Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
August 28, 2023– 6:15 p.m.
President Jeremy Pickard called the meeting to order.
Board members present: Denise Chittick, Jeremy Pickard, Marianne Schlabach, Jed Seward, and Jake Snider.
Board members absent: Mary Allred and Gabrielle Frederick.
Also Present: Brian Stone, Jeff Swartzentruber, Chuck Banks, Robin Foster, Greg Jergens, and Rachel Kerns.
Marianne Schlabach moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Denise Chittick. Motion carried 5-0.
Hawk Highlight
Superintendent Stone Introduced Elena Beachy and Edye Freeman, High School Spanish Teachers to talk about the trip they took with students in July of this Summer to Costa Rica. There were 13 students and 3 adults that went along on the 7-day trip. The experienced the culture, tribal lands, the rainforest, a volcano, and rode the zip-lines. The Board asked the group for favorite memories, which they shared many.
Public Forum
No one spoke.
Work Session
Administration Reports and Board Dialogue
The Board asked questions and discussed the report forms shared by each Administrator about their areas of responsibility. Superintendent Stone noted a common theme in the reports that school is off and running in a very positive way with a great deal of excitement.
Business Meeting
Consent Items
Denise Chittick moved to approve the following consent items.
Minutes of Previous Meetings
The minutes of August 14, 2023;
Finance Report
None presented at this time;
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for August 28, 2023 and prepaid bills;
Open Enrollment Requests
Ron Asby requests Boston Asby (Grade 7) and Bronson Asby (Grade 11), attend Mid-Prairie from Clear Creek Amana Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Dan and Julie Reschly request Canaan Reschly (Prekindergarten), attend Mid-Prairie from West Liberty Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Robert and Jessica Benda request Bryson Benda (Grade 7), attend Mid-Prairie Virtual Academy from Adair-Casey Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Chandra Harper requests Braeden Murphy (Grade 12), attend Mid-Prairie Virtual Academy from English Valleys Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Rachel Stultz requests John Stultz (Grade 8) and Madilyn Stultz (Grade 11), attend Mid-Prairie Virtual Academy from West Liberty Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Kirsten Novak requests Adalyn Novak (Grade 9) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from Clear Creek Amana Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Josh and Janelle Albrecht request Abigail Albrecht (Grade 2) and Evelyn Albrecht (Grade 4) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from Iowa City Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Jodi Chimenti requests Lila Chimenti (Grade 3) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from Iowa City Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Zachary and Rebecca Ilten request Lucy Ilten (Grade 3) and Micah Ilten (Kindergarten) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from Iowa City Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Personnel Items
Contract issued to Daniel Hershberger, Middle School Assistant Football Coach, $2,126 per annum;
Contract issued to Melissa Rediger, HS Student Leader Sponsor Shared, $313 per annum;
Contract issued to Laura Schmitt, HS Student Leader Sponsor Shared, $313 per annum;
Contract issued to Abigail Yoder, HS Assistant Dance Coach, $1,250 per season;
Work Agreement issued to Remington Amelon, Bus Driver, $24.43 per hour;
Work Agreement issued to Emma Baker, West Elementary Paraprofessional, $14.98 per hour;
Work Agreement issued to Sarah Huston, Middle School Paraprofessional, $15.01 per hour;
Work Agreement issued to Desarae Bohlen, Middle School General Cook, $14.97 per hour;
Resignation of Byron Yoder, HS Boys Assistant Soccer Coach, $2,790 per season, effective August 25, 2023;
Fundraising Requests – No requests submitted at this time.
Marianne Schlabach seconded the consent items. Motion carried 5-0.
Student Learning
TCIT-U Agreement and Parent Letter
Superintendent Stone introduced the Teacher-Child Interaction Training-Universal program agreement. TCIT-U is a professional development program designed to strengthen teacher-child relationship skills. It focuses on strengthening the development of all children in the classroom. It is for the whole classroom, including teachers and classroom support staff. The agreement will start with both elementary school buildings for the 2023-2024 School Year. Parental consent to allowing their child to be involved in the assessment as their teacher receives the training is a key component of the plan.
The Board asked questions about the program and the approach to be taken by the District due to the change in the law passed and signed at the last legislative session. A student’s family that opts out would not take the pre-assessment and post-assessment.
Denise Chittick moved to approve Teacher-Child Interaction Training-Universal program agreement and the letter to the parents for implementation in the 2023-2024 School Year. Marianne Schlabach seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Finance
Letter of Engagement with Ahlers & Cooney PLC
Superintendent Stone recalled the introduction of new legal representation from the August 14th School Board Meeting. He recommends that Ahlers & Cooney be officially appointed and retained as District Legal Counsel. The letter of engagement is presented to for consideration and approval. Ahlers & Cooney would replace Holland, Michael, Raiber & Sittig, PLC. The Board asked questions for clarification and understanding.
Jed Seward moved to approve the engagement letter and retention of Ahlers & Cooney as the District’s Legal Counsel as presented. Marianne Schlabach seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Letter of Engagement with Ahlers & Cooney PLC for the 2023-2024 General Obligation Bond
SBO Swartzentruber introduced the Engagement Letter for the legal counsel of the General Obligation (GO) Bonds to be voted upon at the November 7, 2023, election. If the election passes the issuance of the GO Bonds, the process can move forward accordingly.
Denise Chittick moved to approve the engagement letter and retention of Ahlers & Cooney as the District’s Bond Legal Counsel. Marianne Schlabach seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Set a Public Hearing for the Continuation of the Instructional Support Levy
School Business Official Swartzentruber introduced the need for a five-year extension of the Instructional Support Levy for the District. The current levy period will expire at the end of the 2023-2024 School Year. To begin the process of the extension a Public Hearing is required and will be followed by a Board Resolution and then a second Public Hearing and Resolution. This will be followed by a waiting period for potential public action. The first Public Hearing is recommended to be set for the next School Board Meeting on September 25, 2023 at 6:45p.m. in the Central Office Community Room. Maximum authorization is 10% of regular program costs; FY2024 amount is $728,450 of which $344,200 is property tax and $384,250 is surtax.
Denise Chittick moved to set a Public Hearing for the Instructional Support Program Levy or Monday, September 25, 2023, at 6:45 p.m. in the Community Room at the Mid-Prairie Central Office. Jed Seward seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Appoint a Delegate to the IASB Convention
Superintendent Stone noted that a Convention delegate needs to be appointed for the upcoming IASB convention on November 15 to 17. It is noted that Gabrielle Frederick has served as the Board’s delegate for the past number of years. Opportunity to appoint her again is presented, or an opportunity to appoint another Board Member is available. The Board asked Frederick whether she wished to serve again for the upcoming convention.
Denise Chittick moved to approve Gabrielle Frederick as the IASB Convention Delegate for the November 15 to 17, 2023 annual convention. Jed Seward 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. The Board noted individually that their plan to attend.
Announcements and Suggestions for Next Agenda
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, September 11, 2023, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room. Agenda items to include: Concurrent enrollment at the High School.
Tours of High School, West Elementary, Home School Education Center School Buildings
The Board spent the remainder of the meeting touring the High School, and West Elementary Buildings and reviewed the readiness and Summer project work. It was decided not to tour the Home School Education Center, though a brief description was provided by Rachel Kerns.
Board Highlights
- The Costa Rica trip report in the Hawk Highlight
- The Building Tours
- Jed Seward specifically recognized the Bus Drivers for their work and commitment during the first week of school
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:37p.m at West Elementary School.