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The Webster City School Board approved the special education contract with the Waverly-Shellrock Community School District at its regular meeting Monday night.
Voting to approve the measure were Rich Stroner, Linda Williams, Eric Patterson and board President Beth Van Diest. Board director Chuck Bonjour was absent.
In a related matter, the board approved the School Budget Review Committee request for Allowable Growth for the Special Education deficit.
The board also approved the Youth and Shelter Services contract for mentoring services for students in the fourth and fifth grades.
Regarding personnel, the board approved the appointment for Naomi Greg, Northeast Hamilton Elementary, as a paraeducator to assistant in the kindergarten classroom.
Stroner questioned the need to appoint an additional representative on the Career Academy Board as Van Diest faces election in November. Superintendent Mandy Ross noted that there will be no meetings of that board until after the election, so there is no need to appoint another member.
Ross noted that three PPEL open houses have taken place with the NEH tour held on Tuesday and the Webster City High School tour scheduled for Friday at 5:30 p.m. Ross told the Board that she will schedule presentations at civic and social organizations in order to explain the district's needs. The district is asking patrons to increase its PPEL in November in order to install air conditioning in several buildings.
Board directors received the 700 Series of Board Policy Manual. Ross explained that as several current regulations are redundant or germain to existing policies, she had grouped them together for a better understanding of the policy.
Board Secretary Cathi Hildebrand suggested that the board consider adding a program to the district's website that would allow access to board policy and board minutes with the ability to conduct searchable access. The program cost would be $1,000. Ross added that the program is user friendly and would allow district staff to work smarter, not harder.
Stroner asked about the district's policy on vaping. Ross noted that since the practice is related to smoking, the same policy and protocols should apply, but she will report on the issue at the Oct. 14 meeting.
In regards to the district's retirement program, Ross asked the board to note two lists – those of teachers and those of paraeducators. Currently, 15 teachers and 12 paraeducators meet the 15-year employment requirement. Hildebrand explained that current district policy only covers 12-month contracted employees, which would exclude paraeducators.
The board approved fundraising requests for the upcoming year: WCHS Cheer to conduct a Youth Cheer Camp; High School Girls and Boys Basketball and High School Wrestling to raise money and food for the Webster City Food Bank; the WC Middle School Band and Choir to raise funds for the trip to Adventureland; High School Student Council to hold a bake sale after school and during parent/teacher conferences for the Children's Miracle Network; the High School Student Council to canvas local businesses for charitable contributions for the Children's Miracle Network; and the High School Yearbook staff to sell advertising for the 2019-2020 yearbook.
Following approval of the consent items, the board adjourned at 6:28 p.m. The next meeting will be held on Monday, Oct. 14 at 6 p.m. at the School Administration Office Board Room.