Paullina Site Conference Room
MEETING MINUTES
Vision
“The Community of South O’Brien will work together to provide a world-class education for all students.”
Mission
“Our mission is to prepare students to be responsible citizens and lifelong learners.”
Attendees

Voting Members
Gina Paulsen, Board President
John Beck, Board Vice President
Brenda Kruse, Board Member
Sue McCauley, Board Member
Richard Radtke, Board Member
Josh Rausch, Board Member
Beth Sibenaller-Woodall, Board Member
Non-Voting Members
Wade Riley, Superintendent
Aaron Giese, SBO/Board Secretary
Denise Phillips, JH/HS Principal

A. Call to Order
President Gina Paulsen called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.
B. Roll Call and Declaration of Quorum
All members were present with the exception of Brenda Kruse who joined the meeting prior to agenda item D. 1. b.  Quorum established.
C. Adoption of Agenda
Motion to approve the amended agenda moving Consider Approval of 2023-2024 Administrative/Directors Contracts to follow the Closed Session.
Motion made by: Beth Sibenaller-Woodall
Motion seconded by: Josh Rausch
Voting:
Gina Paulsen – Yes
John Beck – Yes
Brenda Kruse – Not Present
Sue McCauley – Yes
Richard Radtke – Yes
Josh Rausch – Yes
Beth Sibenaller-Woodall – Yes
Motion carried.
D. Public Hearing

1. Budget Hearing – 2023-2024
   a. Public Presentation
   SBO Aaron Giese presented to the board the Fiscal Year 2024 budget highlighting some important changes from the prior fiscal year and information regarding levies, expenditures, enrollment, and other key budget components.
   b. Consider Resolutions
2. Increased Enrollment
   Motion to levy property taxes in Fiscal Year 2024 in the amount of $120,169 for increased enrollment, open enrollment out, and LEP instruction beyond five years.
   Motion made by: John Beck
   Motion seconded by: Sue McCauley
   Voting:
   Gina Paulsen – Yes
   John Beck – Yes
   Brenda Kruse – Yes
   Sue McCauley – Yes
   Richard Radtke – Yes
   Josh Rausch – Yes
   Beth Sibenaller-Woodall – Yes
   Motion carried.
3. Special Education Deficit
   Motion to levy property taxes in Fiscal Year 2024 in the amount of $105,295.85 to fund increased allowable growth for the special education deficit of Fiscal Year 2023.
   Motion made by: John Beck
   Motion seconded by: Beth Sibenaller-Woodall
   Voting:
   Gina Paulsen – Yes
   John Beck – Yes
   Brenda Kruse – Yes
   Sue McCauley – Yes
   Richard Radtke – Yes
   Josh Rausch – Yes
   Beth Sibenaller-Woodall – Yes
   Motion carried.
4. Physical Plant and Equipment Levy
   Motion to levy property taxes in Fiscal Year 2024 in the amount of $0.33/$1,000 to fund the Physical Plant and Equipment Fund.
   Motion made by: John Beck
   Motion seconded by: Josh Rausch
   Voting:
   Gina Paulsen – Yes
   John Beck – Yes
   Brenda Kruse – Yes
   Sue McCauley – Yes
   Richard Radtke – Yes
   Josh Rausch – Yes
   Beth Sibenaller-Woodall – Yes
   Motion carried.
5. Budget Guarantee
   Motion to levy property taxes for Fiscal Year 2024 for the regular program budget adjustment allowable under section 257.14, Code of Iowa.
   Motion made by: John Beck
   Motion seconded by: Josh Rausch
   Voting:
   Gina Paulsen – Yes
   John Beck – Yes
   Brenda Kruse – Yes
   Sue McCauley – Yes
   Richard Radtke – Yes
   Josh Rausch – Yes
   Beth Sibenaller-Woodall – Yes
   Motion carried.
6. Set Income Surtax Rate – Voted PPEL and ISL
   Motion to set the Instructional Support Levy Income Surtax Rate for Fiscal Year 2024 at 6% and the Voted Physical Plant and Equipment Levy Income Surtax Rate for Fiscal Year 2024 at 4%.
   Motion made by: John Beck
   Motion seconded by: Beth Sibenaller-Woodall
   Voting:
   Gina Paulsen – Yes
   John Beck – Yes
   Brenda Kruse – Yes
   Sue McCauley – Yes
   Richard Radtke – Yes
   Josh Rausch – Yes
   Beth Sibenaller-Woodall – Yes
   Motion carried.
   c. Adoption of 2023-2024 Budget Documents and Authorization to File with the County Auditor and State Comptroller
   Motion to adopt the Fiscal Year 2024 budget documents and to authorize filing with the County Auditor and State Comptroller.
   Motion made by: John Beck
   Motion seconded by: Brenda Kruse
   Voting:
   Gina Paulsen – Yes
   John Beck – Yes
   Brenda Kruse – Yes
   Sue McCauley – Yes
   Richard Radtke – Yes
   Josh Rausch – Yes
   Beth Sibenaller-Woodall – Yes
   Motion carried.   President Gina Paulsen declared the public hearing closed at 6:52 PM.
   E. Welcome and Delegation
7. Citizens who have a place on the agenda may address the board on an issue of their concern during the discussion of that issue. Citizens who do not have a place on the agenda may address the board on any issue of their concern during the open forum of the regular meeting.
8. Open Forum: The board may allow up to five minutes for citizens to discuss school matters with the board. Personnel matters are not to be discussed by or considered by the board until adequately considered by the administration.
9. The open meeting law requires the posting of the board agenda more than 24 hours prior to the scheduled meeting. Topics not included on the agenda may be added only if good cause exists requiring expeditious discussion and/or emergency action on such matters.
   F. Consider Consent Items
10. Minutes of Previous Meetings
    Motion made by: Sue McCauley
    Motion seconded by: Richard Radtke
    Voting:
    Unanimously Approved
11. Financial Reports
    a. Financial Statements
    Board Secretary/SBO Aaron Giese provided the board with commentary on the school financials including receipts and expenditures, fund balances, and upcoming items to look for.
    Motion made by: Sue McCauley
    Motion seconded by: Josh Rausch
    Voting:
    Unanimously Approved
    b. Consider Payment of Invoices
    Board Secretary/SBO Aaron Giese highlighted some invoices and expenses for the month and answered questions posed by board members.
    Motion made by: Beth Sibenaller-Woodall
    Motion seconded by: Sue McCauley
    Voting:
    Unanimously Approved
    G. Reports
12. Reports by Administration
    a. Directors
    Superintendent Riley presented information to the board from the directors in the district including buildings, transportation, maintenance, nutrition, technology, and activities.
    b. Elementary
    Superintendent Riley presented an update to the board from the elementary including 21st-century skills, positive climate and culture, high performance and growth, and facilities.
    c. Secondary
    Secondary principal Denise Phillips presented an update to the board from the secondary including 21st-century skills, positive climate and culture, and high performance and growth.
    d. Superintendent
    Superintendent Riley updated the board on a number of issues including a bond issue report, an update on the bathroom remodel project at the Paullina site, the district-wide interior door project, and some calendar updates.
13. Recognition of Staff, Students and Patrons
    See the school website and SO’ app for updates.
    H. Board Committee Reports
    None
    I. Unfinished Business
    None
    J. New Business
14. Consider Approval of 2023-2024 Certified Staff Contracts
    Motion made by: Brenda Kruse
    Motion seconded by: Richard Radtke
    Voting:
    Unanimously Approved
15. Consider Approval of 2023-2024 Classified Staff Contracts
    Motion made by: John Beck
    Motion seconded by: Richard Radtke
    Voting:
    Unanimously Approved
16. Consider Approval of 2023-2024 TLC Contracts
    Motion made by: Josh Rausch
    Motion seconded by: Sue McCauley
    Voting:
    Unanimously Approved
17. Consider Approval of 2023-2024 Extra Duty Contracts
    Motion made by: Beth Sibenaller-Woodall
    Motion seconded by: Richard Radtke
    Voting:
    Gina Paulsen – Yes
    John Beck – Abstain
    Brenda Kruse – Yes
    Sue McCauley – Yes
    Richard Radtke – Yes
    Josh Rausch – Yes
    Beth Sibenaller-Woodall – Yes
18. Consider Approval of 2023-2024 Master Contract (Base Wage)
    Motion made by: Sue McCauley
    Motion seconded by: Richard Radtke
    Voting:
    Unanimously Approved
19. Consider Approval of 2023-2024 Certified Staff Handbook Changes
    Motion made by: Brenda Kruse
    Motion seconded by: Sue McCauley
    Voting:
    Unanimously Approved
20. Consider Approval of 2023-2024 Classified Staff Handbook Changes
    Motion made by: John Beck
    Motion seconded by: Brenda Kruse
    Voting:
    Unanimously Approved
21. Consider Approval of Class of 2023 Names for Graduation
    Motion made by: John Beck
    Motion seconded by: Josh Rausch
    Voting:
    Unanimously Approved
22. Consider Approval of 2023 Summer Projects
    Motion made by: John Beck
    Motion seconded by: Brenda Kruse
    Voting:
    Unanimously Approved
23. Adopt Resolution Naming Depository Banks and Set Deposit Limit
    Motion to adopt Resolution for Official Bank Depositories and Deposit Limits and Establishing Investment Limits of Public Funds as follows: The Board of Education of South O’Brien School, desires to approve Security State Bank, Sutherland, Iowa; Iowa State Bank, Paullina, Iowa; Primghar Savings Bank, Primghar, Iowa; and the First National Bank, Primghar, Iowa as approved bank depositories of public funds. The Board of Education of South O’Brien School, seeks to limit investment of public funds to $8,000,000 in Security State Bank, $2,000,000 in Iowa State Bank, $2,000,000 in Primghar Savings Bank and $2,000,000 in First National Bank.
    Motion made by: John Beck
    Motion seconded by: Brenda Kruse
    Voting:
    Gina Paulsen – Yes
    John Beck – Yes
    Brenda Kruse – Yes
    Sue McCauley – Yes
    Richard Radtke – Yes
    Josh Rausch – Yes
    Beth Sibenaller-Woodall – Yes
    Motion carried.
24. Consider Approval of District-Wide Interior Door Project Bids
    Motion to reject the bid for the District-Wide Interior Door Project submitted by Wiltgen Bros., Inc.
    Motion made by: Sue McCauley
    Motion seconded by: Josh Rausch
    Voting:
    Unanimously Approved
25. Bonding Agreements
    a. Material Events
    b. Issuer Disclosure Duties
    c. Financial Services Agreement
    Motion made by: Sue McCauley
    Motion seconded by: Richard Radtke
    Voting:
    Unanimously Approved
    d. Parity Letter to Issuers
    Motion made by: John Beck
    Motion seconded by: Richard Radtke
    Voting:
    Unanimously Approved
    e. Dissemination Agent Agreement
    Motion made by: Sue McCauley
    Motion seconded by: Brenda Kruse
    Voting:
    Unanimously Approved
    K. Personnel
26. Resignations
    Donna Bredeson – JH/HS Paraprofessional
    Becky Hustedt – Assistant HS Volleyball Coach
    Kevin Hanlin – Quiz Bowl Advisor
    Cheyenne Olson – 6th Grade Instructor
    Sharla Rupert – Superintendent Secretary (Early Retirement)
    Heath Reichle – Swanson Sports Complex
    Becky Lickiss – Speech Coach
    Kaleigh Larsen – Elementary Paraprofessional
    Cassidy Hinds – Elementary SPED Instructor
    Motion made by: John Beck
    Motion seconded by: Beth Sibenaller-Woodall
    Voting:
    Unanimously Approved
    The board thanked Sharla Rupert for her tremendous work and outstanding effort in her several years of service to the district.
27. Employment of Staff
    DJ Hansen – Head HS Girls Basketball Coach
    Kyle Paulsen – Assistant HS Girls Basketball Coach
    Heather Struve – Assistant HS Volleyball Coach
    DJ Lode – Swanson Sports Complex
    Taylor Steffens – Swanson Sports Complex
    Dave Hansen – Grounds Assistant
    Abbi Beltran – JH/HS Paraprofessional
    Motion made by: Josh Rausch
    Motion seconded by: John Beck
    Voting:
    Unanimously Approved
    L. Communication
28. IASB Information
    President Gina Paulsen recommended that board members check out the resources available on the IASB website.
    M. Consider Closed Session pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5(1)(i): To evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation and that individual requests a closed session.
    Motion to enter into closed session at 7:56 PM. 
    Motion made by: John Beck
    Motion seconded by: Richard Radtke
    Voting:
    Gina Paulsen – Yes
    John Beck – Yes
    Brenda Kruse – Yes
    Sue McCauley – Yes
    Richard Radtke – Yes
    Josh Rausch – Yes
    Beth Sibenaller-Woodall – Yes
    Motion carried.
    N. Closed Session
    O. Consider Approval of 2023-2024 Administrative/Directors Contracts
    Returned to open session at 8:06 PM.
    Roll Call
    Present
    Josh Rausch
    Beth Sibenaller-Woodall
    Sue McCauley
    Brenda Kruse
    Gina Paulsen
    John Beck
    Richard Radtke
    Motion made by: Beth Sibenaller-Woodall
    Motion seconded by: Sue McCauley
    Voting:
    Unanimously Approved
    P. Talking Points
    None
    Q. Adjournment
    Motion made by: Brenda Kruse
    Motion seconded by: Beth Sibenaller-Woodall
    Voting:
    Unanimously Approved
    The meeting was adjourned at 8:12 PM.
    Gina Paulsen, Board President
    Aaron Giese, SBO/Board Secretary
    Published in O’Brien County’s Bell-Times-Courier May 4, 2023