Belle Plaine, Iowa

January 8, 2025

The regular board meeting of the Belle Plaine Community School District Board of Education was held on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. in the board room at Longfellow Elementary, Belle Plaine. 

Members Present: Val Coffman, Rima Johnson, Tylar Gallagher, Andy Neuhaus, Alicia Jacobi

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 Gallagher to approve the agenda. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 

The consent agenda items were considered.  There was motion by Neuhaus, second by Johnson 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 December 11, 2024 meeting and the December 19, 2024 special meeting.
2. Approval of Bills, payroll and Financial Statements
3.  Personnel/Business Items:
4.  Acceptance of Resignations-Tricia Szalkowski from teacher, elementary special education 

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

Thank you notes were received from Melisa Kriegel thanking the board for the holiday pies.  The legislative forum will be held January 30, 2025 in Brooklyn.  RSVP to Stacey by January 10, 2025

OLD BUSINESS

Action/Discussion on PPEL/SAVE Projects-

Discussion took on current projects and potential projects.  

BUSINESS ITEMS

1. Approval of the Employment of Personnel-There was motion by Gallagher, second by Neuhaus to approve Brock Flack for assistant softball coach.  All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.

2. Presentations by Architecture Companies/Construction Manager Companies-Presentations were given by three architecture/construction management companies.  Denovo (Construction Management Company), CMBA Architects, and OPN Architects.  Doug DeMeulenaere was in the audience and commented on his own company Garling Construction.   After the presentations, discussion took place on the next steps the board would be taking to move forward with a potential bond referendum for facility improvements at both the Jr/Sr High School and the Longfellow Elementary.  No action was taken on this item.

3.  Action/Discussion on At Risk/Drop Out Prevention Application and MSA – There was motion by Johnson, second by Jacobi to approve the At/Risk Drop Out Prevention Application for MSA in the amount of $151,080.  All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.

4.  Discussion of 4-Day School Week – Discussion took place on the potential of the district moving to a 4-day school week.  Information was shared regarding the potential pros/cons for moving to this schedule that included scheduling, day care scenarios, lunches on the day off, student/teacher attendance and academic variances.  Questions from parents/staff and community members were considered.  The next step in the consideration process will be for the SIAC Committee to meet and a public forum will be held to share more information and staff/parent/community questions and opinions.  A decision regarding potentially moving to the 4-day work will be made by the board in March, 2025.  No action was taken on this item.

5. Action/Discussion on Meeting Date and Time for Special Meeting- There was motion by Neuhaus, second by Johnson for a special meeting and closed session (for the superintendent’s evaluation) to be held on February 26, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.  All voted, “aye.” Motion carried. 

6.  Discussion on Progress Monitoring Board Priorities – The board reviewed and discussed the district’s progress on the established board priorities listing.  No action was taken on this item.

There was motion by Johnson, second by Gallagher to adjourn the meeting at 9:25 p.m. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.

Valerie Coffman, Board President
Stacey Kolars, Board Secretary