Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
June 22, 2026– 6:15 p.m.
President Randy Billups called the meeting to order.
Board members present: Randy Billups, Denise Chittick, Kirah Johnson, Ryan Schlabaugh, and Jake Snider.
Board members absent: Mary Allred and Jed Seward.
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 Ryan Schlabaugh. Motion carried 5-0.
Business Meeting
Consent Items
Ryan Schlabaugh moved to approve the following consent items.
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for June 22, 2026 and prepaid bills;
Open Enrollment Requests
Open Enrollment In Requests total 0 students;
Open Enrolled Out Requests total 0 students;
Personnel Items
Contract issued to Madelyn Cunningham, Kindergarten Teacher, $50,000 per annum;
Contract issued to Haley Hansen, High School Assistant Dance Coach, $2,958 per annum;
Contract issued to Beau Nieman, High School Head Wrestling Coach, $4,785 per season;
Contract issued to Marnett Meier, West Elementary TLC Assistant Coach; $2,000 per annum;
Work Agreement issued to Gina Marner, West Elementary Paraprofessional, $15.75A per hour;
Work Agreement issued to Cynthia Michel, West Elementary Paraprofessional, $15.75A per hour;
Fundraising Requests – None presented for approval
Kirah Johnson seconded the consent items. Motion carried 5-0.
Business Items
6:30PM Public Hearing on Flexibility Spending for 2025-2026
Board President Randy Billups opened the Public Hearing. No one from the Public was present to comment on Home School Assistance Program Flexibility Spending. Board President Billups closed the Public Hearing at 6:31 p.m.
Flexibility Spending Resolution for 2025-2026
SBO Jeff 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. After prompting by the Iowa Department of Education that a Public Hearing is conducted for the Spending Resolution and not for the Transfer Resolution, the Public Hearing just held provides the pathway to again pass the Spending Resolution presented tonight so that the funds in the Flexibility Accounts may be spent in the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year. President Billups asked for a motion to approve the Flexibility Account Spending Resolution.
Ryan Schlabaugh moved to approve Resolution 06222601 Flexibility Fund Spending from the Flexibility Accounts in the amount of $175,000 and read pertinent parts of the Resolution. Kirah Johnson seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Kirah Johnson - yes Mary Allred - absent
Jed Seward - absent Ryan Schlabaugh - yes
Randy Billups - yes Jake Snider - yes
Denise Chittick - yes
Motion carried 5-0.
Purchase of Two Vans
Superintendent Brian Stone drew the Board’s attention to the document that shows the potential purchase of two vans for the District. Earlier this Spring the District sold two older vehicles through GovDeals.com—a car and a smaller van that were reaching the end of their useful lives for District use. Additional developments with bus drivers have shown that there are less bus drivers willing to do activity trips. As a result, there is also a need for 12 passenger vans that would allow coaches to be a part of the transportation solution for away games. The estimated values of the two Ford vans being considered for purchase are $33.000 and $34,900, respectively. Superintendent Stone recommends the purchase of the two vans at a cost not to exceed $70,000 before any offset by the two vehicles recently sold. By purchasing the vans soon, they can be in the fleet by the start of the School Year. The Board asked questions for clarification.
Ryan Schlabaugh moved to approve the purchase of two vans not to exceed a total cost of $70,000. Denise Chittick seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Work Session
Handbook Questions
Superintendent Stone discussed the Board review of Handbooks by all buildings and programs in the District. Each handbook is available electronically for review. Additionally, a questions document has been established so that questions can be gathered from all Board members. Mr. Stone asked the Board if they had any initial questions on the eight (8) different handbooks as listed on the agenda. The Board did not ask questions at this time. The handbooks would come back for acceptance at the July 13, 2026 meeting.
Review of the Board Policies and Chapter Series
Superintendent Stone noted the annual review of the rotating Board Policy chapters. First covered were 14 policies that IASB has recommended for review in the IASB Policy Primer. Then, Stone reviewed the policy chapters 100 and 300 as part of the annual rotating policy chapters review. Chapter 400 policies will be on the meeting docket later this Summer. Policy 501.11 Student Release During School Hours was reviewed by the Board for proposed changes. In addition, the review and consideration process will be part of the July 13, 2026 Board Meeting. Mr. Stone asked for any questions on the process as it is much the same as the past number of Summer meetings for Board Policy review.
IASB Board Professional Development with Tammi Drawbaugh
Tammi Drawbaugh from Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) facilitated a discussion with the Board on leadership, roles of the Board, Governance Mindset, Board Communication Policies, and Board communication strategies.
Next Meeting and Suggestions for Next Agenda
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, July 13, 2026, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room and is the only scheduled meeting for July. Agenda items to include: Decision on Alternative Kindergarten for the 2026-2027 School Year; 2026-2027 Handbooks; Board Policies Chapters 100, 300, Policy Primer for 14 Policies, and Policy 501.11 Student Release During School Hours; Second Reading of 505.5 Graduation Requirements; and House File 291 passed in the last legislative session.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:28 p.m.