Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Middle School Media Center, Kalona, IA 52247
August 14, 2023 – 6:15 p.m.
President Jeremy Pickard called the meeting to order.
Board members present: Mary Allred, Denise Chittick, Gabrielle Frederick (left the meeting at 6:59 p.m.), Jeremy Pickard, Marianne Schlabach, Jake Snider.
Board members absent: Gabrielle Frederick (left the meeting at 6:59 p.m.), Jed Seward.
Also Present: Brian Stone, Jeff Swartzentruber, Chuck Banks, Robin Foster, Rob Hruby, Greg Jergens, Rachel Kerns, and Frank Slabaugh.
Mary Allred moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Gabrielle Frederic. Motion carried 6-0.
Public Forum
No one spoke.
WORK SESSION
Exit Survey and End of Year Summary
Superintendent Stone provided the Board with a Summary of findings from the Exit Surveys completed with Human Resource Coordinator, Carmela Ulin. He noted the items that were themes, both liked and disliked. He discussed some of the points of emphasis and focus areas for the upcoming school year for himself and the Administrators both at the building levels and at the district level. Communication themes seemed to be strongest. The Board thanked Stone for the report and the beginning action steps.
High School and Middle School Handbook Clarification
Superintendent Stone and Principal Banks discussed the handbook points on cheating and the start of the process with the High School Staff Council. The Board had asked that there be further discussion to clarify the elements in order to achieve greater consistency in the consequences. These would be helpful not only to the students but the staff. Also, there is a desire to clarify the consequences towards consistency both building to building and event to event.
BUSINESS MEETING
Consent Items
Mary Allred moved to approve the following consent items. Superintendent Stone noted that Frank Slabaugh will transfer from a half-time position at the Middle School as a Learning Coach to the half-time position as ALC Teacher for the 2023-2024 School Year. Cassie Wolinsky, Paraprofessional will be transferring to the Middle School from West Elementary.
Minutes of Previous Meetings
The minutes of July 10, 2024;
Finance Report
The Finance Report for July 2023, and June 2023 with accruals after July Posting;
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for August 14, 2024; Prepaid Bills;
Open Enrollment Requests
Brianna Clarahan requests Lane Clarahan (Kindergarten) and West Clarahan (Kindergarten), attend Mid-Prairie from English Valleys Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
James and Kayla Harter request Bentley Harter (Kindergarten), Brooklyn Harter (Grade 4), and Pearl Harter (Kindergarten), attend Mid-Prairie from English Valleys Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Jon Dinnel requests Matthew Dinnel (Grade 9), attend Mid-Prairie Virtual Academy from Highland Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Kyle and Jessica Janecek request Addison Janecek (Grade 4) and Grady Janecek (Grade 3), attend Mid-Prairie from Highland Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Michelle Teran requests Aviana Marsh (Grade 2), attend Mid-Prairie from Highland Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Clint and Angela Whetstine request Allie Whetstine (Grade 10), and Case Whetstine (Grade 12), attend Mid-Prairie from Keota Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Michael Telfer requests Tatem Telfer (Grade 11), attend Mid-Prairie from xx Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Ashely Neus requests Noah Guthmiller (Grade 11), attend Mid-Prairie from WACO Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Sheri Drahos requests Oliver Drahos (Grade 2) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from Belle Plaine Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Rusti Morgan requests Amelia Morgan (Grade 4), Elliott Morgan (Kindergarten), and Henry Morgan (Grade 2) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from English Valleys Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Brooke Braem requests Benjamin Braem (Kindergarten), Emily Braem (Grade 7), Samuel Braem (Grade 4), and William Braem (Grade 6) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from Iowa City Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Althea Miller requests Lorelei Miller (Grade 8) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from Iowa City Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Rachelle Brown requests Adeline Hill (Kindergarten) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from Tri-County Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Lee and Melinda Hallett request William Hallett (Grade 6) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from Washington Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Ashley Castle requests Adaya Mille (Grade 3), Elias Miller (Kindergarten), Hadassah Miller (Grade 2), and Samuel Miller (Grade 6) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from Washington Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Personnel Items
Contract issued to Kelsi TeBockhorst, Professional Partner for MPMS Teacher Colvin, $500 per annum;
Contract issued to Carrie Schweitzer, Professional Partner for MPMS Teacher Young, $500 per annum;
Contract issued to Luetta Ropp, Professional Partner for MPMS Teacher Zeglis, $500 per annum;
Contract issued to Austin Bayliss, School Bus Route Driver, $24.43 per hour;
Contract issued to Jeremy Meyers, HS Head Cross Country Coach (Interim), $3,601 per annum;
Contract issued to Lynnette Poll, HS Assistant Cross Country Coach, $2,176 per Season;
Contract issued to Stacey Cavey, MS Cross Country Coach, $2,025 per annum;
Work Agreement issued to Mark Craft, West Elementary Second Shift Custodian, $16.19 per hour;
Work Agreement issued to Emmalee Henry, East Elementary Paraprofessional, $14.98 per hour;
Work Agreement issued to Tori Lybarger, East Elementary Paraprofessional, $14.98 per hour;
Resignation of Hannah Glick, Paraprofessional, $15.01 per hour, effective end of 2022-2023 School Year;
Resignation of Tobi Anderson, MS General Cook, $14.56 per hour, effective end of 2022-2023 School Year;
Resignation of Aaron Fleming, HS Assistant Cross Country Coach, $2,832.00 per season, effective 7/26/2023;
Resignation of Pete Cavanagh, Student Leadership Sponsor, $675 per annum, effective 7/31/2023;
Volunteer Coaches for Fall of 2023
Tanna Boshart – HS Volleyball Assistant Coach – Paid from Volleyball Resale
McKenzie Mantz – HS Volleyball Assistant Coach – Paid from Volleyball Resale
Zeb Evans – HS Volleyball Assistant Coach – Paid from Volleyball Resale
Derek Yoder – HS Football Assistant Coach – Paid from Football Resale
Caleb Potts – HS Football Assistant Coach – Paid from Football Resale
Fundraising Requests – None are presented for consideration;
Kirkwood Concurrent Enrollment Classes
Approval of the Agreements for the 52023-2024 Concurrent Enrollment Classes.
Marianne Schlabach seconded the consent items. Motion carried 6-0.
Student Learning
General Obligation Bond Petition Papers
Ryan Schlabaugh and Matt Gent, representing the Mid-Prairie Facilities Committee, was present to present the petition papers representing 358 (actual count is 354) Mid-Prairie resident community people who signed on 49 petition documents in support to call a General Obligation Bond referendum on November 6, 2023. He heard that the public would like to see the Facility Committee continue to push the plan forward.
The committee respectfully requests the Board to move forward in setting an election for the General Obligation Bonds for November 7, 2023.
Resolution to Call and Election for General Obligation Bonds
President Pickard thanked the committee for their work in developing the projects and gathering signatures for support of a call for an election. A resolution is required to move forward to the election. In the last School Board Election there were 1,085 ballots cast in the District in all three counties—Iowa, Johnson, and Washington Counties. The petitions required to call an election is 25% of ballots cast or 272 signatures. The number of signatures collected is 354. Pickard asked if anyone wanted to review the petition pages presented. Board President Pickard asked if there was further discussion before entertaining the resolution prepared by Ahlers & Cooney.
Denise Chittick moved to approve the Resolution ordering an election on the issuance of $8,700,000 General Obligation School Bonds and reading parts of the Resolution language as presented. Mary Allred seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Gabrielle Frederick - yes Mary Allred - yes
Jed Seward - absent Jeremy Pickard - yes
Marianne Schlabach - yes Jake Snider - yes
Denise Chittick - yes
Motion carried 6-0.
Finance
Accept the 2022 Annual Financial Audit
School Business Official, Jeff Swartzentruber presented a brief overview of the audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2022. He handed out the Governance Letter to the Board as requested by the Auditors. He noted the Auditor comments provided and the District response to those comments. He also noted the later presentation date than in previous years and the reasons for the delay.
Denise Chittick moved to accept the 2021-2022 Audited Financial Statements as presented. Marianne Schlabach seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Bank Depository Resolution for the 2023-2024 School Year
School Business Official Swartzentruber presented the resolution for the 2023 2024 School Year. This is the annual Depository Resolution required in August. There are no changes from last year as spending on the Revenue Bonds continues and for provision of a possible General Obligation Bond issue should the referendum pass in November of 2023.
RESOLVED, that the Mid-Prairie Community School District of Wellman, Iowa in Washington County, Iowa approves the following list of financial institutions to be depositories of the Mid-Prairie School, all funds in conformance with all applicable provisions of Iowa Code Chapters 452 and 453 (1983) as amended by 1984 Iowa Acts. S.F. 2220. The Business Manager/Board Secretary is hereby authorized to deposit the Mid-Prairie School funds in amounts not exceed the maximum approved for each respective financial institution as set out below.
Location of Maximum Balance Maximum balance in
Depository name Home Office effect under prior effect under this
___________________ __________ resolution resolution .
UMB Bank, N.A. (ISJIT) Des Moines 3,000,000 3,000,000
Hills Bank Hills 25,000,000 25,000,000
Federation Bank Wellman 5,000,000 5,000,000
CBI Bank & Trust Kalona 5,000,000 5,000,000
Miles Capital Mgmnt Des Moines 2,000,000 2,000,000
Gabrielle Frederick moved to approve 08142302 as presented reading from the resolution. Marianne Schlabach seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Gabrielle Frederick - yes Mary Allred - yes
Jed Seward - absent Jeremy Pickard - yes
Marianne Schlabach - yes Jake Snider - yes
Denise Chittick - abstained
Motion carried 5-0 with Denise Chittick abstaining.
Gabrielle Frederick left the meeting at 6:59 p.m.
Appoint New Legal Representation
Superintendent Stone discussed the current work of Ahlers & Cooney with the District for legal counsel and input. Stone recommends that Ahlers & Cooney be officially appointed as District Legal Counsel going forward. The District has requested would seek a retainer letter and agreement with Ahlers & Cooney. Ahlers & Cooney would replace Holland, Michael, Raiber & Sittig, PLC. The Board asked questions for clarification and understanding.
The Board asked for this to be tabled until the engagement letter is received from Ahlers & Cooney.
Approve Additional Insured School Related Groups – The following associated entities are approved for inclusion in the District Liability and E&O Insurance Policies for the 2023-2024 School Year:
Golden Hawks Wrestling Club Mid-Prairie Athletic Boosters
Mid-Prairie Community School District Foundation
Mid-Prairie Fine Arts Boosters Mid-Prairie Post Prom Committee
Mid-Prairie Student Boosters Mid-Prairie Alumni and Friends Association
MP Archery Club
Mary Allred moved to approve the list of associated entities listed above. Denise Chittick seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Board Development and Inservice Activities
IASB Convention, November 15-17, 2023: Registration is Now Open. The Board members should inform SBO, Jeff Swartzentruber, of their plans to attend so he can register attendees, obtain transportation and rooms.
Announcements and Suggestions for Next Agenda
School Board Elections: Candidates need to have their information to Swartzentruber by September 21st at 5p.m. 50 signatures on the required forms and the candidate paperwork must be delivered by then. Filing can start anytime and continue through September 21st. The Election is November 7, 2023.
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, August 28, 2013, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room. Agenda items to include: Building Walk Throughs of the High School and West Elementary Buildings; IASB Delegate for the Convention; Working on the ISL renewal process; Legal Engagement letter presentation for approval;
Tours of Middle School and East Elementary School Buildings
The Board spent the remainder of the meeting touring the Middle School and East Elementary School Buildings and reviewed the readiness and Summer project work as well as status of new additions.
Board Highlights
- The tour of the new construction areas at East and Middle School and the progress that has been made to date. The project is ahead of schedule.
- Appreciation for the Custodial team as they worked together in the buildings to prepare for the new school year.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m.