Contract approvals, adoption of the school calendar for the upcoming year and approval of the plans and specifications for new additions to two buildings were highlights of Wednesday’s Belle Plaine Board of Education meeting.
The board approved a one-year agreement with the Belle Plaine Education Association which calls for a total package increase of 3.48 percent for its teachers. Next year’s base salary will be $27,400, a $600 increase. There were several other changes in contract language in personal, emergency and disability leave, health insurance, etc.
A two-year contract was approved with the Teamsters union for support staff. It calls for three percent salary increases in each year of the agreement. There were also changes in other language in the contract regarding insurance, accumulated vacation time and overtime. Food service employees will also receive the three percent increase.
Contracts were also approved for principal Dennis Phelps, transportation director Jan Kaplan, maintenance director Rod Blount and activities director Greg Walton. Each will receive the same 3.48 percent package increase the teachers will receive. The contract for Phelps is a two-year agreement, while the others will be for one year.
The board approved a similar increase for superintendent’s secretary Stacey Tomlin. In addition, the board approved a $500 per month stipend for her duties as board secretary. Board President Joyce Livermore said this was an opportunity to address a past deficiency. Tomlin has acted as board secretary for several years.
The board also delayed action on a contract for Cherie Brown, the building head. She and Superintendent Bill Lynch will meet to discuss a possible increase in her duties in that position and an appropriate increase in salary.
The renewal of instructional sharing agreements with the HLV School District was approved. German, Spanish and vocational agriculture instructors have been shared by the two districts in the past. Several Belle Plaine students have participated in the HLV industrial technology program. Those programs will continue, with the addition of accelerated biology program instruction at HLV and a couple of accelerated program classes in social studies at Belle Plaine.
School calendar approved
The board approved the calendar for the upcoming school year. The first day of school for the 2009-2010 year will be Wednesday, Aug. 26. The Christmas holiday break will begin on Wednesday, Dec. 23, with classes resuming on Monday, Jan. 4. The spring holiday break will be April 2-5 and the last day of school is scheduled for Thursday, May 27.
Building plans adopted
The board approved the plans and specifications for building renovations and additions at the high school and Longfellow Elementary School. John Darveau of Struxture Architects presented a revised cost estimate of $9,527,585. There were some changes to the original designs, including added classroom space at Longfellow. A 530 square foot athletic storage addition will be added on the north end of the high school gym.
Darveau said some adjustments were also made in the price of the all-weather track at the high school to accommodate the necessary site work for the eight lane track.
Struxture Architects is currently involved in several building projects in eastern Iowa and Darveau reported that bids are coming in well, sometimes below his estimates. There are nine contractors who have expressed interest in the Belle Plaine project from as far as Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Bids will be opened on June 4 at 2 p.m. Following the architect’s review, his recommendation will be presented to the board on Thursday, Jun 11 at 6:30 p.m. That will be the special date for the board’s June meeting. In a related schedule matter, the board decided to move the time for each subsequent board meeting to 6:30 p.m.
Lynch said the plan is for construction to begin later this summer.
In a separate building matter, the board approved the construction of an addition to the wrestling room at the high school. Coach Bob Yilek reported that the estimated cost of the 25 x 40 foot addition will be $34,850. He has $10,000 set aside for the project and hopes to use some volunteer labor to cut the construction cost. Lynch recommended that the board approve making up the difference between those funds and the money needed to complete the project. Meanwhile, Yilek said fund raising will continue with the goal of eventually completely covering the cost of the project.
Personnel
The board approved the use of summer maintenance help in the district and the appointment of Holly Tomlin to teach the summer school program and Jack Schlesselman for the summer band program.
The resignations of Dennis Kurriger from his student council advisor duties and Nancy Landuyt, school lunch cook, were approved.
Budget amendment
Following a public hearing, the board approved a budget amendment which will allow for an increase in expenditures of just under $300,000 for the 2008-09 fiscal year. There will be no increase in property taxes for the increases, which will be paid for through increased receipts and balances not previously budgeted.