Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
January 9, 2023 – 6:15 p.m.
Vice President Gabrielle Frederick called the meeting to order in the absence of President Jeremy Pickard.
Board members present: Mary Allred, Denise Chittick, Gabrielle Frederick, Marianne Schlabach, Jed Seward, Jake Snider.
Board members absent: Jeremy Pickard.
Also Present: Brian Stone, 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 Jed Seward. Motion carried 6-0.
BUSINESS MEETING
Public Forum– 6:18p.m.
No one spoke.
Hawk Highlight – MP West Elementary 4th Grade Team
The 4th Grade Teachers from West Elementary came to discuss items they have been working on in their Professional Learning Community (PLC) and their focus on What I Need (WIN) group initiatives. There is constant review of test scores and evaluation of progress of students. Rotations take place very 4 to 6 weeks and results in a very fluid situation for the students. Now looking at how to add enrichment activities for students as they progress through their materials and educational goals. The students seem to appreciate and thrive in this environment and look forward to WIN and the individual focus time. There has been success in Reading that now has been expanded to Math. Superintendent Stone noted the process and progress using the data and implementing strategies for their students. West Elementary Principal, Robin Foster, expressed her appreciation for the team and how it has been built on trust of each other. The Board expressed appreciation for the work.
Consent Items
Marianne Schlabach moved to approve the following consent items.
Minutes of Previous Meetings
The minutes of December 12, 2022;
Finance Report
The Finance Report for December 2022;
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for January 9, 2023; Prepaid Bills;
Open Enrollment Requests
Jedric and Jessica Miller request Stavia Miller (Grade 9) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from Iowa City Community School District for the 2022-23 School Year;
Brian and Rachel Bartachek request Jordan Bartachek (Grade 9), Quinn Bartachek (Grade 4) and Serena Bartachek (Grade 2) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from Montezuma Community School District for the 2022-23 School Year;
Personnel Items
Contract issued to Aaron Coghlan, 8th Grade Boys Basketball Assistant Coach, $1,859.70 per annum;
Contract issued to Ron Swartzendruber, 7th Grade Boys Basketball Assistant Coach, $2,340.12 per annum;
Contract issued to Melissa Rediger, Professional Partner, $500.00 per annum;
Resignation of Pat Cady, High School Boys Head Soccer Coach, $6,552.00 per Season, effective December 16, 2022;
Fundraising Requests
FCCLA requests approval to raise funds through the sale of Strawberries from February 1st to 15th for use in their community, student body, and leadership projects for this school year and next school year;
FCCLA requests approval to raise funds through hosting the Mid-Prairie Mini Dance Marathon and the sale of t-shirts from February 1st to 15th for children and families experiencing childhood cancer by sending donations to the U of I Dance Marathon;
Appointment of Level 1 Investigators
The Principals are appointed as Level I Investigators – Amy Shalla, Rachel Kerns, Robin Foster, Rob Hruby, Greg Jergens, Chuck Banks, and Frank Slabaugh are named. Superintendent Stone is appointed as the First Alternate to the Level I Investigators.
Mary Allred seconded the consent items. Motion carried 6-0.
School Finance
Set a Public Hearing for the Flexibility Transfer of HSAP Funds
Business Manager Swartzentruber 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 $252,034.80. 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 23, 2023 at 7:15 p.m. in the Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room.
Marianne Schlabach moved to set the Public Hearing on Flexibility Fund Transfer for January 23, 2023 at 7:15 p.m. in the Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room. Denise Chittick seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Determine Incentive for Early Resignation of Licensed Employees
Superintendent Stone proposes amounts for 2022-2023 Fiscal Year with Board Policy 407.1 as follows: for the third Friday in February, $2,000 and by the third Friday in March, $1,000. The Board discussed the amounts proposed and asked additional questions for clarification.
Marianne Schlabach moved to approve the amount of $2,000 as the incentive for the Third Friday in February and the amount of $1,000 as the incentive before the third Friday in March in Fiscal Year 2022-2023. Jake Snider seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Student Learning
Second Reading of Board Policy 507.9 Cardiac Emergency Response Plan/Automatic External Defibrillator (AED)
Vice President Frederick and Superintendent Stone reminded the Board that Board Policy 507.9 was approved on First Reading at the December 12, 2022, School Board Reading. She/He/They asked if there were any questions on the proposed language as written. Hearing none, it is recommended that the revised policy be considered for approval on Second Reading.
Denise Chittick moved to approve Board Policy 507.9 Cardiac Emergency Response Plan/Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) on Second Reading as presented. Mary Allred seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
SBRC Request for Additional Allowable Growth for At-Risk & Drop-Out Prevention Program
Superintendent Stone introduced the annual resolution for consideration. The request is for Modified Supplemental Aid for 2023-2024 Dropout Prevention Program of $253,630.00 to implement the At-Risk and Dropout Prevention program plans. The local match component is $84,543. 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 01092301 for Additional Allowable Growth for Modified Supplemental Aid of $253,630.00 for implementation of the 2023-2024 School Year At-Risk and Dropout Prevention program plans. Jew Seward seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Gabrielle Frederick - yes Mary Allred - yes
Jed Seward - yes Jeremy Pickard - absent
Marianne Schlabach - yes Jake Snider - yes
Denise Chittick - yes
Motion carried 6-0.
Work Session
Administration and Board Dialogue
Superintendent Stone discussed the High School Track Project and the current budget and changes in some of the specifications. Stone also invited Tad Morrow of Carl A. Nelson and Company to the potential changed scope of the High School Track Project.
The Board took a 15 minute break before action was taken to go to Closed Session.
CLOSED SESSION
Board Vice President Gabrielle Frederick noted that the Board will enter closed session to discuss and evaluate the initial Architectural Request for Qualifications. Vice President Frederick asked for a motion to enter closed session as provided in 21.5 i. To evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation and that individual requests a closed session.
Marianne Schlabach moved for the Board to enter into closed as provided in 21.5 i. To evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation and that individual requests a closed session. Jed Seward seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Gabrielle Frederick - yes Mary Allred - yes
Jed Seward - yes Jeremy Pickard - absent
Marianne Schlabach - yes Jake Snider - yes
Denise Chittick - yes
Motion carried 6-0.
The Board entered Closed Session at 7:26 p.m.
The Board exited Closed Session at 8:25 p.m.
Announcements and Suggestions for Next Agenda
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, January 23, 2023, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room. Agenda items to include: Public Hearing for the Flexibility Transfer of HSAP funds at 7:15 pm.; Set a Public Hearing on the Middle School, East Elementary, and High School Track Construction specifications;
Board Highlights
- Communication around the Board Table at tonight’s session was a highlight
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m.