Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
September 23, 2024– 6:15 p.m.
Vice President Gabrielle Frederick called the meeting to order in the absence of President Jake Snider prior to his arrival.
Board members present: Mary Allred, Randy Billups, Denise Chittick, Gabrielle Frederick, Ryan Schlabaugh, Jed Seward, and Jake Snider (arrived at 6:20 p.m.).
Board members absent: Jake Snider (arrived at 6:20 p.m.).
Also Present: Superintendent Brian Stone, Board Secretary/School Business Official Jeff Swartzentruber.
Pledge of Allegiance
Read the School Mission Statement by Vice-President
Jed Seward moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Mary Allred. Motion carried 6-0.
Business Meeting
Consent Items
Mary Allred moved to approve the following consent items.
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for September 23, 2024, and prepaid bills;
Open Enrollment Requests – No Open Enrollment Requests presented for consideration;
Personnel Items
Contract issued to Daniel Hershberger, Middle School Assistant Football Coach, $2,187.51 per annum;
Resignation of Robin Coffman, Middle School General Cook, $15.28 per hour, effective September 16, 2024;
Resignation of Jillian Wilson, East Elementary Paraprofessional, $15.84 per hour, effective October 3, 2024;
Resignation of Jenny Hobbs, High School Assistant Softball Coach, $4,079.00 per season, effective September 6, 2024;
Resignation of Amy Hartsock-Williams, High School Head Softball Coach, $6,654.00 per season, effective September 16, 2024;
Fundraising Requests – No Fundraising Requests presented for consideration;
Ryan Schlabaugh seconded the consent items. Motion carried 6-0.
Business Item
Special Education Deficit Spending Authority Resolution – Resolution 0923241
SBO Swartzentruber reviewed the SBRC Resolution for Additional Allowable Growth as a result of the Special Education Spending Deficit for the recently completed fiscal year ending on June 30, 2024. The reported deficit was $81,494.48 for last year as compared to $13,193.16 for the previous year. The request is rounded up to $85,000 to allow for any upward adjustment that might be found during the Department of Education’s year-end review.
Ryan Schlabaugh moved to approve Resolution 0923241 to authorize the Superintendent to submit a request to the School Budget Review Committee for additional allowable growth of up to $85,000 to cover the deficit in Special Education funding from the year ending June 30, 2024. Mary Allred seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Gabrielle Frederick - yes Mary Allred - yes
Jed Seward - yes Ryan Schlabaugh - yes
Randy Billups - yes Jake Snider - absent
Denise Chittick - yes
Motion carried 6-0.
Work Session
Audit Committee For Fiscal Year 2024
School Business Official Jeff Swartzentruber noted that the audit fieldwork for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 will begin tomorrow, September 24, 2024. The audit team will be conducting the audit remotely from their offices in Newton as they have done since fiscal year 2019-2020. It is anticipated that the audit fieldwork will take up to 3 days. With the implementation of Policy 707.6 Audit Committee, it may be time to select the committee. A closing conference with the auditors after the completion of fieldwork usually takes place towards the end of fieldwork. Swartzentruber and Stone are in attendance. Does the Board need representation to be in attendance? The Board discussed the need for someone to be present for the closing conference. Ryan Schlabaugh would like be involved. The Board informally agreed to have Ryan Schlabaugh present for the closing conference.
(Jake Snider arrived at 6:20pm during this agenda item.)
Discussion of Board Policies 200.4 and 401.14
President Snider asked for this discussion to be held first. The Board looked at both policies to review for similarities and consistency. Discussions for concerns for accountability and enforcement of the policies. Policy 200.4 is not a mandatory policy. The Board discussion would appear that this will not be pursued for acceptance and approval.
Board discussion about cell phone policy
President Snider opened the discussion. Superintendent Stone shared data and results of conversations with building administrators about cell phone experiences in the buildings from last year and into the beginning of this year. The administrators have not had significant issues. The Board talked about approach to cell phone policy discipline, student behaviors, and student health. Accountability and culture in the buildings was discussed at length. The Board asked for specific information for Stone to gather from administrators and staff for a future work session.
Next Meeting and Suggestions for Next Agenda
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, October 14, 2024, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:53 p.m.