Minutes - 2023.05.17

Red Oak Community School District

Meeting of the Board of Directors

Meeting Location:  Virtual Classroom/ Phone/Internet

Red Oak Junior Senior High School Campus

May 17, 2023

 

The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Red Oak Community School District was called to order by President Bret Blackman at 5:30 p.m. at the Red Oak Junior Senior High School Virtual Classroom.

Present

Directors: Bret Blackman, Roger Carlson, Jackie DeVries, Bryce Johnson (remotely), and Kathy Walker.

Superintendent Ron Lorenz, Business Manager Deb Drey, Accounting Clerk Heidi Harris

Approval of Agenda

Motion by Director Walker, second by Director DeVries to approve the agenda with the order of agenda items at the discretion of the meeting chair.  Motion carried unanimously.

Good News from Red Oak Schools

May is School Board Recognition month.  Thank you to our five board members who dedicate themselves, their vision, and leadership to our school district.

The Music Boosters were able to raise $36,000 and provide our Music Department with two beautiful new pianos – a huge thank you to the Music Boosters!

The Red Oak High School Theatre Department has been selected to participate in the 2023 High School Musical Theater Awards Showcase at the Des Moines Civic Center.  This is a prestigious opportunity for our students to participate in the Triple Threat Award program and represent Iowa and work with Broadway performers at the National High School Music Theatre Awards in New York City. Congratulations on all your hard work!

Congratulations to our very own Kristina Chilton who was presented with the 2023 Charles Lakin Outstanding Teacher Award – she received a monetary award along with another stipend to Inman Elementary.  Congratulations Kristina on a job well done!

We also have several track state qualifiers who will compete in the 2023 State Track Championship this weekend – good luck to our track Tigers.

We had nine seniors named to Hawkeye 10 All-Academic Team varsity letters for maintaining a 3.5 grade point average throughout their high school career. 

Visitors and Presentations

Ivan Gentry from the Green Hills AEA presented an overview of The Rising Hope Academy which will help students with severe behavioral challenges. 

Public Comments

Larry Brandstetter commented on the importance of having an exit interview practice in

place for all exiting staff.

Jeff Gigstad commented on reviewing and reinforcing our current cell phone policies in lieu of a cell phone ban.

Consent Agenda

Motion by Director Carlson, seconded by Director DeVries to approve the consent agenda as presented including meeting minutes, personnel considerations, and sharing agreements.  Motion carried unanimously.

Board Policy Series 700 – 705

Motion by Director Carlson, seconded by Director Walker to approve the first reading of Board Policies 700 – 705.  Motion carried unanimously.

Board Policy 905.1

Motion by Director Walker, seconded by Director DeVries to approve the first reading of Board Policy 905.1.  Motion carried unanimously.

Class of 2023 Graduates

Motion by Director DeVries, seconded by Director Walker to approve the Class of 2023 list of graduates.  Motion carried unanimously.

Life Insurance, AD&D, Long-Term Disability, and Dental Insurance Policy

Motion by Director Walker, seconded by Director DeVries to approve Lincoln Financials’ life insurance, accidental death & dismemberment, long-term disability, and dental insurance rates for the 23–24 and 24–25 school years.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mercer Health and Benefits LLC

Motion by Director Walker, seconded by Director Carlson to approve the letter of engagement with Mercer Health and Benefits, LLC for the 23–24 school year.  Motion carried unanimously.

Specialty Underwriters Insurance

Motion by Director DeVries, seconded by Director Walker to renew the Specialty Underwriters Insurance for the 2023-2024 school year.  Motion carried unanimously.

2023-2024 Substitute Teacher Pay

Motion by Director Walker, seconded by Director DeVries to approve raising the daily substitute teacher pay from $130 to $140 per day.  Motion carried unanimously.

2023-2024 Substitute Support Staff Pay

Motion by Director DeVries, seconded by Director Walker to approve a $2 per hour raise for substitute support staff (i.e. Paraprofessionals, Secretaries, and Bus Drivers) for the 2023-2024 school year.  Motion carried unanimously.

Jr/Sr High School and Inman Elementary School Parking Lot

Motion by Director Carlson, seconded by Director Walker to approve SW Parking Lot to re-stripe the Jr/Sr High School and Inman Elementary School parking lots for $8,800.  Motion carried unanimously.

Elementary Literacy Curriculum

Motion by Director Walker, seconded by Director DeVries to purchase My View Elementary Literacy Curriculum for $206,445.55.  Motion carried unanimously.

Rising Hope Academy

Motion by Director Walker, seconded by Director Carlson to approve the partnering with Green Hills AEA in hosting the Rising Hope Academy for the 2023-2024 school year.  Motion carried unanimously.

Closed Session

Entered into closed session at 6:51 p.m. for the Superintendent Performance Evaluation Pursuant to Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(i). and exited at 7:33 p.m.  Note:  Bryce Johnson exited the meeting at 6:44 p.m.

Adjournment

Motion by Director Carlson, seconded by Director Walker to adjourn the meeting at 7:34 p.m.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Next Board of Directors Meeting                               Wednesday, June 21, 2023 – 5:30 p.m.

Virtual Classroom/Phone/Internet

                                                                                    Red Oak Junior Senior High School Campus