MINUTES
THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
MARION INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
Monday, September 23, 2002 at 7:00 p.m.
Administrative Board Room
777 South 15th Street
Marion, Iowa
Board President, Tom Thurman, called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Roll call: Mary Ames, Dan Barkley, Connie Bennett, George Bushlack, Virginia Folkers, Don Norton, and Tom
Thurman
Also present:
District Secretary: David Bradley.
Staff: Ken Cook, Bob Hoyt, Barb Kalkwarf, Nancy Kodros, Mike Murphy, David Canaday, Jill Olsen-Virlee, Joan
Hackbarth, Louanne Lawson, Tom Stratton and Wendy Armstrong
Guests: Terry Armstrong, Michael Lawson and Katie Lawson; 6 MHS government students
Media:
Kevin Kane, Cedar Rapids Gazette
Sarah Morey, Marion Times
AGENDA
------CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 by President Tom Thurman.
Attendance
ROLL CALL
------Approval of Agenda
This motion approves each agenda item for discussion and action.
There was a motion by Bennett, second by Folkers to approve the agenda.
All presented voted, aye.
ROLL CALL VOTE
-----Consent Agenda
This item approves action on all of the items listed below. No further discussion
or action will be considered on these items, unless the item is removed from the
consent agenda. Individual board members may request that items be removed
from the consent agenda. Items removed from the consent agenda will be dealt
with as they appear later in the agenda.
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Minutes from Previous Meeting
Item 365 – Open Enrollment Denial
Item 370 – Open Enrollment
Item 405 – Resignations Certified
Item 410 – Appointments Certified
Item 415 – Contract Modifications Certified
Item 450 – Resignations Classified
Item 465 – Appointments Classified
Item 530 – List of Bills
Item 535 – List of Activity, Food Service and Student Built House Bills
ACTION
ROLL CALL VOTE
All present voted aye.
Marion Independent School District
Board Minutes, September 23, 2002
Page 1
Discussion was held concern the damage to some private property at Hunters Ridge
by members of the boys’ golf team.
------APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS
*
It is recommended that the minutes for the August 26th regular meeting and the
September 9th work session be approved as presented in the respective exhibits.
Minutes 1-9
Minutes 1-2
------SERIES 100: DELEGATIONS - PETITIONS - COMMUNICATIONS
SERIES 100 – INFORMATION ITEMS
These items are presented to keep Board members informed.
member should feel free to ask questions on any of these items.
Any Board
1. Marion Star Award
Ken Cook, Director of Operations, presented a Marion Star Award to Wendy
Armstrong, Marion High School custodian.
2. Board Salute
Jill Olsen-Virlee, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, presented a
Board Salute Award to Louanne Lawson, student services support, Marion
High School.
3. Wellmark Board of Directors
The board was informed that David Bradley, Business Manager, was elected
to the Board of Directors for Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa, Inc. This is the
arm of Wellmark that oversees the managed care products like Blue
Advantage.
Dennis Hill, father of a former student addressed the board and suggested that
the district should review and develop policies to better inform students’ parents
of situation concerning students when parental custody of the student is in
question.
------SERIES 200: OFFICERS - PRESIDENT - SECRETARY – TREASURER
SERIES 200 – ACTION ITEMS
Item 235 – Secretary Bradley Presents September 10TH Election Results
Exhibit 235.1 is the official tabulation of the ballots and certificate of election for
the directors-elect. Administration recommends that the Board accept the
Abstract of Election.
Exhibit 235.1
The Abstract shows that 212 votes were cast: 66 for Dan Barkley, 70 for Connie
Bennett and 68 for Tom Thurman.
All present voted aye.
Item 240 – Oath of Office to Directors-Elect
Secretary Bradley administered the Oath of Office to the Directors-Elect Barkley,
Bennett and Thurman. They each also signed an oath of office. David Bradley
distributed certificates of election to the recently elected board members.
Marion Independent School District
Board Minutes, September 23, 2002
Page 2
Item 245 – Election of President
Secretary Bradley presided as Directors nominated and selected the Board of
Education President for the coming year. Bennett moved and Ames seconded to
nominate Tom Thurman as president. Bushlack moved and Barkley seconded to
halt nomination and unanimously elect Tom Thurman as president.
All members voted aye.
Item 250 – Oath of Office to President-Elect
Secretary Bradley administered the Oath of Office to the President-Elect Tom
Thurman who also signed an Oath of Office.
Item 255 – Election of Vice-President
The Board President presided as Directors selected the Board of Education VicePresident for the coming year. Bennett moved and Ames seconded that Don
Norton be unanimously elected to serve as vise president of the board.
All present voted aye.
Item 260 – Oath of Office to the Vice-President-Elect
The Board President administered the Oath of Office to the Vice-President-Elect.
SERIES 200 CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
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Item 270 - Activity Fund Monthly Report, July 2002
Exhibit 270.1-4
SERIES 200 INFORMATION ITEMS
These items are presented to keep Board members informed.
member should feel free to ask questions on any of these items.
Any Board
1. ISJIT (Iowa School Joint Investment Trust)
Exhibit 290.1
2. Contingency Fund – This exhibit identifies the commitments made to date
from the Contingency Fund.
Exhibit 290.2
It was requested that David Bradley show the additional open-enrollment
revenues over those budgeted at the bottom of the monthly Contingency Fund
update.
------SERIES 300: SUPERINTENDENT - WILLIAM C. JACOBSON
SERIES 300 ACTION ITEMS
Item 310 - Board Policy Committee
The Board President will appoint a committee of three to serve this year as the
Board Policy Committee. This past year the members were Connie Bennett,
Mary Ames and Tom Thurman.
The Board will determine, upon the
recommendations of the Board President, the 2002-2003 Policy Committee.
Bennett, Ames and Folkers agreed to serve in this capacity.
All present voted aye.
Marion Independent School District
Board Minutes, September 23, 2002
Page 3
Item 315 - October 14th Work Session
Due to the October 7th Joint Work Session with Linn Mar, the Board needs to
decide if it is necessary to have another Work Session on October 14th.
It was requested that a future work session topic be concerning the long-range
plans for technology within the district.
Folkers moved and Bennett seconded to have the October 14th work session.
All present voted aye.
Item 320 - Annual Improvement Goals
HF2272 requires that each district submit annual improvement goals to the State
each year, addressing math, reading and science. Administration recommends
approval of these goals.
Exhibit 320.1
Jill Olsen-Virlee reminded the board that these are external goals only and that
the district has internal goals that stretch the students and staff more than these
goals being presented for approval.
All present voted yes.
SERIES 300 CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
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Item 365 – Open Enrollment Denial
Administration recommends the following open enrollment request be denied.
Newhard, Tina Grade 11
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From Linn Mar to MISD
Item 370 – Open Enrollment
The following requests for open enrollment have been received and are
presented for Board action. Administration recommends these requests be
approved. (2002-2003 School Year: 31 IN, 8 OUT, GAIN OF 23) TOTALS FOR
2002-2003: IN 561.1 FTEs, OUT 145.9 FTEs
In 2002-2003
Name
Clinton, Alisa
Conrad, Joel
Engelhardt, M.
Fangman, Eliz.
Foens, Nikalas
Hayes, Brett
Hoepner, H.
Huff, Todd
Jack, Chris
Johnson, Josh
Lacher, Curtis
Lacher, Heather
Lam, Babette
Link, Jennifer
McConnell, Z.
Nathem, Corey
Nash, Andrew
Nash, Jon
Grade
3
10 (HO)
l
9 (HO)
7
6
K
7
10
10
7
5
K (HO)
6
K (HO)
7
10
11
Year
02-03
02-03
02-03
02-03
02-03
02-03
02-03
02-03
02-03
02-03
02-03
02-03
02-03
02-03
02-03
02-03
02-03
02-03
Receiving District
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent School District
Board Minutes, September 23, 2002
Page 4
Resident District
Linn Mar
Cedar Rapids
Linn Mar
College Community
Linn Mar
Linn Mar
Linn Mar
Cedar Rapids
Linn Mar
Cedar Rapids
Linn Mar
Linn Mar
Springville
Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids
Linn Mar
Linn Mar
Linn Mar
Pelley, Mickala
2
Posley, Timothy
12
Ritcke, Jason
9 (HO)
Ritcke, Kaleasha2 (HO)
Ritcke, Kayla
4 (HO)
Ritcke, Zach
5 (HO)
Romine, Katie
7 (HO)
Romine, Melissa
4 (HO)
Romine, Nichole
6 (HO)
Weston, Sarah
11 (HO)
Whitehead, A.
K (HO)
Whitehead, T.
1 (HO)
Wittrock, Ian
8 (HO)
02-03
02-03
02-03
02-03
02-03
02-03
02-03
02-03
02-03
02-03
02-03
02-03
02-03
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Linn Mar
Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids
Iowa City
Iowa City
Belle Plaine
Out 2002-2003
Name
Davis, Egypt
Davis, Tacema
Raygor, Dawn
Skinner, Jerry
Swanson, Ruby
Whitford, K.
Williams, S.
Wright, Mahtias
Grade
2
K
10
9
10
5
4
5
Year
02-03
02-03
02-03
02-03
02-03
02-03
02-03
02-03
Receiving District
Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids
Linn Mar
Linn Mar
Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids
Resident District
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
In 2003-2004
Barnd, Matthew
Bries, Samuel
7
K
03-04
03-04
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Linn Mar
Springville
SERIES 300 INFORMATION ITEMS
Item 390 - Information Items
These items are presented to keep Board members informed.
member should feel free to ask questions on any of these items.
Any Board
1. Letter of Congratulations - Exhibit 390.1 is a copy of the letter Dr. Jacobson
sent to 4 teachers who received their Master’s Degrees.
Exhibit 390.1
2. IHSAA Letter - Exhibit 390.2 is a copy of a letter from the Iowa High School
Athletic Association explaining the sportsmanship rating system and the
rating MISD received.
Exhibit 390.2
3. Yearly Board Agenda Calendar - Exhibit 390.3-4 is a copy of the Yearly
Board Agenda Calendar. This was created to help Board members be better
informed of upcoming agenda items.
Exhibit 390.3-4
4. Board Calendar
October 7, 2002
Joint Work Session Agenda at Linn Mar
October 14, 2002
Work Session - Suggested Items Included:
A. Annual Progress Report
B. Discussion on what the board wants to
see on testing.
C. Remediation strategies for students
D. Administrative Job Descriptions
E. Administrative Costs – Salary, Travel,
Professional Development, Equipment
Marion Independent School District
Board Minutes, September 23, 2002
Page 5
F. Utilization Report on ICN Classroom
October 15, 2002
October 28, 2002
November 11, 2002
November 20-22,2002
IASB District Meeting
Registration 5:30 PM
Meeting 6 – 9 PM at Linn Mar High School
3111 10th Street, Marion
Regular Meeting
Work Session
IASB Annual Convention
(Please let Michelle know if you will NOT be attending.)
Considerable discussion occurred around building capacities as it relates to approving additional open
enrollment-in students.
President Thurman requested that building principals schedule their “year-end reports” during the school
year.
Board members requested to see ITED scores in percentiles if they are available that way.
-----SERIES 400 – PERSONNEL SERVICE DIVISION
SERIES 400 CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
400-449 – CERTIFICATED STAFF - WILLIAM C. JACOBSON
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Item 405 – Resignations
Name
*
Effective Date
Item 410 – Appointments
Name
Law, David
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Position
Position
Asst. Marching
Band, Category I,
Schedule F
Salary Effective Date
$1,154 September 2002
Item 415 – Contract Modifications
Name
Boonstra, Kate
Position
Salary Effective Date
From BA+0 to From
September 2002
BA&12, Step 3 $27,681 to
$28,669
Reisner, Anita
From BA&24 to
From
MA&0,Step 7 $33,612 to
$34,601
September 2002
450-499 – CLASSIFIED STAFF - DAVID G. BRADLEY
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Item 450 – Resignations
Name
Position
Effective Date
Connie Altes
Media Associate
09/13/02
Cherie Rogness Media Associate
Troy Schuler
09/13/02
Student Specific Associate
09/12/02
Marion Independent School District
Board Minutes, September 23, 2002
Page 6
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Item 465 – Appointments
Name
Position
Salary Effective Date
Laura Biegler
Student Assistant MHSAP
$ 6.00/hr
08/27/02
Diane Bowen
PT Food Service Helper
$8.45/hr
08/27/02
Wayne Jackson
Bus Driver
$13.87/hr
08/26/02
------SERIES 500 – BUSINESS SERVICES DIVISION - DAVID G. BRADLEY
SERIES 500 - ACTION ITEMS
Item 500 - Electric Line Easement
The following excerpt is from the July 22nd board agenda.
Alliant Energy is in the process of upgrading the electrical service to this area
of Marion. One of the improvements will be a new “three phase” service
coming through at the south edge of the high school property. The existing
poles and lines are located in the backyards of the adjacent homes,
approximately 4 feet south of the district property line. Alliant would like to
place the new poles just to the north side of the property line on District
property for easier future access. Alliant has asked the district to consider
giving them an easement on District property in this location. Alliant has been
a very good cooperate partner for MISD and administration would like to honor
Alliant’s request. There would be no legal costs for the district in this process
and Alliant is willing to make a small monetary payment to the District.
Administration plans to bring a formal proposal to the Board at a future
meeting for its approval.
The document shown in Exhibit 500.1 was prepared by Alliant and reviewed by
District attorney Don Hoskins. Exhibit 500.2 is a letter from our Alliant account
rep, Craig Clefisch. Administration recommends that the Board approve granting
an Electrical Line Easement to Interstate Power and Light Company per terms of
the agreement shown as Exhibit 500.1.
Exhibit 500.1-2
All present voted yes, except Ames who abstained from voting.
Item 505 - Certified Annual Report
The CAR is the financial report for the fiscal year ending July 1, 2002. David
Bradley will briefly review the report during the meeting. The first page of this
exhibit contains some general comments about the CAR. The highlight from the
report is that the district finished the year with an unreserved-undesignated
General Fund balance of $761,272 (Part 2, row 54. This puts the district's
solvency ratio at 5.38%, up from 3.98%. This report was prepared from audited
data.
Administration would like to thank the MISD employees for their diligent efforts in
coding purchase orders, invoices and revenues to the appropriate accounts. The
building secretaries do an outstanding job in this area. Special thanks goes to
district office staff members Vicki Eichhorst, Tammy Albaugh and Julie Bruns for
their tremendous work with the financial records of the district. They do great
work throughout the year which allows all of the data to come together in an
accurate and meaningful manner.
Administration recommends that the report be accepted as presented.
Exhibit 505.1-19
Marion Independent School District
Board Minutes, September 23, 2002
Page 7
All present voted yes.
SERIES 500 – CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
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Item 530 – Approval of List of Bills
The Finance Committee recommends the List of Bills for the following be
approved for payment:
1) General Fund, August 29, 2002
2) General Fund, September 5, 2002
3) Schoolhouse, September 23, 2002
4) General Fund, September 23, 2002$
5) General Fund, Manual (FY 03)
6) Schoolhouse Manual
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$
11805.24
Exhibit 530.1-2
$
21,058.80
Exhibit 530.3-4
$
62,282.48
Exhibit 530.5-6
117,064.60Exhibit 530.7-29
$ 130,936.10Exhibit 530.30
$
63.00
Exhibit 530.30
Exhibit 530.1-30
Item 535 – List of Bills for Activity Fund and Food Service
The following Activity Fund and Food Service checks for the previous month are
presented to the board.
1) Activity Fund, September 23, 2002
2) Activity Fund Manual, September
3) Food Service, September 23,2002
4) Student House September, 23,2002
$
39,352.52
Exhibit 535.1-7
$ 708.50Exhibit 535.8
$
27,199.45
Exhibit 535.9-11
$
19,716.96
Exhibit 535.12
Exhibit 535.1-12
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Item 540 – Substitute Pay Hourly Rate – Classified Employees
This schedule reflects a 3% increase for most positions. Many are now the
same rate as entry-level employees receive. Administration recommends that the
board approve these rates effective from the start of the school year.
Exhibit 540.1
SERIES 500 INFORMATION ITEMS
These items are presented to keep Board members informed.
member should feel free to ask questions on any of these items.
Any Board
1. Property and Casualty Insurance Rates
The cost for the insurance has increased significantly for the 2002-2003
school year. Exhibit 570.1 shows the rates for last year and this year. The
new rates are 52% higher than this past year. The largest rate increase is in
the Workers Compensation area. The other coverage increased by a total of
18%. The Workers Comp rate is based on a three-year rolling average. We
paid $2,600 in Workers Comp claims for the year that just went off the threeyear average and paid claims of $43,600 for the most recent year. The
district has plans to initiate some training programs to try to help avoid future
work related injuries. There should be enough money in the Management
Fund to cover this increase.
Exhibit 590.1
------SERIES 600 – OTHER BUSINESS
Don Norton distributed copies of the agenda for a group investigating the “Iowa
Virtual Academy”. Don represents Iowa School Board Members on this statewide panel.
Marion Independent School District
Board Minutes, September 23, 2002
Page 8
------ANNOUNCEMENTS
------ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:45
Marion Independent School District
Board Minutes, September 23, 2002
Page 9
The Board of Education approved record of Proceedings on the
day of
2002 and I hereby declare these minutes as permanent public records of this
district.
By:
President
Attest:
District Secretary
Marion Independent School District
Board Minutes, September 23, 2002
Page 10
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