Regular Meeting-January 21, 2010

The Board of Directors of the Jefferson-Scranton Community School District met in regular session on January 21, 2010 at the Jefferson-Scranton Elementary School. President Sam Harding called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Also present were Directors Teresa Hagen, Mike Holden, Kevin Neal and Celli Whipple; Superintendent Tim Christensen and Board Secretary Brenda Muir.

President Harding read the mission statement and goals of the Jefferson-Scranton School District.

Motion was made by Hagen, seconded by Holden to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 5-0.

Motion was made by Hagen, seconded by Neal to approve the consent items. Motion carried 5-0. Consent items are: Minutes from the December 16, 2009 regular meeting and the December 21, 2009 special meeting; Bills as presented. Fundraisers were mentioned as an item for a future work session.

During Open Forum concerns were expressed from two parents about the move of the fifth grade to the middle school; Kyle Kinne addressed the board about his job.

The configuration of middle school/high school softball was again discussed. The biggest issue seems to be trying to schedule 9th grade games. This item will be on the February 17, 2010 agenda.

Superintendent Christensen reported to the board that Greene County Development Corporation has pledged to match the Greene County Community Foundation’s donation of $30,000 to go toward the sports complex. This project will move forward as weather allows.

A discussion was held on increasing graduation requirements. A revised board policy will be on the February 17, 2010 agenda with the gradual increase in the number of credits required from 50 to 58 over a four year period. Work will follow on the actual classes to be required and offered.

Director Neal reported on the mobile batting cage that is up at the high school.

Hagen made and Holden seconded a motion to accept the voluntary retirement application and resignation of Janice Badger as high school success center associate and to enter the following commendation into the minutes: “The Board would like to commend Jan Badger for her many years of service to the Jefferson-Scranton CSD. For the last eighteen years, Jan has been in charge of the Success Center at the High School. Over this time, she has helped students with homework, helped them study for tests, and been a role model and mentor. Jan’s work with students has been greatly appreciated and will be sorely missed.” Motion carried 5-0.

Holden made and Hagen seconded a motion to accept the voluntary retirement application and resignation of Tom Yepsen, elementary principal, with commendations: “The Board would like to commend Tom Yepsen for his many years of service to the Jefferson and Jefferson-Scranton Schools. Tom has served as a MS Principal and Elementary Principal over the course of twenty-six years. Thanks to Tom’s work with teachers many improvements have taken place in the areas of curriculum and student achievement. Tom has also been instrumental with the Jefferson-Scranton School Foundation. During his nineteen years leading the School Foundation, an extensive amount of money has been raised with all of this money going to the school in order to improve teaching and learning.” Motion carried 5-0.

Hagen made and Whipple seconded a motion to accept the voluntary retirement application and resignation of Jean VanGilder, middle school math teacher with commendations: “We would like to thank Jean Van Gilder for her 33 years of teaching at JSMS. We would like to thank her for her outstanding contributions and dedication to JSMS and the community as a whole. Jean not only served as a math teacher but she helped kids discover their creative nature by sponsoring Entrepreneurs Grow on TRIZ and serving as the MS play director. We wish her a happy and rewarding future.” Motion carried 5-0.

Neal made and Holden seconded a motion to accept the voluntary retirement application and resignation of Pat Richards, middle school social studies teacher with commendations: “We would like to thank Pat Richards for her 37 years of teaching at JSMS. Her positive influence on students and staff has been greatly appreciated. Pat worked hard to bring the world into her classroom by having students connect with others through the “Post-Card Project.” Also, over the years she has had many students participate and excel in the Geography Bee. Pat has been such an important part of this school and such a great influence on the lives of our students. She will be missed.” Motion carried 5-0.

Holden made and Hagen seconded a motion to accept the voluntary retirement application and resignation of Dave Walker, high school custodian with commendations: “The Board would like to commend Dave Walker for his many years of service to the Jefferson and Jefferson-Scranton Schools. Over the course of thirty-six plus years, Dave has been responsible for taking care of the middle school, south grade school, and the high school. Dave has done an excellent job maintaining school district facilities and giving students, staff, parents, and community clean, well kept school buildings of which they can be very proud. Dave has been a loyal employee and will be sorely missed.” Motion carried 5-0.

Whipple made and Hagen seconded a motion to accept the voluntary retirement application and resignation of Nancy Winger, elementary associate, with commendations: “The Jefferson-Scranton CSD Board of Education would like to commend Nancy Winger for her work as an associate at the elementary school. Nancy has worked twenty-five years at helping teachers and students in our school district. She has worked with young children from pre-kindergarten age through kindergarten. Nancy has touched many children’s lives and will be greatly missed.” Motion carried 5-0.

Holden made and Hagen seconded a motion to accept the voluntary retirement application and resignation of Lynda Cochran, middle school secretary/office manager with commendations: “We would like to thank Lynda Cochran for her 35 years of service to JSMS. Although her title was Office Manager she was much more. From helping a sick child, to giving directions to a lost parent on the way to an activity, or providing support to make sure the school day ran as smoothly as possible, Lynda was always very professional and efficient in her duties. The staff and students at JSMS will miss you. We hope your retirement years will be filled with great happiness.” Motion carried 5-0.

Hagen made and Holden seconded a motion to set a public hearing on an early calendar start date for the 2010-2011 school year for February 17, 2010 at 5:30 p.m. at Jefferson-Scranton elementary school during the regular board meeting. Motion carried 5-0.

Holden made and Neal seconded a motion to accept the Microsoft settlement agreement as presented for each school building. Motion carried 5-0.

Superintendent Christensen reported that the City of Scranton’s attorney and the school’s attorney are working on a finalized agreement for transfer of ownership of the Scranton school building.

Holden made and Hagen seconded a motion to approve a resolution allowing an interfund loan between the General Fund and the SILO and PPEL Funds for not more that $200,000 at 3% interest, to be repaid before October 1, 2010 as allowed per Iowa Code. Motion carried 5-0.

Excerpts from a draft copy of the DE site visit overview were given to the board with the recommendation to delve deeper into the completed document if it is available for the February 10, 2010 board work session.

Potential budgets cuts were again discussed with a recommendation of a more in depth discussion to be held at the February 10, 2010 work session.

Motion was made by Hagen, seconded by Whipple to approve the Corrective Action Plan for the School Budget Review Committee hearing in March. Motion carried 5-0.

During his monthly report, Superintendent Christensen reported seven snows days to date with the last day of school slated for June 7, 2010. He publicly thanked all those involved with the U.S. Cellular Calling All Communities campaign including Jefferson Telephone employees, Ben Franklin/Radio Shack, Fareway, the Bee and Herald, and school employees Tim Buenz and Teresa Green as well as all those who voted, wrote letters to the editor or encouraged others to vote. Winning schools are expected to be announced in February. He also informed the board, based on advice from IASB, we did not sign the Race to the Top memorandum of understanding. The public is encouraged to sign up for One Notify if they have not already done so.

The financial report was given.

The president declared the meeting adjourned at 7:09 p.m.