Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
June 28, 2021 – 6:15 p.m.
President Jeremy Gugel called the meeting to order.
Board members present: Mary Allred, Denise Chittick, Gabrielle Frederick, Jeremy Gugel, Jodi Meader, and Marianne Schlabach (arrived at 6:18 p.m.).
Board members absent: Jeremy Pickard, and Marianne Schlabach (until 6:18 p.m.).
Also Present: Mark Schneider, Jeff Swartzentruber, Rachel Kerns, Chuck Banks, Rob Hruby, Amy Shalla, Frank Slabaugh, and Greg Jergens.
Gabrielle Frederick moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Mary Allred. Motion carried 5-0.
WORK SESSION
Recognize Special Guests
Superintendent Schneider introduced the new Building Principals to the Board. They are Chuck Banks, Mid-Prairie High School Principal; Rob Hruby, Mid-Prairie Middle School Principal; and Greg Jergens Mid-Prairie East Elementary School Principal. Each principal spoke and provided a bit of professional and personal background.
Marianne Schlabach arrived during this agenda item.
Financial Resources Available for Facilities Plan
Superintendent Schneider introduced Matt Gillaspie of Piper, Sandler & Company. Matt presented an overview of the financing resources and possibilities that could be available for the various facilities improvements and project as presented by the Facilities Committee just prior to the onset of the COVID pandemic. This was an educational exercise for the Board. He covered the 4 different funding sources generally available to school districts in Iowa—cash on hand, Capital Notes, Revenue Bonds and General Obligation Bonds. He discussed the current General Obligation debt of the District and the Surplus levies over the past three years. The first call date on the General Obligation bonds occurred on June 1, 2021—these bonds could be refinanced, again, should the Board decide to do this. He summarized the current Sales Tax Bonds outstanding by the District—these were refinanced in 2019 and come due in 2028 with no early call date provisions. He discussed the Statutory Debt Limit for the District. He also shared overviews of possible borrowing steps and sources pertinent to the District. The Board expressed appreciation for his work with the District as Facilities Plans are processed.
District Annual Report
Agenda item moved to the end of the meeting.
Board Member and Administrator Dialogue
This was tabled to the July meeting.
Board Development and Inservice Activities
Nothing was noted at this meeting.
Announcements and Suggestions for Next Agenda
Agenda item moved to the end of the meeting.
BUSINESS MEETING
Public Forum– 7:00 p.m.
No one spoke.
Consent Items
Jodie Meader moved to approve the following consent items.
Minutes of Previous Meetings
The minutes of June 14, 2021;
Finance Report
None presented at this time;
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for June 28, 2021;
Open Enrollment Requests
Greg and Lindsey Jergens request Jersey Jergens (Grade 5), attend Mid-Prairie from Iowa Valley Community School District for the 2021-22 School Year;
Brian and Rachel Bartachek request Jordan Bartachek (Grade 8), Quinn Bartachek (Grade 3), and Sarena Bartachek (Grade 1) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from Iowa City Community School District for the 2021-22 School Year;
Personnel Items
Contract issued to Amelia Johnston, High School Special Education Teacher, $40,722.00 per annum;
Fundraising Requests
MPHS Volleyball requests approval to raise funds through the sale of candles from August 16th to September 30th for the purchase of volleyball equipment and paying volunteer assistant coaches;
MPHS Volleyball requests approval to raise funds through the proceeds from the August 2nd to August 6th Volleyball Camp for the purchase of volleyball equipment, Middle School Uniforms, and paying volunteer coaches;
Denise Chittick seconded the consent items. Motion carried 6-0.
Student Learning
High School Special Education Teacher
Superintendent Schneider and Amy Shalla, Special Education Administrator, discussed the Special Education Teacher needs at the High School and the Middle School. This results in a proposal for another Full Time Special Education teacher for the High School beginning in the 2021-2022 School Year. Half of the position may be filled by a person currently in the District.
Gabrielle Frederick moved to approve an additional full time Special Education Teacher for the High School in the 2021-2022 School Year. Mary Allred seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Second Reading, Board Policy 403.1 – Employee Physical Examinations
Board President Gugel asked if there were any discussion items or questions with respect to Board Policy 403.1—Employee Physical Examinations from the previous meeting.
Gabrielle Frederick moved to pass on Second Reading Board Policy 403.1 Employee Physical Examinations as presented. Denise Chittick seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Student Handbooks for 2021-2022
Greg Jergens, Principal at East Elementary, Rob Hruby, Principal of the Middle School and Amy Shalla, Principal of the Alternative Learning Center presented their handbooks to the Board. The combined Elementary Handbook has two changes—page 17 addresses School Lunch Prices as free due to the ongoing Federal program for lunch and breakfast in 2021-2022, and the page 20 where the fever-free time is 24 hours without the aid of medication. The Middle School Handbook has one change on page 6 with respect to Dress Code—Hats are permitted in 6th to 8th grade. Alternative Learning Center’s change was to the section Virtual and Hybrid Learning.
Gabrielle Frederick moved to accept the changes to the Handbooks for the Combined Elementary handbook, Middle School handbook, and Alternative Learning Center handbook as presented. Jodi Meader seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
2022 IASB Legislative Priorities
Superintendent Schneider introduced the need for the annual discussion of the Legislative Priories list provide by IASB. This is an introduction to this agenda item for July discussion. Last year’s document was provided as a resource for the Board as they prepare for the July discussion and process.
Finance
Modular Classroom Agreement
Superintendent Schneider updated the Board on the continuing developments for Modular Classrooms at both Elementary Schools. He has asked Shive-Hattery and Vesta Modular to work through the issues of placement and logistics of the classrooms at each campus. No documents have been provided to date. However, it is anticipated that the buildings will be available in mid-July.
Work Session
Completion of Unfinished Work Session Items
District Annual Report
Agenda item moved from the Work Session portion of the meeting.
Kristan Hunter, District Curriculum Leader, shared the District Annual Report and its contents with the Board. She stressed that this was a year where people and ideas came together in the District to provide support, uphold resilience, and encourage kindness. The Report is a highlight of the key happenings for the year.
Announcements
Administration Retreat will take place in early August. The Board is invited to be present for Supper on Tuesday, August 3rd at 6:00 p.m. followed by Real Colors training and interactions. This will take place at the Kirkwood Hotel in Cedar Rapids.
Announcements and Suggestions for Next Agenda
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, July 12, 2021, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room, the only scheduled Board Meeting in July. Agenda items to include: Carl A. Nelson on the recalculating Facilities Cost (Mark is working with them); IASB Legislative Priorities for 2022; and 28E Agreement Amendments with Wellman and Kalona YMCA Buildings.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:27 p.m.