The Ruthven-Ayrshire Board of Education held its regular meeting with the following in attendance: President Darin Malm, Vice-President Jill Conlon, Director Susan Sikora, Director Amy Loder, and Director Rob Allen. Administration in attendance included Superintendent Marshall Lewis, Principal Courtney Cook , SBO Josh Bader and Board Secretary Angie Woods. Absent: Director Heather Ruehle and Director Stephanie Fay. All motions were unanimous unless otherwise noted.
Call to Order: President Malm at 6:00 p.m. in the School Library in Ruthven, Iowa. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Review of District Mission Statement- Director Loder.
Approval of Agenda: Allen moved to adopt the agenda. Seconded by Sikora. Motion carried.
Guest: Amy Sikora, Audrey Sikora, Bethany Boyd and Connie Reinert.
Board Learning: Reinert from Beyond Broken presented the marketing report and requested on behalf of LIRBA on use of the facilities for Bully Bullhead Celebration in July. Teacher Boyd presented on how one of her goals was met with improving reading scores for 1st graders. Teacher Sikora presented how her morning meetings with kindergarteners start their day and how much they enjoy it.
Board Members Communication: Sikora asked about progress with behaviors. Principal Cook presented in her board report how behaviors have improved from previous years.
OLD BUSINESS
Consent Items - Motion by Conlon to approve the Consent Items. Seconded by Loder . Motion carried.
Minutes- February 19, 2025 regular board minutes.
Bills/Claims- Presented by Bader
Financial Reports - Presented by Bader.
Activity Calendar-Sikora moved to approve the April 2025 Board Calendar. Seconded by Allen. Motion carried. The April board meeting will be held Wednesday,April 23,2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Board Policies- Loder moved to approve the following board policies that were reviewed. Policies 100,101,102,103,103.E1,103.E2,103.E3,103.E4,103.E5,103.E6,103.R1,104,105,105.R1, and 106. Seconded by Allen. Motion carried
Initial Negotiations presentations- Amy Sikora presented for the Education Association and Lewis presented for the Board the Initial Negotiations.
Milk/Bread bids- Loder moved to approve sending out bids for the 25-26 school year. Seconded by Conlon. Motion carried.
LGRP- Sikora moved to approve the contract with Iowa Local Government Risk Pool Commission Program. Seconded by Allen. Motion passed.
Budget Guarantee Resolution-Loder moved to approve the FY 25-26 Budget Guarantee Resolution. Seconded by Sikora. All yes, Rob Allen, Amy Loder, Susan Sikora, Jill Conlon, and Darin Malm. Motion passed.
PERSONNEL
Resignation- Conlon moved to approve the resignation of Katie Newcomb as custodian. Seconded by Allen. Motion carried.
Administration Reports/Recognitions/Good news sharing - Principal report was given by Mrs. Cook. Superintendent report was given by Mr. Lewis.
Informational Items- Upcoming field trips: 3/17 Seniors to Iowa Capitol. In April- 1st/2nd to the Fort Museum and Frontier Village, 9th/10th to Build My Future event @ Iowa State Fairgrounds. In May -4th Grade to EPAK, Kindergarten to Jones Dairy, Preschool to Palo Alto Nature Center, and Track and Field/Park days on the 19th.
Adjournment: Motion by Sikora to adjourn at 8:17 p.m. Seconded by Conlon. Motion carried.
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Board President, Darin Malm Board Secretary, Angie Woods
