PLEASANT VALLEY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Bettendorf, LeClaire, Riverdale
UNOFFICIAL MINUTES
BOARD OF EDUCATION, REGULAR MEETING, BELMONT ADMINISTRATION OFFICE
Monday, April 11, 2011 – 7:00 P.M. C.D.S.T.
Regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Dayman.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Archer, Bullock, Dayman, Dohmen, Paulsen, Witters. Absent: Huegel.
Also Present: Jim Spelhaug, Stephanie Judkins, Mike Clingingsmith, Christine Harvey, Mike Zimmer, Jori Colarusso, Jennifer Colarusso, Joe Colarusso, Jacqueline Colarusso, Richard Kerrigan, Helen Delacluyse, Chris Kittrell, Sarah, Cliff, and Linda Cronk, Brian Hamaker, Marleana Boyd, Michelle White, Brad Zust, Ann Martin, Val Tucker, Bev Meyer.
EXEMPT SESSION APPROVED: Motion by Paulsen, second by Archer that the Board hold an exempt session for the purpose of negotiations as provided in section 20.17(3) of the Code of Iowa. Roll call vote. Ayes – Paulsen, Witters, Archer, Bullock, Dayman, Dohmen. Nays – none. Motion carried.
AGENDA APPROVED: Motion by Witters, second by Bullock to approve the agenda as presented. All ayes. Motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS: President Dayman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Stephanie Judkins noted that Pleasant Valley Schools received 19 awards out of 71 presented at the State PTA Reflections award presentation in Cedar Rapids.
Debbie Dayman congratulated Pleasant Valley Junior High on an excellent musical production, “Kamp Kaos” which also honored the junior high’s retiring faculty.
Dr. Spelhaug expressed sympathy on behalf of the board, faculty and staff to the family of Hovey Tinsman. Hovey served on the Board of Education from 1972 – 1982 and was President of the Board from 1980 to 1982 He was also a founding member of the Pleasant Valley Schools Educational Foundation serving from 1991-1997. Mr. Tinsman died on April 11, 2011 at the age of 79.
He also announced that the PV Foundation intends to award fifty (50) $1,000 scholarships to graduating PV seniors this spring. The main source of funding for these scholarships is the Foundation’s Golf Event on Tuesday, April 26 (shotgun start at 11:00 a.m.). He encouraged everyone in the community to be a part of this event whether as a golfer or hole sponsor.
Marleana Boyd, a representative of Prudential Financial presented Jori Colarusso, PVCHS senior, the Prudential Spirit of Community Award’s “Certificate of Excellence”. In addition, based on the number of volunteer hours indicated on her application, Jori has qualified for the Presidents Volunteer Service Award. Jori then presented PVCHS with an award for sponsoring the only High School Habitat for Humanity organization.
Sarah Cronk, PVCHS senior, was presented the 2011 Prudential Spirit of Community Award. She will receive a $1,000 scholarship, an engraved silver medallion, and an all expense paid trip to Washington D.C. from April 30 – May 3. In Washington D.C., she will serve as Iowa’s national representative in the competition for a $5,000 award, an engraved gold medallion, crystal trophy for her school and a $5,000.00 grant for the charity of her choice.
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program is sponsored and administered by Prudential Financial, Inc. in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).
CONSENT AGENDA: Motion by Bullock, second by Witters that the consent agenda be approved as presented. All ayes. Motion carried. The Consent Agenda consists of : the employment of Tara Daurer as a half-time elementary/high school band teacher, Emily Duncan as a junior high 7th language arts teacher and Jennifer Goetz as a junior high special education teacher all for the 2011-12 school year; the regular employment of Judy Houghton as an educational aide at PVJH; the extra-curricular add of Jennifer Goetz as varsity girls basketball coach and the extra-curricular drop of Craig Clark as varsity girls basketball coach; and the student teaching agreement with the University of Northern Iowa.
EXPENSES APPROVED: Motion by Bullock, second by Witters that General Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $293,388.42 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by Archer, second by Paulsen that Nutrition Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $27,013.04 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by Dohmen, second by Bullock that Elementary/Junior High Activity Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $6,510.98 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by Witters, second by Dohmen that High School Activity Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $27,405.57 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by Bullock, second by Archer that PPEL Fund Warrants be issued in the total amount of $66,193.75 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by Paulsen, second by Witters that Capital Projects Fund Warrants be issued in the total amount of $103,329.00 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by Archer, second by Dohmen that Trust Fund Warrants be issued in the total amount of $725.05 in payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.
2011-2012 ADOPTION OF BUDGET AND TAXES: Mike Clingingsmith, Chief Financial Officer, reviewed the proposed 2011-2012 Budget and Taxes. President Dayman declared the meeting open for a public hearing of the proposed 2011-2012 budget and taxes at 7:29 p.m. As no one provided input, President Dayman declared the hearing on the 2011-2012 budget closed at 7:30 p.m.
Motion by Witters, second by Dohmen that at this meeting of the Board of Directors of the Pleasant Valley Community School District, held as provided by law; and finding that the notice of the time and place of hearing has, according to law and as directed by the Board, been published on the 31st day of March, 2011 in the Bettendorf News, and that the affidavit of publication thereof was on file; and after hearing any resident or taxpayer presenting objections to, or arguments in favor of, any part of the proposed budget; I move that we adopt the attached Budget Summary, together with the property tax levies totaling $14.74135 per $1,000 of taxable valuation for 2011-12. Roll call vote. Ayes – Witters, Archer, Bullock, Dayman, Dohmen, Paulsen. Nays – none. Motion carried.
FINANCING REMODELING AND EXPANSION PROJECTS: The board continued its discussion of financing the three major projects which have been approved as well as a 2012-13 addition to the high school ($4,000,000).
Stadium Renovation – Includes a new track, new visitors press box, modifications to the handicapped seating, new fencing and new walkways – cost projection – approximately $1,800,000. A special board meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 13, 2011, at 5:30 p.m. to accept bids for the stadium renovation.
Junior High expansion and remodel – Construction of the addition to the junior high will begin mid June, 2011. It includes five classrooms, two science classrooms and a mechanical/electronics storage room as an addition. Additional remodeling in the existing building will take place in the summer of 2012 and will create an enlarged band room, remodel an existing science room and create larger classrooms in two existing spaces. Total cost of the entire project is estimated to be approximately $3.5 million.
High School Cafeteria Remodel – The serving area will be turned over to the contractor on May 9; equipment will be ordered as soon as possible; and the area will be completely remodeled before the 2011-12 school year. Total cost of the project is approximately $650,000. The food service department will be paying about $250,000 of the total.
Administrators have met with local banks to determine their interest in being the source for borrowed funds and there appears to be a high level of interest. Dr. Spelhaug recommended that local banks be the first option to obtain funds and that borrowing against PPEL is the lowest cost method. He also recommended that the district secure the services of Piper Jaffray for their guidance, evaluations, and recommendations during this process.
Cash flow projections are being refined. Probable borrowing estimates are in the range of $3,500,000 to $4,800,000. It may be more cost effective to structure the borrowing similar to a line of credit, rather than receiving all of the borrowing proceeds up front. Structuring the borrowing this way would allow the district to actually borrow the funds as needed and could possibly save on interest payments due to lowering the risk of borrowing more money than the district may end up needing.
HIGH SCHOOL GRADING POLICY REVIEW: The committee of community members, faculty and students has been unable to reach full consensus. Members of the committee were in attendance and offered their opinions. Mike Zimmer reviewed the history of the study and outlined the points of disagreement. The following recommendations were made:
1. Maintain the current 5-point grading scale but print both the weighted and unweighted grades on the official transcript. (This is currently printed on the transcript). Post-Secondary schools across the country may choose the GPA that gives our students the greatest advantage.
2. Students who have taken an average of two or more honors or AP courses per semester for 8 semesters and have earned a 3.5 cumulative GPA would qualify for graduation with honors. These students would be noted by wearing a gold honors’ cord at graduation. Students could also graduate with distinction by receiving a 3.5 or above without taking honors courses. An asterisk in the graduation program would designate this.
3. Plus and minus would be added to the grading scale.
Unweighted Weighted
i. 92 = A 4.00 5.00
ii. 90 = A- 4.00 5.00
iii. 87 = B+ 3.33 4.33
iv. 83 = B 3.0 4.00
v. 80 = B- 2.67 3.67
vi. 77 = C+ 2.33 3.33
vii. 73 = C 2.0 3.00
viii. 70 = C- 1.67 2.67
ix. 67 = D+ 1.33 2.33
x. 63 = D 1.0 2.00
xi. 60 = D- 0.67 1.67
xii. Below = F 0.00 0.00
4. Unweighted grades will be used for all internal recognitions and awards such as National Honor Society and Honor Rolls. The currently approved Honor Roll designation would remain.
Implementation of this grading policy would be “grandfathered” at all grade levels beginning with 2011-12 school year. “Grandfathered” would be defined as maintenance of all current grades and GPA’s earned to date. With the approval of this policy, any grades earned afterwards would receive the new values. The cumulative GPA would reflect a combination of the old and new. In actuality, the only change would be the added value of the plus and minus.
It was recommended that the policy be brought forward at the next board meeting (April 25) for approval.
COMPLETION AND FINAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE HOPEWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION PROJECT: The district is ready to have “Completion and Final Acceptance” for the Hopewell Elementary School Construction Project. Most of the work on the project has been completed.
Motion by Dohmen, second by Archer that the Board approve completion and final acceptance of the Hopewell Elementary School Construction Project and authorize the payment of the final amount owed of $ 338,250.00 to Miron Construction Co. at the end of the thirty day period following this action pending their satisfaction of all subcontractor liens and their satisfactory completion of all uncompleted work on the project. Roll call vote. Ayes – Dohmen, Paulsen, Witters, Archer, Bullock, Dayman. Nays – none. Motion carried.
REVIEW OF 2011-12 ELEMENTARY ENROLLMENT: March 31 marked the deadline for parents to submit “stay put” requests relative to the newly created attendance boundaries. Since that time the district has been working to address these requests along with those for open enrollment and tuition. After examining grade level documents, the board provided input on the process. They also discussed modification of the status of Wyndham Hills (currently assigned to Hopewell but scheduled to go to Pleasant View when Hopewell is expanded.)
EXEMPT SESSION – NEGOTIATIONS: The Board met in exempt session for negotiations from 9:18 p.m. until 9:24 p.m.
MEETING ADJOURNED: In open session, the meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
FUTURE DATES: Monday, April 25, 2011 – Regular Board Meeting – 7:00 p.m. C.D.S.T.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011 – PV Foundation Golf Benefit, Palmer Hills Golf Course 11:00 a.m.
“Swing” into Spring
The Pleasant Valley Educational Foundation’s annual golf outing, the organization’s primary fundraiser to finance student scholarship opportunities is scheduled for Tuesday, April 26 at the Palmer Hills Golf Course. Foursomes, monetary contributions or prizes are all welcome to support this worthwhile endeavor. For registration or other information, contact Chris Harvey at harveychris@pleasval.k12.ia.us. Hope you can join in!
**************************************
Pleasant Valley “RAP” Needs Your Help
Pleasant Valley parents are once again planning
RAP (Right After prom),
a substance-free night for students following Prom on May 7, 2011. This year marks the 27th year that RAP has been held. The RAP organization is non-profit and depends solely on donations from parents, civic organizations and local businesses. The committee is seeking your help to fund this event for seniors, juniors, and their guests. Last year over 450 students attended this event! We would appreciate any help on your part. Adult volunteers are also needed!
Donations can be sent to:
PVHS-RAP
604 Belmont Road
Bettendorf, IA 52722
If you’d like to volunteer please contact Kris at pvhs.rap@gmail.com
**************************************
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO PLEASANT VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT PARENTS OR GUARDIANS WITH CHILDREN ATTENDING NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS:
Per Iowa Code Section 285.3, in order to qualify for parental reimbursement, a parent or guardian of a student attending an accredited nonpublic school who furnishes transportation for the student in accordance with this section, shall submit a notice of nonpublic school attendance to the resident public school district, notifying the district that the student is enrolled in and will attend an accredited nonpublic school during the period for which parental reimbursement is being requested. The notice shall be filed with the resident public school district not later than December 1 for the first semester claim and May 1 for the second semester claim each year. Forms which must be filled out in order to qualify for this parental reimbursement are available at the Belmont Administration Center, 525 Belmont Road, Bettendorf, Iowa 52722 and on the district website at http://www.pleasval.k12.ia.us. Information needed to complete the form includes the parent or guardian’s name and address, the name, age, and grade level of the student, the name of the nonpublic school and its location and the number of miles one way to transport the child from home to school. Iowa Code Section 285.1, subsection 3, limits the number of students that may be eligible for parent reimbursement to a maximum of three (3) elementary students and one (1) high school student per family.