Belle Plaine, Iowa

August 12, 2026

A regular meeting of the Belle Plaine Community School District Board of Education was held on Wednesday, August 12, 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

Members Absent: Alicia Jacobi

Administration Present: Chad Straight, Heather Coover, Kelly Scott

Board Secretary/Treasurer Present: Stacey Kolars

Visitors Present: Interested Patrons

Press Representative: None

The meeting was called to order by President Coffman at 6:00 p.m.

AGENDA

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

DELEGATIONS-Marcia Johnson, Matthew Mengler, Andy Dahlquist, Brandon Heying, April Kressley and Julie Mantz asked to speak to Agenda Item #5 regarding the Policy 504.6-8^th Grade Parcticipation.

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS-The consent agenda items were considered.  There was motion by Neuhaus, second by Frank to approve the following consent items:

1.  Approval of the Minutes of the July 23, 2026 meeting.

2.  Approval of Bills, Payroll, and the Financial Statements

3.  Personnel/Business Items:

a.  Acceptance of Resignation(s)-Lindsay Ginther-Associate and Jennifer Jones-Associate.

All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.

REPORTS-Principals, Heather Coover and Kelly Scott presented their building reports for the Jr/Sr High School and the Longfellow Elementary to the board.  Superintendent Straight also presented his report to the board.

COMMUNICATIONS-There were no communications

OLD BUSINESS-There was brief discussion on the current PPEL/SAVE projects including the horseshoe drive area at the high school, new FOB systems.

BUSINESS ITEMS

1. Approval of Employment of Personnel-There was motion by Neuhaus, second by Gallagher to approve the following personnel:

Cherisse Ward-Volunteer VB Assistant

Laura Goslin-Driver

All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.

2.  Action/Discussion on Architect Drawings and Plans-Representatives from OPN Architects were present to go over current drawings for the building projects.  No action was taken on this item.

3. Action/Discussion on Setting a Public Hearing Date for Proposed Plans, Specifications, Form of Contract and Estimated Cost Prior to Bidding-There was motion by Neuhaus, Second by Gallagher to set a public hearing date for proposed plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimated cost of the district’s building project prior to bidding.  All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.

4.  Action/Discussion on 2^nd Reading of Board Policies 201, 210.05, 210, 401.01, 

409.02, 501.15, 502.03, 503.01, 503.11, 503.11R1, 503.11R2, 507.02, 507.02 E1, 507.02, E3, 603.01, 603.03, 603.06, 604.01, 604.03, 604.03 R1, 604.05, 605.04, 605.04 E1, 

607.01, 713, 804.05. 804.05 E1, 901 – There was motion by Frank, second by Neuhaus to approve the second reading of the above board policies with changes as discussed.  All voted, “aye.”  Motion carried.

5.  Action/Discussion on 2^nd Reading of Board Policy 504.6 8^th Grade Participation-Discussion took place regarding the recommendation of approving board policy 504.6 allowing 8^th grade student to participate in high school sports based on recommendations from staff.  There was input from Marcia Johnson who spoke regarding being in favor of allowing coaches/parents and administrators to make this decision based on the skills of eligible 8^th graders.  Coaches Brandon Heying, Andy Dahlquist, Matthew Mengler, April Kressley and Julie Mantz all spoke stating they would be in favor of allowing 8^th graders the opportunity to play in high school sports.  After further discussion by the board that included school policies in other districts, there was motion by Frank, second by Gallagher to approve the second reading of board policy 504.6 allowing 8^th grade participation in high school activities based on the recommendations from coaches/administration and parents and to develop specific criteria that includes all sports.  Neuhaus voted, “Nay.” Frank, Gallagher and Coffman voted, “aye.” Motion carried.

6.  Action/Discussion on Naming Level 1 Investigator, Althernate Investigator, Homeless Liaison, Title IX Coordinator, Equity Coordinator/Civil Rights and 504 Coordinator-There was motion by Neuhaus, second by Frank to approve Superintendent Straight’s recommendation to approve Kelly Scott as the district’s Level I Investigator, Homeless Liaison, and Equity Coordinator; Heather Coover as the Alternate Levell II Investigator, and 504 Coordinator; Chad Straight as Title IX Coordinator.  All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.

7.  Action/Discussion on Firewall Purchase-There was motion by Neuhaus, second by Gallagher to approve the purchase of a firewall per Superintendent Straight’s recommendation.  All voted, “aye.”  Motion carried.

8. Action/Discussion on Progress Monitoring Board Goals-The board reviewed its current board priorities for 2026-2028.  No action was taken on this item.

There was motion by Gallagher second by Neuhaus to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.

Valerie Coffman, Board President
Stacey Kolars, Board Secretary/Treasurer/Business Manager