The West Prairie District Board of Education met Wednesday evening, March 11. Among the action items approved was participation in a solar credit program, purchase of a school van, and purchase of Chromebooks for students. In addition, no 'reduction in force' (RIF) announcements were made.
At the earlier February 25 meeting, board members discussed participating in Solar on Earth's solar credit program but wanted to seek further information from other participating schools and Ameren. At the March 11 meeting, they approved participation. The solar credit program may reduce electrical costs over the next 20 years.
The board approved the purchase of a 15-passenger van at a cost not to exceed $45,000. The transportation director had already explored possible sources for the van in order to meet specifications.
The board also approved the purchase of Chromebooks for next year's class of third graders and eighth graders at a cost of $43,807.50. The plan is to make such purchases a part of a recurring cycle. Each 3rd grader would receive a Chromebook to use through their next five years of schooling while each 8th grader would receive a Chromebook to use throughout the rest of their years until graduation.
In other business, the board approved an Intergovernmental Agreement with Iowa Valley Community School District to sell them the unused modular unit at the Sciota campus for $1. Iowa Valley would be responsible for all disconnect and transportation to the Marengo, Iowa, school campus, located about 20 miles northwest of Iowa City.
The board tabled any action on seeking bids for mowing services for the upcoming school year and will retain the services of the present mowers. However, the board may begin seeking bids for mowing in the 2027-28 school year.
The school calendar for next year was approved with school starting August 17.
Teacher institute days will be held on the 17th and 18th with students reporting on August 19th. Tentative last day of school would be May 26, 2027. A 'spring break' would be held March 22-26, 2027.
In employment considerations, the following hirings were made: Cody Williams as part-time paraprofessional; Tanner Scott as substitute bus driver; and Julie Pursell as substitute custodian. For extracurriculars, Riley Williams was hired as volunteer high school baseball coach and Logan Lommel was hired as high school cross country coach.
