Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
June 27, 2022 – 6:15 p.m.
President Jeremy Pickard called the meeting to order.
Board members present: Mary Allred, Denise Chittick, Gabrielle Frederick, Jeremy Pickard, Marianne Schlabach, and Jake Snider.
Board members absent: Jed Seward.
Also Present: Mark Schneider, Jeff Swartzentruber, Chuck Banks, Robin Foster, Rob Hruby, Greg Jergens, Rachel Kerns, Amy Shalla, and Frank Slabaugh.
Mary Allred moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Jake Snider. Motion carried 6-0.
WORK SESSION
2022 District ISASP Data
Kristan Hunter, District Learning Leader, provided a presentation on the Iowa Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP). This program was rolled out in the 2018-2019 School Year, and as such, is still relatively new to Iowa schools. These assessments are conducted in the Spring each year for students in grades 3 to 11 in the areas of English Language Arts (ELA), Math, and Science, and fully administered in an on-line format. Science assessments are for grades 5, 8, and 10. The assessments align to the Iowa Core Standards as implemented across the state. The data presented shows only Mid-Prairie Students with ranges of 65% to 78% proficiency in ELA with 6th Grade as the lowest proficiency and 10th grade as the highest. For Math the proficiency ranges between 60% and 76% with 8th and 10th Grades at the lowest level and 4th Grade at the highest level. Science proficiency percentages are 5th Grade at 60%, 8th and 10th Grades at 63%. Year over year trends were shown for both ELA and Math for each grade. Science trends are also shown and are generally positive for most grades, though a few grades show some slight fall off. The Board asked questions about the trends for clarification and understanding.
School Board Policy Review
Superintendent Schneider discussed the School Board Policy Review. He started with Series 100 and reviewed for changes. He then moved into Series 400 for review of changes. This review is in process.
Board Member and Administrator Dialogue – Tabled until the August meeting.
Board Development and Inservice Activities – Moved to the end of the meeting
BUSINESS MEETING
Public Forum– 7:00 p.m.
A parent provided an update on activities they are doing to make parents and others aware of various initiatives related to communication and bullying mitigation developments.
Consent Items
Mary Allred moved to approve the following consent items.
Minutes of Previous Meetings
The minutes of June 13, 2022;
Finance Report
None presented at this time;
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for June 27, 2022;
Open Enrollment Requests
Jessica Kelchen requests Joseph Kelchen (Grade 7) and Owen Kelchen (Grade 4), attend Mid-Prairie from Washington Community School District for the 2022-23 School Year;
Amanda Mize requests Eli Mize (Grade 7) and Norah Mize (Grade 8) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from Clear Creek Amana Community School District for the 2022-23 School Year;
Whitney Christensen requests Jessa Christensen (Kindergarten) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from Iowa City Community School District for the 2022-23 School Year;
Shawna Haines requests Aria Haines (Kindergarten) and Jazlyn Haines (Grade 1) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from Marion Community School District for the 2022-23 School Year;
Lucinda Newswanger requests Melissa Newswanger (Grade 3) and Nathaniel Newswanger (Grade 2) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from Williamsburg Community School District for the 2022-23 School Year;
James and Tammi Horak request Louis Horak (Grade 10) attend Highland Community School District from Mid-Prairie;
Personnel Items
Contract issued to Paige Peiffer, 7th Grade Volleyball Coach, $2,256 per annum;
Professional Partners
Jill Hartsock, MP West, $1,000 per annum;
Emily Zehr, MP West, $1,000 per annum;
Hannah Mougin, MP West, $1,000 per annum;
Kelsey Stumpf, MP West, $1,000 per annum;
Marnett Meier, MP West, $1,000 per annum;
Erin Cavanaugh, MPHS, $1,000 per annum;
Shawna Sieren, MPHS, $1,000 per annum;
Deidra Baker, MPHS, $1,000 per annum;
Stacy Cavey, MP East, $1,000 per annum;
Melissa Gerot, MP East, $1,000 per annum;
Crystal Gingerich, HSAP, $1,000 per annum;
For Open HS English Teacher, MPHS, $1,000 per annum;
For Open MS/HS Counselor, MPHS/MPMS, $1,000 per annum;
For Open MS PE Teacher, MPMS, $1,000 per annum;
For Open 5th Grade Teacher, MPMS, $1,000 per annum;
Resignation of Olivia Tucker, 5th Grade Teacher, $42,368 per annum, effective June 15, 2022;
Resignation of Anna Jabarri, High School English Teacher, $45,980 per annum, effective June 20, 2022;
Resignation of Katie Pruess, High School Middle School Counselor, $45,175 per annum, effective June 15, 2022;
Resignation of Olivia Tucker, 8th Grade Volleyball Coach, $2,132 per annum, effective June 15, 2022;
Resignation of Anna Jabarri, High School Prom Sponsor, $1,096 per annum, effective June 20, 2022;
Fundraising Requests – None Presented for Approval;
2022-2023 Power School Agreement
Approval of the Power School Agreement with Grant Wood AEA for the 2022-2023 School Year.
Jake Snyder seconded the consent items. Motion carried 6-0.
Student Learning
Spectator Behavior at Game
Superintendent Schneider introduced this agenda item by updating the Board on a situation in a recent softball game where a parent was asked to leave the premises. The parent asked to address the Board to discuss his side of the story for the evening and discussed his personal situation. He stated his perceptions and understandings about the situation. He asked the Board for explanation. The Board noted the umpire identified him as the person who made the comments and asked for him to be removed. He responded with his perspective on the situation. The Board noted Board Policy 903.4 and Iowa Code 279.8, 279.66, and 716.7. Discussion held by the Board and parent about the Administrator in-charge and whether or not that means an administrator must always be present. The parent also stated that he was not in disagreement of the one game suspension, though he believed the ejection was unwarranted.
Jake Snider moved to uphold the one game suspension for Matt Meisheid. Mary Allred seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
2022 2023 IASB Legislative Priorities
Superintendent Schneider and Board President Pickard led a discussion on the Legislative Priories list provide by IASB. Previous year priorities chosen included: Mental Health, Area Education Agencies, Teacher Recruitment and Licensure, Supplemental State Aid, and Bond Issues. The Board Members began to provide their input for the legislative priories to include:
- 8. Mental Health – Supports Efforts to establish comprehensive community mental health systems to offer presentative and treatment services and school mental health programs;
- 10. Area Education Agencies – Supports full funding of the area education agencies to provide essential services in a cost-effective manner to school districts;
- 16. Teacher Recruitment and Licensure – Supports additional tools to attract individuals to the teaching profession, especially for teacher shortage areas;
- 20. Supplemental State Aid – Supports setting supplemental state aid at a rate that sufficiently supports local districts’ efforts to plan, create, and sustain world-class schools;
- 23. Bond Issues – Supports allowing school bond issued to be passed by a simple majority vote, as well as supports authority to levy a combination of property taxes and income surtaxes to pay the indebtedness, and clarification that revenue bonds do not count toward the 5 percent statutory limit;
The Board tabled this until the July meeting to allow for further review and discussion.
Finance
$12,780,000 School Infrastructure Sales, Services and Use Tax Revenue Bonds, Series 2022
Resolution Appointing Paying Agent, Bond Registrar, and Transfer Agent Agreement and Authorizing the Execution of Same.
Gabrielle Frederick introduced the Resolution and moved to adopt Resolution Appointing Paying Agent, Bond Registrar, and Transfer Agent Agreement and Authorizing the Execution of Same. Marianne Schlabach seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Gabrielle Frederick - yes Mary Allred - yes
Jed Seward - absent Jeremy Pickard - yes
Marianne Schlabach - yes Jake Snider - yes
Denise Chittick - yes
Motion carried 6-0.
Approval of the Tax Exemption Certificate.
Mary Allred moved to approve that the form of Tax Exemption Certificate be placed on file and approved. Gabrielle Frederick seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Gabrielle Frederick - yes Mary Allred - yes
Jed Seward - absent Jeremy Pickard - yes
Marianne Schlabach - yes Jake Snider - yes
Denise Chittick - yes
Motion carried 6-0.
Approval of the Continuing Disclosure Certificate.
Gabrielle Frederick moved to approve that the form of Continuing Disclosure Certificate be placed on file and approved. Denise Chittick seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Gabrielle Frederick - yes Mary Allred - yes
Jed Seward - absent Jeremy Pickard - yes
Marianne Schlabach - yes Jake Snider - yes
Denise Chittick - yes
Motion carried 6-0.
Resolution Authorizing the Terms of Issuance and Securing the payment of $12,780,000 School Infrastructure Sales, Services and Use Tax Revenue Bonds.
Denise Chittick introduced the Resolution and moved to adopt Resolution Authorizing the Terms of Issuance and Securing the payment of $12,780,000 School Infrastructure Sales, Services and Use Tax Revenue Bonds, Series 2022, of the Mid-Prairie Community School District, State of Iowa, Under the Provisions of Chapters 423E and 423F of the Code of Iowa, and providing for a method of payment of said bonds. Mary Allred seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Gabrielle Frederick - yes Mary Allred - yes
Jed Seward - absent Jeremy Pickard - yes
Marianne Schlabach - yes Jake Snider - yes
Denise Chittick - yes
Motion carried 6-0.
Resolution appointing UMB Bank, N.A. of West Des Moines, Iowa to serve as Paying Agent, Bond Registrar, and Transfer Agent, approving the Paying Agent, Bond Registrar, and Transfer Agent Agreement and authorizing the execution of same.
Denise Chittick introduced the Resolution and moved to adopt the Resolution appointing UMB Bank, N.A. of West Des Moines, Iowa to serve as Paying Agent, Bond Registrar, and Transfer Agent, approving the Paying Agent, Bond Registrar, and Transfer Agent Agreement and authorizing the execution of same. Gabrielle Frederick seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Gabrielle Frederick - yes Mary Allred - yes
Jed Seward - absent Jeremy Pickard - yes
Marianne Schlabach - yes Jake Snider - yes
Denise Chittick - yes
Motion carried 6-0.
Soccer Field Easement with Alliant Energy
Superintendent Schneider introduced the easement document provided by Alliant Entergy for the Board’s consideration. Alliant Energy is seeking approval for a permanent easement for the placement of a padmounted pole XMFR and pole. The easement is for at 15 foot by 15 foot area on the extreme Northeast corner of the parking lot for the Soccer Field. The Board asked questions for clarification and understanding.
Marianne Schlabach moved to approve the permanent easement with Alliant Energy as presented in the document. Gabrielle Frederick seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
2022 2023 Proposed School Fees / Admission Fees
Superintendent Schneider noted that the Nutrition Division of the Iowa Department of Education announced the increase to the minimum Adult Lunch Prices for the 2022-2023 School Year. These prices would increase Mid-Prairie’s Adult prices by $0.18 for the upcoming School Year. Rather than increase them by the minimum, it is proposed to increase the Breakfast and Lunch prices by $0.20 to $2.95 and $4.15, respectively for the 2022-2023 School Year.
Additionally, Schneider noted that the conference is increasing event ticket prices to $6 per High School Event and to $4 for Adults and $1 for Students. This also causes the Year Long Pass Prices to increase by $5 each for Families, Adults and Students for the 2022-2023 School Year. New amounts will be $265, $105, and $90, respectively.
The Board asked questions for clarification and understanding. The decision is hold off on increases for Activities until the first meeting in August. Thoughts were provided
Gabrielle Frederick moved to approve Adult meal prices for the 2022-2023 School year to $4.15 for Lunches and $2.95 for Breakfasts as presented. Jake Snider seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Middle School Dishwasher
Superintendent Schneider noted that as a result of a fire in the Middle School dishwasher on May 20th, the Middle School Dishwasher needs to be replaced prior to the start of school in August. Cory Evans and Gary Dawson have been working to obtain bids for new dishwashers. The bids are $30,754 from EMS Detergent Services (the Meiko machine) and $35,668 from Martin Brothers (the Hobart machine). Installation quotes would add to the overall bid price by bidders. Electrical services are quoted by Thrapp Electric at $2,300. It is recommended that the Hobart dishwashing machine in the Martin Brothers bid be considered even as additional bids are being sought on the Hobart dishwashing machine for a lower price. Reports on service and parts with the Meiko dishwashing machine have been less than satisfactory.
Denise Chittick moved to approve the purchase of a Hobart dishwashing replacement dishwasher model CL44En-BAS+Buildup and installation at the Middle School at the lowest price. Mary Allred seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Work Session
Completion of Unfinished Work Session Items
It was decided to table the remainder of the Series 400 Board Policy Series until the July Meeting.
Announcements and Suggestions for Next Agenda
Board President Pickard noted the upcoming Board training sessions in July with IASB. The Board will meet for the Work Sessions on July 7th and 14th from 6pm to 8pm.
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, July 11, 2022, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room. Agenda items to include: Board Policy 203 (Board Conflict of Interest Policy); Bank Account Setups for Bond Proceeds at Federation Bank and CBI Bank and Trust; IASB Legislative priorities, and Board Policies Series 400 review to continue.
The Board thanked Superintendent Schneider for his contribution to the Mid-Prairie Community. The Board presented Schneider with a framed picture where all Board members and Administrators had signed the margin/matting. Mark gave each board member a gift of appreciation for their service.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m. with Superintendent Schneider gaveling the meeting to a close.