Unofficial Minutes of the December 4, 2006 Special Meeting of the Board of Education (pending Board approval)
The Board of Directors of the Bettendorf Community School District, in the County of Scott, State of Iowa, met in open session according to Iowa law for their regular Board meeting at the Administration Center, 729 21st Street, Bettendorf, Iowa, on December 4, 2006. President Anderson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Colleen Skolrood, Board Secretary, verified that the meeting notice had been posted and mailed to the media as required by law.
Members present: Directors Anderson, Crockett, Ehrmann, Tinsman, Weigle. Members absent: Directors Mayer, Justis. Other officials present: Marty Lucas, Superintendent; Maxine McEnany, Director of Business and Financial Services; Celeste Reuter, Director of Communications; and Colleen Skolrood, Board Secretary.
Motion by Director Crockett, seconded by Director Ehrmann, to approve the agenda as presented.
Motion carried 5-0-2. Director Mayer arrived at 6:02 p.m. Director Justis arrived at 6:06 p.m.
Appointment and Oath of Office – Board Secretary.
School Improvement Team Report – Bettendorf Middle School
Linda Goff, BMS Principal and Lisa Reid, Associate Principal presented information to the Board on the school improvement effort to raise student achievement levels as well as provide enrichment opportunities for students achieving at high levels. Students as a whole are significantly above the state average in mathematics and reading comprehension as shown on testing done in October, 2005.
The 8th grade special education subgroup had 22.2% proficient in October 2005 and the 8th grade low socio-economic subgroup had 58.5% proficient in October 2005.
The state proficiency goal is 66.7%. In order to address these concerns, 8 Step Instructional Process, double periods of instruction for non-proficient students, tutoring and structured study hall are in place.
Revision of Standards/Benchmarks has been done in all core academic areas, and quarterly assessments aligned with the Standards/Benchmarks will be implemented in 2006-07. Also, consistency in learning opportunities for struggling students will be addressed through the Pyramid of Interventions.
According to the district Satisfaction Survey, parents and students feel the school and district have a positive public image overall. However, an area of concern for all groups was student behavior, specifically behaving and talking to one another with respect. To address this concern, the School Improvement Team chose Connecting Learning Assures Successful Students (C.L.A.S.S.) to work on improving school culture and student behavior.
Jayme Olson, Building Leadership Team co-chair, presented information on C.L.A.S.S.
She reported there has been a 38% reduction in the number of suspensions from first quarter 2005 to first quarter 2006. She said the students feel a sense of ownership because they helped create behavior procedures for hallways and lunchrooms. Procedures for homework completion are still in process.
Director Crockett asked if homework completion has gotten worse. Ms. Olsen said she feels it has. She said students are very busy and sometimes homework is not at the top of the list and it does not get done. Director Weigle asked if they are seeing this across the board or just in certain subjects.
Ms. Reid said there are those who are chronic, because they do not have adults who support them. She said it is important we show them we care.
Ms. Goff commented on the new media lab and fitness center and thanked the Board for all their support on those projects. Some other building goals and initiatives for the middle school are to stabilize the administration team with a permanent third administrator, complete the design for the pod renovation, implement 8th grade education portfolios, and revamp curriculum to add exploratory courses for career pathways.
Tammy Chelf, school to work coordinator, briefly discussed career pathways and the importance of introducing this to younger students.
Ms. Goff provided information on modular labs in the intermediate schools at Davenport Community Schools and would like to incorporate this into the curriculum at the middle school.
More space would be needed, so it is something to think about when remodeling the pods. The estimate cost for this project is $70,000 (including furniture). Ms. Goff said she appreciates the Board’s interest in modular labs and invited them to tour the modular lab at Walcott Intermediate.
Director Weigle commented on the St. Ambrose partnership and said the district is getting a lot of manpower.
She said it is huge and both sides are gaining something from it. Ms. Goff credited Lisa Reid for orchestrating it.
Motion by Director Mayer to adjourn the meeting at 6:52 p.m.
BETTENDORF COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BETTENDORF, IOWA
Unofficial Minutes of the December 4, 2006 Regular Meeting of the Board of Education (pending Board approval)
The Board of Directors of the Bettendorf Community School District, in the County of Scott, State of Iowa, met in open session according to Iowa law for their regular Board meeting at the Administration Center, 729 21st Street, Bettendorf, Iowa, on December 4, 2006.
President Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and the Board recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Colleen Skolrood, Board Secretary, verified that the meeting notice had been posted and mailed to the media as required by law.
Members present: Directors Anderson, Crockett, Ehrmann, Justis, Mayer, Tinsman, Weigle. Members absent: None. Other officials present: Marty Lucas, Superintendent; Maxine McEnany, Director of Business and Financial Services; Celeste Reuter, Director of Communications; Joe Slavens, Treasurer; Cindy Ferguson, BEA Representative; Cara Voelliger, Student Representative; and Colleen Skolrood, Board Secretary.
Motion by Director Crockett, seconded by Director Ehrmann, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 7-0.
Joe Slavens commented on how the Goldusters successes never make it to the Board in the commendations. He said they have had a lot of success in the last 31 years. This past weekend, the Goldusters placed 3rd in the state in jazz dance and fourth in pom. In addition to their success at the state level, the Goldusters have a 3.5 cumulative grade point average.
In reference to a policy question, Mr. Slavens asked how the administration deals with a situation where a parent excuses a student from school but the administration does not agree with the parent. He noted a specific incident that occurred last week that he did not feel was handled appropriately. Mr. Casas said there is more to the story and asked Mr. Slavens to see him after the meeting to discuss it further. Mr. Slavens said he would follow up with Mr. Casas.
Superintendent Lucas asked the Directors for their input on how they wanted to deal with commendations in the future. He said the commendations are always posted in the minutes and a letter personally signed by the Superintendent is mailed to each person. He asked the Directors if they wanted to continue reading the commendations during the meeting or provide a summarization. It was the consensus to do a summarization.
Motion by Director Mayer, seconded by Director Crockett, to approve the consent agenda as presented. Motion carried: 7-0.
Approval of November 20, 2006 Special Board Meeting Minutes.
Approval of November 20, 2006 Regular Board Meeting Minutes.
Approval of December 4, 2006 Bills Recommended for Payment.
Approval of Administrative Recommendations--Personnel.
Schedule D Approval to Hire
Linda Deuth/GW/Elementary Curriculum Chairperson - Reading/ $612/Effective 12-1-06
Classified - Recommendation for Employment Kelly Bentley/BMS/Para Educator/$11.98 per hour/5.5 hours per day /Replacing Linda Ortiz/Effective 11/27/06
Carlton Silvan/BHS/Food Service Van Driver/Inventory/ $12.06/$12.79 after 90 days/8 hours per day/Replacing Julian Ozuna/Effective 11/13/06
David York/Maintenance & Transportation Center/Bus Driver for Special Needs Students/ $12.41/$13.14 after 90 days/4 hours per day as needed /Replacing Kristina Porter (resign)/ Effective 11/22/06
Classified – Letter of Assignment Modification
Kathleen VanHorn/BMS/Para Educator/Same rate of pay/From 6 to 7 hours per day/Realignment of duties-replacing Kathy Richardson/Effective 11/28/06
Toni Yanek/TJ/Para Educator/Same rate of pay/From 3.5 to 5.5 hours per day/Increased enrollment in ECSE program/Effective 12/4/06
Construction Change Orders.
Approval of Early Graduates.
Approval of Tuition Student.
Maura Schnell, grade 11, from Pleasant Valley
Approval of Requests for Open Enrollment.
Into Bettendorf, 2006/07
Marshall Carver, grade 4, from Pleasant Valley, continuation
Bradley Felske, grade 4, from Davenport, continuation
Ashley Nicholson, grade 3, from Pleasant Valley, continuation
Erin Nicholson, grade 3, from Pleasant Valley, continuation
Ashley Parker, grade 10, from Davenport, continuation
Cody Poinsett, grade 5, from Pleasant Valley, continuation
Into Bettendorf, 2007/08
Kelsey Moeller, kindergarten, from Pleasant Valley For information only. The following students have open enrolled out of the Bettendorf Community School District:
Out of Bettendorf, 2006/07
Ali Rizvi, grade 1, to Pleasant Valley, continuation
Amner Rizvi, grade 10, to Pleasant Valley, continuation
Omar Rizvi, grade 7, to Pleasant Valley, continuation
Shared Communication.
Directors Crockett, Justis, and Tinsman attended the Parent Executive Council meeting last Thursday. Some topics discussed were the talented and gifted program, school improvement topics from last board meeting, and school parties and field trips. She said discussion became heated on the school parties and field trips topic, but Dr. Webb handled it well.
Board Retreat Topics.
Superintendent Lucas has not received any retreat topics at this point. He recommended moving the retreat to the end of January or February. He would like to spend some discussion time on the middle school pod design as well as enrollment.
Director Justis would like to look at how the preschools are doing as well as early childhood education.
Director Weigle suggested extending the regular board meetings by fifteen minutes to discuss topics at that time and limit the retreat to topics that need more discussion time.
Superintendent Lucas said he will plan a retreat when there are enough topics to discuss.
High School Course Proposals for 2007/08.
Jimmy Casas, Joy Kelly, Dave Thompson, Joe Buck, Bill Petsche, Pete Bruecken, and Chris Szalo were on hand to answer questions regarding the course proposals for next year.
Director Weigle asked if AP Biology will take the place of Honors Advanced Biology. Mr. Bruecken said Honors Advanced Biology was switched to Anatomy and Physiology last year. AP Biology would be in addition to Anatomy and Physiology and they would be two different curriculums.
Mr. Casas said he is not looking to add additional staff for any of these courses.
Mr. Buck explained the goal for Algebra I is to encourage the majority of the students to take Algebra I over four quarters for two credits. This year-long Algebra I course will replace the current Algebra 1A and Algebra IB. Basic Algebra will be renamed Prealgebra and will be offered to those students who are not ready to take Algebra I. Director Weigle asked if students who take Algebra I at the middle school will be able to bypass it in high school. Mr. Buck said they will, but they will still need 3 years of math at the high school level per the new state requirement.
Director Crockett inquired about the dual credit for Computer Applications 1 and II. Mr. Petsche said these courses may provide juniors and seniors an opportunity to receive college credit from Scott Community College articulation agreement.
Director Tinsman inquired on how courses are selected. Mr. Casas said students drive the curriculum. If students do not sign up for courses then they are no longer offered.
Director Mayer feels the courses Professional Skills and Professional Internship go hand in hand and asked for an explanation. Mr. Petsche said these courses will give more students the opportunity to participate than the current Co-op program does because of its flexibility. The current Co-op program takes up 8 blocks during the year. These courses would allow someone to use only 2 blocks to participate. Director Mayer believes the course name Professional Internship may be misleading and intimidating to employers versus a Co-op. Mr. Petsche said he appreciated the comment and will make sure he communicates the new program to the prospective employers.
Courses offering a dual credit must be taught by a teacher with a master’s degree. Mr. Slavens asked if there was staff on hand to teach those courses. Mr. Petsche said there are currently two teachers who can teach Computer Applications I and II.
Director Mayer asked for an explanation of the Education Academy. Director Weigle said she took this course 33 years ago and said it is long overdue and a fabulous offering. She asked how students are going to be placed and if it will be offered last period. Mr. Casas said they are still trying to determine the best option in terms of scheduling.
Motion by Director Weigle, seconded by Director Ehrmann, to approve the high school course proposals for 2007/08 as outlined in Action Item 7.01. Motion carried 7-0.
Second Reading of Board Policies.
Motion by Director Mayer, seconded by Director Crockett, to approve a second and final reading of revisions to the 400 Board Policy Series, Staff Personnel. Motion carried 7-0.
Construction Update.
Superintendent Lucas said the fitness room and media lab at the middle school look great and invited the Directors to stop by and check it out. He also said construction on Neil Armstrong is ahead of schedule and is going very well so far.
Next Agenda Planning. All IASB handouts are now on the IASB website.
Friday, December 15, BCS Foundation, 12:00 noon, AEA
Monday, December 18, Board of Education Meeting, 7:00 p.m., AEA
Director Mayer inquired about the status of the Eagle’s building. Superintendent Lucas said the plan is to have the bids back by the end of January. He is also in the process of identifying potential options if the Eagle’s project does not move forward. He will have a list of options, along with costs, ready for review by the end of next week.
Director Crockett asked Superintendent Lucas to please relay the Board’s appreciation to the AEA for housing the administrative offices.
Motion by Director Mayer to adjourn the meeting at 8:04 p.m.
