March 7, 2022 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion:  Matt O'Daniel called the meeting to order at 7:00pm

Discussion:  Matt O'Daniel stated for the record that Dec and Feb absences for Shanon Wilmot are excused.
Also present are Dr Dawn Lewis, Superintendent,   Principals Aaron Pfingsten, Jacque Morgan  Athletic Director James Shada, and recording secretary Jennifer Arp 

Discussion:  Construction update: 
All things are on date for installation, lockers and cabinets are being installed, carpet in classrooms is finishing installation, and  will be ready for final paint and clean up.  Will work there way out to finalizing tiles and doors as the final things to install so nothing gets scratched.   Outside work- redesign with storm drainage work, will finish up with final grading and dirt work, will come back in April to do seeding and final grading work when the  weather cooperates better.  Will be back in June/July for final lockers in the south hallway once school has been dismissed.  Will be under costs and contingencies for the budget for the total project.  Total costs will be under costs.   Metal panels around windows have been installed on the outside of the building around the new windows.   Replacement lockers are in for the south hallway, all lockers were delivered at the same time, ready to go for when the old is removed.  Will need to get sidewalks graded as long as weather co operates so we can get the final certificate of occupancy.   Once door is taken down at the end of the hallway , it will become an active occupancy. 

Discussion:  Mrs Elsa Glasford was present for the HS Spanish curriculum 

Mrs Morgan Mruz and Mrs Marcia Kaup were present for the 2nd grade 

Discussion:  commitee hearings have taken place.  Looking at requiring an Info tech class for graduating classes from High School, which Arlington already provides and that class for Freshman, the bill would not effect our students as it is already offered and taken by all students 

Legislation is wanting to do away with all taxes- except sales tax- proposed as a constitutional amendment- would not come into effect until 2024 if passed-  

bills regarding parental access to reading and learning materials- it would regulate state funding if schools don't meet state guidelines.  APS already grants access to our parents and patrons. 

Discussion:  Received a email about we are carrying over to much funds in the Hot Lunch program- needs to be spent on capital improvements to the kitchen or lunch program. Waiting to hear from the State as to the amount that will need to be sent so we know dollar amount that will need to be spent.  

Federal program for free lunch should end this school year- will need to make sure that Free and reduced applications return to being filed out to determine state funding 

 

Discussion:  Dr Lewis provided her leave log as of end of Feb- with updating the board on her upcoming leave that will take place over spring break in March 

Discussion:  New website will be up and running Next week- week of March 13th 

Question was asked if there was a Quick LInk or a link to donate for a memorial or funds-   At this time there was not a link- noticed there was not a link to the foundation page- or a link to booster club?  Need to look int that.  Also asked if there was a link to job openings- which has always been provided, and still current for job -postings. 
 

Discussion:  Negotiations committee meeting met 

Discussion:  State Statues for students and enrollment- age requirements. 

Discussion:  board action to set capacities for the -2022 2023 classroom or section capacities.  Projected enrollment was presented for the upcoming year.  
Suggested to not make any changes for the 2022-2023 capacities.   Not increasing in any need for teachers or the need to decrease  teachers at this time.

Special education potions have been re-evaluated due to our special educational students needs and us being over capacity in those learning levels.  At this time our needs are being met with our teacher capability, so there will not be any need to have any more special ed teachers but need to fill any vacancies being left open at the end of the this year. 

Projected enrollment does not include any option enrollment students for numbers, only the enrollment for in district families will be enrolled for next year. 

Chase K addressed the option enrollment needing to be addressed looking to address current option policy, stating 21% of our students are option students. Keeping current option students attending the school currently, would like to address that our first priority is to the families in the district, and the issue of more families and homes being built and moving into the district.  Capacities limit our numbers and to how many option students can be approved to option in to the school district.  The more families/students that fill the capacity for classrooms, grade level, the less amount we can approve each year for option students.  It was brought up not to allow option students into the district,  but that doesn't limit or take away the availability to let students option out of the district.  Law permits families to have the ability to choose their school, and we would have to set our capacities as full to limit the option enrollment. 
Community is changing and we need to be aware of the numbers and land for sale in future to make sure we are meeting the needs of our district families.  
Funding is projected from the prior school year on net option positive students- state aid will be affected by loss of students and not taking option in students. 

Discussion and possibility for ad hoc committee will be discussed 
Dr Lewis will speak with legal council to decipher our next actions for 2022-2023 option applicants  

 

Discussion:  Negotion committee presenting the wage increase- meet a few times and came up with recommadations.  
Implementing longevity increases for staff that stays with the district 
Secretary salaries were quite a bit behind the other districts for salaries, need to bump them up so they are on the same level wages as other districts and also implementing longevity bonus for those staff members as well 

Discussion:  contract will have to be posted on our website for 30 days after tonight.  Approval will be then be an action item for the April Board meeting 

Discussion:  Principal and Asst Principal Contracts are attached.  The amount represents a salary increase of 2% each, for a total package increase of 2.6-2.7%, including insurance and all salary related expenses. Pfingsten ($113,220), Morgan ($108,120) and Shada ($97,410).

Finance committee feels that the increase is due to cost of living and then the increase for the cost of insurance,  contractually in the contracts that includes that insurance will be provided by the district.  Admistration is receiving the lowest increase 

Discussion:  Matt O'Daniel adjourned the meeting at 9:01 pm