2024.11.11 Board Minutes

BENNETT COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

PROCEEDINGS OF REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING

November 11, 2024

The Bennett Board of Education met for its regular monthly meeting on Monday, November 11, 2024 in the conference room of the Bennett Community School, Bennett, IA. President Dani Pratt called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. Directors Greg Reynolds, Denise McGhee, and Chad Giebelstein answered roll call and a quorum was declared. Also present were Superintendent Shane Knoche, Principal Jeremiah Costello, Board Secretary Kylee Yoerger, Heather Sivia, Juli Miller, Stacey Hennings, and Jen Slater.  

1. Call to Order

   1. Roll Call Greg Reynolds present, Denise McGhee present, Chad Giebelstein present, Dani Pratt present

   2. The Mission Statement was read.

   3. Director Giebelstein moved, seconded by Director McGhee to approve the agenda. Motion carried 3/0. 

2. Public Forum - None

3. Director Giebelstein moved, seconded by Director McGhee to approve the consent agenda items. Motion carried 3/0. 

   1. Minutes from Oct 14, 2024 Meeting

   2. Financial Report as of Oct 2024 (including Nutrition Fund)

   3. Bills $12,253.55

   4. Hires & Resignations - G. Saylor resigned

   5. Staff Laptop Replacement - quote from CDW-G for $14,842.20

4. Administrative Reports

   1. Jeremiah Costello - Veteran’s Day program was well attended and everyone who helped did a great job. Learned about the 5  Essential Core Measures at the Leading for Impact meeting. End of the 1st trimester is November 14th. No school Friday November 15th. Report cards will be sent the following week. No school November 27th-29th. The Winter Concert will be December 9th. Board meeting will be prior to the concert. There will be two upcoming sporting events in the Bomber Dome, Cal-Wheat vs Durant basketball November 25th and Tipton vs Durant wrestling December 19th. 

   2. Shane Knoche - Scheduling SIAC for Late November or Early December - will send out letters for that. 5 year projection conference - went with SBO Amanda, we are in a good position but it is time to start cutting back on expenses now to avoid needing to make large cuts down the road. Explanation of filling open board position - current vacancy on school board, school board can appoint a member after 14 days, the position will only be until the next election. PPEL Possibility - 0.67 on taxes, if raised to the max $1.34, community would have to vote yes, the tax amount would remain the same to the public because we would lower the tax for management and increase it for PPEL.

5. Committee Reports

   1. Facilities - Oct. 29th 4:00pm - 5:30pm - Looked at how to make the building more secure, began discussion with the city about potentially sharing a librarian and a library

   2. Policy - Next meeting Nov 11 5:45pm - 6:55pm

6. Old Business

7. New Business

   1. Board Goals Draft to be discussed and approved in December

   2. Policy Review: 

Motion to approve the second reading Chad Giebelstein, seconded by Director Denise McGhee. Motion carried 3/0. 

8. Board Comments/Correspondence

   1. IASB Annual Convention - Nov. 20-22 2024, Iowa Events Center, Des Moines

   2. Day on the Hill - Tuesday, Jan. 28 SAVE THE DATE! The Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB), School Administrators of Iowa (SAI) and Iowa’s Area Education Agencies (AEAs) invite you to the 2025 Day on the Hill! This advocacy event will begin at the State Historical Building in the morning for an optional brief session on talking points and logistical information for advocating at the Capitol. Following the training, attendees will head to the Capitol to meet and network with legislators in the rotunda and to support the displays showing innovative programs and initiatives happening in Iowa public schools.

   3. School Board Vacancy

Motion to adjourn by Greg Reynolds, seconded by Denise McGhee. Motion carried 3/0.