Ice.  Motion carried unanimously. 

Item 8. – Personnel

  1. Contract Recommendations – Motion by Mr. Patterson, seconded by Mr. Stroner, to approve the following:
  • Resignation of Bob Josten, JV Boys Basketball
  • Contracts of Tiffany McConnelee, Pleasant View Elementary Principal; Tyler McCubbin, High School Social Studies; and Laura Fisher, High School Student Council Advisor

Motion carried unanimously. 

Item 9. – Other

Items from the Superintendent –

  1. Dr. Ross congratulated the High School wrestling team on a successful season and recognized state qualifier Chase Rattenborg; 3rd place finisher Carson Doolittle; and state champion Cam Phetxoumphone.
  2. Dr. Ross reminded elementary school parents to look for the school flyer detailing the process of choosing a school assignment for grades K-3.

Items from the Board –  

  1. Mr. Patterson asked if youth softball or youth baseball had inquired about using the fields.  Dr. Ross indicated she was not aware of such requests.
  2. Ms. Van Diest thanked the family of Cleo Graham for donating money for a visual arts scholarship in her name.
  3. Mr. Stroner asked if there would be updates from FEH Design at the next board meeting.  Dr. Ross indicated that the architect would be at the next meeting to update the Board. 

ITEM 10. – Consent Items - It was moved by Mr. Stroner, seconded by Mr. Pruismann, to approve the minutes of the February 22, 2021 board meeting; to approve General, Schoolhouse, Lunch and Activity Fund Reports; to approve payment of the bills and claims as listed at the close of these minutes; and to approve the interfund transfer and the fundraising report.  Motion carried unanimously. 

ITEM 11. – Adjournment - A motion was made by Mr. Patterson, seconded by Mr. Stroner, to adjourn the meeting at 6:47 p.m.  Motion carried unanimously.

The next Regular Board Meeting will be Monday, March 22, 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