Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
August 26, 2024– 6:15 p.m.
Vice President Gabrielle Frederick called the meeting to order in the absence of President Jake Snider.
Board members present: Denise Chittick, Gabrielle Frederick, Ryan Schlabaugh, Jed Seward, and Jake Snider (arrived at 6:24 p.m.).
Board members absent: Mary Allred, Randy Billups, and Jake Snider (arrived at 6:24 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 Ryan Schlabaugh. Motion carried 4-0.
Business Meeting
Consent Items
Denise Chittick moved to approve the following consent items.
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for August 26, 2024, and prepaid bills;
Open Enrollment Requests
Open Enrollment In Requests total 18 students;
Open Enrolled Out Requests total 1 students;
Personnel Items
Work Agreement issued to Anna Davila, Middle School General Cook, $15.28 per hour;
Work Agreement issued to Matthew O’Brien, Middle School Paraprofessional, $15.29 per hour;
Work Agreement issued to Angelina Kazakov, East Elementary Paraprofessional, $15.29 per hour;
Work Agreement issued to Tory Lybarger, East Elementary Paraprofessional 0.56 FTE, $15.29 per hour;
TLC Professional Partner Contracts for 2024-2025 Issued to:
Jill Hartsock, West Elementary Sadie Barber, West Elementary
Amanda Smith, West Elementary Lisa Kesten, West Elementary
Amy Mercer, High School Sara Puttmann, High School
Traci Zahradnek, High School Denise Busch, Middle School
Resignation of Erin McCoy, Middle School Counselor, $47,500 per annum, effective 8/18/2024;
Resignation of Tobi Anderson, Middle School General Cook, $14.97 per hour, effective end of 2023-2024 Contract Year;
Fundraising Requests
Mid-Prairie Service Trip requests approval to raise funds through a 50/50 Raffle during homecoming week from September 9th to 13th for an out of state trip to help with cleanup after a disaster;
Ryan Schlabaugh seconded the consent items. Motion carried 4-0.
Finance
East Elementary Additional Special Education Paraprofessionals Proposal
Superintendent Stone discussed the need for additional Paraprofessionals at East Elementary. Based upon identified student Individual Education Plan (IEP) needs, Greg Jergens, East Elementary Principal requests approval to hire 2 additional Full-time Equivalents (FTEs). These positions will be charged to Special Education. The Board asked questions about the positions and needs.
Denise Chittick moved to approve two additional full-time paraprofessionals at East Elementary as presented. Jed Seward second the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
Work Session
IASB Needs Assessment
Superintendent Stone discussed the IASB Needs Assessment document before the Board and has done some additional research. He believes we have much of this in place and is not inclined to recommend the District conduct a needs assessment. Frederick asked if the SIAC committee could present to the Board after the next meeting.
(Jake Snider arrived at 6:24 p.m. at the end of this agenda item.)
2025 IASB Legislative Priorities
Superintendent Stone and Business Manager Swartzentruber drew the Board’s attention to the IASB Legislative Priorities document for the 2024-2025 Legislative Year, especially starting with page 14. The process starts with the Board review of this document and then the process to determine the priorities to communicate to IASB for next year. The Board discussed the potential legislative priorities for the upcoming legislative session.
In the 2023-2024 Legislative Session the Board chose the priorities listed below:
- Mental Health
- Teacher Recruitment and Licensure
- Teacher Professional Development and Retention
- School Funding Policy
The Board reviewed the 2024 document to identify four to five priorities for the upcoming legislative session. The Board included the following as focus items to IASB:
- 2 – High-Quality Teacher Workforce
- 3 – Diverse and Engaging Educational Experiences
- 4 – Mental Health
- 8 – Safe and Secure School Environment
Tammy Drawbaugh Information
Superintendent Stone shared the working document provided by Drawbaugh and focused on the “What Do You Want to be Known for in 5 Years? At the next Work Session focus on the top portion of the “Student Success” category. Look first at where are we at in those areas—data points and potentially, trends per building and/or per grade level.
Discussion from Previous Work Sessions About Additional Trade Classes and Options
Superintendent Stone shared the current trades class offerings offered at the High School as well as the Career Academy with Kirkwood. Stone asked some questions of the Board to try to move toward a focus point and goals in and for the future. Discussion about the District’s student participation in the Kirkwood program, strengthening relationships with Kirkwood, and partnering with other trades organizations. Discussion about who leads, how leadership for the program is cultivated, and recognition these efforts would be an extension of the current High School program through outside organizations and partnerships. The District helps students learn of the different trades and trade skills that then expand into employment with a focus on the practical. Stone will contact some other districts and Kirkwood to do additional fact finding and research.
Discussion on Board Policies 200.4 and 401.15
The Board briefly continued discussion on proposed Policy 200.4—Board Member Social Media Engagement and related existing Policy 401.15—Staff Technology Use/Social Networking last reviewed 8/22/2022.
Requested this be tabled to the next, or future Work Session.
E3, Safety Grant Update
Stone shared that the four buildings (does not include Home School) will receive $50,000 in grant funds. Most of the focus is on technology related items. Stone discussed some of the details of the grants including expectations and limitations. Once the grant is “green lighted”, the process of identification and procurement can begin.
Tour of Buildings: High School, West Elementary, and Home School Education Center
The Board toured the West Elementary and Home School Education Center noted above to see the different improvements. The tours was by Superintendent Stone. High School improvements were discussed and the group elected to not tour the High School.
Next Meeting and Suggestions for Next Agenda
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, September 9, 2024, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m. at the Home School Education Center.