Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
February 12, 2024 – 6:15 p.m.
www.mid-prairie.k12.ia.us
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
Mary Allred moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Jed Seward. Motion carried 7-0.
Public Forum
A constituent of the community spoke to the Board about Civics and History in the High School. He is concerned with the requirements as set forth by State of Iowa. He believes that the hours are not high enough or focused enough and that what is taught is not sufficient enough to understand how the government works or why events have happened and shaped our country. He believes excitement in the subject will breed interest in the students. He also expressed concerns about the Iowa standardized tests as reported in January. He asked the Board to consider getting more involved in curriculum.
WORK SESSION
The Board reviewed the Administrators’ written reports to the Board. Time was allotted to ask questions and discuss the reports. No questions were asked.
2022 Revenue Bond Savings and Interest Uses Discussion – Potential Usages List – Superintendent Stone provided a list of projects and estimated costs for the work to be done for Fine Arts within the High School Cafetorium (between $335,000 and $400,000 available). The Board discussed possible actions related to the priorities listed provided at the last meeting. He covered the items enumerated by Fine Arts, again. He asked the Board for their thoughts on inquiring on pricing for many of the items listing. The Board noted the Theater Seating and the Red Curtains would be top priorities. Lighting would be also considered after the big-ticket items. Additional smaller items would be evaluated after these top priorities.
Grade-like Attendance Center Modifications Questions and Discussion – Superintendent Stone, again reviewed the documents provided at the previous two Board Meetings to provide answers to some of the questions previously asked and to seek additional input on next steps and to discuss timing. It is asked that questions be emailed to Superintendent Stone for coverage at the next meeting. Some questions were raised by the Board in discussion of the issues during this time.
New School Board Member Orientation – SBO Swartzentruber and Superintendent Stone referred to the Board Document Site where a folder for Board Resources has been created with reference and orientation materials as requested by the Board at the last meeting. Stone asked for a date for the new Board members. SBO Swartzentruber will work with Billups and Schlabaugh to set a date in the next two weeks for the financial orientation.
Board Policy 213 Public Participation in School Board Meetings –Superintendent Stone discussed the need to refine Board Policy 213 Public Participation in Board Meetings. This was at the Board’s request. He shared a draft of the Policy document through the research he found through IASB and other resources with the Board.
Explanation of the Schedule for the March 11th School Board Meeting –SBO Swartzentruber discussed the need for the March 11th Meeting to set the first Public Hearing. The first Public Hearing for the 2024-2025 Certified Budget is tentatively planned for March 25th. There will actually be two meetings that evening. The first will be the Public Hearing as a one agenda item meeting, provided the Legislature sets the SSA for 2024-2025. After a brief break, the second meeting will be the regular School Board Meeting.
Snow Day Makeup Plan – Superintendent Stone discussed the plans and options for the education time to be made up due to the missed days due to the cancellation of school in January. The Board expressed concerns about the choices/scenarios with a significant amount of discussion. The majority of the Board supports Scenario 2 in recognition of achieving the hours of instruction planned.
Fine Arts Boosters – This agenda item is tabled.
BUSINESS MEETING
Consent Items
Mary Allred moved to approve the following consent items.
Minutes of Previous Meetings
The minutes of January 22, 2024;
Finance Report
The Finance Report for January 2024;
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for February 12, 2024; Prepaid Bills;
Open Enrollment Requests
Open Enrollment In Requests total 22 students;
Open Enrolled Out Requests total 0 students;
Personnel Items
Contract issued to Joe Eggert, High School 3rd Shift Custodian, $16.19 per hour;
TLC Professional Partner Contract issued to Chris Tyler, High School Professional Partner, $500 per annum;
TLC Instructional Coaches for 2024-2025 School Year
Contract issued to Erin Cavanagh, High School Instructional Coach; Contract Amount per Schedule;
Contract issued to Kelsi TeBockhorst, Middle School Instructional Coach; Contract Amount per Schedule;
Contract issued to Sarah Ihde, East Elementary Instructional Coach; Contract Amount per Schedule;
Contract issued to Emily Zehr, West Elementary Instructional Coach; Contract Amount per Schedule;
Resignation of Pattie Madison, HSAP Supervising Teacher 0.5 FTE, $26.25 per hour, effective end of 2023 2024 Contract;
Resignation of Katie Roth, Middle School SPED Teacher, $50,388 per annum, effective end of 2023 2024 Contract;
Resignation of Karen Bender, Fourth Grade Teacher, $73,220 per annum, effective end of 2023 2024 Contract;
Resignation of Amy Shalla, District SPED Director, $104,710 per annum, effective end of 2023 2024 Contract;
Resignation of Kyla Wiebe, Prekindergarten Teacher, $43,090 per annum, effective end of 2023 2024 Contract;
Resignation of DiAnna Geiger, Prekindergarten Teacher, $58,033 per annum, effective end of 2023 2024 Contract;
Resignation of Mercedes Specht, 7th Grade Volleyball Coach, $2,276 per annum, effective February 7, 2023;
Fundraising Requests
Mid-Prairie FCCLA, FFA, and the High School Student Leadership Team request approval to raise funds through the Mid-Prairie Mini Dance Marathon through donations and the sale of t-shirts to raise funds for Children and families experiencing childhood cancer;
Jed Seward seconded the consent items. Motion carried 7-0.
Student Learning
First Reading of Policy 210.2 Regular Meeting
President Snider and Superintendent Stone noted the discussed changes to the policy from the last meeting. The change establishes a Business Meeting in the first meeting of the month and a Work Session in the second meeting of the month. It is recognized that there will be a need for some flexibility as the Board transitions to this format. President Snider asked for additional questions and thoughts.
Mary Allred moved to approve on First Reading Board Policy 210.2 Regular Meeting with changes as presented. Randy Billups seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
First Reading of Policy 213 Public Participation in Board Meetings
President Snider and Superintendent Stone noted the discussed changes to the policy from the Work Session at this meeting. The changes establish revised procedures for Public Participation in School Board Meetings. President Snider asked for additional questions and thoughts.
Gabrielle Frederick moved to approve on First Reading Board Policy 213 Regular Meeting with changes as presented. Ryan Schlabaugh seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Proposed 2024-2025 School Calendar
Superintendent Stone presented the recommended 2024-2025 School Calendar to the Board for their consideration. The Interest Based Committee has worked through the process of the calendar over the past few weeks. The Calendar contains 1,126 instructional hours, compared to the State minimum of 1,080 hours. Stone asked Board members Chittick and Allred to comment on the process and any observations they might have for the full Board. It was noted the Parent Teacher Conferences are on the same night. Also, the Monday after Thanksgiving is the additional day off rather than the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Teacher Contract Days will go down by 3 days with no change in wages.
Mary Allred moved to approve the 2024-2025 School Calendar as presented. Denise Chittick seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Preschool Tuition Increase for the 2024 2025 School Year
SBO Swartzentruber and Superintendent Stone recommend a $5 per month increase for 3-Year Old Preschool. Monthly tuition has been $120 per month for quite some time. With increasing costs it is time to consider a modest increase in tuition to $125 per month beginning of the 2024-2025 School Year.
Ryan Schlabaugh moved to approve the 3-Year Old Preschool tuition increase to $125 per month starting with the 2024-2025 School Year. Randy Billups seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Finance
Public Hearing for the Flexibility Transfer of HSAP Funds
President Snider opened the Public Hearing, originally set at 6:30 p.m., at 8:06 p.m., with apologies for missing the original time, and asked if anyone was present to speak on the Flexibility Transfer. No one was present for the Public Hearing. President Snider closed the Public Hearing at 8:08 p.m. The amount to be transferred from the Home School Assistance Program is $215,767.95. These are unspent funds available after the HSAP has completed all program expenditures for the prior year.
Fund Transfer to Flexibility Account
President Snyder asked for a motion to approve the Flexibility Account Transfer Resolution.
Denise Chittick moved to approve Resolution 0212401 Flexibility Fund Transfer from the Home School Assistance Program Fund Balance to the Flexibility Account in the amount of $215,767.95 and read pertinent parts of the Resolution. Ryan Schlabaugh seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Gabrielle Frederick - yes; Mary Allred - yes; Jed Seward - yes; Ryan Schlabaugh - yes; Randy Billups - yes; Jake Snider - yes; Denise Chittick - yes
Motion carried 7-0.
Wellington Electric, Inc. Change Order
Superintendent Stone and SBO Swartzentruber discussed the Change Order Request for Wellington Electric as negotiated by Carl A. Nelson with Wellington Electric for $33,210.94 due to the need for a larger electrical panel that was not in the original specifications. This change was originally submitted about $9,000 more than the ending amount. It is noted that this is the largest change to date. The change will reduce the contingency by the same amount. To date the total project has seen approximately $144,000 in savings, though the contingencies on the project continue to be held for unforeseen issues that may still arise. It is acknowledged that the farther into the project towards completion, the reduced likelihood of contingencies needed will materialize.
Jed Seward moved to approve the Change Order for payment in the amount of $33,210.94. Mary Allred seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
2014 General Obligation Bonds Partial Principal Retirement Resolution
SBO Swartzentruber noted the extra funds in the Debt Service Fund from Interest earnings over the past number of years is $160,000-plus. These funds are proposed with this resolution to pay down the Principal in the 2014 General Obligation Bonds. With this pay down, there will be no need to Pre-Levy in Fiscal Year 2024-2025 to pay down on these bonds going forward. These bonds will be completely paid off by June of 2025 if this resolution is approved. The original payoff was June of 2030, a reduction of 5 years resulting in a significant interest savings.
Ryan Schlabaugh moved to approve the Resolution authorizing the partial redemption of Outstanding General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2014, dated August 1, 2014 in the amount of $160,000 and read additional detail in the resolution. Jed Seward seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Gabrielle Frederick - yes; Mary Allred - yes; Jed Seward - yes; Ryan Schlabaugh - yes; Randy Billups - yes; Jake Snider - yes; Denise Chittick - yes
Motion carried 7-0.
2024 General Obligation Bond Actions
SBO Swartzentruber directed the Board’s attention to three actions that need to be completed in order to stay current with the timeline established for the issuance of the 2024 General Obligation Bonds in the amount of $8,700,000.
Dissemination Agent Agreement Addendum
SBO Swartzentruber recommends the document be approved for signature by the President to enter into an agreement with Piper-Sandler, the District Financial Advisor on the bond issue. This agreement is actually an addendum to the larger agreement that allows Piper-Sandler to work with the District to provide disclosures on the District’s behalf to the secondary bond markets.
Gabrielle Frederick moved to approve the Amendment Agreement to Serve as Dissemination Agent for Secondary Market Disclosure as presented. Mary Allred seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Financial Services Agreement with Piper Sandler
SBO Swartzentruber recommends the document be approved. It serves as the engagement agreement that enumerates the services to be provided by Piper Sandler as the District’s Investment Advisor on the issuance of the 2024 General Obligation Bonds.
Denise Chittick moved to approve the Financial Services Agreement with Piper Sandler as presented. Gabrielle Frederick seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Resolution to Approve the Issuance of General Obligation Bonds for $8,700,000 and the Debt Service Levy
SBO Swartzentruber recommends the passage of the resolution to authorize the issuance of the $8,700,000 issuance of the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2024 and for the initial levy of property tax for the payment of the bonds. The Levy would begin in Fiscal Year 2025.
Ryan Schlabaugh moved to approve the resolution authorizing the issuance of not to exceed $8,700,000 issuance of the General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2024 and levying a tax for the payment thereof and read from the resolution. Mary Allred seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Gabrielle Frederick - yes; Mary Allred - yes; Jed Seward - yes; Ryan Schlabaugh - yes; Randy Billups - yes; Jake Snider - yes; Denise Chittick - yes
Motion carried 7-0.
Board Development and Inservice Activities
Stone has more information on the Safety Grant and it is in process.
Stone also noted his excitement for the change in format. He would like to bring an IASB tabletop Board exercise to a number of the Work Sessions, initially. And then evaluate this activity with the Board to see if it should continue and the frequency with which these are used.
Announcements and Suggestions for Next Agenda
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, February 26, 2024, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room. Agenda items to include: A resolution to give authority to spend the Flexibility Funds after tonight’s approval of the transfer of the funds to the Flexibility Accounts, Second Reading of Board Policy 210.2; Second Reading of Board Policy 213; Set a Public Hearing for the Proposed Tax Notice for 2024-2025 for March 25, 2024, at 6:15 p.m.-one item meeting before the Scheduled Board meeting at 6:30pm with a quorum required at both meetings; Bring Pricing for Discussion on the Fine Arts projects discussed at this meeting; Discuss a Policy on Protection of Staff; Review Series 200 Board Policies—per schedule review; and Concurrent Enrollment Trends discussion on developments.
Board Highlights
Allred, Frederick, Snider, and Chittick – Appreciation of the discussion and interaction on the various topics; Appreciated the difference of opinions expressed on the topics
Seward – Can the Fine Arts project items be brought to the next meeting?
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
President, Jake Snider
Secretary, Jeffrey C. Swartzentruber
Published in The News, Thursday, February 22, 2024 L-487
