Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
February 26, 2024– 6:15 p.m.
President Jake Snider called the meeting to order.
Board members present: Randy Billups, Denise Chittick, Gabrielle Frederick, Ryan Schlabaugh, Jed Seward, and Jake Snider.
Board members absent: Mary Allred.
Also Present: Superintendent Brian Stone, Board Secretary/School Business Official Jeff Swartzentruber.
Pledge of Allegiance
Read the School Mission Statement by Vice-President
Hawk Highlight – Speech Coach Christine Meader, Assistant Coach Lisa Helmuth and the All-State Large Group Speech qualifiers were present to share about their experiences and to be recognized. Highlights included: a standing ovation for one of the groups that performed at Ames; the entire group of students at the Board Meeting advanced from Districts to the State competition on March 9th; and Group events season overlaps with Individuals events for State and All-State Festival—only the top 5% of all students are nominated for the State Festival. The group continues to build a culture of success and leadership where there are high standards, yet a recognition that a chance at a state performance is not a given.
Jed Seward moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Ryan Schlabaugh. Motion carried 6-0.
Public Forum – No one spoke.
Work Session
Administration Reports and Board Dialogue
The Board reviewed the Administrators’ written reports to the Board. Time was allotted to ask questions and discuss the reports. No questions were asked.
Fine Arts Boosters – Co-President of the Fine Arts Boosters, Marnie Schrader, talked to the Board to ask for a commitment for a Community Auditorium, rather than a Fine Arts Auditorium. She provided the thoughts and logic about changing the terminology and mindset for a fresh start. She asks for three things of the School Board. First, is a public commitment to a Community Auditorium. Second, to formally allow the Fine Arts groups and subgroups begin to fundraising. Third, a commitment of an amount of financial support of an auditorium to the community. Schrader asks for this to be a priority for the Board as part of their process in the Business sessions and for it to be soon. The Fine Arts Boosters are committed to working together with the Board. The Board expressed appreciation for the input and approach expressed.
Bus Specifications for Purchase of two buses in 2025-2026 – Transportation Director, Teresa Hartley, presented the bus specifications. The lead time to purchase buses has continued to be extended and is now at 18 months from order to delivery. In order to purchase buses for the 2025-2026 School Year, the process needs to begin now. Two propane-powered buses will be traded in as part of this process. The District is not purchasing any buses in the 2024-2025 School Year. The Board asked questions about the proposal and process. Cash outlay for buses does not occur until delivery.
2022 Revenue Bond Savings and Interest Uses Discussion Potential List – Superintendent Stone provided an update on the seating, curtains, and other items for the stage and cafetorium area. The District reached out to two companies to fix or replace the auditorium style seating. Collette McClellen provided an update on the curtains on the current stage with their estimate for replacement with three different options. She will provide the detail and options to Superintendent Stone.
Business Meeting
Consent Items
Superintendent Stone shared some of the schematics for both West Elementary and East Elementary parking and traffic flows due to the Axiom Services Agreements in the Consent Agenda. The District is waiting on estimated project costs. Stone also discussed the Wrestling Facility location between the Football field press box and the Indoor Practice Facility.
Superintendent Stone announced the transfer of Melissa O’Rourke from Kindergarten at East Elementary to West Elementary to fill one of the open Preschool teaching positions for the 2024-2025 School Year.
Ryan Schlabaugh moved to approve the following consent items.
Minutes of Previous Meetings
The minutes of February 12, 2024;
Finance Report
None presented at this time;
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for February 12, 2024, and prepaid bills;
Open Enrollment Requests
Open Enrollment In Requests total 4 students;
Open Enrolled Out Requests total 0 students;
Personnel Items
Contract issued to Kevin Cortum, Middle School Track Coach, $2,276 per season;
Contract issued to Anna Hostetler, MS Girls Track Coach, $2,188 per season;
Contract issued to Andrea Farrier, HSAP Coordinating Teacher for the 2024-2025 School Year, $54,988 per annum;
Fundraising Requests – None presented for approval;
Axiom Professional Services Agreement for the East Elementary and West Elementary Parking and Traffic Flow Projects
Contract with Axiom for the projects includes a cost scope for Basic Services of $105,010 for both sites.
Axiom Professional Services Agreement for the Wrestling/Activity Center Due Diligence
Contract with Axiom for the projects includes a cost scope for Survey Due Diligence of $2,560.
Jed Seward seconded the consent items. Motion carried 6-0.
Student Learning and Planning
Second Reading of Policy 210.2 Regular Meeting
Superintendent Stone noted the discussed changes to the policy from the February 12th meeting. Again, the changes establish a Business Meeting in the first meeting of the month and a Work Session in the second meeting of the month. It is recognized that there will be a need for some flexibility as the Board transitions to this format.
Jed Seward moved to approve on Second Reading Board Policy 210.2 Regular Meeting as presented. Randy Billups seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Second Reading of Policy 213 Public Participation in Board Meetings
Superintendent Stone noted the discussed changes to the policy. The changes establish revised procedures for Public Participation in School Board Meetings. New items include the establishment of a timeframe/time limits and communication process with the Board Secretary. President Snider asked for additional questions and thoughts.
Randy Billups moved to approve on Second Reading Board Policy 213 Regular Meeting as presented. Gabrielle Frederick seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
First Reading of Policy 508.8 Parental and Guardian Involvement
Superintendent Stone noted the need to review the policy and discussed changes to the policy. The policy to be reviewed annually per the Iowa Department of Education. There are no changes in this review. The Board discussed the Policy and asked questions for clarification.
Denise Chittick moved to approve on First Reading Board Policy 508.8 Parental and Guardian Involvement as presented. Ryan Schlabaugh seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Finance
Flexibility Account Spending Resolution
SBO Swartzentruber noted the passage of the Flexibility Transfer Resolution at the February 12th Board Meeting. The previously passed resolution provided for the transfer of the $215,767.95 from the Home School Assistance Program to the Flexibility Accounts. The resolution presented tonight is for the ability to spend the funds in the Flexibility Accounts. President Snyder asked for a motion to approve the Flexibility Account Spending Resolution.
Ryan Schlabaugh moved to approve Resolution 02272401 Flexibility Fund Spending from the Flexibility Accounts in the amount of $215,767.95 and read pertinent parts of the Resolution. Jed Seward seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Gabrielle Frederick - yes Mary Allred - absent
Jed Seward - yes Ryan Schlabaugh - yes
Randy Billups - yes Jake Snider - yes
Denise Chittick - yes
Motion carried 6-0.
School Bus Specifications Set Date and Time for Public Hearing
SBO Swartzentruber noted the ongoing need to keep the District School Bus Fleet up to date. A request for a Public Hearing to review the bus specifications for the purchase of up to two diesel powered, Yellow School Buses on March 11, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. is recommended. This would be for delivery and payment in School Year 2025-2026. The buses to be replaced are two of the older propane-powered route buses that have reached a point where repairs are increasingly more frequent.
Denise Chittick moved to set a Public Hearing for purpose of reviewing the specifications of up to 2 diesel powered school buses on Monday, March 11, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. at the Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room. Jed Seward seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Set a Public Hearing for the Proposed Property Tax Notice
SBO Swartzentruber recommends the Board set a required Public Hearing for the Proposed Property Tax Notice. He shared a rough draft of the current Proposed Property Tax Notice as the SSA percentage growth rate is still not set by the legislature. The Governor proposed 2.5% for SSA. If SSA is not set in the next few days, it is recommended that the District assume a 2.0% SSA growth rate, which will push the published property tax rate for 2024-2025 to $13.18 versus a $13.11 property tax rate at 2.5%. It is Swartzentruber’s intention to hold off on finalizing the form in hope of a settled SSA rate, if at all possible. This is the first Public Hearing for the Certified Budget and is the result of new state legislation starting for Fiscal Year 2024-2025. The Public Hearing is proposed for Monday, March 25, 2024 at 6:15 p.m. in the Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room. This will be a one agenda item meeting with the regularly scheduled meeting to begin at 6:30pm or after the Public Hearing ends.
Jed Seward moved to set the Public Hearing on the Proposed Property Tax Notice for March 25, 2024, at 6:15 p.m. in the Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room and to use either the to be approved SSA rate or $13.18 if the rate is SSA rate is not yet approved by the publisher’s deadline. Denise Chittick seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Board Development and Inservice Activities
Superintendent Stone provided a link to some IASB custom workshops. With the new meeting setup this may provide some time for the Board to process. The website: https://www.ia-sb.org/the-learning-hub/custom-workshops
Gabrielle asked about Real Colors training and to do that activity as a Board similar to a few years ago.
Announcements and Suggestions for Next Agenda
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, March 11, 2024, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room. Agenda items to include: Second Reading of Board Policy 505.8 Parental and Guardian Involvement; Public Hearing on School Bus Specifications; Review RFP for Audit Services for 5 years beginning in FY2025 through FY2029; and Review of Board Policy Chapter for this year.
Consideration for future meeting on March 25, 2024 and beyond, especially for Work Sessions, include: Discussion about whether or not to Livestream meetings?; Community Auditorium discussion of the three expectations expressed tonight and set of expectations initially driven by the Facilities Committee process; Grade-like attendance Centers; Concurrent Enrollment approach, ideas, and direction along with specific stats on the testing and pass rates. A list will be compiled by Superintendent Stone with Board input.
Board Highlights
- The entire Board expressed appreciation for the Speech Group presentation in the Hawk Highlight; Impressed by their commitment, culture, passion, and achievement.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m.