Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
March 9, 2026 – 6:15 p.m.
President Randy Billups called the meeting to order.
Board members present: Mary Allred, Randy Billups, Denise Chittick, Ryan Schlabaugh, Jed Seward, and Jake Snider (arrived at 6:20 p.m.).
Board members absent: Kirah Johnson and Jake Snider (arrived at 6:20 p.m.).
Also Present: Superintendent Brian Stone, Board Secretary/School Business Official Jeff Swartzentruber.
Pledge of Allegiance
Read the School Mission Statement by Ryan Schlabaugh
Adopt the Agenda
Jed Seward moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Mary Allred. Motion carried 5-0.
Hawk Highlight – Mid-Prairie Dance Team National Competition Experience
MPDT Head Coach Brenna Hutson and Assistant Coach Madison Duwa along with members of the Dance Team shared about their experiences at the National Competition in Orlando, Florida in the first week of February. They shared about travel, practice, logistics, and the competitions. They finished off with personal highlights. The Board asked questions of the group and thanked them for sharing.
(Jake Snider arrived during this agenda item at 6:20 p.m.)
Public Forum
Two gentlemen presented a request for the District to consider Lifewise Academy. It is a Bible-based character education program for public school students. It is based on parental consent and would be located at Kalona Mennonite Church. They provided a handout and statistics on other districts in the State that are using this program. They request a time at the Work Session on March 23rd.
BUSINESS MEETING
Consent Items
Ryan Schlabaugh moved to approve the following consent items.
Minutes of Previous Meetings
The minutes of February 8, 2026 and February 23, 2026;
Finance Report
The Finance Report for Year-to-Date February 2026;
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for March 9, 2026; Prepaid Bills;
Open Enrollment Requests
Open Enrollment In Requests total 64 students;
Open Enrolled Out Requests total 3 students;
Personnel Items
Contract issued to Liza Fontaine, District TLC Curriculum Leader, $77,862 per annum;
Contract issued to Pat Cady, Middle School Soccer Coach, $3,306 per season;
Contract issued to Brody Miller, Assistant Baseball Coach, $3,102 per season;
Contract issued to Melissa Fleming, Middle School Girls Track Coach, $3,105 per season;
Contract issued to Carleen Miller, 8th Grade Volleyball Coach, $3,306 per season;
Resignation of Robin Harris, Preschool Paraprofessional, $18.83 per hour, effective End of 25-26 School Year;
Resignation of Carrie Schweitzer, Middle School FCS Teacher, $42,684 per annum, effective End of 25-26 School Year;
Resignation of Nicole Stanley, Second Grade Treacher, $50,000 per annum, effective End of 25-26 School Year;
Fundraising Requests
Student Boosters requests approval to raise funds through an email campaign for donations from March 30th to April 30th for field trips, building and class celebrations, Back to School Night activities and other student related activities;
Jake Snider seconded the consent items. Motion carried 6-0.
Student Learning
Reports
The Board reviewed the Administrators’ written reports to the Board. Time was allotted to ask questions and discuss the reports. No questions were asked. Testing is coming up soon.
2026 Special Education Service Delivery Plan
Superintendent Stone and Special Education Director Doug Stafford presented the Special Education Service Delivery Plan Document to the Board and highlighted key items. The Board discussed the document. The plan is updated every 5 years and includes input from parents, staff, and other professionals. It is available to parents and other people in the public. The Board asked questions for additional understanding.
Ryan Schlabaugh moved to approve 2026 Special Education Service Delivery Plan Document as presented. Jed Seward seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Finance-Long Range Planning
Accept the 2025 Annual Financial Audited Statements
School Business Official, Jeff Swartzentruber presented a brief overview of the audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2025 as well as covered the letter provided by the auditors to the Board as requested by the Auditors. He noted the Auditor comments provided and the District response to those comments. This is the first-year audit by Bohnsack & Frommelt LLP.
Jed Seward moved to accept the 2024-2025 Audited Financial Statements as presented. Jake Snider seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Washington County Riverboat Foundation Grant Request and Resolution
SBO Swartzentruber referred to the February 23rd Work Session presentation by Cate Burke, District Librarian. The request to the Board is for a resolution to file a grant application to update 3 of the 4 libraries in the District with the use of a Riverboat Foundation Grant. The application is due on March 15, 2026. The amount of the project is projected to be $147,473.48, of which the District will provide funds of $45,000. This leaves a grant request amount of $101,473.48.
Denise Chittick moved to approve Resolution 03092601 for the Libraries Upgrade Project in the amount of $101,473.48. Jed Seward seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Kirah Johnson - absent Mary Allred - yes
Jed Seward - yes Ryan Schlabaugh - yes
Randy Billups - yes Jake Snider - yes
Denise Chittick - yes
Motion carried 6-0.
Flexibility Account Spending Resolution
SBO Swartzentruber noted the passage of the Flexibility Transfer Resolution at the February 9th Board Meeting. The previously passed resolution provided for the transfer of the $175,000 from the Home School Assistance Program to the Flexibility Accounts. The resolution presented tonight is for the ability to spend the funds in the Flexibility Accounts. President Billups asked for a motion to approve the Flexibility Account Spending Resolution.
Denise Chittick moved to approve Resolution 03092602 Flexibility Fund Spending from the Flexibility Accounts in the amount of $175,000 and read pertinent parts of the Resolution. Ryan Schlabaugh seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Kirah Johnson - absent Mary Allred - yes
Jed Seward - yes Ryan Schlabaugh - yes
Randy Billups - yes Jake Snider - yes
Denise Chittick - yes
Motion carried 6-0.
Redemption Resolution of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2024 Resolution
SBO Swartzentruber shared the Resolution as prepared by Ahlers and Cooney for the advanced Debt Service Levy for the 2026-2027 School Year. This advanced levy will allow the District to escrow additional principal of $110,000. These funds will be held in escrow at UMB Bank until the first call date in Fiscal Year 2028. This resolution will allow the District to levy the $2.70 maximum and continue past practice of paying the debt down faster with interest savings in a fiscally responsible manner. If the resolution passes, the resolution and the escrow agreement with UMB Bank will be signed by the Board President and Board Secretary.
Denise Chittick moved to approve the Resolution for the Advanced Debt Service Levy to escrow an additional principal in the amount of $110,000 in Fiscal Year 2026-2027. Jake Snider seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Kirah Johnson - absent Mary Allred - yes
Jed Seward - yes Ryan Schlabaugh - yes
Randy Billups - yes Jake Snider - yes
Denise Chittick - yes
Motion carried 6-0.
Update on 2026-2027 Certified Budget
SBO Swartzentruber Updated the Board on the current status of the 2026-2027 Certified Budget. The Governor signed the bill for 2% SSA on February 26th. The District filed the Public Hearing Documents on March 3rd with the Washington County Auditor that includes a tax rate for the First Public Hearing on March 23rd at $13.08, which is an increase of $0.04 over Fiscal Year 2025-2026. The filing is done to take into account some of the other changes in the signed legislation that will not be reflected in the Department of Management Budget files until March 16th. Once those changes are known and quantified, the District will consider those changes and settle on a final levy amount. No action is needed at this time.
Additional Information
Bond Language for the 2026 Bond
Superintendent Stone shared the Bond Language to be used by the “Say Yes” group as they begin the petition process. This would be the same language that would appear on the November 3, 2026, ballot should the required number of 800 signatures be collected. Stone asked for any thoughts or questions on the language as presented. The Board discussed if other projects might be considered.
Board Highlights – The Board noted highlights for the meeting as follows:
Announcements and Suggestions for Next Agenda
A Special Business Meeting with the First Public Hearing on the Property Tax Rate will be held on March 23, 2026, at 6:15 p.m.
The next Work Session Meeting will be on Monday, March 23, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. Agenda items to include: Set a Public Hearing for the Approval of the 2026-2027 Certified Budget; Lifewise Academy; Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement; Review the Middle School Industrial Tech and Health teaching position.
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, April 13, 2026, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room. Agenda items to include: Potential Public Hearing on the 2026-2027 Certified Budget.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m.