MidAmerican Energy presents $348K rebate for Southeast Polk middle school energy efficiency

The Southeast Polk Community School District Board Meeting held on May 1, 2025, commenced with the adoption of the agenda and the Pledge of Allegiance. Following these procedural steps, the meeting featured a notable public comment segment, highlighted by a check presentation from Kirk Doss of MidAmerican Energy. Doss announced an energy efficiency rebate of $348,000 for the recently completed middle school, significantly higher than the initial estimate of $189,000. This rebate reflects the district's commitment to energy-saving measures, which are projected to save approximately $162,000 annually in energy costs.

The board then moved on to the consent agenda, which was approved unanimously. This included the approval of a tentative labor agreement with the AFSCME staff, which entails a 3% across-the-board salary increase. The process was described as collaborative and efficient, taking about an hour to finalize.

Subsequent items included the approval of several farm leases, including agreements with Gibson Farm, Patterson Family Farm, and Peck Family Farm, all of which were passed without discussion. The meeting also addressed the completion of the middle school project, confirming that all payments were settled, with only minor landscaping work remaining.

In a significant recognition segment, the board celebrated Iowa's School Board Recognition Month. The district acknowledged the contributions of its board members, who oversee a budget of approximately $175 million, serve over 7,500 students, and manage 21 facilities. Their dedication to governance and advocacy for education was commended, emphasizing their role in ensuring quality education for all students.

The meeting concluded with expressions of gratitude towards the board members for their commitment to the Southeast Polk community and its educational mission.