PLEASANT VALLEY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

PLEASANT VALLEY, IOWA

UNOFFICIAL MINUTES

BOARD OF EDUCATION, REGULAR MEETING, BELMONT ADMINISTRATION OFFICE
Monday, November 1, 1999, 7:00 P.M. C.S.T.

Regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Phyllis Ahlstrand. Members present: Adam, Ahlstrand, Dayman, O’Hara, Thornton, Romans. Absent: Barsness. Also present: Tom Parker, Wayland Bauer, Jolene Mullins, Dale Barber, Jim Spelhaug, Chris Harvey, and others.

Motion by Adam, second by Thornton to approve the agenda as presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

COMMUNICATIONS: Director Thornton congratulated high school All State Chorus members Nathan Board (2nd yr.), Erica Lewis (2nd yr.), Erik Liljegren, Lindsay Meyer, John Scott, and Shelly Youngvorst (2nd yr.) and All State Band members Rachel Fitkin, Ben Klemme, Chris Nitzschke, Marie Gwin (alternate), and Eric Svaleson (alternate).

Director Romans wished the Spartan Football Team and Coaches good luck in their first playoff game Wednesday night.

Director Dayman asked if the criteria used to put school achievement awards in the Board Minutes could be an agenda item for discussion at a future meeting. Dr. Barber responded that there are no set guidelines for including achievement awards in the minutes. He encouraged anyone to forward school related achievement awards to the administration office and every effort will be made to put them in the minutes, however, space is somewhat limited. This will be a discussion item on a future board agenda.

President Ahlstrand thanked the Band Boosters, Choir Boosters, and the PTA for their continuing support of the school district.

Dr. Barber congratulated the Girls Swim Team for placing second in the district meet, Phillip Grothus for qualifying for the State Boys Cross Country meet by placing 1st at the District Meet, (he ended up placing 15th at State as an individual), and the Girls Cross Country team for placing 11th in the State competition.

Dr. Spelhaug commended the PVCHS Drama-Thespian Troupe and its sponsor Bill Myatt for providing the opportunity for students to travel to New York City over the Thanksgiving holiday to see various productions. Laura Schutter, a Class of ‘92 PVCHS graduate, is appearing in “The Scarlet Pimpernel” on Broadway and the PV travelers will see this production.

Dr. Spelhaug also commented that Dan Davis, a former NFL recruit and recovering addict, who spoke at Black Hawk Junior High the High School during Red Ribbon week was a very powerful speaker. He thanked the CADS program for sponsoring Red Ribbon Week activities and Brian Strusz, Black Hawk Junior High School Dean of Students, who served as liaison to the Red Ribbon Week Coalition.

Motion by O’Hara second by Dayman that the Consent Agenda be approved as presented. All ayes. Motion carried. The Consent Agenda included the following: the probationary employment of Ryan Betts as the assistant vehicle mechanic and Lisa Boynton as an educational aide at Riverdale Heights Elementary, and the resignations of Kathleen DePauw as a food service worker at Pleasant Valley Community High School and Pleasant View Elementary School and Sue Taylor as an educational aide at Black Hawk Junior High School.

Motion by Thornton second by Adam that General Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $206,794.99 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Dayman second by Romans that Nutrition Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $2,186.33 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Romans second by O’Hara that Elementary/Junior High School Activity Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $2,943.14 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by O’Hara second by Dayman that High School Activity Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $39,448.18 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

President Ahlstrand declared the meeting open for a public hearing at 7:19 p.m. for the purpose of receiving input regarding the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract, or cost of improvement for the Elementary Air Conditioning Projects.

There being no comments, the public hearing was closed at 7:20 p.m.

Mr. Paul Parry from KJWW Engineering Consultants was in attendance to present the plans and specifications for the Elementary Air Conditioning Projects. The project will entail HVAC renovation and the installation of air conditioning at Bridgeview, Cody, and Pleasant View Elementary Schools.

Sealed bids will be received at the Belmont Administration Center, 525 Belmont Road, Bettendorf, IA 52722 (mailing address P.O. Box 332, Pleasant Valley, IA 52767-0332) until 2:00 p.m. on December 14, 1999, at which time and place bids will be opened and read aloud. The project will be awarded as a single prime contract for construction. Construction will begin in early spring in areas that will not disturb classrooms. After school is dismissed for the summer, construction will begin in earnest as the project is scheduled to be completed by the first part of August.

Motion by Romans, second by O’Hara that the Board approve the plans and specifications for the Elementary Air Conditioning Projects. Roll call vote. Ayes - Romans, Thornton, Adam, Ahlstrand, Dayman, O’Hara. Nays - None.

Wayland Bauer, High School Social Studies Chairperson, Tom Parker, High School Principal, and Dr. Spelhaug recommended that additional courses be offered for the 2000-2001 school year.

Mr. Bauer recommended changing the existing honors economics course to Advanced Placement Microeconomics course.

The second recommendation would be to change the existing honors Cultural Geography course to Advanced Placement Human Geography. Preliminary studies have shown that 77% of the PV students who have taken AP exams in these areas have scored a 3 or above (the range is 5-high to 1-low). The global average is 65% of students scoring a 3 or above.

The third course would be the addition of a Computer Applications III: Web Page Design course. This course would offer students the opportunity to learn HTML and to learn how to design web pages with a variety of design programs. The course will be project based.

Motion by Dayman, second by Thornton that the Board approve the high school curriculum changes and additions as presented. Roll call vote. Ayes - Dayman, O’Hara, Romans, Thornton, Adam, Ahlstrand. Nays - none. Motion carried.

President Ahlstrand read the following proclamation:

American Education Week
A Proclamation

Whereas, public schools are the backbone of our democracy, providing young people with the tools they’ll need to maintain our nation’s precious values of freedom, civility, and equality; and

Whereas, by equipping young Americans with both practical skills and broader intellectual abilities, schools give them hope for, and access to, a productive future; and

Whereas, education employees - be they custodians or teachers, bus drivers or librarians - work tirelessly to serve our children and communities with care and professionalism; and

Whereas, schools are community linchpins, bringing together adults and children, educators and volunteers, business leaders and elected officials in a common enterprise;

Now Therefore I, Phyllis Ahlstrand serving as President of the Pleasant Valley Community District Board of Education do hereby proclaim November 14-20 as the 78th annual observance of

AMERICAN EDUCATION WEEK

Signed this 1st day of November, 1999.

Dr. Barber and County Administrator Glen Erickson recommend that the Board of Supervisors and the school district enter into a 28E Agreement to cover their cooperative effort of providing a police liaison officer at the high school. The agreement has been reviewed by the County Attorney and Dick Davidson of Lane and Waterman.

Motion by O’Hara, second by Dayman that the Board approve the 28E Agreement with the Scott County Board of Supervisors and the Scott County Sheriff’s Department for the police liaison officer at the high school. Roll call vote. Ayes - O’Hara, Romans, Thornton, Adam, Dayman, Ahlstrand. Nays - none. Motion carried.

Dr. Spelhaug recommended an adjustment to the schedule of the last day of school for kindergarten students. Until last year, the last day schedule for the district involved a late start and an early out for K-8 students. The late start accommodated the district recognition breakfast and the early out provided time for completion of records and other required end of the year responsibilities.

During the 1998-99 school year, the recognition ceremony was moved to the afternoon to provide all district employees the opportunity to be involved. This year, students will begin at the regular time and dismiss at 11:00 a.m. (junior high) and 11:30 a.m. (elementary). Under both schedules, kindergarten has been problematic because of the shortened day and the double records responsibilities each teacher has due to half-day programming.

After meeting with elementary principals and kindergarten teachers, Dr. Spelhaug recommended that kindergartners not attend the last day as this will allow better closure to their school year, a less divided scheduled for parents, and more sufficient records time for teachers.

Motion by Adam, second by Thornton that the kindergarten schedule be modified to complete their school year one day prior to the completion date for 1 - 8 grade students. Roll call vote. Ayes - Adam, Ahlstrand, Dayman, O’Hara, Romans, Thornton. Nays - none. Motion carried.

Dr. Barber reminded the Board and all citizens that the December Board meeting schedule will be an item on the next Board agenda. It will be proposed that the first December Board meeting be held on Monday, November 29, 7:00 p.m. and that the second December Board meeting be scheduled for Monday, December 13 due to Winter Break scheduled December 18, 1999, through January 2, 2000.

The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.




PLEASANT VALLEY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

PLEASANT VALLEY, IOWA

UNOFFICIAL MINUTES

BOARD OF EDUCATION, REGULAR MEETING, BELMONT ADMINISTRATION OFFICE
Monday, November 15, 1999, 7:00 P.M. C.S.T.

Regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Phyllis Ahlstrand. Members present: Adam, Ahlstrand, Barsness, Dayman, O’Hara, Thornton, Romans. Absent: None. Also present: Tom Parker, Craig Clark, Joanne Maciejko, Gail Smith, Dale Barber, Jim Spelhaug, Chris Harvey, and others.

Motion by Dayman, second by Thornton to approve the agenda as presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

COMMUNICATIONS: President Ahlstrand welcomed high school American Government students.

Director Thornton expressed the Board’s sympathy to Mr. & Mrs. Bill Myatt and their family on the death of their son Alexander.

Director Adam shared some concerns and questions directed to him recently regarding the district’s e-mail and computer infusion into classrooms at the elementary level.

Dr. Spelhaug responded that only nine elementary classroom have been infused with Windows based PC’s to date. Eventually grades 3 - 6 will have Windows based PC’s and grades K-2 will have Macintosh computers. Dr. Barber added that it is not possible for the district to purchase enough computers all at once for every elementary classroom. This project will be phased in over the next two to three years.

The district’s e-mail and internet access is dependent on the Iowa Communications Network and there have been slow-downs from time to time. Dr. Spelhaug encouraged anyone who is having difficulty contacting someone in the district by e-mail to call and inform us of the problem.

Director Dayman inquired about the possibility of looking into the establishment of an orchestra program in the district. Dr. Barber responded that we had looked into this issue on two occasions in the past and there had not been sufficient interest to warrant the additional expense.

However, the last time this was looked into was approximately ten years ago. Currently, district students have access to the orchestra program in the Bettendorf School District through a cooperative agreement. Dr. Spelhaug will work with Mrs. Dayman and an interested parent to try to determine the current level of interest. Dr. Barber recommended that the Board not make a decision regarding the addition of an orchestra until we have recommendations from action teams working on the district’s Strategic Plan.

He further commented that the district continues to work on its goal of reducing class size in grades k-12 and that there is interest in adding foreign language to the elementary curriculum. These are all high cost programs and the district does not currently have the funding to continue to work at lowering class size and add new programs such as elementary foreign language and orchestra.

Director O’Hara thanked the administration for enclosing the Codes of Conduct from other MAC Conference schools in the board packet. He requested that the Code of Conduct be a discussion item on a future agenda. Dr. Barber indicated that this item would be placed on a January agenda.

Dr. Spelhaug and Dr. Barber thanked the district’s art teachers and students for their cooperation in providing art work which is displayed on the Board Room walls. Jane Beckman coordinated this effort and the artwork will be changed quarterly.

The Board secretary thanked Mr. Robert Ofner for pointing out an error in the October 18 minutes. In the motion approving the purchase of 34 computers from Gateway Computers, the total should have been $35,632.00 instead of $35,496.00.

The Board commended the Spartan Football Team and their coaches on their season and their outstanding display of good sportsmanship at North Scott which was noted by North Scott parents and the North Scott superintendent.

Motion by O’Hara, second by Thornton that the Consent Agenda be approved as presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

The Consent Agenda included the following: the recommendation for employment of George Guy as the assistant boys track coach, the regular employment of Fred Bailey as a part-time custodian at Riverdale Heights Elementary School, Susan Blevins as a food service worker at Pleasant View Elementary School, Joni Burke as a food service worker at Bridgeview Elementary School, Debbie Claussen as a special education aide at Black Hawk Junior High School, Lori Ellerbach as head building secretary at Riverdale Heights Elementary School, Claudia Hill as a food service worker at PVCHS, Debra Huegel as a food service worker at Riverdale Heights Elementary School, Ron Maday as a school bus driver, and Megan Rocker as a special education aide at PVCHS; the probationary employment of Suzette Kleppe as an educational aide at Black Hawk Junior High School; and the resignation of Brenda Bouxsein as a food service worker at the high school.

Motion by Adam, second by Thornton that General Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $166,437.98 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by O’Hara, second by Barsness that Nutrition Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $67,410.33 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Dayman, second by Romans that Elementary/Junior High School Activity Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $3,682.80 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Romans, second by O’Hara that High School Activity Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $34,914.91 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Motion by Thornton, second by Adam that Schoolhouse Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $51,928.57 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Currently, the high school is offering two computer programming courses; Basic and Pascal. Craig Clark, Math Department Chairperson, and Tom Parker, High School Principal, presented a course description and rationale for adding the language C++ to the high school’s curriculum The proposed semester course would be offered beginning the fall of 2000.

Motion by Romans, second by Barsness that C++ be added to the high school mathematics course of study for the 2000-2001 school year. Roll call vote. Ayes - Romans, Thornton, Adam, Ahlstrand, Barsness, Dayman, O’Hara. Nays - none. Motion carried.

In September, all faculty members were asked to complete the District Leadership & Climate Survey. 138 teachers, approximately 65%, responded. The results have been tabulated and the District/Central Office Administration survey results were presented as follows:

1) The central office administration supports the professional development of teachers.
a. Strongly Agree - 34%
b. Agree - 58%
c. Neutral - 7%
d. Disagree - 1%
e. Strongly Disagree - 0%

2) The central office administration provides a clear sense of the district’s direction and purpose.
a. Strongly Agree - 20%
b. Agree - 59%
c. Neutral - 17%
d. Disagree - 4%
e. Strongly Disagree - 0%

3) The central office administration allocates financial resources in a fair and equitable manner.
a. Strongly Agree - 9%
b. Agree - 35%
c. Neutral - 40%
d. Disagree - 14%
e. Strongly Disagree - 2%

4) The school district calendar provides adequate time for teaching and learning.
a. Strongly Agree - 16%
b. Agree - 55%
c. Neutral - 17%
d. Disagree - 11%
e. Strongly Disagree - 1%

5) The District provides sufficient staff to meet the needs of students.
a. Strongly Agree - 7%
b. Agree - 39%
c. Neutral - 17%
d. Disagree - 30%
e. Strongly Disagree - 7%

6) The district provides sufficient instructional materials.
a. Strongly Agree - 12%
b. Agree - 53%
c. Neutral - 13%
d. Disagree - 21%
e. Strongly Disagree - 1%

7) The District provides adequate time each day to prepare for teaching.
a. Strongly Agree - 7%
b. Agree - 36%
c. Neutral - 17%
d. Disagree - 38%
e. Strongly Disagree - 2%

8) The District provides facilities which are adequate to support the instructional program.
a. Strongly Agree - 21%
b. Agree - 53%
c. Neutral - 15%
d. Disagree - 10%
e. Strongly Disagree - 1%

9) The central office administration encourages and provides mechanisms for open communication.
a. Strongly Agree - 19%
b. Agree - 52%
c. Neutral - 18%
d. Disagree - 7%
e. Strongly Disagree - 4%

10) I believe the central office administration values and appreciates my work.
a. Strongly Agree - 22%
b. Agree - 48%
c. Neutral - 23%
d. Disagree - 4%
e. Strongly Disagree - 3%

The district’s Hopewell Road property is currently leased to Mr. Dean Paustian. Mr. Paustian was not sent notification of nonrenewal of the lease by the September 1, 1999, deadline. Therefore, the district is obligated by the Code of Iowa to renew the lease with Mr. Paustian for the 2000 crop year should he so desire. The district will seek bids for leasing the property for the 2001 growing season next year.

Motion by Adam, second by Thornton that the district lease the Hopewell Avenue property to Dean Paustian for the 2000 crop season in the amount of $145/acre. Roll call vote. Ayes - Adam, Ahlstrand, Barsness, Dayman, O’Hara, Romans, Thornton. Nays - none. Motion carried.

Dr. Barber presented the monthly financial report for October. Through October, general fund receipts totaled $4,172,860 (22.6%) and expenses totaled $5,676,640 (31.0%). The October target for receipts and expenditures was 33.3% . He also presented reports on the Management, PPEL, Capital Projects, Debt Service, Hot Lunch, Revolving, and Activity funds.

Motion by O’Hara, second by Dayman that the Board accept the monthly financial reports for October as presented. Roll call vote. Ayes - O’Hara, Romans, Thornton, Adam, Ahlstrand, Barsness, Dayman. Nays - none. Motion carried.

Dr. Barber recommended that the December 6th board meeting be changed to Monday, November 29 and that the meeting scheduled for December 20 be moved to Monday, December 13. This will keep Board meetings on a two week cycle as there are five Mondays in November. The change will also allow the Board to not meet on December 20 which is part of the Winter Break this year. He also asked that the December 13 starting time be moved to 6:30 p.m. to allow for a board social gathering following the meeting.

Motion by Barsness, second by Romans that the Board approve changing the December 6th board meeting to Monday, November 29 at 7:00 p.m. and that the meeting scheduled for December 20 be moved to Monday, December 13, at 6:30 p.m. Both meetings will be held at the Belmont Administration Center Board Room. Roll call vote. Ayes - Barsness, Dayman, O’Hara, Romans, Thornton, Adam, Ahlstrand. Nays - none. Motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

Eighth period resource was implemented at the high school this fall to provide a common time (8th period) where all teachers would be available to work with students needing additional assistance in their classes. This also provided time to assign faculty members to serve as mentors to incoming freshmen.

Mrs. Menke explained that the concept of eighth period resource had grown out of a Phase III Attendance Committee and that the goal is to increase student/teacher contact time. Results of a survey given to parents and teachers are mostly favorable, but there are logistical areas in need of improvement.

Ms. Menke and Mr. Parker stressed that every effort will be made to develop the concept to be the best it can be in serving the needs of students.

Mrs. Kathy Guth, Mrs. Bridget Consamus, Mr. Gary McKenrick, Miss Dana Schmidt, and Miss Kelly Coon shared their concerns regarding this concept.

Concerns included reducing periods available for scheduling classes from 8 to 7, canceling the resource period on days when there is early dismissal, scheduling club meetings during resource time, and the availability of teachers during resource period. Some of these changes have already been implemented as a result of the survey and the high school faculty and administration plan to address other issues during the remainder of the school year.

Dr. Spelhaug reminded the Board and those present that schedule conflicts are inevitable whether or not the eighth period resource is in effect. The Board thanked the high school administration for pioneering this new concept and for the update on its implementation.

The Board discussed whether or not to implement criteria for placing student achievement awards in the Board minutes. Currently, the achievements of some students in athletics, extra-curricular activity groups, academics, and some non-school related achievements are printed. The Board does not mean to overlook anyone’s achievements, but all such recognitions are dependent on Board members being aware of the achievement and then mentioning it at a Board meeting. Space is not always available in the Board minutes mailed to patrons to cover all of these items. The Board encouraged patrons who wish to have items published to submit them to the central office by the Wednesday prior to a given board meeting. If space constraints do not allow everything to be printed in the Board minutes, the District will attempt to recognize student achievements in the Take Me Home publication which is available to all students at the first of each month and on the District’s Web Site at www.pleasval.k12.ia.us.

The meeting adjourned at 9:04 p.m.