Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
September 28, 2026– 6:15 p.m.
President Randy Billups called the meeting to order.
Board members present: Mary Allred, Randy Billups, Denise Chittick, Kirah Johnson, Jed Seward, and Jake Snider.
Board members absent: Ryan Schlabaugh.
Also Present: Superintendent Brian Stone, Board Secretary/School Business Official Jeff Swartzentruber.
Pledge of Allegiance
Read the School Mission Statement by Vice-President
Mary Allred 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 September 28, 2026, and prepaid bills;
Open Enrollment Requests
Open Enrollment In Requests total 2 students;
Open Enrolled Out Requests total 1 student;
Personnel Items
Contract issued to Tasha Mumme, Fall Special Olympics Coach, $657 per Season;
Fundraising Requests
The Post Prom Committee requests approval to raise funds through cookie sales from Sugar Bottom Bakery from September 20th through October 31st and then from March 1st to April 1st for the Post Prom event and activities;
The Post Prom Committee requests approval to raise funds through November 21st pulled pork dinner drive through event at the High School and Middle School for the Post Prom event and activities;
The Post Prom Committee requests approval to raise funds through a raffle of an autographed Caitlin Clark Indiana Fever Shirt with tickets sold at home basketball games in the upcoming season for the Post Prom event and activities;
The Post Prom Committee requests approval to raise funds through a sale of Kettle Corn during the Football/Volleyball Homecoming week’s activities for the Post Prom event and activities;
The Post Prom Committee requests approval to raise funds through an October 24th Move Night through ticket and concession sales for the Post Prom event and activities;
The Post Prom Committee requests approval to raise funds through a sale of Mid-Prairie Branded blankets through the remainder of the Football season and through the Basketball Season for the Post Prom event and activities
Denise Chittick seconded the consent items. Motion carried 6-0.
Work Session
Board Policy 302.4 Superintendent Duties Discussion
Superintendent Stone provided the Board Policy for review mainly from the earlier discussion of the bullet point items on the document and the approach taken for evaluations. The tool needs to be the 10 ISL Standards according to Iowa Code.
Graduation Date
Superintendent Stone reported the District’s last day of school is scheduled to be Friday, May 21st. He presented a statement of rationale provided by High School Principal Chuck Banks. Graduation has traditionally occurred on the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend. In this instance that is Sunday, May 30th. At that time all Teaching Staff are no longer under contract, which creates a number of logistical issues. An alternative date for graduation needs to be selected. While nothing can be decided at this meeting, the suggested date is Sunday, May 23rd. The Board discussed this and asked questions for clarification. In future years, graduation date will be a part of the calendar consideration for approval.
Alternative Kindergarten Conversation
The Board discussed the current status of the Alternative Kindergarten (AK) program and the approach for the 2027-2028 School Year. Stone reported that East Elementary Principal, Kristan Hunter is working on. He reviewed the timeline for when the AK option and opportunity would be rolled out in the plan. Johnson shared some background information she gathered from some larger schools. The Board thanked her for her work.
Transportation Incentives
Superintendent Stone discussed the need for Activity Drivers and the current status of filling the calendar for the upcoming trips. Transportation Director, Teresa Hartley present to listen to the discussion and answer questions. SBO Swartzentruber was also a part of the discussion. Various ideas were discussed to incentivize the drivers to drive the evening activity trips. The Board asked questions to clarify the issues and the solutions that are being explored.
Bond Referendum Preparations Update
Superintendent Stone provided an update of the actions taken and a timeline of tasks to be taken by the District on the Website, Social Media, Newspaper articles, etc., to encourage people to go to the polls on November 3, 2026. Social Media is quite active, and there are items on the website as well for the public.
Superintendent Evaluation for October 26, 2026
Superintendent Stone shared the ISL standards document and notes on the timeline that is in Board Policy. Standard 8 is the only standard that has not been covered in Stone’s evaluation. This year it is suggested that Standards 1, 4, 6, and 8 be used.
Closed Session for Real Estate Purchase or Sale
Pursuant to Iowa Code, Chapter 21.5j, the Board may enter into closed session to discuss the purchase or sale of particular real estate only where premature disclosure could be reasonably expected to increase or influence the price the governmental body would expect to receive or have to pay for that property.
Jed Seward moved to have the School board move to closed session pursuant to Iowa Code, Chapter 21 5j. Jake Snider seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Kirah Johnson - yes Mary Allred - yes
Jed Seward - yes Ryan Schlabaugh - absent
Randy Billups - yes Jake Snider - yes
Denise Chittick - yes
Motion carried 6-0.
The Board entered Closed Session at 6:59 p.m.
The Board exited Closed Session at 7:18 p.m.
Next Meeting and Suggestions for Next Agenda
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, October 12, 2026, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room. Agenda items to include: Second Reading of 7 Chapter 400 Board Policies that require amendments; Board Resolution for Additional Allowable Growth for the English Language Learners program.
Board Highlight
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m.