LEWIS CENTRAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BOARD MEETING
MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2011
Un-Official Minutes
Call to Order: Board President Dorene Scheffel called the regular meeting to order at 6:35 pm. At roll call, the following board members responded as present: Mr. Feller, Mr. Hendrix, Mr. Livingston, Mr. Stazzoni, Mrs. Studer, Mr. Weilage and Mrs. Scheffel.
Administrators: Administrators present were Dr. Mark Schweer, Dave Black, Jeff Carper and Dale Kreher.
Guest in attendance: Mary Babinat, Dennis Friend and Deb Weilage
Approve Agenda: Mr. Hendrix moved, seconded by Mr. Feller, that the Agenda be approved as presented.
Discussion: None Carried: 7-0
Commendations/Good News:
- Blake DeForest made the All-State Jazz Band for Class 4A. This is the first time in school history that this has happened.
- Congratulations to Project Lead the Way students who submitted a video on Robotics and won the National Competition receiving $1,600 for robotic equipment purchases.
Comments & Suggestions:
- Deb Weilage, 50756 Brohard Ave, Council Bluffs, IA 51503 addressed the Board regarding the historical significance of Central Elementary and a request that the entire building not be torn down. She would like to see the history of the District preserved.
Consent Agenda: Mr. Stazzoni moved, seconded by Mr. Livingston, that the Consent Agenda be approved as presented. Discussion: Consent Agenda included: Approval of Minutes from the February 21, 2011 meeting. Administrative Recommendations included: Licensed - Approval to Employ: Rachel Rector – K-12 ELL, Katie Allard – HS Spanish, Mark Fritch – HS Assoc. Principal, Amberly Trask – KR Title 1 Reading and Eric Hayes – HS Asst. Soccer. Licensed Resignations: Doug Nauman – HS Girls Basketball. Classified Resignations: Tim Creps – KR para educator. Pay or Hour working Increase/decrease: Sharon Knoble - Bus Monitor. Carried: 7-0
Reports
- FY 2010 Audit Report – Nolte, Cornman & Johnson, P.C.
Mary Babinat from Nolte, Cornman & Johnson reviewed the financial highlights for the 2009/2010 fiscal year. The highlights included a discussion of economic factors influencing the district financial situation, governmental activities, proprietary activities and fiduciary funds. She also reviewed the undesignated fund balance for the general fund as well as major and nonmajor governmental funds, proprietary funds and total net assets. The rest of the discussion centered around findings related to the basic financial statements, findings and questioned costs for federal awards, and other findings related to required statutory reporting.
Discussion Items
7.01 Central Elementary / Master Facility Plan Improvements
As a result of the February 7 work session, the consensus regarding the Central Elementary Building was to renovate the gym and demo the rest of the building. The projected cost of renovation and the actual bid cost to renovate the remainder of the building is $549,000. At the time of the February 7 work session, we did not have a definitive idea as to whether or not we would need a vestibule area and if so the location. When we met with BVH to further discuss that matter, a question came up regarding restrooms. This is a code issue as it relates to having the required number of toilet fixtures because of the increased square footage of that building as a result of the gym space being renovated. The ramp that would be required (ADA) from the Middle School Cafeteria into the gym is projected to cost $24,201. Gary Bowen from BVH presented several options in regards to the vestibule/restroom questions. Scenario A included remodeling the gym, demolishing the rest of the structure and building a vestibule that includes restrooms at a cost of $771,628. Scenario B included remodeling the gym and the next section of the building and demolishing the rest of the structure $895,036. We do need to make a decision on the status of Central at this meeting. Formal action is also needed to approve the other projects that we were in agreement on that would be completed within the next 3 years: re-roofing project at the Middle School, replace the wooden bleachers on the visitor’s side of the football field, site improvements at Titan Hill, site improvements at the Middle School, and construction of a new ERC.
7.02 Approve Financial Services Agreement with Piper Jaffray
This agenda item was tabled at the February 21 meeting. At that time a proposal for a long term agreement with Piper Jaffray was presented to the board. Presently, the district has had agreements in place that only deal with a single situation on an as needed basis. The board requested that district legal counsel review the long term agreement. District legal counsel had a concern regarding the possible “additional charges” referred to in the long term agreement. Dr. Schweer is okay with continuing on a situation by situation agreement or a long term agreement. He is confident that we will receive sound financial advice with either scenario. We do need to take some action because we will require their services for the purpose of doing the work for the borrowing against the sales tax monies for the next set of projects discussed earlier on the agenda. If the long term agreement scenario is not approved, we will continue with a situation by situation agreement with Piper Jaffray.
7.03 Set Date / Time for 2011-2012 Budget Hearing
We are recommending that the date for the budget hearing be set for March 21 at 6:30 pm. Notice of the hearing must be published no sooner than 10 and no more than 20 days prior to the hearing. The board would approve the budget at the April 4 meeting. Budgets must be certified with the County Auditor no later than April 15.
7.04 First Reading of Several Policies
The following policies were reviewed and were not in need of any changes: 100 Educational Philosophy of the School District, 204.10 Order of Regular Meetings, 205.7 Gifts to Board of Directors, 401.4 District Personnel Staff Development, 401.5 District Employment of Family Members, 401.11 Communicable Diseases, 401.19 Reimbursement For Employee Expenses, 401.22 Employee Conflict of Interest, 403.10 Classified Employee Suspension, 405 Substance-Free Workplace, 1000 Statement of Guiding Principles, 1001.1 Board-Community Relations, 1001.3 Board Meeting Communications, 1002.4 School-Community Associations, 1003.1 Participation in Community Activities, 1003.2 Citizen Volunteers and Resource Persons, 1003.3 Visitors To School District Facilities, 1003.4 Good Sportsmanship and 1004.9 Gratuities to Personnel.
Dr. Schweer will review the following and bring updated policies to the next meeting for review: 204.4 Annual Meeting, 401.13 General Personnel Physical Examinations, 1001.2 Printed Materials, 1001.4 Public Examination of School District Records.
Comments & Suggestions: None
Action Items
9.01 Central Elementary / Master Facility Plan Improvements
Motion by Mr. Hendrix, seconded by Mrs. Studer, that the Lewis Central Board of Directors approve and authorize the remodeling of Sections A & B of Central Elementary. Discussion: none Carried: 6-1. Mr. Weilage voted no.
9.01a
Motion by Mr. Hendrix, seconded by Mr. Weilage, that the Lewis Central Board of Directors approve and authorize the re-roofing project at the Middle School, replacing the wooden bleachers on the visitor’s side of the football field and site improvements at Titan Hill. Discussion: none Carried: 7-0
Amendment to 901a
Motion by Mr. Feller, seconded by Mr. Weilage, that the Lewis Central Board of Directors also include the approval of the funding for site improvements at the Middle School and the construction of a new ERC in motion 901a. Discussion: None
Carried: 7-0
9.02 Approve Financial Services Agreement with Piper Jaffray
Motion by Mr. Hendrix, seconded by Mr. Weilage, that the Lewis Central Board of Directors approve the long term financial services agreement with Piper Jaffray. Discussion: None Failed: 0-7
9.03 Set Date / Time for 2011-2012 Budget Hearing
Motion by Mr. Hendrix, seconded by Mrs. Studer that the Lewis Central Board of Directors set the date for the 2011-2012 budget hearing for March 21 at 6:30 pm. Discussion: None Carried: 7-0
9.04 First Reading of Several Policies
Mr. Feller moved, seconded by Mr. Hendrix, that the Lewis Central Board of Directors approve the above referenced policies on first reading. Discussion: None Carried: 7-0
Information/Future Items
*Regular School Board Meeting – March 21, 2011
Adjournment
With no further business before them, at 9:00 p.m. Mr. Hendrix made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mrs. Studer seconded, the motion passed unanimously by voice vote.
Approved – Dorene Scheffel Dale Kreher
President, Lewis Central Board of Education Board Secretary, Lewis Central Board of Education