BOARD MINUTES
THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
MARION INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
Monday, February 23, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.
Administrative Board Room
777 South 15th Street
Marion, Iowa
President, Tom Thurman, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Present: Mary Ames, Dan Barkley, Connie Bennett, Tom Bullis, Don Norton, Tom Thurman and
Dennis Walters
Also present: Superintendent, Nicholas Hobbs
Board Secretary, David Bradley
Administrative Staff: Shane Ehresman, Bob Hoyt, Barb Kalkwarf and Jill Olsen
Additional Staff: Pam Schultz
Guests: Eric Shultz and 4 Government Students
Media: Kevin Kane, Cedar Rapids Gazette
AGENDA
------CALL TO ORDER
Attendance
ROLL CALL
------Approval of Agenda
This motion approves each agenda item for discussion and action.
There was motion by Norton and seconded by Ames to approve the agenda for discussion
and action. All present voted in favor of the motion.
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.
The following items were removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion and approval
later in the agenda: 370, 530, 535 and 540. All present voted in favor of approving the
remaining Consent Agenda items.
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Minutes from Previous Meeting
Item 220 – Activity Fund Monthly Report, January
Item 360 – Student Teaching Agreement, Cornell College
Item 365 – Cooperative Sharing Agreements
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 Bills Activity Fund/Food Service
Item 540 – Drivers’ Ed Fees for Summer 2004
ACTION
Minutes - Marion Independent School District Board of Directors
February 23, 2004
Page 1 of 8
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ROLL CALL VOTE
All present voted to approve the consent agenda.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS
It is recommended that the minutes be approved as presented in the respective exhibits for
the January 26th Regular Board Meeting, the February 9th Work Session and the February
17th Board Retreat.
Minutes 1-2
Minutes 1-8
Minutes 1
------SERIES 100: DELEGATIONS - PETITIONS - COMMUNICATIONS
SERIES 100 – INFORMATION ITEMS
These items are presented to keep Board members informed. Any Board member should
feel free to ask questions on any of these items.
Bill Huntoon of 1325 C Avenue spoke pertaining to his disappointment in the school
funding comments made by of some of the legislators during their meeting at Linn Mar on
Saturday, February 21st.
------SERIES 200: OFFICERS - PRESIDENT - SECRETARY – TREASURER
SERIES 200 – ACTION ITEMS
SERIES 200 CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
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Item 220 - Activity Fund Monthly Report, January
Exhibit 220.1- 10
SERIES 200 INFORMATION ITEMS
These items are presented to keep Board members informed. Any Board member should
feel free to ask questions on any of these items.
Item 290 - ISJIT (Iowa School Joint Investment Trust)
Exhibit 290.1
------SERIES 300: SUPERINTENDENT - NICHOLAS B. HOBBS
SERIES 300 ACTION ITEMS
SERIES 300 DISCUSSION ITEMS
SERIES 300 CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
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Item 360 – Student Teaching Agreement - Cornell College
Exhibit 360.1-2 is a proposed Student Teaching Agreement between Cornell College and
the Marion Independent School District for the 2004-2005 school year.
The
Superintendent recommends approval of this agreement.
Exhibit 360.1-2
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Item 365 – Cooperative Sharing Agreements
Exhibit 365.1-3 are applications for cooperative sharing agreements between MISD and
Linn Mar for orchestra, swimming, and swimming and diving. The Superintendent
recommends approval of these agreements.
Exhibit 365.1-3
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Item 370 – Open Enrollment
The following requests for open enrollment for the remainder of 2003-2004 have been
received and are presented for Board action. Administration recommends these requests
Minutes - Marion Independent School District Board of Directors
February 23, 2004
Page 2 of 8
be approved.
There were questions from the Board about the open enrollment out requests to the
Pocahontas School District. It was noted that this was the Virtual School established in
Iowa by William Bennett and K12.com.
All present voted to approve all open enrollment requests.
In 2003-2004
Name
Clark, B.
Clark, D.
Clark, Do
Gray, N.
Gray, O.
Harris, C.
McGuire, H.
Moore, S.
Palmer, I.
Schaper, S.
Swick, J.
Out 2003-2004
Name
None
Grade
1
1
3
3
1
1
5.
K
K
10
10
Bldg
St
St
St
St
St
St
FMI
St
HO
HO
MHS
Receiving District
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Grade
Receiving District
Resident District
Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids
Linn Mar
Linn Mar
Cedar Rapids
Linn Mar
Linn Mar
Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids
Resident District
The following requests for open enrollment for 2004-2005 have been received and are
presented for Board action. Administration recommends approval contingent upon
space availability.
In 2004-2005
Name
Grade
Bldg.
Receiving District
Resident District
Braden, K.
K
Em
Marion Independent
Linn Mar
Burhite, J.
K
Em
Marion Independent
Cedar Rapids
Ehresman, K.
K
Em
Marion Independent
Linn Mar
Klostermann, B.
K
Em
Marion Independent
Linn Mar
Schellhorn, T.
K
Em
Marion Independent
Linn Mar
Tuetken, S.
K
Em
Marion Independent
Linn Mar
Charipar, L.
1
Em
Marion Independent
Linn Mar
Fuller, C.
1
Em
Marion Independent
Cedar Rapids
Anociabr, C.
K
St
Marion Independent
Linn Mar
Collins, E.
K
St
Marion Independent
Cedar Rapids
Dobler, S.
K.
St
Marion Independent
Linn Mar
Fitch, J.
K
St
Marion Independent
Linn Mar
Kiser, H.
K
St
Marion Independent
Linn Mar
Mitchell, L.
K
St
Marion Independent
Cedar Rapids
Moore, R.
K
St
Marion Independent
Linn Mar
Svoboda, D.
K
St
Marion Independent
Linn Mar
Trca, S.
K
St
Marion Independent
Cedar Rapids
Nash, K.
2
St
Marion Independent
Linn Mar
Trca, A.
3
St
Marion Independent
Linn Mar
In 2004-2005 - continued
Name
Grade
Charipar, A.
4
Nash, C.
4
Nash, P.
5
Ongie, M.
5
Ongie, N.
5
Bldg.
FMI
FMI
FMI
FMI
FMI
Receiving District
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Resident District
Linn Mar
Linn Mar
Linn Mar
Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids
Charipar, A.
VMS
Marion Independent
Linn Mar
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Minutes - Marion Independent School District Board of Directors
February 23, 2004
Page 3 of 8
Fitch, J.
Heiar, J.
Heiar, B.
Ongie, D.
Bitner, C.
Dirks, T.
Everett, M.
Frantz, N.
Pflughaupt, S.
Jilek, A.
Bushlack, M.
Lee, L.
Thompson, T.
VanDeusen, M.
Zach, L.
Zach, I.
6
6
8
8
9
9
9
9
9
11
K
K
6
K
K
1
VMS
VMS
VMS
VMS
MHS
MHS
MHS
MHS
MHS
MHS
HO
HO
HO
HO
HO
HO
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
Out 2004-2005
Name
Case, Ch.
Case, Chr.
Case, Cor.
Case, Cou.
Hartman, S.
Grade
2
7
5
4
7
Receiving District
Pocahontas Comm. SD
Pocahontas Comm. SD
Pocahontas Comm. SD
Pocahontas Comm. SD
Pocahontas Comm. SD
Linn Mar
Mt. Vernon
Mt. Vernon
Cedar Rapids
Central City
Linn Mar
Linn Mar
Linn Mar
North Linn
Linn Mar
Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids
Linn Mar
Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids
Resident District
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
Marion Independent
SERIES 300 INFORMATION ITEMS
These items are presented to keep Board members informed. Any Board member should
feel free to ask questions on any of these items.
Item 390 - Yearly Board Agenda Calendar
Exhibit 390.1-2 is a copy of the Yearly Board Agenda Calendar. This was created to help
Board members be better informed of upcoming agenda items.
Exhibit 390.1-2
Item 391 - Board Calendar
March 1, 2004
March 8, 2004
March 15, 2004
March 18, 2004
March 22-26, 2004
April 9, 2004
April 12, 2004
April 26, 2004
Special Work Session 5:30 PM
District Inservice
Regular Meeting 7:00 PM
End of 3rd Quarter (FMI, VMS & MHS)
Spring Break
No School
Work Session 4:30 PM
Regular Meeting 7:00 PM
Item 392 - Fulbright Scholarship
Pam Schultz, Vocal Music teacher, FMI, shared a PowerPoint presentation with the
Board about her recent trip to Japan on the Fulbright Scholarship. She shared her
experiences there and talked about posting daily journals on her website for her students
at FMI to view. Mrs. Schultz captured her trip with over 600 digital photos and 2 hours of
digital recordings. She has reduced that down into a 14 minute DVD. She shared how she
is utilizing what she learned into her classroom lessons. Mrs. Schultz thanked the Board
and administration for supporting her on her endeavors.
Item 393 - Enrollment Projections for 2004-2005 through 2008-2009
Exhibit 392.1-2 is a copy of the enrollment projections for MISD for the years 2004-2005
through 2008-2009.
Exhibit 393.1-2
Item 394 - Enrollment Projection Project
Nick Hobbs will provide information about an upcoming 5 year enrollment projection
Minutes - Marion Independent School District Board of Directors
February 23, 2004
Page 4 of 8
project. The findings may initiate discussions regarding future space, facility and land
needs in the district.
Mr. Hobbs informed the Board that a former Marion Independent School District employee,
Lisa Fry has offered to do a 5-Year Enrollment Projection for the District. This project fulfills
one of the requirements for one of Lisa’s graduate classes.
Item 395 - Nutrition Information
Shane Ehresman will update the School Board on the decision to remove junk food from
Marion High School’s vending machines and food service.
Exhibit 395.1-2
Mr. Ehresman reminded the Board that the decision to replace non-healthy snacks in the
high school vending machines occurred about a year ago; and that all selections are
reviewed for their nutritional value by a health professional. Mr. Ehresman distributed
samples of the healthy snacks that are available to the students and staff. The profits from
the sale of the snack items are down considerably for both the Activity Account and Food
Service Account. The Athletic Boosters have pledged to provide money to the athletic
programs in an amount equal to the previous profits; and Mr. Ehresman is passing on the
profits from the vending machines to the Food Service to offset their revenue losses.
There is general support among the staff, parents and students for this change.
The Board recessed from 8:05 to 8:15
Bike Rack - High school student council member Danny Rhodes told the Board that the
student council was working with Dr. Thomas to replace the old bike racks outside of the high
school with new ones. He offered the old bike racks to Mr. Hoyt and VMS.
Item 396 - Collective Statement
Exhibit 396.1 is a collective statement from both mentors and mentees about the
significance of the 2003-2004 Mentor/Mentee Academy.
Exhibit 396.1
Item 397 - Thank You
Exhibit 397.1 is a copy of the thank you letter sent to JoAnn Malloy, Janet Piehl and
Alison Frerking for doing a presentation on the ELP program to the School Board.
Exhibit 397.1
VMS Fire
Mr. Hobbs reported that a 7th grade boy had been charged with arson in the fire at VMS
on Friday, February 20th. He also commended Ken Cook, Tom Stratton and all of the
maintenance and custodial staff for their excellent work in cleaning up after the fire.
------SERIES 400: PERSONNEL SERVICE DIVISION
SERIES 400 CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
400-449 – CERTIFICATED STAFF - NICHOLAS B. HOBBS
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Item 405 – Resignations
Name
Lori Dostal
Stacie Wiley
Position
Head Varsity VB Coach
Asst. MS VB Coach
Item 410 – Appointments
Name
Position
Stacie Wiley
MS VB Coach
Item 415 – Contract Modifications
Name
Position
Bonnie Dodge
MA+26, Step
10 to MA+30
Step 10
Effective Date
04-05 School Year
04-05 School Year
Salary
04-05 Salary
Salary
From $39,335
to $39,839.50
Effective Date
04-05 School Year
Effective Date
January 2004
Minutes - Marion Independent School District Board of Directors
February 23, 2004
Page 5 of 8
Susanne Henson
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.5 BA+29,
Step 16 to .7
BA+29, Step 16
From $21,685
to $25,063
450-499 – CLASSIFIED STAFF - DAVID G. BRADLEY
Item 450 – Resignations
Name
Position
Item 465 – Appointments
Name
Position
Karla Coder
Student Specific
Associate-Emerson
February 16, 2004
Effective Date
Salary Effective Date
$8.45/hr February 9, 2004
Adam Gongwer
2nd Shift Custodian
Starry Elementary
Teresa Miller
Health/Building Associate
$9.21/hr February 2, 2004
Emerson – Transfer from
Student Specific Assoc at Emerson
$11.09/hr
February 23, 2004
------SERIES 500 – BUSINESS SERVICES DIVISION - DAVID G. BRADLEY
SERIES 500 - ACTION ITEMS
SERIES 500 – CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
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Item 530 – Approval of List of Bills
The Finance Committee recommends the List of Bills
payment:
1) General Fund, February 5, 2004
$
2) Schoolhouse, February 23, 2004
$
3) General Fund, February 23, 2004
$
4) General Fund, Manuals
$
for the following be approved for
Exhibit 530.1-2
Exhibit 530.3-4
Exhibit 530.5-21
Exhibit 530.22
Exhibit 530.1-22
There were no questions pertaining to Item 530 and all board members voted to approve
the payment of these bills.
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24,617.07
28,895.61
270,555.16
750.00
Item 535 – List of Bills for Activity Fund and Food Service
The following Activity Fund, Food Service and Student Built House
previous month are presented to the board.
1) Activity Fund, January 23, 2004
$
81.50
2) Activity Fund, January 23, 2004
$
1,172.88
3) Activity Fund, January 30, 2004
$
1,007.48
4) Activity Fund, January 30, 2004
$
40.00
5) Activity Fund, February 6, 2004
$
901.72
6) Activity Fund, February 13, 2004
$
654.50
7) Activity Fund, February 23, 2004
$
19,359.01
8) Activity Fund, Manuals
$
316.00
9) Enterprise, February 23, 2004
$
89.67
10) Food Service, February 23, 2004
$
29,728.25
11) Student House, February 23, 2004
$
7,631.92
checks for the
Exhibit 535.1
Exhibit 535.2-3
Exhibit 535.4-5
Exhibit 535.6
Exhibit 535.7-8
Exhibit 535.9
Exhibit 535.10-15
Exhibit 535.16
Exhibit 535.17
Exhibit 535.18-20
Exhibit 535.21
Exhibit 535.1-21
A question was asked about the checks written to students. Mr. Bradley informed the
board that they were written to pay the students the money they had earned during fundraising efforts for their trip to Germany.
All board members voted to approve the payment of the bills.
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Item 540 – Drivers’ Education Fees for Summer 2004
Minutes - Marion Independent School District Board of Directors
February 23, 2004
Page 6 of 8
The student fee for drivers’ education has been $285 the past two summers. We need to
increase the fee by $5 to keep the program self-sustaining. Administration recommends
that the Board set the fee for summer driver’s education classes at $290 for summer 2004.
Director Bullis questioned whether only a $5 increase in fees was sufficient, noting that
other metro programs cost more than the proposed fee for MHS. Mr. Bradley clarified
that he believed that the proposed fee would cover all costs associated with the program
this summer.
Board members voting in favor of approving the fee as proposed were Ames, Bennett,
Norton, Thurman and Walters. Board members voting against the recommendation were
Barkley and Bullis.
SERIES 500 INFORMATION ITEMS
These items are presented to keep Board members informed. Board members should feel
free to ask questions on any of these items.
Item 590 – Health Insurance Rates for 2004-05
This exhibit shows the approved rates for the four MIIP health insurance plans. These
represent a 16.2% increase over the current rates. The rates represent a “9% over
expected” premium which should allow MIIP to build up its reserves during the coming
year.
Exhibit 590.1
Item 595 –Budget Assumptions for 2004-05 Certified Budget
Business manager David Bradley has met with the Board Finance Committee concerning
the FY05 Certified Budget and the corresponding levies. This is an opportunity for the
Committee to share thoughts with the board and for the board to provide additional input
into the budget development. The budget must be certified with the county auditor prior
to April 15th. The Board will be asked to consider approval of the certified budget at its
April 12th, 2004 meeting.
Exhibit 595.1-2
Mr. Bradley discussed the various options and uncertainties of future state revenues.
Director Barkley expressed a desire to continue to levy to recover the special education
deficit from the previous year. President Thurman asked for a three-year projection for
the district’s tax levies. There was general consensus to reduce the management levy for
the coming year and generate only $100,000 in that fund.
Item 596 – Marion Home School Assistance Program Facility Update
The interior of the new MHSAP facility should be substantially complete by the March
15th Board Meeting. The Board members will plan to meet at the facility at 6:15 prior to
their 7:00 meeting that evening.
These exhibits show the expenditures for the remodeling project.
Exhibit 596.1-8
------SERIES 600 – OTHER BUSINESS
SERIES 600 INFORMATION ITEMS
These items are presented to keep Board members informed. Board members should feel
free to ask questions on any of these items. Director Ames asked for a hard copy of the
district’s technology plan. Discussed turned to getting the previous technology
PowerPoint presentation, and other board presentations, available on the district web site.
------ANNOUNCEMENTS
------ADJOURNMENT
President Thurman adjourned the meeting at 9:25 p.m.
The Board of Education approved record of Proceedings on the 15 th day of March, 2004
Minutes - Marion Independent School District Board of Directors
February 23, 2004
Page 7 of 8
and I hereby declare these minutes as permanent public records of this district.
By:
Attest:
President
Board Secretary
Minutes - Marion Independent School District Board of Directors
February 23, 2004
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