Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
October 10, 2022 – 6:15 p.m.
Vice President Marianne Schlabach called the meeting to order in the absence of President Jeremy Pickard.
Board members present: Mary Allred, Denise Chittick, Gabrielle Frederick, Jeremy Pickard (arrived at 6:23 p.m.), Marianne Schlabach, Jed Seward, Jake Snider.
Board members absent: Jeremy Pickard (arrived at 6:23 p.m.)
Also Present: Brian Stone, Jeff Swartzentruber, Chuck Banks, Robin Foster, Greg Jergens, Rachel Kerns, Amy Shalla, Frank Slabaugh, and Tyler Hotz.
Gabrielle Frederick moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Mary Allred. Motion carried 6-0.
WORK SESSION
Hawk Highlight
High School Chuck Banks introduced Jess Jones and Shawna Sieren, two of the four High School Math Teachers, who attended the National Science Conference. The teachers provided an overview of the July conference in Chicago and the various learning opportunities. The expressed their thanks for the ability to develop relationships between the Mid-Prairie teachers and the networking with other teachers at the conference. Science Literacy was one of the most prevalent themes of the conference—Currency, Reliability, Accuracy, and Purpose. They hope to bring these elements to the classroom. They discussed on-line academic resources that can also be used in the classroom. They concluded by discussing a few of the breakout workshops. The Board asked questions for insights, and then thanked the teachers for the presentation and their work with students.
Pickard arrived during this agenda item.
Board Member and Administrator Dialogue
Facilities Data – Superintendent Stone introduced the Facilities Data gathered from Board members, the Administrator Team, the most recent Facilities Committee, and a group of staff members that also participated with the Facilities Committee. The data gathering tool asked those to whom the inquiry was made to evaluate the priorities of the projects. The goal is to begin to develop a comprehensive facility plan that includes current needs and future needs recognizing the limitations on funds that is currently the Districts reality. It was noted that new items to be added to the list were not solicited in this phase.
Facility Long-term Prioritizing – The focus then turned to prioritizing the projects and next steps. Stone asked for further clarification and feedback for additional projects that were not on the current list. The Board noted the need to be more fact-finding. It was expressed that there is some urgency in the short term needs and the focus to build the long-term plan. It was suggested that the Administrative Team needs to review and reassess the needs and the priority of needs and bring some additional ideas of expanded areas of needs.
Pickard took the chair at 7 p.m.
BUSINESS MEETING
Public Forum– 7:00 p.m.
The Fine Arts Booster representatives shared about some urgent needs that are safety related for items in the Cafetorium/Student Center including the retractable seating, curtain, and additional other immediate needs.
Consent Items
Jake Snider moved to approve the following consent items.
Minutes of Previous Meetings
The minutes of September 26, 2022;
Finance Report
The Finance Report for September 2022;
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for October 10, 2022; and Prepaid Bills;
Open Enrollment Requests
Marisa Tujlliani-Holtz requests Benjamin Lopiccalo (Grade 6), attend Mid-Prairie from Columbus Community School District for the 2022-23 School Year;
Taylor and Drew Albright request Lakota Albright (Kindergarten), attend Mid-Prairie from Iowa City Community School District for the 2022-23 School Year;
Nichole Jaspering requests Aven Jaspering (Grade 5) and Zayley Jaspering (Grade 3), attend Mid-Prairie from Washington Community School District for the 2022-23 School Year;
Personnel Items
Contract issued to Mark Hostetler, High School Girls Head Track Coach, $5,616 per Season;
Resignation of Beth Reeves, High School Math Teacher, $63,108 per year, effective 12/02/2022;
Fundraising Requests – No requests are presented for approval;
Jed Seward seconded the consent items. Motion carried 7-0.
Student Learning
Second Reading of Graduation Requirements
President Pickard noted that Board Policy 505.5 passed on First Reading at the September 26, 2022, meeting. A short summary of the proposed changes presented at the last meeting was provided. They asked for any questions or further discussion.
Denise Chittick moved to approve changes to Board Policy 505.5 as proposed on Second Reading. Mary Allred seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Student Appeal
Superintendent Stone introduced Activities Director, Tyler Hotz, and recommended the Board go into closed session to conduct a hearing of appeal to determine whether to suspend a student. There are two students to be referred to as Student A and Student B. There will be two closed sessions, one for each student.
Mary Allred moved to hold a closed session for Student A as provided in section 21.5(l)e of the open meetings law to conduct a hearing to determine whether to suspend or expel a student unless an open session is requested by the student or a parent or legal guardian of the student if the student is a minor. Marianne Schlabach seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Gabrielle Frederick - yes Mary Allred - yes
Jed Seward - yes Jeremy Pickard - yes
Marianne Schlabach - yes Jake Snider - yes
Denise Chittick - yes
Motion carried 7-0.
The Board entered Closed Session at 7:17 p.m.
The Board exited Closed Session at 7:45 p.m.
Gabrielle Frederick moved to uphold the suspension recommendation for Student A as stated in closed session. Mary Allred seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Gabrielle Frederick - yes Mary Allred - yes
Jed Seward - yes Jeremy Pickard - yes
Marianne Schlabach - yes Jake Snider - yes
Denise Chittick - yes
Motion carried 7-0.
Mary Allred moved to hold a closed session for student B as provided in section 21.5(l)e of the open meetings law to conduct a hearing to determine whether to suspend or expel a student unless an open session is requested by the student or a parent or legal guardian of the student if the student is a minor. Jake Snider seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Gabrielle Frederick - yes Mary Allred - yes
Jed Seward - yes Jeremy Pickard - yes
Marianne Schlabach - yes Jake Snider - yes
Denise Chittick - yes
Motion carried 7-0.
The Board entered Closed Session at 7:50 p.m.
The Board exited Closed Session at 7:55 p.m.
Finance
Public Hearing on Softball Light Specifications at 7:15 p.m.
President Pickard opened the Public Hearing on the Softball Lights Specifications. No one spoke. Pickard closed the Public Hearing at 7:16 p.m.
Softball Lights Bid Review
Denise Chittick moved to approve Softball Light Specifications as presented. Mary Allred seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Tad Morrow of Carl and Nelson Company was present to share the results of the bids received on September 29, 2022. There were two bidders to submit bids. Ardent Lighting Group’s bid for the project was $207,000. Both bidders used MUSCO lighting materials in their bids. Morrow discussed the review process for the bids and recommended that Ardent Lighting Group be awarded the contract based upon their bid and specifications review. The Board asked questions for clarification on approach and date of completion of the work.
Gabrielle Frederick moved to approve awarding a contract to the Ardent Lighting Group LLC in the amount of $207,000 to complete the Softball Lighting project. Marianne Schlabach seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Increase in Certified Substitute Staff Pay
Superintendent Stone introduced a recommendation to raise Substitute Teacher Pay from the current $135 per day to $150 per day effective October 16, 2022. Substitute Teacher Pay was increased to $135 from $120 per day in November of 2017 and at that time all substitutes—teacher and support staff—were made immediately eligible to participate in IPERS. Stone provided some background information on how the District’s current rate compares to surrounding districts. The Board asked questions for clarification and understanding.
Marianne Schlabach moved to approve the increase in Teacher Substitute Pay to $150 per day effective on October 16, 2022. Denise Chittick seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Hills Bank Trust Investment Management Accounts Setup
Business Manager Swartzentruber noted that the account set up documents for two Investment Management Accounts are underway. There will be two accounts. One account will be for General Fund investments. The other will be for the SAVE Fund. Each will have approximately $1 million invested. The amount in the Operating Fund will vary from time to time based upon the timing of funds received for operations. The amount in the SAVE Fund will be the amount we are required to hold in escrow for the Revenue Bonds. Investments will consist of Treasury Securities and Certificate of Deposit Investments with durations of 13 months or less and be laddered in their maturities in order to take advantage of liquidity and the current interest rate environment. Account opening documents will need to be signed by the Board President and the Board Secretary.
Gabrielle Frederick moved to approve the opening of two Investment Management Accounts with Hills Bank and Trust Company for the General Fund and the SAVE Fund. Mary Allred seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0, Denise Chittick abstained.
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
Swartzentruber reported the Audit Fieldwork for the 2022 Fiscal Year was conducted today.
Stone announced the vulnerability assessments are being completed by Homeland Security approved consultants.
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, October 24, 2022, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room. Agenda items to include or are under consideration: Administrative priorities on the Facilities Needs and Assessment including some additional costs, LEP/ELL Board Resolution for additional Allowable Growth; Level I Investigators; Discussion of a Flexibility Transfer of HSAP Funds;
Board Highlights
- Science presentation on the National Conference and the recognition of different levels of reading of the students.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m.