Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
November 11, 2024 – 6:15 p.m.
Retiring School Board Annual Meeting
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: Jake Snider left the meeting at 7:00 p.m. to attend National Honor Society.
Also Present: Superintendent Brian Stone, Board Secretary/School Business Official Jeff Swartzentruber.
Pledge of Allegiance
Read the School Mission Statement by Vice-President
Adopt the Agenda
Mary Allred moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Jed Seward. Motion carried 7-0.
Consent Items
Ryan Schlabaugh moved to approve the following consent items.
Minutes of Previous Meetings
The minutes of October 14, 2024 and October 28, 2024;
Denise Chittick seconded the consent items. Motion carried 7-0.
Adjournment (Sine Die) The Board President adjourned “sine die” the final meeting of the 2023-2024 Board.
New Board of Education – Organization of the 2024-2025 Board
Board Secretary, Jeff Swartzentruber, called the meeting to order.
The Board Secretary opened the floor for discussion for the Nominations for Board President and Vice-President.
Ryan Schlabaugh and Jake Snider both expressed interest in the President and Vice-President position. Frederick expressed appreciation for Jake Snider as President in the past year. The Board asked questions of the Schlabaugh and Snider.
Nominations for President of the Board of Directors for the 2024-2025 school year: Jed Seward nominated Jake Snider for President of the Board. Seconded by Randy Billups. Motion carried 6-0, with the nominee abstaining.
Nominations for Vice-President of the Board of Directors for the 2024-2025 school year: Jake Snider nominated Ryan Schlabaugh for Vice-President. Seconded by Gabrielle Frederick. Motion carried 6-0, with the nominee abstaining.
The Oath of Office was administered individually to Jake Snider as President and to Ryan Schlabaugh as Vice-President.
Appointment of Board Secretary/Treasurer: Gabrielle Frederick nominated Jeffrey Swartzentruber, School Business Official as School Board Secretary and Board Treasurer. Seconded by Mary Allred. Motion carried 7-0. No oath was administered as the position continues with a paid staff person.
Opening for the New School Board
President Jake Snider called the meeting to order.
Adopt the Agenda
Mary Allred moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Jed Seward. Motion carried 7-0.
Hawk Highlight – Facilities Committee Presentation
Ryan Schlabaugh, Board Member, representing the Facilities Committee started a shortened presentation to highlight the progress currently being made on the 2024 GO Bond. He expressed appreciation for the process and the group’s work. Jake Snider talked about the process undertaken by the Steering Committee. Jed Seward, Board Member and member of the Steering Committee, discussed the 5 projects approved on the Bond and the current status of projects. The Elementary Schools Parking Lot projects—2 of the 5projects—came in under budget. The West Elementary HVAC/Humidity issues were reviewed and assessed. It was found that a number of control changes have solved the majority of the issues to the extent that there is a $900,000 savings. At West Elementary, the assessment of classroom space is on-going. In the assessment it has been determined that there is a need for 2 classrooms and improvements versus 4 classrooms for a savings. This led to a review of the 37 items developed by the Facilities Committee prior to the passage of the 2024 GO Bond. Superintendent Stone then showed the floor plan of the Wrestling/Activities facility. Included are 3 mats, changing/shower areas, storage and weight room on the top level. A concession area, restrooms and storage on the lower level facing the football field is also included in the plan. The original plan only included 1.5 mats and not a lot of amenities. Subsequent to the review of the 37 items by the Steering Committee, it was determined that the needs at the Wrestling/Activities facility could be expanded and begin to address 17 items of the 34 on the list from the original 5 items noted above while maintaining the integrity and letter of the Bond Referendum language. The current adjusted list will lead the Facilities Committee to begin to reprioritize the remaining items on the list and assess other items. The Board asked questions about the projects and possible projects. There is agreement that these developments are very positive for the District.
Jake Snider left the meeting at 7 p.m. during this agenda item and turned the chair over to Ryan Schlabaugh.
Public Forum
No one spoke.
BUSINESS MEETING
Consent Items
Randy Billups moved to approve the following consent items.
Finance Report
The Finance Report for Year to Date October 2024;
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for November 11, 2024; Prepaid Bills;
Open Enrollment Requests
Open Enrollment In Requests total 3 students;
Open Enrolled Out Requests total 1 students;
Personnel Items
Contract issued to Danielle Williams, High School Head Softball Coach, $5,464 per season;
Fundraising Requests
The Prom Committee requests approval to raise funds through an Ugly Sweater Sale from November 12th to November 21st to raise money to put on the Junior Senior Prom event in the Spring of 2025;
Gabrielle Frederick seconded the consent items. Motion carried 6-0.
Student Learning
Reports
The Board reviewed the Administrators’ written reports to the Board. Time was allotted to ask questions and discuss the reports. While no questions were asked on the reports, Superintendent Stone discussed the Veterans Day Assembly that took place today and the impact that it had on the students and those in attendance.
Finance-Long Range Planning
Superintendent Mid-Year Check-In Expectations for November 25, 2024
Vice-President Schlabaugh and former Vice-President Gabrielle Frederick noted the necessity to conduct a mid-year evaluation/check-in/discussion with Brian Stone, Superintendent. The evaluation needs to take place at the last Board Meeting in November. Schlabaugh and Frederick will gather information for standards items 1, 4, and 6.
Board Development and Inservice Activities
IASB Convention is November 20-22, 2024. Registrations have been completed for all Board members planning to attend and Superintendent Stone reviewed the details including transportation by School Board members.
Announcements and Suggestions for Next Agenda
The next Work Session Meeting will be on Monday, November 25, 22024 at 6:15 p.m. Agenda items to include: Grade A-like Attendance Center Discussion, Continuation of the Cellphone Discussion, Resolution for SBRC Spending Authority for ELL Beyond 5 years and for Open Enrollment In and Out counts; Semi-annual Superintendent Evaluation most likely conducted in closed session;
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, December 9, 2024, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room. This is the only meeting planned for December.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m.