On Thursday, April 16, 2015, the Gladbrook-Reinbeck School Board held their monthly regular meeting. A public meeting preceded the regular meeting beginning at 6:30 P.M. The agenda was approved and was followed by the G-R Education Association Initial Bargaining Proposal. The group agreed to meet informally to discuss language changes to the current Master Contract. This meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 22nd with the teachers and negotiation committee. The regular school board meeting began shortly afterward. There were visitors from the high school present including Ellen Johanns and her speech students: Jesse Royer, Kelly Brockett, Waverly Robinett, and Amber Brandt. Mrs. Johanns gave a presentation on the events within large and individual speech this year. The students talked about the events they participate in and their experiences they had this year. Next, two representatives from the Reinbeck Preschool spoke in regards to possibly having a classroom in the high school next year. Ana Ragsdale explained she has received many emails from concerned Reinbeck preschool parents wondering if it would be possible to use the Industrial Tech building or the ICN room. Kristy Giesking said it will cost around $5,000 for rooms to be inspected. In correspondence, a concerned parent asked a few questions regarding the multi-million dollar sports complex that was talked about earlier this year and urged the board to continue to make cuts. Mike Bearden asked the board about the situation of sharing the superintendent. Bearden stated that the 28 E Agreement had not been discussed at a G-R board meeting and was approved at an Eldora-New Providence school board meeting a few days prior. Bearden concluded this would be against state protocol. The agenda and consent agenda were approved. In old business, the start date for the 2015-16 school year has been set for August 24. Second Reading Board Policy Section 700- Non instructional operations and Business Services was approved. Technology Lease Purchase Agreement with Apple, Inc. for a three year lease was approved. This lease includes a first payment of $71,967.43 with a total of $209,974.75 and 2.9% interest. New business began with the recommendation to terminate classified employee contracts in a closed session. After the session and a five minute recess, the termination of Kathy Wood’s contract was approved. It was also approved to share superintendent Jay Mathis with Eldora-New Providence. It will be a 60/40 split, G-R receiving 40%. It will be a two year contract, but can be terminated with mutual consent at any time. Salary and benefits are still being negotiated. There will be a $51,728 sharing cost for five years. The total savings from superintendent sharing will be around $80,000. It was approved to share K-12 library with Grundy Center. It will be a 50/50 share and no additional staff will be hired to cover the librarians duties when she is absent. There was approval to share agricultural education classes with Grundy Center, creating one FFA chapter. This will also be a 50/50 split. In administrative structure, it was approved to hire Jason Strub as the elementary principal, making him the Drop out Prevention Coordinator/Elementary Principal. There will be a $15,000 stipend, administrative health benefits, and a 218 day contract. The approval for bids for the parking lot project has been tabled at this time until further bids are received. In Approval of Summer Purchases/Projects, it was approved for elementary access control for Walsh Door and Hardware to install a camera system for $14,830.37 and card access for $20,487.00. If needed, a public hearing budget amendment has been set for 6:30 on May 21. The course description handbook has been approved along with the emergency procedure manual for fall of 2015. In sale of equipment, it was approved to sell a burnisher to Dike-New Hartford for $650. High school laptops will be for sale after this school year for $150. The superintendent’s report consisted of discussing plans for the moving of teachers and classrooms next year. It was also stated that Cedar Valley West Coordinator Sherri Walker resigned, and Superintendent Holloway has been in communication with the other schools within the CVW regarding this position. The board’s next work session will be held on May 6 at 6:30 with a regular school board meeting and possibly budget meeting on May 21 beginning at 6:30.