The Camanche School District’s Board of Education met on Monday, May 20th. 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:
· Due to Superintendent Parker’s absence, incoming Superintendent, Mr. Shaffer, provided the administrative representation at the Board table.
· Mr. Shaffer and Business Director Aude announced that May is School Board Recognition Month. They both thanked the members of the Camanche School Board for their service in providing a quality education to our community’s children.
· Mr. Shaffer reported to the Board that the district’s four-year graduation rate was 90.43% and the five-year graduation rate was 96.67%. Both of these percentages are above the state average.
· Mr. Shaffer informed the Board that participation in the districtwide survey has been good, but seeing additional input from community members would always be appreciated.
· The Board had a discussion regarding moving the day of their Regular Monthly Meetings. This will be an item placed on next month’s agenda.
· Business Director Aude updated the Board about the business office’s work in getting the Medicaid reimbursement program up and running in the district. She thanked the many staff members who have put in the extra work to make this possible.
· The Board heard updates from representatives from Estes Construction about the Facilities Enhancement Project. This project is now substantially complete and is under budget. Later in the meeting, the school board approved and accepted the Certificate of Substantial Completion for the Gym/Fitness Center and Auditorium.
· Mr. Shaffer led a Board discussion regarding the use of the surplus funds from the Facilities Enhancement Project. The Board and administration will identify projects that will fit under the bond referendum’s guidelines, with the goal of reducing district expenditures in other categorical funds.
· The principals informed the Board about ongoing and upcoming activities at each of their schools.
· The Board approved the salary and benefit packages for the district’s various employee groups for the 2024-25 school year.
· The Board heard the First Reading of New, Revised, and Reviewed Policies for the 2024-25 school year.
· The Board approved renewing the agreement with AEA 9 to provide Driver’s Education programing to Camanche students for the summer of 2025 and the 2025-26 school year.
· The Board approved renewing the district’s membership in the Iowa School Finance Information Services and also Rural School Advocates. Both of these organizations provide quality support and 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.