NLCSD School Board meeting summary

NEW LONDON — The New London School Board hear updates from community partners and school staff, discussed business items and board policies and approved personnel changes as they met in regular session Jan. 15 with all members present.

In public forum, the board heard a report from the Southeastern Community College Board of Trustees District 1 (New London, Danville & Mt. Pleasant) Director Jesse Howard.

He updated the Board on the following SCC highlights: It is the only community college out of 15 statewide that has had eight semesters of enrollment growth. SCC is number one in student retention at 72%.

They have signed with Great River Hospitals to start a radiology technology program at SCC that currently is completely filled with a waiting list. SCC signed a partnership with Mt. Mercy to train teachers to fill the need created by IWU’s closing. They also signed a partnership with the University of Iowa to expand the engineering program that allows students to enter the University of Iowa as full juniors after two years at SCC in a “two-plus-two” program. SCC was awarded a $650,000 grant to expand the industrial technology program.

After approving the amended agenda, the board heard from Dennis Krehbiel who carries the district’s health insurance and from Adam Kerns of Hub International (EMC) who carries the District’s property/casualty insurance. They both introduced themselves to the new board members and gave an overview of what services they provide.

The board then approved the consent agenda before mobbing onto fundraisers and donations. They approved the following:

•Candy grams — High school student council

•You Go Goddess! T-shirt Auction — fall play

•Potential State Wrestling Apparel — High school wrestling

•Track Apparel — High school girls and/or boys track

Elementary Principal Palmatier reported on activities at Clark. Deputy Lopez will meet with each grade level and talk about what they should do in an emergency. Several teachers received Pennebaker grants, and most will add books to their classroom libraries. There will be a Family Night in February so stay tuned.

Junior/Senior High Principal Kracht reported next. He informed the board about emergency response trainings that have taken place and will take place. Other topics included:

•National Honor Society application process has begun.

•Pennebaker awards — family consumer science, building trades, technology office, and science classroom.

•Planned professional development topics.

The Superintendent reported next. He discussed various ways to make up days due to weather. He will make a recommendation next month.

A discussion about a 4-day school week and how it would work at New London will be explored by a committee. The first meeting of the group was January 22.

He also encouraged the Board to take a position on the Governor’s Area Education Agency recommendations.

Then Superintendent Wahls discussed the all-staff survey and its findings. The topics included district communication with various stakeholders and the district’s common goals for both students and staff. He would like more celebration and appreciation of staff with various planned activities.

Other topics included in the survey were facility cleanliness, open enrollment requirements and student behaviors, and training on standards based grading by revisiting key elements.

In Board business there were several items:

•2024-2025 School Resource Officer — The hourly rate is $46.94. The district allocated $22,905 for the SRO in the district on a part-time basis. The full-time cost of an SRO is between $70,000 to $75,000. If the SRO went full time it would cost the district approximately $60,000 more after state assistance. There is a COPS grant that is available to help offset the cost and is something the District could apply for. The question seems to be how much should the SRO be at the school. After a lengthy discussion, the Superintendent asked for any information or questions the board feels they need to make a decision. It will be an action item next month.

•2024 Driver education contract — Triple R teaches driver education through the school. There is a $350 student fee or less if the student qualifies for free and reduced lunches. Triple R will be contacted. It will be an action item next month.

•2024-2025 Student Fees — Textbook fees were reduced and the software fee was increased. It will be an action item next month.

•2024-2025 Activity Fees — These fees have been the same for 18 years. Free and reduced lunches make the student passes either free or reduced. NL is the only District that does this. New London also offers its employees plus family passes. Jessica- Boyer transferred $21,200 from the general fund to the athletic fund to cover the shortfall. SEISC entry fees will most likely go to $6.00. It will be an action item next meeting, so the Board should ask any questions they might have before the next meeting.

•They approved a request for modified supplemental amount for the District’s At-Risk/Drop Out prevention program for $142,458 in spending authority.

Personnel Items: The Board took the following actions:

•Approved Paxton Lindsey for snow removal at $14/hr.

•Approved Spring/Summer Schedule B positions with Greg Lerdal and Dennis Carter as co-coaches and Jackie Housman as volunteer golf coach.

•Approved the resignation of Emily Parks, activities director.

•Approved the resignation of Patricia Ewing, kitchen worker.

•Approved the resignation of Taylor Zippe, head middle school wrestling coach.

Board Policy was next.

•Board Policy 705.1, R (1) R (2) purchasing and bidding. The Superintendent asked for the Board to increase the $5,000 amount to $10,000 so he can make emergency expenditures without having to convene a meeting. This was approved.

• Board Policy 705.04 & 705.04 R (1) public purpose expenditures. The Superintendent requested these funds be allowed to purchase meals for visitors, gifts of appreciation/retirement, recognition of student accomplishments, etc. After much discussion about the appropriateness of the use of taxpayers’ money for such expenditures and the need for a spending cap, its adoption would clarify what can be purchased for special incentives, morale boosting, and staff and student recognition. The Board approved the first reading of this proposed public policy with Board members Jen Loyd and Becky Hays dissenting.

•Approved first reading of Board series 200 and the second reading of Board series 100.

The meeting was adjourned. The next meeting of the New London School Board will be Tuesday, Feb. 20 due to Presidents Day on Monday. It will start at 7 p.m. instead of 6 p.m. It will be held in the North Campus boardroom.