Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
February 9, 2026 – 6:15 p.m.
President Randy Billups called the meeting to order.
Board members present: Randy Billups, Denise Chittick, Kirah Johnson, Ryan Schlabaugh, Jed Seward, and Jake Snider.
Board members absent: Mary Allred.
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
Denise Chittick moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Jed Seward. Motion carried 6-0.
Hawk Highlight – Home Assistance Program (HSAP) – HSAP Director, Rachel Kerns, and Assistant HSAP Director, Molly Steinbrech, provided an update of the program for the Board. She shared the HSAP Mission Statement and explained it for the Board. She shared enrollment information by Elementary, Middle School and High School with the totals of the 3 areas reported at 666 as of January 29th—Kerns noted that the number is fluid and can change almost weekly. Open enrolled student total 408 of the 666. Kerns talked about the various supports provided to students, families and the teaching parents and is excited about the current offerings. The Board asked questions for understanding and clarification. The Board thanked Kerns and Steinbrech for an informative report.
Public Forum
No one spoke.
BUSINESS MEETING
Consent Items
Jed Seward moved to approve the following consent items. Superintendent Stone announced that Remington Amelon has moved from the Middle School to East Elementary as a Paraprofessional for the remainder of the school year.
Minutes of Previous Meetings
The minutes of January 12, 2026 and January 26, 2026;
Finance Report
The Finance Report for January 2026 Year to Date;
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for February 9, 2026; Prepaid Bills;
Open Enrollment Requests
Open Enrollment In Requests total 3 students;
Open Enrolled Out Requests total 0 students;
Personnel Items
Resignation of Spencer McVey, West Elementary Custodian, $17.41 per hour, effective January 30, 2026;
Resignation of Amy Mercer, High School Yearbook Sponsor, $1,925 per annum, effective January 27, 2026;
Resignation of Mikaela Lunsford, Middle School 6th Grade Science Teacher, $50,068 per annum, effective End of the 2025-2026 Contract Year;
Fundraising Requests
Golf for Boys and Girls Teams request approval to raise funds through the sale of Golf Apparel for the teams for Driving Range practice, Practice Rounds, Volunteer Coach Pay, and Coach and Player apparel;
Ryan Schlabaugh seconded the consent items. Motion carried 6-0.
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. The Board expressed appreciation for the reports.
Second Reading of Board Policy 501.10 Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy
Superintendent Stone reminded the Board of the updated language for Policy 501.10 that includes additional exemptions. The revised policy was approved on First Reading at the January 12, 2026 Board Meeting. It was asked if there were additional questions or discussion. There being none, President Billups as for a motion for the Second Reading.
Ryan Schlabaugh moved to approve Board Policy 501.10 Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy on Second Reading. Denise Chittick seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
School Calendar for 2026-2027
Superintendent Stone again shared the calendar for the upcoming School Year and the discussion with the IBB group. It is the same information as shared at the January 26, 2026 meeting. He recommends the Board approve the 2026-2027 School Calendar. It was asked if there were additional questions or discussions. There were none.
Denise Chittick moved to approve the 2026-2027 School Calendar as presented. Ryan Schlabaugh seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
School Calendar for 2027-2028
Superintendent Stone again shared the calendar for the upcoming School Year and the discussion with the IBB group. It is the same information as shared at the January 26, 2026 meeting. It is believed that the work on the following School Year’s calendar is a practice that will help the District and families with planning. He recommends the Board approve the 2027-2028 School Calendar. It was asked if there were additional questions or discussions. There were none.
Ryan Schlabaugh moved to approve the 2027-2028 School Calendar as presented. Kirah Johnson seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
2026 Special Education Service Delivery Plan Committee Members
Superintendent Stone shared the document for development of a Special Education Service Delivery Plan in accordance with Iowa Administrative Code rule 41.408(2)”c”. The plan will be reviewed on March 2, 2026. He then shared a list of the persons recommended to serve on the committee and his recommendation for approval. The Board asked questions for understanding of process and intent as well as additional information on the process to be taken at an upcoming Work Session.
Ryan Schlabach moved to approve the 2025-2026 Education Service Delivery Plan Committee Members as presented. Jed Seward seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Finance-Long Range Planning
6:30 P.M. Public Hearing on the Flexibility Fund Transfer of HSAP Funds
President Billups opened the Public Hearing for comment on the Flexibility Fund transfer. No one was present for the Public Hearing and as such, no one spoke. Billups closed the hearing at 6:31 p.m. The amount of the proposed transfer is $175,000. These are unspent funds available after the HSAP has completed all program expenditures for the prior School Year 2024-2025.
Flexibility Fund Transfer of HSAP Funds Resolution
President Billups asked for a motion to approve the Flexibility Account Transfer Resolution.
Jed Seward moved to approve Resolution 02092601 Flexibility Fund Transfer from the Home School Assistance Program Fund Balance to the Flexibility Account in the amount of $175,000.00 and read pertinent parts of the Resolution. Denise Chittick seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Kirah Johnson - yes Mary Allred - absent
Jed Seward - yes Ryan Schlabaugh - yes
Randy Billups - yes Jake Snider - yes
Denise Chittick - yes
Motion carried 6-0.
Approval of Bus Bid
Superintendent Stone shared that the District received 3 bids for one diesel-powered school bus for the 2026-2027 School Year. The lowest bid after trade-in consideration was from Hoglund Bus Sales bid of $156,187.00, followed by Thomas Bus Sales, Inc. of $156,443.00, and then by School Bus Sales, Inc. at $162,289.00. While the District also requested trade offers from each from bidder to see what the amounts may be for one of the propane buses in the fleet, the trade values ranged from $1,000 to $9,000. The District will most likely approach a neighboring district or two about interest in purchase of the propane bus outright. It is recommended that the Board accept the bid from Hoglund Bus Sales for the lowest bid.
Denise Chittick moved to approve the purchase of one diesel-powered school bus from Hoglund Bus Sales, Inc. in the amount of $156,187.00 after trade-in value for delivery in the 2026-2027 School Year. Kirah Johnson seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Fire Alarm 3-Year Agreement
Superintendent Stone and SBO Swartzentruber discussed the 3-Year Fire Alarm Agreement that runs from February 2026 to February 2029. The District has been with Midwest Alarm Services and their sister monitoring company Per Marr for the past 11+ years. They have been inspecting our systems annually and monitoring the District’s fire panels remotely around the clock. In that time, we have implemented 3 fire alarm systems at the Home School Education Center, West Elementary, and East Elementary to replace significantly outdated systems. This agreement would be the third extension. The last two have also been 3-year agreements after having 1-year agreements for the previous 6 years. Pricing has not changed significantly. However, as we have added equipment there has been an incremental increase in cost. The most recent increase in cost for the next 3 years is because of the additional exhaust fans at the Middle School and High School. Additionally, the new Activity and Wrestling Facility has added costs to the proposed 3-Year Agreement. It is recommended that the new agreement be approved at $42,512.28 per year. The Board asked questions for understanding and discussed the proposal. As this is above the Superintendent’s spending authority, the is brought to the Board for their consideration and approval.
Jed Seward moved to approve the 3-year agreement with Midwest Alarm Services starting Mid-February 2026 for the annual amount of $42,512.28. Jake Snider seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Update of 2026-2027 Certified Budget
SBO Swartzentruber provided a brief update of the current Budget Process. The Iowa Senate’s current SSA proposal is 1.75%. The Budget will need to go to the Washington County Auditor by March 4th to prepare for the first Public Hearing on the 2026-2027 Budget on March 23, 2026—which is the earliest a Public Hearing may be called as a separate one agenda item meeting of the Board. Subsequent to that hearing, a 2nd and final hearing will need to be held in April with the final budget submitted to the State and to the Auditor of Washington County by April 30, 2026. The documents for a bond Pre-Levy of the 2024 GO Bond is in process. Swartzentruber briefly discussed other details related to the Certified Budget preparation. No action is needed at this time. Swartzentruber will bring a request for a Public Hearing to the February 23rd School Board Meeting.
Additional Information – Nothing was added at the meeting.
Announcements and Suggestions for Next Agenda
The next Work Session Meeting will be on Monday, February 23, 2026, at 6:15 p.m. Agenda items to include: Request for a Public Hearing for the Certified Budget for March 23, 2026; Information on the Special Education Deliver Plan; Discussion of the Graduation Policy; Working on a Riverboat Foundation Library Grant that will be discussed; Discussion of District Measurements of academic success and monitoring.
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, March 9, 2026, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room. Agenda items to include: Resolution for the HSAP Flexibility Spending and other items to be determined.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:14 p.m.