CC/E board challenged on bus policy

The Clay Central/Everly school board on May 26 agreed to review a Rossie man's request wishing for an exemption from the district's bus transportation policy.

Neil Joenks has an elementary-age daughter who is open enrolled to Sioux Central along with her older siblings. Since CC/E offers grades PK-6, she is not allowed to be picked up by Sioux Central's buses in Rossie, but her elder siblings are because CC/E does not offer grades 7-12.

Joenks, a recent widower, said he has limited support to take his daughter to school when his older children cannot drive her during inclement weather or when they need to attend extracurricular activities. He asked board members if they would allow an exemption for Sioux Central's bus to transport her to and from Sioux Rapids.

"It would really help me out," he said. "I don't have any support to help me, but having them all in one place will help me a lot."

Board President Allison Goyette said the issue was "muddy water" and noted the precedent it would set for other students that are open-enrolled in grades PK-6.

"CC/E couldn't pick up a [PK-6 grade] student in Sioux Central's district," she said. "It's not just us."

Goyette admitted it was "a tough situation." Joenks works in Storm Lake and other western Iowa locations depending on the day, and said he leaves home for work very early in the morning.

The board was sympathetic to his situation and agreed to take his request under review.

"We would have to make the best decision for our district as a whole taking into account your situation," Goyette said.

Board Member Denny Dalen understood Joenks' plight.

"That's a tough spot...it's not lost on me," he said. "I think we need to talk about it."

The issue will be discussed at a later date.

• Cool classroom relief

The board unanimously approved the purchase of mini-splits for classrooms at the elementary school pending two installers' quotes. According to discussion, Hawk I Electric and SwiftAir are compiling bids for the equipment and are comparing "apples to apples."

Mini-splits are heating and cooling systems that allow users to control the temperatures in individual rooms or spaces. They will be paid for with Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds, which were allocated by Congress to address the ongoing impact of COVID-19 in America's school districts with the goal of mitigating the effects of the pandemic.

CC/E was allocated approximately $398,000 in ESSER funds and has been mulling how to properly spend the money.

"My opinion is not to just spend money because it's available, but this is something we've been talking about for years," said Board Member Brian Schmidt.

According to discussion, the mini-splits will be installed before the start of the 2021-22 school year.

• Sharing agreements approved

In other business, the board unanimously approved seven 28E sharing agreements with the Sioux Central Community School District. They are as follows, with staff members' time percentages allocated to CC/E: Superintendent Kevin Wood, 30 percent; curriculum director Kari Schmidt, 20 percent; transportation director Brent John, 20 percent; nutrition director Chuck Bell, 20 percent; school board official Samantha Kopfmann, 30 percent; P.E. teacher Ben Edmundson, 22.5 percent; and music teacher Crystal Bunge, 40 percent.

Additionally, the board approved the sale of used Chromebooks to staff members and the community for $25 apiece.