Gaiters allowed, fate of CMS discussed, officers elected

     A change in face covering rules, the fate of the old middle school, and the election of new officers were all part of the discussion and/or action at the regular meeting of the Monticello School Board Nov. 23.

     The meeting was held in the Monticello High School Commons, and people also had the option of attending virtually through Google Meet.

     Among the biggest action items was the board voting to change the language of its COVID-19 restrictions. Whereas the previous language indicated all students and staff must wear “face coverings,” that was changed to allow either masks or two-ply gaiters. The latter must be approved by the school nurse.

     During his Superintendent’s Report, Brian Jaeger reviewed the Google Meet regarding the fate of the old Central Middle School building, including the results of an emailed survey to interested parties. About 60 surveys were sent, and 25 responses were received.

     Jaeger said recurring themes in the responses included tearing the building down and replacing the gym and wrestling space with a new multi-purpose steel building on the high school site, trying to develop a city/school partnership for the middle school building and site, and working with a developer on demolition.

     Jaeger asked the board to consider these and other options going forward, with the possibility of scheduling another virtual meeting.

     Also, the board elected its officers for the 2020-21 school year. Craig Stadtmueller was elected president, Mandy Norton is the new vice president, while Judy Hayen and Marcy Gillmore retained their positions as board secretary and board treasurer, respectively.

In other board business:

     • The board held a public hearing regarding the Instructional Support Levy, for which no public comments were received, and later approved participation in the ISL for a period of two years.

     • As part of the consent agenda, the board approved several personnel moves. They included:

     Appointments: Jean Kehoe as kindergarten teacher mentor at Shannon, Michelle Mahoney, Wendy Davis and Dezerae Smith as special education child specific associates at Shannon, Carpenter and the middle school respectively; Taylor Holt as special education program associate at Shannon, Wes Wilson as middle school wrestling coach, Jarrett Easton as freshman boys basketball coach, and Luke McDonald as volunteer wrestling coach.

     Transfer: Kolby Harms from freshman boys basketball coach to sophomore boys basketball coach.

     Amendments: Clarence Goedken, Laurie Hermsen and Jim Reuter to multi-position bus barn contracts.

     • The board approved continuing the schedule of having regular meetings on the fourth Monday of the month at 6 p.m., and a work session the second Wednesday of the month, also at 6 p.m. An exception will be moving the March 22, 2021 meeting to March 29 due to spring break.

     • The board approved the following institutions as official depositories for the district: Ohnward Bank & Trust, with a maximum of $800,000; Citizens State Bank, $15 million; and Iowa Schools Joint Investment Trust, Des Moines, $10,000.

     • The board designated Strittmatter Law Firm, Ahlers & Cooney, P.C.; and Lynch Dallas, P.C. as its legal counsel.

     • The board designated the Monticello Express as its official publication.

     • The following board members were appointed to board committees: Amanda Brennemann, Negotiations and Labor; John Schlarmann, Finance; Debbie McDermott, Education; and Mandy Norton, Grounds & Transportation.

     • The board approved the bid of Anderson, Larkin and Co. of Ottumwa for audit services, at a cost of $30,000.

     • The board approved the second and final reading of board policies pertaining to vacancies, membership for term of office, and the board president.