Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
July 8, 2024 – 6:15 p.m.
Vice President Gabrielle Frederick called the meeting to order in the absence of President Jake Snider.
Board members present: Mary Allred, Randy Billups, Denise Chittick, Gabrielle Frederick, and Ryan Schlabaugh.
Board members absent: Jed Seward, and Jake Snider.
Also Present: Superintendent Brian Stone, Board Secretary/School Business Official Jeff Swartzentruber.
Pledge of Allegiance
Read the School Mission Statement by Vice-President
Mary Allred moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Ryan Schlabaugh. Motion carried 5-0.
Hawk Highlight – Dr. Chris Grier – This agenda item was moved to the end of the meeting. Dr. Grier presented on a concept for District Employees Well-Being Initiative. The plan includes various deliverables to Staff first, followed then to Students, and Families. The program was piloted at the Home School Education Center in the 2023-2024 School Year. Rachel Kerns, Home School Assistance Program Director, talked about the Home School Staff’s experience during the past year with the Program. They worked with Dr. Grier on the first Friday of every month at their staff meeting. The impact on the staff led to changes in interactions with students.
Public Forum
No one spoke.
BUSINESS MEETING
Consent Items
Jeff Swartzentruber, School Business Official, reported on status of the 2023 Audit. It should be presented in draft form in the coming week.
Randy Billups moved to approve the following consent items.
Minutes of Previous Meetings
The minutes of June 24, 2024 and July 1, 2024;
Finance Report
The Finance Report for Year to Date June 2024 #1 Cash Basis:
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for July 8, 2024; Prepaid Bills;
Open Enrollment Requests
Open Enrollment In Requests total 6 students;
Open Enrolled Out Requests total 1 students;
Personnel Items
Contract issued to Jacob Lampe, Middle School Behavioral Interventionist, $47,500 per annum;
Fundraising Requests – No Fundraising requests submitted;
Mary Allred seconded the consent items. Motion carried 5-0.
Student Learning
Building Handbooks
Superintendent Stone recalled the previous meeting on June 24, 2024 where the handbooks were reviewed by the Board. It is acknowledged that the next step is acceptance of the handbooks. Time was provided for the Board to ask questions and have additional discussion about the handbooks.
Denise Chittick moved to accept the Handbooks for the High School, Middle School, Elementary Schools, Home School Assistance Program, Virtual Academy, and Alternative Learning Center as presented. Ryan Schlabaugh seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Finance
First Reading of IASB Board Policy Primer Updates
Superintendent Stone reviewed the changes as discussed at the June 24, 2024 meeting and drew the Board’s attention to the summary document. Board Policies where changes are needed include:
- Policy 200.4 Board Member Social Media Engagement
- Policy 401.6 Limitations to Employment References
- Policy 501.3 Compulsory Attendance
- Policy 501.10 Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy
- Policy 501.12 Pregnant Students
- Policy 501.15 Open Enrollment Transfers-Procedures as a Receiving District
- Policy 502.6 Weapons
- Policy 505.2 Student Promotion-Retention-Acceleration
- Policy 603.1 Basic Instruction Program
- Policy 603.12 Postsecondary Education Counseling
- Policy 607.2 Student Health Services
- Policy 708 Care, Maintenance, and Disposal of School District Records
- Policy 710.1 School Food Program
- Policy 801.3 Educational Specifications for Buildings and Sites
- Policy 803.2 Lease, Sale or Disposal of School District Buildings and Sites
Time was provided for the Board to have additional discussion about the Policies in the IASB Policy Primer. Discussion was quite brief.
Ryan Schlabaugh moved to approve the changes to Policies 200.4, 401.6, 501.3, 501.10, 501.12, 502.6, 505.2, 603.1, 603.12, 607.2, 708, 710.1, 801.3, and 803.2 on First Reading as presented. Mary Allred seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
First Reading of Board Policy Chapter 700’s Non-Instructional Operations and Business Services
Superintendent Stone Board reviewed the changes as discussed at the June 24, 2024 meeting and drew the Board’s attention to the summary document. All policies were reviewed due to changes with IASB model policy language. Chapter 700 Board Policies where changes are needed include:
- Policy 701.1 Depository of Funds
- Policy 701.2 Transfer of Funds
- Policy 701.3 Financial Records
- Policy 701.4 Governmental Accounting Practices and Regulations
- Policy 702 Cash in School Buildings
- Policy703.1 Budget Planning
- Policy 703.2 Spending Plan (This is removed)
- Policy 704.1 Local – State – Federal – Miscellaneous Revenue
- Policy 704.3 Investments
- Policy 704.4 Gifts – Grants – Bequests
- Policy 705.1 Purchasing – Bidding
- Policy 705.4 Expenditures for a Public Purpose
- Policy 706.2 Payroll Deductions
- Policy 707.4 Audit
- Policy 709 Insurance Program
- Policy 710.2 Free or Reduced Cost Meals Eligibility
- Policy 711.8 Transportation in Inclement Weather
- Policy 713 Responsible Technology Use and Social Networking
Time was provided for the Board to have additional discussion about the Chapter 700 Policies. Discussion was quite brief.
Denise Chittick moved to approve the changes to Policies 701.1, 701.2, 701.3, 701.4, 702, 703.1, 703.2 (Removed), 704.1, 704.3, 704.4, 705.1, 705.4, 706.2, 707.4, 709, 710.2, 711.8, and 713 on First Reading as presented. Mary Allred seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
First Reading of Board Policy Chapter 800’s Buildings and Sites
Superintendent Stone Board reviewed the changes as discussed at the June 24, 2024 meeting and drew the Board’s attention to the summary document. All policies were reviewed. Chapter 800 Board Policies where changes are needed include:
- 804.4 Asbestos-Containing Material
Time was provided for the Board to have additional discussion about the Chapter 800 Policies. Discussion was quite brief.
Randy Billups moved to approve the changes to Policy 804.4 on First Reading as presented. Ryan Schlabaugh seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
First Reading of Board Policy Chapter 900’s School District-Community Relations
Superintendent Stone Board reviewed the changes as discussed at the June 24, 2024 meeting and drew the Board’s attention to the summary document. All policies were reviewed. Chapter 900 Board Policies where changes are needed include:
- Chapter 903.1 School-Community Groups
- Chapter 903.2 Community Resources Persons and Volunteers
- Chapter 903.3 Visitors to School District Buildings and Sites
- Chapter 903.4 Public Conduct on School Premises
- Chapter 904.1 Transporting Students in Private Vehicles
- Chapter 904.2 Advertising and Promotion
- Chapter 905.2 Smoke-Free Environment
Time was provided for the Board to have additional discussion about the Chapter 900 Policies. Discussion was quite brief.
Ryan Schlabaugh moved to approve the changes to Policy 903.1, 903.2, 903.3, 903.4, 904.1, 904.2, and 905.2 on First Reading as presented. Denise Chittick seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Board Development and Inservice Activities
Tammi Drawbaugh, consultant with IASB will be providing a training even to the Board on July 29th from 6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. The Board discussed topics for Drawbaugh to address with the Board. Items mentioned include: Lane—Roles and Responsibility, Goals, Governance, and Changes to Open Meeting Laws. The Board discussed the meaning of some of these items listed and approach.
Announcements and Suggestions for Next Agenda
The next Work Session Meeting will be on Monday, July 29th at 6:15 p.m. as noted in the above Board Development and Inservice agenda item.
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, August 12, 2024, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room. Agenda items to include: Acceptance of the 2023 Audit, Bank Depository Resolution, and 2nd Reading of Board Policies.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 6:48 p.m.