Lone Tree Community School Board Workshop
Wednesday, January 3, 2024 6:30 PM
Superintendent’s Office
Superintendent, Tyler Hotz
SBO, Sheila Tharp
Board Secretary, Renae Williams
1. Call to Order: Sladek called the workshop to order @ 6:30 PM.
2. Roll Call: Present- Robert Sladek, Alex Ogren, Jenni Eden, Gordon Viers, Michael Hotz.
3. Approval of Agenda: Viers motioned to approve the agenda, Ogren seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
4. Public Comment: Stakeholders that spoke on the topic of the school sponsored activity Esports: Nancy Waldschmidt, Jessica Rockafellow, Vaughn Judge, Tanya Judge, Derek Graap, William Rockafellow, Nick Bowman, Mike Bowman, Jessica Howard, Joe Donovan, Seth Kunkel.
The board has the discretion to limit the amount of time set aside for public participation. Normally, speakers will be limited to five (5) minutes with a one (1) minute warning at the four (4) minute mark with a total allotted time for public participation of thirty (30) minutes. However, the board president may modify this time limit, if deemed appropriate or necessary. Public comment is a time set aside for community input, but the board will not discuss or take any action on any matter during public comment.
5. Old Business:
a. School Sponsored Activities: No board discussion.
b. 2024-2025 School Fees: Early discussions on the 2024-25 school year fees. Fee changes up for consideration was the 3 year old preschool tuition, which is a self sustaining program.
c. HVAC Update: The board requested an updated PPEL/Save project list. They would also like to follow up and get input from the Community Group with the revelation of a potential grant for the GeoThermal HVAC option.
d. School Calendar: Supt Hotz reviewed the 4-day school calendar powerpoint that will be going on the new website. Reviewed feedback and data, 24-25 school calendar options for 4 day/5 day, and educational data. Met with the Lone Tree City Council on support for daycares. Conversation on options to provide food for families, backpack program and food pantry have been discussed.
Timeline recommendation:
•February Regular Meeting- the board take action on whether to stay with the 5-day week or move to a 4-day week.
• March Workshop- Review options of calendars
•March Regular Meeting- Approve one calendar
e. Supt Hotz reviewed the new website that will be launching soon.
6. New Business
a. IASB Convention
i. School Finance: Supt Hotz and Alex Ogren gave feedback on the workshops from the IASB convention.
ii. Board Secretary Williams provided feedback from the IASB convention.
b. Action steps reviewed for the district goals Climate & Culture and School Finance - district calendar, salaries, non monetary benefits, enrollment growth, statements from teachers, full benefits packages.
c. Board Policy- Policy Primer (First Reading) reviewed
d. Board Policy: 409.4-414.9 (First Reading) reviewed.
e. School Budget Process: Information on the new school budget process for FY 2025 reviewed.
f. Legislative Updates: Supt Hotz reviewed legislative updates learned at the Grant Wood Superintendent meeting on January 3rd.
7. Closed Session- Superintendent Mid-Year Review:
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. Iowa Code 21.5(1)(i)
Eden motioned to move into closed session, Viers seconded.
Roll call: Viers Aye, Sladek Aye, Ogren Aye, Eden Aye, M. Hotz Aye.
The board moved into closed session @ 9:30 PM.
The board moved out of closed session @ 11:15 PM.
8. Adjourn: Eden motioned to adjourn the meeting, M. Hotz seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
Meeting Adjourned @ 11:15 PM
Next Meeting Date: Wednesday, January 17, 2024 in the Library
Published in The News, Thursday, January 18, 2024 L-147
