Lone Tree Community School
Regular Meeting and Public Hearing
Wednesday, December 20, 2023 6:30 PM
School Library
Superintendent Tyler Hotz
SBO, Sheila Tharp
Board Secretary, Renae Williams
1. Public Hearing: Proposed plans, specifications, and form of the Lone Tree Community School District Gymnasium HVAC Upgrades.
a. Public Comment: None
2. Call to order: Board President Sladek called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.
3. Roll Call: Alex Ogren, Michael Hotz, Robert Sladek, Gordon Viers, Jennifer Eden.
4. Approval of Agenda: Viers motioned to approve the agenda, Eden seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
5. Public Comment: None
6. Tiny Techies: Stephanie Callan presented the Tiny Techies program. Three of the Elementary Students presented what they have learned so far and an example of what they have been doing in class.
7. Principal’s Report:
a. Maintenance Director: Scott Feldman gave an overview on our current Boiler status and maintenance performed over the last couple of years. Discussed concerns of other parts of the building that need to be addressed. Feldman is working on a list of projects to consider for the 2024 summer.
b. MS/HS Principal: Principal Koshatka presented the Secondary Report. Good news and celebrations (FFA Stutsmans Breakfast and Computer Science Education Week), office referrals, cell phone free work environment, overview of Career Exploration Day, reassessment procedure/rationale, revisited Esports and gave a brief overview of the last season.
c. Elementary Principal: Principal Jacque presented the Elementary Report. Good news and celebrations (Tag, 5th grade science), office referrals, computer science week, high performing workforce, staff/student attendance rates.
8. Consent Agenda:
a. Previous Meeting Minutes: Viers motioned to approve the previous meeting minutes, Eden seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
b. Finance Report: SBO Tharp presented the Finance Report.
c. Payment of Bills: Eden motioned to approve the payment of bills, Hotz seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
d. Open Enrollment: None
d. Personnel Items: Viers motioned to move into closed session pursuant to Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(i) to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation and that individual requests a closed session, Eden seconded.
Roll Call: Eden-Aye, Viers-Aye, Sladek-Aye, M. Hotz-Aye, Ogren-Aye. The Board moved into closed session at 7:22 PM.
i. Closed Session: The Board moved out of closed session at 7:48 PM.
ii. Action on Consideration of Termination Recommendation: Ogren motioned to approve the recommendation of termination of Sara Braun, Viers seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
9. Old Business
a. HVAC Update: Representatives from Shive Hattery gave an update of all five HVAC options. Shive Hattery gave their recommendation to move forward with option D- Geothermal Well Field with Water Source Heat Pumps.
Supt. Hotz discussed feedback from Piper Sandler on Revenue Bonds and General Obligation Bonds. Further discussion was requested on bonding and debt schedules.
b. Gym HVAC Bid: Viers motioned to award the Gym HVAC upgrades project to Doug’s Heating & Air Conditioning in the amount of $254,675, Ogren seconded. Motion carried 4-0-1. M. Hotz abstained.
c. Request for Proposals-Audit Services: M. Hotz motioned to approve the agreement to have Kay Chapman CPA as the auditor for Lone Tree Schools for FY24 through FY26, Ogren seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
d. Board Policy 404- 409.2 (Second Reading): M. Hotz motioned to approve the second reading of the Board Policies 404 through 409.2, Viers seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
e. Board Policy 705.4 & 705.4 R1 Expenditures for a Public Purpose (Second Reading): Viers motioned to approve the second reading the Board Policies 705.4 and 705.4 R1, Eden seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
10. New Business:
a. SBRC Modified Supplemental Amount: Open Enrollment Out. M. Hotz motioned to approve the SBRC application for Modified Supplemental Amount for Open Enroll Out in the amount of $83,924 for the 2023-2024 school year, Viers seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
b. SBRC Modified Supplemental Amount: EL Instruction Beyond 5 Years: M. Hotz motioned to approve the SBRC application for Modified Supplemental Amount for EL Instruction Beyond 5 years in the amount of $3,588 for the 2023-2024 school year, Viers seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
c. Youth Ball Fields Fencing: Viers motioned to approve LifeTime Fence to install fence around the youth ball fields in the amount of $25,590 to be prepaid by the LT Ball Association, Eden seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
d. Open Night Request for May 15th: Eden motioned to allow the HS baseball team to play after 6:00 PM on an “Open Night”, Wednesday May 15th, 2024, Viers seconded the motion. Motion failed 2-3. Sladek nay, Ogren nay, Hotz nay.
e. Wood River Energy:
i. M. Hotz motioned to approve the contract with Wood River Energy for Natural gas for FY24 in the amount of $23,364.43, Ogren seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
ii. Viers motioned to approve the contract with Wood River Energy for natural gas for FY25 in the amount of $44,417.28, Eden seconded. Motion failed 2-3. Sladek nay, M. Hotz nay, Ogren nay.
f. Shive-Hattery 3-Year Inspection & Asbestos Review:
i. M. Hotz motioned to approve the agreement to complete a three-year inspection to reassess the general condition of asbestos containing materials in the amount of $5,000, Viers seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
ii. Viers motioned to approve the agreement to complete a certified asbestos inspection in the amount of $2,500. Motion died for lack of a second.
11. Superintendent’s Report: Collection of feedback from the 4-day calendar surveys continues. Surveys have gone out to parents/guardians, staff and students. Further discussion will be had at the January and February board workshops.
Still waiting to hear back on if the District has been approved for the safety grant that was applied for.
Discussion on the district’s budget process. Taxpayers will get a letter from the State Auditor March 20th. Public Hearings are expected to be set in March and April, with the Budget Certification deadline of April 30th.
12. Future Agenda Topics: None
13. Adjourn: Viers motioned to adjourn the Regular Meeting, Eden seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
Adjourned @ 9:23 PM
Next meeting date: January 3rd, 2024 in the Superintendent’s Conference Room.
Published in The News, Thursday, January 4, 2024 L-236
