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School Board approves local financing for lighting project

School Board approves local financing for lighting project
FFA students Drew Staudt, Gillian Anderson and Bronson Forsyth talked about their trip to the FFA National Convention at the school board meeting on Monday. (Press photo James Grob.)
By James Grob, jgrob@charlescitypress.com

The Charles City Board of Education unanimously approved a resolution for a loan from First Security Bank of Charles City for financing of the Comet Field lighting project in the amount of $238,400 at Monday’s meeting.

The district had already approved the Comet Field lighting project for completion, with construction to begin this spring.

Superintendent Mike Fisher explained to the board that the district wanted to obtain financing through First Security, instead of through the initial deal through Musco Lighting, because it offered more than $4,000 in savings and “keeps the money local.” He said that Musco Lighting was amenable to the change in financing, and did not change the terms of the sale.

The resolution authorized annual payments from undesignated PPEL (physical plant and equipment levy) funds.

The interest rate is 3.79%, with annual payments (with interest) of $52,661.22. The maturity term is 56 months, with a maturity date of Dec. 1, 2024. The new lights will be installed in May.

The meeting Monday was held at the Charles City High School commons area. All board members were present.

In other action Monday, the board unanimously approved a resolution authorizing Director of Finance Terri O’Brien to open a brokerage account and transact business with Principal Securities.

Fisher explained that he was approached by two community members who told him they would like to transfer stock to the district with the proceeds donated to the new athletic complex, worth “somewhere in the range of $10,000.”

“This was something new that we haven’t done before,” Fisher said. “This is not uncommon. Other school districts have done this, so it’s legally precedented, it’s just new to us.”

Fisher said that Iowa code does not allow school districts to own stock, but does allow districts to receive a stock donation and then have it liquidated.

Fisher said that O’Brien had been working with legal counsel on the transaction “for a couple of months.”

Feller and Associates, financial advisor for the district, prepared the documents necessary with Principal to approve the transaction.

“We will be able to keep the brokerage account with Feller and Associates,” Fisher said. “So if this were to happen again, we already have an account established.”

Also at the meeting on Monday:

• FFA students Gillian Anderson, Bronson Forsyth, Drew Staudt and Cael Ruzicka — along with ag instructors Bret Spurgeon and Jim Lundberg — told the board about the FFA’s trip to Indianapolis last fall for the National FFA Convention.

Twelve Charles City FFA members traveled to the convention with the FFA chapters from Nashua, Riceville, Rockford and St. Ansgar. Every year, more than 70,000 FFA members, advisors and guests travel to Indiana to take part, the students said.

Students attended sessions, took part in leadership workshops, went on tours of agricultural businesses and interacted with FFA members from around the country.

“It was a great experience to meet members from across the nation,” Staudt said.

Several FFA students also presented a lesson to the board regarding parliamentary procedure.

• Washington Elementary principal Kara Shannon presented recommendations for signature programming.

Shannon serves on the Signature Programing Team, which has been working toward developing a “magnet” school in Charles City.

The idea is to create a school that’s so distinctive that it attracts people to the school, according to Shannon. The goal is to increase parent and community engagement and student engagement, which leads to more academic excellence.

Shannon said that the task force has chosen to work toward becoming a “Leader in Me” magnet school.

Leader in Me states its mission is to help schools create well-rounded learners by developing the whole person and preparing students to become life-ready leaders.

Leader in Me attempts to unite students, staff, and families around a common goal to prepare students with college, career, and life-readiness skills that are necessary to thrive in today’s ever-changing, fast-paced environment.

The board will discuss the information and consider action at a future meeting.

• The board approved 2019-2020 Strategic Goals modifications, previously titled Board/Superintendent Goals. Fisher has provided an update on strategic goal progress and plan modifications at the Jan. 13 meeting to consider possible language changes to previously set goals to better align for the entire organization.

• The board heard a presentation from Steve Schulz, North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) president, regarding the proposed use of the NIACC levy fund and the tax impact on the district on Monday. NIACC has asked all of the area superintendents to support the upcoming bond issue vote for the college, which will take place on March 3.

• Approved the resignation of CCHS ag teacher Jodie Johnson, effective June 30.

• Approved the appointments of Lori Clark and Teresa Petitt, full time para-educators, at a wage of $14.91 per hour. Clark’s start date is listed as Jan. 28 and Petitt’s is listed as Feb. 28.

• Approved the appointments of Susan Davis and Carter Shaull, extra duty music lesson instructors, each at the wage of $13.25 per hour, effective Jan. 28.

• Approved the classified employee transfers of Julie Tjabring from part-time to full-time para-educator, Christine Schlader from part-time to full-time bus aide/painter, and Patricia Kilby from bus driver/custodian to bus driver/para-educator.

• Approved the natural gas sales agreement dated 1/20/20 with WoodRiver Energy. WoodRiver currently supplies the District with natural gas at four locations and is reducing the fees charged to the district.

• Heard a presentation from district communications director Justin DeVore regarding the district’s school report card metrics.

• Heard from reading instructional coaches, who presented information on Lucy Calkins Writing Strategies/nonfiction writing.

• At the end of the meeting, the board adjourned to closed session to discuss Fisher’s midpoint evaluation as superintendent.

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