Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
March 22, 2021 – 6:15 p.m.
President Jeremy Gugel called the meeting to order.
Board members present: Mary Allred, Denise Chittick, Gabrielle Frederick, Jeremy Gugel, Jodi Meader, Jeremy Pickard, and Marianne Schlabach.
Board members absent: None.
Also Present: Mark Schneider, Jeff Swartzentruber, Robin Foster, Rachel Kerns, Marc Pennington, Bill Poock, Amy Shalla, Frank Slabaugh, and Jay Strickland.
Marianne Schlabach moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Mary Allred. Motion carried 7-0.
WORK SESSION
District Mask Policy
Board President Gugel noted that this is a discussion of the Mask Policy. No action will be taken today. The Board discussed the various aspects to consider if the mask policy were to be changed before the end of the School Year. Is “Highly Recommended” instead of “Mandated” an option especially since it is so close to the end of the year and would provide an option to see how it might go in the Fall for School Year 2021-2022? There was discussion about waiting until staff are fully vaccinated, which would be April 16th, or 2 weeks after the second vaccination date of April 2nd, thus Monday, April 19th could be considered as a potential change date. Questions were asked about year-end standards tests being available to be taken at home. Tests from home may not be available immediately in the current structure but could be available in May. Additionally, ACT testing has a late window for a later testing date in June. There was encouragement to look at the positions taken by the Health Departments—Washington County Health Department, in particular, and in that vein consider leaving the current policy in place. The quarantine issue has not changed to date even in the face of freedom of choice by families and the cascading effect on the choice to other families who may be affected. There is a need to look forward to next School Year so that families can make plans for their students. If the quarantine instructions change, then there could be impetus to make the change to policy. There is inconsistency of mask use inside of school versus outside of school for students and staff, and due to that inconsistency there is a question of the overall effectiveness in the current policy. Questions were asked of the Administrators about how a change in decision/policy will change the approach within their buildings? Academically, the students are operating and locked into the pattern of the day, while also trying to keep things as normal as possible. And, there is not a blueprint for how this will change because of how deep the students are into the school year. Contact tracing would change dramatically if the percentage of non-mask wearers increased. Because of mask wearers, contact tracing has been reduced when both/most students are wearing masks. Finally, what does the Health Department want to see to change or eliminate the quarantine procedures?
High School Presentation
Principal Jay Strickland provided a “fireside chat” on the High School. He first invited the Board to come spend the day with him. The High School staff have been working on consistency of expectations of behavior in the classroom and in other parts of the buildings. This was started January of 2020 before COVID shut things down. This year the staff has been processing the approach in consistency with Tier I behavior. When the last semester starts in two weeks, they will begin to implement the Tier II behavior processes. There has also been a focus on failing grades/incomplete grades. One focus area in the last semester will be for teachers to record their late work approaches. Parental involvement is encouraged, especially for academic scheduling, which has led to more intentional sharing with parents. He closed by discussing the positives/blessings that he has observed throughout the School Year, especially with the challenges of COVID-19.
Finance Presentation
Agenda items moved to the end of the meeting
Board Development and In-Service 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.
A parent commented on the mask discussion, the students’ mental health, and encouraged the Board to make a good decision and not necessarily the easy decision, or the political decision. Another parent shared their view on the use of mask and the protection of other people. A student shared that their concern is for the children/students not yet being vaccinated, and their hope to keep current policy in place through the end of the year.
Consent Items
Jeremy Pickard moved to approve the following consent items.
Minutes of Previous Meetings
The minutes of March 8, 2021;
Finance Report
None presented at this time;
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for March 22, 2021;
Open Enrollment Requests
Nathan and Dianna Geiger request Tayem Geiger (Kindergarten), attend Mid-Prairie from English Valleys Community School District for the 2021-22 School Year;
Fletcher and Makenzie Flynn request Taytum Flynn (Kindergarten), attend Mid-Prairie from Keota Community School District for the 2021-22 School Year;
Kelly and April Grimm request Logan Grimm (Grade 11) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from Iowa City Community School District for the 2021-22 School Year;
Korin Manson requests Arissa Manson (Grade 2) and Tucker Manson (Grade 4) attend Washington Community School District from Mid-Prairie;
Derek and Abbie Yoder request Macauley Yoder (Grade 6) and Vivian Yoder (Grade 3) attend Iowa City Community School District from Mid-Prairie;
Derick and Kim Cranston request Izabella Cranston (Grade 10) attend Iowa City Community School District from Mid-Prairie;
Personnel Items
Contracts issued – None at this meeting;
Resignation of Casey Leonard, Middle School Art Teacher, $44,273 per annum, effective end of the 2020-2021 Contract Year;
Resignation of Rebecca Rensema, K-8 Academic Enrichment Teacher, $43,267 per annum, effective end of the 2020-2021 Contract Year;
Resignation of Diann McFerrin, HSAP Coordinator, $49,190 per annum, effective end of the 2020-2021 Contract Year;
Resignation of William Poock, West Elementary Principal, $109,670 per annum, effective end of the 2020-2021 Contract Year;
Fundraising Requests
Mid-Prairie Softball requests approval to raise funds through “Smash for Cash” a pledge drive based on zone hitting by players to be used for equipment, additional coaches, coaches attire, and field updates;
Gabrielle Frederick seconded the consent items. Motion carried 7-0.
Student Learning
Middle School Principal
Superintendent Schneider discussed the interview process for the open Middle School Principal Position. He also provided some background on the candidate of choice. He recommends the hire of Robert Hruby for the Middle School Principal position effective August 1, 2021 for the 2021-2022 School Year. The starting salary will be $100,000 with a total package with benefits of $140,838.
Jeremy Pickard moved to approve the hire of Robert Hruby at a salary of $100,000 annually and additional benefits with a start date of August 1, 2021 subject to the completion of acceptable background checks. Mary Allred seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Approval of the School Calendar 2021-2022
Superintendent Schneider reviewed the 2021-2022 School Calendar, noted the questionnaire, and noted the process with IBB. He also explained a bit of detail related to the Wednesday early out dates. President Gugel asked if there were any additional questions on the school calendar. A motion was called for either approving the Calendar or tabling it for further study.
Marianne Schlabach moved to approve School Calendar for 2021-2022 as presented. Denise Chittick seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Finance
Middle School Controls
Superintendent Schneider updated the Board on the current status of the recommendation to improve the HVAC Controls at the Middle School and asked for additional questions. He clarified that the improvements would need to be approved by the Department of Education to use ESSER II and III funds, though it is thought approval for this would be quite likely. The cost of the repairs is quoted at $84,900 and an addendum of $9,100 to make all of the equipment the same for the building. The project will be completed this Summer if approved. A completed questionnaire will be required by the Department of Education prior to the use of ESSER II funds.
Jeremy Pickard moved to approve proceeding with the improvement of the HVAC controls at the Middle School with CI3 at a cost not to exceed of $100,000. Mary Allred seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Set Date and Time for the Public Hearing for 2020-21 Certified Budget Amendment
Superintendent Schneider and Business Manager Swartzentruber highlighted the Public Hearing document for the amendment of the 2020-2021 School Year Budget. The area being amended is the instruction category as an increase from $13,100,000 to $15,000,000. This recognizes the increase in expenditures due to COVID. These expenditures have been covered by additional Federal Funds in the various relief legislation that has been enacted. The amendment would need to be presented to the School Budget Review Committee (SBRC) in Des Moines for approval. However, before they can be acted upon by the Board, a public hearing needs to be set. It is recommended a public hearing be set for the next School Board Meeting on April 12, 2021 at 7:20 p.m. in the Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room. A Notice of Public Hearing that includes the Budget Amendments for 2020-2021 is set to be published in The News upon approval.
Gabrielle Frederick moved to approve setting the date for the Public Hearing on the 2020-2021 Amendment of Current Budget for April 12, 2021 at 7:20 p.m. Jodi Meader seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Set the Date and Time for the Public Hearing of the 2021-22 Budget
Superintendent Schneider and Business Manager Swartzentruber recommend a Public Hearing for the proposed 2021-2022 Budget be set for April 12, 2021 at 7:15pm in the Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room. A Notice of Public Hearing that includes the Budget Summary for Fiscal 2021-2022 is set to be published in the News upon approval.
Gabrielle Frederick moved to approve the Notice of Public Hearing on the 2021-2022 Proposed Budget for Monday, April 12, 2021 at 7:15p.m. Jodi Meader seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0
Work Session
Completion of Unfinished Work Session Items
Finance Presentation – Moved from the First Work Session
Business Manager Swartzentruber presented on the Certified Budget process for 2021-2022 School Year. He focused on the different trends in enrollment, revenue generation, Property Tax Levy amounts, and Spending Authority. The Certified Budget Process needs to be completed by April 15, 2021, subsequent to a Public Hearing on the Budget that is scheduled for April 12, 2021. The Property Tax Levy filing will be for $13.23 per $1,000 of taxable value if approved as presented. This would be an increase of $0.05 per $1,000 from last year. The rate is held down by a 4% increase in taxable property values in the District. Property taxes fund approximately 29% of the total revenues collected by the District.
Announcements
Board Development and In-Service Activities
Nothing Added
Announcements and Suggestions for Next Agenda
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, April 12, 2021, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room. Agenda items to include: Public Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2022 Budget and a Public Hearing on the Revised Fiscal Year 2021 Budget, Facilities Planning, Building and Program Presentation, and Mask Discussion/Decision.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:14 p.m.