Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
January 10, 2022 – 6:15 p.m.
President Jeremy Pickard called the meeting to order.
Board members present: Mary Allred, Denise Chittick, Jeremy Pickard, Marianne Schlabach, Jed Seward, and Jake Snider (arrived at 6:20 p.m.).
Board members absent: Gabrielle Frederick and Jake Snider (arrived at 6:20 p.m.).
Also Present: Mark Schneider, Jeff Swartzentruber, Chuck Banks, Robin Foster, Rob Hruby, Greg Jergens, Rachel Kerns, Amy Shalla, and Frank Slabaugh.
Mary Allred moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Denise Chittick. Motion carried 5-0.
WORK SESSION
District Family and Consumer Science Program
Glenda Seward, High School FCS Teacher and Carrie Schweitzer, Middle School FCS Teacher presented the District FCS program approach and philosophy for the Board. Schweitzer started by discussing the Middle School program for grades 6 to 8 with sewing, “at home” cooking, and nutrition skills. She provided some plans/options/dreams for future curriculum for students. Seward discussed the High School program. She noted that Sarah O’Rourke teaches human services and Seward teaches the culinary courses. These two pathways in High School FCS are open to all students. Seward discussed the course offerings for both pathways. She also discussed the career possibilities in both pathways. Seward finished the presentation with the Greenhouse project where they grow herbs and plants for use in the classes. The Board asked questions for clarification and understanding. The Board thanked the teachers for their commitment to the students and the programs.
Jake Snider arrived during this agenda items at 6:20 p.m.
Teacher Recruitment and Retention
President Pickard requested this agenda item in recognition of current teacher shortages and future issues related to teacher recruitment and retention. Superintendent Schneider discussed the continued issues related to staffing. Schneider noted a list of ideas to begin to brainstorm the issue. The list includes the Early Resignation incentive, Teacher Academy with Kirkwood, Guaranteed Interview for Mid-Prairie Alumni, Signing Bonus for hard to fill positions, Helping to Pay Student Loans of teachers, Attendance/Wellness Bonus, and Teacher Apprenticeships for students interested in teaching—currently this is not possible per legislature, but could be an idea to push out to the Department of Education and to State Legislators. Pickard and Schneider encouraged other ideas from the Board and other in attendance. Ideas included: Housing Allowance for living in the District, peanutbutter.com is a place to look, building trades program to build a house in the District for apprenticeships and/or pre-apprenticeships experiences, retention incentives for teachers at milestone years, and a suggestion to poll teachers on types of ideas that seem to be appealing to teachers.
Licensed Employee Resignation
Superintendent Schneider discussed the need to set values and timing for the current Board Policy 407.1 on Licensed Employee Resignation Policy for 2021-2022 School Year. This allows the District to begin to recruit open positions earlier. He discussed some options to either move up the date in the two levels for the early resignation incentives or the expanded to 3 levels. One idea he noted with the 3 levels was to have the first Incentive by the second Friday in February; second Friday in March; and third incentive be the second Friday in April. The Board discussed that maybe the two dates should be moved to the third Friday of February and March. Action could be taken during the Business Meeting.
Board Member and Administrator Dialogue
Rachel Kerns of the Home School Program noted the very positive changes between Home School and Virtual Academy. Virtual Academy will have 18 students for the second semester. Board member Snider expressed concerns for teachers stress levels increasing. Recognition for the short term versus long term impacts was expressed for these stress levels. Discussion on these concerns will continue as part of teacher recruitment and retention.
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
Mary Allred moved to approve the following consent items.
Minutes of Previous Meetings
The minutes of December 13, 2021, and December 20, 2021;
Finance Report
The Finance Report for December 2021;
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for January 10, 2022; and Prepaid Bills;
Open Enrollment Requests
Tim and Molly Davin request Thomas Davin (Kindergarten), attend Mid-Prairie from Iowa City Community School District for the 2022-23 School Year;
Morgan Rodgers requests Antone Larimer (Grade 10) and Jasper Larimer (Grade 10), attend Mid-Prairie from English Valleys Community School District for the 2021-22 School Year;
Megan Libe requests Noelle Star (Grade 7), attend Mid-Prairie from Keota Community School District for the 2021-22 School Year;
Personnel Items
Contract issued to Aaron Coghlan, MS Assistant Boys 7th Grade Basketball, $1,766.10 per annum;
Contract issued to Lynnette Poll, HS Assistant Girls/Boys Track Coach, $3,617.46 per season;
Resignation of Lynnette Poll, MS Girls Track Coach, $3,028.82 per season, effective December 16, 2021;
Fundraising Requests – None presented at this time;
Jed Seward seconded the consent items. Motion carried 6-0.
Student Learning
Resolution Ordering an Election on the Issuance of $26,300,000 General Obligation Bonds
President Pickard noted the Resolution to Order the Election for the General Obligation Bonds with the presentation of the petitions by the public to Pickard and Gabrielle Frederick. Upon passage of the resolution, the goal is to begin to educate the voters on the project and details of the questions on the ballot. The last bond election in 2014 passed with 74% approval while requiring 60% plus one vote to pass. The Board expressed appreciation for the past strong community support of these types of projects.
Board Secretary Swartzentruber informed the board the petition drive by the public constituencies of the Mid-Prairie Community School District have produced more than the 272 minimum signatures required from eligible electors to call for a Bond Referendum on March 1, 2022. The 272 signature requirement represents 25% of the 1,085 voters who cast votes in the November 2, 2021 School Board Election from the three counties—Washington, Johnson, and Iowa—in which the boundaries of the Mid-Prairie Community School District fall. The actual signature received totaled nearly 500.
Superintendent Schneider summarized the Resolution as it includes both the Proposition—Election Item—to Issue $26,300,000 of General Obligation Bonds and the Proposition; and the Election Item—to raise the maximum levy rate for Debt Service from $2.70 per Thousand Dollars to $4.05 per Thousand Dollars.
The Board discussed the Resolution contents and the maximum Debt Service Levy Amount in the education of the constituencies as to the upper limit and that it cannot go higher than the current proposal on this bond referendum allows for with the $26,300,000 issue with the estimate that bond proceeds would raise the debt levy from the $2.70 maximum by $0.60 to $3.30 per thousand. The $3.30 is much below the $4.05 per thousand. There is no intent to go to $4.05 at this time should the referendum pass.
Marianne Schlabach moved to approve the Resolution Ordering a Special Election on the Issuance of $26,300,000.00 General Obligation School Bonds and on raising the maximum Debt Service Levy to $4.05 per thousand of assessed value by reading portions of the prepared Resolution. Jake Snider seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Gabrielle Frederick - absent
Mary Allred - yes
Jed Seward - yes
Jeremy Pickard - yes
Marianne Schlabach - yes
Jake Snider - yes
Denise Chittick - yes
Motion carried 6-0.
Subsequent to passage of the resolution Superintendent Schneider again emphasized the educational efforts that need to begin. These efforts may not begin in the many facets needed.
Behavioral Special Education Paraprofessional
Superintendent Schneider discussed the need for a Behavioral Paraprofessional at East Elementary School. A high level position description was shared with the Board. There are a significant number of students with behavioral education plans.
Marianne Schlabach moved to approve the creation of a position for a Special Education Behavioral Paraprofessional at East Elementary School. Denise Chittick seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
SBRC Request for Additional Allowable Growth for At-Risk & Drop Out Prevention Program
Superintendent Schneider introduced the annual resolution for consideration. The request is for Modified Supplemental Aid for 2022-2023 Dropout Prevention Program of $254,665.00 to implement the At-Risk and Dropout Prevention program plans. The local match component is $84,888.00. It is recommended that the Board pass this resolution prior to the January 15, 2022 deadline.
Marianne Schlabach moved to approve the resolution by reading Resolution 011102201 for Additional Allowable Growth for Modified Supplemental Aid of $254,665.00 for implementation of the 2022-2023 School Year At-Risk and Dropout Prevention program plans. Mary Allred seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Gabrielle Frederick - absent
Mary Allred - yes
Jed Seward - yes
Jeremy Pickard - yes
Marianne Schlabach - yes
Jake Snider - yes
Denise Chittick - yes
Motion carried 6-0.
First Reading, School Board Policy 407.1, Licensed Employee Resignation
Superintendent Schneider spoke about Board Policy 407.1 which allows the Board to set an annual incentive for licensed employees resigning their employment with the district after the current year. Quality replacements can be hired more easily. During the Work Session he suggested the amounts for the Licensed Employee Resignation Policy for 2021-2022 School Year to be expanded to 2 or 3 incentive dates and for this year. Incentive by the third/second Friday in February; second/third Friday in March; and/or the second Friday in April.
Marianne Schlabach made the motion to approve on First Reading of Board Policy 407.1 a non-renewal incentive for licensed early resignations for the 2021-2022 School year to the third Friday in February, and prior to the third Friday of March. Mary Allred seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Finance
Set Date and Time for Fund Transfers to Flexibility Account
Superintendent Schneider noted that a Public Hearing for the transfer of Flexibility Funds from the Home School Assistance Program to the General Fund needs to be set. The amount to be transferred from the Home School Assistance Program is $259,000. These are unspent funds available after the HSAP has completed the program expenditures for the prior year. The Public Hearing is proposed for Monday, January 24, 2022 at 7:15 p.m. in the Mid-Prairie Multi-Purpose Room.
Marianne Schlabach moved to set the Public Hearing on Flexibility Fund Transfer for January 24, 2022 at 7:15 p.m. in the Mid-Prairie High School Multi-Purpose Room. Mary Allred seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Adult Lunch Prices
Superintendent Schneider noted the current Adult Lunch Price for the 2021-2022 School Year is set at $3.85. Per the State Nutrition Procedures, this price is $0.10 too low. The Price needs to be raised to $3.95 for an adult lunch effective immediately. Board action is required to raise the price.
Denise Chittick moved to approve the price of an Adult Lunch at $3.95 effective immediately. Marianne Schlabach seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Ahlers Cooney Agreement
Superintendent Schneider noted the engagement letter with Ahlers Cooney dated December 27, 2021 for the agreement to between the District and Ahlers Cooney to work on the various bond issues under consideration up to and after the Bond Referendum on March 1, 2022. Upon approval the letter will need to be signed by School Board President Pickard.
Marianne Schlabach moved to approve the Engagement Letter with Ahlers Cooney for Mid-Prairie School District Bond Election – 2022 as presented. Mary Allred seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
ESSER HVAC Projects
Superintendent Schneider shared the Scope and Cost Estimates prepared by Shive-Hattery, Architects the cost of the Middle School Media Center and Choir Room HVAC Upgrades for $330,000, and the cost of the Home School Education Center (HSEC) HVAC Upgrade for $370,000. The HSEC project will be taken from the ESSER III (COVID) Funds. As the Middle School project has not been discussed before, it could be moved out of the public hearing and bidding queue and held until the bond issue is approved or taken from SAVE Funds at a later time. However, it is noted that the age of the Middle School HVAC Units are beginning to create a more urgent need, yet not yet an emergency. A Public Hearing needs to be set for the public to review the form and specifications for the project or projects on January 24, 2022 at 7:20 p.m.
Marianne Schlabach moved to set the Public Hearing on the Home School Education Center HVAC project specifications for January 24, 2022 at 7:20 p.m. in the Mid-Prairie High School Multi-Purpose Room. Mary Allred seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Work Session
Completion of Unfinished Work Session Items
Board Development and Inservice Activities – Nothing was added at this time.
Announcements and Suggestions for Next Agenda
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, January 24, 2022, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room. Agenda items to include: Two Public Hearings set this evening; and a Presentation by Music Departments in the District.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:54 p.m.