July 12, 2021 School Board Meeting Minutes

Posted: July 20, 2021 at 8:01 AM

The South Winneshiek CSD Board of Education held its regularly scheduled board meeting on July 12, 2021 in the band room in Ossian.  The meeting was called to order by board president Wendy Mihm-Herold at 5:30 pm. 

After the Pledge of Allegiance was recited, roll call took place:  Present: Craig Neuzil, Patricia Schissel, Don Schroeder, Ron Hemesath and Wendy Mihm-Herold.  Absent: none. 

Moved by Neuzil and seconded by Schroeder to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously. 

Review and discussion about previous board minutes, bills, appointments, resignations, open enrollments and donations took place. Moved by Schroeder and seconded by Schissel to approve the consent items as presented:  Resignations: None; Appointments: Mitch Herold – Varsity Assistant Boys Basketball, Step I $2605.50; Brooke Lodge – MS Assistant Volleyball Step I $1737.00; Jessica Peters – SODA advisor $1500.00; Derek Taylor- Varsity Head Boys Basketball Step III $4516.20; Ashley Walz – Varsity Assistant Volleyball Step I $2605.50. Voting Aye: Schroeder, Schissel, Hemesath and Neuzil. Nay: none. Abstaining: Mihm-Herold. Motion carried. 

Mihm-Herold welcomed visitors. Five individuals addressed the board regarding a potential bus pick up location.

Spotlight on Education: Mr. Johnson gave an overview of where we were with technology changes for the year.  

Old Business: 

  1. Mr. Einck and Ms. Mihm-Herold provided an overview of the survey results. There were 326 responses which is roughly 12% of the voters in the South Winneshiek District. The average response rate for a feasibility study is 10%-15% and we fell right in this range. 
    1. Do you feel it is important to enhance SW’s current academic programs at the high school with NICC? 77.1% Very Important; 16.6% Neutral and 6.3% Somewhat Important
    2. Do you feel it is important to expand SW’s partnership with NICC for Career and Technical Education? 81.5% Very Important; 13.3% Neutral and 5.2% Somewhat important.
    3. Do you feel it is important to expand work-based learning opportunities for SW students in partnership with NICC? 82.9% Very Important; 10.6% Neutral and 6.5% Somewhat important.
    4. Do you feel it is important to expand programing for SW juniors and seniors to ensure they are career-ready upon graduation? 81.5% Very Important; 12.0% Neutral and 6.5% Somewhat important.
    5. Do you believe SW students receive a quality education? 74.7% Strongly agree/agree; 20.1% Neutral and 5.2% Disagree/Strongly Disagree.
    6. Do you believe SW has quality existing Professional Organizations? 53.6% Strongly agree/agree; 35.6% Neutral and 10.8% Disagree/Strongly Disagree.
    7. Do you believe SW has quality existing Fine Arts? 56.8% Strongly agree/agree; 32.1% Neutral and 11.1% Disagree/Strongly Disagree.
    8. Do you believe SW has quality existing Athletics? 78.5% Strongly agree/agree; 18.8% Neutral and 2.8% Disagree/Strongly Disagree.
    9. How important is upgrading the current facilities at the Elementary/ Middle School? 51.9% Strongly agree/agree; 26.9% Neutral and 21.3% Disagree/Strongly Disagree.
    10. How important is a new facility for SW high school? 74.3% Strongly agree/agree; 11.1% Neutral and 14.6% Disagree/Strongly Disagree.
    11. If you agree that SW should look at a new high school facility and make upgrades to the elementary/middle school, would you support a bond referendum?  72.1% Support; 27.9% Not support.

New Business: 

  1. Moved by Schroeder and seconded by Hemesath to approve the EMC Insurance Renewal raising the general liability deductible to $5000 and an overall cost of $125,931.00. Motion carried unanimously. 
  2. Moved by Neuzil and seconded by Hemesath to approve Straka Johnson Architects for $18,000. Motion carried unanimously. 
  3. Moved by Schissel and seconded by Hemesath to approve the depositories of Fidelity Bank
  1. Operations and Schoolhouse Funds – $5,000,000 limit
  2. Clearing Account – $500,000 limit
  3. Nutrition Account – $500,000 limit
  1. Citizens Savings Bank – $2,000,000 limit
  2. Luana Savings Bank – $4,000 000 limit
  3. Decorah Bank & Trust – $500,000 limit

Voting Aye: Hemesath, Schissel, Neuzil and Mihm-Herold; Nay: none and Abstaining: Schroeder. Motion carried. 

  1. Moved by Hemesath and seconded by Schroeder to appoint the Ossian Bee as the district newspaper. Motion carried unanimously. 
  2. Moved by Schroeder and seconded by Neuzil to appoint legal counsel of Lynch Dallas PC and Ahlers & Cooney.  Motion carried unanimously. 
  3. Moved by Schissel and seconded by Hemesath to appoint Kristina Smith as the board secretary/treasurer. Ms. Smith recited the oath of office. Motion carried unanimously. 
  4. Moved by Neuzil and seconded by Hemesath to approve the student handbooks. Motion carried unanimously. 
  5. Moved by Schroeder and seconded by Neuzil to approve the employee handbooks adding a tuition reimbursement form. Motion carried unanimously. 
  6. Moved by Neuzil and seconded by Schissel to approve the MOU with NICC to share Chemistry.  Voting Aye: Schissel, Neuzil, Hemesath and Schroeder. Nay: none Abstaining: Mihm-Herold.  Motion carried. 

Administrative report was proved by Mr. Einck.  

The next regular meeting will be held on August 9, 2021 in the boardroom in Calmar at 5:30 pm.  

Moved by Hemesath and seconded by Schroeder to adjourn at 7:20 pm. Motion carried unanimously. 

Respectfully submitted;

Kris Smith                                                     Wendy Mihm-Herold

Board Secretary                                            Board President