NORTH FAYETTE VALLEY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Minutes, Regular Meeting of the North Fayette Valley Community School District Board of Education, Monday, October 10, 2022, in the NFV High School Library, 600 N Pine Street, West Union, IA 52142
NFV Board of Education: LaCreasha Schultz, Julie Ahrens, Stacy Cummings,
Eileen Schlawin, Emily Koch, & 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: Lori Westhoff, Micah Gearhart, & Travis Elliott; Media: Sharon Drahn; Staff: Barb Schroeder, Shanda Miller, Stephanie Vagts, Royale Torkelson, and Annette Weber; Patrons: Gary Schlawin and Kristen Nelson-Lerch.
President Cummings 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: Ahrens, Koch, Klosterman, Schlawin, Cummings, & Schultz. Rodgers was absent.
The agenda was approved as presented. Ahrens/Schlawin Motion Carried 6-0
Public Forum: President Cummings welcomed and invited comments from the Public.
Motion to approve the consent agenda with the following items:
- Minutes of the September 12 regular meeting & October 5 work session
- Review/approve invoices
- Approve Financial Reports
- Approve Resignations: Abigail Nelson – WUE para
- Approve New Hires: Dick Woodard – Cook/Van Driver & Holli Osmundson – WUE para
- Gifts: West Union Chamber of Commerce – $500 from Ragbrai funds
Schlawin/Schultz Motion Carried 6-0
COMMUNICATIONS
Student Ex-Officio Members Claire Britt and Brooklyn Hoey reported on fall activities including state marching band competition, postseason play for fall sports, and a recap of homecoming.
Principals’ reports included the recent career day at the high school, ALICE drills, the anticipation of the German students’ arrival, fall fun walks at the elementary schools, preschool fair, staff self-care, and finishing up fall sports at the high school, and middle school.
Business Manager Thoms reported on the preparation of the 5-year budget projection.
Superintendent’s report included nearing completion of the WUE HVAC project, preparation of the FY24 calendar, and certified enrollment.
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
The Board approved postponing the Flexibility Account Transfer Public Hearing until November. Schlawin/Schultz Motion Carried 6-0
The Board set a Public Hearing on November 14 at 5:30 pm regarding a resolution to transfer funds from eligible funds to the Flexibility Account. Ahrens/Schlawin Motion Carried 6-0
The Board approved the purchase of a floor scrubber from Martin Brothers in the amount of $14,625. Klosterman/Schlawin Motion Carried 6-0
The Board approved a technology purchase of 30 computers for HSAP in the amount of $26,370. Schultz/Ahrens Motion Carried 6-0
The Board approved an Early Graduation application for one student pending the successful completion of all requirements. Schlawin/Ahrens Motion Carried 6-0
Supt Griffith reviewed the Talented and Gifted Plan for NFV. The Board approved the Talented and Gifted Plan as presented. Schultz/Schlawin Motion Carried 6-0
Supt Griffith proposed a $2 stipend per route for paras who supervise students on the shuttles between the NFV HS and NFV MS. The Board approved the stipend for paras who supervise on the MS shuttles effective October 11, 2022. Koch/Schultz Motion Carried 6-0
The Board approved the first reading of the 300 Series Board Policies. Schultz/Ahrens Motion Carried 6-0
Supt Griffith provided several timelines for facilities considerations. Over the past year, the discussion has taken place regarding various inefficiencies in the district which centered on unbalanced class sizes in the elementary schools, supporting more classroom space than is needed as well as operating the elementary schools separately. At the recent public work session, possible options were presented to address these issues as follows: Option 1 includes closing Fayette Elementary and all 4-5 grades moving to the Valley Campus. Option 2 includes closing Fayette Elementary and hosting K-3 at West Union Elementary and 4-8 at the Valley Campus. Option 3 includes closing Fayette Elementary and all 4-5 grades moving to the Valley Campus with continued talks about grade-alike movement with a decision to be made in the next year. Discussion followed between the board members including the need for transparency and inclusion of all involved in the decisions, timelines for decision making – not long enough or too long, continued maintenance of the Fayette building, budgetary considerations, as well as what is best for the students.
The Board approved moving forward with 3 public meetings to take place as follows: NFV HS PAC on November 30th at 6:30 pm, NFV MS Lunchroom on December 5th at 6:30 pm, and Fayette Elementary Lunchroom on December 7th at 6:30 pm. The Board will then review all comments from the public meetings and determine the next steps on December 12th at their regular meeting. Schultz/Klosterman Motion Carried 6-0 The approved timeline will be sent out immediately.
DISCUSSION
None.
Motion to adjourn at 6:30 pm. Klosterman/Schultz Motion Carried 6-0
______________________________ _____________________________
Stacy Cummings, President Sue Thoms, Business Manager