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 11, 2021, in the NFV High School Library, 600 N Pine Street, West Union, IA 52142
NFV Board of Education: LaCreasha Schultz, Julie Ahrens, Marc Rue, Eileen
Schlawin, Stacy Cummings, & Emily Koch. Carolyn
Roys was absent. Student Member: Nathan Crocker
Others: Superintendent: Joe Griffith, Business Manager: Sue
Thoms; Superintendent Secretary: Susan Winter; Principals: Travis Elliott, Micah Gearhart, Chris Miller, & Lori Westhoff; Media: Sharon Drahn; Public: Cain Rodgers, Clint Rodgers, Bob Sadler & Jessica Sadler.
President Cummings called the Regular Meeting of the NFV Board of Education to order at 6 p.m. and Julie Ahrens led the board and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call of Board members: Schultz, Ahrens, Rue, Koch, Cummings, & Schlawin. Roys was absent..
The agenda was approved as presented. Ahrens/Rue Motion Carried 6-0
Public Forum: President Cummings welcomed and invited comments from the Public.
Bob Sadler asked about why the school district was not using local businesses for high school apparel purchases in the district. They have been asked by district patrons why they are not providing the apparel for the various sports. Supt Griffith stated that the process will be reviewed.
Motion to approve the consent agenda with the following items:
- Minutes of the September 13 regular meeting
- Review/approve invoices
- Approve Financial Reports
- Approve Resignations: Ryan Holthaus – Ag Instructor/FFA
- Approve New Hire: Carol Steva – VELC Assistant and Kelli Kovarik – Asst Individual Speech
- Gifts: K&K Gardens – $250 to HS Speech
Rue/Schultz Motion carried 6-0
COMMUNICATIONS
Nathan Crooker reported that the homecoming parade went well and 229 students entered the homecoming dance. Eligibility changes are going well. Fall sports are going well. FFA is selling fruit at this time. The vocal department was a part of the NE Iowa vocal concert last week and the band received a Division 1 rating at the recent marching band contest.
Principal reports were received. Principal Westhoff reported that LIM training will happen next week with emphasis on students’ vision for the program. Shout out to the student council on homecoming activities including community service projects. Warning week policy has started with a more positive addition allowing the kids time to get their work done. Principal Gearhart reported on social emotional learning along with the Healthy State Walk. LIM training is ongoing with students working on their notebooks. Principal Elliott reported on the completion of FAST testing and the recent meeting with the Methodist Lydia Circle. LIM training is ongoing with expectations required this year. Fire prevention week was celebrated last week and Custodian week is this week. Principal Miller noted that there will be a home football play off game next week. Volleyball will be the conference champs with a win tomorrow night. The streaming of the football games is going well..
Business Manager Thoms reported on finalizing the current year line item budget and continuation of work on the 5 year budget.
Superintendent’s report included the following:
The Board was given a handout on Iowa School Redistricting FAQ’s.
The NFV school lunch program is experiencing some difficulty in getting enough of one product to serve the same meal to all of our kids. This is leading to some menu changes.
The North wing of West Union Elementary is currently the focus of the renovation project. The hope is to start cleaning classrooms in late October. Once the North wing is complete, the contractors will finish up several areas that are currently occupied. The steam system is still in place and can be used if needed until the new system is complete.
Supt Griffith has been working with our design professional to identify the first phase of our high school project that will be paid for with a portion of the ESSER III funds.
Supt Griffith presented a handout on the past tax rates for the district. With the upcoming vote on the Voted PPEL, it is projected that the proposed tax rate in FY23 will see little change with the passing of the Voted PPEL.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
The Board approved the following Student Ex-Officio Board members: Sophia Durnan and Claire Britt. Schlawin/Schultz Motion carried 6-0
Public Hearing for Flexibility Account Transfer: President Cummings opened the Public Hearing on a proposed resolution to transfer funds from the Home School Assistance Program to the Flexibility Account at 6:28 pm. No public comments were received and the hearing was closed at 6:29 pm.
Schlawin moved to approve the following resolution for the Flexibility Account Transfer, with Ahrens as the second:
WHEREAS, Iowa Code provides school districts greater flexibility to transfer excess funds to other specified purposes;
WHEREAS, the Board has conducted a public hearing on October 11th as required by Iowa Code 298A.2(d).
WHEREAS, the Board has fulfilled the needs intended to be met by the Home School Assistance Program and funding for all lawful requests for services and materials from parents or guardians of students eligible to access the program has been provided and a balance remains unencumbered and unobligated at the close of FY21.
WHEREAS, the Board has transferred the Home School Assistance Program under Iowa Code 299A.12 ending balance of $180,959.32 of which $141,189.27 was transferred to the Flexibility Fund from FY21.
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the North Fayette Valley Community School district has determined that funds of $ 9,939.27 in the general fund shall be transferred to the student activity fund to purchase protective and safety equipment required for any extracurricular interscholastic athletic contest or competition that is sponsored or administered by an organization as currently defined by Iowa Code and $ 123,059.75 in the general fund shall be transferred to the capital projects fund to purchase macbooks for students. An additional $8,188.25 will be used to purchase chrome books for students through the technology general fund.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Board acknowledges the transfer of such funds to the Flexibility Fund within the General fund, and requires expenditures accordingly for those purposes stated above, total amount of $141,187.27 to be available for expenditure effective for FY22.
RESOLVED, that the Superintendent is directed to include the information concerning such expenditure in the budget certified in accordance with Iowa Code 24; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Superintendent is directed to provide a copy of the Resolution to the Iowa Department of Education as they prescribe and make such Resolution available for any audit of the district performed under chapter 11.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Board: Passed and approved this 11th day of October, 2021.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Cummings, Ahrens, Rue, Koch, Schlawin, Schultz, Nays: None Motion Carried 6-0
The Board approved an agreement with Counseling and Family Centered Services for therapeutic counseling services for the district. This will be funded with GEERS II funds. Koch/Schlawin Motion carried 6-0
The Board approved an athletic training contract with Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital for a cash payment of $3,000 along with a promotional campaign valued at $25,000. Discussion followed. Rue/Ahrens Motion carried 6-0
Principal Westhoff presented the names of 7 Seniors who are requesting to graduate after the end of the 1st semester. The Board approved the request for early graduation pending successful completion of all graduation requirements by January 14, 2022. Schlawin/Ahrens Motion carried 6-0
The Board approved a change order for the WUE HVAC project which is an increase of $28,983 for the control system for the air conditioning unit. Schlawin/Koch Motion Carried 6-0
The Board approved the lane change for FY22 for Mina Fantz – BA+15 to BA+30. Ahrens/Schlawin Motion Carried 6-0
The Board held the first reading of the 200 Series of Board Policies and #505.6 – Early Graduation to grant these students permission to attend prom and graduation ceremonies.
DISCUSSION
None.
Motion to adjourn at 6:53 pm. Ahrens/Rue Motion Carried 6-0
______________________________ _____________________________
Stacy Cummings, President Sue Thoms, Business Manager