Belle Plaine, Iowa
July 10, 2024

A regular meeting of the Belle Plaine Community School District Board of Education was held on Wednesday, July 10, 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-Ivy Hultquist requested to speak to Agenda Item #4.
Press Representative: None
The meeting was called to order by President Coffman at 6:30 p.m.
AGENDA
Motion Neuhaus, second Gallagher to approve the agenda with the exception of moving Business Item #5 to the last item on 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 Neuhaus, second by Jacobi 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 June 12, 2024 Board Meeting Minutes.
2. Approval of bills, payroll, financial statements.
3. Personnel/Business Items:
a. Acceptance of Resignations-Greg Prather, teacher; Brandon Mantz, JHFB coach.
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
The Belle Plaine drama department received a generous donation from Fran Magdefrau on behalf of the Belle Plaine Community Theater Group.
OLD BUSINESS
Action/Discussion on PPEL/SAVE Projects – Discussion took place on current district needs for the buildings over the summer months. No action was taken on this item.

BUSINESS ITEMS

1. Approval of the Employment of Personnel-There was motion by Jacobi, second by Gallagher to approve the following personnel: Julie Mantz-AD; Matthew Mengler-Head Cross Country; Brandon Mantz, Assistant Boys’ Basketball and Asst. Cross Country; Nick Lamphier, Physical Education; Justin Baumert, Associate; Tina Collingwood, foodservice; TLC Positions: Holly Vido, Elementary Instructional Coach; Lisa Daily, Jr/Sr High school Advisor/PD Lead; Holly Gates, PK-3 Lead; Clara Kienitz, 4-6 Lead; Susan Mattmiller, 7-12 ELA/SS/Spanish/Special Ed Lead; Lindsay Maston, 7-12 Math/Science/STEM/Special Ed Lead; John Daniels, 7-12 Vocational/PE/Art Lead; Mentor Teachers-Andy Dahlquist, Julie Mantz, Deb Maxwell, Holly Gates, Melisa Kriegel, Beth Parrott; Technology Integrationist, Gina Miller; Data Leads-Lew Ginder, Gina Miller, Beth Parrott, Julie Mantz.
2. Action/Discussion on Listing House, Timeline, Etc. – Discussion took place regarding the current status of the house project. The board was in agreement that the listing process would take place in August after the completion of the project. No action was taken on this item.
3. Action/Discussion on Second Reading of Board Policy 803.2 Sale of Property -Superintendent Straight recommended the board approve the second reading of Board Policy 803.2-Sale of Property. There was motion by Johnson, second by Neuhaus to approve the second reading of Policy 803.2. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
4. Action/Discussion on HSAP Program – Discussion took place regarding the district’s interest in participating in a shared HSAP Program through the Vinton/Shellsburg District. After discussion took place regarding funding, dual enrollment processes, and comments from Ivy and Aaron Hultquist, as well as other community members present, there was motion by Jacobi, to approve the shared HSAP Program for one year and to reassess for further participation. The motion was amended by Neuhaus to include the language stating as long as the district receives the dual enrollment funding. There was second by Johnson. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
   5. Action/Discussion on All Handbooks – This item was moved to the last business item on the agenda.
   6. Action/Discussion on Camera Quotes for Secondary – Quotes were received from Walsh Company, and Tri-City Electric for on site server and camera systems as well as quotes for an off-site server (cloud-based) camera system from the same companies. After review and discussion, there was motion by Gallagher, second by Jacobi to approve the cloud-based service and camera system by Avigilon (Tri-City Electric quote) for both the elementary and secondary schools. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
5. Action/Discussion on Camera Quotes for Elementary – See action taken on Business Item #6.
6. Action/Discussion on Hiring a Full Time Custodian-There was motion by Jacobi, second by Gallagher to hire another full-time custodian for the 2024-2025 school year. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
7. Action/Discussion on Branding-Discussion took place on the branding follow-up and artwork received back. No action was taken on this item.
8. Discussion on Zoning Update for New House Project-Discussion took place regarding the rezoning process for the new housing project for the school in 24-25. At an earlier hearing the City approved to rezone the old JH lot to residential. Another hearing will be held for further approval soon. No action was taken on this item.
9. Action/Discussion on Door Quotes for Grant-There was motion by Johnson, second by Jacobi to table this item until the August meeting, possibly the September meeting until more quotes are received. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
10. Discussion on the Softball Field Complex/Youth Field-Discussion took place regarding the possibility of adding at least one more field to the HS softball area in order to support youth sports and district tournaments, etc. Discussion took place regarding a possible crow’s nest between the fields, and concessions areas, restrooms and complex configurations. There was motion by Neuhaus, second by Gallagher to move forward with the planning process for this new sports complex proposal. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
11. (Moved to last item) Action/Discussion on All Hanbooks – Discussion took place on the Preschool Handbook, the Longfellow Handbook, the Jr/Sr High School Handbook, and the Athletic Handbook for the 2024-2025 school year. After discussion of proposed changes and review of the Preschool Handbook, there was motion by Jacobi, second by Johnson to approve the Preschool Handbook. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
    After discussion and review of the Longfellow Handbook, there was motion by Johnson, second by Gallagher to approve the Longfellow Handbook. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
    After discussion and review of the Athletic Handbook, there was motion by Jacobi, second by Neuhaus to approve the Athletic Handbook with the changes of adding rules on the wall of the weight room. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
    Lengthy discussion took place regarding the Jr/Sr High School Handbook. There was motion by Neuhuas, second by Johnson to approve the Jr/Sr High School Handbook regarding the discussed changes, and adding the HSAP language, the camera system disclosure statement, adding the PRIDE acronym,
    No cell phones in locker rooms, and attendance policies. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
    The Teacher Handbook will be reviewed at the next board meeting.
    There was motion by Neuhaus, second by Gallagher to adjourn the meeting at 11:01 p.m. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.

Valerie Coffman, Board President Stacey Kolars, Board Secretary