by Mari Radtke
School Business Manager Aaron Giese explained the larger than usual deposits are due to tax payments made and distributed. He went on to explain that the budgeting is coming and he explained the process and how the information to approve a budget is developed before it gets to the board.
Lisa Puhrmann, Title I teacher presented information about the Title I program and process. Highlights of assisting struggling readers include a 5-step currculum: 1) Read Naturally; 2) PAST (Phonological Awareness Screeneing Test by Kilpatrick); 3) UFLI (University of Florida Literacy Institute) a researched based program that teaches students foundational reading skills; 4) Read and Respond Journals are short 7-page stories from classroom curiculum; and 5) Decodables to read to practice reading skills taught in the classroom. She explained how she identifies each students needs, uses the curriculums and measures improvement or growth. She also showed prior year’s and current data of students. The number of students is down this year from the 23-24 school year. Parent involvement requirements are to be involved in an activity at least once each year; an annual survey is filled out and submitted; teacher surveys are submitted once each year and newsletters and emails are used to communicate with parents and teachers.
The Elementary building project at Primghar has reached its completion. The Paullina project is on-going. Using the boys’ locker room has begin. Footings on the outside and construction of block walls continues on the south side of the building. Permanent parking lot lights were scheduled to be installed on December 2.
Superintendent Wade Riley reported to the board that all grade levels of the district scored their highest rating in the history of the Iowa School Performance Profile rating. Many catagories are scored: Chronic absenteeism, growth in English language arts and math and perfect proficiency in English. The Elementary School rated “commendable” and above state average. The JH?HS was rated as “High Performing” very similarly above state average.
The board approved the district’s annual examination of business records and accepted the financial reports as well as the nutrition fund balance sheet.
Following the regular meeting of the board they held their annual orgainzational meeting. Officer and committee appointments were made. Gina Paulsen remains as president and she was approved. John Beck was nominated and appointed to vice president. The board meetings remain on the 3rd Monday of each month at 6:00pm. June, July and August meetings are set for 6:00am on the same day of the month.
Getting items on the agenda remains the same. An item is placed on the agenda by either the board president or by the superintendent. The agenda format also remains the same.
Finance and negotiations committee Gina, John and Sue. Wellness committee members are John , Dallas and Gina. Facilities/transportation and Technology committee members are Josh, Richard and Beth. Aaron Giese will take over the Treasurer duties from Marty Weber and will remain as the School Business Officer/School Board Secreatary. Weber still reconciles both Security State Bank accounts.
Insurance policies, deposit limits and interfund transfer policies all stay the same as prior years.
A resolution to amend the resolution authorizing a bond issue not to exceed $8,935,000 G.O. bonds series 2024 was approved. The amendment details were not shared at the board meeting.