NORTH FAYETTE VALLEY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Minutes, Regular Meeting of the North Fayette Valley Community School District Board of Education, Monday, May 8, 2023, in the NFV High School Library, 600 N Pine Street, West Union, IA 52175
NFV Board of Education: Stacy Cummings, Eileen Schlawin, Emily Koch, Julie
Ahrens, LaCreasha Schultz, & Richard Klosterman.
Amanda Rodgers was absent. Student members: Claire
Britt & Brooklyn Hoey
Others: Superintendent: Joe Griffith, Business Manager: Sue
Thoms; Superintendent Secretary: Susan Winter; Principals: Travis Elliott, Lori Westhoff, & Micah Gearhart, Curriculum Director: Betsy Nefzger; Media: Sharon Drahn; Staff: Shanda Miller, John Bendt, & Barb Schroeder; Patrons: Kassie Stansbery, Kaci Maire, Jesse Maire, Elliot Maire, & Josh Eggers.
President Koch called the Regular Meeting of the NFV Board of Education to order at 5:30 pm and Richard Klosterman led the board and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call of Board members: Klosterman, Schlawin, Cummings, Ahrens, Schultz, & Koch. Rodgers was absent.
The agenda was approved as presented with the addition of Trey Kuhens – Lvl 2 Spec Ed Teacher at DTA. Schlawin/Schultz Motion Carried 6-0
Public Forum: President Koch welcomed and invited comments from the Public.
Jesse Maire addressed the Board regarding honors for valedictorians and salutatorians. He feels that this recognition will give students additional opportunities in the higher level education system.
Motion to approve the consent agenda with the following items:
- Minutes of the April 10, 2023 meeting with the change to sharing with Keystone AEA for a .4 FTE social worker instead of a .2 FTE.
- Review/approve invoices
- Approve Financial Reports
- Approve Resignations/Retirements: Gabby Dobbs – VE teacher, Matt Fassbinder – MS Wrestling, Sandra Krivachek – WUE paraprofessional, Justin Heins – MS track, & Addison Sadler – HS English
- Approve New Hires: Makinzie Dugger – MS Social Studies, Gage Mohs – WUE PE, MS football, MS track, Kassie Stansbery – School Business Official, & Trey Kuhens – 8/9 asst baseball & DTA Lvl 2 Spec Ed teacher
- Transfers: Julianne Meyer – HS English, Anastasia Lavrenko – VE 2nd grade, Brent Kuker – HS special education, Paula Johnson – custodian, & Jacob Pedersen – MS wrestling
- Contract Modifications: Mallory Meyer – accepted additional yrs of svc, Robyn Strong – increased FTE to 1.0, & Davie Riemer – decreased FTE to 0.8
Klosterman/Ahrens Motion Carried 6-0
COMMUNICATIONS
John Bendt – vocal teacher along with Elliot Maire & Josh Eggers presented Esports. Electronic Sports is a competition played through video games. Numerous districts in the area as well as the state are already participating in Esports. The start up costs for Esports can be minimal depending upon which competitions we compete in. Grant opportunities are available. Competitions include both individual and team events that are held in person or virtually all year long. This co-ed sport would allow students who may not be involved in other sports or activities to participate.
Claire Britt reported on large group festivals, Spring sports seasons, Summer sports practices, Hat Day, prom, teacher appreciation week, and the Senior final days.
Principals’ reports included Spring Fling in mid April, final capstones, Celebrate My Future Day for Seniors, ISASP scores, graduation, 7th grade girls state track champions, numerous MS track records broken this year, butterfly garden at Valley Elem, field days, transition days, summer school,and literacy nights.
Curriculum Director Nefzger reported on updates on professional development, building in collaboration days, and a new curriculum has been ordered for phonics and math.
Business Manager Thoms reported on finalizing contracts, insurance sign up, as well as preparation for year end.
Superintendent’s report included interviewing for junior board members, finishing up the WUE project, at-home child ID kits from the Iowa State Attorney General, Fayette Elem moving plan, and School Board Appreciation.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
The Board approved a Waiver of Conflict of Interest regarding the Ahlers & Cooney law firm representing both the City of Fayette and NFV. Schlawin/Ahrens Motion Carried 6-0
The Board approved the following Resolution to hold a Public Hearing regarding gifting the Fayette Elementary to the City of Fayette:
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the North Fayette Valley Community School District has received a proposal to convey an interest in real property to the City of Fayette, Iowa for other good and valuable consideration. The property is locally known as 200 North Volga Street, Fayette, IA 52142, and is legally described as follows:
BLOCKS 1, 2 AND 3, ROBERTSON’S ADDITION TO FAYETTE; VACATED STATE STREET BETWEEN BLOCKS 1 AND 2;
AND
A PARCEL IN THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 29, TOWNSHIP 93 NORTH, RANGE 8 WEST OF THE 5TH P.M., DESCRIBED AS:
BEGINNING AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF LOT 3, BLOCK 1, ROBERTSON’S ADDITION TO FAYETTE (SAID POINT BEING LOCATED ON THE SOUTH LINE OF FRANKLIN STREET); THENCE WEST ON THE SOUTH LINE OF FRANKLIN STREET A DISTANCE OF 154 FEET TO THE EAST LINE OF VINE STREET, THENCE SOUTH ON THE EAST LINE OF VINE STREET A DISTANCE OF 522.2 FEET TO THE NORTH LINE OF CLARK STREET, THENCE EAST ON THE NORTH LINE OF CLARK STREET A DISTANCE OF 154 FEET, THENCE NORTH ALONG THE WEST LINE OF BLOCKS 1, 2 AND 3 A DISTANCE OF 522.2 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING; (EXCEPT PARCEL “H” IN THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF SAID SECTION 29, AS DESCRIBED IN SURVEY BY LYLE G. TEKIPPE RECORDED AS FILE NO. 1999-934)
AND
A PARCEL IN THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 29, TOWNSHIP 93 NORTH, RANGE 8 WEST OF THE 5TH P.M., DESCRIBED AS: COMMENCING ON SECTION LINE 44 RODS AND 14 FEET NORTH OF THE QUARTER POST ON THE WEST LINE OF SAID SECTION 28, RUNNING NORTH ON THE SECTION LINE 12 RODS, THENCE WEST 13 1/3 RODS, THENCE SOUTH PARALLEL WITH SAID SECTION LINE 12 RODS, THENCE EAST 13 1/3 RODS TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING, FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
WHEREAS, it is appropriate pursuant to Iowa Code Section 297.22 to publish a Notice of the proposed conveyance and of the hearing and to receive and consider objections and petitions.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Directors of the North Fayette Valley Community School District:
Section 1. That this Board shall set a public hearing on the conveyance of the above-described Property for June 12, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. in the NFV High School Library located at 600 N. Pine Street, West Union, IA 52175.
Section 2. That the Secretary is authorized and directed to prepare, publish, and distribute the Notice of Hearing.
Cummings/Schultz Motion Carried 6-0
The Board approved setting a Public Hearing on June 12, 2023 at 5:30 pm to receive public comments regarding gifting the Fayette Elementary to the City of Fayette. Schlawin/Schultz Motion Carried 6-0
The Board approved bids for FY24 for the following: Milk – Anderson Erickson, Bread – Pan-O-Gold, Gasoline, Diesel, & Fuel Oil – Agvantage FS, LP for all sites – Consolidated Energy, and tire repair & change – Moss Service Center. Klosterman/Ahrens Motion Carried 6-0
The Board approved an increase in fees for the FY24 school year as follows: preschool fees – $225.94/mo, Adult Brkfst – $2.30, Adult Lunch – $4.85, Daily Milk – $0.32, Snack Milk – $28.16/semester, Athletic Passes – student $35, senior citizen $35, & adult – $75. All other fees will remain the same as follows: 6-12 Book Fees – $90, K-5 Book Fees – $55, 7-12 Band Fee – $10, Percussion Rent – $35, Instrument Rent – $40, Graduation Fee – $10, Student Lunch – $3.00, & Student Brkst – $1.85. Schlawin/Schultz Motion Carried 6-0
The Board approved the first reading of the Employee Handbook. Changes include updating dates, names, staff, deleting Fayette Elementary, edited start times, salary numbers & supplementary base pay, clarification that unused vacation days will be deleted on August 1, added pay for para bus, BD and severe health assignments, and phone reimbursement for HR/payroll, removed verbiage regarding extra personal day, add administrative discretion for 2 day approval of personal leave for emergencies, remove charge for refrigerators, and appointments on Wednesdays, & all forms have been updated. Schultz/Ahrens Motion Carried 6-0
Principal Elliott reported on a proposed change to the TigerHawk preschool days. Monday thru Thursday will be the attendance days with Fridays off so families can access daycare at Kaleidoscope. Teachers will use this day to provide special education services and documentation for ESCE students. The Board approved the proposed change to the TigerHawk preschool days. Schultz/Klosterman Motion Carried 6-0
The Board approved a change order for the West Union Elementary HVAC project authorizing insulation of the attic spaces to prevent possible freezing of components in the amount of $21,771.15 which will be paid out of PPEL/SAVE. Schlawin/Klosterman Motion Carried 6-0
The Board approved an ISJIT resolution changing the name to North Fayette Valley CSD. Schultz/Cummings Motion Carried 6-0
The Board approved the list of Seniors for graduation pending meeting all graduation requirements. Schlawin/Schultz/ Motion Carried 6-0
The Board approved the list of substitute drivers and van drivers for contracts. Cummings/Ahrens Motion Carried 6-0
Emily Koch asked about crossing guard duty by WUE which is currently being done by paraprofessionals.
Motion to adjourn at 6:37 pm. Cummings/Ahrens Motion Carried 6-0
______________________________ _____________________________
Emily Koch, President Sue Thoms, Business Manager