Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
October 28, 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, Jed Seward, and Jake Snider.
Board members absent: None.
Also Present: Superintendent Brian Stone, Board Secretary/School Business Official Jeff Swartzentruber.
Pledge of Allegiance
Read the School Mission Statement by Vice-President
Randy Billups moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Jed Seward. Motion carried 7-0.
Business Meeting
Consent Items
Mary Allred moved to approve the following consent items.
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for October 28, 2024 and prepaid bills;
Open Enrollment Requests
Open Enrollment In Requests total 0 students;
Open Enrolled Out Requests total 0 students;
Personnel Items
Work Agreement issued to Heather Harms, East Elementary Paraprofessional, $15.29 per hour;
Work Agreement issued to Cana Rediger, West Elementary Paraprofessional, $15.29 per hour;
Work Agreement issued to Natalie Twaddle, Middle School Paraprofessional, $15.29 per hour;
Fundraising Requests
Post Prom requests approval to raise funds through an on-line Leading Edge event from November 15th to November 29th to raise funds for Post Prom Activities;
Post Prom requests approval to raise funds through a Drive Thru Pulled Pork Dinner on November 16th to raise funds for Post Prom Activities;
Post Prom requests approval to raise funds through the sale of Sugar Bottom Cookies from September 15th to October 14th to raise funds for Post Prom Activities;
Football requests approval to raise funds through sale of football playoff shirts from October 20th to 22nd for volunteer coach payments, equipment, supplies and jerseys;
Ryan Schlabaugh seconded the consent items. Motion carried 7-0.
Business Item - None
Work Session
Board Discussion About Cell Phone Policy
President Snider opened the discussion to continue from last month’s Work Session. Superintendent Stone provided input from Mr. Banks, and the High School staff on their experience and opinions. He also discussed the perspectives of the Middle School the input from Mr. Bartels and his staff. Also, joining the conversation were Jan Hochstetler, author of “Always More To Learn” and discussed Jonathon Haidt's book “The Anxious Generation”, included in the latter book is a description of the Great Rewiring, and the overprotection of our children. She provided some slides with data to show anxiety, screen time, and time spent with friends, etc. She also discussed the decline in academic test scores and other closely related topics. The Board thanked Hochstetler for her time, knowledge and information. The Board continued the discussion of the issues and potential movement towards a policy. More research and information gathering on policies are requested by the board.
Dollar Amount for the Auditorium
President Snider opened this conversation with the Board. About a year ago, the Fine Arts Boosters attended a Board Meeting to ask for support of the construction of an auditorium for the District. At that point they requested an amount that the District could fund. The Board discussed ideas and impressions of the process and then discussion of size of facility. This discussion will continue as the current Facilities Plan develops.
Rollover for HSAP Building Needs and Flexibility Transfer
Superintendent Stone and SBO Swartzentruber discussed the past practice with excess funds in the Flexibility Transfer from Home School Assistance Program. There have been some preliminary needs discussion at the Home School Building with Swartzentruber doing background work to find out what is possible for use of Flexibility Funds. Stone then discussed approach to the needs with the Board. The board asked questions of Stone and Swartzentruber to gain understanding of the situation. The Flexibility Transfer public hearings normally take place in January and February. Discussion in more detail is planned for the January Work Session.
Grade-A-Like Attendance Centers Discussion
Superintendent Stone discussed this as an important element of the current construction plan. This item was requested by the Board to revisit as a part of the 2024 GO Bond planning discussion, especially as it relates to West Elementary and East Elementary potential changes. It is proposed that West Elementary would become a Grades 2, 3 and 4 building while East Elementary would be a Preschool, Kindergarten, and Grade 1 building. The Board discussion centered on the pros and cons and timing. The Board encouraged further discussion at a future meeting. Potential action to be considered in an upcoming business meeting.
Mid-Year Superintendent Evaluation/Check-In
Tabled until the first meeting in November.
Next Meeting and Suggestions for Next Agenda
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, November 11, 2024, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room. Agenda items to include: Annual Organization Meeting of the Board; Possible Resolution for SBRC Spending Authority for ELL Beyond 5 Years, and for Open Enrollment IN and Out items;
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.