Belle Plaine, Iowa

December 13, 2023

An organizational meeting of the Belle Plaine Community School District Board of Education was held on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 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. All voted, “aye.”  Motion carried.

DELEGATIONS

There were no delegations.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM NOVMEBER 8, 2023 MEETING

There was motion by Johnson, second by Reineke to approve the minutes of the November 8, 2023 board meeting. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.

ACCEPT THE ABSTRACT OF ELECTION

Board Secretary Kolars reviewed the abstract of the school board election.  In summary, Alicia Jacobi received 475 votes, Shirley Coles received 167 votes, Benjamin Reineke received 416 votes and Tylar Gallagher received 482 votes.  Jacobi, Reineke and Gallagher were duly elected to the Belle Plaine School Board for a term period of four years.  There was motion by Beck, second by Reineke to accept the abstract of election.  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:  Tylar Gallagher, Val Coffman, Ben Reineke, Rima Johnson, Alicia Jacobi.  Absent: None.

SWEAR INTO OFFICE NEW BOARD MEMBERS

Board Secretary Kolars swore in the newly elected school board members and gave the oath of office to Ben Reineke, Alicia Jacobi and Tylar Gallagher.

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 Jacobi.  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 Reineke, second by Johnson 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 Gallagher 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

Condolences were sent to the family of Joanne Quissel after her recent passing.  Joanne was a long time teacher for the Belle Plaine CSD.

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 Ashton Bohlen as the JH Girls’ track coach and Robotics volunteers, Derrick Okine, Matt Moore, and Steph Hook as well as wrestling volunteer, Jesse Drahos.  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 Reineke 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 Jacobi, second by Gallagher 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 Bonding Discussion with Travis Squires of Piper Sandler and CO.  Travis Squires and associate were present at the board meeting to discuss financial information and potential time lines for a possible bond issue in the future.  No action was taken on this item.

5.  Focus on Education: TAG Program- Gina Miller, TAG Teacher was present at the meeting to discuss the district’s TAG program and present the per grade curriculum, programming and structure of the TAG program. No action was taken on this item.

6. Discussion of IASB Convention-Tylar Gallagher, Alicia Jacobi and Superintendent Straight attended the annual IASB Convention in Des Moines last month.  Each presented information regarding the sessions they attended respectively.  No action was taken on this item.

7.  Action/Discussion on First Reading of Board Policies 405.02, 405.08, 501.03, 505.08

There was motion by Reineke, second by Johnson to approve the first reading of board policies 405.02, 405.08, 501.03 and 505.08.  All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.

8.  Action/Discussion on Hiring a Secondary Full Time Sub Next Semester-After discussion, there was motion by Gallagher, second by Johnson to advertise for a full time substitute teacher who will sub at both the secondary and elementary levels.  All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.

9.  Action/Discussion on Attendance at the Legislative Forum in Brooklyn-A legislative forum will be held on Thursday, January 25, 2023 in Brooklyn.  Superintendent Straight asked the board members to let Board Secretary Kolars know if they were interested in attending.  No action was taken on this item.

10.  Action/Discussion on Core Values-After discussion, there was motion by Reineke, second by Gallagher to approve the district’s core values as follows:  P-Personal Responsibility; R-Respect; I-Integrity; D-Determination; E-Excellence (PRIDE).  All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.

11.  Action/Discussion on Appointing a Board Member to Serve on the County Conference Board-There was motion by Jacobi, second by Johnson to appoint Tylar Gallagher to represent the Belle Plaine CSD on the County Conference Board.  All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.

12.  Action/Discussion on Door Quote and Intercom Quote based on Safety Grant-There was motion by Reineke, second by Jacobi to approve a listing of door and intercom quotes for Superintendent Straight to submit for possible safety grant funding.  All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.

There was motion by Reineke, second by Gallagher to adjourn the meeting at 8:59 p.m.  All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.

Val Coffman, Board President
Stacey Kolars, Board Secretary