Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
December 11, 2023 – 6:15 p.m.
President Jake Snider called the meeting to order.
Board members present: Mary Allred, Randy Billups, Denise Chittick, Gabrielle Frederick, Ryan Schlabaugh, Jed Seward, and Jake Snider.
Board members absent: None.
Also Present: Brian Stone-Superintendent, Jeff Swartzentruber-SBO/Board Secretary.
Mary Allred moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Gabrielle Frederick. Motion carried 7-0.
Hawk Highlight – Elsa Schmidt and the High School FFA Students introduced themselves shared their experiences of going to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. The District students travel with West Branch. On the way to the convention they stopped at a few farms to tour and learn about various operations. The convention is a great opportunity to meet other chapters and hear key speakers. The group enjoyed the various activities at convention and shared their impressions and experiences. The Board asked questions and thanked the students for their presentation.
Public Forum
A parent and business owner in the community shared about the Golden Hawk Future Builders Club that he and his wife are spearheading. The Club is a way to give back to the Industrial Technology and prepare the students for future construction careers. Trades are a vital part of our community. To date the club has collect $8,350. He sees this as a start for greater opportunities.
No other people spoke.
WORK SESSION
The Board reviewed the Administrators’ written reports to the Board. Time was allotted to ask questions and discuss the reports. No questions were asked.
Bond Update – Superintendent Stone and School Business Official Swartzentruber shared an update on the General Obligation Bonds. It was reported that the 2024 General Obligation Bond timeline will be reviewed and discussed at a Facilities Executive Committee Meeting on Wednesday, December 13th. Additionally, there is work being done to review how the 2014 General Obligation Bonds could be paid off by June 30, 2023 as a part of the current year’s Bond Pre-levy.
BUSINESS MEETING
Consent Items
Ryan Schlabaugh moved to approve the following consent items.
Minutes of Previous Meetings
The minutes of November 27, 2023;
Finance Report
The Finance Report for November 2023;
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for December 11, 2023; Prepaid Bills;
Open Enrollment Requests
Open Enrollment In Requests total 3 students;
Open Enrolled Out Requests total 2 students;
Personnel Items
Resignation of Stacey Cavey, Middle School Girls Track Coach, $2,363 per annum, effective November 27, 2023;
Fundraising Requests
Post Prom requests approval to conduct a fundraiser at the January 16th home basketball game to do a “chuck a duck” fundraiser for Post Prom where proceeds will be used for events and prizes at Post Prom;
Special Education Contract – Highland Community School District requests an interagency contract be approved for services provided for two students.
Gabrielle Frederick seconded the consent items. Motion carried 7-0.
Student Learning
Determine Incentive for Early Resignation of Licensed Employees
Superintendent Stone proposes amounts for 2023-2024 Fiscal Year with Board Policy 407.1 as follows: for the third Friday in February, $2,000 and by the third Friday in March, $1,000, these were the amounts for the 2022-2023 Fiscal Year. It was also noted that the timeframe used by other districts has been speeded up by moving it up by a few weeks. The Board discussed the amounts proposed and asked additional questions for clarification. The Board also asked for the policy to be reviewed and to possibly move each of the two steps up two weeks.
Jed Seward moved to approve the amount of $2,000 as the incentive for the first step and the amount of $1,000 as the incentive before the second step. Denise Chittick seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Finance
Architect Proposal Letter for 2024 General Obligation Bond Projects
Superintendent Stone directed the Board to the Letter of Intent from OPN Architects dated December 5, 2023. Tad Morrow from Carl A Nelson and Company and Vicki Hyland from OPN Architects were present for this agenda item. The letter of intent outlines the Scope of Work, Programming and Visioning, Design, Bidding and Construction Administration, Design Team, and Fee Structure for the engagement. The Board asked questions for understanding and clarification.
Ryan Schlabaugh moved to approve the Letter of Intent dated December 5, 2023, as presented. Jed Seward seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Board Development and Inservice Activities
Superintendent Stone discussed future learning ideas through IASB. The document “At the Board Table” was noted by Stone. Snider talked about the IASB resources as well looking for ways to facilitate conversations and opportunities. Stone also noted some outside facilitators would be available.
Announcements and Suggestions for Next Agenda
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, January 8, 2024, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room. Agenda items to include: Bond Update and Timeline; Board Policy 407.1 Review for change of dates; and Seek out State Legislators for a possible visit with the Board.
Board Highlights
- Frederick – Like the idea of a Middle School Industrial Technology opportunity
- Allred – Glad to have all the Board here for the first time
- Chittick – FFA Report
- Schlabaugh and Snider – Excited about the Golden Hawk Future Builders Club
- Seward – Two of Elsa Schmidt’s former students are Ag Teachers at other Districts and she still interacts with them
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:06 p.m.