Some good news for a change

There was good news in regard to the cost of the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Community School's property and commercial liability insurance package for 2024-25.

A significant reduction in the district's workers compensation experience modification factor (mod) will result in an overall reduction in the package premium. David Treimer, of Treimer's Insurance Agency, said at Monday's board meeting that the mod has fallen from 1.62 in 2022 to .70 for the coming year.

"That's really amazing," Treimer said.

The estimated premium for workers compensation is $30,952, which compares to $82,134 two years ago.

That reduction helps mitigate higher premiums in other areas of the package, including an increase of nearly $17,000 for the building and personal property premium, and smaller increases in other areas.

The other significant premium cost is for individual excess liability, which EMC recommended be increased from $5 million to $10 million. That premium will be $13,180, rather than $8,277 for a $5 million individual excess limit.

Overall, the estimated package premium is $247,697. That compares to the 2023-24 package cost of $269,484.

• Breakfast costs, personnel

H-M-S will continue covering the cost of breakfast for students during the 2024-25 school year. According to Carlin, breakfast is an approved item for which the district can utilize nutrition funds.

Carlin again noted that the district cannot cover the cost of student lunches, as that is not an approved item for nutrition funds.

The resignation of school business official Emily Widvey was accepted, and a contract was offered to Emma Lowder to fill that position.

Benita Barone Shoemake resigned as a middle school science teacher. According to discussion, Lindsy Holst will teach 5-6 science until Brittney Ponte, who is currently attending Buena Vista University, completes her student teaching and receives her license.

Contracts were also offered to Maria Luisa Correa, high school Spanish; Naet Hoaglund, high school activity director [2025-26]; Russ Spier, interim middle school head football coach; Hayden Adkins, assistant middle school baseball coach; and Chris Schmidt, volunteer assistant football coach.

Carlin commended the building principals for their efforts to fill all staff vacancies.

"It's been a long time since we've had that," he noted.

• Policy discussion

Board members and Carlin reviewed necessary updates in district policy due to legislative action.

The Iowa Legislature restored the March 1 deadline for open enrollment applications. The only exception to that deadline is applications for kindergarten students.

Carlin said the district is seeking clarification concerning transportation of students who open enroll to another district. He believes there is a limit as to how far a receiving district can enter H-M-S territory for the purpose of transporting those students. The limit is based on the distance from a student's primary residence to the receiving district's attendance center.

There are also changes in state law regarding chronic absenteeism and truancy. According to the updated policy, a "school engagement meeting" must be held if a student is absent at least 15 percent of the total number of days of a grading period. The student, parent[s] and a school official must attend to determine why the student is absent and develop an absenteeism prevention plan.

Carlin noted that if a student is absent without good cause for an additional period of time, the county attorney will be notified. If that occurs, H-M-S would be required to pay for the county attorney's involvement.

"There is potential for significant cost in that," he said.

Also discussed was whether the current policy governing cell phone use by students is adequate. H-M-S does not allow use of cell phones by K-8 students during the school day, and limits use by 9-12 students to their scheduled lunch period.

"It really becomes differentiating between can they carry it or can they use it?" Carlin noted.

Board President Scott Vollink asked if there are any issues with the current policy and if it was being enforced. Carlin said that K-8 was not an issue, but enforcement at the high school "has been lax"

Principal Blake Wendt explained that the high school's cell phone use policy had been updated to make the rules clear to understand.

"There shouldn't be any ambiguity for anybody," he said.

All three principals reported their buildings were ready for the start of classes on Aug. 23. The focus of professional development for the 2024-25 school year is to improve on what the district is already doing, rather than adding new initiatives.