Board to ready for 2009-10 school year Tuesday

The Spencer Community Schools Board of Education will convene its monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, in the board room of the central administrative offices, located at 23 E. Seventh St.

Approval of consent items, including minutes from the June 30 and July 8 board meetings, bills, a teacher employment and sharing agreement for a 2009-10 swimming program with the Spencer Family YMCA for $3,740 if the district provides school year busing for the YMCA or for $5,280 if it doesn't, and personnel recommendations will then be sought.

In personnel recommendations, board members will consider the resignations of Chris Fitzgerald, Spencer Middle School track coach, and Amanda Hoffman, teacher associate, and the hirings of Elli Wiemers and Pat Briese, half-time instructional coaches for secondary teachers, Stephanie Anderson and Michelle Ver Steeg, half-time Title I reading/math coaches for elementary teachers, Ver Steeg, to increase her employment status to that of a full-time equivalency, Rodney Brown, Spencer High School social studies teacher and SMS track coach, and Hoffman, SMS mock trial coach.

Following a time in which visitors may address the board, a representative from Positively Spencer Youth is scheduled to present an update to board members.

Barry Anderson and Mary Jo Smith of the South Clay dissolution committee will address board members concerning the planned dissolution of the Clay County school district following the 2009-10 school year.

Elementary Principal Lucas DeWitt, SMS Principal Steve Barber and SHS Principal Joe Mueting will offer a look into changes made to 2009-10 student handbooks. Board approval will be sought.

Action is also being requested on a district-developed special education service delivery plan, as well as for payment of Iowa Association of School Boards and Iowa School Finance Information Service membership dues.

Board members will also consider a proposed sharing agreement with Clay Central-Everly for a director of transportation position. If approved by board members, the sharing of Julie Nemmers' position would begin during the 2009-10 school year. As outlined, Spencer stands to realize some sharing dollars from CCE during the 2010-11 school year in terms of supplemental student enrollment.

Another sharing agreement between the Spencer school district and city of Spencer for a director of human resources position will also be considered Tuesday night. If approved, Spencer City Manager Bob Fagen would fill this shared position.

Board members will entertain recommendations for a Mid-Iowa School Improvement Consortium membership renewal and a breakfast/lunch charging policy enactment. They're also scheduled to appoint the district's secretary/treasurer, the board's chief negotiator and a district truant officer.

Dates and times of 2009-10 board meetings are to be set.

Superintendent Greg Ebeling is also requesting the development of a long-range facility plan for the district. The 10-year plan, as proposed, would include a study of current facilities, as well as outline the needs and wants of community and staff members. A proposal from Cannon Moss Brygger and Associates of Spencer is expected to be presented during Tuesday's meeting.

Board action is being sought on a three-year contract for Ebeling. Spencer's superintendent is also requesting board members set his salary amounts for the next three years.

Additional topics listed under Tuesday's "information/discussion" agenda item include a religious liberty policy timeline being delivered, a 5:30 p.m. board retreat with Spencer Municipal Utilities board members on Aug. 20 being approved, and an August board work session being set to discuss board goals. Following adjournment of the regular board meeting, the board is expected to enter a work session to establish its IASB legislative action priorities for the upcoming year and then enter a closed session to discuss the superintendent's evaluation.