Board Hires Consultant To Aid Them In Superintendent Search
Oskaloosa Community School Board
Oskaloosa, Iowa – The Oskaloosa School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, February 13, 2018.
The board gave permission to promote a student trip to Europe in June of 2019. Students will travel to Italy and France as part of the trip, in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of D-Day. It is not an official school trip, and students raise funds themselves to participate.
The Internal Revenue Service Notice involved a mistake in the central office in regards to W-2 upload error to the agency. The IRS has levied a fine on the district in the amount of $55,000. “Of course we were shocked, and immediately sent a reply,” said Oskaloosa School Superintendent Russ Reiter.
Reiter said that the error happened in 2012, and over the course of several years, using the appeal process, it was reduced to $18,366.95.
The board approved paying the fine to the IRS.
The board also approved the 2018-19 school calendar.
The board then approved the purchase of a Dodge Caravan for students in the amount of $20,992 on the state bid.
The board considered specifications and to solicit bids for two buses for the school district. The two busses would be a 65 passenger and an 84 passenger bus.
The board approved the specifications for the two buses and will move forward to solicit bids.
The board approved a gift of property to the City of Oskaloosa for road improvements near the Elementary School in the northwest portion of Oskaloosa.
The board also gave the city temporary construction easements while construction is underway.
The board then discussed the superintendent transition process.
Current superintendent Russ Reiter shared a “top 10 list” of items to consider during the transition. They included facilities and the improvement projects currently underway.
Also included in the list was the 28E agreement with the City of Oskaloosa to fund and build an early childhood development and recreation center.
The list also includes long-term plans, currently in place, for the district and budgetary considerations.
Reiter also said that he would share his plan for the 2018-19 staffing considerations.
The board then considered proposals and ultimately awarded a contract to Rey and Associates to aid in the search for a new superintendent.
School board member Amanda McGraw was part of the sub-committee that combed through the different agencies that provide the services, and she believes that Rey and Associates will best serve the district in its search.
The process of selecting the next superintendent will include input from staff, students, building leaders, parents, and community leaders.
McGraw said she expects that 8 to 12 top candidates will be presented to the board for consideration.
The bill for the assistance comes to $7,000 plus expenses, and not to exceed $10,000, to Rey and Associates. The consultants also state that if a new search is needed within two years, the only cost to the district will be expenses, such as advertising and mileage.
Rey and Associates told the board that they would also help find an interim superintendent in the event a candidate is not selected in time.
The board approved the contract with Rey and Associates, to aid in the search for a new superintendent.
The board will meet on Tuesday, February 20th for a work session.
