Fiscella Resigns, School Board Appoints David Meinert To Vacant Position
Oskaloosa School Board 2012
by Eduardo Zamarripa
Oskaloosa, Iowa – On Tuesday night, the Oskaloosa School Board unanimously approved the appointment of David Meinert to take over the vacant school board position for the next four months. Superintendent Russ Reiter said Laurie Fiscella, vice president of the board, submitted her resignation for June 1.
Reiter added that Fiscella decided to step down because of increasing responsibilities in her job. Reiter suggested Meinert as a replacement because of his experience with the school board and because he lives in the same district as Fiscella. Meinert will only serve in that position until September, which is when the next election will occur.
The board also unanimously approved an amendment to the 2012-13 school budget that increased expenditures for food costs. Board Secretary and Treasurer Chad Vink said this amendment does not increase taxes or fees. No comments were made throughout the public hearing of the amendment.
In the public comments portion of the meeting, Oskaloosa resident Jeff Anderson addressed the board regarding her daughter’s removal from the women’s tennis team.
According to Anderson, her daughter was removed from the team after she chose to attend her last day of classes at Oskaloosa High School instead of attending a regional tennis tournament. Her daughter was not allowed to letter or attend the tennis banquet.
“My objective is just to receive an honest and professional answer,” Anderson said. “I would like a written explanation. I would like a discussion. I would like accountability.”
The board said it would respond with a written explanation.
Among other items, the board listened to presentations by the District Leadership Team, the Professional Learning Community, the After School Program and the Mahaska County YMCA.
The board presented plaques to four retirees and presented certificates to all board members as part of its School Board Appreciation week.
The school board also approved several other items in the meeting including:
– The purchase of two used school buses and a new school bus. Maintenance and Transportation Director for Oskaloosa Schools Dale Nelson spoke to the board and it explained that those buses fit the needed requirements.
– Accepting a bid for the purchase of a student-constructed house. The board accepted the bid, approved the sale and authorized the transfer of property ownership at 415 South M Street in Oskaloosa for $170,000.
– Approval of an out-of-state trip for a student council member. The member will attend the National Association of Student Councils conference in Las Vegas from June 22 to June 24.
– Approval of a contract addendum with Timberline Billing Service, LLC. Reiter said Timberline helps districts get reimbursements for Medicaid and Medicare services. He added that their previous company charged the same amount of money (a company based out of Pennsylvania), but provided less services.
The meeting lasted 66 minutes as the board then proceeded to meet in exempt session to conduct a hearing on a student appeal. The next school board meeting will be on June 11.
