Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
January 23, 2023– 6:15 p.m.
President Jeremy Pickard called the meeting to order.
Board members present: Mary Allred, Denise Chittick, Gabrielle Frederick, Jeremy Pickard, Marianne Schlabach, Jed Seward, and Jake Snider (arrived at 6:19 p.m.).
Board members absent: Jake Snider (arrived at 6:19 p.m.).
Also Present: Brian Stone, Jeff Swartzentruber, Chuck Banks, Robin Foster, Rob Hruby, Greg Jergens, Rachel Kerns, Amy Shalla, and Frank Slabaugh.
Marianne Schlabach moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Gabrielle Frederick. Motion carried 6-0.
Public Forum
No one spoke.
Hawk Highlight – Caedyn Huston, Mid-Prairie 8th Grade Student
Caedyn Huston shared of his interest and involvement in Civil War history, and participation in Civil War Re-enactment exercises.
Jake Snider arrived during the above agenda item at 6:19 p.m.
Hawk Highlight 2 – Board Appreciation Month
Superintendent Stone made comments of thanks to the Board as January is Board Appreciation Month. The Administrative team handed out cards and cake for the Board. Each Board member also received a gift of thanks from the Administrative team. A cake was served to celebrate our Board.
Work Session
Administration Reports and Board Dialogue
The Board and Administrators discussed the new report format and the items shared by each Administrator about their areas of responsibility. Superintendent Stone introduced the new reports as a snapshot of what has happened in each building.
Business Meeting
Consent Items
Mary Allred moved to approve the following consent items.
Minutes of Previous Meetings
The minutes of January 9, 2023; and January 18, 2023;
Finance Report
None presented at this time;
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for January 23, 223, and prepaid bills;
Open Enrollment Requests
Michael & Kyle Jenn request Jase Jenn (Kindergarten), attend Mid-Prairie from Iowa City Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Stephanie Seylar requests Emmalyn Seylar (Kindergarten) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from Iowa City Community School District for the 2023-24 School Year;
Jenni Panosh requests Delainey Markt Grade 7, and Paisley Shuey (Grade 3) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from Cedar Rapids Community School District for the 2022-23 School Year;
Blade and Derek Gehrke request Charleston Gehrke (Grade 4) and Elijah Gehrke (Grade 5) attend Mid-Prairie’s Home School Assistance Program from College Community School District for the 2022-23 School Year;
Personnel Items
Work Agreement issued to Mike Ferguson, West Elementary Lead Custodian, $16.78 per hour;
Resignation of Shelby Cook, Middle School Paraprofessional, $14.70 per hour, effective 1/30/2023;
Resignation of Tina Hernandez-Zudell, Middle School 5th Grade Teacher, $70,708 per annum, effective the end of the 2022-2023 School Year;
Resignation of Michelle Bessman, Middle School 5th Grade Teacher, $70,708 per annum, effective the end of the 2022-2023 School Year;
Resignation of Wendy Caszatt-Allen, Middle School 5th Grade Teacher, $70,973 per annum, effective the end of the 2022-2023 School Year;
Resignation of Mikayla Ulin, Middle School Art Teacher, $41,382 per annum, effective the end of the 2022-2023 School Year;
Resignation of Nora Kehoe, East Elementary Counselor, $70,927 per annum, effective the end of the 2022-2023 School Year;
Resignation of Karalee Smith, K-12 ELL Teacher; $49,314 per annum, effective the end of the 2022-2023 School Year;
Fundraising Requests
The Dance Team requests approval to raise funds through the mailing of sponsorship letters from February 20th to March 10th to raise funds for uniforms, poms, choreography fees, accessories and team items;
The Dance Team requests approval to raise funds through the April 8 Dance Team day—camp and performance to raise funds for uniforms, poms, choreography fees, accessories and team items;
Marianne Schlabach seconded the consent items. Motion carried 7-0.
Finance
Set a Public Hearing for the Middle School and East Elementary School Additions and Renovations
Superintendent Stone and Tad Marrow of Carl A. Nelson Company noted that a public hearing needs to be set to for public comment on the plans and specifications for the Middle School and East Elementary School Additions and Renovations. The proposed date and time on the Public Hearing Document is February 13, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in the Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room.
Gabrielle Frederick moved to set the Public Hearing for the Middle School and East Elementary Additions and Renovations for February 13, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in the Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room. Denise Chittick seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Set a Public Hearing for the High School Track Reconstruction
Superintendent Stone and Tad Marrow of Carl A. Nelson Company noted that a public hearing needs to be set to for public comment on the plans and specifications for the High School Track Reconstruction. The proposed date and time on the Public Hearing Document is February 13, 2023 at 7:10 p.m. in the Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room.
Mary Allred moved to set the Public Hearing for the High School Track Reconstruction. The proposed date and time on the Public Hearing Document is February 13, 2023 at 7:10 p.m. in the Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room. Jake Snider seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
After the setting of the Public Hearings, Tad Morrow from Carl A. Nelson and Company shared an updated Construction estimate based upon the Construction Drawings and Specifications to be used for the Bid Packages. There were very minor changes to costs. The Board asked questions of Tad Morrow and of representatives of Shive-Hattery who were also present for this portion of the meeting.
Incentive to Attract New Bus Drivers
Superintendent Stone and Business Manager Swartzentruber shared the recommendation to increase the Bus Driver referral and incentive from $500 to each party—after the driver drives three times--to $1,000 for the referral source—paid half at the first pay of the driver and the second half after the new driver has driven a minimum of 10 times with the referral source being an employee of the district or a community member. The new driver incentive amount is between $1,000 and $2.000 to the new bus driver—with the first half to be paid at the first pay period the driver drives; second half to be one calendar year after the first payment if the driver is still working for the District. The incentive is in place until the Superintendent and the Transportation Director determine the driver roster is adequate. The Board asked questions for clarification and understanding.
Gabrielle Frederick moved to approve the new incentive amounts and terms as recommended with the increased amounts and terms, above. Jake Snider seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Hiring a New Architect
Superintendent Stone noted that OPN is the recommended choice to be the new Architectural firm. He commented on the interview process and his appreciation for the effort of the Board in the interviews and evaluation of the finalist candidate.
Gabrielle Frederick moved to approve the selection Denise Chittick seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
7:15 p.m. Public Hearing for the Flexibility Transfer of HSAP Funds
President Pickard opened the Public Hearing at 7:15 p.m. on the proposed transfer of $252,049.80 proposed transfer of funds from the Home School Assistance Fund Balance at June 30, 2022, to the Flexibility Account. No one from the public spoke (last year was $259,000). He closed the Public Hearing at 7:16 p.m.
Fund Transfer to Flexibility Account
President Pickard asked for a motion to approve the Flexibility Account Transfer Resolution.
Gabrielle Frederick moved to approve Resolution 012322 Flexibility Fund Transfer from the Home School Assistance Program Fund Balance to the Flexibility Account in the amount of $252,034.80 and read pertinent parts of the Resolution. 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.
Student Learning
First Reading, School Board Policy 505.5, Graduation Requirement Policy
High School Principal Chuck Banks presented their recommendation of a change to Board Policy 505.5 Graduation requirements. The proposed changes remove the three graduation lanes and distinction between buildings attended. Additionally, there is a change from the two year requirement to a one year requirement for the type of diploma earned—High School, HSAP, Alternative Center. The change in credit expectations have been simplified for the different buildings. The expectations of students do not change as the rigor remains at a very high level. The Board asked questions for clarification and understanding on the requirements and elements of accreditation.
Jed Seward made the motion to approve on First Reading of Board Policy 505.5, Graduation Requirement Policy as presented. Denise Chittick seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Board Development and Inservice Activities
President Pickard noted the legislative discussions on vouchers. This will be on both floors this week.
Mary Allred asked about trades classes offered at the High School level.
Announcements and Suggestions for Next Agenda
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, February 13, 2023, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room. Agenda items to include: Public Hearings for the Middle School and Elementary School Additions and Renovations, and High School Track Reconstruction; Second Reading of Board Policy 505.5; Update on Architectural Firm process and timeline; WCRF Grant Application Resolution for Fine Arts Boosters; 2023-2024 School Calendar; Flexibility Fund Spending Resolution; and A discussion on trades classes at the High School.
Board Highlights – No Highlights shared.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.