Belle Plaine, Iowa
August 13, 2025 Regular Meeting/Public Hearing
A public hearing and regular board meeting of the Belle Plaine Community School District Board of Education was held on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. in the board room at Longfellow Elementary, Belle Plaine.
Members Present: Val Coffman, Rima Johnson, Alicia Jacobi, Tylar Gallagher, Andy Neuhaus
Members Absent: None
Administration Present: Chad Straight, Kelly Scott
Administration Absent: Heather Coover
Board Secretary/Treasurer 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 with the Addendum: Action/Discussion on Emergency Action Plan. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
DELEGATIONS
None
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
The consent agenda items were considered. There was motion by Johnson, 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 the minutes of the July 9, 2025 Regular Meeting/Public Hearing
- Approval of bills, payroll and financial statements
- Personnel/Business Items:
- Acceptance of Resignations-There were no resignations.
PRINCIPAL REPORTS-Secondary Principal, Kelly Scott) and Elementary Principal, Heather Coover (not in attendance) gave their respective reports to the board.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Superintendent Straight gave his report to the board.
COMMUNICATIONS
Board Secretary/Treasurer Stacey Kolars informed the board and community members in attendance that the school board election date is November 4, 2025. There are three open seats on the ballot. If anyone is interested in running for school board, please pick up papers at the business office located at Longfellow Elementary. 21 signatures are needed, and paperwork can be filed in-person at the Benton County Auditor’s office at the courthouse in Vinton, or filed in-person with the Board Secretary Treasurer. The earliest day to file paperwork is August 25th and the last date to file is September 18th.
OLD BUSINESS
Action/Discussion on PPEL/SAVE Projects-
Discussion took on current projects and summer projects.
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Approval of the Employment of Personnel-There was not action on this item.
1a. Addendum: Action/Discussion on Emergency Action Plan for 2025-2026 – Discussion took place regarding current changes to the Emergency Action Plan for 2025-2026. After discussion, there was motion by Neuhaus, second by Gallagher to approve the plan for 2025-2026. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
2. Action/Discussion on Final Student Handbook Revisions-Kelly Scott, Secondary Principal discussed changes he would like to see in the secondary student handbook regarding late work assignments including a 50% credit policy for turning in late work versus turning it in on-time. After discussion, there was motion by Gallagher, second by Johnson to approve Principal Scott’s changes to the secondary student handbook for the 2025-2026 school year. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
3. Action/Discussion on 2nd Reading of Board Policies 104; 104E1; 211; 402.02; 402.03; 405.02; 411.02; 501.03; 501.09; 505.05; 507.01; 603.05-The board reviewed the policies from the first reading. After review, there was motion by Gallagher, second by Neuhaus to approve the second reading of these policies. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
4. Action/Discussion on Audit Proposal between BPCSD and Nolte, Cornman and Johnson, P.C. for Fiscal Years 2024-2025 through 2026-2027- There was motion by Jacobi, second by Neuhaus to approve audit proposal and agreement with Nolte, Cornman and Johnson for fiscal years FY24-FY27. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
5. Resolution Ordering an Election on the Issuance of Bonds not to Exceed $7,950,000 General Obligation School Bonds – The President of the Board called the meeting together and stated that a Petition had been filed purporting to be signed by eligible electors of the School District numbering at least 25% of those voting at the last election of school officials. The Petition requests that an election be called on the issuance of bonds in an amount not to exceed $7,950,000, to provide funds to construct, furnish, and equip additions to the elementary building, including a cafeteria, entrance, and storage areas, and to the secondary building, including a gymnasium with a walking track, weightroom, concession area, and related spaces, and parking and site improvements.
The President submitted the Petition to the Board which examined the Petition. 667 qualified electors voted at the last election of school officials; the number of eligible electors who have signed the petition is 206.
Director Neuhaus introduced the following Resolution and moved its adoption. Director Gallagher seconded the motion to adopt. The roll was called and the vote was: AYES-Neuhaus; Gallagher; Jacobi; Johnson; Coffman. NAYS-None
The President declared the Resolution adopted as follows:
RESOLUTION ORDERING AN ELECTION ON THE ISSUANCE OF $7,950,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION SCHOOL BONDS
WHEREAS, there has been filed with the President of this Board a Petition of eligible electors of this School District asking that an election be called to submit the question of contracting indebtedness and issuing bonds of the School District in an amount not to exceed $7,950,000 to provide funds to construct, furnish, and equip additions to the elementary building, including a cafeteria, entrance, and storage areas, and to the secondary building, including a gymnasium with a walking track, weightroom, concession area, and related spaces, and parking and site improvements; and
WHEREAS, this Board has examined the Petition and finds that it is signed by eligible electors of the School District numbering at least 25% of those voting at the last election of school officials and that the purposes set forth in the petition cannot be accomplished within the limit of one and one-quarter percent of the assessed value of the taxable property in the School District; and WHEREAS, the proposal for the issuance of Bonds or any other proposal incorporating any portion of it has not or will not have been submitted to the qualified electors of the School District for a period of at least six months prior to the date of election being called in these Proceedings;
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED BY THE BELLE PLAINE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, IN THE COUNTIES OF IOWA, BENTON, TAMA AND POWESHIEK, STATE OF IOWA:
Section 1. That an election is called of the qualified electors of the Belle Plaine Community School District in the Counties of Iowa, Benton, Tama and Poweshiek, State of Iowa, on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. The following public measure is approved, and the Secretary is authorized and directed to submit and file the public measure for the Ballot with the Benton County Commissioner of Elections no later than 12:00 noon on the day following the last day on which nomination petitions can be filed.
PUBLIC MEASURE ___
Shall the Board of Directors of the Belle Plaine Community School District in the Counties of Iowa, Benton, Tama and Poweshiek, State of Iowa, be authorized to contract indebtedness and issue General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $7,950,000 to construct, furnish, and equip additions to the elementary building, including a cafeteria, entrance, and storage areas, and to the secondary building, including a gymnasium with a walking track, weightroom, concession area, and related spaces, and parking and site improvements?
[END OF BALLOT LANGUAGE]
Section 2. That the notice of the election and ballot form used at the election shall be prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Iowa Code and Iowa Administrative Rules.
Section 3. That the Election Board for the Voting Precinct or precincts be appointed by the County Commissioner of Elections for each County conducting an election, not less than 15 days before the election.
Section 4. The Commissioner of Elections for each County conducting an election is requested and directed to make publication of the Notice of Election at least once, not less than four days nor more than twenty days prior to the election, in a newspaper that meets the requirements of Section 49.53(2), Code of Iowa.
Section 5. The Commissioner of Elections for each county conducting an election is requested and directed to mail, to each registered voter in the District, a Notice of Election that includes the full text of the public measures to be voted on, not less than ten days nor more than twenty days prior to the election. Benton County, Iowa is the Controlling County for this election.
Section 6. Benton County, Iowa is the Controlling County for this election.
Section 7. That the County Commissioner of Elections for each County conducting an election shall prepare all ballots and election registers and other supplies necessary for the proper and legal conduct of this election and the Secretary of the Board is directed to cooperate with these Commissioners of Elections in the preparation of the necessary proceedings.
Section 8. That the Secretary is directed to file a certified copy of this Resolution in the Office of the County Commissioner of Elections of the Controlling County to constitute the “written notice” to the County Commissioner of Elections of the election date, required to be given by the governing body under the provisions of Chapter 47, Code of Iowa.
| PASSED AND APPROVED this 13th day of August, 2025. President of the Board of Directors, Valerie Coffman |
| ATTEST: Secretary of the Board of Directors, Stacey Kolars |
6. Discussion of Board Goals and Progress-
The board discussed the district’s goals and progress on these goals throughout the current school year.
There was motion by Neuhaus, second by Jacobi to adjourn the meeting at 7:51 p.m. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
Valerie Coffman, Board President Stacey Kolars, Board Secretary/Treasurer
Jim Magdefrau 