Belle Plaine, Iowa
May 14, 2025 Regular Meeting
The regular board meeting of the Belle Plaine Community School District Board of Education was held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. in the board room at Longfellow Elementary, Belle Plaine.
Members Present: Val Coffman, Rima Johnson, Andy Neuhaus, Alicia Jacobi
Members Absent: Tylar Gallagher
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 with the addendum: Action/Discussion on Sponsor Pay, Activity/Sponsor Positions and Insurance Benefit for Administrators, and to move Business Item #4 on Action/Discussion on Elementary Playground to Business Item #2. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
The consent agenda items were considered. There was motion by Jacobi, second by Johnson to approve the consent agenda items. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried. The consent agenda items that were approved are listed below:
- Approval of the minutes of the April 9, 2025 meeting, the April 17, 2025 special board meeting and the May 8, 2025 special board meeting.
- Approval of bills, payroll and financial statements
- Personnel/Business Items:
- Acceptance of Resignations-There were no resignations.
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 to the PTO for providing snacks and meals for teachers and students, and for all they do for the district.
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 Neuhaus, second by Johnson to approve Larissa Marble as a volunteer for the band program and for Scott Nilles as Speed and Agility Sponsor. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
2. Action/Discussion on Elementary Playground Equipment-This item was moved from Business Item #4. Elementary students presented the board with a video presentation as well as an oral presentation on what they considered as priorities for what they would like to see included in the new elementary playground improvements. The seven priorities were listed in order of need/want, and showed examples of the pieces of equipment. No action was taken on this item.
3. Focus on Education: Apprenticeship and Job Shadow-Leah Mast was in attendance to present to the board regarding the current apprenticeship and job shadowing program she currently conducts with 11th and 12th grade students with local businesses.
4.Discussion of Possible Bond and Project- Nick Duffy of OPN Architects was present at the meeting to update the board and community regarding the updates to the project scope and what the next steps would be in the bonding process. The architects are making updates to the drawings and will be finalizing costs before reconvening with the facilities committee in early June.
5. Action/Discussion on Registration Fees for 2025-2026- Superintendent Straight presented the following fees for the 2025-2026 for the board to consider:
Breakfast-$2.35
Adult Breakfast-$3.15
Elem School Lunch-$3.25
7-12 School Lunch-$3.35
Adult Lunch-$5.00 (state requirement)
Milk-$.50
Elem Registration Fees-$45
Sec Registration Fees-$50
Elem Activity Ticket-$45
Sec Activity Ticket-$45
Adult Activity Ticket-$100
Sec Locker/Towel-$25
Driver’s Ed-$350
(Out of district cost for Driver’s Ed pays full course fee).
There was motion by Neuhaus, second by Johnson to approve the fees presented by Superintendent Straight for the 2025-2026 school year. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
6. Action/Discussion on Technology Purchases for Next Year- Superintendent Straight presented technology items along with quoted costs to the board for their review:
| Priority | Item/Action | Estimated Cost |
| 1 | Replace staff devices that are Dell 3490’s and GWAEA spare – 5 Devices | $850 per device ($4250) |
| 2 | Replace staff devices that are Dell 3400’s – 12 Devices | $850 per device ($10,200) |
| 3 | Replace 30 iPads (iPads Airs, 4, 5, 6) | $324 per device ($9720) $20-30 per case ($600-900) |
| 4 | Projectors – replace 2 in Elementary and 2 at HS | $1500 per projector ($6000) $150 per mount ($600) |
| 5 | 80 Chromebooks – Grade 7 and 10 | $275-$299 per device ($22,000-$24,000) Chrome OS Licences $32 per licence ($2560) Bags $34 per bag ($2720) |
After discussion, there was motion by Jacobi, second by Neuhaus to approve the technology purchases as presented for the 25-26 school year. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
7. Addendum: Action/Discussion on Sponsor Pay, Activity/Sport Sponsor Positions and Insurance Benefit for Administrators-
Discussion took place regarding the creation of a social media sponsor, an increase in the sponsor pay for the FBLA position as well as discussion regarding the increase to the administrator insurance benefit that is currently offered. After further discussion, there was motion by Neuhaus, second by Jacobi to approve a social media sponsorship at 3% for Michelle Oliver, a 3% FBLA Sponsor pay for Michelle Oliver, and for a $27,000 insurance benefit for principals, superintendent and the business manager. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
8. Discussion of Board Goals-
The board discussed the district’s goals and progress on these goals throughout the current school year.
There was motion by Jacobi, second by Johnson to adjourn the meeting at 7:43 p.m. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
Valerie Coffman, Board President
Stacey Kolars, Board Secretary
Belle Plaine, Iowa
May 8, 2025
A special board meeting of the Belle Plaine Community School District Board of Education was held on Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. in the board room at Longfellow Elementary, Belle Plaine.
Members Present: Val Coffman, Tylar Gallagher, Andy Neuhaus (via Zoom).
Members Absent: Alica Jacobi, Rima Johnson
Administration Present: Chad Straight
Board Secretary Present: Stacey Kolars
Visitors Present: None
Press Representative: None
The meeting was called to order by President Coffman at 10:00 a.m.
AGENDA
Motion Gallagher, second Neuhaus to approve the agenda. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
The consent agenda items were considered. There was motion by Gallagher, second by Neuhaus to approve the consent agenda items. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried. The consent agenda items that were approved are listed below:
- Approval of bills, payroll and financial statements
- Personnel/Business Items:
- Acceptance of Resignations-Lyle Morrow, transportation director.
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Approval of the Employment of Personnel-There was motion by Neuhaus, second by Gallagher to approve the employment of the following personnel:
Joseph Kelly Scott-7-12 Principal
Megan Harrison-Secondary Associate
Scott Nilles-Head FB
Andy Dahlquist-Head Girls’ Basketball
Michelle Oliver-Dance
Emma Peebles-Flags
Michelle Oliver-Speech
High School Student Council-Lindsay Ginther
All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
There was motion by Gallagher, second by Neuhaus to adjourn the meeting. All voted,“aye.” Motion carried.
Valerie Coffman, Board President Stacey Kolars, Board Secretary
Jim Magdefrau 