COLO-NESCO COMMUNITY SCHOOL
BOARD OF EDUCATION
The regular meeting was held by the Colo-NESCO Board of Education on June 19, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the Colo-NESCO Middle/High School ICN Room in Colo, Iowa. In Attendance: Joel Niemeyer, Jon Cutler, John Fuller, Justin Jedlicka; Staff: Marc Snavely, Brandon Kelley, Rita Foley, Sherri Ruzek, Bill Lytle; Guests: Brad Beaman, (virtual) Danielle Haindfield (virtual)– Ahlers & Cooney, Travis Squires - Piper Sandler (virtual 7:30p.m.); Scott Bahr, Ashlyn Hildreth – Tri County Insurance; Nathan Compton – ISG, Absent: Brad Kohlwes, Justin Walker, Katy McKinney
BOARD AGENDA
1. Call to Order Niemeyer called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
2. Approval of Agenda Fuller moved to approve the agenda with tabling 5.12, Jedlicka second. Ayes: ALL Agenda approved 4-0
3. Public Comments: There were no public comments
4. Closed Session: Closed session pursuant to Iowa Code Sec. 21-5(1)(c) to discuss strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent where its disclosure would be likely to prejudice or disadvantage the position of the governmental body in that litigation. Cutler moved to go to closed session, Fuller second. Moved to closed session at 6:05 p.m.
Returned to open session at 7:08 p.m.
5. Information/Discussion:
5.1 Insurance Presentation Scott Bahr from Tri County Insurance discussed the insurance renewal rates. The increase in premium is across the board for all insurances. Many companies are not taking new clients or are canceling serving in Iowa. There was discussion on the value of the McCallsburg building. It was suggested that this value be reduced.
5.2 Discussion/Update on Bond Rating Travis Squires from Piper Sandler discussed the updated bond rating with the board. The rating was moved from A+ to A. This does not really affect the District at this time.
5.3 Discussion on Board Goals Snavely discussed the updated Board Goals, these will be printed and distributed. Jedlicka suggested a slight wording change.
5.4 Discussion on Bethany Lutheran McCallsburg Daycare Lease Snavely presented the updated Daycare Lease with a new lease amount of $200/month. Cutler wants to continue to evaluate the costs vs benefits.
5.5 Discussion on Handbook Revisions for 2023-2024 Snavely presented the following handbooks for review
a.) Preschool Handbook
b.) K-4 Handbook
c.) 5-12 Handbook/Good Conduct Policy
5.6 Discussion on Agreement w/McFarland Clinic Snavely discussed the Athletic Trainer agreement with McFarland Clinic, their fee is $30/hour and we are billed monthly. The change this year is the district will be charged for the baseline concussion testing at the hourly rate.
5.7 Discussion on Natural Gas Amendment Snavely discussed the Natural Gas Amendment for costs over and above the original agreement. This amendment is for $33,567. This may decrease after the commissioning of the buildings.
5.8 Discussion on Purchasing Simbli to Organize Board Agendas Snavely discussed purchasing Simbli to aid in preparation and ease of Board Meetings. The cost of Simbli is $2,600.
5.9 Discussion on Resolution to Sell School Bus Snavely discussed the resolution to sell a school bus. The public hearing for this will be set for 6/26/23.
5.10 Discussion on Change to Board Policy 803.1-Disposition of Obsolete Equipment Snavely discussed the change to Board Policy 803.1 raising the amount needed for Board Approval to $25,000.
5.11 Discussion on Driver Education Instructional Agreement Kelley discussed the agreement with Terrones Driving Academy for Driver’s Education. This gives students 2 options for Driver’s Ed.
5.12 Discussion on Purchase of New Bleachers for Colo Tabled until a later date.
5.13 Discussion on Concrete Bids for Bus Garage in Zearing Lytle discussed the quote for the concrete work for the Zearing Bus Barn. The quote is $47,725 from Absolute Group.
6. Action Agenda:
6.1 Approval of Insurance Rates for Fiscal Year 2024 Cutler moved to approve the insurance renewal rate with Tri County Insurance for $202,058, Fuller second. After much discussion on changes needed to be made to the policy. All members chose to abstain from voting pending these changes.
6.2 Approval of Board Goals Fuller moved to approve the Board Goals with adjusted wording, Jedlicka second. Ayes: ALL Motion approved 4-0
6.3 Approval of Bethany Lutheran McCallsburg Daycare Lease Jedlicka moved to approve the lease with Bethany Lutheran Daycare at a rate of $200/month, Fuller second. Ayes: ALL Motion approved 4-0
6.4 Approval of Handbook Revisions for 2023-2024 Fuller moved to approve the handbooks as presented, Jedlicka second. Ayes: ALL Motion approved 4-0
a.) Preschool Handbook
b.) K-4 Handbook
c.) 5-12 Handbook/Good Conduct Policy
6.5 Approval of Agreement w/McFarland Clinic Jedlicka moved to approve the agreement with McFarland Clinic for athletic trainer at a rate of $30/hour, Fuller second. Ayes: ALL Motion approved 4-0
6.6 Approval of Natural Gas Amendment Fuller moved to approve the Natural Gas amendment for $33,567, Jedlicka second. Ayes: ALL Motion approved 4-0
6.7 Approval of Purchasing Simbli to Organize Board Agendas Fuller moved to approve the purchase of Simbli for $2,600, Cutler second. Ayes: All Motion approved 4-0
6.8 Approval of Resolution to Sell School Bus Cutler moved to approve the resolution to sell a school bus, Jedlicka second. Ayes: ALL Motion approved 4-0
6.9 Set Public Hearing to Sell School Bus Cutler moved to set the public hearing date for the sale of equipment as June 26, 2023, Jedlicka second. Ayes: ALL Motion approved 4-0
6.10 Approval of Change to Board Policy 803.1-Disposition of Obsolete Equipment Jedlicka moved to approve the change of board policy 803.1 from $5,000 to $25,000 for the Board to approve the sale, Fuller second. Ayes: ALL Motion approved 4-0
6.11 Approval of Driver Education Instructional Agreement Jedlicka moved to approve the driver’s education agreement with Terrones Driving Academy, Fuller second. Ayes: ALL Motion approved 4-0
6.12 Approval of Purchase of New Bleachers for Colo Tabled until a later meeting
6.13 Approval of Concrete Bids for Bus Garage in Zearing Fuller moved to approve the quote from Absolute Group for $47,725 for the concrete work on the Zearing Bus Garage, Jedlicka second. Ayes: ALL Motion approved 4-0
7. Consent Agenda: Cutler moved to approve the consent agenda, Jedlicka second. Ayes: All Agenda approved 4-0
7.1 Minutes
7.2 Bills
7.3 Financials Ruzek discussed the financials
7.4 Personnel Hired: Ronnfeldt – PLC Leader $2,000; Sullivan – Kitchen help $11.50/hour; VanderHart – Bus; Van Gorp – Band $44,433, Jazz $1048.71, HS Band $4457.02, JH Band $1233.50; Stalzer Co head cheer $2312; Markel Co head cheer $2312; Rew – 5-12 SpEd $44,433
Modifications: Ruzek $5,000 C/M agreed upon increase; Sutton lane change
Resignations: Brandi Cox – FS; Kristin Heinberg 5-12 Band; Brighton Clatt JH B Basketball; Sandy Hall Elementary Secretary; Aaron Aljets HS Track Coach
8. Board Items
8.1 Superintendent Comments Colo Parks & Rec would like to split the cost of installing VB standards in Zearing; FRK has drawn up plans for a new track, they will present at the July meeting; Snavely will check on commissioning the buildings.
8.2 Board Comments None
8.3 Board Calendar Next meeting Monday, June 26, 2023 at 7:00 a.m.
9. Adjourn Fuller moved to adjourn the meeting, Cutler second. Ayes: ALL Meeting adjourned 9:25 p.m.
