Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
May 10, 2021 – 6:15 p.m.
President Jeremy Gugel called the meeting to order.
Board members present: Mary Allred, Denise Chittick, Gabrielle Frederick, Jeremy Gugel, Jeremy Pickard, and Marianne Schlabach.
Board members absent: Jodi Meader.
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 Gabrielle Frederick. Motion carried 6-0.
WORK SESSION
Fund for Academic Excellence Presentation
This agenda item is tabled until the Fall of 2021.
East Elementary Presentations
Robin Foster, Principal at East Elementary provided a presentation to the Board. She focused on learning, particularly Title I and Reading Recovery stats as well as proficiencies in Kindergarten and Grade 1. She is looking forward to bridging the learning opportunities between East and West in the coming School Year. She would like to see Alternative Kindergarten Program promoted. Summer School will be for Kindergarten to Grade 4 this year with 4 weeks in June and 2 weeks in August. There are over 60 students signed up for Summer School. The Board expressed appreciation for the information and approaches being taken.
Board Member and Administrator Dialogue
Superintendent Schneider and Business Manager Swartzentruber discussed the modular classrooms. Given some of the early cost data, there is a recommendation to reserve 2 of the used units that are currently at Linn-Mar until the first part of June. A recommendation will be made at the June meeting as to approach to be taken. The Board gave guidance to move forward with the approval of recommendation at the June meeting.
Business Manager Swartzentruber discussed the receipt of Election paperwork from the Washington County Auditor’s office for the November election. He will work on this in the next couple of weeks.
Business Manager Swartzentruber thanked Hills Bank for the Classroom Cash contribution of $4,389.33.
High School Principal Strickland again discussed the HS Graduation to be held indoors with 8 guests per graduate allows, and additionally, siblings may attend and not be counted as one of the 8 guests. The attendance numbers seemed to be the greatest concern. The Board asked clarifying questions.
Amy Shalla, Special Education Administrator, introduced the Special Education Service Delivery Plan and defined a number of the terms and concepts for the Board. Every 5 years the District is required to evaluate the caseload documentation and matrix. The last review was in 2009. This discussion was continued during the Business Meeting.
Board Development and Inservice 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 shared appreciation for the opportunity to open enroll their special education student into Mid-Prairie. She told her story of their family’s experience and thanked the School Board for the atmosphere of compassion that they have fostered.
A parent discussed the current lighting for the Softball Field is inadequate according to state standards. It is rumored that Softball may be required to raise the funds to replace these lights. She pointed out that Baseball received the funds in April of 2014 with support from the Athletic Boosters. It was noted that Tyler Hotz, Activities Director, did bring this issue to the attention of the Board as one of the priorities at the end of the Facilities Priorities process. This will be evaluated.
Consent Items
Jeremy Pickard moved to approve the following consent items.
Minutes of Previous Meetings
The minutes of April 24, 2021 and May 4, 2021;
Finance Report
The Finance Report for April 2021;
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for May 10, 2921 and Prepaid Bills;
Open Enrollment Requests
Megan Libe requests Noelle Star (Grade 6), attend Mid-Prairie from Washington Community School District for the 2020-21 School Year;
Nikole Eichelberger requests Luke Eichelberger (Grade 1), attend Mid-Prairie from Washington Community School District for the 2021-22 School Year;
Alexis Osborn requests Nova Osborn (Kindergarten), attend Mid-Prairie from Washington Community School District for the 2021-22 School Year;
Krystal McFadden requests Oliver McFadden (Kindergarten) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from Iowa City Community School District for the 2021-22 School Year;
OUT – None submitted;
Personnel Items
Contract issued to Stacy Jack, High School English Teacher Half-time, $19,683 per annum;
Contract issued to Melanie Steinhart, Middle School English Language Arts Teacher, $39,365 per annum;
Contract issued to Keary McHugh-Onken, HSAP Supervising and Enrichment Teacher, $25.55 per hour;
Contract issued to Rebecca Becker, High School Assistant Volleyball Coach, $4,138 per season;
Contract issued to Melissa Rediger, High School National Honor Society Sponsor, $900 per annum;
Contract issued to Pete Cavanagh, High School Student Council Leader, $600 per annum;
Resignation of Marian Marley, High School National Honor Society Sponsor, $972 per annum, effective end of 2020-21 School Year;
Resignation of Chelsee Ronan, East Elementary Special Education Teacher, $42,931 per annum, effective end of 2020-21 School Year;
Resignation of Shaina Gearhart, TLC Learning Design Leader, $63,372 per annum, effective end of 2020-21 School Year;
Resignation of Jennifer Gillam, West Elementary Paraprofessional, $13.76 per hour, effective end of 2020-21 School Year;
Resignation of Marian Marley, High School National Honor Society Sponsor, $972 per annum, effective end of 2020-21 School Year;
Resignation of Sarah Idhe, Middle School Volleyball Coach, $2,183 per annum, effective end of 2020-21 School Year;
Fundraising Requests
Boys Basketball requests approval to raise funds through Donations from local businesses as sponsors for the basketball camp to be held June 14th- 17th for purchase of coaches/players gear, equipment, Kansas City Trip expenses, and volunteer coaches payments;
Mid-Prairie Strength and Conditioning requests approval to raise funds through sales of clothing using Elite Sports for the month of May to raise funds for Weight Room equipment and supplies;
MPHS Graduating Seniors Class of 2020-2021
Joseph William Allred Vinnie Michael Bowlin Sidney Rae Davis
Kaysen Joel Dempsey Olivia Joan Duwa Sade Mae Frantz
Caleb James Garrels Clarke Brink Latcham Hannah Anne Miller
Efrosyniya Rusalina Raef Connor Dayton Shalla Hallie Joy Shappell
Aaron Luke Slaubaugh Emily Lynn Swartzentruber Logan Jacob Truitt
Laela Nykole Waddell Reaghan Kaylee Aggson Lucas Aaron Bontrager
Caitlyn Jean Busch Kristina Raelynne Gerst Phelan Rose Hostetler
Eryk Elias Hovde Nicholas Edward Kofron Myah Patricia Lugar
Benjamin Ryan Meader Alexis Deanna Miller Collin James Nickell
Paige Elisabeth Peiffer Kayden Joseph Reinier Levi Adam Schnoebelen
Macey Moore Smith Steven James Stone Yassin F Ahmed
Morgan Elise Brunk Stanley Ray Butterbaugh Chelsea Rebecca Craigmile
Jesi Marie Donaldson Timothy Justin Farrier Gavin William Frascht
Emily Elizabeth Marner Billy Bilombele Matiyabo Dominic Jo McCain
Jenna Nicole Miller Tobin Joshua Miller Elisabeth Janelle Sansen
Jacob Christopher Swartzendruber Joshua Samuel Wallington
Luke William Albright Tori Lynn Boyse Keagan Joshua Allen Brady
Jackson Hayes Cornwell Kelby Blake Gingerich Cade Autsin Thomas Groenewold
Kyra Alison Helmuth Karsen Elizabeth Jehle Josh Michael Leonard
Madelyn Joyce Linnell Sarah Christine Meader Rhiannon Rose Panknen
Aidan James Dale Rath Colby Elizabeth Rourke Jennifer Sanchez
Ethan Russel Sweeting Wyatt Allen Taylor Caleb Leroy Thomas
Ethan Charles Trimpe Luke James Boyse Damien Tashon Davenport
Madison Avery Edgington Zeus Carter Fugate Keegan Joe Gingerich
Abbigail Joy Hicks Michael James Kelly Nasya Moon Leaton
Gibson James Lowenberg Elizabeth Fern Meader Natali Jo Miller
Nathan Craig Quinby Nick Duane Slabaugh Emma Ann Slaubaugh
Amber Lindsey Swart Cooper Ryan Thomas
MP-HSAP Graduating Seniors Class of 2020-2021
Abigail Vakulich Ana Jo Fleming Angela Naomi Shores
Cara Michaela Leichty Catherine Marie Hentrich Cecil “CJ” James Rauch
Chase Lynn Miller Elizabeth Kyra-Ann Sands Ella Sue Cadena
Gabe Christian Brase Grant Woods Kirkpatrick Isaiah Haveman
Jillian Hope Owen Kathryn Elaine Schwartz Katrina Peace Curtiss
Keaton Lynn Graber Kezia Schwartz Kristiana (Triana) JeAn Tu
Lauren Michelle Winborn Magnolia Mae Graber Mckenna Grace Miller
Zach James Brase Zebidah (Zebi) W Kimani
MP-ALC Graduating Seniors Class of 2020-2021
Gabe Kauffman Dusty Knepp Brianna Myers
Mason Wagg Ethan White
Mary Allred seconded the consent items. Motion carried 6-0.
Student Learning
High School Principal
Superintendent Schneider discussed the interview process for the open High School Principal Position. He also provided some background on the candidate of choice. He recommends the hire of Chuck Banks for the High School Principal position effective August 1, 2021 for the 2021-2022 School Year. The starting salary will be $125,000 with a total package with benefits of $171,363.
Denise Chittick moved to approve the hire of Chuck Banks at a salary of $125,000 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 6-0.
High School Graduation
Principal Jay Strickland discussed the logistics of the 2021 High School Graduation. As noted in the Work Session, it is recommended that the graduation ceremony be moved back indoors and that 8 guests plus siblings be allowed for each graduate. A letter will be sent to the graduates’ families. It was clarified that all other events stay as stated in policy at 4 tickets. The masks policy will be uses as the Friday absence percentage immediately prior to graduation. There were questions and discussion about the number being set at 8 per graduate. The event will be live streamed.
Mary Allred moved to approve the plan for the 2021 graduation ceremony to have unlimited guests and siblings for each graduate. Mary Allred seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-1 with Gabrielle Frederick dissenting.
Jeremy Pickard left the meeting at 7:25 p.m.
Student Handbooks for 2021-22
Principal Jay Strickland shared the five proposed changes to the High School Student Handbook. He discussed the reasons for these changes and asked for questions of Board members.
Gabrielle Frederick moved to accept the 2021-2022 High School Handbook changes as presented. Mary Allred seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Jeremy Pickard returned to the meeting at 7:35 p.m.
Special Education Service Delivery Plan
Special Education Administrator Amy Shalla finished her thoughts on the Special Education Service Delivery Plan picking up from where she stopped during the Work Session. She shared the student counts by Level and by Building. In addition, there are students in the Beyond Program that normally would have graduated, as well as, a higher number of IEPs within the Preschool Program. The District uses the VITAL and RISE programs at two community colleges for a smaller number of IEP students who are working on college courses. There are other programs and options in use also. The Board asked questions about details of the various programs.
Marianne Schlabach moved to approve the Special Education Service Delivery Plan as presented. Denise Chittick seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Finance
Washington County Riverboat Foundation Grant Application
Superintendent Schneider presented the WCRF Grant Application resolution and summarized the grant. The following grant is presented for consideration and approval prior to the June 6, 2021, deadline.
- Mid-Prairie Auditorium – Grant Request of $2,000,000 on an estimated Total Project Cost of $10,365,635,00
The Board reviewed the request and asked questions about the timing elements of the project.
Jeremy Pickard moved to approve Resolution 051021 for the Washington County Riverboat Foundation Grant Application. Mary Allred seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Gabrielle Frederick - yes
Mary Allred - yes
Jodi Meader - absent
Jeremy Pickard - yes
Marianne Schlabach - yes
Jeremy Gugel - yes
Denise Chittick - yes
Motion carried 6-0.
School Fees for 2021-22
Superintendent Schneider reviewed the proposed School Fees components for the 2021-2022 School Year. No changes are recommended for the 2021-2022 School Year from the 2020-2021 School Year. It is recommended that no Book Fees be collected again. There are no changes to the lunch prices due to the Federal Government continuing the Free Lunch Program through the 2021-2022 School Year.
Jeremy Pickard moved to approve 2021-2022 School Fees as presented. Gabrielle Frederick seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Salaries for Principals, Directors, HSAP and Central Office Staff, Assistant AD and Middle School Dean of Students
Superintendent Schneider recommends a 2.9% package increase for Principals, Directors, Central Office Staff and Assistant AD and Middle School Dean for the 2021-2022 School Year. This is consistent with the 2.9% package approval for Teachers and Support Staff passed at an earlier School Board Meeting. HSAP Administrative Staff and Hourly Teaching Staff raises differ from the 2.9% increase proposal due to various circumstances. These one-time increases and the various related situations were presented and discussed by Schneider with the School Board.
Jeremy Pickard moved to approve the District Administrators/Directors and Central Office Staff wage and package increases of 2.9%, and HSAP Administrative and Teaching Staff increases with one-time bumps all for Fiscal Year 2021-2022 as presented. Denise Chittick seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Work Session
Completion of Unfinished Work Session Items
There were no unfinished items from the Work Session section of the meeting.
Announcements and Suggestions for Next Agenda
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, June 14, 2021, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room. Agenda items to include: District Annual Report, Middle School Presentation, Facilities Planning Committee, COVID Planning, Superintendent Wages for 2021-2022.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.