Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
August 25, 2025– 6:15 p.m.
President Jake Snider called the meeting to order.
Board members present: Randy Billups, Gabrielle Frederick, Ryan Schlabaugh, Jed Seward, and Jake Snider.
Board members absent: Mary Allred and Denise Chittick.
Also Present: Superintendent Brian Stone, Board Secretary/School Business Official Jeff Swartzentruber.
Pledge of Allegiance
Read the School Mission Statement by Vice-President
Gabrielle Frederick moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Jed Seward. Motion carried 5-0.
Business Meeting
Consent Items
Jed Seward moved to approve the following consent items.
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for August 25, 2025, and prepaid bills;
Open Enrollment Requests
Open Enrollment In Requests total 6 students;
Open Enrolled Out Requests total 2 students;
Personnel Items
Work Agreement issued to Marcelena Billups, West Elementary Preschool Paraprofessional, $15.50 per hour;
Work Agreement issued to Chloe Kruse, West Elementary Paraprofessional, $15.50 per hour;
Work Agreement issued to Noah Marlin, East Elementary Paraprofessional, $15.50 per hour;
Work Agreement issued to Kali Miller, East Elementary Paraprofessional, $15.50 per hour;
Work Agreement issued to Libby Peiffer, West Elementary Paraprofessional, $15.50 per hour;
Resignation of Jeremiah Lassy, High School Paraprofessional, $15.59 per hour, effective August 13, 2025;
Fundraising Requests – Nothing submitted
Gabrielle Frederick seconded the consent items. Motion carried 5-0.
Business Item - Finance
East Elementary Additional Special Education Paraprofessionals Proposal
Superintendent Stone directed the Board to the Proposal by Kristan Hunter, Principal at East Elementary and Doug Stafford, Special Education Director for the need for one Special Education Paraprofessional positions at East Elementary. These needs are determined by the Individual Education Plans for students in the building.
Gabrielle Frederick moved to approve one Special Education Paraprofessionals position as presented for East Elementary. Ryan Schlabaugh seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Work Session
IASB Feedback and Activities
Superintendent Stone worked through the material provided as a result of the August 14, 2025, Board Development session with Tammi Drawbaugh using her report to Snider and Stone after the session. The Board discussed the next steps that might be taken to discuss the Boards goals and areas of focus. Discussed the need to be intentional with this at meetings, though the exact form is not settled, whether it is at the end or the beginning of the agenda—what was a positive since the previous meeting, or “what did we tackle at the end of the meeting.” The Board discussed 2 strengths to focus on and an area to build on as part of the previous sentence. Also, discussion of other activities and time the Board may be able to take part of within the buildings during the school day.
“Whose Job is It”- Possible Self-Check Idea
Superintendent Stone worked through the document provided by Drawbaugh in the August 14, 2025, Board Development session. Stone suggested this document could be a self-check exercise. It was suggested that this might be a quarterly activity that reviews Board accomplishments for the previous quarter within a Work Session.
Survey from Board to Staff
Superintendent Stone asked the Board about next steps and details for surveys conducted by an outside firm to go to all staff for collection of data from staff on elements of job satisfaction. An independent third party takes the detail responses away from the Board and Superintendent for compilation. The surveys spread over the year, maybe 2 or 3 different surveys, allow for trends to be developed and studied within a year or over a span of years. Schlabaugh will approach a few firms. Stone will talk with IASB staff, also.
Tour of New MP Activity Center
The Board toured the construction in process Activity Center behind the High School to see the current status.
Next Meeting and Suggestions for Next Agenda
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, September 8, 2025, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:11 p.m. at the construction site.
Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
August 14, 2025 – 5:30 p.m.
President Jake Snider called the meeting to order.
Board members present Mary Allred, Randy Billups, Denise Chittick, Gabrielle Frederick, Ryan Schlabaugh, Jed Seward, Jake Snider.
Board members absent: None.
Staff Present: Superintendent Brian Stone, Business Manager/Board Secretary Jeff Swartzentruber, District Executive Leadership Team Members: Chuck Banks, Tim Bartels, Robin Foster, Kristan Hunter, Rachel Kerns, and Doug Stafford
Pledge of Allegiance
Mission Statement – Vice President Schlabaugh read the mission statement
Mary Allred moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Jed Seward. Motion carried 7-0.
Work Session
Board and Administrators Professional Learning provided by IASB Tammi Drawbaugh
Tammi Drawbaugh from IASB led the Board and Administrators through a professional development session. The focus was on leadership and working collaboratively for the students and the District.
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m.
Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
August 11, 2025 – 6:15 p.m.
President Jake Snider called the meeting to order.
Board members present: Mary Allred, Randy Billups, Denise Chittick, Gabrielle Frederick, Ryan Schlabaugh, Jed Seward, and Jake Snider.
Board members absent: None.
Also Present: Superintendent Brian Stone, Board Secretary/School Business Official Jeff Swartzentruber.
Pledge of Allegiance
Read the School Mission Statement by Vice-President
Adopt the Agenda
Mary Allred moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Jed Seward. Motion carried 7-0.
Public Forum
No one spoke.
BUSINESS MEETING
Consent Items
Jed Seward moved to approve the following consent items. A question was raised about the after the season evaluation process and surveys for coaches. It was asked that this be added to a future work session.
Minutes of Previous Meetings
The minutes of July 7, 2025, July 14, 2025, and July 28, 2025;
Finance Report
The Finance Report for July 2025 and Year to Date June, 2025 second iteration;
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for August 11, 2025; Prepaid Bills;
Open Enrollment Requests
Open Enrollment In Requests total 4 students;
Open Enrolled Out Requests total 1students;
Personnel Items
Work Agreement issued to Grace Beatty, High School General Cook, $15.49 per hour;
Contract issued to Lexi Edmundson, West Elementary TLC Assistant Coach, $2,000 per annum;
Resignation of Liza Fontaine, Middle School TLC Assistant Coach, $2,000 per annum, effective August 4, 2025;
Resignation of Grace Andreesen, West Elementary TLC Assistant Coach, $2,000 per annum, effective August 4, 2025;
Resignation of Tanya Kennedy, East Elementary Paraprofessional, $16.29 per hour, effective August 6, 2025;
Resignation of Liza Fontaine, 0.5 FTE Transportation Mechanic, $22,514.80 per annum, effective August 4, 2025;
Summer Coaches Continuing for 2025-2026
HS Baseball Head Coach – Kyle Mullet
HS Baseball Assistant Coach – Brad Tornow
HS Softball Head Coach – Danielle Williams
MS Softball Head Coach – Teri Taylor
Fall Volunteer Coaches
Aaron Coghlan – Football Ryan Cortum -- Football
Derek Yoder – Football Caleb Potts – Football
Zeb Evans – Volleyball Anna Hostetler – Cross Country
Annika Poll – MS Cross Country
Fundraising Requests – There are not fundraising request presented.
Out of State Travel – Approval to travel to Indianapolis, Indiana for the National FFA Convention held on October 29, 2025 through November 1, 2025;
Insured Booster Groups for 2025-2026 – Approval of 8 Booster Groups and Clubs including Goldan Hawks Wrestling Club, Mid-Prairie Athletic Boosters, Mid-Prairie Alumni and Friends Association, Mid-Prairie Community School District Foundation, Mid-Prairie Fine Arts Boosters, Mid-Prairie Post-Prom Committee, and MP Archery Club for insurance coverage under the District Policy for a $250 annual fee to the District.
Denise Chittick seconded the consent items. Motion carried 7-0.
Finance-Long Range Planning
Bank Depository Resolution for the 2025-2026 School Year
School Business Official Swartzentruber presented the resolution for the 2025 2026 School Year. This is the annual Depository Resolution required in August. There are two changes from last year as spending on the Revenue Bonds completes and spending on the 2024 Issue General Obligation Bonds begins with changes at Hills Bank and Federation Bank, respectively.
RESOLVED, that the Mid-Prairie Community School District of Wellman, Iowa in Washington County, Iowa approves the following list of financial institutions to be depositories of the Mid-Prairie School, all funds in conformance with all applicable provisions of Iowa Code Chapters 452 and 453 (1983) as amended by 1984 Iowa Acts. S.F. 2220. The Business Manager/Board Secretary is hereby authorized to deposit the Mid-Prairie School funds in amounts not exceed the maximum approved for each respective financial institution as set out below.
Location of Maximum Balance Maximum balance in
Depository name Home Office effect under prior effect under this
___________________ __________ resolution resolution .
UMB Bank, N.A. (ISJIT) Des Moines 2,000,000 2,000,000
Hills Bank Hills 25,000,000 20,000,000
Federation Bank Wellman 5,000,000 3,000,000
CBI Bank & Trust Kalona 6,000,000 6,000,000
Miles Capital Mgmnt Des Moines 2,000,000 2,000,000
Gabrielle Frederick moved to approve 08112501 as presented reading from the resolution. Ryan Schlabaugh seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Gabrielle Frederick - yes Mary Allred - yes
Jed Seward - yes Ryan Schlabaugh - yes
Randy Billups - yes Jake Snider - yes
Denise Chittick - abstain
Motion carried 6-0. Chittick abstained.
Matching Funds Policy 903.6 Amount for the 2025-2026 School Year
Superintendent Stone and SBO Swartzentruber reviewed the policy. The provision is that the Board needs to select an amount to be offered as matching funds to the three main booster groups, which are: Fine Arts Boosters, Athletic Boosters, and Student Boosters. These funds will be matched with other funds raised by the groups for specific projects as named in the matching fund application. The amounts used over the past number of years is at total of $45,000 with each group having access for the year to one-third of the amount. Groups are also able to agree to share amounts or portions of their allotment with the other two groups upon mutual agreement. It is recommended that the matching fund amount(s) stay the same as previous years for the 2025-2026 School Year. The Board asked questions for clarification.
Gabrielle Frederick moved to approve the matching fund grant amount for the 2025-2026 School Year of $45,000 to be shared in equal thirds by the 3 booster groups. Mary Allred seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Second Reading of Board Policy Changes for Chapter 500’s Students
Superintendent Stone and Board President Snider noted that the Board had passed the changes to Policy Chapter 500 on First Reading at the July 14, 2025 Meeting. The Policies that passed on First Reading with changes are:
Gabrielle Frederick moved to approve on Second Reading Policy 502.7, 503.1, 503.5, 503.7, 506.1, 507.2, and 507.10 as presented and reviewed. Jed Seward seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
IASB Legislative Platform Discussion for 2026 Iowa Legislative Session
Superintendent Stone and Business Manager Swartzentruber drew the Board’s attention to the IASB Legislative Priorities document for the 2025-2026 Legislative Year, especially starting with page 13 (page 1 for 2025 Legislative Resolutions). The process starts with the Board review of this document and then the process to determine the priorities to communicate to IASB for next year. The Board discussed the potential legislative priorities for the upcoming legislative session.
In the 2024-2025 Legislative Session the Board chose the priorities listed below:
The Board reviewed the 2025 document to identify four to five priorities for the upcoming legislative session. The Board included the following as focus items to IASB:
Board Development and Inservice Activities
SBO Swartzentruber noted the upcoming IASB Convention for November 19-21, 2025 with the convention day being November 20th. November 19th is preconvention workshops and delegate session, while November 21st is the post-convention day normally set aside for Board President training and other potential meetings. Swartzentruber asked the group to consider their attendance and to let him know preferences in the coming weeks as registration is now open. Stone noted the value of the networking opportunities.
Swartzentruber noted the upcoming School Board Elections. The due date for paperwork to be filed with him is 5pm on Thursday, September 18, 2025. The Board briefly discussed the election process and candidate encouragement.
Announcements and Suggestions for Next Agenda
A Special Work Session and Board Development with IASB on August 14, 2025, at 5:30pm in the Community Room.
The next Work Session Meeting will be on Monday, August 25, 2025, at 6:15 p.m.
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, September 7, 2025, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
July 28, 2025– 6:15 p.m.
President Jake Snider called the meeting to order.
Board members present: Mary Allred, Randy Billups, Denise Chittick, Ryan Schlabaugh, and Jake Snider.
Board members absent: Gabrielle Frederick and Jed Seward.
Also Present: Superintendent Brian Stone, Board Secretary/School Business Official Jeff Swartzentruber, and Activities Director Pete Cavanagh.
Pledge of Allegiance
Read the School Mission Statement by Vice-President
Randy Billups moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Mary Allred. Motion carried 5-0.
Business Meeting
Consent Items
Mary Allred moved to approve the following consent items.
Open Enrollment Requests
Open Enrollment In Requests total 0 students;
Open Enrolled Out Requests total 4 students;
Personnel Items
Work Agreement issued to Lori Wixom, Middle School General Cook, $15.49 per hour;
Work Agreement issued to Allee Gent, Middle School General Cook, $15.49 per hour;
Resignation of Aaron Coghlan, 8th Grade Boys Track Coach, $2,820 per Annum, effective 7/15/2025;
Resignation of Kim Boller, West Elementary Paraprofessional, $15.60 per hour, effective end of 2024-2025 contract;
Resignation of Crystal Adair, High School General Cook, $15.28 per hour, effective end of 2024-2025 contract;
Fundraising Requests
Athletic Boosters request approval to raise funds through raffle ticket sales with a golf cart prize from August 2025 through October of 2025 for the boosters to provide additional financial support to athletes;
Ryan Schlabaugh seconded the consent items. Motion carried 5-0.
Work Session
MPCSD Strength and Conditioning Update
Activities Director, Pete Cavanagh, shared a document with the Board about the current program versus the proposed changes to the Strength and Conditioning Program. This is part of a continuing discussion. As the current contract with Performance Health and Fitness, LLC expires on July 31, 2025, the document is to serve as the roadmap for the upcoming year as well as an evaluation of additional changes that might be reviewed over the next year. The new contract document has not yet been presented although the conversations and developments leading up to the document are generally in place. The Board asked questions of Cavanagh and Stone and discussed the concepts in the document as well as the direction under the Strength and Conditioning umbrella at Mid-Prairie. The Board asked for Cavanagh to come back to the Board a few times during the coming School Year to report on progress and what is working and what is not working.
Business Session
MPCSD Strength and Conditioning Contract
Although there should not be substantive changes to the contract document, the District needs to request the contract from Performance Health and Fitness, LLC for the 2025-2026 School Year.
Ryan Schlabaugh moved to approve moving forward with a contract with Performance Health and Fitness, LLC for the 2025-2026 School Year bearing the concepts presented in principle and ask the Activities Director to report back to the Board throughout the year. Randy Billups seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-1 with Snider voting no.
Next Meeting and Suggestions for Next Agenda
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, August 11, 2025, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room. Agenda items to include: Review list of Public Depositors and set deposit limits; Board Policy 903.6 Matching Funds Amounts; Insured Booster Groups List Approval.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
July 14, 2025 – 6:15 p.m.
Vice President Ryan Schlabaugh called the meeting to order in the absence of President Jake Snider.
Board members present: Randy Billups, Denise Chittick, Gabrielle Frederick (arrived at 6:18 p.m.), Ryan Schlabaugh, Jed Seward, and Jake Snider (arrived at 6:18 p.m.).
Board members absent: Mary Allred, Gabrielle Frederick (arrived at 6:18 p.m.), and Jake Snider (arrived at 6:18 p.m.).
Also Present: Superintendent Brian Stone, Board Secretary/School Business Official Jeff Swartzentruber.
Pledge of Allegiance
Read the School Mission Statement
Adopt the Agenda
Denise Chittick moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Jed Seward. Motion carried 4-0.
Hawk Highlight – Custodian Update on Buildings – Mike Ferguson, Lead Custodian for West Elementary, represented the custodians to provide a Summer update of the happenings and preparations for the upcoming School Year. He expressed appreciation for the custodial team and the overall helpfulness amongst the team. Superintendent Stone also provided updates as given to him by the other Lead Custodians. The Board expressed appreciation for the efforts of the custodial team.
Gabrielle Frederick and Jake Snider arrived at 6:18 p.m. during this agenda item.
Public Forum
Bud Juilfs, Director of Iowa Schools Buildings and Grounds Association, shared a packet with the Board to promote the organization for the Custodians in the District. He encourages the District to have the Custodians involved in the meetings for building connections, networking opportunities, and taking advantage of learning opportunities. There are three meetings a year, with the next one starting on 7/16 to 7/17. He also noted the asbestos recertification opportunities are available at these meetings. The Board thanked him for his comments.
BUSINESS MEETING
Consent Items
Jed Seward moved to approve the following consent items.
Minutes of Previous Meetings
The minutes of June 9, 2025, June 23 2025, and July 7, 2025;
Finance Report
The Finance Report for June 30, 2025;
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for July 14, 2025; Prepaid Bills;
Open Enrollment Requests
Open Enrollment In Requests total 1 student;
Open Enrolled Out Requests total 1 student;
Personnel Items
Contract issued to Jacob Lampe, Middle School Student Success Coordinator, $50,000 per annum;
Contract issued to Emma Henry, West Elementary 4th Grade Teacher, $50,000 per annum;
Contract issued to Mary Ruppenkamp, West Elementary 4th Grade Teacher, $50,000 per annum;
Contract issued to Heather Plank, High School Nurse, $50,000 per annum;
Contract issued to Emma Henry, West Elementary 4th Grade Teacher, $50,000 per annum;
Contract issued to Megan Uden, Middle School Band Teacher, $50,000 per annum;
Contract issued to Liza Fontaine, District TLC Curriculum Coordinator, $57,862 per annum;
Resignation of Sidney Ryan, Middle School Soccer Coach, $3,261 per season, effective June 30, 2025;
Fundraising Requests
High School Football requests approval to raise funds through sale of T-Shirts/Clothing Store from August 2nd to August 20th for volunteer coaches pay, team and coach apparel, supplies and equipment for the program;
High School Football requests approval to raise funds through sale of fundraising cards from August 11th to September 6th for volunteer coaches pay, team and coach apparel, supplies and equipment for the program.
Ryan Schlabaugh seconded the consent items. Motion carried 6-0.
Student Learning
Building Handbooks
The Board again reviewed the Building Handbooks for High School, Middle School, Elementary Schools, Home School and Virtual Academy in preparation for the 2025-2026 School Year. Superintendent Stone requested their acceptance/approval of the handbooks. The Board discussed consistency in discipline and the new “cell phone” policy to go into effect at the start of the 2025-2026 School Year. Consistency between the buildings and within a building was mentioned again. These concerns are for an ongoing process, continuous improvement, documentation by administrators so there is a chance to review past practice and potential improvements.
Gabrielle Frederick moved to accept the Student Handbooks for the 2025-2026 School Year as presented. Denise Chittick seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Finance-Long Range Planning
First Reading of Board Policy Changes for Chapter 500’s Students
Superintendent Stone and SBO Swartzentruber thanked the Board for their review work in the June 23rd Work Session and the suggested changes to the Policies in Chapter 500 for Student Policies. The Policies that have proposed changes are:
Gabrielle moved to approve on First Reading Policy 502.7, 503.1, 503.5, 503.7, 506.1, 507.2, and 507.10 as presented and reviewed. Jed Seward seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Board Development and Inservice Activities
Superintendent Stone discussed with the Board the potential dates to bring Tammi Drawbaugh for a Board Development Session. The Board asked if this is Board only, or between Board and the Administration Team. The topics if the Administration Team is included, then Drawbaugh would suggest the topics, and the Board took a bit of time to talk about some possible topics that include administrators. The Board chose August 14th with a timeframe of 5:30 p.m. to 8.p.m., as the date and time for this session.
Announcements and Suggestions for Next Agenda
The next Work Session Meeting will be on Monday, July 28, 2025 at 6:15 p.m. Agenda items to be determined.
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, August 11, 2025, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room. Agenda items to include: Review list of Public Depositors and set deposit limits; Board Policy 903.6 Matching Funds Amounts; Insured Booster Groups List Approval.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:11 p.m.
Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
July 7, 2025 – 6:30 p.m.
President Jake Snider called the meeting to order.
Board members present Mary Allred, Randy Billups, Gabrielle Frederick, Ryan Schlabaugh, Jed Seward, Jake Snider.
Board members absent: Denise Chittick.
Staff Present: Superintendent Brian Stone, Business Manager/Board Secretary Jeff Swartzentruber
Mary Allred moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Randy Billups. Motion carried 6-0.
Work Session
MPCSD Strength and Conditioning
President Snider opened the meeting and noted the purpose of the meeting was to gather input from the community on the current status of the District’s Strength and Conditioning program. There has been a community group meeting periodically over the last 6 months or so. The goal is hear input from different parties on perspectives. Groups that spoke included Performance Therapies, Coaching Staff, Community Members, and athletes. The conversation was very productive. Many ideas and thoughts were expressed for the Board to consider. Discussions with staff and administrators will continue as the options are explored.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:39 p.m.