Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
June 10, 2024 – 6:15 p.m.
President Jake Snider called the meeting to order.
Board members present: Mary Allred, Randy Billups, Denise Chittick, Gabrielle Frederick, Ryan Schlabaugh, and Jake Snider.
Board members absent: Jed Seward.
Also Present: Superintendent Brian Stone, Board Secretary/School Business Official Jeff Swartzentruber.
Pledge of Allegiance
Read the School Mission Statement by Vice-President
Mary Allred moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Denise Chittick. Motion carried 6-0.
Hawk Highlight – Kirkwood Culinary Educational Classes at MP – Glenda Seward, High School Family Consumer Sciences Teacher, shared about a new partnership with Kirkwood Community College to offer classes to the community in the High School Culinary lab in September, October, and November. If interest is strong, the partnership could continue with additional classes in February, March, and April. She described the program, the classes for community members, the use of the Lab and the coordination by Kirkwood staff while utilizing Seward as an instructor. The Board asked questions about the program and expressed excitement for this to be offered in the Mid-Prairie Community.
Public Forum
No one spoke.
Reports
There were no written reports for the Board at this meeting due to the start of Summer.
Summer Project Building Update – Brian Stone, Superintendent, updated the Board on the work being done in the Buildings not related to the construction projects. The Building Custodians have worked hard in the first week-plus of the Summer to clear rooms and begin cleaning and are doing a great job.
Fuel Bid Pricing Reports – Jeff Swartzentruber, School Business Official reported on the Fuel Bid and Pricing Reports received. The deadline for submission of proposals/bids was Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at 3pm. At the designated time, there was only one submission for Propane Fuel by Home Gas, Inc. and one submission for Diesel Fuel/Gasoline/and products by Agriland FS, Inc. Both of these vendors have been the providers of the services to the District for the past 5 years. Swartzentruber noted the analysis of each in the spreadsheet for each fuel type to compare pricing. As both proposals look very reasonable, the District will plan to move forward with the same vendor relationships.
BUSINESS MEETING
Consent Items
Denise Chittick moved to approve the following consent items.
Minutes of Previous Meetings
The minutes of May 13, 2024, and June 8, 2024;
Finance Report
The Finance Report for Year to Date May 2024;
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for June 10, 2024; Prepaid Bills;
Open Enrollment Requests
Open Enrollment In Requests total 14 students;
Open Enrolled Out Requests total 1 students;
Personnel Items
Contract issued to Madison Herschberger, Middle School Nurse, $47,500 per annum;
Contract issued to Brock Moore, HS Head Girls Wrestling Coach, $6,654 per season;
Resignation of Tracy Rusch, Middle School Counselor, $61,902, effective end of 2023-2024 School Year;
Resignation of Diane Miller, Middle School Paraprofessional, $16.03 per hour, effective end of 2023-2024 School Year;
Resignation of Aubrey Keaough, High School Paraprofessional, $15.07 per hour, effective end of 2023-2024 School Year;
TLC Model Teacher Assistant Coach ($2,000 Stipend) for 2024-2025 School Year – Jill Lundberg, East Elementary;
Fundraising Requests – No requests are presented;
Ryan Schlabaugh seconded the consent items. Motion carried 6-0.
Student Learning
Second Reading of Changes to Board Policies in Chapter 200
Superintendent Stone noted the Board action on May 13, 2024 to approve on First Reading changes to Policies: 200.3 Responsibilities of the Board of Directors, 202.4 Vacancies, 206.1 President, 206.2 Vice-President, 210.8 Board Meeting Agenda, 212 Closed Sessions, 212.1 Exempt Meetings, and 216.2 Board of Directors’ Member Development and Training. It was requested that Policy 200.4 Board Member Social Media Engagement be added to a future work session at the May 13, 2024 meeting. A time for questions and additional conversation was provided. There were no additional questions.
Ryan Schlabaugh moved to approve on Second Reading changes to Board Policies 200.3, 202.4, 206.1, 206.2, 210.8, 212, 212.1, and 216.2 with titles as noted above. Denise Chittick seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
High School Choir Request to Travel to Augustana College October 13-14, 2024
Superintendent Stone drew the Boards’ attention to the request by Collette McClellen, High School Choir Director for a group of approximately 16 students to travel to Augustana College in Illinois to participate in Chamber Choir Festival. The High School Choir has not participated since 2019 due to COVID concerns.
Mary Allred moved to approve the out of state travel to Augustana College for a portion of the High School Choir on October 13 to 14, 2024, as presented. Randy Billups seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Finance
Superintendent Contract and Compensation Package for Fiscal Year 2024-2025/26
Gabrielle Frederick reviewed next steps subsequent to the Superintendent Evaluation that took place in closed session on June 8, 2024. The Board discussed the Superintendent compensation and wage package for 2024-2025. A 3% wage package increase would increase Mr. Stone’s salary from $156,000 to $160,715 and his total package from $204,948 to $211,096 from 2023-2024 to 2024-2025. Additionally, a rolling two-year contract was discussed. Frederick proposes to extend the contract to a second year to go through the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year. The Board discussed their comfort with moving ahead with the approval of the contract at tonight’s meeting. The Board does not have consensus that the contract should be acted upon at this meeting.
Denise Chittick moved to approve the Superintendent Contract for the 2024-2025 and the 2025-2026 School Year as presented and amended. Ryan Schlabaugh seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Denise Chittick moved to approve 3% compensation package as presented for total salary of $160,715 and total package of $211,096 for the 2024-2025 School Year. Gabrielle Frederick seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Board Development and Inservice Activities
Tammi Drawbaugh, consultant with IASB will be providing a training even to the Board on July 29th from 6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. The Board discussed topics for Drawbaugh to address with the Board. Items mentioned include: Lane—Roles and Responsibility, Goals, Governance, and Changes to Open Meeting Laws. The Board discussed the meaning of some of these items listed and approach.
Announcements and Suggestions for Next Agenda
The next Work Session Meeting will be on Monday, June 24, 2024 at 6:15 p.m. Agenda items to include: Board Policy 200.4; and the 2024-2025 Handbooks reviews by building levels.
The next Board meeting for business will be on Monday, July 8, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room.
Board Highlights
- Ryan says it is great to see progress East and West Elementary Schools parking and traffic flows;
- Denise Chittick is excited about Glenda Seward’s presentation on adult learning partnership with Kirkwood;
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:29 p.m.
Tour of East Elementary and Middle School Construction Progress
The Board traveled to Kalona to visit the two buildings to see the current progress on the construction inside the buildings as the Summer schedule is underway.