Board of Education Regular School Board Meeting
Southeast Webster-Grand Community School District Prairie Valley Community School District Wednesday, September 22, 2021
Southeast Valley Middle School
The joint regular meeting of the Boards of Education of Prairie Valley and Southeast Webster-Grand met in regular session. President Wicklein called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.
Roll Call: PV: Shannon Miller, , Heidi McGuire, Joni Hefley and Jeff Ackerson. Kathy Carlson – arrived late. Absent: Gary Welter, Jim Carlson
Roll Call: SWG: Alan Wicklein, Katie VanSickle, Chad Lambert, Alison Swanson and Lindsay Eslick and AJ Blair Absent: Sean Stewart
SWG: Motion by VanSickle, seconded by Blair, to approve the consent agenda items, including the agenda, minutes and bills. Ayes:, Wicklein, VanSickle, Lambert, Swanson, Eslick, Blair
Nays: None Motion carried 6-0
Prairie Valley: Motion by McGuire, seconded by Hefley to approve the consent agenda items, including the agenda, minutes and bills.
Ayes: Miller, McGuire, Hefley, Ackerson Nays: None
Motion carries 4-0
SWG: Motion by Blair, seconded by Lambert, to approve the financials as presented. Ayes:, Wicklein, VanSickle, Lambert, Swanson, Eslick, Stewart, Blair
Nays: None Motion carried 7-0
Prairie Valley: Motion by Hefley, seconded by McGuire to approve the financials as presented. Ayes: Miller, McGuire, Hefley, Ackerson
Nays: None Motion carries 4-0
Farnhamville Elementary Report – Jim Duncan, Principal Homecoming was lots of fun for the students and staff. We had dress up days throughout the week. Students enjoyed walking down the parade route and watching the Pep Rally. PTA supplied water bottles for students waiting to go home on the buses. FastBridge screeners began September 13th with Reading and then Math. Results will be available at the end of the testing period. FastBridge screeners are completed by students three times a year (Fall, Winter, and Spring). Building wide Collaborative Reading Intervention Blocks started on Monday September 20th. The Breakfast program is growing as more students are eating in the morning than have in the past.
Southeast Valley High School Report – Kerry Ketcham, Principal
We made it through another Homecoming. The game was really fun and attendance at the dance was higher than last year’s prom. 225 students enjoyed the dance and other activities in the parking lot. Thank you to Mrs. Walker-Brooks, Mr. Dyer, and the Student Council for all of the work they put in to make the whole week a success. We are working to find our academic rhythm. Mrs. Balk is already sending out information about scholarship application and visits from college representatives. As a result of new legislation allowing school boards to establish charter schools within existing high schools, we are also looking into what that could mean for Southeast Valley students.
Southeast Valley Middle School Report – Greg Slininger, Principal
The football team has started their season off with being very competitive at both the 7th and 8th grade levels, and the volleyball teams have also been successful in each grade. Cross country has also started well, with their first meet completed. Homecoming week was short, a little bit crazy, and a lot of fun! We are in the middle of our Fastbridge testing, with most of the reading accomplished and math started at the beginning of this week.
Curriculum Report – Dr. Linda Hunecke
Dr. Hunecke talked about the Iowa Statewide Assessments of Student Progress.
SWG: Motion by Lambert , seconded by VanSickle to approve the hiring of Sharon Jaeschke as a volunteer to assist with MS Mock Trial and Lori Ferrari as assistant JH Volleyball coach.
Ayes:, Wicklein, VanSickle, Lambert, Swanson, Eslick, Stewart, Blair Nays: None
Motion carried 7-0
SWG: Motion by VanSickle, seconded by Eslick , to approve the hiring of Keith Sytsma as mechanic. Ayes:, Wicklein, VanSickle, Lambert, Swanson, Eslick, Stewart, Blair
Nays: None Motion carried 7-0
Prairie Valley: Motion by Hefley, seconded by McGuire to approve the FFA group to attend the out of state convention in Indianapolis.
Ayes: Miller, McGuire, Hefley, Ackerson Nays: None
Motion carries 4-0
SWG: Motion by Lambert, seconded by Swanson, to approve the Attorney Conflict Waiver for Ahlers Cooney to represent both schools during the consolidation vote.
Ayes:, Wicklein, VanSickle, Lambert, Swanson, Eslick, Stewart, Blair Nays: None
Motion carried 7-0
Prairie Valley: Motion by McGuire, seconded by Ackerson, to approve the Attorney Conflict Waiver for Ahlers Cooney to represent both schools during the consolidation vote.
Ayes: Miller, McGuire, Hefley, Ackerson Nays: None
Motion carries 4-0
SWG: Motion by VanSickle, seconded by Blair, to offer an early retirement incentive of $25 per unused sick day. Ayes:, Wicklein, VanSickle, Lambert, Swanson, Eslick, Stewart, Blair
Nays: None Motion carried 7-0
Prairie Valley: Motion by McGuire, seconded by Hefley, to offer an early retirement for incentive of $25 per unused sick day. Ayes: Miller, McGuire, Hefley, Ackerson
Nays: None Motion carries 4-0
A conversation regarding helping the city of Callender to resurface the tennis courts was had. The matter was tabled pending more information.
Kathy Carlson joined the meeting.
SWG: Motion by Swanson, seconded by Blair, to approve the agreement with Grandwood Consortium. Ayes:, Wicklein, VanSickle, Lambert, Swanson, Eslick, Stewart, Blair
Nays: None Motion carried 7-0
Prairie Valley: Motion by Ackerson , seconded by K. Carlson to approve the agreement with Grandwood Consortium. Ayes: Miller, McGuire, Hefley, Ackerson, K. Carlson
Nays: None Motion carries 5-0
SWG: Motion by Lambert , seconded by Swanson, to approve staff to attend an out of state professional development event in the summer of 2022..
Ayes:, Wicklein, VanSickle, Lambert, Swanson, Eslick, Stewart, Blair Nays: None
Motion carried 7-0
Prairie Valley: Motion by K. Carlson, seconded by Ackerson, to approve staff to attend an out of state professional development event in the summer of 2022.
Ayes: Miller, McGuire, Hefley, Ackerson, K. Carlson Nays: None
Motion carries 5-0
Kathy Carlson, board member for Prairie Valley submitted her resignation from the board due to moving out of the Prairie Valley District. She said that it had been pleasure to serve for the past 6 years and would miss being part of the board. The other board members thanked her for her years of service and dedication.
The board has 30 days to appoint a replacement board member.
The next meeting might have to be moved. A date will be decided later. SWG: Motion by VanSickle, seconded by Eslick , to adjourn.
Ayes:, Wicklein, VanSickle, Lambert, Swanson, Eslick, Stewart, Blair Nays: None
Motion carried 7-0
Prairie Valley: Motion by , seconded by to approve the financials as presented. Ayes: Miller, McGuire, Hefley, Ackerson
Nays: None Motion carries 4-0
Meeting adjourned – 7:16 PM