The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

West Central Considering Swimming Co-op

At the West Central School board meeting on March 16th, a request from Shannon Miller was discussed to explore the possibility of a swimming co-op with Monmouth-Roseville. The board directed Superintendent Markey and Athletic Director Joel Zaiser to explore this option. The board will discuss further and consider possible action on this at the April 20 board meeting.

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Board President Brendan Schaley who led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

All board members were present at roll call except Jodi Arnold. Also present were Superintendent Paula Markey, Board Secretary Nancy Clark, West Central Elementary School Principal Kathy Lafary, West Central Middle School Principal Joe Peters, and West Central High School Principal Jason Kirby, and West Central High School Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Joel Zaiser.

Under Good News Items the following items were highlighted:

• Ms. Lewis, along with her 5th grade helpers, raised over $500 during the Send a Sucker to a Friend event, which has been donated to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House in Iowa City.
• Miss Young coordinated the Kids Heart Challenge and raised over $6,000 for the American Heart Association. By doing so, WCE earned $500 to purchase new PE equipment.
• Twenty-four pieces of art work for 6th - 8th grades were submitted to the Tri County Town and Country Art Show! Four of our middle school students received awards on 3/5 at the Buchanan Center. The Show will be up from March 1 to April 22. The following students received individual awards:
• Josh Covert was recipient of the “Young Blood Award” for “Light House”.
•  Drake Vancil was recipient of the “Best use of Medium” for “Just Desserts”.
• BreeAunna Ingle was the recipient of “Junior High Outstanding Artwork” for “Rip in the Sky”.
• Carly Craig was the recipient of “Best of Division” for “Yorkie”.
• Congratulations was given to Ross Vancil for being selected for the DAR Good Citizen award.
•  Congratulations was given to the following students who won ribbons at the LTC Art show at Monmouth College on March 15, 2022.
• Tyler Lantau - 2nd in Scratch Art, 2nd in Pencil - Miscellaneous, 2nd in Pencil - Still Life, HM in Acrylic painting - Portrait
• Khloee Wood - 1st in Mixed Media 2D, 2nd in Pencil Nature
• Matt Smith - 2nd in Acrylic Painting - Miscellaneous, 3rd in Oil Pastel
• Drew Bailey - 2nd in Mixed Media 3D, 3rd in Textile Design
• Madison Wade - 1st in Printmaking
• Kaile MrGraw - 2nd in Free Standing - Clay
• Carolynn Pippenger - 3rd in Printmaking
• Andrew DelCarlo - HM in Computer Graphics

Nine out of twenty high school students in the West Central Art program won awards. Out of the 11 schools that participated, West Central was in the top 3 with the number of ribbons received.

The agenda was approved with the following changes:

• Added Discussion Item 8.A. Swimming Co-op with Monmouth-Roseville, and
• Removed Action Item 10.B. Consider Approval of Contract for Professional Services for Sewer Plan Operator.

There were no comments from the public.

The board approved the consent agenda. Items approved under the consentagenda included the following:

• the minutes of the February 16, 2022, Regular Meeting,
• the February 2022 bills, February 2022 building Activity Account Reports, the February 2022 Treasurer’s Report, and review of the District Financial Report,
• directing Superintendent Markey to begin work on the FY23 District budget, and
• the 2022-2023 school district calendar.

The board reviewed reports from the building principals; Joel Zaiser, Athletic Director; Melinda Frakes, District Technology Coordinator; and Mallory Nelson, District Psychologist and Special Education Director.

The oard approved a bid from Millards in the amount of $2,523,000 for HVAC work at West Central Elementary, West Central Middle School, and West Central High School with work to begin June 1, 2022 as presented. ESSER II and ESSER III funds will be used to provide financial support of this project.

The board entered closed session at 6:46 p.m. to discuss the following:

1. The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity.
2. Collective negotiating matters between the school board and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees.
3. Student disciplinary cases.
4. The placement of individual students in special education programs and other matters relating to individual students.
5. Litigation

The board exited closed session at 8:30 p.m.

The board took the following action in regards to personnel:

• accepted the retirement of Patty Wood effective the end of the 2021-2022 school year as presented and with thanks for her service to the District,
• accepted the amended retirement date of Jenny Lenz from June 15, 2022 to August 2, 2022, as presented and with thanks for her service to the District,
• accepted the resignation of Tyler Jones as a WCHS Physical Education teacher as presented and with thanks for his service to the District,
• accepted the resignation of Jacob Pipis as a WCHS Math Teacher as presented and with thanks for his service to the District,
• approved the transfer of Jeremy Hennings from WCMS Math teacher to Instructional Coach/Technology Coordinator with an extended contract for Technology Coordinator as presented,
• approved the employment of Karlie Johnson as a full-time District Bookkeeper, with a start date of April 1, 2022 as presented and pending completion of all pre-employment requirements,
• approved the employment of Stephanie Allaman as a WCHS CTE teacher as presented and pending completion of all pre-employment requirements,
• accepted the resignation of Amanda Kane as the WCMS Cheerleading Coach as presented and with thanks for her service to the District, and
• accepted the resignation of Ariel Dillard as the WCHS Cheerleading Coach as presented and with thanks for her service to the District.

The next regularly scheduled meeting will be Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. in the West Central Elementary cafeteria.

The meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m.