Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
October 9, 2023 – 6:15 p.m.
President Jeremy Pickard called the meeting to order.
Board members present: Mary Allred, Denise Chittick, Jeremy Pickard, Marianne Schlabach, Jed Seward, Jake Snider.
Board members absent: Gabrielle Frederick.
Also Present: Brian Stone, Jeff Swartzentruber, Robin Foster, Rob Hruby, Greg Jergens, Rachel Kerns, Amy Shalla, and Frank Slabaugh.
Mary Allred moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Denise Chittick. Motion carried 6-0.
Hawk Highlight – Kristan Hunter, District Curriculum Leader had a conflict. This item has been tabled.
Public Forum
A parent noted that transportation issue and the most recent speeding vehicles by their property on one day last week during the drop off time. A continuing concern.
WORK SESSION
The Board asked questions and discussed the report forms shared by each Administrator about their areas of responsibility.
Superintendent Stone briefly discussed the Transportation department related to drivers and routes.
Superintendent Stone also shared the School Board candidate names: Mary Allred, Denice Chittick, Randy Billups, James Miller, and Ryan Schlabaugh. These are currently official.
Superintendent Stone shared about the Facilities Committee. OPN has sent out two flyers to date. A press release will be in The News within the next edition.
President Pickard asked the Board to share about their impressions of what is happening with the Bond. Board members shared that they generally have heard nothing from community members. Pickard asked each Board Member if they are still supportive of the direction of the General Obligation Bond. All six Board Members present expressed support of the General Obligation Bond and projects included on the proposed Bond Referendum. The Board asked questions of each other, including the activities of the Facilities Committee and how they are moving forward over the next few months. The Board was reminded of their role to provide information about the projects and not to encourage a vote of either yes or no, but simply an encouragement to vote.
BUSINESS MEETING
Consent Items
Mary Allred moved to approve the following consent items.
Minutes of Previous Meetings
The minutes of September 26, 2023;
Finance Report
The Finance Report for September 2023;
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for October 9, 2023; Prepaid Bills;
Open Enrollment Requests
Open Enrollment In Requests total 12 students;
Open Enrolled Out Requests totals 1 student;
Personnel Items
Contract issued to David Murray, Middle School Boys Wrestling Coach, $2,188 per season;
Work Agreement issued to Kali Krebs, Paraprofessional at East Elementary, $14.98 per hour, effective immediately after approval;
Fundraising Requests
The High School Choir and Band request approval to raise funds through the sale of homemade pizzas from December 4, 2023 to January 12, 2024 to support a music trip to Chicago, Illinois.
The FFA requests approval to raise funds through the sale of fruit, meat and cheese, and popcorn to pay for Chapter activities throughout the school year;
Open Road Driving School Contract – The 3-year Driver’s Training contract with the school for the three
years ended June 30, 2026 is approved.
Marianne Schlabach seconded the consent items. Motion carried 6-0.
Student Learning
Transportation Policy
Board President Pickard opened the agenda item and encouraged and update. Jed Seward provided an update of the current requested changed by a parent. Seward believes this proposed change does not cost the District any funds as Washington Community Schools would perform the drop off of the students of the family. Superintendent Stone noted the cross district agreement with all the Grant Wood AEA districts. Concern was also expressed about the concepts of the exception and that it does not set precedent for the District. If something were to change in the future, it would also require action by the Board. It was asked if the Transportation Policy is making a recommendation to change the policy. It was clarified that is only to make an exception to the policy. Discussion about establishing a rubric for determining when an exception would be made ensued after the motion and second. With the passage of the exception, Superintendent Stone will contact Washington to communicate this action. The Washington School District will need to agree to the exception before this can be implemented.
Jed Seward moved to approve an exception to the current policy that does not set precedent and allows Washington Community School District to drop off two students in the afternoon at 1795 250th Street, Washington, Iowa; the exception ends the day after the students complete Fifth Grade. Jake Snider seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-1, Pickard voted no.
Concurrent Enrollment Review
Superintendent Stone opened the agenda item with an update that a meeting with Kirkwood Community College is scheduled in mid-October to begin a process to review the establishment of a more robust college credit class offering and determine next steps. The Board discussed data points and outcomes, as well as, how Mid-Prairie students compare to other districts. Additionally, there was an in-depth discussion of student success in college as they enter with these credits earned while in High School. The Board also discussed teacher qualifications for teaching the concurrent college classes. It is noted that the Master’s degree needs to be specific to the area of teaching and not a general Masters in Education degree. The specific focus is on the Arts and Science classes, as our focus on CTE classes is currently strong.
Finance
Public Hearing at 6:45pm for the Continuation of the Instructional Support Levy
Board President Pickard opened the Public Hearing a bit late at 6:55 p.m. to allow input from the public for the continuation of the Instructional Support Levy. This is the second of two Public Hearings related to the renewal of the Instructional Support Levy for another five years through June 30, 2029. No one spoke. Pickard closed the hearing at 6:56 p.m.
Instructional Support Levy Resolution Continuation for Five Years to FY 2029
Business Manager Swartzentruber noted that this resolution moves the process to continue the Instructional Support Levy for an additional Five Years. This is the second of two resolutions in this process. Once this second resolution is passed, a 28-day waiting period begins in which any objections can be filed via petition. Should there be no petition, then the District will file the resolutions with the State.
Jed Seward moved to approve Resolution 100923 Resolution Approving the Continued Participation in the Instructional Support Program. Marianne Schlabach seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Gabrielle Frederick - absent Mary Allred - yes
Jed Seward - yes Jeremy Pickard - yes
Marianne Schlabach - yes Jake Snider - yes
Denise Chittick - yes
Motion carried 6-0.
Board Development and Inservice Activities
IASB Convention is November 15-17, 2023. All Board Members that requested to be registered are registered.
New Board Training will take place in December and January. It is encouraged for all new Board members to attend one of these sessions.
Announcements and Suggestions for Next Agenda
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, October 23, 2023, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room. Agenda items to include: Carl A. Nelson will provide an update of the Revenue Bond Projects.
Board Highlights
- Pickard – Appreciated the conversation in the agenda items this evening. Concerned about the “no news is good news” approach to the General Obligation Bond.
- Allred – Learned much more about Concurrent Enrollment that known in the past.
- Chittick and Schlabach – Excitement expressed about the Concurrent Enrollment discussion
- Seward – Impressed with the Open Enrollment In list and that is continues to grow.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:22 p.m.