Published in the Citizen Herald Apr. 22, 2009
By Deb Holt
The Jesup Community School Board held a Public Hearing on the 2009-2010 budget at the April 13 meeting. Hearing no questions or comments from the public, the Board passed the budget later in the meeting.
Student Recognition
March Students of the Month were Abbie Debner, Skylar Dykes, Kayla Mangrich, Michelle Marsh and Taylor Steffen.
Tessa Westpfahl was recognized by the board for her nomination to the McDonalds All-American Team, and for selection to the Iowa Newspaper Association (INA) 3rd All-State Team.
Speech students were honored at the board meeting for placing in competition. Large Group Speech contestants Zach Hagen, Lindsay Kimball and Jordan Rottinghaus received I at Districts and II at State; Bryce Fratzke, Ben Harting, Mackenzie Miller, and Brian Zuck received I at Districts and I at State.
Individual Speech students included Brian Zuck (Improvisation) I at Districts and I at State; Bryce Fratzke (Improvisation) I at Districts and II at State; Zach Hagen (Acting) I at Districts, II at State; and Kristen Orth (Storytelling) I at Districts, II at State.
E2T2
Ann Rigdon and students provided demonstrations to the school board about computer hardware and software that is used in the high school science classes.
Rigdon was involved in Enhancing Education Through Technology (E2T2) grant and coursework last summer with UNI and AEA 267. She will also be involved with the program again this summer.
Board Policies
The Board reviewed policies dealing with student progress reports/conferences, student promotion-retention-acceleration, student honors and awards, testing program, graduation requirements, early graduation, commencement, parental involvement, student record access, student records checklist, request of nonparent for examination or copies of student records, authorization for release of student records, request for hearing on correction of student records, and request for examination of student records.
Also, notification of transfer of student records, letter to parent regarding receipt of subpoena, juvenile justice agency information sharing agreement, annual notice, use of student records regulation, student directory information, authorization for releasing student directory information, use of directory information, student photographs and student library circulation records.
Personnel changes
Kathy Comstock has resigned as the Family and Consumer Science Teacher and FCCLA Adviser. Elisabeth Morgan was approved to replace her.
Kindergarten teacher Kathy Schutte will retire at the end of this school year. Sarah Curry will transfer from preschool/special education teacher to kindergarten teacher.
Gary Henderson, director of transportation and grounds will also retire.
Serena Andrews has resigned as a high school Student Council adviser to be replaced by Matt Hilby, and Mark Strabala has resigned as Declamation Director and Play Director, pending a suitable replacement.
Leighann Bailey, elementary para-professional, has resigned.
School Calendar
The Board approved the calendar for the 2009-2010 school year.
The first day of school will be Thursday, August 20. Winter break will be from Dec. 23 through Jan. 1, and the last day of school is scheduled for May 26, 2010.
Discussion
Board members discussed additional options of vision insurance and a flex debit card now available to covered staff.
Supt. Pinion expressed her concern on the lack of response to ads for a swimming pool manager and lifeguards for this summer. She stated that there is only one returning life guard. This may make it impossible to offer group swim lessons or have pool open swim hours.
There was also discussion about the possibility of combining school bus routes. They talked about fiscal responsibility, route time, bus capacity and student discipline on the buses.
In other business, the board …
• learned that the JCSD Administrative Team won the State FCCLA Administrator of the Year award. (See separate article on page 5 of the printed issue.)
• Supt. Pinion will begin the process for rural school facilities at the Prairie Grove site.
• approved the Iowa School Cash Anticipation Program (ISCAP) Supplemental Resolution.
• approved J. Robert Hopson, Inc. to provide the actuarial services for the district.
• approved using the Iowa Educators Consortium through Martin Brothers as the prime vendor for food, as has been done in the past.
• approved the 2009-’10 licensed staff contracts for teachers and coaches.
• and held an exempt session for negotiations.
The next regular board meeting will be Monday, May 11 at 7 PM. The deadline for agenda items is Monday, May 4. |
