EMMETSBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Regular Meeting
Board of Education
April 21, 2021 Minutes
All motions are unanimous unless otherwise noted.
The Board of Education of Emmetsburg Community School District met in a regular session on April 21, 2021 at 5:30pm in the HS Library.
Present: Jane Hoyman, Bill Huberty, Kathy Roethler, Aaron Dietrich, Scott Kibbie
Val Morton
Absent: Katy Thomsen
Also Present: Darren Hanna, Lisa Chapman, Tracie Christensen, Tim Rodemeyer, Dan Hewitt,
Robin Hauswirth, Tyler Bjustrom, Kelly Josephson, Darca Saxton, Joe Schany,
Sara Straw, Arik Kerr, Jill Schany, Kari Schany, Brynna Ludwig (5:46pm)
Jane Hoyman, President, called the session to order at 5:31pm, acknowledged the fact of a quorum.
TEACHING & LEARNING
Brynna Ludwig presented her mural idea entitled “Emmetsburg Positivity Mural”. Brynna would like to paint this mural in the hallway entering through Door 4 (auditorium door). This mural depicts all sports and clubs offered to students. Brynna says this is her way of showing her appreciation for the offerings that students have. Mr. Hewitt will oversee the project. Mr. Hanna would like to set up a process to review ideas such as this and determine that the project fits the district vision. This project will begin soon taking approximately 4+ weeks.
Approval of Agenda: Roethler moved to approve the agenda. Seconded by Huberty. Motion carried.
CONSENT ITEMS: Morton moved to approve the consent items and was seconded by Kibbie. Motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
Board Policies: Updated Policies 502.1-502.5, 409.2, 503.1, 503.5-503.6E2 were presented for approval. Hoyman moved to approve the policies and was seconded by Roethler. Motion carried.
PRINCIPAL REPORTS
High School-There are 15 teachers training in the STEM Best Innovator Program. This certification means your educator may offer University of Iowa College of Business credit in STEM Innovation. Students in this class earn credit by demonstrating competency through the STEM Innovator Portfolio. At the High School level next year, Jill Schany will teach Composition I and II. Students will be able to take the class on campus and still earn the college credit. Career Exploration Day was offered virtually at the high school. Accuplacer was offered in our own building for students to be able enroll in classes at Iowa Lakes Community College. Students participated in the State FFA Leadership Convention April 19 and 20. Vocal state large group contests will be held in Emmetsburg on May 8th and will host five (5) other schools. Seniors last day is May 18. Graduation will be May 23rd. PK-11 last day is May 25 with an 11:00am dismissal. On May 25th staff will have a luncheon at 12:00pm and a retiree coffee following.
Middle School-Students of the Week were honored. ISASP testing has been completed. Testing was done online this year. Eighth graders will have an orientation on April 29th at 6:00pm. National Excellence in Teaching (NIET) Conference was attended by staff and will present at the May board meeting. For 2021-2022, fifth grade will be split in two sections, but in the Middle School building. A schedule will be developed for grades 6-8. Discussions are being held to add an exploratory class for Agriculture class.
Elementary-Elementary Track meet is May 7th with a rain date of May 14th. In the elementary school they will transition to three classrooms in the 1st grade. There are chicks in the preschool room that have students excited. ISASPs are complete. Self-Assessment MTSS Implementation (SAMI) is complete. The process gives an honest snapshot of the systems currently in place. May Day baskets are being made in the 3rd grade. They have approximately 3,000 baskets to make. A new math series will be adopted. Curriculum coaches are working to find a program. More information will be coming. Interviews are planned for Thursday for a special education teacher. Summer School plans have been solidified for June. Summer school will be an ESSER II expense (money received from COVID federal funds). Sara Straw will be presenting our PLC program to Northwestern College.
NEW BUSINESS
Personnel: Dietrich moved to approve the resignations of Karen Thilges-MS/Elementary Special Education Teacher, Allyson Bruhn-Freshman Softball Coach (Summer 2022) and Julie Bird-Basketball Cheer Coach. Seconded by Kibbie. Motion carried. Roethler moved to approve the following contract: Tim Swanson (one year)-Assistant Varsity Softball. Seconded by Dietrich. Motion carried.
Board Policies (First Reading): The board held a first reading of board policies 502.6-502.10, 503.6.
Graduate List: Pending meeting final requirements and approval of Mrs.Christensen, Huberty moved to approve the presented list of graduates. Seconded by Dietrich. Motion carried.
Public Hearing on Academic Calendar (6:09pm): Mr. Hanna presented the academic calendar for 2021-2022. Spring Break was set for March 14-18. The first day of school is set for August 23rd. Christmas Break was set for December 24-January 3. There were no comments from the audience. End 6:12pm.
Discuss/Approve 2021-2022 Academic Calendar: Kibbie moved to approve the Academic Calendar for 2021-2022. Seconded by Roethler. Motion carried.
Late Filed Open Enrollment: Kibbie moved to deny a late filed open enrollment application to Iowa Virtual Academy without good cause. Dietrich seconded the motion. Motion carried.
FY20 Audit:Morton moved to approve the FY20 audit. Seconded by Roethler. Motion carried.
AEA Purchasing Agreement FY22: Dietrich moved to approve the AEA Purchasing Agreement for FY22. Seconded by Huberty. Motion carried.
Non-Certified Wages: Morton moved to approve a 30 cent raise for hourly staff, bus drivers a 5% increase for route, activity and special education routes, sub teacher pay to $130 per day and coaches that drive their own events to $60 per event out of town and $30 for in town events. Seconded by Kibbie. Motion carried.
Directors’ Wages: Hanna recommended an average increase for Director’s of 2.2% increase. Dietrich moved to approve the increase and Huberty seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Principals’ Wages: Hanna recommended a 2.0% increase for Principals for FY22. Roethler moved to approve the increase and was seconded by Dietrich. Motion carried.
Federal Trademark: Hanna reached out to Sean Solberg of Dentons Davis Brown firm about trademarking the E-Hawk brand. If an entity/club/organization would profit from the use of the E-Hawk brand, they would have to get the board’s approval if trademarked. The cost to the federal trademark is $1,700+attorney fees. Roethler moved to approve the process and application to trademark the E-Hawk name and muscle bird with E on the chest. Morton seconded. Ayes-Hoyman, Roethler, Kibbie, Dietrich, Morton. Nay-Huberty. Motion carried.
Kibbie moved to adjourn at 6:42pm. Seconded by Roethler. Motion carried.
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Board President Board Secretary
