The Camanche School District’s Board of Education met on Monday, April 15th. Please note that these are not the official minutes. The official Agendas and Minutes from the Camanche Community School District school board are available and posted on our school district website (camanche.k12.ia.us).
Items to highlight from this school board meeting would include:
· The Board took action to amend the 2023-24 school calendar to set the last day of school this year for June 4, 2024. This will allow the district to make up most of the time lost to weather-related school cancelations.
· The Board hired Melissa Phillips as Middle School Principal beginning the 2024-25 school year. Mr. Shaffer introduced her to the school board and welcomed her to the Camanche School District.
· After a public hearing the school board adopted the FY25 budget which includes a tax levy of $17.79/per $1000 of taxable valuation. This budget is based upon the 2.5% increase in State Supplemental Aid.
· After a public hearing, the Board adopted the Flexibility Account Resolution. By utilizing this option, the district will be able to place $111,269.58 of categorical funds into the General Fund, which will benefit to district’s overall budget.
· After a public hearing, the Board approved the 2024-25 school calendar. Next year’s calendar will include four professional learning days for teachers. These days will be focused on LETRS training (science of reading program) at the elementary level and Universal Constructs training (key 21st century skills for students) at the secondary level. We believe this professional training time will positively impact student learning throughout the district.
· Activities Director, Andy Eberhart presented the Board with information about the Let’s Go Bound software that is being adopted by all of the schools in the River Valley Conference. This will tie in with the statewide program being used by both the boys’ and girls’ athletic associations and will offer many advantages in organizing athletic information. Another component of this program is the opportunity to move to a cashless pay option for admission to events.
· The Board heard updates from representatives from Estes Construction about the Facilities Enhancement Project and approved Change Orders for this project. The school board is pleased that this project will be completed well under budget.
· The principals informed the Board about ongoing and upcoming activities at each of their schools.
· Technology Coordinator, Ben Miller was present to discuss the possibility of using surplus Facilities Enhancement Funds to update the intercom system at the high school. This system is dated and will need to be replaced. The Board would like to review competitive quotes for the cost of this project and would also like to see quotes for the elementary and middle schools.
· The Board approved renewing the district’s membership in the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB). This organization provides quality support and training for school districts throughout Iowa, including several instances of being a resource for the Camanche School District.
As is usually the case, the school board completed the meeting by approving administrative recommendations regarding personnel.