Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
February 24, 2025– 6:15 p.m.
Vice President Ryan Schlabaugh called the meeting to order in the absence of President Jake Snider.
Board members present: Mary Allred, Randy Billups, Denise Chittick, Gabrielle Frederick, Ryan Schlabaugh, and Jake Snider (arrived at 6:29 p.m.).
Board members absent: Jed Seward and Jake Snider (arrived at 6:29 p.m.).
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 Denise Chittick. Motion carried 5-0.
Business Meeting
Consent Items
Gabrielle Frederick moved to approve the following consent items. Melissa Thomas will be going to the Middle School from West Elementary as a Title I Teacher; Taylor Weber will be moving to East Elementary from the Middle School and will remain half time as an educational interventionist. Jill Lundberg will transfer to 1st Grade from 2nd Grade for the 2025-2026 School Year.
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for February 24, 2025, and prepaid bills;
Open Enrollment Requests
Open Enrollment In Requests total 5 students;
Open Enrolled Out Requests total 0 students;
Personnel Items
Work Agreement issued to Spencer McVey, Wellman Elementary Custodian 2, $16.5 per hour;
Resignation of Anna Davila, Middle School General Cook, $15.28 per hour, effective February 21, 2025;
Fundraising Requests
FCCLA requests approval to raise funds with a Mini Dance Marathon on March 7, 2025, where pledges, donations and t-shirt sales will be used to raise funds for children and families experiencing childhood cancer.
Mary Allred seconded the consent items. Motion carried 6-0.
Business Items
Public Hearing for the Flexibility Transfer of HSAP Funds
President Snider opened the Public Hearing, set for 6:30 p.m., and asked if anyone was present to speak on the Flexibility Transfer. No one was present for the Public Hearing. President Snider closed the Public Hearing at 6:32 p.m. The amount to be transferred from the Home School Assistance Program is $350,000. These are unspent funds available after the HSAP has completed all program expenditures for the prior year of 2023-2024.
Fund Transfer Resolution to Flexibility Account
President Snyder asked for a motion to approve the Flexibility Account Transfer Resolution.
Mary Allred moved to approve Resolution 02242502 Flexibility Fund Transfer from the Home School Assistance Program Fund Balance to the Flexibility Account in the amount of $350,000.00 and read pertinent parts of the Resolution. Denise Chittick seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Gabrielle Frederick - yes Mary Allred - yes
Jed Seward - absent Ryan Schlabaugh - yes
Randy Billups - yes Jake Snider - yes
Denise Chittick - yes
Motion carried 6-0.
Washington County Riverboat Foundation Grant Request and Resolution
SBO Swartzentruber noted one additional Riverboat Foundation Request has been made. Pete Cavanagh, Activities Director, described the Football and Track Scoreboard Proposal for a Riverboat Foundation Grant with a Power Point slide presentation. The total project cost is set at $160,000 of which the Athletic Boosters will provide $50,000, the District Match of $15,000 is applied for, and the application for a Riverboat Foundation Grant of $60,000 will be completed. This leaves $35,000 to be raised by outside parties. Work will not begin until the monies are raised through the Riverboat Foundation Grant and private donations. The application is due on March 15, 2025.
Denise Chittick moved to approve Resolution 02242501 for the Football and Track Scoreboard Project Washington County Riverboat Foundation Grant in the amount of $60,000 on the $160,000 total project cost. Mary Allred seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Gabrielle Frederick - yes Mary Allred - yes
Jed Seward - absent Ryan Schlabaugh - yes
Randy Billups - yes Jake Snider - yes
Denise Chittick - yes
Motion carried 6-0.
President Snyder arrived at 6:29 p.m. during this agenda item and assumed the chair and then moved to the Public Hearing minute, above.
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 2025-2026 School Year. This advanced levy will allow the District to escrow additional principal of $75,000. 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 escrow agreement with UMB Bank will be signed by the Board President and Board Secretary.
Ryan Schlabaugh moved to approve the Resolution for the Advanced Debt Service Levy to pay an additional principal amount of $75,000 in Fiscal Year 2025-2026. Randy Billups seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Gabrielle Frederick - yes Mary Allred - yes
Jed Seward - absent Ryan Schlabaugh - yes
Randy Billups - yes Jake Snider - yes
Denise Chittick - yes
Motion carried 6-0.
Set a Public Hearing for the Grade-alike Attendance Center Changes for Fiscal Year 2026-2027
Superintendent Stone noted the Board’s request to set a Public Hearing on the stated plans to implement changes to the Grade-alike Attendance Center at the start of the 2026-2027 School Year. The proposal is to make the East Elementary School in Kalona, Iowa, changed from Kindergarten, Grades 1 and 2 to Preschool, Kindergarten, and Grade 1 and make the West Elementary School in Wellman, Iowa, changed from Preschool, Grades 3 and 4 to Grades 2, 3, and 4.
Gabrielle Frederick moved to set a Public Hearing on the Grade-alike Attendance Centers on March 10, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room. Ryan Schlabaugh seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Work Session
Crossing Guards
Superintendent Stone provided an update to the Board on the Crossing Guard Situation and happenings during the School Year. Both of the crossing guards for Highway 22 resigned at the same time. West Elementary has the Lead Custodian handling the duties in the morning and a Paraprofessional walks the group to the intersection in the afternoon. At East Elementary the Highway 22 intersection is currently being handled by assignment by the Building Principal. The positions were posted today as these are two hour per day positions. The Board asked questions about the situation. And, the Board advocated for hiring of the Crossing Guards.
Review Electronic Devise Survey
Superintendent Stone shared the results of the Survey on Full Ban or Partial Ban for the Cellphone Policy. The full ban versus partial ban was pretty close with the largest comment related to contact between student and parent in case of emergency. The Board continued the conversation surrounding the results of the survey.
Cell Phone Policy
Superintendent Stone shared a few example policy IASB model policy 503.9. He also shared what is currently in the handbook at the Middle School and High School. Stone also shared Ottumwa’s student handbook that follows their Board policy. The Board discussed the options and next steps to be considered including some details related to implementation to be considered. Policy 401.13 was also noted for review. The Board asked for Superintendent Stone to review the language of the Policy and bring Policy language to the March work session.
Alternative Kindergarten Discussion
Superintendent Stone discussed the Alternative Kindergarten situation and shared a handout of data. The Board discussed the ideas and approach to Kindergarten and Alternative Kindergarten. Currently, Alternative Kindergarten is taught at West Elementary. It would be the intention of administrators to move Alternative Kindergarten to East Elementary for the 2025-2026 School Year if it is maintained. If a change is to be made, the Board will work through the process with Superintendent Stone. A change is not anticipated at this time.
Additional Stipend for Difficult-to-Fill Positions
Superintendent Stone discussed the types of hard to filled positions. Of greatest concern is the Special Education Teachers need—required endorsements—and competitive nature of the recruitment process. This may include deepening the Concurrent Enrollment courses. He would like to bring a proposal to the Board. The Board asked questions for clarification and discussed the issues related to this situation. They were supportive of further work being done on this proposal.
Community Auditorium Task Force and Finance Update
Superintendent Stone shared an update on the work of Auditorium Task Force as well as some very preliminary cost numbers. The square footage numbers are currently being reviewed by functions and rooms. Once those are identified, the space can be better defined.
Next Meeting and Suggestions for Next Agenda
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, March 10, 2025, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room. Agenda items to include: Public Hearing at 6:30pm on Grade-alike Transitions for the 2026-2027 School Year; Set a Public Hearing for the 2025-2026 Property Tax Rates for March 24, 2025; Flexibility Fund Spending Resolution; and Second Readings for Policies 503.8 and 903.3.
The next Work Session will be on Monday, March 24, 2025, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room. Agenda Items to include: Cell Phone Policy proposal; and Public Hearing on Property Tax rates.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m.