SMS condo agreement on Tuesday's board agenda

The Spencer Community Schools Board of Education will convene its regular monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16 in the board room of the central administrative offices, located at 23 E. Seventh St. Following a public hearing on Community Housing Initiatives (CHI) and a proposed condominium agreement relating to the old Spencer Middle School building, action is anticipated to be taken by the board.

Under consent items listed on the agenda, the board is scheduled to consider approval of its Nov. 24 meeting minutes, bills and financial reports, open enrollment requests, and personnel recommendations.

Under personnel recommendations, board members will consider the resignation of Megan Little, a teacher associate at Johnson Elementary, as well as the hiring of Ben Freese as a middle school boys track coach, and stipends to be paid to 19 District Leadership Team members and 39 Building Leadership Team members.

Following a visitor and public forum section to Tuesday's meeting, a Positively Spencer Youth report is expected to be provided. An elementary literacy presentation will be made. District principals will then offer grade level-specific updates.

Under action topics, Spencer High School Principal Joe Mueting will ask the board to consider a schedule revision for second semester to respond to student academic needs. What is being proposed is that each Friday, from 2:30 - 3:25 p.m., beginning with the second half of third quarter, all teachers will be in their classrooms. Teachers, teacher associates and student mentors would provide assistance to students at that time.

The reasons cited in this proposal for extra assistance, which was developed by high school teachers, include:

* "Recent data shows over 130 students with at least one failing grade on their report card.

* "Very little time is available for students to see instructors to improve their grades.

* "There is no time during the week that all staff members are available for student assistance."

Board members will then conduct a first reading on recommended changes to policies on attendance center assignment, student transfers in, student transfers out or withdrawals, excused student absences, unexcused truancy absences, homeless children and youth, student conduct, student suspension, fines, fees and charges, good conduct rule, student fund raising, student promotion, retention and acceleration, student records access, student health and immunization certificates, emergency drills and open nights.

The board is anticipated to take action on a voluntary early-retirement incentive policy for certified staff. Reflective of a Dec. 9 board discussion, the proposed policy states, "The early retiring employee will receive a retirement incentive 37.5 percent of their current annual full-time equivalent salary, less extended contract and extra-duty pay amounts." Participating employees, who must notify Superintendent Greg Ebeling of their wish to enroll in the policy by Feb. 15, 2009, may either apply the financial incentive to insurance or a tax-sheltered annuity. The proposed policy also states, "Retiring employees under this program shall be allowed to continue participation in the district's health insurance program so long as eligible. This is at the employee's cost."

In order to be eligible, an employee must have completed 10 years of full-time service in the district as a certificated teacher or administrator and be at least 55 years of age before June 30, 2009. Benefits for eligible part-time employees would be pro-rated.

Ebeling is recommending board members make a motion to approve the policy and waive a second reading of it Tuesday night, placing it in effect before Christmas.

Following consideration on the purchase of an approximately $4,400 table saw and safety equipment for use in the high school's technical education building, one board member will be appointed to the Clay County Conference Board.

Under information and discussion items, a new collective bargaining law expected to be discussed by state legislators, 2009-10 budget timelines and the crafting of a district religious liberty policy are scheduled. Ebeling also intends for the board to discuss how to increase participation in the community budget committee proposed by board members. To date, Judith Olson and Carolyn Kruger are the only people who have expressed an interest in participating.