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August 9, 2021

Mid-Prairie Community School District

Kalona, Wellman, West Chester

Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA  52356

August 9, 2021 – 6:15 p.m.

www.mid-prairie.k12.ia.us

 

President Jeremy Gugel called the meeting to order.

Board members present:   Mary Allred, Jeremy Gugel, Jodi Meader, Jeremy Pickard (Arrived to the meeting at 6:56 p.m.), and Marianne Schlabach.

Board members absent:  Denise Chittick, Gabrielle Frederick, Jeremy Pickard (Arrived to the meeting at 6:56 p.m.).

Also Present:  Mark Schneider, Jeff Swartzentruber, Chuck Banks, Robin Foster, Rob Hruby, Greg Jergens, Rachel Kerns, Amy Shalla, and Frank Slabaugh.

Jodi Meader moved to adopt the agenda as presented.  Seconded by Mary Allred.  Motion carried 4-0.

WORK SESSION

Facilities Committee Costing Update

Superintendent Schneider introduced Chris Smith and Tad Morrow of Carl A. Nelson and Company, to provide a costing update on the Facilities Committee project recommendations.  The updated book projects the start date to be 2023 and also includes additional projects that have been identified since the original book was compiled in late 2019.  An overview by building location was given to the Board to both look at options and refresh the different projects.  The Board asked questions for verification and understanding. 

Preparation for the Start of School

Superintendent Schneider and the Administrative Team updated the Board on preparations, tasks, and issues as the beginning of school draws near.  The modular classrooms at East and West Elementary School are in process, and Schneider reported on expected outcomes coming up to the first day of school.  He also reported on HVAC issues at the Middle School and the West Elementary.  Flooring has been installed in the buildings.  There is two weeks from today until the first day of school. 

Board Member and Administrator Dialogue

The Principals reported on interactions with their building staff as they anticipate the start of school.  There are positive themes on working to make the student experience as top priority.  Home School is continuing to welcome new families.  Special Education is working on student rosters and still looking for a Special Education teacher.  Virtual Academy is starting to meet with students tomorrow to discuss expectations as well as exploring some partnerships with Home School and High School to expand offerings to students.  Registration opened last week and is progressing.

Board Development and Inservice Activities

Superintendent Schneider conducted a quick exercise with Board members to highlight some of the reasons that Mid-Prairie is unique.  The focus is on the “why” of Mid-Prairie to go along with the “how.”

(Jeremy Pickard arrived at the end of this agenda item)

Announcements and Suggestions for Next Agenda

Agenda item moved to the end of the meeting.

BUSINESS MEETING

Public Forum– 7:00 p.m.

No one spoke.

Consent Items

Marianne Schlabach moved to approve the following consent items.

Minutes of Previous Meetings

The minutes of July 12, 2021;

Finance Report

The Finance Report for July 2021;

Payment of Bills

The bills as listed for August 9, 2021; and Prepaid Bills;

Open Enrollment Requests

Ariel Streeter requests Malachi Streeter (Grade 2) and Scarlett Streeter (Kindergarten), attend Mid-Prairie from Washington Community School District for the 2021-22 School Year;

Barry and Brandy Christener request Kai Leigh Purcell (Grade 12) attend Washington Community School District from Mid-Prairie;

Personnel Items

No contracts to be issued;

Resignation of Lori Trevino, Home School Assistance Program Coordinator, $41,025 per annum, effective July 23, 2021;

Fundraising Requests – None presented for approval

Performance Health and Fitness Strength and Coordination Agreement for 2021-2022 – Recommended for Approval.

Jodi Meader seconded the consent items.  Motion carried 5-0.

Student Learning

First Reading – Board Policies Series 200

Superintendent Schneider noted the work and review done at the July Board Meeting on Series 200 Board Policies.  He noted the changes discussed at the meeting were included in the Board document website.  Board President Gugel asked for additional questions and comment. 

Jodi Meader moved to approve on First Reading the Series 200 School Board Policies as presented.  Marianne Schlabach seconded the motion.    Motion carried 5-0.

Finance

2021 2022 Bank Depository Resolution

Superintendent Schneider presented the board with the annual required resolution on District Bank Depositories and limits and recommended Resolution 0809211 for approval.  One change is proposed with the UMB Bank maximum lowered to $3 million as compared to the 2020-2021 Fiscal Year amount of $5 million.  This was done as UMB Bank no longer holds Debt Service assets through the year and prior to payment due dates.  The remainder line items are left in place with the understanding that planning for Facilities may require a modification should a Bond referendum be undertaken and passed during the 2021-2022 School Year.

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           5,000,000                           3,000,000

Hills Bank                            Hills                       12,000,000                         12,000,000

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

 

Marianne Schlabach moved to approve 08092101 as presented reading from the resolution. Mary Allred seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote:    Gabrielle Frederick           - absent

Mary Allred                        - yes

                              Jodi Meader                       - yes

                              Jeremy Pickard                  - yes

Marianne Schlabach       - yes

                              Jeremy Gugel                    - yes

                              Denise Chittick                  - absent

Motion carried 5-0.

ESSER III Spending Plan

Superintendent Schneider noted the requirement that ESSER III Funds spending plans and ideas need to be publically discussed.  He noted the various areas in which the funds are planned to be used through June 30, 2023.  A minimum of 20% of the funds, $396,800, is to be spent on Learning Loss recovery.

Mary Allred moved to approve the ESSER III Spending Plan as presented.  Marianne Schlabach seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0

Work Session

Completion of Unfinished Work Session Items

There were no unfinished items from the Work Session section of the meeting.

Announcements

Announcements and Suggestions for Next Agenda

IASB Convention Registration is Open. The dates are November 17-18, 2021 in Des Moines

School Board Candidates are encouraged to take out their paperwork and complete it.  The paperwork is due to Jeff Swartzentruber, Board Secretary on Thursday, September 16, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. at Central Office.  He will file it with Washington County on September 17, 2021.

The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, August 22, 2021, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room.  Agenda items to include:  Will discuss the Facilities packet and are asked to bring it back to the next meeting.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.