School Board Instructional Board Meeting at Table Mound School October 25, 2010

Video by Gary Olsen and Brandon Noel

DUBUQUE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Instructional Board Meeting

October 25, 2010

President Brannon called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. at Table Mound Elementary School with the following members present: Beytien, Brannon, Davis, Krueger, Loeppke, Mennig, Stephens. Additional officers of the Board present: Godinez, Holm, Lucas. Executives present: Devaney, Puls, Rheingans.

Moved (Krueger) and seconded to approve the agenda as submitted. Motion carried 7-0.

Moved (Krueger) and seconded to suspend the rules of order and go into open forum. Motion carried 7-0.

Moved (Krueger) and seconded to reinstate the rules of order and return to regular session. Motion carried 7-0.

Moved (Davis) and seconded to approve a resolution authorizing the sale of district property located at 39 Bluff Street, Dubuque, Iowa, Whereas on September 13, 2010, the Board of Education of the Dubuque Community School District, in the Counties of Dubuque and Jackson, State of Iowa, a.k.a. Dubuque Community School District, adopted a resolution setting the date, time and place for public hearing on the proposed sale of District real property located at 39 Bluff Street, Dubuque, Iowa, as September 27, 2010, at 7:00 PM, at the Forum, 2300 Chaney Road, Dubuque, Iowa; and Whereas on September 15, 2010, more than 10 days and less than 20 days before such public hearing, notice of the public hearing was published in the Telegraph Herald, a newspaper of general circulation published in the City of Dubuque, County of Dubuque and State of Iowa, proof of which notice is attached hereto and incorporated in this Resolution by this reference; and Whereas a public hearing was held on September 27, 2010, pursuant to the above-described resolution and notice; and Whereas pursuant to the above-described resolution, notice and public hearing, real property of the District located at 39 Bluff Street, Dubuque, Iowa, and legally described as: Lot 2 of Lot 1, and Lot 2 of Lot 2, both of City Lot 595; City Lot 596; City Lot 597;

City Lot 597A, Lot 1 of Lot 2 of Lot 1, Lot 2 of Lot 1 of Lot 2, Lot 2 of Lot 2, Lot 3, Lot 4, Lot 5, and Lot 6, all of City Lot 600; all in the City of Dubuque, Iowa, according to the United States Commissioners’ Survey of the City of Dubuque, and the recorded plats thereof, was offered for sale at public auction on October 23, 2010; and Whereas immediately upon the close of the auction the successful bidder, Gary Carner, executed and delivered an Offer to Buy Real Estate and Acceptance, copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference; Now, therefore, be it RESOLVED: 1. That the sale of real property located at 39 Bluff Street, Dubuque, Iowa, described as Lot 2 of Lot 1, and Lot 2 of Lot 2, both of City Lot 595; City Lot 596; City Lot 597; City Lot 597A, Lot 1 of Lot 2 of Lot 1, Lot 2 of Lot 1 of Lot 2, Lot 2 of Lot 2, Lot 3, Lot 4, Lot 5, and Lot 6, all of City Lot 600; all in the City of Dubuque, Iowa, according to the United States Commissioners’ Survey of the City of Dubuque, and the recorded plats thereof, to Gary Carner according to the terms of the attached Offer to Buy Real Estate and Acceptance is hereby approved. 2. That the President and Secretary of the Board of Education are authorized and directed to sign the Offer to Buy Real Estate and Acceptance on behalf of the District, and upon performance by Gary Carner as provided therein and payment of the balance of the purchase price to execute and deliver to him a Warranty Deed conveying to him the above-described District-owned real property, and otherwise to take such action on behalf of the District as may be reasonably necessary to complete the sale hereby authorized. Motion carried 7-0.

Wanda Steuri, Language Arts Coordinator, began working with the Elementary Literacy Study, Year 2. The mission of the Dubuque Community School District PK-12 English/Language Arts is to provide students with a comprehensive language arts program that challenges them to become critical readers and viewers, analytical thinkers, competent writers, active speakers and listeners as well as multi-modal users of emerging technology. The ultimate purpose of the English Language Arts curriculum is to teach students the language abilities they need to communicate effectively as individuals and as contributing members of society. The DCSD Standards include: reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing.

Cheryl Werner, G/T, Fine Arts & MAP Coordinator, reviewed AP courses and exams. Advanced Placement is college courses in high school, course audit reassurances for colleges, and based on their performance on rigorous AP exams, students can gain admission, earn course credit, and/or advanced placement for college. Exposure to rigor and standardized rigor is what is important to prepare students for college. She reviewed AP Equity and Excellence (2010). It showed the proportion of our school’s entire senior class who scored a 3 or higher on an AP Exam at any point during high school.

Lynn Helmke, Director of Special Education, reviewed the Iowa Special Education 6-Year State Performance Plan 2004-2010 (data added: 2008-09). State department is working to measure growth for students with an IEP. Per federal requirements, proficiency rates for students with IEPs have been aligned with NCLB requirements and include only FAY (full academic year) students. Trend data are not available. A dramatic decrease in percent proficient at the middle school level is a concern. Fusion Reading has been implemented. Many students exit out of special education by 11 th grade.

Dr. Godinez reported that the District met with community leaders on October 13. The general consensus of the group was that the board and administration acted too quickly and did not engage the community soon enough in the facility planning process. She is recommending that administration goes back to the drawing board and engage more people in the process earlier on. It is in the best interest of the community and the best interest of the School District. The next community input session is scheduled for October 30 at Jefferson Middle School. Each board member provided their input. The Board reached consensus to accept the superintendent’s recommendation and redesign the facility planning process to gain input every step of the way to build on the strength of the community. Mr. Davis opposed this delay. Dr. Godinez reviewed the agenda for the community input session on October 30. Straka Johnson will present their findings, participants will learn about 21 st Century learning, budget overview, data on buildings, and then table discussions.

Mr. Davis reported that IASB is again in the news for failing to disclose records requested by lawmakers and the Des Moines Register. Legislation was passed that made the organization subject to the state open-records law. That legislation took effect July 1. IASB contends that the new law doesn’t cover records created prior to July 1.

Board Salutes

• John Piekenbrock and Larry ‘Junior’ Brehm for their hard work preparing for the Central auction.
• Dr. Randy Lengeling and Mark Wahlert for bringing ‘God Bless America’ Grant Wood statue to Dubuque.
• Mike and Kaizer Gukeisen and Wayne Vandenberge for helping to transplant prairie grass from their home to Senior High School.
• Iowa Youth Symposium – Senior High School received three of the eight ‘Outstanding Delegate’ designations awarded at the conference. Receiving this distinguished honor were Ellen Vaassen, Emily Brannon, and Michael Nauman. Also representing Senior were Kenny Capesius and Joe Schneider.

President Brannon declared the meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.

Joni Lucas, Secretary

Board of Education