Red Oak Community School District
Special Meeting of the Board of Directors
Meeting Location: Virtual Classroom/ Phone/Internet
Red Oak Junior Senior High School Campus
January 29, 2025
The special board meeting of the Board of Directors of the Red Oak Community School District was called to order by Vice President Kathy Walker at 5:30 p.m. at the Red Oak Junior Senior High School Virtual Classroom.
Present
Directors: Bret Blackman (arrived at 5:38 p.m.), Kathy Walker, Bryce Johnson, Scott Bruce, Pastor Ricky Rohrig
Superintendent Ron Lorenz, Board Secretary/Business Manager, Heidi Harris
Approval of Agenda
Motion by Director Johnson, second by Director Bruce to approve the agenda with the order of agenda items at the discretion of the meeting chair. Motion carried unanimously.
Public Comment
Lisa Kotter, City Administrator, introduced herself to the Board and advised of the City of Red Oak’s support for Acorn’s efforts to improve the community.
Public Hearing on Conveyance of Bancroft and Webster Properties
Kathy Walker opened the public hearing on the conveyance of an interest in real property of the Webster and Bancroft buildings at 5:37 p.m.
In response to the current request for proposals, Jeff Soe and Tim Werges, representing Acorn Development Two, Inc. spoke of Acorn’s proposal to purchase both Webster and Bancroft with the intention of abating and demolishing for infill housing.
Community member, Tom Kennedy voiced his support for Acorn efforts to improve our community. Ryan Beeson, Red Oak Chamber of Commerce and Building Trades partner voiced his appreciation for Acorn’s help in making the Building Trades Program a success for bringing affordable housing to Red Oak.
Good News
Congratulations to the Red Oak Large Group Speech Team who competed in the Large Group Speech Contest in Glenwood, earning 1 rating qualifying them for the Starte Large Group Speech Competition.
The district’s attendance as of January 28, 2025, has steadily increased since 2022 suggesting that our District’s efforts to decrease chronic absenteeism has been successful.
Visitors and Presentations
Daric O’Neil from Alley Poyner Macchietto presented preliminary schematic designs and budget estimates for the proposed Inman Elementary School additions and renovations.
Consent Agenda
Motion by Director Bruce, second by Director Rohrig to approve the consent agenda as presented including meeting minutes, business reports, out-of-state field trips, resignations, personnel considerations, approval of School Budget Review Committee Request for Supplemental Modified Amount, and approval of At-Risk/Dropout Prevention Modified Supplemental Amount of $240,317. Motion carried unanimously.
Board Policy 214.2
Motion by Director Johnson, second by Director Walker to approve the third reading of Board Policy 214.2. Motion carried unanimously.
Board Policy 506.5 and Regulation 506.5R1
Motion by Director Johnson, second by Director Bruce to approve the first reading of Board Policy 506.5 and accompanying regulation 506.5R1 (i.e. Designating Personal Finance as a High School Elective rather than a graduation requirement, adjusting the number of required electives accordingly, and eliminating Pre-Algebra). Motion carried unanimously.
Transfer of Media Book Club Funds
Motion by Director Bruce, second by Director Walker to approve the transfer of unexpended and unobligated Media Book Club Funds ($57.30) balance to the General Athletic Fund per the recommendation of our independent auditor. Motion carried unanimously.
Transfer of K-3 Activity Funds
Motion by Director Walker, second by Director Johnson to approve the transfer of unexpended and unobligated K – 3 Activity Funds ($507.25) balance to the General Athletic Fund per the recommendation of our independent auditor. Motion carried unanimously.
Officiate Statements of Claims
Motion by Director Walker, second by Director Bruce authorizing the Board Secretary to use the Board President’s facsimile signature (i.e. autopen stamp) to endorse officiate statements of claims in order to pay officials, referees, umpires, and judges in a timely manner. Motion carried unanimously.
E-Rate Proposal for Outdoor Facilities
Motion by Director Johnson, second by Director Walker to approve the E-Rate proposal for internet services at the Outdoor Learning Facilities (i.e. Football/Track/Baseball Complex) for the 2025-2026 school year with Mediacom at $60 per month. Motion carried unanimously.
E-Rate Multi-Year Proposal for Managed Services
Motion by Director Rohrig, second by Director Walker to approve a three-year E-Rate proposal with Riverside Technologies for managed services at $720 per month starting July 2025. Motion carried unanimously.
Conveyance of Real Properties of Bancroft and Webster
Motion by Director Walker, second by Director Johnson to approve conveying of Bancroft and Webster real properties to Acorn Development for $1,000 each and other good and valuable considerations (Conveyance shall be by Deed without Warranty). Motion carried unanimously.
Issuance of Custodial RFP’s
Motion by Director Walker, second by Director Rohrig to approve issuing request for proposal for custodial services. Motion carried unanimously
2025-2026 Budget Guarantee Resolution
Motion by Director Walker, second by Director Johnson to approve the 2025-2026 Budget Guarantee Resolution. Motion carried unanimously.
Adjournment
Motion by Director Walker, second by Director Bruce, to adjourn the regular meeting at 8:32 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
Exempt Session
The Board entered an exempt session at 8:34 p.m. to discuss negotiation strategy for the upcoming contract discussions with the Red Oak Education Association per Iowa Code section 20.17(3). And exited at 9:07 p.m.
Next Board of Directors Meeting Wednesday, February 19, 2024 – 5:30 p.m.
Virtual Classroom/Phone/Internet
Red Oak Junior Senior High School Campus
