Riceville school board approves staff contracts, policies, fundraisers and partnerships; tables construction cost estimates

The Riceville Community School District Board of Education on Aug. 19, 2024, approved a series of routine personnel contracts, board policies and extracurricular fundraisers and deferred consideration of construction observation cost estimates for further bid review.

Board President Karl Fox opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. and the board moved quickly through consent items. A motion by board member McCarthy, seconded by Hale, approved the amended agenda. The board then approved the minutes, financial reports and bills and granted one open enrollment into Howard–Winn.

The board voted 5–0 to approve TLC contracts for Izzy Worrall, Tammi Mueller and Abby Gomez and to approve volunteer football coaches Brandon Hummel, Warren Haacke and Scott Kraft; both motions were recorded on roll-call with members Hale, Eastman, McCarthy, Guertin and Fox voting aye. The body also approved the staff and student–parent handbooks and the substitute list by unanimous vote.

Principal Marcia Grimm reported the district is fully staffed for the upcoming year, noted student-teacher placements and described recent student-focused professional development (Eagle Bluff). Student Board Representative Madison Miller was introduced and spoke about her interest in serving on the board and activities she undertook over the summer in preparation for the role.

On policy, the board approved second readings of a package of policies, including 501.14 and 501.15 (open enrollment procedures), 502.6 (weapons), 505.2 (student promotion, retention and acceleration), 603.1 (basic instruction program), 603.12 (postsecondary education counseling), 607.2 (student health services), 710.1 (school nutrition), 801.3 (educational specifications for buildings and sites), 803.2 (lease, sale or disposal of district buildings and sites) and 905.3 (weapons in the district). The policy motion passed unanimously.

The board approved a request-for-proposal with Nolte, Cornman & Johnson for audit services for fiscal years 2024–2026 and approved a College/Career field trip to Winona. The board also approved contracts with the Northeast Iowa Health Occupations Academy and with NICC (Northeast Iowa Community College) to support career and concurrent enrollment opportunities.

Members approved a broad list of fundraisers submitted by student groups and parent organizations, including ice-cream sales (Student Council), fruit and plant sales and vending revenue (FFA), a middle-school ‘Bubbler’ fundraiser, Book Blast for pre-K–5, homecoming clothing and volleyball apparel through Runde’s, music department pizza and Butter Braid sales, a greenery sale by music parents, and several Post Prom Parents activities (50/50 raffles at home games, a raffle of a metal American flag, an auction of a Wildcat Fire Ring at Hall of Fame recognition, and Elma Locker meat bundles).

Discussion on construction observation and materials testing cost estimates was tabled. A motion by Guertin, seconded by McCarthy, put the cost estimates on hold “due to further bid questions,” and the board voted 5–0 to defer final action until outstanding bid clarifications are resolved.

The board announced its next regular meeting for Sept. 16, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. in the board room and a work session on Aug. 26 at 6:00 p.m. in the Osage Board Room. A motion to adjourn carried at 7:25 p.m.

The minutes were signed by Board President Karl Fox and Board Secretary Jennifer Dunn.