September 19, 2024

School board to review NCEA contract

Chromebooks purchase, IASB membership dues also on docket

By Christopher Braunschweig

Robyn Friedman, president of the Newton Community School District Board of Education, speaks with fellow board members during a past meeting. The school board will meet 6:30 p.m. Monday at the E.J.H. Beard Administration Center. (Christopher Braunschweig)

School board members will decide whether to renew its contract with the teacher’s union, purchase new computers for students and pay membership dues during its electronic meeting Monday night via Zoom.

The Newton Community School District Board of Education will review its three-year contract with the Newton Community Education Association for fiscal year 2020. NCSD Director of Human Resources Laura Selover and NCSD Director of Business Services Tim Bloom will present the action item to the board.

The school district also requests the board’s approval to buy 485 Dell 2-in-1 Chromebooks for student use. The entire package will cost approximately $158,065. Bloom and NCSD Technology Supervisor Shane Wheeler will present the item and answer any questions on the matter.

Since the Newton school board is a member of the Iowa Association of School Boards, the governing body will have to consider approving its membership dues invoice payment of $9,203 for fiscal year 2021. IASB’s mission is to educate, support and challenge public school boards in pursuit of world-class education.

In other action Monday, the school board will:

• Consider a resolution in support of the Pandemic Response and Emergency Suspension of Policy. The school board has reviewed other iterations of this specific resolution in the past.

• Be updated on self-funded insurance, as well as the effects of COVID-19 on the school district. Superintendent Bob Callaghan will inform the board about the progress of the high school’s HVAC project. Principals will also deliver their reports to board members.

• Learn about Berg Middle School teacher Tyler Stewart being awarded the 2020 Warren E. Shull National Middle Level Adviser of the Year Award.

• Consider setting a public hearing to amend the fiscal year 2020 budget. The hearing date would be scheduled for 6:45 p.m. May 18 at the E.J.H. Beard Administration Center.

• Discuss the superintendent transition plan with Bloom.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com