School board approves principal assignments

Before the Newton Community School District board of education could decide whether to approve the personnel reports presented at Monday’s regular meeting, the board had to decide whether to even hear the information in its agenda-assigned sequence.

Board member Donna Cook motioned to postpone the hearing of the leadership positions in the certified and classified personnel reports until Superintendent Bob Callaghan could be present at a board meeting, be it later in the evening or at the May 18 meeting.

Cook wanted to ask Callaghan questions about principal assignments for 2015-16, and the superintendent wasn’t present at Monday’s meeting when the board reached the personnel item on the agenda. Her motion to delay the report until Callaghan could be with the board was seconded by board member Robyn Friedman, but after a lengthy discussion, the motion was defeated, 5-2.

The names of next year’s three new principal assignments were then announced as part of the personnel item. The board approved the report, 5-2, with Cook and Friedman voting against it.

Tom Bartello will be the principal at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School in 2015-16. He is currently assisting Principal Lisa Sharp, who is heading to Berg Middle School to replace Scott Bauer, who is leaving the district. Jim Gilbert, the district’s director of pre-K-8 services, will add principal of Aurora Heights Elementary School to his duties, replacing the retiring Carol Farver.

“I know the reading of the names is just the end of a process,” Cook said. “But we have moves that are really affecting the culture of our district. I feel it’s important to discuss some things as a board before we vote.”

Board president Sheri Benson announced at the start of the meeting that Callaghan was in Pella at the Little Hawkeye Conference track and field meet, watching his son compete. Benson was unsure if he’d make it back to Newton by the end of the meeting, which he didn’t.

While the board technically could reject Callaghan’s recommendations for any position, by vote, boards typically follow the recommendations of superintendents and district staff for personnel changes.

Gilbert’s and Sharp’s transitions to their new positions had already been announced by Callaghan at the board’s April 27 meeting. Benson pointed out there wasn’t a recent board precedent for postponing human resources updates.

The 40-minute discussion on personnel also included the announcement of the resignation of Berg Middle School teacher Shelly Fitzgerald — a 20-year veteran of the district, who has recently become qualified for the counseling job she is taking in Grinnell. Fitzgerald was at the meeting to present on an unrelated topic, became tearful when Isaac announced her resignation.

Thomas Jefferson third-grade teacher Lenette Swanson is retiring after 27 years with NCSD, and longtime Newton High School music teacher Norm Grimm is also retiring. The board will hold a regular meeting May 18 and will host an open public budget amendment meeting May 26. Both meetings will be at Emerson Hough. In other action Monday, the board:

• Voted 6-1 to approve the district’s 2015-16 lunch prices, which include 10-cent increases to the full price of student lunches. An elementary lunch base price will be $2.50, and a secondary lunch will be $2.60. Student breakfasts will continue to be $1.25; board member Nat Clark voted against the plan. A reduced student lunch will be 40 cents cheaper on each campus, and a reduced breakfast will be discounted by 30 cents.

• Heard from Food Service Supervisor Cristy Croson, who announced lunch will be provided to all students — free of charge — at the district campuses during summer school. The campuses are Thomas Jefferson, Berg Elementary School and the high school.

• Set a date of June 22 for Callaghan’s annual summative evaluation as superintendent. His annual contract expires June 30.

• Heard from Fitzgerald and from Newton High School teacher Allison Grier about Red Pride Service Day. They discussed past projects and this year’s plans for the annual service event, set to take place Wednesday.

• Unanimously approved renewal of a contract with Perspective Consulting Partners, LLC. The consulting firm helps the district shop the market for health, optical and dental insurance rates, and offers guidance with what Isaac called the “nightmare” Affordable Care Act regulations.

Contact Jason W. Brooks at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com