For the first time during the new academic year, the Mid-Prairie Community School District Board of Education met in regular session on Monday. The meeting began with a presentation from a group of students and staff who attended a trip to Costa Rica this summer. Together, they shared stories of their experience with the board, along with pictures and videos.

After consent items were approved, the board moved to student learning, approving a provider agreement and parent letter for TCIT-U. Standing for Teacher-Child Interaction Training-Universal, TCIT-U is a professional development program designed to strengthen relationship skills between the teacher and child. To assess the impact of the program, a survey is used by the teacher for the student(s) they work with. Surveys will not be conducted unless agreed upon by the parent or guardian of the child.

Shifting to finances, the Board approved a letter of engagement with Ahlers & Cooney PLC for the 2023-24 General Obligation Bond. They also set a public hearing for the Continuation to the Instructional Support Levy for September 25 at 6:45 p.m. School Board Secretary, Jeff Swartzentruber explained the purpose of the levy. “These dollars, a lot of times we look at them and say that you’re able to have an additional 8-10 teachers because of this levy. It helps us primarily with staff.”

The Board then moved to a work session, touring the High School, West Elementary and the Home School Building to discuss current and future facilities improvements. The Mid-Prairie Community School District Board of Education’s next meeting will be held on Monday, September 11 at 6:15 p.m. in the Central Office Community Room.