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June 23, 2025

Mid-Prairie Community School District

Kalona, Wellman, West Chester

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

June 23, 2025– 6:15 p.m.

www.mid-prairie.k12.ia.us

 

President Jake Snider called the meeting to order.

Board members present:   Mary Allred, Randy Billups, Denise Chittick, Gabrielle Frederick, Ryan Schlabaugh, and Jake Snider.

Board members absent:  Jed Seward.

Also Present:  Board Secretary/School Business Official Jeff Swartzentruber, Administrative Staff:  Chuck Banks and Tim Bartels.

Superintendent Stone was absent.

Pledge of Allegiance

Read the School Mission Statement by Vice-President

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

Public Forum No one spoke.

Business Meeting

Consent Items

Mary Allred moved to approve the following consent items.

Payment of Bills

The bills as listed for June 23, 2025, and prepaid bills;

Open Enrollment Requests

Open Enrollment In Requests total 6 students;

Open Enrolled Out Requests total 0 students;

Personnel Items

Contract issued to Doug Stafford, Special Education Consultant/504 Coordinator, $104,500 per annum;

Contract issued to Khloe Beitzel, Second Grade Teacher, $50,000 per annum;

Fundraising Requests – None presented for consideration;

Grant Wood AEA Care Solace Contract for 2025-2026 -

Kirkwood Community College Agreements for 2025-2026 -

  • 4+ Transitional Services – VITAL – Costs to be determined by students and family choices;
  • Annual Class Offerings for the Washington Regional Center – Costs to be determined by classes selected by students;
  • Workplace Learning Connections Memorandum of Understanding – Estimated Cost of $4,052.70 based upon 2024-2025 Enrollments reported to the Iowa Department of Education:

Edmentum Invoice for Virtual Academy for 2025-2026 for $130,000.00;

Randy Billups seconded the consent items.  Motion carried 6-0.

Business Item – Nothing on the agenda

Work Session

Board Summer Goals

The Board discussed their Summer Goals.  The goal is to move the District forward in a number of areas.  Things like:  Marketing focus, Student positives, Staff positives, Staff and Board interactions, Administration and Board interactions, and Student and Board interactions. 

Handbooks/Discipline Consistency

The Building Administrators joined the Board to discuss their handbooks.  Included in that discussion were areas of discipline consistency within the buildings.  The administrators, Banks and Bartels, joined the conversations.  Students were made aware of the new personal electronics policy before the school year ended, and the Board asked questions about initial then ongoing implementation and enforcement.  The discussion included consistent application of all of the policy(s) that are disclosed in the handbooks.

Strength and Conditioning Contract

The current contract ends on July 31, 2025.  The discussion centered around various issues and alternatives.  Also, discussed the number of hours currently used in the contract and whether more hours can be greater than 4 hours per week.  The Board requested more options.

Board Policy Series 500 Initial Review and Questions

The Board was provided a list of the Series 500 School Board Policies for review as part of the 5-year policy review location.  Superintendent Stone reviewed the policies before the Board meeting including notes on all, noting where minor changes may be needed.  The Board walked through the list in detail noting the policies that need minor changes or to be added.  Next steps would be to take action on any changes with First and Second readings in July and August. 

Application/Hiring Practices

The Board was provided with a document that outlines the application and hiring process for positions within the District.  The Board discussed the interview process, including how the selection of the committees is done for the various positions.

Next Meeting and Suggestions for Next Agenda

The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, July 14, 2025, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room.

Next Work Session on July 28, 2025:  Add Application/Hiring Practices to the July Work Session.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m.