001Heat. Heat. Hey, hey, hey. Heat. Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. Heat. Heat. Hey, hey, hey. Hey. Heat. Heat. I'm crazy. Hey, hey, hey. Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey. Heat. Heat. Hey, Heat. Hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey. Heat. Heat. Hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey. Good evening. We'll call the meeting to order. Start with roll call. Brett White >> here. >> Morgan Brown >> here. >> Dusty Wear >> here. >> Brian Jones >> here. >> Becky Engel >> here. >> Christina Shark here. >> Dave Wrerers here. Adoption of agenda and declaration of a quorum. >> Motion to adopt. Second. >> Thank you. I have a motion, a second. Any discussion? All in favor, raise your right hand. Motion carries. Uh we'll move
002on to the public hearing. Notice public hearing for the 26 27 certified budget that was published in the courier on April 7th. It's time and a place for public hearing and meeting when interested individuals can express their views both orally and in writing regarding certified budget. I don't have anything. Is there anyone that wants to speak about that here tonight? Okay. Close the public hearing. Move on to citizen speak. I don't have any cards for that either. So, moving right along to employee recognition. Yeah, Dave, we're tonight we're excited to recognize five employee uh of the month uh staff members and Maria's going to introduce them and and we'll have them come up. >> Our employee of the month recipients are selected from nominations submitted through an open forum online. Each month, a committee chooses
003up to five recipients to include those who met the criteria of continuously demonstrating going above and beyond for our students, staff, and parents. We welcome you to submit your nomination through our form entitled employee nomination form found quick links on our website. Our first employee is Kim Baird and Kim was unable to join us this evening. Kim is an attendance secretary at Atom High School and has been employed by the district for eight and a half years. She was nominated by both a student and a colleague. Kim is so great with the Toma High School students and has done an excellent job building and maintaining relationships with both students and staff. She is always willing to lend a helping hand and consistently shows care and dedication in her work. As a student, I think she
004is just amazing. Kim is an asset to Atama High School and we are lucky to have her. Our second employee is Stacy Laam and Stacy was also unable to join us this evening. Stacy is a counselor at James Elementary School. She's been employed by the district for four years. She was nominated by colleagues. Stacy consistently goes above and beyond by supporting students across all settings through individual, small groupoup, and whole class lessons. Stacy exemplifies what a highquality team member should be. Always seeking feedback, volunteering to help, and offering solutions to improve our school. She advocates for students and staff and works every day to make our school a better place for everyone. Our next employee is Kim Brisby. Kim is a teacher at Evans Junior High School and has been employed by the district for
005three years. She was nominated by colleagues. Mrs. Brisb serves as an all-in leader at Evans, both in our professional learning community and building leadership team. She's extremely organized, knowledgeable, and someone we can rely on to share relevant information and keep us informed. More than that, Kim is an excellent person, reliable, trustworthy peer. And we are lucky to have Kim Brisby. Our next employee we'd like to recognize is Principal Carmel Vandenberg. Carmel is the principal at Wilson Elementary School. She's been employed by the district for 11 years. She was nominated by a colleague. Mrs. Vandenberg provides such a welcoming environment and belonging for both students and staff. She consistently does her best to meet the needs of her staff. She makes it easy to collaborate and if there is ever a problem, we tackle it right
006then and there. She's made Wilson feel like home instead and I appreciate all the support she has provided in this person's first years at Wilson. Our final employee of the month is Sandra Prather. Sandra is a district transportation driver for schools. She was hired by the district earlier this year. She was nominated by colleagues. Sandra goes above and beyond to make sure her students get to school every day, meeting them where they are, literally and figuratively. She is a bright spot in their day, greeting students with humor and a smile, and they won't be missing her bus if they can help it. Sandra is an extremely caring person, advocates for her students when needed, and she truly is a blessing in this role. >> Thank you. Okay, moving on the agenda. We will move to
007the consent agenda. >> Motion to adopt. >> Second. >> Have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All those in favor raise your right hand. Opposed. Motion carries. Uh board priority. We will promote and monitor growth and student achievement and all students will be challenged with high expectations that will meet or exceed measurable targets. We'll start off with anformational presentation. Ever Junior High update. Okay. Hello everyone. Um, today I have with me I'm actually going to be a spectator today. So I appreciate this is part of my BLT team, Mrs. Brisby, Mrs. Robinson, and one of our better students, Miss Adriiana Hoffman, who I'm happy she made it with us. So they're going to present a lot of the different things that we have going on. You'll hear you'll hear some data points, but um
008you you'll hear more of where we're going with our standards, standard base grading, and how we've been implementing these things within our building. So, these young ladies here have been such a huge part of that uh and the different things that they've done for our building to make sure that we're headed in the right direction. So, I'll turn it over to Miss Brisb. >> All right. Good evening. It's my first time. All right. Uh, so the first slide we have here for you is our behavior data. So the blue in the back is two years ago. The kind of orang-ish color is last year and the green is this year. So you can see that there's definitely an decrease in our behavior office referrals. Um I personally credit that to our staff and especially our
009administration for just setting the tone and the expectations for what is going to be tolerable in our building and what's not going to be tolerable. Um so I really appreciate that. I feel like um we have a lot of support there. Um, this is our behavior proficiency scale. So, as we move on to standardsbs based grading next year, one thing that we didn't want to lose was still holding kids accountable and still just tracking behavior expectations and being able to share that documentation with parents. So this is a document that we have worked on uh this year and we started using them second semester and it's just an opportunity for us to share that information with parents and I'm sure as we move along we'll keep going back to this and improving it and um
010making it useful. One thing that I really wanted to highlight with or my uh project lead the way classes with our grade realignment last year, we had an opportunity to kind of move some things around and we decided to kind of make Evans a medical hub um for our project lead the way program. We saw a big need for just some exploration in the medical field. We have a lot of kids post-secary go into those career fields and so this is what we thought would be best to do. Um so my eighth grade class is called medical detectives. It is just a semester class. I have about 60 kids in it. Uh they're just learning basics about the medical field. They're learning about different career paths. They're learning how to take vital signs, diseases, diagnosing
011and treating those diseases. Uh, and then my ninth grade class is called Principles of Biomedical Science. I have about 40 kids in there. Uh, we get to do forensic science. It's a year-long class. Um, genetics, biology. It's really fun. The kids love it. Um, this is just some data I collected just to show that um, most of the kids that I'm serving are interested in the medical field and a career there. Um, most of most of the kids that I currently have are interested in continuing taking med medical classes at OS. Um, and most of my students, about 96% feel like my classes have helped them make career decisions. And sometimes that's, hey, this isn't something I want to do, but at least they know that now and not later. And these are just some
012of the things we do. We have a phabbotomy arm. We have a crime scene for our forensics. We get to do gel electropharesis, so we get to do DNA ladders. We do dissection. My eighth graders just did um sheep brain dissection today. Um so, stop the bleed, those kinds of things. So, it's a really great program. I'm so glad that we got to to add it and my kids absolutely love it. So, I'm appreciative of that. Um, and with that, I want to introduce Adriana Hoffman. She is one of my current students who is interested in the medical field. So, she'd just like to talk a little bit about what this program has offered to her. >> This year in PLTW, Principles of Biomedical Science, I have learned a lot to prepare me for my
013future career. In the first semester, we learned about forensic science. A part of this we learned about different things that tie into medicine such as different medications and learning about blood types. In the current semester we're learning diff we're learning about different things going on in healthcare for example tellaalth and hippa also known as health insurance portability and accountability act. We've also learned about vital signs lab work and different diseases. We're also right now currently learning about genes, genetic mutations, and diseases such as NF1. Next year, I'm wanting to take college classes to help my career path. This class gives me an advantage above other students who have not taken the class. Having background knowledge on the topic saves time and energy to study and work on other classwork along with extracurriculars. All in all,
014this class is fun while still learning and gives Evans a medical class for those who want to go into the medical field. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Hi, my name is Taylor Robinson. Um, and I teach eth and Oh, thank you. This is my first time, too. Um, I teach eth and nth grade uh English over at Evans. Um, and my ninth grade classes have been part of the standards referenced piloting system um that we have done second semester. Um, we've been in cooperation with the high school kind of seeing what they're doing. Um, kind of adapting that to what would work best at Evans. Um, so this is just kind of this is one of the scales that I've been using uh with the ninth grade class. Um, we've been implementing those more,
015getting the students familiar more with that. Um, mine is colorcoded because I like colorcoded things and I think it also helps with um the understanding of how each one is broken down. Um, and then I also color code those when I give a student a feedback or anything like that. I will try to highlight it in that color. That way they know like that's about where they're at on the scale so they can recognize that colorcoded wise. Um, we're also starting to um see some growth with the students with standards reference grading. Um they were really nervous at first. I had to kind of incorporate um we did a a PowerPoint presentation where I explained it with pancakes um with like the different levels of the pancakes and the batter and making it and then
016making it fancy um adding the toppings and stuff. So once we got through kind of the how it works, they've been using that language in the classroom. Um we also in my classes we've been using game lingo um or sports lingo where I will say it's either a practice, a scrimmage or a game. and they will now start asking me, is this going to be a practice? Is this a game? Is this a scrimmage? What do I need to do for this? Um, so getting that lingo started, like they're starting to use that also. Um, and that's one of the successes that I've seen. Um, this is also just a couple different ways I've been incorporating scales, not just giving them the whole scale at one time, but breaking it down a little bit in
017different ways according to the assignment. Um, I have seen a rise in student engagement, especially with they like to check the boxes off. Um, that makes them very happy to do that. So, I usually have them do that themselves. Um, and then I've also in my own teaching and of the creating of the assessments have noticed myself being okay, what exactly do I want them to be able to do? Not just do they know this book, like have they read it, but what do they understand about it? So, I would go more in depth with my questions and I go more in depth with my intention um than I have in previous assessments. Uh this is also just something that I'm um working on um in progress is looking at the scales and saying, okay,
018do I have to give them the whole scale every single time um or can they have a portion of the scale according to that assignment like we do in a rubric? Um, so I've been kind of experimenting with that with my piloting system. Um, and it's really helped the students also see like the standard as a whole in their folder, but then they get to see the rubric broken down um to where it only wrote um is part of that assignment rather than not just all of the check boxes that they can't check off because they don't like it when they can't check off a box. Um, the other thing that I'm working on is creating a Post-it note printing template. um something that I will be implementing next year in my own classes and
019hopefully helping teachers if they want to implement them in other classes. Um something that I've noticed on teachers pay teachers or on uh Facebook reels because I don't have Tik Tok. Um I've they start printing them on post-its and you can print any template you want to post it and then you just stick it on the assignment and it's check it's right there. You don't and then it doesn't take up as much paper uh to print the whole scale. So I'm kind of working on that piloting that with them. Um, so far it's going really good. I think the students have really kind of adapted to it. Um, and they're really leaning into it and they're I think they're enjoying it um much more than I thought they would, which is a really good uh
020thing that I think is going to happen. >> Okay. >> All right. Uh, we just wanted to quickly highlight our Friday school program. So, Friday school for us, um, we run a list of students who have usually multiple Fs and we have some staff members who take it upon themselves to call their parents and make arrangements for them to be able to stay for Friday school. So, we have some teachers and associates who stay and help them while we're doing PD uh, to be able to get caught up on their work. And we just find this to be just a wonderful program to have. Um it allows our students to get a little bit of extra help, get caught up on their work, and as a as a classroom teacher, like I just absolutely love
021it. Um because it really helps us out, and it helps the kids too be able to get their work done. So um we just appreciate the opportunity to have that program. And also want to thank um Miss Long and Miss McNab, Miss Fostic and Miss Fisk for running that for us. You want to do this one? >> Oh, oops. There goes my We also have a um the hall pass system that we're using um has been really beneficial for our students and for our teachers. Um I know in the past I was just thinking about this the other day of how I used to write a post-it note note for him or I used to have him take like a lanyard in the in the to the bathroom. Um, and this new system that we
022have is really working well. I can say exactly where they're going, which bathroom they're going to. Um, you know, they I know how many passes they have left. I know exactly who's going where, and I can see other students in the hall pass as well. So, like, not only if I see a student in the hallway, I can check their pass um, even if I don't have them. And so, that's been really helpful. Um, we're also using the hall pass system with our advisory MTSS time. Um, so I can call students in during our advisory time to get the miss um their miss assignments made up or I can do like interventions, extensions, fun time with them. You know, I can call them in for um anything during that advisory time. And all the teachers
023I believe have have said that they really like this um and that it's really easy to use. It's really easy system to to learn firsthand. And finally, um, we just wanted to highlight our top 10 award winners. Uh, this is something kind of put together by Mr. Davis. Uh, and this is for our first semester winners. But basically, um, to be able to get this award, they have to have a GPA of 3.5 or higher. They have have to have a 95% attendance rate and 0ero to one behavior referrals. Um, so these students were honored at our awards assembly at the end of first semester and um, they're just great students and we just wanted to recognize them. So yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. Does anyone have any questions for us? I think that was our
024last slide. Um, I just want to comment on the fact that I don't hear much about Evans, which is a good thing. We used to hear lots, um, which was not good. And I do have a question. So, your behavior scoring sheet that you had, who who fills that out? Which teacher since there are multiple teachers? Would that be the advisory teacher or how does that work? >> So, um, recently we were kind of also piloting that this year. Um, we're starting off with one time a month. Every teacher fills that out. Um, and we're starting with like with mine personally, I go through anytime I make an observation on a student that maybe they're not working in class, maybe um they're helping another student out, like I will make a note of that in
025my sheet and then at the end of the month I will go through and see what all my comments are and make a score based on that. Um, so we're starting with every teacher is doing that in their class. Um, because we want to also kind of see, you know, kids behave differently >> with with every teacher. Um, so the data I hope will show kind of what that also looks like. >> I want to add to that. Um, after speaking with Mr. McCloskkey on this, I wanted to we wanted to make sure that going into the standardbased grading that we separate behavior from academics. And that was the major part for that because I don't want our kids getting deemed when they they're they're meeting the standard uh and you know they're at that
026three level but yet their behavior um is something different. So I wanted to try to take that away. So let our teachers rework their brain to think more from the behavior side and the academic side so that that our kids get exactly what we want them to get and that's the actual standard that they're teaching to. Any other questions? >> We're good. Thank you. >> Hey, thank you. Okay, moving to the next item on the agenda. We have is an action item uh to talk about the student council trip to New York City. Hi, I'm Caitlyn Sammons. I'm one of the adviserss for OHS student council. My partner is actually at concessions right now for uh middle school track. So that's Carly Aljets. Um and this is our president Griffin and a historian, our historian
027and also a member Daniel. Um, so we actually just finished our this year's trip that was more local. So we just went to Omaha. So they'll be able to share a little bit about that. Um, for our trip next year, we are planning on New York City. So um, with the company that we are partnering with is EF Tours and some other groups from the high school has used the same company throughout the years. And what's included? We picked them because of all the bases they kind of cover. So they include roundtrip transportation. They do hotel accommodations, overnight security. They include all of the meals, gratitu, all guided tours and activities. Um we will have a full-time director that was with us 247 on the trip. There's training and support that they offer the adults
028that are going on for chaperones and directors like us. Um, they have 24-hour emergency service, traveler resources, expert tour planning, lots of different insurance options and things like that. And they completely cover where they set up the payment plans for the students, monthly payments, bimonthly, however the students wants to pay for that. And we'll also be doing fundraisers and things like that for that. Um, and I'll let Griffin kind of share his perspective on this last year's trip and for next year's. >> Yeah. So, like she said, I'm the president. Sorry. Um, I really think trips are really beneficial for our council. Uh, not just as rewards, but they really do help us build those connections. We saw recently at our Omaha trip that we took last weekend, students who don't always talk or not
029the closest friends build those connections and get closer. We were able to um escape room and so that really tested our ability to communicate and trust each other. And I think all of us came out of it really encouraged and feeling like more connected and more bonded, which is the whole goal of that of the trip. Um, it allows us to get better as a team, which ultimately helps us be a better council. So, yeah. Anything you want to say? >> Hey, um, does anybody have any questions for us? >> How many do you have? How many went to Omaha and how many do you expect would be from New York City? >> So, we took 21 students with us and four adults to Omaha. Um, generally on a normal basis we have anywhere from
03030 to 35 students total. We had a lot of conflicts just due to sports and family things this year. Um, so we kind of expect anywhere from 2025 for next year because I know we're adopting at least 16 incoming sophomores from Evans Student Council. So, we're planning a bonding trip actually with them or an activity this month with them to kind of introduce them to us and see how many are interested in continuing that journey with us. So, >> if a student can't afford to go, is there fundraising options? >> Yes, there. So, we are planning on throughout our year having multiple different fundraising options. Like this Omaha trip, we actually paid for that whole trip. No student have to pay for anything. So, we had um multiple different fundraisers throughout the year. And then
031they also, this company also offers scholarships and different things that they can do for that as well. >> There's no further questions. I'll make a motion to approve. >> Second. >> Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion or questions? If not, all in favor, raise your right hand. Opposed? Motion carries. Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you very much, guys. >> Okay, moving on. Board priority. To be the best, we will create a positive learning and working culture for our stakeholders and embrace our community partners through communicarency. We have one action item. Looks like the custodial maintenance group bargaining settlement. >> Yep. So, just give a little update. uh district completed negotiations with the custodial and maintenance group. Uh on March 30, we came to an agreement on a 3% increase
032for all current staff. Uh we also increased longevity pay um in that contributed to a total package increase of 3.65%. Uh we did some contract language. Uh one of them was including limitations on when comp time uh can be elected and the maximum amount that can be acred. and that had been a focus of ours to uh help keep our custodians uh here when we're hitting the projects the hardest. So, um we came to good agreements on that. They presented the tenative settlement to their membership and they've ratified the agreement. So, um after this one, we well, we don't have any left. We have one left to bring to you, but we also settled with the teachers. Uh but we'll bring back that next meeting after they ratify. So, we u the custodians was the
033second to last and the teachers was the last and we finished up with uh bargaining this year. So happy to answer any questions on this one. Questions? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> A motion in a second. Any further discussion? All those in favor, raise your right hand. Motion carries. Thanks, John. uh board priority through the board's financial stewardship will provide operations, technical and curricular resources to staff, teachers, and administrators so that all students have consistent and sustained achievement. We have a few action items. Uh first one on the list is driver's education contract. >> Yep. Um the district outsources our student driver education services. So, uh families cover the full cost for that. uh they are eligible to be discounted or waved if the family has a qualifying uh free or reduced application
034and then in those cases the district's responsible for the cost. Uh we solicit quotes or solicited quotes for driver's ed services uh on a three-year basis and we sent out an RFP to all the regional driver's education providers registered with the Iowa DOT. Uh we had two proposals. Uh they are evaluated internally and we include a review of not just the price but also the services. uh and we do some reference checks. Um at this time the district's recommending continuing with our current vendor which is DriveQuest uh to provide those services for 27 fiscal year 27 through fiscal year 29. Um they are the current vendor. Uh they submitted a proposal that increases their rate by 4.7%. Uh they had been flat for the past three years. So that was fairly reasonable. And then they
035have an escalator uh 1.5% next year and uh the year after and then 1.2%. So, less than our normal increases. Uh, and that we talked to the current uh, high school staff that deals with them and they've been very happy with the services. So, happy to answer any questions. >> Put on any questions. We need to take action on this. >> Make a motion to approve the driver's education contract. >> Second. >> Thank you. Motion and second. Further discussion. All those in favor, raise your right hand. opposed. Motion carries. Moving on to the 2627 certif budget and I don't have anything additional. Uh we had the presentation at the last board meeting. There's been no change since then and uh the business office has not received any comments or questions from the public. So uh
036this would just be the final step to go ahead and approve that budget and then I will certify it with the county and submit it to the department of education. >> Motion to approve. Second. >> Have a motion, a second. Any discussion? All those in favor, raise your right hand. Opposed? Motion carries. And the last action item for the evening, the James Elementary classroom renovation final acceptance. >> Yep. And this is just the formal process. Uh that project's been completed. Uh we've received the final pay application and approval from our architects on the project. It was originally budgeted at $3.46,659 and came in a couple thousand less than that at $3.42 and $2 with 20. Uh there was a couple change orders. Uh one with a plus, one with a minus and the the minus
037was a little more. So it actually came in a little under budget. Um we formally do this and this serves as a public notice that the project's been completed and that all payments will be released to the general contractor 30 days from the date of board acceptance. So happy to answer any questions. There's no questions. I make a motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion a second. Any discussion? All those in favor, raise your right hand. Opposed. Motion carries. Thanks, John. Moving on to the superintendent report. >> Thanks, Dave. Um, I've got a few updates for the board. Uh as as the board knows, the state legislative session's coming to a close here, probably in the very near future. Um the one thing that's still undetermined that we're waiting to uh find out more about
038is the property tax reform bill. What if if something's going to happen, what that's going to look like. Um and so um if that is something uh we hear bits and pieces now about different different uh proposals. If there's something there that uh I think you know will be helpful for uh board members to advocate for I'll certainly let you know that beforehand. Um we think something is going to get done with that but we don't know what it's going to be. Uh next thing I have for the board is assembly. um recognizing our retirees is going to be on May 1st at 1:30. We're really excited about that in the high school auditorium. And then also we're going to have a reception that will follow in the cafeteria after that on May 1st. So
039I um invite uh board members if you'd like to join us for that, that'd be wonderful. Uh next I have the high school honors banquet is this Wednesday at Bridge View. And I always like and enjoy this event a great deal. that recognizes our top 10% of our senior class, but also a lot of other impressive accomplishments that our seniors uh achieve. So, it's a fun night. It's actually moving from uh its usual location to Bridge View. So, this will be the first time it's been at Bridge View. Uh next, I have a graduation reminder for the board. Uh seems like this might be one of the earliest I can remember in a long time graduation. It's on the 17th at 2 p.m. uh at Schaefer Stadium. Uh we're having it at the stadium. We're
040excited about that. Um I think you know our graduations by now. We'll make sure it's one of the best in the state. So uh we've got some surprises uh for people, but I think they'll be very impressed by the graduation. uh Gateway High School also I'd invite the board to this is uh at 10:00 a.m. on the 17th as well at Gateway. So it's kind of a celebration that uh they have for the Gateway seniors and that is at 10:00 a.m. and you're welcome to join us for that as well. Uh then lastly, uh just an update. My plan will be to come back to the board at our next board meeting, have a presentation and an update on the baseball softball as far as where we're at. Um uh timelines, those type of things,
041so you can uh have a chance to ask questions. Um, one of the things that I think we're looking at, we actually have a meeting tomorrow, is looking at maybe uh looking at using a civil engineer rather than an architect for this project. Um, mainly because the reality probably is is that for this type of project, it's fairly simplistic in a general sense, but also you um the architect's probably going to use a civil engineer anyway for the parts they need. And so this would, I think, be a significant cost savings for us and and probably not uh as far as lose anything qualitywise. So we're having that discussion tomorrow, but my plan will be to come back and give the board an overview on that project uh at our first meeting in May. So
042at our first board meeting. So I think that's all I have. Dave. Okay. >> Thanks, Mike. Uh any board member topics? thing. Moving on to adjournment. Looking for a motion. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> Motion and a second. Any discussion? All those in favor, raise your right hand. Motion carries. We're adjourned. Thank you.