Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency
Regular Monthly Board Meeting
Monday, July 21, 2014 • 4:00 pm
Amended 8.18.2014
Pocahontas, IA
Board members Gary Astor, Sue Brown, Steve Jimmerson, Todd Lundgren, Rick Morain, and Dean Saunders attended the 3:30 pm board work session– PLAEA Finance 101 - Where does the money come from & where does it go?
President Dean Saunders called the regular meeting of the Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency Board of Directors to order at 4:20pm.The following board members were present: Gary Astor,Sue Brown, Todd Lundgren, Steve Jimmerson, Rick Morain,and Dean Saunders. Absent: Pat Brown. Administrator Jeff Herzberg joined via web conferencing.
Board approval was given to the agenda as presented by Chief Administrator Jeff Herzberg.
On a motion by Todd Lundgren, seconded bySteve Jimmerson, board approval was given to the minutes of the June 23, 2014,Regular Board Meeting.Motion carried unanimously.
On a motion by Rick Morain, seconded by Sue Brown, board approval was given to the bills as presented. Motion carried unanimously.The cash flow report was reviewed by M. Dowd.
On a motion by Todd Lundgren, seconded by Steve Jimmerson, the board approved the following new hires:
1.Kennan Highly, Behavior Strategist, Lakes Partnership School, 193 days, MA30/9, $54,442, start August 11, 2014;
2.Laurie Sanders, Speech-Language Pathologist, West Region – Storm Lake office, 193 days, MA15/8, $52,635, start August 11, 2014;
3.Jessica Powers, Behavior Strategist, South Region – Jefferson office, 193 days, MA/7, $50,829, start August 11, 2014.
Motion carried unanimously.
The board was informed of the resignation of classified staff member, Megan Anderson, Family Support Specialist, effective July 31, 2014; and the hiring of the following classified staff:
- Amber Arnold, Educational Paraprofessional, Lakes Partnership School, 188 days, Grade B, Step 2, $12.28/hr., start August 11, 2014;
- Jaymie Krukow, Educational Paraprofessional, Lakes Partnership School, 188 days, Grade B, Step 4, $12.58/hr., start August 11, 2014;
- Michelle Reisner, Educational Paraprofessional, Lakes Partnership School, 188 days, Grade B, Step 5, $12.73/hr., start August 11, 2014;
- Tracy Wilkerson, Educational Paraprofessional, Lakes Partnership School, 188 days, Grade B, Step 3, $12.43/hr., start August 11, 2014.
Gary Astor moved, seconded by Rick Moran, to reconsider the original motion of June 23, 2014 – 6.B.1. Personnel Matters: New Hires: Licensed. Motion carried unanimously. Discussion followed. Iowa State University will hold the contract with Lynn Campbell, STEM Consultant. PLAEA will share in the contract amount. A motion by Steve Jimmerson, seconded by Sue Brown, to amend the original June 23, 2014 – Hiring of Licensed Staff removing L. Campbell from the list of Licensed New Hires. Motion carried unanimously.
On a motion by Todd Lundgren, seconded by Gary Astor, the board approved the language agreement with Prairie Lakes Employees Association for the 2015-2014 contract year as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
On a motion by Rick Morain, seconded by Gary Astor, the board approved the following stipends to recognize the Business Office team for the extra work in performing School Business Management Services over the past three years: Michelle Dowd, $2500; Brenda Hebert, $2500; Josh Bader, $1000; Jann Murphy, $1000; Pam Metzger, $500; and Cindy Toal, $500. Motion carried 3-2, with S. Brown and S. Jimmerson voting no.
On a motion by Todd Lundgreen, seconded by Steve Jimmerson, the board approved a 4% total package increase for non-bargaining personnel for the 2014-15 contract year. Motion carried unanimously.
On a motion by Steve Jimmerson, seconded by Rick Morain, the board the approved a 4% total package increase for administrative personnel for the 2014-15 contract year. Motion carried unanimously.
On a motion by Todd Lundgren, seconded by Steve Jimmerson, the board approved an additional $2,500 salary increase for 2014-15 for Michelle Dowd and to pay Dowd her per diem for 20 days of accumulated 57 vacation day balance with the understanding Dowd will either use her vacation days in the future or loose them. Motion carried 5-1, with Gary Astor voting no.
On a motion by Rick Morain, seconded by Todd Lundgren, the board approved a total package salary increase of $7500(this includes the 4% previously approved for non-bargaining personnel) for Brent Gerzema and Nic Schelle, bringing them in line with the competitive market. Motion carried.Motion carried 5-1, with Gary Astor voting no.
On a motion by Todd Lundgren, seconded by Sue Brown, the board approved a $2500 salary increase for Brenda Hebert in addition to the 4% non-bargaining increase for 2014-15. Motion carried 4-1, with Gary Astor voting no.
On a motion by Rick Morain, seconded by Steve Jimmerson, the board approved waiving thesecond reading and adopted Board Policy 202.7 – Board of Directors Conflict of Interest. Motion carried, with Gary Astor abstaining.
Wendy Parker provided the board with an update on the Lakes Partnership School (LPS). She met with Terry Hemann, Spencer Superintendent, and Michelle Dowd today to finalize the agreement which will go to the Spencer CSD Board and will then be placed on PLAEA’s agenda for approval at the August PLAEA Board meeting.
J Herzberg presented information on relocation ofthe Jefferson office.A building is available at 118 E State. The building is in very good shape. A new roof was put on 15 years ago - a 50 year roof, has enough space for our staff and meetings, and an apartment on the 3rd floor that could eventually be rented out for some revenue potential. Herzberg will continue pursuing the purchaseof the building from the owners, contingent upon heating and plumbing inspection approval, and bring back an offer to the board.
Todd Lundgren moved to amend the previous 4% total package increase for administrative personnel for the 2014-15 contract year to include adding $8,000 for Jeff Herzberg for the Gilmore City-Bradgate Superintendent Services for 2014-15. The additional dollars will be paid thru the sharing agreement with GCB. Rick Morain seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously
Recognition of Excellence:
- Kris Taphorn for being “a great problem solver and constantly in classrooms helping our teachers by giving them ideas to try with special needs students. Her input in team meetings is valuable and helps us with the many challenges we face.” Kris also provides great leadership to the new Alternate Assessment for Students with Significant Disabilities.
- Jean Mohr, Jackie Ohl, Sara Meighan, and Rachel Montag for the help they provided to the Graettinger-Terril school, staff and community in dealing with a recent tragedy. “Within minutes I was contacted by them and they were volunteering their help. They attended meetings that we had to help the school and community deal with this tragedy, they called my home to make sure I was OK along with other staff members, and today they attended the funeral for Collin and Gavin. They went above and beyond to "take care" of us and our G-T family! For this I am EXTREMELY grateful and touched! You should be VERY proud of the following people: Jean Mohr, Jackie Ohl, Sara Meighan, and Rachel Montag. These ladies have been there for us this week and put their own lives on hold to reach out to our community and school staff!”
IASB Legislative Priorities will be discussed at the Chief Administrators’ August 20-21 meeting and recommendations madefor consistent statewide priorities and messaging from the AEA system.
Rick Morain and Sue Brown volunteered to help create detail from the goal setting session with Harry Heiligenthalon how what the board does, fitsin relation to the agency goals. Todd Lundgren volunteered as an alternate.
Upcoming Staff Presentation Schedules include:
- September 15, 2014 – Jessie Hansen – KIDS program
- October – Kathy Brenny, English Language Learners, tentative
- November - Mike Schmidt (Internal) & Scott Fosseen (External) Tech Support Team, tentative
- December 15 – no staff presentation; Holiday Dinner
- January 19, 2015 – Transition Dept
Upcoming Dates – Information Item –
- School Administrators of Iowa – August 5-7
- New Staff Week; Monday, August 11; Board members are invited to eat lunch with us and meet new staff; 12:00-1:00 at the Pocahontas office.
- IASB Conference (Des Moines) – November 19-20
- AESA (San Diego) – December 3-6
The Augustboard meeting is scheduled for Monday,August 18, 2014 with a finance session at3:30and the regular board meeting at4:00 pm, Pocahontas.
There being no further business the board adjourned at 6:13 p.m.
Board President Board Secretary