NORTH FAYETTE VALLEY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Minutes, Regular Meeting of the North Fayette Valley Community School District Board of Education, Monday, March 13, 2023, in the NFV High School PAC, 600 N Pine Street, West Union, IA 52175
NFV Board of Education: LaCreasha Schultz, Stacy Cummings, Eileen Schlawin,
Julie Ahrens, Amanda Rodgers, & Richard Klosterman. Emily Koch was absent. Student member: Claire Britt
Others: Superintendent: Joe Griffith, Business Manager: Sue
Thoms; Principals: Lori Westhoff, Micah Gearhart, Travis Elliott, & Chris Miller, Media: Sharon Drahn; Staff: Kory Kuhens, Paula Johnson, Mary Bilden, Kris Peterson, Kirk Jacobsen, Julie Frieden, Sarah Lerch, Lisa Schneider, Shanda Miller, Lauren Falck, Molli Steffens, Alex Snyder, Barb Schroder, & Melissa Schupbach ; Patrons: Jereme Miller.
Vice-President Klosterman called the Regular Meeting of the NFV Board of Education to order at 5:30 pm and Julie Ahrens led the board and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call of Board members: Klosterman, Schlawin, Cummings, Ahrens, Rodgers, & Schultz. Koch was absent.
The agenda was approved as presented with the addition of a resignation from Janell Diemer and approval of curriculum (math & phonics). Schlawin/Schultz Motion Carried 6-0
Public Forum: Vice-President Klosterman welcomed and invited comments from the Public.
Motion to approve the consent agenda with the following items:
- Minutes of the February 20, 2023, special meeting.
- Review/approve invoices
- Approve Financial Reports
- Approve Resignations/Retirements: Mallory Meyer – asst volleyball, Megan Boyer – MS Science, Bobbie Jo Koch – HS paraprofessional, Rachael Strong – asst XC, & Janell Diemer – WUE paraprofessional.
- Approve New Hires: None.
- Volunteer Coach: Kylee Smith – golf, Trey Kuhens – baseball, & Kobe Moore – baseball.
- Transfers: Joni Walvatne – Valley Elementary & Justin Heins – At-Risk Coordinator/Activities Director
- Gifts: Moore Truckin – fine arts programs
Cummings/Ahrens Motion Carried 6-0
COMMUNICATIONS
Student Ex-Officio Member Claire Britt reported on honor bands, concerts, capstone presentations, Special Olympics, speech competitions, and the start of spring sports.
Principals’ reports included FFA districts and FFA week, ISASP testing, college readiness, opportunities for Lvl III special ed students, Science and Engineering Fair at NICC, parent-teacher conferences, MS drama, Math Counts competition, and transitioning students & teachers for next year.
Curriculum Director reported on PD topics that meet student needs and teacher collaboration, the new curriculum for next year, ISASP testing, and the Conditions for Learning survey will take place this April.
Business Manager Thoms reported on preparing for negotiations and completing the certified budget.
Superintendent’s report included a recent meeting with the City of Fayette regarding the Fayette Elementary building, snow days available for the remaining year, and education bills in the Legislature.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
Vice-President Klosterman opened the Public Hearing on the FY24 calendar at 5:49 pm. No public comments were received and the hearing was closed at 5:50 pm.
The Board approved the FY24 Calendar with a start date of August 23rd with the first semester ending before Christmas break. Rodgers/Schultz Motion Carried 6-0
The NFVEA submitted their opening proposal for negotiations. These staff members are asking for a 5% salary increase and other financial incentives to attract and retain staff. They also would like to discuss some language items including the following: emergency use of personal leave, increasing pay for internal staff coverage, and extending personal leave language agreed upon in the FY23 school year.
The NFV Board presented an opening proposal to the NFVEA including a 3% increase in salaries and no changes in language for a 2-year contract. This will also include a 3% increase in the supplemental schedule and a 1.5% increase in the hiring base as well as a replacement of the current salary schedule.
The NFVSPA submitted their opening proposal for negotiations. They are asking for a 5-year contract with a 7.5% salary increase for FY24 and 5.5% salary increase for FY25. The remaining 3-year increases will be open for negotiations prior to FY26.
The NFV Board presented an opening proposal to the NFVSPA including a 3% increase in salaries and no changes in language for a 2 year contract. This 3% increase will be applied to shuttle trips, activity shuttles, and SPED van rates. Also offered is a flat route rate of $37.25 for all bus drivers, $2 per trip for paras assigned to shuttle bus supervision, and a $.50/hr increase for paras assigned to a level 3 behavior duty.
The Board set a Public Hearing date for the FY24 Certified Budget on April 10th at 5:30 pm. Schlawin/Schultz Motion Carried 6-0
The Board set a Public Hearing date for amending the FY23 Certified Budget on April 10th at 5:30 pm. Schlawin/Ahrens Motion Carried 6-0
The Board approved the FY24 AEA purchasing Cooperative Purchasing Agreement which allows schools to purchase in bulk at a lower cost. Schlawin/Schultz Motion Carried 6-0
The Board approved a new Math curriculum through both Kendall Hunt in the amount of $26,975.35 and The Math Modernist in the amount of $14,902.90. The Board also approved a new phonics curriculum through 95% Group in the amount of $14,772.50. These will be paid for with ESSER funds. Ahrens/Schultz Motion Carried 6-0
The Board reviewed and approved the FY22 audit. Cummings/Schlawin Motion Carried 6-0
Supt Griffith reviewed the summer projects which include: DTA siding & installation, WUE sealcoat parking lot, DTA retaining wall/tree, HS railing to the parking lot, VE/MS restroom stall doors, WUE fence surrounding chiller, VE/MS removal of outside curb on soccer/football field, HS driveway repair, WUE restroom floor coverings, replace Little TigerHawk preschool storage shed – paid out of preschool funds, & VE/MS replacement components of freezer and refrigerator – paid out of food service. The Board approved the summer projects totaling $57,812.97 to be paid out of PPEL/SAVE except where noted. Schultz/Cummings Motion Carried 6-0
Supt Griffith reviewed transportation software through Tyler Technologies that will sync with Infinite Campus and help to build our bus routes and schedules. The Board approved the purchase of this software in the amount of $12,420. Cummings/Rodgers Motion Carried 6-0
Supt Griffith and Asst Principal Miller presented the Turf Tank automated field painting system. The Board approved the purchase of Turf Tank in the amount of $13,000. Ahrens/Cummings Motion Carried 6-0
Alex Snyder presented the proposed technology updates: 70 elementary chromebooks – $19,670, 20 elementary ipads – $8,280, & 100 hs Apple laptops – $87,900 to be paid out of FY24 funds. Additional access points – $25,563.60, switches – $64,509.92, and switch components – $4,500 to be paid out of PPEL/SAVE funds. The Board approved the technology purchases totalling $210,473.52. Cummings/Schlawin Motion Carried 6-0
Supt Griffith reviewed the heating repairs at the Fayette Elementary gym. The Board approved the purchase and installation of hanging units in the amount of $11,567.29 to be paid out of PPEL/SAVE funds. Schlawin/Ahrens Motion Carried 6-0
The Board reviewed and approved the modification to the internet contract with Hawkeye Interconnect. This modification will terminate the Fayette Elementary building and add the Bus Barn. Schultz/Rodgers Motion Carried 6-0
The Board reviewed and approved the Local Government Risk Pool agreement for FY24 in the amount of $104,713.30. Schlawin/Cummings Motion Carried 6-0
DISCUSSION
Motion to adjourn at 6:40 pm. Schlawin/Schultz Motion Carried 6-0
The Board went into an exempt session for negotiations strategic planning per Iowa Code 20.17(3).
______________________________ _____________________________
Rich Klosterman, Vice-President Sue Thoms, Business Manager