Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
April 13, 2026 – 6:15 p.m.
President Randy Billups called the meeting to order.
Board members present: Mary Allred, Randy Billups, Kirah Johnson, Ryan Schlabaugh, Jed Seward, and Jake Snider.
Board members absent: Denise Chittick and Jake Snider.
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
Jed Seward moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Mary Allred. Motion carried 6-0.
Hawk Highlights
SBO Swartzentruber shared the 2026-2027 Budget Presentation with the Board. He highlighted the 2026-2027 Property Tax Levy filed is $13.01, which is down from the $13.08 of the first Public Hearing at the March 23, 2026 meeting and down from $13.04 from the 2025-2026 School Year.
Superintendent Stone and SBO Swartzentruber shared the presentation made to all building teachers in the week of March 30th in the lead up to MPEA and MPESSA vote for the 2026-2027 wages that was completed and approved by the associations on April 8, 2026. The focus on the How and the Why was important to the process as the logistics of the legislated minimum salaries enter the third year of implementation.
Public Forum
No one spoke.
BUSINESS MEETING
Consent Items
Mary Allred moved to approve the following consent items.
Minutes of Previous Meetings
The minutes of March 9, 2026; March 23, 2026 Public Hearing; and March 23, 2026;
Finance Report
The Finance Report for Year-to-Date March 2026;
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for April 13, 2026; Prepaid Bills;
Open Enrollment Requests
Open Enrollment In Requests total 6 students;
Open Enrolled Out Requests total 3 students;
Personnel Items
Contract issued to Michaela Haskell, 6th Grade Science Teacher, $50,000 per annum;
Contract issued to Aaron Fleming, Middle School Assistant Girls Track Coach, $2,410 per season;
Contract issued to Ron Swartzendruber, Middle School Assistant Boys Track Coach, $2,410 per season;
Contract issued to Ashley Bartels, Middle School Assistant Soccer Coach, $2,234 per annum;
Contract issued to Mikaela Lunsford, High School Assistant Girls Soccer Coach, $3,562 per annum;
Resignation of Shawn Sandersfeld, Fifth Grade Band/HSAP Band Teacher, $62,500 per annum, effective End of the 2025-26 School Year;
Volunteer Coach/Spring – Dessa Poll, Middle School Track
Fundraising Requests
High School Baseball requests approval to raise funds through the Online Apparel Store for the baseball program, save money for equipment and field maintenance;
Ryan Schlabaugh 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.
Home School Assistance Program (HSAP) 28E Agreement with Highland Community Schools
Superintendent Stone and SBO Swartzentruber presented the 28E Agreement with Highland that would agree for Highland to send their students to the Mid-Prairie HSAP for services while retaining the students within their district for extra curricular activities and student counts.
Jed Seward moved to approve the 28E Agreement with Highland for HSAP services. Jake Snider seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Finance-Long Range Planning
2026-2027 IBB Wage Update and Action
SBO Swartzentruber brought the recommendation to settle the Teacher wages. Teachers were offered and have accepted a $2,000 annual increase for teachers currently under contract. The step process was not used due to the way the legislature has flattened the salary schedule for teachers. The annual dollar increase is a way to provide an equitable raise to all teaching staff. The effective total package increase for Teachers resulted in a 3.42% total package increase. This was then applied to the Support Staff so that this group also received a total package Increase of 3.42%. The associations (MPEA and MPESSA) approved the package via ballot last Wednesday, April 8, 2026. The summary document used with the IBB in the negotiation’s steps were shared with the Board to provide additional detail. The Iowa Legislature set 2026-2027 State Supplemental Aid increase at 2.0%. Because of the 101% Budget Guarantee in two annual small decreases in enrollment, new money to the District is a negative $67,462 for 2026-2027. The package brought to the Board considers the negative new money, hiring savings for retiring teachers, and the use of Teacher Salary Supplement dollars. Approval of the packages for Teachers and Support Staff will allow the Business Office to issue Contracts and Work Agreements. The Board asked questions for clarification and understanding.
Ryan Schlabaugh moved to approve the proposed $2,000 annual increase of existing teachers and a 3.42% total package increase for Support Staff for the 2026-2027 School Year as presented. Mary Allred seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Public Hearing for the 2026-2027 Certified Budget at 6:40 p.m.
Board President Billups opened the Public Hearing for the 2026-2027 Certified Budget at 6:43pm. No one was present for this hearing and no one spoke. He closed the Public Hearing at 6:44 p.m.
Approve the 2026-2027 Certified Budget
SBO Jeff Swartzentruber shared a brief overview during the Hawk Highlight. Board President Billups asked if there were any questions. There being none, he asked for a motion to approve the 2026-2027 Certified Budget
Jed Seward moved to adopt the 2026-2027 Certified Budget as presented. Jake Snider seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
School Fees for 2026-2027
School Business Official Swartzentruber shared the proposed changes to School Fees for the upcoming school year. It is proposed that the student lunch and breakfast prices increase by 10 cents each for the 2026-2027 School Year. This takes into consideration continued rising food costs borne by the District. Prices were increased by 10 cents on lunch and 15 cents on breakfast last year. While the Nutrition Fund remains healthy, there is evidence that some erosion of funds continues to occur. During the 5-year Nutrition Administrative Review that was just completed, the consultant recommended the increase of 10 cents be proposed in order continue to keep pace with the State’s recommendation tools. The other fees not proposed to change are with Adult Lunches, Adult Breakfasts, Band Uniform Cleaning Fees, Choir Uniform Cleaning Fees, 3-year-Old Preschool and Book Rental Fees. The Board asked questions to clarify the recommendation.
Mary Allred moved to approve the 2026-2027 School Fees with the increases as presented. Kirah Johnson seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
West Elementary Summer Renovations AIA contract with Carl A. Nelson Co (CANCO)
The AIA contract with CANCO for $135,376 was presented to the Board for approval. The funds to pay for this project will come from the 2024 GO Bond proceeds. The contract needed to be executed between Board Meetings in order to stay on schedule for completion in August of 2026. President Billups signed the contract on March 25, 2026, when it was prepared and presented as it was in keeping with the previous overall plan.
Ryan Schlabaugh moved to approve West Elementary Renovations AIA contract for $135,376 as signed by President Billups on March 25, 2026. Jake Snider seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
High School Summer Renovations AIA contract with Carl A. Nelson Co (CANCO)
The AIA contract with CANCO for $191,484 was presented to the Board for approval. The funds to pay for this project will come from the remaining 2022 Revenue Bond proceeds. The contract needed to be executed between Board Meetings in order to stay on schedule for completion in August of 2026. President Billups signed the contract on March 25, 2026, when it was prepared and presented as it was in keeping with the previous overall plan.
Jed Seward moved to approve High School Renovations AIA contract for $191,484 as signed by President Billups on March 25, 2026. Kirah Johnson seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Additional Information
Superintendent Stone, and SBO Swartzentruber provided an update on the District related damage to buildings and vehicles in the April 2, 2026 hail storm in Kalona. The District sustained damage on a car and a minibus and are following protocols set by EMC Insurance. The roofs at East Elementary, and the Middle School fared better than expected. The roofs and siding at the Softball complex did not. The District is waiting on the adjuster’s report after EMC visited on Friday, April 10th.
Board Highlights
Announcements and Suggestions for Next Agenda
The next Work Session Meeting will be on Monday, April 27, 2026, at 6:15 p.m. Agenda items to include: Review of Board Policy 506.2 – Student Directory Information and First Reading; Review and approval of the Virtual Academy Edmentum seats purchase for 2026-2027 School Year; 2026-2027 HSAP Wages approval; Board Approved Math Curriculum 6-12; Administrator and Director Wages Discussion.
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, May 11, 2026, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room. Agenda items to include: 2026 Graduates approval, Retiree recognition.
Closed Session – Consultation with Legal Counsel
President Randy Billups asked for a motion to go into closed session in order to conduct discussions with legal counsel for the District.
Ryan Schlabaugh moved to go to Closed Session under Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(c) to discuss strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent where its disclosure would be likely to prejudice or disadvantage the position of the governmental body in that litigation. Jake Snider seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Kirah Johnson - yes Mary Allred - yes
Jed Seward - yes Ryan Schlabaugh - yes
Randy Billups - yes Jake Snider - yes
Denise Chittick - absent
Motion carried 6-0.
The Board moved to the Central Office Conference Room for the Closed Session.
The Board entered Closed Session at 7:35 p.m.
The Board exited Closed Session at 8:28 p.m.
The Board returned to the Community Room.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.