Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
December 13, 2021 – 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 (arrived at 6:25 p.m.), Jed Seward (arrived at 6:49 p.m.), and Jake Snider (arrived at 6:18 p.m.).
Board members absent: Marianne Schlabach (arrived at 6:25 p.m.), Jed Seward (arrived at 6:49 p.m.), and Jake Snider (arrived at 6:18 p.m.).
Also Present: Mark Schneider, Jeff Swartzentruber, Chuck Banks, Robin Foster, Rob Hruby, Greg Jergens, Rachel Kerns, Amy Shalla, and Frank Slabaugh.
Gabrielle Frederick moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Mary Allred. Motion carried 4-0.
WORK SESSION
District Computer Science Program
Rob Hruby, Middle School Principal introduced a group of teachers representing all buildings to discuss the Computer Science Program in the District. They began with defining Computer Science within the Mid-Prairie District as a whole, and reviewed the recent timeline of events for the program. Then they focused on the educational programs for Computer Science at the Elementary, Middle School, and High School levels specifically. The provided examples of activities used with students and had the Board participate in an activity. The Board expressed appreciation for the program and the efforts of the teachers to bring this into the classrooms.
Jake Snider arrived at 6:18 p.m. during this agenda item.
Marianne Schlabach arrived at 6:25 p.m. during this agenda item.
Jed Seward arrived at 6:49 p.m. during this agenda item.
Bond Issue Updates
Superintendent Schneider discussed the current status of the on-going work with regard to initiatives for a Bond issue referendum for March 1, 2022. On Monday, December 6th, a group of community people met in the Community Room to discuss the process and the petitions and strategies to work at getting the petitions signed by January 5, 2022, with a goal of 850 signatures. If enough signatures are gathered, the Board could act to proceed with the Bond referendum on March 1, 2022. Schneider then asked for input from the Board on the types of questions to be included in the Frequently Asked Questions document.
School Board Policies Review – Series 300 Marianne Schlabach arrived at 6:25 p.m. during this agenda item.
Board Member and Administrator Dialogue – Agenda item moved to the end of the meeting.
Board Development and Inservice Activities – Agenda item moved to the end of the 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
Gabrielle Frederick moved to approve the following consent items.
Minutes of Previous Meetings
The minutes of November 11, 2021, and December 6, 2021;
Finance Report
The Finance Report for November 2021;
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for December 10, 2021; and Prepaid Bills;
Open Enrollment Requests
John Duder requests Katie Duder (Grade 10), attend Mid-Prairie from Highland Community School District for the 2021-22 School Year;
Hannah Liddell requests Boaz Liddell (Grade 1) and Josiah Liddell (Grade 3) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from Iowa City Community School District for the 2021-22 School Year;
Personnel Items
No Contracts to be issued at this time;
Resignation of Stacy Jack, High School English Teacher, $19682.30 per annum, effective December 31, 2021;
Fundraising Requests – No Fund Raising Requests Presented for Approval;
Mary Allred seconded the consent items. Motion carried 7-0.
Student Learning
High School Physical Education Exemption for Block Scheduling
Superintendent Schneider introduced and explained the Chapter 12 Waiver for High School PE. The District meets the requirements for in class minutes but not the day’s requirement because of the Block Scheduling of classes for students. As a result, an exemption needs to be applied for so students meet the requirements. It is requested that the Board approve the application for the exemption. The public was given an opportunity at this meeting for comment—no comments were brought to the Board.
Gabrielle Frederick moved to approve proceeding with the application of Exemption of the Chapter 12 Physical Education due to the fact that the high school has block scheduling. Denise Chittick seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Preschool Paraprofessionals
Superintendent Schneider outlined the need for a full-time Special Education Paraprofessional in the Preschool. Individual Education Plans (IEP) in the preschool program are higher with additional adult support required in the IEP’s of the students.
Gabrielle Frederick moved to approve the creation of a Preschool Special Education Paraprofessional at West Elementary for the 2021-2022 School Year as presented. Mary Allred seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Superintendent Commitment Statement
Superintendent Schneider shared the document that is normally presented for discussion and signatures by the Board and Superintendent the meeting after completing the Superintendent Annual Evaluation. This document signals the Board’s intention, not legally binding, to extend a contract, or not, for the next School Year—2022-2023. The document was circulated and signed by Board members present and by Superintendent Schneider.
Work Session
Completion of Unfinished Work Session Items
School Board Policies Review – Series 300
Superintendent Schneider discussed the review process for Board Policies. He first discussed the overall process for reviewing the 10 specific School Board Policies Series. This year the Board needs to review the 300 and 400 Series Policies. He will first have the Policies for Series 300 shared to the Board for review. A Google document will be established for the Board to document any policies that board members wish to discuss. Schneider will also bring any updates that may be within the model policies from IASB. The Series 300 will be reviewed in January followed by Series 400 soon after.
Board Member and Administrator Dialogue
This agenda item is included from the earlier Work Session agenda items. A number of the Principals shared of happenings in the buildings. Superintendent Schneider reported that Cory Evans has started as Nutrition Director and is working with Amber Kempf, outgoing Nutrition Director.
Board Development and In-service Activities – Nothing reported at this time.
Announcements and Suggestions for Next Agenda
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, January 10, 2022, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room. Agenda items to include: Presentation by K-12 Music, and Update on the Petition. Second Meeting in January is the Dinner for Board Members and New Employees.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.