Belle Plaine, Iowa
April 16, 2026
A public hearing and regular meeting of the Belle Plaine Community School District Board of Education was held on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the board room at Longfellow Elementary, Belle Plaine.
Members Present: Val Coffman, Alicia Jacobi, Scott Frank, Andy Neuhaus
Members Absent: Tylar Gallagher
Administration Present: Chad Straight, Kelly Scott
Administration Absent Heather Coover
Board Secretary Present: Stacey Kolars
Visitors Present: Community Members
Press Representative: None
The meeting was called to order by President Coffman at 6:00 p.m.
AGENDA
Motion Frank, second Neuhaus to approve the agenda. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
DELEGATIONS-There were no delegations.
PUBLIC HEARING on 2026-2027 (FY27) BELLE PLAINE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET
A Public Hearing was held on the FY27 Belle Plaine CSD Budget for members of the audience and board members to ask questions or make comments on the proposed FY27 budget. There were no questions or comments.
PUBLIC HEARING ON 2025-2026 (FY26) BELLE PLAINE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET AMENDMENT
A Public Hearing was held on the FY26 Belle Plaine CSD Budget Amendment for members of the audience and board members to ask questions or make comments on the proposed FY26 budget amendment to allow for increased expenditures, if necessary. There were no questions or comments.
APPROVAL OF THE 2026-2027 (FY27) BELLE PLAINE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET
There was motion by Frank, second by Jacobi to approve the FY27 Belle Plaine CSD school district budget and a property tax rate of $15.79874 for the 2026-2027 year. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
APPROVAL OF THE 2025-2026 (FY26) BUDGET AMENDMENT
There was motion by Jacobi, second by Neuhaus to approve the FY26 Belle Plaine CSD Budget Amendment as presented to allow for increased expenditures, if necessary. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
The consent agenda items were considered. After discussion, there was motion by Jacobi, second by Neuhaus to approve the consent agenda items as follows:
1. Approval of the minutes of the March 4, 2026 Special Meeting; the March 11, 2026 Meeting and the March 26, 2026 Special Meeting
2. Approval of the bills, payroll and financial statements
3. Personnel/Business Items:
a. Acceptance of Resignations
1. Makenna Evans-Guidance Counselor
2. Rebecca Greene-Elementary Special Education
3. Ryan Fisher-Secondary Art
4. Lindsay Ginther-HS Student Council
All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
REPORTS
Principal Scott, Principal Coover and Superintendent Straight each gave their respective reports to the Board.
COMMUNICATIONS
There were no communications
OLD BUSINESSS
- Action/Discussion on PPEL/SAVE items
Prior to the board meeting, a tour was directed by Rod Blount, Maintenance Director through the facilities to determine building/property needs for upcoming PPEL/SAVE projects. No action was taken on this item.
BUSINESS ITEMS - Employment of Personnel-There was motion by Neuhaus, second by Frank to approve the employment of the following personnel:
Lily Walk and Sunnie Mall-summer school teachers
Ty Alcott-Volunteer Baseball assistant
All voted, “aye.” Motion carried. - Action/Discussion on OPN Presentation, Drawings, and Information-OPN Architects were present at the meeting to present up-to-date drawings of the planned facilities project and to discuss and plan the timeline for the project and bidding processes. No action was taken on this item.
- Public Hearing on 2026-2027 BP School Calendar-A public hearing was held on the 2026-2027 Proposed Belle Plaine School Calendar for comments and questions from staff/community/students.
- Action/Discussion on 2026-2027 BP School Calendar-After discussion regarding J-term and professional development days, the board agreed to bring the 2026-2027 back to the agenda for action in May.
- Action/Discussion on Board Priorities-Brief discussion took place on the summary of the board’s workshop regarding new goals and priorities for the district. No action was taken on this item.
- Action/Discussion on Negotiated Agreement with BPEA-There was motion by Frank, second by Neuhaus to approve the negotiated agreement with the BPEA for the 2026-2027 year for one year. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
- Approval of Issuance of Teacher and Extracurricular Contracts and Raises for the 2026-2027 School Year-Since the negotiated agreement with the BPEA for the 2026-2027 year was approved, there was motion by Neuhaus, second by Frank to approve the issuance of teacher and extracurricular contracts and raises for the 2026-2027 year. The negotiation agreement allows for a 2.5% increase to base wages (not including TSS or TLC) for the 2026-2027 year. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
- Approval of Raises/Issuance of Employee Contracts for Food Service Employees, Superintendent Secretary, Transportation Director, Food Service Director, Maintenance Director, Business Manager, Activity Director for the 2026-2027 School Year-There was motion by Neuhaus, second by Frank to approve a 2.5% raise, and for issuance of the 2026-2027 contracts for the above mentioned employees. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
- Approval of Raises and Issuance of Contracts for Administrators for 2026-2027-There was motion by Frank, Second by Neuhaus to approve a 2.5% raise and for issuance of the 2026-2027 contracts for the Administrators for the 2026-2027 school year. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
There was motion by Neuhaus second by Frank to adjourn the meeting at 8:07 p.m. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
Valerie Coffman, Board President Stacey Kolars, Board Secretary/Treasurer/Business Manager
Belle Plaine, Iowa
April 29, 2026
A special meeting of the Belle Plaine Community School District Board of Education was held on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. in the board room at Longfellow Elementary, Belle Plaine.
Members Present: Val Coffman, Scott Frank, Andy Neuhaus. Tylar Gallagher
Members Absent: Alicia Jacobi
Administration Present: Chad Straight
Superintendent Secretary Present: Kristy Baburek
Visitors Present: None
Press Representative: None
The meeting was called to order by President Coffman at 6:00 p.m.
AGENDA
Motion Frank, second Coffman to approve the agenda. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
DELEGATIONS-There were no delegations.
BUSINESS ITEMS
- Action/Discussion on Gym, Weight Room and Other Areas etc in Zoom Call with OPN Architects-
Discussion between the board and OPN Architects took place via Zoom regarding the bond project that included the areas of the gym, weight room and gym floor. No action was taken on this item.
There was motion by Frank, second by Coffman to adjourn the meeting at 5:08 p.m. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
Valerie Coffman, Board President Stacey Kolars, Board Secretary/Treasurer/
Business Manager
Belle Plaine, Iowa
April 29, 2026
A special meeting of the Belle Plaine Community School District Board of Education was held on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the board room at Longfellow Elementary, Belle Plaine.
Members Present: Val Coffman, Scott Frank, Andy Neuhaus. Tylar Gallagher arrived late at 6:05 p.m.
Members Absent: Alicia Jacobi
Administration Present: Chad Straight
Superintendent Secretary Present: Kristy Baburek
Visitors Present: None
Press Representative: None
The meeting was called to order by President Coffman at 6:00 p.m.
AGENDA
Motion Frank, second Neuhaus to approve the agenda. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
DELEGATIONS-There were no delegations.
BUSINESS ITEMS
- Employment of Personnel-There was motion by Neuhaus, second by Frank to approve the employment of the following personnel:
Becky Herman, STEM teacher; Jacey Gates, elementary special education teacher; Jacey Reineke, JH Softball volunteer; Crystal Stevenson, Guidance Counselor; Neva Kirby, Art teacher. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried. - Approval of Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of Not to Exceed $7,950,000 General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2026, and Levying a Tax for the Payment Thereof –
The following resolution was presented and read to the board:
Director Neuhaus introduced the following Resolution and moved its adoption. Director Frank seconded the motion to adopt. The roll was called, and the vote was: Coffman, “aye;” Frank, “aye;” Neuhaus, “aye.” There were no Nays. Motion carried.
The President declared the Resolution adopted as follows:
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF NOT TO EXCEED $7,950,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION SCHOOL BONDS, SERIES 2026, AND LEVYING A TAX FOR THE PAYMENT THEREOF
WHEREAS, the Belle Plaine Community School District in the Counties of Iowa, Benton, Tama and Poweshiek, State of Iowa, is a public school corporation, organized and existing under the Constitution and laws of the State of Iowa, and is not affected by any special legislation; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the School District in accordance with Iowa Code chapter 296 received a petition, which was signed by qualified electors numbering at least 25% the voters voting at the last regular school election, asking that an election be called, and at a meeting called by the President of the Board of Directors, within the ten days after receipt of the petition, called an election and submitted on November 4, 2025 the following proposition:
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?
AND gave notice of the election and of the proposition; and
WHEREAS, the election was conducted on the date and the proposition was legally submitted, approved, and no contest was made; and
WHEREAS, the election was conducted on date and the proposition was legally submitted, approved, and no contest was made; and
WHEREAS, none of the Bonds authorized at the election have been issued, and it is now necessary to issue not to exceed $7,950,000 General Obligation School Bonds, and to levy a tax for the payment:
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE BELLE PLAINE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, IN THE COUNTIES OF IOWA, BENTON, TAMA AND POWESHIEK, STATE OF IOWA: Section 1. Authorization of the Issuance of General Obligation School Bonds. General Obligation School Bonds in the amount of not to exceed $7,950,000 (the “Bonds”) shall be issued pursuant to the provisions of Iowa Code chapter 296 for the purposed approved at the election of November 4, 2025. Additional action shall be taken by the Board of Directors to provide for the issuance of the Bonds upon the sale of the Bonds. Section 2. Levy of Annual Tax. For the purpose of providing funds to pay the principal and interest of the Bonds authorized to be issued, there is levied for each fiscal year the following direct annual tax on all the taxable property in the Belle Plaine Community School District in the Counties of Iowa, Benton, Tama and Poweshiek, State of Iowa:
Amount Fiscal Year Ending June 30
$438,130 2027
$456,871* 2028
$458,271* 2029
$459,271* 2030
$459,871* 2031
$460,071* 2032
$459,871* 2033
$459,271* 2034
$458,271* 2035
$456,871* 2036
$460,071* 2037
$457,671* 2038
$459,871* 2039
$456,471* 2040
$457,671* 2041
$458,271* 2042
$458,271* 2043
$457,671* 2044
$461,471* 2045
$458,876* 2046
*Based upon the terms of sale of the Bonds to be issued, the Board will take final action upon the sale of the Bonds to issue the Bonds by amendment to this Resolution (“Amended Resolution”). The Amended Resolution will provide for the assessment of an annual levy upon all the taxable property in the School District sufficient to pay the interest and principal of the Bonds within a period not exceeding twenty (20) years and will be filed with the County Auditor of each County in which the School District is located. The filing provides that the Auditor annually levy for collection from the taxable property of the School District until the funds are realized to pay the bonds in full.
A certified copy of this Resolution shall be filed with the County Auditors of the Counties of Iowa, Benton, Tama and Poweshiek, State of Iowa, who are instructed in and for each of the years, to levy, assess, and collect the tax in the same manner as other taxes of the School District and, when collected, these taxes shall be used only for the purpose of paying principal and interest on the Bonds.
Principal and interest coming due at any time when the proceeds of the tax on hand are insufficient to pay the amount due shall be promptly paid when due from current funds of the District available for that purpose and reimbursement must be made.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 29th day of April, 2026.
Signed: Valerie Coffman, President of the Board of Directors
Signed: Stacey M. Kolars, Secretary of the Board of Directors
There was motion by Gallager, second by Neuhaus to adjourn the meeting at 6:06 p.m. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
Valerie Coffman, Board President Stacey Kolars, Board Secretary/Treasurer/
Business Manager
Jim Magdefrau 