Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
November 10, 2025 – 6:15 p.m.
President Jake Snider called the meeting to order.
Board members present: Mary Allred, Randy Billups, Denise Chittick, Gabrielle Frederick, Ryan Schlabaugh, Jed Seward, and Jake Snider.
Board members absent: None.
Also Present: Superintendent Brian Stone, Board Secretary/School Business Official Jeff Swartzentruber.
Pledge of Allegiance
Read the School Mission Statement by Vice-President
Adopt the Agenda
Mary Allred moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Jed Seward. Motion carried 7-0.
Hawk Highlights
FFA National Convention – Elsa Schmidt and 5 FFA students shared about their recent trip to the 98th Annual FFA National Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana from October 29th to November 1st. There were many varied learning and visiting opportunities the students. The Board thanked the students for their presentation.
Snakenberg Sociology Class Project – Schuyler Snakenberg and 3 students from his Sociology class shared about their recent project to recognize past and current staff. He issued a challenge to his class of 10 students to do something positive in the community. The students made the decision to recognize staff and people who have served in the District. Board members signed the various canvasses based upon decades served. The canvases will be displayed in the West-end concession area. The Board thanked the group for this project.
Public Forum
No one spoke.
BUSINESS MEETING
Consent Items
Randy Billups moved to approve the following consent items.
Minutes of Previous Meetings
The minutes of October 13, 2025, and October 27, 2025;
Finance Report
The Finance Report for October 2025;
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for November 10, 2025; and Prepaid Bills;
Open Enrollment Requests
Open Enrollment In Requests total 3 students;
Open Enrolled Out Requests total 0 students;
Personnel Items
Contracts issued to Katherine Sieren, Special Olympics Coach for Fall and Spring seasons, $766 per season for $1,532 per annum;
Fundraising Requests – None Presented for Approval
Mary Allred seconded the consent items. Motion carried 7-0.
Student Learning
Reports
The Board reviewed the Administrators’ written reports to the Board. Time was allotted to ask questions and discuss the reports. No questions were asked. Appreciation for the reports was expressed.
Finance-Long Range Planning
Public Hearing for Proposed Plans and Specifications for Mid-Prairie West Elementary Addition and Improvements at 6:25pm
Board President Snider opened the public hearing for the Mid-Prairie West Elementary Plans and Specifications at 6:25 p.m. He asked if anyone was present to speak on the subject. No one spoke. President Snider closed the Public Hearing at 6:26 p.m.
West Elementary Construction Specification Recommendation and Construction Bid
Tad Morrow of Carl A. Nelson and Company (CANCO) presented the Bid Specifications and Bid Results from the bid opening that took place on October 23, 2025. Additionally, Morrow discussed the overall budget for the 2024 General Obligation Bond as the construction at West Elementary is the final project for the bond issue. With the final project now bid, the overall project is estimated to be $21,291 over the estimated dollars to spend and clearly within the expectations of the bond process. This overage takes into consideration bond proceeds, and interest earnings on the bond proceeds held during the life of the bond projects. It is conservative in approach with construction contingencies included and estimated interest earned. The total estimated project cost for West Elementary is $2,075,000 of which $1,349,172 is for the construction costs only for the addition of 2 classrooms and ADA compliant restrooms. Playground equipment replacement is also included in the $2,075,000, at a total amount of $277,000.
Presentation Highlights for West Elementary included a General Construction bid from SG Construction Company for the project of $1,349,172. SG Construction is the apparent lower bidder at the $1.35 million amount. An alternate bid package add-on for playground resurfacing of $110,418 is not recommended and not included in the SG Construction base bid. It is recommended the Board accept the SG Construction Company bid of $1,349,172 after first accepting the Plans and Specifications for the West Elementary Classroom addition.
Ryan Schlabaugh moved to approve the plans and specifications on the Mid-Prairie West Elementary Classroom construction project as presented. Denise Chittick the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Ryan Schlabaugh moved to approve the bid from SG Construction Company as presented for approval to complete the project totaling $1,349,172 for the Mid-Prairie West Elementary Classroom Addition. Denise Chittick seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Grant Wood Director for District 2 Election Ballot Approval
School Business Official Jeff Swartzentruber shared that the Grant Wood AEA Board Election timeline is underway. A ballot was sent to President Snider’s attention at Central Office with the ballot to be executed no later than November 29, 2025. Carol Montz is the only candidate running. The District has a 9.9% share of the vote for District 2. It is recommended that the Board approve Carol Montz as the candidate. If approved the ballot will be cast on behalf of the District by Board President, Jake Snider and dated today.
Randy Billups moved to approve Carol Montz as District 2 Director on the Board of Grant Wood Area Education Agency for the next Board term. Mary Allred seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Board Development and Inservice Activities
The Board was reminded of the upcoming IASB Convention on November 19 to 21, 2025. Travel Plans for board members were finalized.
Ribbon Cutting at West Elementary Playground and set a date and time for Board and Students. Tentatively planned for Friday, 11/14/2025 in the morning. The time will be confirmed.
Announcements and Suggestions for Next Agenda
The next Work Session Meeting will be on Monday, November 24, 2025, at 6:15 p.m. Agenda items to include: Close out the current Board “Sine Die”; Organizational Meeting for the new School Board; Swearing in New Board Members; and Discussion topics that are currently developing.
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, December 8, 2025, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room.
The required Open Meetings Training for the Board on December 4th at 5:30 p.m. Brian will coordinate this with the Board.
Annual Superintendent Evaluation and Discussion per Iowa Code 21.5 Subsection 1e.
President Snider asked for a motion to go into closed session to conduct the evaluation of Superintendent Stone.
Gabrielle Frederick moved to enter closed session per Iowa Code 21.5, 1e. to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation, and that individual requests a closed session.
Jed Seward seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Gabrielle Frederick - yes Mary Allred - yes
Jed Seward - yes Ryan Schlabaugh - yes
Randy Billups - yes Jake Snider - yes
Denise Chittick - yes
Motion carried 7-0.
Board Entered Closed Session at 7:14 p.m.
Board Exited Closed Session at 8:03 p.m.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.