EMMETSBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Special Meeting (Due to Timeliness of Purchases Needed for COVID-19 & Other Expenses)
Board of Education
April 22, 2020 Minutes
All motions are unanimous unless otherwise noted.
The Board of Education of Emmetsburg Community School District met in a special session on April 22, 2020 at 5:30pm in the HS Conference Room. The Zoom technology and social distancing were used because of the COVID-19 pandemic situation.
Present: Jane Hoyman, Bill Huberty, Val Morton, Kathy Roethler, Katy Thomsen
Aaron Dietrich, Scott Kibbie (all by Zoom)
Absent: None
Also Present: Darren Hanna, Lisa Chapman
Jane Hoyman, President, called the regular meeting to order at 5:30pm, acknowledged the fact of a quorum.
Approval of Agenda: Roethler moved to approve the agenda. Seconded by Huberty. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
COVID-19 2nd Semester Grading:
In Elementary, student grades at third quarter will remain for second semester. The same thing will happen for Middle School. Those with a No Evidence or Not Yet grade will be given opportunities to improve their grades. For High School teachers will review current grades and determine semester grades. These grades will not impact their grade point average (GPA). College courses will remain as those classes transitioned to online. Colleges are requiring students to finish the coursework. Those grades will be reported according to Iowa Lakes grading policies. Students must remember if they fail a college course, they may lose the opportunity to enroll in a college course in the fall semester of the 2020-2021 school year. By law, the district is not allowed to give grades during the shutdown. Dietrich moved to approve the 2nd semester grading policy. Roethler seconded. Motion carried.
Device Purchases 2020-2021:
Superintendent Hanna presented proposals for Chromebooks for students. A three year lease cost is $71,279. The board PPEL fund will be used for this cost. Hanna also proposed a lease for teacher laptops. This lease includes 65 laptops with a three year lease of $90,000. The Voted PPEL or Capital Projects funds will pay for these computers. Thomsen moved to approve the leases. Seconded by Morton. Motion carried.
Internet Infrastructure Update 2020-2021:
Riverside Technologies, Inc performed an assessment of our internet infrastructure. Currently, the district needs to upgrade the infrastructure to handle the 1:1. This project qualifies for E-Rate. E-Rate will reimburse at the rate of 70%. The net cost to the district will be approximately $29,000. Hoyman moved to approve the purchase and Roethler seconded. Motion carried.
Palo Alto County Gaming Corporation Grant Expenses:
Expenses for the PACGDC include the sound system for the High School gym, the Middle School sound system gym, the West Elementary sounds system in the gym and technology for the HS/MS cafeteria. The total cost of all equipment totals $74,934. $10,000 will be remaining from the Gaming Grant and those expenses will be determined at a later date. Thomsen moved to approve the PACGDC expenses and Huberty seconded. Motion carried.
Parking Lot Internet Access:
Hanna informed the board of the purchase of internet access for the parking areas. The total cost was $2544. This equipment is currently already working.
Internet Hotspots:
VIPS has provided the district with hotspot access. These hotspots can be locked down to the school devices. The district plans to order 50 hotspots. This is a one time cost. Total cost with equipment and data usage for 4 months would come to $11,350. The CARES Act would be able to fund this type of expenditure. (The CARES Act will be revenue of approximately $85,000).
West Elementary Camera Upgrade:
Hanna presented the proposal for the camera upgrade at West Elementary. The total cost of the camera project is $19,000.
EXEMPT SESSION
Morton moved to enter into exempt session and Roethler seconded at 6:13pm for negotiating sessions, strategy meetings of public employers or employee organizations, mediation or the deliberative process of arbitration. Motion carried. Kibbie exited at 7:06pm.
Exit exempt session at 7:07pm
ADJOURNMENT
Huberty moved to adjourn at 7:08. Morton seconded. Motion carried.
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Board President Board Secretary
