August 24, 2026

Mid-Prairie Community School District Kalona, Wellman, West Chester

Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356

August 24, 2026– 6:15 p.m.

www.mphawks.org

 

President Randy Billups called the meeting to order.

Board members present: Randy Billups, Denise Chittick, Kirah Johnson, Ryan Schlabaugh, Jed Seward, and Jake Snider.

Board members absent: Mary Allred.

Also Present: Superintendent Brian Stone, Board Secretary/School Business Official Jeff Swartzentruber.

Pledge of Allegiance

Read the School Mission Statement by Vice-President

Denise Chittick moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Jed Seward. Motion carried 6-0.

Business Meeting

Consent Items

Kirah Johnson moved to approve the following consent items.

Payment of Bills

The bills as listed for August 24, 2026, and prepaid bills;

Open Enrollment Requests

Open Enrollment In Requests total 0 students; Open Enrolled Out Requests total 0 students; Personnel Items

Work Agreement issued to Catrina Cooper, West Elementary Paraprofessional, $15.75 per hour; Work Agreement issued to Alyssa Lindemann, Middle School General Cook, $15.75 per hour;

Resignation of Stephanie Schlabaugh, Middle School TLC Assistant Coach, $2,000 per annum, effective August 9, 2026;

Resignation of Angelina Kazakov, West Elementary Paraprofessional, $16.88 per hour, effective August 14, 2026;

Resignation of Brandy Christner, West Elementary Paraprofessional, $15.75 per hour, effective August 10, 2026;

Resignation of Kyle Mullet, Head Coach Baseball, $6,242 per season, effective August 19, 2026;

Fundraising Requests – None Requested

Purchase Over $25,000

Contract with “Hill for Literacy” to perform Literacy Training and Consulting for the 2026-2027 School Year in the total amount of $26,960.

Ryan Schlabaugh seconded the consent items. Motion carried 6-0.

Business Item

Recommendation to Increase Substitute Teacher Pay

Superintendent Stone shared the recommendation to increase Substitute Teacher pay from $150 per day to $165 per day starting with the 2026-2027 School Year. The last time there was an increase in Substitute Teacher pay was November of 2022. The Board asked questions for understanding.

Jed Seward moved to approve Substitute Teacher Pay from $150 per day to $165 per day as recommended. Jake Snider seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.

2026 2027 Adult Lunch Prices

School Business Official Swartzentruber drew the Board’s attention to the fee schedule. We learned in mid-August of the Federal required minimum adult lunch price at $5.14 to $5.20 per lunch. It is also recommended that the adult breakfast price increase $0.15 from $3.70 to $3.85. It is recommended the increase is $0.15 effective the first day of school 2026-2027.

Kirah Johnson moved to approve recommended adult lunch price be raised to $5.15 and the adult breakfast price be raised to $3.85 as presented. Denise Chittick seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.

Work Session

Board Policy Review of Chapter 400 Policies – Employees

Superintendent Stone noted the annual review of the rotating Board Policy chapters as started in June with Chapters 100 and 300 that are completed. The Board reviewed the Chapter 400 Policies that govern Employees and Employee practice.

Employee Evaluation Tools

Superintendent Stone shared the Employee Evaluation Tools with the Board for their awareness of the content and process. He discussed the various forms used in the past in some detail for certified staff. He also noted that the District is moving to a common evaluation tool across the District for all Support Staff and shared the evaluation tool. The Administrator evaluation tool is the same as the Superintendent’s evaluation tool. The Board asked questions about process and various aspects of the tools.

HF2591 8th-Grade High School Sports Participation Administrative Regulation

Superintendent Stone reviewed in detail the administrative regulation related to Board Policy 504.6 – Student Activity Program that was adopted on Second Reading at the August 14, 2026 meeting as the Board had requested an opportunity to review and discuss the regulation. The discussion centered on participation levels and awareness of situations that arise and or develop.

Tour of New Spaces in the High School

The Board walked over to the High School to tour the new spaces including the new relocated Art Room, FCS Classroom, and improvements to the previous FCS Classroom and to the Business Classroom.

Next Meeting and Suggestions for Next Agenda

The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, September 14, 2026, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.