Kenowa Hills board elects LaBotz president, approves bond application and organizational measures

At its organizational meeting Jan. 8, 2024, at the Kenowa Hills Administration Building, the Kenowa Hills Board of Education elected Member LaBotz president by a 5-2 roll-call vote and approved a slate of organizational and administrative measures to guide board operations through 2024.

The meeting established the board's 2024 leadership: Member LaBotz was elected president (5-2); Member Gustinis was elected vice president (7-0); Member Courtade was elected secretary (7-0); and Member Hart was elected treasurer (7-0). Temporary Chair Superintendent Hopkins and Administrative Assistant Julie Lanka presided over the initial roll call and vote for president.

The board approved routine organizational motions by unanimous votes, including the 2024 schedule of meetings, an Investment Authority Resolution, designation of depositories for district funds and authorization of account signatures. The board also authorized the superintendent or his designee to post notices on behalf of the board and to accept support-staff resignations and retirements on the board's behalf.

On personnel authority, the board voted 7-0 to authorize the superintendent to hire support staff. During that discussion members requested that the district provide a plan to hire a Human Resources professional who would implement improved HR practices, provide greater transparency and ensure adherence to district protocols. The board also authorized (7-0) the superintendent to handle disciplinary matters involving long-term suspensions and expulsions as outlined in Report #24-009; the minutes note a prior request to explore adding an ombudsman or student staff representative to provide additional due-process oversight.

Board members were assigned as building liaisons for 2024: Early Childhood Center — Turner and Hart; Alpine Elementary — LaBotz; Central Elementary — Roberts; Zinser Elementary — Robinson; Middle School — Hart and Turner; High School — Gustinis; Pathways High School — Courtade.

The consent agenda passed 7-0 and recorded December 2023 expenditures: General Fund, $422,090.99; School Lunch Fund, $45,530.46; Student Activity, $18,972.21. The consent agenda also included the Dec. 18, 2023 regular meeting minutes and the certified staff personnel report.

A motion to approve the Policy Revisions and Replacements listed in Report #24-011 carried 6-1; the minutes record the vote tally but do not identify the dissenting member by name. The board also approved the Preliminary Qualification Application for the 2024 Bond Election (Report #24-012) by a 7-0 vote, advancing the district toward the next steps needed to place a bond question before voters.

The minutes record that four members of the public spoke during the added public comment period; the record does not provide details of their remarks. President LaBotz adjourned the meeting at 7:09 p.m.

Votes at a glance

- Election of President: Member LaBotz elected, 5-2 (roll-call recorded by Temporary Secretary Julie Lanka). - Vice President: Member Gustinis elected, 7-0. - Secretary: Member Courtade elected, 7-0. - Treasurer: Member Hart elected, 7-0. - Meeting schedule (2024): approved, 7-0. - Investment Authority Resolution: approved, 7-0. - Designate depositories / authorize signatures: approved, 7-0. - Authorize superintendent to post notices; accept resignations/retirements: approved, 7-0. - Authorize superintendent to hire support staff: approved, 7-0 (board requested HR plan). - Authorize superintendent to resolve long-term discipline: approved, 7-0 (Report #24-009). - Add second public comment period: approved, 7-0. - Consent agenda (including recorded expenditures): approved, 7-0. - Policy revisions and replacements (Report #24-011): approved, 6-1. - Preliminary Qualification Application for 2024 Bond Election (Report #24-012): approved, 7-0.

What happens next: The annual education reports presented as information will be listed as action items at the upcoming regular meeting and posted on the district transparency page; the preliminary bond application will proceed through any required county or state preliminary review steps prior to a ballot decision.