Belle Plaine, Iowa
May 14, 2019 Meeting Minutes

A regular meeting of the Belle Plaine Community School District Board of Education was held on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at 6:45 p.m. in the board room at Longfellow Elementary, Belle Plaine.

Members Present: Marie Stratford, Brad Cook, Valerie Coffman, Rima Johnson, Mike Bachelder

Members Absent: None

Administration Present: Chad Straight

Administration Absent: Heather Coover, Todd Werner

Board Secretary Present: Stacey Kolars

Visitors Present: Interested Patrons

Press Representative: None

The meeting was called to order by President Stratford at 6:45 p.m.

AGENDA
Motion Cook, second Coffman to approve the agenda. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.

DELEGATIONS
There were no delegations.

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
The consent agenda items were considered. There was motion by Cook second by Coffman to approve the consent agenda items. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried. The consent agenda items that were approved are listed below:

1. Approval of the minutes of the April 10, 2019 meeting, the April 25, 2019 special meeting and the May 7, 2019 special meeting/public hearing.
2. Approval of bills, payroll, financial statements.
3. Personnel/Business Items: Acceptance of Resignations-the following resignations were accepted: Scott Nilles-2 hour weight position
   Julie Mantz-prom sponsor

REPORTS
Elementary Principal, Coover and Secondary Principal, Werner

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Superintendent Straight reported on the following:
Architect Group-ISG is in the process of getting furniture bids for our library. We will need to approve them quickly in order to have the furniture prior to the school year.
We will need to fill in with substitute workers to help with grounds keeping this summer.
I have asked Principal Werner to come up with an ACT prep option for our students beginning next school year.
Thank you to the Board of Education for their service, and congratulations to the State track runners.

COMMUNICATIONS
Thank you letters were read from the Surviving Single Class to the Board. A thank you note was received from the faculty thanking the Board for their generosity during Teacher Appreciation Week.

BUSINESS ITEMS

1. Approval of the Employment of Personnel:
   Superintendent Straight recommended the board approve the following personnel:
   Kelly Clark-Food Service Director at $17/hour and benefit amount of $6,900
   Scott Nilles-Junior High Football Coach There was motion by Cook, second by Coffman to approve the approval of personnel recommended by Superintendent Straight. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
2. Focus on Education-Elementary PD and Lesson Development-
   Elementary teacher, Beth Parrott was at the meeting to present examples of strategies used in grades K-6 classrooms that promote collaborative reasoning and interactive, student-lead discussions in the classroom through group/peer activities. These collaborative strategies were introduced to teachers at their professional development sessions with Grant Wood AEA.
3. Action/Discussion on Change to HS Library Remodel Plans-
   There was motion by Bachelder, second by Cook to approve Superintendent Straight’s recommendation to move forward with the completion of much of the library remodeling project on our own using district personnel and PPEL resources instead of replacing flooring and making changes to the ceiling. . All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
4. Action/Discussion Bus Bids for Adding an Activity Bus- Superintendent Straight recommended the board approve the purchase of an activity bus for the 2019-2020 school year. Superintendent Straight stated that two bids had been received:
   Thomas Bus for a 77 passenger bus-$91,533 and for a 83 passenger bus-$98,742
   Hoglund Bus Sales for a 77 passenger diesel-$92,500 and with a rooftop A/C option-$101,500. No bid was given for an 83 passenger bus.
   Brock Haigh recommended the bid from Hoglund Bus Sales for the 77 passenger diesel at the bid price of $92,500. Superintendent Straight made the same recommendation. There was motion by Bachelder, second by Cook to approve their recommendation. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
5. Action/Discussion Taking Bids for Old Buses-
   There was motion by Cook, second by Bachelder to receive bids on the two spare buses, specifically bus #4-02 (2002 Freightliner bus), and bus #9 (2005 Blue Bird bus). If no bids are received or approved, the buses could then be turned in for scrap metal. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
6. Approval of Annual Progress Report Goals-
   Secondary Principal Todd Werner and Elementary Principal Heather Coover presented annual progress goals to the board. There was motion by Johnson, second by Coffman to approve the APR goals for the 2019-2020 school year. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
7. Action/Discussion SIAC Meeting Goals and Summary from April-
   Superintendent Straight informed the board that a meeting had taken place with the SIAC team prior to the April board meeting. Testing data was reviewed as well as vocational program information, capital project updates and input was given from the SIAC team regarding improvements to the school district such as adding 1:1 at the third grade level with the use of Chromebooks, and the utilization of the KHAN academy for all students. Superintendent Straight also stated that the FFA is willing to help support the district’s purchase of new signs.
   There was motion by Cook, second by Coffman to approve the SIAC goals and recommendations. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
8. Action/Discussion on Summer School-
   Superintendent Straight recommended not offering summer school at that point due to the district’s inability to staff the position appropriately. Straight stated that if a qualified applicant would come forward to take the position, the district would offer a summer school program. No action was taken on this item.
9. Action/Discussion on First Reading of Board Policies 204 and 401.10-
   Superintendent Straight recommended the board approve the first reading of board policy 401.10 regarding Credit and Procurement Cards, and the final review of board policy 204 regarding Code of Ethics. After discussion, there was motion by Bachelder, second by Cook to approve Superintendent Straight’s recommendation. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
10. Set Date and Time for Workshop on Academic Programs and Courses-
    There was motion by Coffman, second by Cook to set a board workshop for Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at 4:30 p.m. At this workshop, the principals will present information and updates on current programs and courses in both the elementary and secondary buildings. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
11. Discussion on Graduation Ceremony-
    Superintendent Straight reviewed activities and times with the board involving the graduation commencement ceremony for the Class of 2019 that is set to take place Sunday, May 19, 2019 at 1:00 p.m.
12. Action/Discussion on Late Open Enrollment Requests-
    Superintendent Straight informed the board that two late open enrollment requests had been received for students, Avary Mouchka to attend the Benton Community School District, and Amberly Robbins to attend Iowa Virtual Academy. According to guidelines set by the State, the deadline for submitted open enrollment requests is March 1 for first grade through 12th grade. Superintendent straight recommended the board not approve the late open enrollment requests explaining that in the past, the district has not approved late requests, and he would not like to break set precedents. There was motion by Cook, second by Bachelder to not approve the late open enrollment requests. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried. There was motion by Cook, second by Coffman to adjourn the meeting at 7:49 p.m. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.