CLAYTON RIDGE COMMUNITY SCHOOL
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
REGULAR MEETING
September 14, 2023
The Clayton Ridge Board of Directors held their regular monthly meeting on September 14, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in the High School Library, Guttenberg.
Call to Order/Roll Call
President John Heying called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Other members in attendance were Mike Finnegan, Jessica Bittner, Steve Dikkers, Michelle Mertens-Dodgen, Sam Brandt, and Ellen Johnson.
Also in attendance were Superintendent Shane Wahls, Principal Terri Thompson, Principal Laura Bilden, Dean of Students Wade Marlow, IAVA Head of Schools Steve Hoff, Instructional Coach Nicole DiGidio, Counselor Julie Hansel, and Board Secretary David Schlueter.
Approval of Agenda
Motion by Finnegan and second by Dikkers to approve the agenda. Motion carried unanimously.
Reports / Communications
Building and Grounds Committee will meet on September 21 at 8:00 a.m.
Wahls reported on Upper Iowa Conference meetings.
Thompson reported on FAST screening; upcoming Kagan professional development; Homecoming; College Fair attendance; utilization of social worker.
Marlow reported on attendance at high school and middle school; referrals; vaping prevention; and reviewed the Emergency Operations Plan.
Bilden reported on FAST screening; successes in the elementary for start of new year; Homecoming; yoga offerings to improve coping skills.
Hoff reported that the IAVA enrollment is 1132; new courses; new staff; challenges of in-person ISASP testing; upcoming events, and shared the parent and student handbook.
Board discussed upcoming school election.
Consent Agenda
Motion by Bittner and second by Johnson to approve the August 2023 financial statements; the minutes of the August 10, 2023 regular meeting, the minutes of the August 17, 2023 special meeting; the listing of invoices; and, payroll requests of $1,896.27. Motion carried unanimously.
New Business
- Employment
Motion by Dikkers and second by Mertens-Dodgen to approve hiring of Kendra Wilke as Jr High Coach – Volleyball, and to accept the resignation of Jason Hefel as Jr High Coach-Girls Basketball. Motion carried unanimously.
- School Safety Plan
Motion by Finnegan and second by Bittner to approve the School Safety Plan as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
- Early Graduation Requests
Motion by Dikkers and second by Brandt to approve early graduation requests from four students. Motion carried unanimously.
- Open Enrollments
Motion by Finnegan and second by Mertens-Dodgen to deny six applications to the Iowa Virtual Academy due to IEP requirements. Motion carried unanimously.
- Substitute Teacher Pay
Motion by Finnegan and second by Dikkers to increase substitute teacher pay to $160 per day. Motion carried unanimously.
- Second Reading – Legislative updates to board policies; Wellness Policy
Motion by Brandt and second by Dikkers to approve changes to policies as recommended [see attached list]. Ayes: Heying, Finnegan, Bittner, Brandt, Mertens-Dodgen. Nays: Dikkers, Johnson. Motion carried.
- Overnight Trips
Motion by Johnson and second by Brandt to approve out-of-state and overnight trips of the FFA to the World Dairy Expo and the FFA National Convention. Motion carried unanimously.
- Vehicle Purchases
Motion by Dikkers and second by Bittner to approve purchase of a 2021 Ford Transit van for $47,990 and a 2020 Chevy Traverse (net trade) for $26,000 from Browns Sales. Motion carried unanimously.
- Bus Driver Contracts
Motion by Bittner and second by Johnson to approve bus driver contracts for Tina Hefel and Christine Torkelson. Motion carried unanimously.
- Junior High Wrestling Sharing Agreement
Motion by Brandt and second by Johnson to approve a sharing agreement with Ed-Co to provide Jr High Wrestling. Motion carried unanimously.
- Adult Meal Prices
Motion by Finnegan and second by Dikkers to set adult breakfast at $4.15 per meal and adult lunch at $4.84 per meal. Motion carried unanimously.
- Early Retirement Agreement
Motion by Bittner and second by Mertens-Dodgen to approve an Early Retirement Agreement with Business Manager/Board Secretary David Schlueter to retire effective June 30, 2024. Motion carried unanimously.
Consensus of the board to seek applicants and potential sharing partners concurrently.
- Interfund Transfer Resolution
Motion by Dikkers and second by Johnson to adopt a resolution to approve FY23 interfund transfer of $4,310.00 from PPEL to Activity Fund and $2,777.49 from General Fund to Agency Fund. Motion carried unanimously.
- Set Public Hearing – Alliant Energy Easement
Motion by Mertens-Dodgen and second by Dikkers to set a Public Hearing for October 12 at 7:00 pm. Motion carried unanimously.
- Capital Project – High School HVAC
Motion by Finnegan and second by Dikkers to approve quote from Advantage Sheet Metal for high school HVAC upgrades not to exceed $24,500. Motion carried unanimously.
Adjournment
Motion by Finnegan and second by Bittner to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
Meeting Adjourned at 9:26 PM