Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
September 8, 2025 – 6:15 p.m.
President Jake Snider called the meeting to order.
Board members present: Mary Allred, Gabrielle Frederick, Ryan Schlabaugh, Jed Seward, and Jake Snider.
Board members absent: Randy Billups 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
Adopt the Agenda
Mary Allred moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Jed Seward. Motion carried 5-0.
Hawk Highlight – Student Built Home – Ryan Schlabaugh in his role as City of Kalona Administrator provided an update on the partnership between the City and the District for this Summer activity that has stretched into the first part of the School Year. Students are hands on learning a trade with a shelter at the City Park and a two-unit housing rehabilitation in Kalona. This year it is solely Mid-Prairie Students. Jake Snider has served as a guide/instructor for the students especially through the Summer, and now into the Fall through the City of Kalona. Snider expressed one goal: to involved the students more closely with subcontractors in the coming years. Snider was very complimentary of Ryan and the City of Kalona and is very excited for the future of the program. Thanks, is also expressed to Melissa Rediger, Chuck Banks, and Lucas Troyer for their involvement in the program within the High School.
Public Forum
A gentleman discussed concerns about the Curriculum of the District as it relates to Civics learning. He continues to challenge the Board to bring the Constitution and Civics lessons to the students of the District as nationally and locally a learning gap is identifiable.
BUSINESS MEETING
Consent Items
Mary Allred moved to approve the following consent items.
Minutes of Previous Meetings
The minutes of August 11, 2025, August 14, 2025, and August 25, 2025;
Finance Report
The Finance Report for August 2025 and Year End June 2025 Preaudit Final;
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for September 8, 2025; Prepaid Bills;
Open Enrollment Requests
Open Enrollment In Requests total 3 students;
Open Enrolled Out Requests total 1 student;
Personnel Items
Contract issued to Daniel Hershberger, Middle School Assistant Football Coach (+20), $2,265.96 per annum,
Contract issued to Derek Kalm, Middle School Assistant Volleyball Coach (+20), $2,218.09 per season,
Work Agreement issued to Jane Blieu, High School Paraprofessional, $15.50 per hour;
Work Agreement issued to Angie Lilley, East Elementary Paraprofessional, $15.50 per hour;
Work Agreement issued to Hannah Theisen, East Elementary Paraprofessional, $15.50 per hour;
Work Agreement issued to Liana Wade, West Elementary Paraprofessional, $15.50 per hour;
Work Agreement issued to Makayla Garrelts, Middle School Paraprofessional, $15.50 per hour;
Work Agreement issued to Caryn Short, Middle School Paraprofessional, $15.50 per hour;
Fundraising Requests
Post Prom requests approval to raise funds by selling Bingo Cards to play Volleyball Bingo for home games of September 23rd, September 25th, and October 7th, for funding Post Prom activities in 2026.
Post Prom requests approval to raise funds by selling Bingo Cards to play Football Bingo for homecoming game on September 12th, for funding Post Prom activities in 2026.
Post Prom requests approval to raise funds by student activity entitled Penny Wars the week before the first Renaissance assembly, for funding Post Prom activities in 2026.
Post Prom requests approval to raise funds through the sale of Sugar Bottom Cookes from October 1st to October 27th, for funding Post Prom activities in 2026.
Home School Assistance Program requests approval to raise funds by selling Mums from September 10th to September 30th to support outdoor improvements to the school grounds, sustainability for future mums’ sales and other outside of Home School budget activities.
High School Baseball requests approval to raise funds through their annual can drive with the Can Shed on September 20th for the baseball program, equipment and field maintenance, and coach and player apparel;
FFA requests approval to raise funds with a Fruit, Meat, Cheese, and Popcorn sales fundraiser from Mid-October to End of October for FFA Activities throughout the school year;
Gabrielle Frederick seconded the consent items. Motion carried 4-0 with Schlabaugh abstaining.
Student Learning
Reports
The Board reviewed the Administrators’ written reports to the Board. Time was allotted to ask questions and discuss the reports. A question was raised on the implementation of the Cell Phone Policy in the first two weeks of school. Stone reported that the Cell Phone policy seems to be going well at the High School and Middle School based on reports of and his observations of student interactions during the day, especially at passing and lunch periods.
Madrigal Choir Out of State Travel
Collette McClellen has requested permission to take the Madrigal Choir to Augustana College Chamber Choir Festival in Rock Island, Illinois on October 12 and 13, 2025 to participate in the College’s honor choir event.
Ryan Schlabaugh moved to approve the Madrigal Choir to travel to Rock Island, Illinois on October 12-13, 2025 to participate in the Augustana College Chamber Choir Festival event. Gabrielle Frederick seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Level 1 Investigators
Superintendent Stone shared that the District needs to appoint Level 1 Investigators per Board Policy 402.3. With changes in Staff, it is appropriate to appoint Level 1 Investigators at this time. Principals and Administrators recommended for appointment as Level 1 Investigators are: Kristan Hunter, Doug Stafford, Rachel Kerns, Robin Foster, Chuck Banks, Tim Bartels, and Frank Slabaugh with Superintendent Stone appointed as the First Alternate to the Level 1 Investigators. Stone asked for questions from the Board.
Jed Seward moved to approve the above listed administrators as Level 1 Investigators as recommended. Ryan Schlabaugh seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Finance-Long Range Planning
2025 2026 Student Built Home Stipend Request
SBO Swartzentruber along with Kalona City Manager Ryan Schlabaugh discussed the need for additional monies to support the oversight of the student-built project initiative in Kalona. This collaborative project between the City of Kalona and the District is going well. The estimated hours over and above class time by Teacher/Supervisor Lucas Troyer leads to the request for an additional $2,500 stipend. The City of Kalona will reimburse the District for this additional cost of wages, taxes and benefits of $2,950. The Board asked questions for clarification on time spent and reimbursement by the City.
Jed Seward moved to approve the additional total outlay of $2,950 as presented with the understanding that the City of Kalona will reimburse the District for the Cost. Mary Allred seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0, Schlabaugh abstained.
Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Treasurer’s Report
SBO Swartzentruber presented the Fiscal Year 2025 Treasurer’s Report. This is the report that is provided after the Certified Annual Report is submitted to the State Department of Education Portal by the September 15, 2025, due date. Net Operating Fund Balance increased by $528,000 ($323,400 in Unassigned Fund Balance), compared to a $956,000 increase (794,300 Unassigned Fund Balance) for the previous fiscal year. The Nutrition Fund decreased by $100,700 as a result of less Federal funds made available for Nutrition and the wear off of COVID Funding for Nutrition. The District has raised lunch prices for the new School Year by 10 cents to slow the decline down though it is a balancing act between students and families choosing hot lunch in the face of rising prices. The cash position in the fund has a balance of $278,760. Swartzentruber discussed the concerns of rising food prices along with staffing in the mid and long term.
Gabrielle Frederick moved to accept the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Treasurers Report as presented. Mary Allred seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Appoint a Delegate to the IASB Convention
School Business Official Swartzentruber reviewed the need to appoint a delegate for the Board at the State convention. Jake Snider served as the delegate for the Board at last two year’s State convention. Ryan Schlabaugh was asked if he wished to step into this role for the upcoming state convention on November 19-21, 2025.
Mary Allred moved to appoint Ryan Schlabaugh as delegate to the IASB Convention for November 2025. Gabrielle Frederick seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Board Development and Inservice Activities – Nothing was discussed.
Announcements and Suggestions for Next Agenda
The due date for Board Candidate Filing is Thursday, September 18th at 5pm.
Homecoming Parade is Wednesday, September 10, 2025. The Board will ride on a float. Arrangements and meet times were discussed for coordination purposes.
The next Work Session Meeting will be on Monday, September 22, 2025, at 6:15 p.m. Agenda items to include: Special Education Deficit Spending Authority Resolution; Staff Surveys Discussion, Possible Fund for Academic Excellence presentation, Discussion of the Professional Learning Agenda Consistency, Facilities Committee Update.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:05p.m.