Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
March 27, 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, and Amy Shalla.
Mary Allred moved to adopt the agenda as with an additional Finance Item on 2023-2024 student computer devices. Seconded by Jed Seward. Motion carried 6-0.
Public Forum
MPEA thanked the Board for their work and noted that there is a small token of appreciation for each person.
Hawk Highlight – Time was given to recognize two long-time custodians that are retiring during this school year. Mike TeBockhorst, Lead Custodian at East Elementary, retired on February 28th after 32 years of service. Gary Dawson, Lead Custodian at the Middle School, will retire on March 31st after 17 years of service. Colleagues and Board recalled memories and shared stories. The two men were presented with retirement plaques. The Board thanked the retirees for their service to the District and to the community.
WORK SESSION
The Board asked questions and discussed the report forms shared by each Administrator about their areas of responsibility. Superintendent Stone noted some transfers of teachers, especially as it relates to TLC, and Steve Mayer is moving to Lead Custodian at the Middle School.
BUSINESS MEETING
Consent Items
Marianne Schlabach moved to approve the following consent items.
Minutes of Previous Meetings
The minutes of February 27, 2023 and March 20, 2023;
Finance Report
The Finance Report for February 2023;
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for March 27, 2023 and Prepaid Bills;
Open Enrollment Requests
Angela Herrin requests Hailey Herrin (Grade 8), attend Mid-Prairie from Highland Community School District for the 2022-23 School Year;
Christina Walker requests Megan Beasley (Grade 6), attend Mid-Prairie from Washington Community School District for the 2022-23 School Year; Nathan Lavely requests Edward Lavely (Grade 3), attend Mid-Prairie from Iowa City Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Katherine Roth requests Carli Roth (Grade 6), attend Mid-Prairie from WACO Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Melanie King requests Clara Tse (Grade 11) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from Clear Creek Amana Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
David and Christina Diller request Micaiah Diller (Kindergarten) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from English Valleys Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Andrew Klewin requests Anderson Klewin (Kindergarten) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from English Valleys Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Deborah Bogart requests Oliver Lee (Kindergarten) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from English Valleys Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Thomas and Stacey Casey request Evangeline Casey (Kindergarten) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from Iowa City Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Abigail Maher requests James Maher (Kindergarten) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from Iowa City Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Aaron Stump requests Josephine Stump (Kindergarten) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from Iowa City Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Laura Whitmore requests Jane Whitmore (Kindergarten) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from Iowa City Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Natalie Witte requests Grace Witte (Kindergarten) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from Iowa City Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Rachel Gray requests Hannah Gray (Kindergarten) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from Iowa Valley Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Heather Cotner requests Aurora Cotner (Kindergarten) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from Washington Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Callie Whitlow requests Hensley Whitlow (Kindergarten) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from West Branch Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Ranee Brokaw requests Olive Brokaw (Kindergarten) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from Williamsburg Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Lynda Halteman requests Ryker Halteman (Kindergarten) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from Williamsburg Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Lucinda Newswanger requests Lorene Newswanger (Kindergarten) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from XX Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Vanessa Clark requests Adalina Clark (Grade 4), Nathaniel Clark (Grade 8), and Cayden Day (Grade 11) attend Highland Community School District from Mid-Prairie for the remainder of the 2022-2023 School Year;
Jessica Kelso request Maren O’Leary (Kindergarten) attend Clear Creek Amana Community School District from Mid-Prairie for the 2023-2024 School Year;
Klrah Johnson requests Eliza Johnson (Kindergarten) attend Iowa City Community School District from Mid-Prairie for the 2023-2024 School Year;
Personnel Items
Work Agreement issued to Joe Weber, East Elementary Lead Custodian, $16.78 per hour;
Contract issued to Lexi Stanerson, Third Grade Teacher, $40,003 per annum;
Contract issued to MaKenzie Manz, Kindergarten Teacher, $40,003 per annum;
Contract issued to Mikaela Lunsford, Sixth Grade Science, $45,175 per annum;
Contract issued to Laura Colvin, Sixth Grade Social Studies, $47,934 per annum;
Resignation of Bailey Troyer, Eighth Grade Science, $42,761 per annum, effective End of 2022-2023 School Year;
Resignation of Sarah Roy, Fourth Grade Teacher, $40,003 per annum, effective End of 2022-2023 School Year;
Resignation of Pete Cavanagh, Varsity Head Football Coach, $6,552 per annum, effective March 9, 2023;
Resignation of Nicole Castillo, High School Paraprofessional, $14.70 per hour, effective April 4, 2023;
Resignation of Lois Dehogues, West Elementary Paraprofessional, $14.70 per hour, effective End of 2022-2023 School Year;
Resignation of Shelli Tobin-Stafford, Middle School Paraprofessional, $15.48 per hour, effective End of 2022-2023 School Year;
Volunteer Assistant Coaches Spring of 2023
Melissa Fleming, Middle School Track
Jamie Clark, Middle School Track
Fundraising Requests
Prom Committee requests approval to raise funds through the sale of Prom T-shirts to cover costs for prom supplies;
Boys Basketball Strength and Conditioning requests approval to raise funds through the apparel store for supplies, weight equipment and weight room equipment;
Boys Basketball requests approval to raise funds through a June 5th to 8th youth basketball camp fees and sponsorships to pay for volunteer coach positions, coaching apparel, uniforms, and entry fees;
Jed Seward seconded the consent items. Motion carried 6-0.
Student Learning
MS Academic Interventionists
Middle School Principal Rob Hruby shared a recommendation to create two half-time positions at the Middle School to focus on delivery of Tier 3 interventions for qualifying students in grades 5 through 8. The positions were previously funded as part of the TLC funds. As TLC has been restructured for the 2023-2024 School Year, the funding will come from General Fund. The Middle School has been designated as a targeted school through ESSA. These positions become an essential part of a healthy multi-tiered system of support. The two positions will be paid for out of General Fund. The Board asked questions for understanding and clarification.
Mary Allred moved to approve the creation of 2 half-time Academic Interventionist positions at Mid-Prairie Middle School. Marianne Schlabach seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Finance
Fiscal Year 2024 Certified Budget Presentation
Jeff Swartzentruber, School Business Official (SBO) presented the 2023-2024 Certified Budget Proposal and discussed the process for approving the Certified Budget prior to the normal April 15, 2023 due date—for this year it is May 1, 2023. The current anticipated levy rate for Fiscal Year 2024 is anticipated to be $13.22 per thousand as compared to $13.22 per thousand for the current Fiscal Year 2023. The legal documents to continue with the Advanced Debt Service Levy as has been done the last 5 years is in process and anticipated to be completed at this Board meeting. The Board expressed thanks for the presentation and breakdown of the numbers. Public Hearings for the Budget need to be set in the subsequent agenda items.
Set the Public Hearing for the 2023-2024 Certified Budget
Superintendent Stone and SBO Swartzentruber recommend a Public Hearing for the proposed 2023-2024 Budget be set for April 10, 2023 at 6:30pm in the Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room. A Notice of Public Hearing that includes the Budget Summary for Fiscal 2023-2024 is set to be published in the News upon approval.
Marianne Schlabach moved to approve the Notice of Public Hearing on the 2023-2024 Proposed Budget for April 10, 2023 at 6:30pm in the Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room. Denise Chittick seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Set the Public Hearing for the 2022-2023 Amended Budget
Superintendent Stone and SBO Swartzentruber highlighted the Public Hearing document for the amendment of the 2022-2023 School Year Budget. The area for amendment is the Total Other Expenditures category. When the original 2022-2023 Certified Budget was submitted, the expenditures for the SAVE Revenue Bonds were not yet known. An addition of $5,091,953 is proposed to this section bringing the total after amendment to $8,800,000. While it is believed that the amount will be less than that, a higher amount is requested in order to assure the function area is not exceeded while recognizing the revenue has been received in this fiscal year. The recommendation for a Public Hearing for the proposed 2022-2023 Budget Amendment be set for April 10, 2023 at 6:40pm in the Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room. A Notice of Public Hearing that includes the Budget Amendment for Fiscal 2022-2023 is set to be published in the News upon approval.
Marianne Schlabach moved to approve the Notice of Public Hearing on the 2022-2023 Budget Amendment for April 10, 2023 at 6:40pm in the Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room. Denise Chittick seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Redemption of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2014 Resolution
SBO Swartzentruber shared the Resolution as prepared by Ahlers and Cooney for the advanced Debt Service Levy for the 2023-2024 School Year. This advanced levy will allow the District to pay an additional principal of $825,000 and to shorten the term of the bonds by an additional year, and four years in total since the District began to do the advanced Debt Service Levy in Fiscal Year 2019-2020. The total early redemption amount is $3,655,000
Marianne Schlabach moved to approve the Resolution for the Advanced Debt Service Levy to pay an additional principal amount of $825,000 in Fiscal Year 2023-2024. 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.
2023 2024 IBB Wage Negotiations Update
Superintendent Stone noted that the MPEA (teachers) and MPESSA (Hourly Staff) Associations approved the 2023 2024 School Year compensation package proposal of 3.2% at the end of the day on Friday, March 24, 2023. The summary document used with the IBB in the negotiations steps were shared with the Board to provide additional detail. This is the same total compensation package percentage as approved for the 2022 2023 School Year, although the portion allocated to the insurance benefit package was a larger percentage of the packet. The package is now recommended to the Board for approval. The Board asked questions for clarification.
Mary Allred moved to approve the proposed compensation package increase of 3.2% for Teachers and Hourly staff for the 2023 224 School Year as presented. Jed Seward seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
2023 2024 Student Computers New Devices
Superintendent Stone noted that the 1:1 device program has a rotation of computer equipment that is purchased on an annual basis in order to keep the computer equipment fresh. Each year devices are purchased for the incoming 9th Grade class—iPads—at the High School and the incoming 5th Grade—Chromebook—at the Middle School. The students then use the devices assigned to them during their time in each building. The devices used by the Senior class and 8th graders are then recycled through a recycler although the devices in better shape may be retained as extras or for use within the elementary schools. Additionally, there are devices at both elementary schools—all iPads and cases—that need to be replaced. The new devices needed for the 2023-2024 School Year total $199,804.65 for High School $69,543.50, Middles School $39,312.15, West Elementary $53,154.00, and East Elementary $37,795.00.
Jed Seward moved to approve the purchase of replacement computer devices for the 4 schools for a total of $199,804.65 as presented. Denise Chittick seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Board Development and Inservice Activities
Superintendent Stone is making inquiries to Larry Sigel at ISFIS to meet with the Board about the District’s 5-year projections. Stone also noted the need to contact your legislators about Senate File 251 and the 5% limitation on administration. Of the 327 schools in Iowa the average is 10.2% spent on administration. Administration is defined very broadly to include District Administration, Principals, Counselors, Transportation, Custodial areas.
Announcements and Suggestions for Next Agenda
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, April 10, 2023, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room. Agenda items to include: Public Hearings for the FY 2024 Certified Budget and the FY2023; and 28E Agreements with Clear Creek Amana and Lone Tree school districts.
Board Highlights
- Jed Seward like report about the recent KCRG visit to HSAP
- Denise Chittick liked the upcoming Opening Day Ice Cream celebration at the Middle School
- Mary Allred enjoyed hearing the stories about the Custodians as we honored them; Marianne Schlabach also echoed this; Gabrielle Frederick also noted her appreciation for the connections made by Custodial staff with the students
- Jake Snider appreciated Mike TeBockhorst’s song for the Board
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m.