During their work session on Oct. 10, Mid-Prairie Superintendent Brian Stone distributed colorful charts delineating the facilities that needed improving according to the board, staff, former facilities committee members, and building administrators at the beginning of 2022. 

For two years, a facilities committee met to determine the needs of the school district.  The Board of Education was ready to act on satisfying those needs: an auditorium, additional classrooms, and parking lot improvements were their priorities.  However, the bond referendum that would have paid for these improvements failed when it was put before voters on March 1, 2022. 

The margin of failure was narrow: 56% of voters approved the general obligation bonds and raising the tax levy when 60% approval was needed.

“You guys wanted information about what we had or what we had done,” Stone said to the board.  “Are you asking or wanting to open it up?  I mean, in essence, to get feedback from more people of other projects that are maybe necessary?”

“I think people would appreciate the attempt to create a long-term strategic plan with how we would like to move forward,” he continued.

The board continues to grapple with how best to identify and prioritize the needs of the district – and win voters’ support -- before the next bond referendum appears on the ballot.

This issue remained on the table during the public forum held at the start of the business meeting that followed the work session.  Five teachers and parents attended to collectively urge the board to prioritize a new auditorium for fine arts students, or at least maintain the space they currently have.

“We’re here collectively because there are some urgent needs that are safety concerns.  And since the bond didn’t pass and there’s no auditorium in process right now, there are a few things in that space that are a safety concern that have a pretty big price ticket,” one member of the group addressed the board.  “Urgent things are like the light rigging issue.  That’s about $5000.  The seating, that’s a huge safety concern.  Those retractable seats are not safe.  Several of them are falling apart. . . That’s anywhere from $75,000 to $100,000 to replace those.  The curtain can no longer be opened and closed.  That’s a safety concern.  That’s about $50,000.”

“Mid-Prairie competed last weekend as a Class 3A school at the Marching Band Invitational.  We are the only school in 3A on that list that does not have an auditorium.  We do not have the arts facilities that a district of our size and reputation should.  Our band can’t physically grow.  There is no more room in our band room to put more kids,” another member of the group said.

The board acknowledged the groups’ concerns before moving on to other business.

Board actions

The board approved a second reading of Graduation Requirements Policy 505.5.  The revised policy will no longer require students take specific standardized tests in order to graduate.

The board approved a pay increase of $15 a day for certified substitute teachers.  The last increase in substitute teacher pay was in 2017, when pay was increased from $120 to $135.  Effective Oct. 16, sub pay will be $150 a day, which is competitive with surrounding school districts.

The board approved the setup of two Investment Management Accounts at Hills Bank.  One account will be for General Fund investments, the other for the SAVE fund; each will have approximately $1 million invested. 

Softball lights

No one spoke at the public hearing on Softball Lights Specifications, so the board moved to approve the specifications. 

Representing Carl A. Nelson & Company, Tad Morrow reviewed the two bids received for the lights.  Ardent Lighting Group submitted the lowest bid at $207,000.  The board moved to accept the bid from Ardent; the expectation is that work should begin on replacing the lights at the softball field this fall and be completed by April 2023.