Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
August 23, 2021 – 6:15 p.m.
President Jeremy Gugel called the meeting to order.
Board members present: Mary Allred, Denise Chittick, Gabrielle Frederick (arrived at 6:17 p.m.), Jeremy Gugel, Jodi Meader, Jeremy Pickard (Arrived at the meeting at 6:52 p.m.), and Marianne Schlabach.
Board members absent: Jeremy Pickard (Arrived at the meeting at 6:52 p.m.).
Also Present: Mark Schneider, Jeff Swartzentruber, Chuck Banks, Robin Foster, Rob Hruby, Greg Jergens, Rachel Kerns, Amy Shalla, and Frank Slabaugh.
Marianne Schlabach moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Mary Allred. Motion carried 5-0.
WORK SESSION
Update on August Professional Learning Activities
Superintendent Schneider and the Principals shared the different activities they did together at the Administrative Team Retreat and then with their staff leading up to the first day of school. The Retreat was key to learning about themselves and about the others on the Administrative Team. Important topics included discussion about change/transition—the positive and negative aspect of this—and the loss in both types of change. They reflected on the “why’s” of Mid-Prairie—what are the values and how does the Golden Circle help with the “why” understandings and approach. The Head Cooks had a number of days of training and the whole Nutrition Staff then did a day of baking practice. Four Custodians went to two days of a Custodians Conference in Ottumwa in late July. New teachers arrived in the District 3 days before the other teachers for on-boarding—some “why” discussions were introduced to the new teachers. The Real Colors training was provided for the new teachers, and they also met with their Professional Partners. Professional Partners met together prior to their time with new teachers to discuss the “why”. On the third day of the new teacher time, all new employees took a 3 hour bus trip around the District. When continuing staff returned on Wednesday, August 18th, the buildings team met together. The entire staff gathered on Friday, August 20th for lunch and an afternoon of input. Again, the “why” discussion was an important component. The staff were divided into 8 member teams that will be together for a good portion of the year.
Jeremy Pickard arrived during the latter portion of the Work Session.
Board Member and Administrator Dialogue
This was included in the above agenda item.
Board Development and Inservice Activities
Nothing added for this agenda item.
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 August 9, 2021;
Finance Report
None presented at this time;
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for August 23, 2021;
Open Enrollment Requests
Brock and Danielle Moore request Emmerson Moore (Grade 7), attend Mid-Prairie from English Valleys Community School District for the 2021-22 School Year;
Kerry Janecek requests Lilyan Janecek (Grade 8), attend Mid-Prairie Virtual Academy from Washington Community School District for the 2021-22 School Year;
John and Kayla Daniels request Clara Daniels (Kindergarten) and Hanna Daniels (Grade 2) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from Iowa Valley Community School District for the 2021-22 School Year;
Louise Zook requests Luana Zook (Kindergarten) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from Iowa Valley Community School District for the 2021-22 School Year;
Austin and Michelle Vincent request Alaina Vincent (Grade 1) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from Lone Tree Community School District for the 2021-22 School Year;
Personnel Items
Contract issued to Aaron Coghlan, High School Assistant Football Coach, $2,850.00 per annum;
Contract issued to Lisa Doser, Middle School Girls Basketball Coach, $3,219.00 per annum;
Contract Issued to Miranda Miller, HSAP Supervising Teacher, $25.55 per hour;
Work Agreement issued to Shelby Cook, Middle School Paraprofessional, $14.18 per hour;
Work Agreement issued to Lois Dehogues, West Elementary Paraprofessional, $14.18 per hour;
Work Agreement issued to Cassidy Hertzler, West Elementary Paraprofessional, $14.18 per hour;
Work Agreement issued to Paige Peiffer, East Elementary Paraprofessional, $14.18 per hour;
Work Agreement issued to Kyla Schneider, West Elementary Paraprofessional, $14.18 per hour;
Work Agreement issued to Allyson Swartzentruber, Middle School Paraprofessional, $14.18 per hour;
TLC Professional Partner Contracts Issued the 2021-2022 School Year for:
Renee Fisher - $1,000 DiAnna Geiger - $1,000
Makenzie Flynn - $1,000 Maureen Gingerich - $1,000
Carrie Schweitzer - $1,000 Beth Fiordelise - $1,000
Kim McAtee - $1,000 Terra Huber - $1,000
Erin Cavanagh - $2,000 Anna Jabbari - $1,000
Traci Zahradnek - $1,000 Sara Puttmann - $1,000
Molly Steinbrech - $1,000 Crystal Gingerich - $1,000
Fundraising Requests – None presented for approval;
Approve Additional Insured School Related Groups – The following associated entities are approved for inclusion in the District Liability and E&O Insurance Policies
Golden Hawks Wrestling Club Mid-Prairie Athletic Boosters
Mid-Prairie Community School District Foundation
Mid-Prairie Fine Arts Boosters Mid-Prairie Post Prom Committee
Mid-Prairie Student Boosters Mid-Prairie Alumni and Friends Association
MP Archery Club
Jodi Meader seconded the consent items. Motion carried 7-0.
Student Learning
Second Reading – Board Policies Series 200
Superintendent Schneider noted the work and review done at the July Board Meeting on Series 200 Board Policies. He also noted the Policies for Series 200 passed on First Reading at the august 9, 2021, Board meeting. Board President Gugel asked for additional questions and comment.
Jeremy Pickard moved to approve on Second Reading the Series 200 School Board Policies as presented. Mary Allred seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Preschool Paraprofessional Position
Superintendent Schneider, Principal Amy Shalla, noted the need for a Preschool Paraprofessional due to a new student starting in Preschool with specific IEP required adult support during times the student is in school.
Gabrielle Frederick moved to approve the creation of a new Paraprofessional position for Preschool as presented. Jodi Meader seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Finance
District Facilities Discussions
Superintendent Schneider and Board President Gugel led the Board in a Discussion about Facilities. Priorities and Costs have been presented to the Board over the past few months. The Board discussed whether or not something needs to be done at every building from a fairness mindset. There are about $40 million of projects and probably $30 million of potential bonding capacity should the Board want to entertain that option. The Board asked questions of Building Principals as to their thoughts and initial priorities related to the prioritized list. The Board discussed the varied elements of the projects. The Board expressed appreciation of the input from the Administrators. This agenda item will be continued at near future meetings.
Work Session
Completion of Unfinished Work Session Items
There were no unfinished items from the Work Session section of the meeting.
Announcements and Suggestions for Next Agenda
School Board Candidate Election documents are now allowed to be filed with Jeff Swartzentruber, School Board Secretary. The first day to file is August 23rd. The last day to file will be September 16th by 5:00 p.m. at Central Office. He will file with Washington County on September 17, 2021.
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, September 13, 2021, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room. Agenda items to include: Building Tours will be in the next two meetings; the Business Meeting will be first on the agenda followed by the building tours as the Work Session for these two meetings; and continued discussion on the Facilities process.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.