Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
December 9, 2024 – 6:15 p.m.
Vice President Ryan Schlabaugh called the meeting to order in the absence of President Jake Snider.
Board members present: Mary Allred, Randy Billups, Denise Chittick, Gabrielle Frederick, Ryan Schlabaugh, Jed Seward, and Jake Snider.
Board members absent: Jake Snider (arrived at 6:17 p.m.)
Also Present: Superintendent Brian Stone, Board Secretary/School Business Official Jeff Swartzentruber.
Pledge of Allegiance
Read the School Mission Statement by Gabrielle Frederick
Adopt the Agenda
Mary Allred moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Randy Billups. Motion carried 7-0.
Jake Snider arrived as the agenda was being adopted at 6:17pm and began to chair the meeting.
Hawk Highlights
Andy Miller joined the meeting to provide an update on Youth Project with Washington County Outreach. He complimented the students—Rylee and Jacob--of the District. He noted the leadership provided by our students and the activities. 113 students participated in 6 visitations with residents of various nursing homes. 75% said they would do this again. He thanked the Board for their willingness to let him share.
Public Forum
No one spoke.
BUSINESS MEETING
Consent Items
Ryan Schlabaugh moved to approve the following consent items.
Minutes of Previous Meetings
The minutes of November 11, 2024, and November 25, 2024;
Finance Report
The Finance Report for Year to Date November 2024;
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for December 9, 2024; Prepaid Bills;
Open Enrollment Requests
Open Enrollment In Requests total 3 students;
Open Enrolled Out Requests total 0 students;
Personnel Items
Contract issued to Justin Barthelman, 0.5 FTE High School Physical Education Teacher, $23,750 per annum;
Contract Issued to Darrick Eldridge, High School Assistant Girls Wrestling Coach, $2,833 per season;
Fundraising Requests – No requests presented for approval
Mary Allred seconded the consent items. Motion carried 7-0.
Student Learning
Reports
The Board reviewed the Administrators’ written reports to the Board. Time was allotted to ask questions and discuss the reports. No questions were asked. Frederick expressed appreciation for the Virtual Academy/ALC Report. Stone talked about a first Strategic Planning meeting last week with a GWAEA representative and the Administrative Team and building state. A new vision statement is started “Every Student, Every Day”. This will begin to seen in every day communications and interactions.
Finance-Long Range Planning
Matching Funds Approval for FY 2024-2025
Superintendent Stone and SBO Swartzentruber brought this to the Board for consideration. Per Board Policy 903.6 the Board, in August of each year the Board makes a decision to promote joint fundraising for the three major Booster Groups including: Fine Arts Boosters, Athletic Boosters, and Student Boosters. In the past several years, the matching funds have been $15,000 per group or a total maximum of $45,000. The Board asked questions for clarification and understanding.
Gabrielle Frederick moved to approve matching funds of $15,000 to each of the three groups, totaling $45,000 for the 2024-2025 School Year. Jed Seward seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Additional Allowable Growth for Open Enrollment Out and ELL Beyond Five Years for FY 2024-2025
SBO Swartzentruber presented the additional allowable growth resolution for the current fiscal year. This happens every year after the Department of Education provides the calculations upon completion of their enrollment count process. If passed, the resolution will allow the District to increase spending authority of $83,625 for Open Enrollment Out and of $10,252 for ELL Beyond 5 Years. These amounts are a result of the Certified Enrollment data from the October 1, 2024 count date.
Ryan Schlabaugh moved to approve Resolution 12092401 to allow the Superintendent to request increased spending authority of $83,625 on Open Enrollment Out for the 2024-2025 School Year and $10,252 for ELL Beyond 5 Years. Mary Allred seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Gabrielle Frederick - yes Mary Allred - yes
Jed Seward - yes Ryan Schlabaugh - yes
Randy Billups - yes Jake Snider - yes
Denise Chittick - yes
Motion carried 7-0.
Budget Guarantee Resolution for FY 2025-2026
School Business Official Swartzentruber provided the Regular Program Budget Adjustment Resolution #120924 and recommended approval of the resolution. Due to the District’s Resident Student Count on October 1, 2024, reported as 39.46 students down from the previous October 1, 2023
Student Count, it is very likely that increased funding by the State of Iowa for schools will not meet last year’s budget funding, and this is a precautionary resolution. The resolution allows for the District to receive at least 101% of the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year Revenue. Open Enrolled In students were up 19.20 students from the October 1, 2023 Student Count. While the Open Enrolled In students offset smooths the net trend, the District is slightly up by 2.24 students served compared to the 2023 count. This year’s resolution is a necessary precautionary protection of District funding.
Gabrielle Frederick moved to approve Resolution #120924 Regular Program Budget Adjustment for the 2025-2026 School Year as presented. Denise Chittick seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Gabrielle Frederick - yes Mary Allred - yes
Jed Seward - yes Ryan Schlabaugh - yes
Randy Billups - yes Jake Snider - yes
Denise Chittick - yes
Motion carried 7-0.
Staff Payment for December Payroll
Superintendent Stone shared that in the review of the District’s Fund Balance and Spending Authority results at June 30, 2024, he would like to recommend a one-time holiday payment to District staff under Contract and Work Agreements. The total cost to the District for 253 staff persons would be approximately $136,180. The recommended one-time payment would be made in the December payroll. The Board asked questions for clarification and understanding.
Gabrielle Frederick moved to approve a one-time holiday payment to District staff in the total amount of $136,180 on the December, 2024 payroll. Denise Chittick seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Board Development and Inservice Activities – There was nothing added at this time.
Announcements and Suggestions for Next Agenda
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, January 13, 2025, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room. Agenda items to include: Consideration of an early resignation incentive, Resolution for 2025-2026 Dropout Prevention Modified Supplemental Amount,
The next Work Session Meeting will be on Monday, January 27, 2025 at 6:15 p.m. Agenda items to include: HSAP Flexibility Account Transfer; Grade-Alike Attendance Center Continued; Strategic Plan Discussion and update; Cell Phone Policy Discussion, and update on the Facilities Committee meetings and process.
Closed Session – Consultation with Legal Counsel
President Jake Snider asked for a motion to go into closed session in order to conduct discussions with legal counsel for the District.
Gabrielle Frederick moved to go to Closed Session under Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(c) to discuss strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent where its disclosure would be likely to prejudice or disadvantage the position of the governmental body in that litigation. Ryan Schlabaugh seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Gabrielle Frederick - yes Mary Allred - yes
Jed Seward - yes Ryan Schlabaugh - yes
Randy Billups - yes Jake Snider - yes
Denise Chittick - yes
Motion carried 7-0.
The Board entered Closed Session at 6:43 p.m.
The Board exited Closed Session at 8:20 p.m.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m.