Belle Plaine, Iowa
September 9, 2026
A regular meeting of the Belle Plaine Community School District Board of Education was held on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the board room at Longfellow Elementary, Belle Plaine.
Members Present: Val Coffman, Alicia Jacobi, Andy Neuhaus, Tylar Gallagher
Members Absent: Scott Frank
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 Neuhaus, second Gallagher to approve the agenda. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
DELEGATIONS-No delegations
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS-The consent agenda items were considered. There was motion by Neuhaus, second by Gallagher to approve the following consent items:
1. Approval of the Minutes of the August 12, 2026 meeting.
2. Approval of Bills, Payroll, and the Financial Statements
3. Personnel/Business Items:
a. Acceptance of Resignation(s)-Betty Vislisel-Custodian
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-A thank you card was received from Julie Mantz, AD; and track coaches thanking the board for the improvements to the track/field area.
OLD BUSINESS-There was brief discussion on the current PPEL/SAVE projects
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Approval of Employment of Personnel-There was motion by Neuhaus, second by Gallagher to approve the following personnel:
Ray Meck, Custodian; Josie Purk, associate.
All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
2. Recognition of Individual’s Contribution to the BP District-Superintendent Straight stood to recognize Sue Riherd for her many contributions to the school district’s art program. Sue was presented with a framed certificate of recognition and a gift from Gina Miller, art teacher.
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 Jacobi, second by Neuhaus read and approve the following resolution tentatively approve the plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated total cost for the districtwide facilities renovation and expansion project; setting the time, date and location of a public hearing on the project; and authorizing the posting of a notice seeking competitive bids for the project:
September 9, 2026
The Board of Directors of the Belle Plaine Community School District met in open session in the Board Room located at Longfellow Elementary, 707 7th St., Belle Plaine, Iowa 52208, at 6:00 P.M., on the above date. There were present President Coffman, in the chair, and the following named Board Members:
Alicia Jacobi; Tylar Gallagher; Andy Neuhaus
Absent: Scott Frank
* * * * * * *
Board Member Jacobi introduced the following Resolution and moved that the same be adopted. Board Member Neuhaus seconded the motion to adopt. The roll was called and the vote was,
AYES: Neuhaus; Gallagher; Jacobi
NAYS: None
Whereupon, the President declared the following Resolution duly adopted:
RESOLUTION TENTATIVELY APPROVING THE PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT AND ESTIMATE OF TOTAL COST FOR THE BELLE PLAINE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT DISTRICTWIDE FACILITIES RENOVATION AND EXPANSION PROJECT, AND AUTHORIZING AND FIXING A DATE, TIME AND LOCATION FOR HEARING THEREON AND FOR TAKING OF COMPETITIVE BIDS THEREFOR.
WHEREAS, the Board has received preliminary plans and specifications for the Project from its design professional, along with a suggested form of contract and an estimate of the total cost of the Project; and
WHEREAS, the Board deems construction of the Project in accordance with the preliminary plans and specifications advisable and necessary for the District; and
WHEREAS, Iowa Code § 26.12 requires a public hearing be held before the Board can formally adopt the plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimated total cost; and
WHEREAS, in addition to the approval of the plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimated total cost following public hearing, the District is also required to publish a notice to bidders under Iowa Code § 26.7 prior to awarding the contract; and WHEREAS, the Board desires to now set the date of the public hearing and to authorize the publication a notice of public hearing and notice to bidders.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE BELLE PLAINE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, IN THE COUNTY OF BENTON STATE OF IOWA:
Section 1. That construction of the Project is necessary and advisable and should be performed in the manner set forth in the preliminary plans, specifications, and form of contract.
Section 2. That this Board shall set a public hearing on the proposed plans specifications, form of contract, and total estimated cost of the Project for September 30th at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room located at Longfellow Elementary, 707 7th St., Belle Plaine, Iowa 52208.
Section 3. That the Secretary is directed to prepare and publish the Notice of Hearing in accordance with law.
Section 4. That the Secretary is also directed to post, in accordance with all legal requirements, a Notice to Bidders for Belle Plaine Community School District Districtwide Facilities Renovation and Expansion Project.
Section 5. That the Board of Directors hereby delegates to the Superintendent or his designee the duty of receiving, opening and tabulating bids for construction of the Project. Bids shall be received and opened as provided in the notice to bidders and the results of the bids shall be considered at the meeting of this Board on September 30, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED, this 9th day of September, 2026.
4. Action/Discussion on Bonds (Timeline from Piper)– Superintendent Straight presented the proposed timeline from Travis Squiers of Piper regarding the bonding process and timeline for the next steps. After review, there was motion by Neuhaus, second by Gallagher to approved the timeline for the bonding process. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
5. Action/Discussion on Early Graduation Procedures and Requirements-Discussion took place regarding the potential learning requirements for seniors wanting to graduate early at semester. Superintendent Straight mentioned that other districts are adding a workplace learning requirement for these seniors. After discussion, the board decided to do some research and bring this item back to the September 30, 2026 meeting for possible action.
6. Discussion on other Legislative Changes-Superintendent Straight informed the board on other legislative changes that took place as of July 1, 2026 regarding a state cap of 35% on school district’s unspent balances; testing procedures requiring federal identifications to now match state identifications; and requirements that accelerated performing students must be put into accelerated areas unless a parent says, ‘no’.
No action was taken on this item.
7. Action/Discussion on Progress Monitoring Board Goals-The board reviewed its current board priorities for 2026-2028. No action was taken on this item.
The board went into Closed session according to Iowa Code sec 21.5(1)(i) to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation and that individual requests a closed session. Superintendent Straight presented his request.
The board entered a closed session at 6:50 p.m.
There was motion by Neuhaus second by Gallagher to go out of the closed session at 8:40 p.m. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
There was motion by Neuhaus, second by Gallagher to adjourn the meeting at 8:41 p.m.
Valerie Coffman, Board President Stacey Kolars, Board Secretary/Treasurer/ Business Manager
