Due to the Iowa Association of School Boards convention, the Greene County School Board met Monday night.

During the retiring board agenda, the Board voted unanimously to not implement the district’s voluntary early retirement policy for this school year. The decision was based mostly on increased enrollment. They also approved installing the 9th and 10th grade Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates (iJAG) for an additional drop-out prevention program, similar to the established 11th and 12th grade program. Additionally, the Board approved $20,000 to hire a full-time representative for the program, with exception to getting it started this year because it is considered a pilot program. 

The Board then heard an update on the former middle school conversion into apartment project. Developer Nate Adams said they have secured a majority of the funding needed for the project, with the final 30-percent waiting approval for the federal and state historical tax credits to convert the three-story building into 25 apartments. If those are approved, Adams anticipated starting construction mid-2022. 

Finally, the retiring board conducted the canvass of votes from the November 2nd election, with the winners remaining the same with Cindi Daubendiek, Bonnie Silbaugh and Michelle Fields. 

The organizational meeting began with the new board members taking their oaths of office and then electing Steve Fisher as president and John McConnell as vice president. The Board then approved to continue with regular meetings on the third Wednesday of the month, starting at 5:15pm at the district boardroom. They also approved all board committee assignments, two fundraising requests and one early graduation request for Ava Juergensen. The Board then held a discussion about graduation requirements, with Fields and Daubendiek agreeing to be on a committee that will make a recommendation to the full board at a future meeting. 

The Board also approved the School Budget Review Committee requests for open enrollment out students, as well as English Language Learners beyond five years and electing Janice Harbaugh as the Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency Director District 5 seat.