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.