Belle Plaine, Iowa
April 23, 2024 Special Meeting

A special meeting of the Belle Plaine Community School District Board of Education was held on Tuesday, April 24, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. in the board room at Longfellow Elementary, Belle Plaine.
Members Present: Val Coffman, Alicia Jacobi, Rima Johnson, Tylar Gallagher, Andy Neuhaus
Members Absent: None
Administration Present: Chad Straight, Ryan Devereux, Heather Coover
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 Neuhaus, second Johnson to approve the agenda. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
DELEGATIONS
There were no delegations.
BUSINESS ITEMS

1. Approval of Employment of Personnel-There was motion by Jacobi, second by Gallagher to approve the employment of Hannah Kiel and Brittany Foelkdahl as 1^st grade teachers, and Brant DeMeulenaere as varsity boys’ basketball coach.  All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
2. Action/Discussion on Senior Awards Night and Commencement – Discussions took place on senior awards night and the upcoming commencement ceremony. Parents in attendance were invited to speak on the matter of their children being represented at Senior Awards Night as dual enrolled homeschooled students that also participated in coursework and activities through Belle Plaine schools. After hearing from parents in the audience and further discussion, there was motion by Jacobi, second by Johnson to recognize dual enrolled students at the senior awards night ceremony with a home school dual enrolled certificate. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried. Further discussion took place regarding commencement and graduation ceremonies. Comments were heard from parents and a student regarding their request for their child to walk at the graduation ceremony in cap and gown. There was motion by Neuhaus, second by Johnson to leave the current commencement ceremony as it currently is, but to look at Home School Assistance Programming and policies for the future for the Belle Plaine CSD. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
   3. Action/Discussion on FY25 Local Government Risk Pool for Natural Gas Participation Agreement – The Belle Plaine CSD participates in a government risk pool for its purchase of natural gas which saves the district a considerable amount of money. After discussion, there was motion by Neuhaus, second by Johnson to approve the FY25 Local Government Risk Pool participation for the Belle Plaine CSD. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.

There was motion by Jacobi, second by Neuhaus to adjourn the meeting at 7:23 p.m. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.

Valerie Coffman, Board President
Stacey Kolars, Board Secretary