ICCSD School Board Minutes

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Regular Board meetings are held at the Central Administration Office

509 S. Dubuque Street, Iowa City, on second and fourth Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Matt Goodlaxson, Nick Johnson, Al Leff, Lauren Reece, Dale Shultz and Peter Wallace.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Don Jackson.

President Goodlaxson called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM and welcomed those present.

ICEA Update

Cathy Schiele, ICEA vice-president, shared with the Board highlights of the recent NEA Convention she had attended in Chicago. Ms. Schiele stated at the convention the NEA came out against merit pay or performance-based pay for teachers. Ms. Schiele stated the association is willing to explore other methods of paying teachers. Ms. Schiele stated the convention also focused on the misuse of standardized tests, the need for staff development and increasing ways for working with parents. Ms. Schiele also noted in Davenport retired teachers receive more substitute pay per day than regular substitutes.

Open Discussion

None.

District Business &endash; Consent Items

MOTION BY LEFF, SECOND BY JOHNSON TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT ITEMS:

1. APPOINT JERRY PALMER AS BOARD SECRETARY/TREASURER FOR 2000-2001
2. APPOINT TOM FOLEY AND KIRSTEN FREY AS DISTRICT LEGAL COUNSEL FOR 2000-2001
3. OPEN ENROLLMENT INTO OUR DISTRICT FOR 2000-2001 FOR JACOB GINNEBERGE
4. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE IN THE AMOUNT OF $464,047.11 GENERAL FUND AND $87,318.00 SCHOOLHOUSE FUND
5. MINTUES OF THE JUNE 27 REGULAR MEETING AND JULY 5 SPECIAL MEETING
6. TITLE I APPLICATION (Attachment A)
7. CERTIFICATED STAFF A(1), B(1-4), C(1), D(1-3), AND ADDENDUM A(1), B(1), C(1-2), D(1-4), E(1-4) (Attachment B)

MOTION CARRIED 6 TO 0. ABSENT: Jackson.

Director Johnson stated at some future time he would like some additional information regarding Title I.

Educational News

Director Reece shared the following educational news:

• From the Sioux Falls Argus Leader a story of a school psychologist who travels 3,000 miles per month covering a caseload of 2,000 students in 5 separate school districts. One of the reasons his task is so large is that South Dakota ranks third in the nation in teen suicides, nearly double the national average. Roughly 11 out of 100,000 10 to 19 year olds in the state take their own lives, a condition on the horizon. Nationwide, one-half the school children who seek mental health services receive them from schools, yet districts, like those in South Dakota, generally give low priority to professional mental health services.
• Jackson Hole News reports on a group of parents and educators who hope to create the first charter school in the state of Wyoming. The charter for the Jackson Hole School for the Arts and Environment would offer a creative curriculum and wider educational choice in a community where many attend private religious schools or are home schooled. As is the case for charters, money would come from district funds allocated on a per student basis (which is $7500/student). Since the charter school would function within the school district, state law requires school board approval. A final vote is scheduled for later this month.
• The Rocky Mountain Times reports that the Colorado State Board of Education has approved a proposal to encourage public schools throughout the state to post the words, "In God We Trust" in their buildings. The Board defended its decision noting that the phrase is the official motto of the country, adopted by Abraham Lincoln, and is not a religious mandate.
• In Nevada, The Las Vegas Review Journal tells of Clark County's struggle to find enough special education teachers to staff its classrooms. Knowing that there was not enough special educators to be found, they looked within their own classrooms and created a solution. They took 30 interested paraprofessionals, long-term subs, and parents of students with disabilities, and working with the University of Nevada created a curriculum that would put them on a fast track to a special education degree. The district is paying salaries and benefits for the 30 aspiring teachers while they attend the University of Nevada.
• According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the Oakland, California district is attempting to improve student achievement in its failing district by clearing the deck. The new superintendent stepped into the office and replaced 19 of 23 principals in the district. He accomplished this by luring top principals out of neighboring districts, promising an opportunity to change the way education is delivered

Report on Empowerment Board

Jim Behle shared with the Board information regarding the Johnson County Empowerment Board. Dr. Behle stated there are 30 members of the community serving on the Empowerment Board and the grant submitted to the state by the Johnson County Empowerment Board was a School Readiness grant for 0-3 year olds in the amount of $296,000. Dr. Behle stated the grant covers four areas:

1. Best beginnings for new born infants
2. Continued care for child care that is both flexible and accessible to parents
3. Transportation for families who have unmet transportation needs
4. Family support programs

Dr. Behle stated the district is most involved in the family support programs with funds coming into the district to help support the Family Resource Centers.

Director Wallace stated the attraction of the Empowerment Board is that every county as different needs. This allows the local communities to mold programs for their own local needs to serve the 0-3 year olds. Director Wallace stated he sees a bright future for the Empowerment Board.

Director Johnson thanked Dr. Behle for the excellent report and stated it is nice to know there is recognition on the importance of the early years in a child's development and also focusing on the importance of coordination of services.

Report from Parent Involvement Subcommittee

Director Reece stated the subcommittee on the theme met today and they have a general theme they intend to use. Director Reece stated the committee will publish a brochure, develop posters/banners and create a community calendar of literary events. Director Reece stated the entire committee will meet next week.

Second Reading Academic Ends Policy: Literacy &endash; Writing (Attachment C)

MOTION BY WALLACE, SECOND BY JOHNSON TO APPROVE THE SECOND READING OF BOARD POLICY ACADEMIC ENDS POLICY: LITERACY &endash; WRITING.

President Goodlaxson stated he was concerned about voting for this policy at this time. President Goodlaxson stated he is concerned that a timeline was not publicized which would have allowed an opportunity for parent and teacher involvement in the development and for them to obtain ownership in the policy.

Director Johnson stated he thinks it would be very useful if the Board would come out with a timeline for math and science ends polices, but with regard to writing he feels:

1. The community that cares is aware of the process, was involved in the reading policy and understands the approach used.
2. Outside experts have been utilized in the development of the writing policy.
3. The policy is not "chiseled in stone", changes can be made at any time.

Director Leff stated he feels comfortable with the input received on the writing policy.

VOTE ON THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 6 TO 0. ABSENT: Jackson.

Prioritizing Ends Policies (Attachment D)

The Board discussed what they meant by prioritization.

Director Leff suggested that prioritization means which ends policies would be developed next.

Director Wallace stated he agrees with Director Leff and feels it is premature to prioritize cost or budget. Director Wallace stated he feels it is premature to discuss tonight or even in the next few months what effect implementation of these ends policies will have on the budget.

Director Johnson suggested it would be useful to schedule a worksession where the Board discusses what ends policies they want developed.

It was the consensus of the Board that a worksession be scheduled on July 30th from 1:00 &endash; 4:00 PM at the Central Administrative Offices to discuss the prioritization of ends policies.

Communications Passport Brochure

Dr. Plugge shared with the Board the updated version of the Communications Passport Brochure.

MOTION BY WALLACE, SECOND BY JOHNSON TO APPROVE THE COMMUNICATIONS PASSPORT BROCHURE.

Several minor changes were suggested. Dr. Plugge will incorporate these changes into the final version of the brochure prior to printing.

VOTE ON THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 6 TO 0. ABSENT: Jackson.

Review of Pending Projects/Long Range Planning

It was the consensus of the Board:

• On July 25th agenda Initial Review of the Math and Science Proposed Ends Policies
• On August 8th agenda Continued Discussion on the Math and Science Ends Policies
• On August 22nd agenda First Reading of the Math and Science Ends Policies
• On September 11th agenda Second Reading on the Math and Science Ends Policies

It was noted that at the July 25th meeting the Board should approve a motion to change their meeting date in September from September 12th to September 11th because of the election.

Agenda Setting - July 25, 2000

1. Change the date of the September meeting from September 12, 2000 to September 11, 2000
2. Discuss public forums
3. Report from Parent Involvement Committee

Meeting adjourned 9:30 PM.