SUMMARY OF THE NOVEMBER 14, 2011 REGULAR BOARD MEETING

OF THE BATTLE CREEK-IDA GROVE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Battle Creek-Ida Grove Community School District Board met in regular session with the Odebolt-Arthur Board on November 14, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. in the Cafeteria at the OA/BCIG High School in Ida Grove, Iowa.

Battle Creek-Ida Grove Board President, Berny Sohm called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. on behalf of the Battle Creek-Ida Grove board and the meeting was called to order on behalf of the Odebolt-Arthur board by Paul Neumann. A roll call was taken as follows: Mark Bogue, present; Bev Bower, present; Stephanie Konradi, present; Michael Luft, absent; Jeff Rassmussen, present; Brian Riessen, present. The mission statement of each school was read by Sohm and Neumann. Approximately 100 visitors attended the meeting.

It was moved by Rasmussen and seconded by Konradi to approve the agenda and the motion carried 6 -0. Luft arrived at 6:35 p.m. and participated in the remainder of the meeting. Morgan Venteicher presented a petition signed by 136 students stating “I am fully aware of what I am signing, it is a petition wanting Odebolt Arthur and Battle Creek Ida Grove to stay whole grade sharing and against splitting the schools.” Karen Blackmore and Al Veltri spoke during the public forum portion of the meeting.

Teachers Jonathan Nelson, Jim Mickelson, Kelly Schroeder and middle school student Ciara Spradlin gave the curriculum presentation for the physical education departments. Eric Miller, OA/BCIG Ag teacher and Jordan Rohlk, Kirstin Weber and Cory Riessen, OA/BCIG FFA members, reported on the recent national convention and FFA activities.

It was moved by Bower and seconded by Bogue to approve the consent agenda including claims totaling: $222,268.97; resignation from Karen Blackmore, bus driver and contract approvals for Kurt Brown, assistant girls’ basketball coach and John Scales, bus driver. The motion carried 7-0.

Dani Trimble, superintendent, reported on the recent board sessions and asked board members to report on the events they attended; board orientation materials; progress on establishing the CAC committee and transportation sharing costs. After input from the boards, the annual goal setting retreat was set for December 5 at 6:30 p.m. in Odebolt.

Pat Miller, OA/BCIG high school principal, reported on participation numbers for winter sports and stated the high school now has a Facebook page. Alan Henderson, BCIG elementary principal reported on Veterans’ Day activities, service learning projects and Red Ribbon Week activities.

Roger Walter and Ken Newquist, co-maintenance directors, updated the boards on projects in both districts including, high school science room remodel, locker room project, carpet replacement, fire marshall work, stadium air conditioning and the recent loss of trees on district grounds.

Lynn Boyle, coordinator of the Transistional Alliance Program (TAP) explained the program and answered questions from the board. It was moved by Bogue and seconded by Riessen to approve the Sharing of Services Contract for TAP with Galva-Holstein and the motion carried 7-0.

It was moved by Bogue and seconded by Rasmussen to approve the contract for services with Deluxe Driving Academy to offer drivers’ education at $350/student beyond the services covered through a contract already in place with David Winterrowd. The motion carried 7-0.

Trimble reviewed management fund balances and presented possible early retirement resolutions that will be considered for approval at the December board meeting. She is recommending the board offer early retirement packages to one certified staff member and one non-certified staff member.

It was moved by Rasmussen and seconded by Luft to waive on first reading and approve on second reading Policy #210.9 videotaping school board meetings and the motion carried 7-0. The Odebolt-Arthur board approved the policy 5-0. The videotaping is scheduled to begin in December.

It was moved by Rasmussen and seconded by Bower to appoint Bogue, Luft and Riessen to serve on the board’s negotiating committee for 2011-2012 and the motion carried 7-0.

It was moved by Bogue and seconded by Rasmussen to approve the SBRC application for Request for Increased Enrollment for $24,120 and the motion carried 7-0.

It was moved by Rasmussen and seconded by Riessen to approve the purchase of an air conditioning system for the stadium locker room and coaches’ room to try and remove the moisture from the air that is causing problems with the football equipment that is stored in the area. The bids were from Hemer’s Plumbing and Heating for $8,750 for a two stage 16.00 SEER 3 ton central air and installation for $8,750 and to Edsen Electric for $390 for electrical hookup. The motion carried 7-0.

It was moved by Bogue and seconded by Rasmussen to purchase a dump trailer from Graham Trailers for $7,400 and the motion carried 7-0.

It was moved by Bogue and seconded by Bower to advertise the 1988 International dump truck
“as is” for two consecutive weeks per Policy 803.1 Disposition of Obsolete Equipment. The motion carried 7-0.

Trimble reviewed the presentation on the proposed elementary addition that was compiled by Canon, Moss and Brygger (CMBA) and presented at the October 20, 2011 special meeting. Comments from the public were made by Randy Miller, Lex Jacobson, Tony Bennett, Wendy Cadwell, Maebelle Powell, Mary Rohlk, Grant Godbersen, Jill Godbersen and Jeff Cranston. After discussion it was moved by Bogue and seconded by Rasmussen to authorize CMBA to develop contract documents for the bidding process on two projects: The addition of a Media Center/Computer Lab, Art Room and Music Room including a revised bus lane and parking plan and an internal ramp project and for a sprinkler system to address fire safety issues. The proposed addition is approximately 8,075 sq. ft. The motion passed 4-3 with Riessen, Sohm and Konradi voting no.

Discussion was held on Board Policy 201.2 Regular Board Meetings and possibly setting a different night for board meetings to allow BCIG to meet as a separate board. The consensus was to continue meeting jointly each month with Odebolt-Arthur.

Neumann asked for an update from the administration on discussions being held regarding the changes to education and technology. This was a follow up to the work session held August 29, 2011. Trimble noted discussions were continuing in conjunction with the technology department and had nothing concrete to report to the board at this time. Bogue suggested transportation and bussing be discussed at a future meeting.

The next regular meeting will be held December 12, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. in the Conference Room of the OA/BCIG Middle School in Odebolt. If needed the meeting will recess so board members may attend the Odebolt-Arthur elementary concert at 7 p.m. and reconvene to finish business after the conference.

Doc Holmes and Deb Bengford addressed the boards. There being no further business before the board, it was moved by Bogue and seconded by Luft to adjourn. The motion carried 7-0 and the meeting adjourned at 9:58 p.m.

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Kathy A. Leonard, Board Secretary