Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
October 12, 2026 – 6:15 p.m.
President Randy Billups called the meeting to order.
Board members present: Mary Allred, Randy Billups, Denise Chittick, Ryan Schlabaugh, and Jed Seward.
Board members absent: Kirah Johnson and Jake Snider.
Also Present: Superintendent Brian Stone, Board Secretary/School Business Official Jeff Swartzentruber.
Pledge of Allegiance
Read the School Mission Statement by Jed Seward
Adopt the Agenda
Jed Seward moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Mary Allred. Motion carried 5-0.
Hawk Highlight – Tracy McArtor, Girls Golf Coach, was present to share about Veteran’s golf clinic week in Riverside and Kalona golf course is a second location. Due to the weather being poor, the group asked permission to use the High School indoor practice facility. He reported that the group was very appreciative of the facility and the opportunity to use the facility. Feedback was such that the veterans would like to have the opportunity to use the facility every year. The student participation with donuts, and the High School choir singing the nation anthem leave an impression on both the students and the veterans. He shared a signed picture of the group and left it with the School Board.
Public Forum
No one spoke.
BUSINESS MEETING
Consent Items
Jed Seward moved to approve the following consent items.
Minutes of Previous Meetings
The minutes of September 14, 2026, and September 28, 2026;
Finance Report
The Finance Report for Year-to Date September 2026;
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for October 12, 2026; Prepaid Bills;
Open Enrollment Requests
Open Enrollment In Requests total 0 students;
Open Enrolled Out Requests total 0 students;
Personnel Items
Work Agreement issued to Alisha Harland, West Elementary Media Secretary, $16.05 per hour;
Work Agreement issued to Latrisha Carl, High School Paraeducator, $15.75 per hour;
Work Agreement issued to Emily Ruiz, Middle School General Cook, $15.75 per hour;
Contract issued to Brent Henry, High School Head Baseball Coach, $6,948 per season;
Fundraising Requests
FFA requests approval to raise funds through the annual Fruit/Meat/Cheese, Popcorn Sales from October 10th to November 4th for FFA activities throughout the year;
Girls and Boys Basketball requests approval to raise funds by running a youth basketball clinic on November 7, 14, and 21 to pay volunteer coaches, purchase player/coach apparel, and purchase equipment;
Kirkwood Agreement for Student Observations – This is an agreement for the placement and observation of student teachers that are placed within the Mid-Prairie Community School District.
Mary Allred seconded the consent items. Motion carried 5-0.
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.
2026-27 School Year Graduation Date – May 23, 2027
Superintendent Stone reviewed the conversation at the September 28, 2026, Work Session and the earlier ending for the 2026-2027 school year. The recommendation is to set the Graduation date to May 23, 2027. Time was allotted for questions and discussion. There were no further conversations or questions.
Denise Chittick moved to approve the graduation date for the 2026-2027 School Year to May 23, 2027 as recommended. Ryan Schlabaugh seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
2027-28 School Year Graduation Date – May 21, 2028
Superintendent Stone reviewed the conversation at the September 28, 2026, Work Session and the earlier ending for the 2027-2028 school year. The recommendation is to set the Graduation date to May 21, 2028. Time was allotted for questions and discussion. There were no further conversations or questions.
Denise Chittick moved to approve the graduation date for the 2027-2028 School Year to May 21, 2028 as recommended. Ryan Schlabaugh seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Finance-Long Range Planning
Resolution 10122601 Additional Allowable Growth Resolution for Limited English Proficiency Funds
School Business Official Swartzentruber presented the Limited English Proficiency Funds Additional Allowable Growth Resolution #10122601 as required by law. This resolution recognizes the State funding for the District’s Limited English proficiency program is insufficient. The funding requirements are a calculation based upon student served. In the District’s case, the student count is not high enough to pay the compensation and expenses for a full-time teacher, though one is required. Once the District exceeds the funds allocated, the excess costs are tracked in order to receive additional spending authority. The resolution requests $44,498.16 additional spending authority.
Ryan Schlabaugh moved to approve Resolution #10122601 for additional spending authority of $44,498.16. Jed Seward seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Kirah Johnson - absent Mary Allred - yes
Jed Seward - yes Ryan Schlabaugh - yes
Randy Billups - yes Jake Snider - absent
Denise Chittick - yes
Motion carried 5-0.
Board Policy Chapter 400 Employees – Second Reading
SBO, Jeff Swartzentruber noted the review at the August 10, 2026, meeting of the 95 policies in Chapter 400 of the Board Policies per the standard review table the District uses. The Policies below passed on Frist Reading on September 14, 2026, and are recommended for Second Reading:
- 402.2 – Child Abuse Reporting
- 405.3 – Licensed Employee Individual Contracts
- 405.9 – Licensed Employee Probationary Status
- 407.2 – Licensed Employee Contract Release
- 411.2 – Classified Employee Qualifications, Recruitment, Selection
- 411.4 – Classified Employee Licensing/Certification
- 411.5 – Classified Employee Assignment
Denise Chittick moved to approve Policies 402.2, 405.3, 405.9, 407.2, 411.2, 411.4, and 411.5 as outlined above and presented on Second Reading. Mary Allred seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Additional Information
IASB Convention, November 18th – 20th, 2026. Superintendent Stone and SBO Swartzentruber asked for Board Members to let Swartzentruber know the day(s) each Board Member plans to attend so that the registration can be completed by Swartzentruber and the lodging can be secured by Stone.
Board Highlights
- Jed Seward expressed appreciation to see the Home School Assistance Program is celebrating 30 years and now at 712 students
- Ryan Schlabaugh expressed appreciation to the FCS Culinary students for supplying the K-9 units and deputies for supplying lunch for 2 days.
Announcements and Suggestions for Next Agenda
Survey Data Discussion – Superintendent Stone noted the recent completion of the Staff Survey. He asked if there was information provide to the Board and if there are intentions to discuss at some point. The information has not yet been released be Eocene. Schlabaugh would like to Eocene to come to present the data collected. Stone will make contact with Eocene.
The next Work Session Meeting will be on Monday, October 26, 2026 at 6:15 p.m. Agenda items to include: Annual Superintendent Evaluation in closed session; Closed Session for Purchase or Sale of Real Estate.
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, November 9, 2026, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room. Agenda items to include: The Annual Organizational meeting will be held here as there are no new Board Members; and name Legal Counsel for the next year.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 6:42 p.m.