Thursday evening many staff and community members attended the Gladbrook-Reinbeck School Board as staff reductions were going to be announced and they were showing their support. Andrea Rowe and Jennifer Wrage, middle school teachers, spoke to the board and those attending about the staff cuts and the effect it will have on middle school teachers. They asked the board to look at what was best for the students.

Marjorie Whipple and Michelle Knaack addressed the board about the incoming kindergarten class and were concerned about a class of 28 students. They also expressed concerns about bussing kindergarten students.

Both principals in the district, Brian Williams, Gladbrook campus, and Matt Leeman, Reinbeck campus, submitted their resignations effective the end of the 2013/14 school year. Williams accepted a position with Grant Wood AEA as a Regional Administrator, beginning July 1st. Leeman has accepted a position as an assistant elementary principal for the Clear Creek Amana school district to begin on July 1st.

Casey Faircloth was offered the K-8 Instructional Strategist Level I contract. Faircloth has been a long term sub as the position has been vacant all year. She has obtained a conditional license to teach special education and is currently taking classes to complete these requirements.

The resignation of Barb Smith as part-time cook at the Gladbrook campus was approved, effective April 3rd.

The resignation of Jeff Mayes as G-R’s Agricultural Education Teacher and FFA advisor was accepted.

The board accepted the resignation of Katie Bauder as K-8 Special Education Level II teacher, junior high girls basketball coach and junior high girls track coach, effective the end of the 2013/14 school year.

The board acted on the recommendation of Supt. Shawn Holloway to terminate the following contracts at the end of the 2013-14 year. They are Jacqueline Bakker, Family Consumer Science, on a 5-1 vote; Victoria DuVall, 5th & 6th grade language arts; and Andrew McQuillen as tech integrationist. McQuillen was offered a .5 position.

On a 5-1 vote, Jane Stirler’s contract as At Risk Coordinator was terminated, effective at the end of the 2013/14 school year. Luke Beenken’s contract as custodian at the Reinbeck campus was terminated, effective March 29th.

Ellen Johanns and Ariel Patton, Senior Class Sponsors, presented a proposal for the senior trip the Minneapolis, leaving May 3rd. There will be 36 students going on the trip and cost of the trip will be $5,383. Board approved.

Turfmaster received the grounds maintenance bid for the Reinbeck campus to include lawns and non-sports fields and the soccer field and practice field at the Reinbeck campus.

Precision Lawn Care was awarded the bid at the Gladbrook campus for all lawn areas around the middle and elementary school. Al’s Lawn Mowing also bid on these projects.

At the March 4th board work session the future organization of the administration was discussed and the board voiced favorable comments to keep the structure as is. Holloway said with the resignations of both building principals, he felt it should be revisited. The board asked that it be put as an agenda item for the April 2nd work session.

The summer school proposal for 2014 was approved. Students will attend for three hours per day. Staff will receive $25/hour for 3.5 hours/day for 56 total hours per teacher. Cost per teacher will be $1,400. Teacher cost for four teachers will be $5,600 for grades K-4.

The program has traditionally served students in grades K-4 and instruction focuses on skills in the area of mathematics and literacy. Typically 20-30 students are served at each campus.

Holloway said he would like to add a staff member to work with 5-8 students on the same schedule at the same rate. Cost of this teacher would also be $1,400.

At the high school the past two years students have been offered help via a staff member (associate) at a rate of $15/hour. Holloway said he would like to offer this same opportunity. The schedule for this would be 4 days a week, 10 hours per week. Total of 30 hours at $15/hour for $450.

The board approved the wrestling agreement with North Tama and Grundy Center.

The second reading of board policies were approved 800 series Buildings and sites and 900 series Community Relations. The 1st reading of 504.5 student fund raising was acknowledged.

Approval was given for Tremco to proceed with roof repairs at the high school, elementary and industrial tech building for a cost of $7,825.

The board discussed what to do about the press box at the football field as the current press box is safe for those who work on the inside but there are others who stand on top for scouting, etc. and athletic director John Olson said it is not safe. The buildings and grounds committee will look at other options and present to the board. A suggestion is to move the press box to the visitor’s side.

Holloway suggested sharing cross country with Grundy Center as G-R currently doesn’t have a coach and the number of participants is down. He also suggested sharing a Food Service Director with Grundy Center. The cost would be split 50/50 and it would help the nutritional fund.

The 2014/15 school calendar was not approved as there is a conflict in regards to high school Cedar Valley West PCL (Professional Learning Community). Holloway will be meeting with the four superintendents in the CVW and it will be discussed. The calendar will be approved at the April meeting.

Gladbrook campus principal Brian Williams said the new textbooks for the math curriculum have arrived and as part of this spring’s professional development, K-8 teachers will be working with their new textbooks. He said a Parents Night is planned for this spring to orientate the families on Everyday Mathematics and Connected Math.

Friday, May 2nd 4th grade students will visit the middle school to meet their teachers and get a tour of the building. This week Mr. Leeman met with the 8th grade students to share insight and expectations for incoming freshman.

The Spring MAP testing will be held during the weeks of April 21st through May 3rd.

Principal Matt Leeman said he is continuing to work on scheduling for 2014/15. G-R has been asked to host a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) showcase Thursday, May 8th at 2:30. Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds will be in attendance and speaking. G-R students will be asked to showcase projects from various curriculums such as Vocational Ag, Industrial Tech, Project Lead the Way, Science, Math and VREP. The public and local businesses that are integral in hiring students who pursue degrees in the STEM areas will be invited to attend.

There will be a special meeting budget hearing Wednesday, April 2nd at 6:30 in Gladbrook. The regular meeting will be held April 17th.