MP school board approves policy changes, monetary motions

MT. PLEASANT — The Mt. Pleasant Community School Board considered five motions at the regularly scheduled January board meeting. These motions included the first reading of three modifications to board policies and approval of a modification to the supplemental amount for the At-Risk-Dropout program and a construction contract.

According to Superintendent John Henriksen, he checks the School Board Association website for recommendations for current and new policies before presenting recommendations to the board.

The board began with a recommendation from Henriksen for modification to Board Policy 202.3 concerning the voting procedures for board president.

“The president of the board is elected to serve a one-year term by a majority vote at the organizational meeting in odd-numbered years, or, in even-numbered years, at a regular meeting held between twelve to thirteen months after the most recent organizational meeting,” the additional information to the board policy states.

“What we had attempted to do early was do the annual meeting and the organizational meeting both in September, but found out we couldn’t do that,” he explained. “So, we had the annual meeting in September and organizational meeting in November. So, this just clarifies that process.”

The board approved the first reading for the additional process clarification for board president voting. They added the same language to Board Policy 202.4 concerning the board vice president, and clarification on the role of the board vice president.

“Same thing with vice president, the same additional paragraph because the president and the vice president are chosen and elected at the organizational meeting,” Henriksen stated.

“The additional recommendation here is this language here,” Henriksen commented on the modification to 202.4. “It more clearly states the role of the vice president.”

This modification, which the board also approved, states, “By this election, if the board president is unable or unwilling to carry out the duties required, it is the responsibility of the vice president of the board to carry out the duties of the president. If the president is unable or unwilling to complete the term of office, the vice president will serve as president for the balance of the president’s term of office, and a new vice president will be elected.”

The final board policy modification presented to the board dealt with policy 204.10 public participation in board meetings.

Henriksen gave a recommendation to the board, which included adding a specific time limit per public comment at board meetings.

While he suggested two minutes, board member Josh Maher encouraged considering a longer time limit between three and five minutes.

After some discussion, the board voted to change this section of the modification to three minutes instead of two.

The board’s approval of the first reading for modification to this board policy also included changes initiated through the latest legislative session.

“The biggest change in this comes from the legislature last year that changed the Iowa Code,” Henriksen explained. “It gives the opportunity for individuals who want an item to be placed on the board agenda; they can submit a petition to get that done.”

“Normally the board president approves the agenda and the items on the agenda,” he said. “This gives the opportunity for the public, our patrons, if they want an item on the agenda this spells it out, how it is done.”

“That was a change in the Iowa Public Code in the last legislative session,” Henriksen stated. “So, we really do need to have this in the board policy. So, I recommend that you approve.”

The board approved a motion to modify the supplemental amount for the At-Risk-Dropout program.

“What the state is allowing us to do is request a supplemental amount,” Board Secretary Ed Chabal said.

Finally, the board approved the school district’s contract with Bolton and Menk for the design of Harvest Drive and Grand Avenue.

This contract is for the anticipated construction for the entrance/exit into Mt. Pleasant Community High School.

“The construction would include additional widening … to include a more substantial west bound and right turn lane …” Henriksen said. “And of course the signals for the intersection, and also we would need to change the trail, the pedestrian connection for the trail, and lengthen that out a bit.”

“The anticipated cost for all of that work, in today’s cost is $600,000,” he said.

“What I am recommending right now, is approving the proposal from Bolton and Menk of $93,500 for the design and construction of this project,” Henriksen said.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com