Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
February 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 (arrived at 6:35 p.m.), and Marianne Schlabach.
Board members absent: Jeremy Pickard (arrived at 6:35 p.m.).
Also Present: Mark Schneider, Jeff Swartzentruber, Robin Foster, Rachel Kerns, Marc Pennington, Bill Poock, Amy Shalla, Frank Slabaugh, and Jay Strickland. Tyler Hotz was present for the Facilities discussion.
Gabrielle Frederick moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Jodi Meader. Motion carried 6-0.
WORK SESSION
2020 Audited Financial Statements Report
Business Manager Jeff Swartzentruber directed the Board’s attention to the finalized audited financial statements for the Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2020. He noted the audit opinion—a clean opinion, key items within the statement and finished with the internal controls report and audit recommendation. There was time for the Board to ask questions about the report. Swartzentruber also distributed the February 11, 2021 letter from the auditors to the School Board as requested by the auditors.
Long Term Facilities Planning
Superintendent Schneider reviewed the Shive-Hattery Board Report from January 2020 in some detail in order to reintroduce the Board and reorient to the process and possible next steps. This project was tabled due to the COVID pandemic that began in the Spring of 2020. The Facilities Committee met in early February for a review of the 2020 report and an update of some newer project needs. Tyler Hotz, Activities Director, discussed some additional developments since the Report. These items included expanding the current wrestling room, or expanding the indoor practice facility, resurface and improve the outdoor track, and softball field improvement, especially for lighting of the current facility. The Board asked questions on the new items. Schneider then asked the Board what information they might need to further the conversation. The Board provided initial input and questions for consideration—included were priorities, alternatives, and finances.
Jeremy Pickard arrived during this agenda item at 6:35 p.m.
Board Member and Administrator Dialogue
This item was skipped due to time and the Administrators were dismissed.
Board Development and Inservice Activities
This item was tabled due to time constraints in the Work Session.
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
Jodi Meader moved to approve the following consent items.
Minutes of Previous Meetings
The minutes of February 8, 2021 and February 15, 2021 Special Meeting;
Finance Report
None presented at this time;
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for February 22, 2021;
Open Enrollment Requests
Catherine Moen requests Trever Moen (Grade 10), attend Mid-Prairie from Clear Creek Amana Community School District for the 2020-21 School Year;
Kathy Dake requests Adalyn Wodstrohill (Grade 4), attend Mid-Prairie from Cedar Rapids Community School District for the 2021-22 School Year;
Matthew and Brianna Clarahan request Brooks Clarahan (Grade 3) and Tate Clarahan (Kindergarten), attend Mid-Prairie from English Valleys Community School District for the 2021-22 School Year;
Mike and Keyle Jenn request Madalyn Jenn (Kindergarten), attend Mid-Prairie from Iowa City Community School District for the 2021-22 School Year;
Cristina Oyazrun requests Cristian Cespedes-Oyrarzun (Grade 7) and Giovanni Cespedes-Oyarzun (Grade 4), attend Mid-Prairie from Iowa City Community School District for the 2021-22 School Year;
Jake and Madelynn Dickinson request Rowan Dickinson (Kindergarten), attend Mid-Prairie from Keota Community School District for the 2021-22 School Year;
Jared and Katelyn Hammen request Charles Hammen (Kindergarten), attend Mid-Prairie from Keota Community School District for the 2021-22 School Year;
Breena Luers requests Jayde Luers (Kindergarten), attend Mid-Prairie from Keota Community School District for the 2021-22 School Year;
Maggie Baker requests Levi Baker (Kindergarten) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from Iowa City Community School District for the 2021-22 School Year;
Natalie Witte requests Annabel Witte (Kindergarten) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from Iowa City Community School District for the 2021-22 School Year;
Eric and Mandi Lueck request Lorelei Lueck (Grade 10) attend Highland Community School District from Mid-Prairie;
Personnel Items
Work Agreement issued to Maria Flores, West Elementary Paraprofessional, $13.76 per hour;
Work Agreement issued to Sylesta Martens, High School General Cook, $13.60 per hour;
Work Agreement issued to Jodi Schultz, High School General Cook, $13.60 per hour;
Fundraising Requests – None presented for Approval
Gabrielle Frederick seconded the consent items. Motion carried 7-0.
Student Learning
Second Reading – Review Series 500 Board Policies
The Board reviewed the Series 500 Board Policies from the February 8, 2021 that passed on first reading. This specifically included Board Polices 503.1 Student Conduct; 503.5 Corporal Punishment, Mechanical Restraint and Prone Restraint; 503.6 Physical Restraint and Seclusion of Students.
Marianne Schlabach moved to approve on Second Reading the Series 500 School Board Policies as presented. Mary Allred seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Finance
Accept the June 30, 2020 Annual Independent Audit Report
Superintendent Schneider and Business Manager Jeff Swartzentruber presented the recently finalized Independent Audit Report for the School Year ended June 30, 2020.
Denise Chittick moved to accept the 2019-2020 Independent Audit Report as presented. Gabrielle Frederick seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Work Session
Completion of Unfinished Work Session Items
Announcements
Superintendent Schneider reported on the Middle School Principal search. 34 formal applications were received. The committee of 40 people met last week to discuss priorities and then broke into interview teams. Interviews will be March 8th and 9th with plans to interview 7 or 8 candidates. A goal is to finish up the interview process with the committees before Spring Break. During Spring Break, Schneider will conduct second round of interviews with finalist candidates. The goal is to bring a recommendation to hire at the March 22nd Board Meeting.
Superintendent Schneider discussed the Virtual Academy Principal interview process. It will be less rigorous than the Middle School Principal search.
The Governor signed the SSA increase at 2.4% for the 2021-2022 School Year. This would be approximately $210,000 of new money.
The HVAC system controls at the Middle School will most likely be replaced with CARES Act Funds. Schneider reported on the developing legal opinion about buying a specific proprietary system without a formal bid process.
Announcements and Suggestions for Next Agenda
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, March 8, 2021, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room. Agenda items to include: Facilities Planning with an invitation to Shive-Hattery to report on some of their additional studies of the new projects.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m.