Belle Plaine, Iowa

December 14, 2022

An organizational meeting of the Belle Plaine Community School District Board of Education was held on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. in the board room at Longfellow Elementary, Belle Plaine. 

Members Present: Val Coffman, Ben Reineke, Rima Johnson, Stephen Beck, Alicia Jacobi

Members Absent: None

Administration Present: Chad Straight, Heather Coover, Ryan Devereux

Board Secretary Present: Stacey Kolars  

Visitors Present: Interested Patrons

Press Representative: None

The meeting was called to order by President Coffman at 6:30 p.m.

AGENDA

Motion Reineke, second Johnson to approve the agenda with the exception of removing E-Completion of Annual Settlement with Board Treasurer (done in September); Items F-Accept Abstract of Election (there was no election); C-Swear into Office New Board Members (No new board members). All voted, “aye.”  Motion carried.

DELEGATIONS

There were no delegations.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM NOVMEBER 9, 2022 MEETING

There was motion by Johnson, second by Reineke to approve the minutes of the November 9, 2022 board meeting. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT OF CURRENT SCHOOL BOARD

Motion by Beck, second by Reineke to adjourn the current school board.  All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.

ORGANIZATION OF NEW BOARD OF EDUCATION

ROLL CALL AND DECLARATION OF QUORUM

Board Secretary Kolars called the new board to order and declared a quorum. Roll call was taken.  Present:  Stephen Beck, Val Coffman, Ben Reineke, Rima Johnson, Alicia Jacobi.  Absent: None.

ELECTION OF PRESIDENT OF BOARD OF EDUCATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF OATH OF OFFICE TO BOARD PRESIDENT

There was motion by Reineke to elect Valerie Coffman as board president, second by Beck.  All voted, “aye.” Motion carried. The Oath of Office was administered by Board Secretary Kolars.

ELECTION OF VICE PRESIDENT OF BOARD OF EDUCATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF OATH OF OFFICE TO BOARD VICE PRESIDENT

There was motion by Johnson, second by Jacobi to elect Ben Reineke as the board vice president.  All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.  The Oath of Office was administered by Board Secretary Kolars.  

The meeting was turned over to board president, Val Coffman

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion by Johnson, second by Reineke to approve the agenda.  All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.

DELEGATIONS

There were no delegations

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS

The Consent Agenda Items were reviewed and considered.  There was motion by Jacobi, second by Johnson to approve the following:

Approval of bills and financial statements, Acceptance of resignations-none, Nondiscrimination Notice-posted on website.  All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.

PRINCIPAL REPORTS-Secondary Principal, Ryan Devereux and Elementary Principal, Heather Coover gave their respective reports to the board.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Superintendent Straight gave his report to the board

COMMUNICATIONS

President Coffman thanked the Knights of Columbus (8479) for the generous donation to the school in the amount of $1,210 to be used for students with special needs.  

OLD BUSINESS

1.  Action/Discussion on PPEL/SAVE Projects-Discussion took place regarding the current projects that have been completed to date and project priorities for future dates.  No action was taken on this item.

NEW BUSINESS ITEMS

1.  Approval of the Employment of Personnel-There was motion by Reineke, second by Jacobi to approve Brock Flack as asst. girls’ BB coach, Gary Novak as teacher associate, and Brant DeMeulenaere as full time boys’ BB assistant coach.  All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.

2.  Action/Discussion on Setting Date, Time and Place of Regular Board Meetings and Identify Official Publication for Meeting Notices-There was motion by Johnson, second by Jacobi to set the meeting dates/times as the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m.  In the same motion, the Hometown Current was named as the school’s official publication for meeting notices and legal publications.  All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.   

3. Action/Discussion of Firm to Provide Legal Representation for the School District for Upcoming Year-There was motion by Beck, second by Reineke to appoint Brett Nitzschke of the Lynch Dallas Law Firm as legal representation for the district.  All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.

4.  Action/Discussion on Offering Early Retirement-There was motion Reineke, second by Johnson to not offer early retirement for the 2022-2023 

5.  Action/Discussion on Sprinkler Installation Bids-There was motion by Beck, second by Reineke to accept the bid for sprinkler installation at the newly purchased bus barn.  The bid from VFP (Vrban Fire Protection) in the amount of $29,827.00.  All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.  All bids may be viewed in the business office upon request.

6.  Action/Discussion on Legislative Forum Attendance- Anyone interested in attending will contact board secretary Kolars prior to the RSVP date of January 13, 2023.  The legislative forum will take place on January 26, 2023 at the Manatt’s Center in Brooklyn, Iowa with dinner beginning at 6:00 p.m.  No action was taken on this item.

7. Action/Discussion on the School District’s Use of NARCAN-There was motion by Beck, second by Jacobi to approve the school district’s use of NARCAN in the event of a possible opioid overdose by a student/staff member.  The district will receive 5 free kits per location.  All voted, “aye.”  Motion carried.

There was motion by Beck, second by Reineke to adjourn the meeting at 7:34 p.m.  All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.

Val Coffman, Board President Stacey Kolars, Board Secretary