Wellman

Mid-Prairie has been looking into purchasing new vehicles for the district, provided the total cost did not exceed $70,000. District officials identified two 12-passenger Ford vans, which were priced at $33,000 and $34,900.

Earlier this spring, the district sold an older van and a car, both of which had more than 110,000 miles, helping offset the cost of the replacements.

The board later approved the purchase of the two vans, with the total cost not to exceed $70,000.

Policy readings

During policy discussions, board members reviewed topics including handbooks and policy updates, financial goals and investment policies, federal funding compliance, financial reporting procedures, superintendent contracts and evaluations, administrative policies and duties, and succession planning.

Board members also discussed IASB language regarding superintendent contracts, which states that contracts should not exceed three years. Mid-Prairie's current policy, however, references a two-year probationary period, which was in place when Superintendent Brian Stone was hired.

Board Vice President Jake Snider sought clarification on how the probationary period affects the district.

“My understanding is that a superintendent can be terminated without cost during the probationary period, but once that period ends, the district can no longer do so without incurring costs. That’s essentially the main difference between the two, correct?” Snider asked.

Board members agreed with that understanding.

Stone noted that Mid-Prairie's policy currently references two years, while IASB's language uses three years.

“The other component is that we currently have two years, while the state uses three, so it’s simply a matter of whether you want to change that language,” Stone said.

Board members also discussed how former superintendent Mark Schneider worked under one-year contracts. A spring review was used as a commitment process, allowing the board to reaffirm the contract each year instead of using a multi-year agreement.

They also discussed whether to continue conducting two superintendent evaluations each year or move to a single formal review in the fall. 

No decision was made, with members agreeing to revisit the topic with the full board as both Mary Allred and Jed Seward were absent. 

Other business

Following the resignation of boys wrestling coach Duncan McCain, the board approved the hiring of Beau Nieman as the new boys wrestling coach.

The board also held a public hearing regarding flexibility spending. School Business Official Jeff Swartzentruber explained that the district had completed the required steps in the wrong order and needed to hold a hearing before transferring funds to the flexibility account.

Swartzentruber told the board that the district plans to complete the process earlier next year, likely in February or March.

Next meeting

The Mid-Prairie School Board will hold its next meeting on Monday, July 13, at 6:15 p.m. in the Central Office Community Room.