Belle Plaine, Iowa
October 14, 2026
A regular meeting of the Belle Plaine Community School District Board of Education was held on Wednesday, October 14, 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, Scott Frank
Members Absent: None
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-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 September 30, 2026 Public Hearing/Special meeting.
2. Approval of Bills, Payroll, and the Financial Statements
3. Personnel/Business Items:
a. Acceptance of Resignation(s)-There were no resignations.
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
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Approval of Employment of Personnel-There was motion by Gallagher, second by Neuhaus to approve Michelle Oliver as Dance Team Sponsor. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
2. Action/Discussion on Title IX Plan, Procedures and Form-There was motion by Gallagher, second by Neuhaus to approve the presented Title IX Plan, procedures and forms. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
3. Action/Discussion on 504 Plan, Procedures and Forms-There was motion by Frank, second by Gallagher to approve the presented 504 Plan, procedures and forms for the district. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
4. Annual Review of Board Policies, 103,107, 505.08, 505.08R1, 506.01, 506.01E1, 506.01E2, 506.01E3, 506.01 E4, 506.01 E5, 506.01 E6, 506.01 E7, 506.01 E8, 506.01 R1, 506.02, 506.02 $1, 506.02 R1, 506.04-After reviewing the policies there was motion by Jacobi, second by Neuhaus to approve the annual review of the above listed policies for the district. All voted. “aye.” Motion carried. The policies are on the district’s website.
5. Action/Discussion on Naming Members to the School Improvement Advisory Committe-Superintendent Straight presented a list of School Improvement Advisory Committee members that included students, staff, administration and community members. After review, there was motion by Frank, second by Gallagher to approve the School Improvement Advisory Committee members for 2026-2027. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
6. Action/Discussion on Early Graduation Procedures and School to Work Requirement-Discussion took place regarding the school’s current early graduation process. Superintendent Straight presented to the board regarding a new requirement for seniors wishing to graduate early at semester. The information included approval of the following language and adding it to the student handbook: “Any student applying for early graduation in the middle of his/her senior year must complete 90 hours of a school to work program in the second semester in order to be released and approved for early graduation. The 90 hours of experience must include an approved work experience (School to Work Coordinator) and include regular attendance as well as positive reports from their work supervisor. The 90 hours must be documented and submitted to the School to Work Coordinator as well as the Secondary Principal.” There was motion by Gallagher, second by Neuhaus to approve the early graduation procedures and the addition of the School to Work Requirement effective in the 2026-2027 school year. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
7. Action/Discussion on 1st Reading of Board Policies 506.01 E1, 506.01R1, 506.02E1, 506.02E1, 506.01E2, 506.01E3,506.01E4, 506.01E5, 506.01E6, 506.01E7, 506.01E8, 506.01 R1, 506.02 R1, 506.02E1, 506.04, 507.02, 507.03 -The board reviewed the presented board policies. After review and discussion there was motion by Frank, second by Gallagher to approve the above listed board policies. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
8. Action on Annual Review of Board Policies all 100 Series, 200 Series and 300 Series-
There was motion by Jacobi, second by Gallagher to approve the review of board policies 100, 200 and 300 series. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
9. Action/Discussion on Early Retirement Plan-Superintendent Straight presented the early retirement plan that had been approved in the past by the district and informed the board that there were potentially three people interested in early retirement. After discussion, and review the board agreed not to take action on this item.
10. Discussion on J-Term-Principal Scott directed discussion regarding new offerings to the J-Term at the secondary level.
11. Discussion on 3-year Old Preschool-Discussion took place on the possibility of the district offering a 3-year-old preschool in the future. After discussion, Superintendent Straight stated he would be sending out an online survey to see how much interest would be out there for this potential offering. No action was taken on this item.
12. Action/Discussion on Progress Monitoring Board Goals-The board reviewed its current board goals and touched on topics for J-term updates, Indicators and benchmarks to be shared by the principals when ready, and ideas for ongoing improvements to climate/culture. No action was taken on this item.
There was motion by Jacobi, second by Neuhaus to adjourn the meeting at 7:59 p.m.
Valerie Coffman, Board President
Stacey Kolars, Board Secretary/Treasurer/Business Manager
