Belle Plaine, Iowa

February 10, 2025

A special board meeting of the Belle Plaine Community School District Board of Education was held on Monday, February 10, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. in the gymnasium 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 Johnson to approve the agenda. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.

BUSINESS ITEMS

Discussion of Four Day School Week (Public Forum)-A public forum was held for community members, parents, board members and administration to discuss the possibility of the Belle Plaine CSD moving to a four-day school week beginning in the next school year (2025-2026).  Parents presented questions to forum moderator, Ben Reineke regarding potential scheduling activities, transportation, parent schedules versus student schedules, day care, meals, band/choir scheduling, substitute teachers, academics and hours of instruction.  Discussion was also held regarding feedback from teachers as well as students, student/teacher access on days off, state-mandated instruction time requirements, and feedback from other school districts and administrators that have already moved to the four-day week.

There will be more discussion at the next regular board meeting before the board will decide on whether or not to make the move to the four-day school week in the 2025-2026 year.  A decision will likely be made by the board at the next regular meeting in March.

There was motion by Jacobi, second by Gallagher to adjourn the meeting at 7:53 p.m. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.

Valerie Coffman, Board President
Stacey Kolars, Board Secretary