Received the initial bargaining proposal for the 2003-04 contract year from the South Hamilton Education Association. The teachers' proposal asked for an increase on the base salary of $300, moving the starting salary for a beginning teacher to $24,100. Several language changes were proposed that address personal and family leave issues. The proposal also requests that employees have the option, in lieu of medical insurance coverage, to receive a payment of $250/month in the form of an annuity or check if the employee shows proof of insurance. The contract proposal also requested an increase in the mileage reimbursement rate for the school nurse and proposed an increase in the payment for unused sick leave for a retiring staff member to $30/day for a maximum of 90 days if the certified staff member meets the criteria of having served the district for at least 15 years and been in the education profession for at least 25 years. The current benefit pays $5/day for a maximum of 75 days. The next negotiations session will be Wednesday evening, February 19 at 8:30 p.m. at which time the board will offer its initial proposal.

Approved a letter of agreement between the District and SHEA regarding the distribution of the state teacher compensation dollars for the 2002-03 school year. The state fund will be distributed equally to all teachers based on their fulltime equivalency for this school year.
             
Received a report from Gina Spohnheimer from the Fine Arts Boosters about fundraising plans for this spring and granted approval for a frozen food and Easter candy sale through Party Time Fundraising.

Approved a request from Corey Klemp, elementary PE teacher, to allow elementary school students the opportunity to participate in the Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart program this spring.

Reviewed a sample of an athletic recognition banner that could be displayed in the school gymnasium. These banners would recognize all South Hamilton athletic teams that have qualified for state competition. The board directed athletic director Todd Coy to pursue the project with the assistance of the South High Pride boosters.

In personnel matters, the board:

• Approved a request from two teachers for a partial day of unpaid leave in March.
• Accepted the resignation of middle/high school science teacher Tracy Chandler and middle/high school science teacher and volleyball coach Keri Hodnefield, effective at the end of the school year. The district is advertising for these positions.
• Tabled the resignation request of Darrell Paulsen as 7th grade girl's basketball coach.
• Approved the issuance of contracts to summer driver's education teachers Charles Brobst and Ed Spires.

Approved a series of corrections and minor revisions to board policy that were recommended as a result the board policy manual review recently conducted by IASB. The board also held its first reading of a new policy preamble statement for board Policy Series 400 - addressing the role of and guiding principles for employees. A second reading will be held at the March meeting. The board asked Supt. Kinley to rewrite several policies that would combine two or more similar policies into one policy statement. These revisions and several other new policies and/or policies with significant revisions will be forwarded to the board for consideration at future meetings                     

Reviewed the bids received from School Bus Sales, Thomas Bus Sales, and Hoglund Bus Sales in regards to the purchase of a new bus. The board accepted the low bid of $53,151 from School Bus Sales Co. for the purchase of a 65-passenger transit-style bus. The purchase will be financed thought district PPEL funds.

The board received two versions of the 2003-04 school district calendar for its consideration. The proposed start date for school would be Thursday, August 21. One version proposes a 2-week winter break with December 22-23 designated as snow make-up days if needed and a 3-day spring break in March. The second proposal has classes meeting on Dec. 22-23, but a full week spring break March 15-19, 2004. Both calendar proposals have May 27 as the last day of school. The board discussed the options extensively and tabled any action on the calendar until the March agenda.
                                       
The HOIAC conference is considering an increase in student admission prices to $3 beginning in the 2003-04 school year. The consensus of the board was to keep the student admission prices at the current level.

The board reviewed a list of potential projects and estimated costs to be addressed through the use of PPEL funding. Supt. Kinley provided the board with estimated costs for many of these projects. The following projects were identified as top priorities for the coming year:

• Continue the replacement of student lockers
• Purchase of a Plasma Cam for the Industrial Technology/manufacturing program
• Painting the interior of the elementary school gym
• Purchase of two newer school vehicles, a car and a van
• Replacement of PE and athletic lockers in two locker rooms
• Additional technology purchases
• Complete the reinforcement work at the track

In a related matter, the board reviewed preliminary schematic drawings of a proposed addition to the MS/HS band room to provide additional storage and lesson space. Gary Griggs of Architects Rudi/Lee/Dreyer of Ames prepared the schematic drawings. The board tabled the project at this time to allow time for additional study of the project.

Todd Coy, athletic director, presented a proposal to the board to consider dedicating the South Hamilton football field in memory of longtime coach Bill Taylor, who served the district for nearly 30 years. The Board discussed the proposal, but tabled any action in order to gather input from the community. The board also discussed the need for policy guidance on these issues and directed the superintendent to research policy statements that would be applicable to dedication requests.

The board granted approval for the middle/high school administration to waive the PE requirement for junior students who have schedule conflicts with desired academic classes.

The board reviewed and approved a proposed 28 E agreement with Hubbard-Radcliffe and Northeast Hamilton to provide shared classes in the agricultural program for the second semester of this school year. The board awaits approval from the boards of the other participating districts.

Mr. Kinley provided a brief overview of the budget development process and indicated that he would conduct a budget workshop with the board at its March meeting.

The board entered closed session for a negotiations strategy session.