Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
August 14, 2026– 7:15 a.m.
President Randy Billups called the meeting to order.
Board members present: Mary Allred, Randy Billups, Ryan Schlabaugh, Jed Seward, and Jake Snider (arrived at 7:19 a.m.).
Board members absent: Denise Chittick, Kirah Johnson, and Jake Snider (arrived at 7:19 a.m.).
Also Present: Superintendent Brian Stone, Board Secretary/School Business Official Jeff Swartzentruber.
Mary Allred moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Ryan Schlabaugh. Motion carried 4-0.
Business Meeting
Student Learning
General Obligation Bond Petition Papers
Collette McClellen, representing the Mid-Prairie Community and the Facilities Committee, were present to present the petition papers representing the required signatures for a resolution. It was noted that this effort was more intensive than the last bond petition push in 2023 when over 270 names were required to call the election. Mid-Prairie resident community people who signed on 75+ petition documents in support to call a General Obligation Bond referendum on November 3, 2026. This effort shows strong support that the public would like to see the Facility Committee continue to push the plan forward.
Collette McClellen respectfully requests the Board to move forward in setting an election for the General Obligation Bonds for November 3, 2026.
Resolution to Call and Election for General Obligation Bonds
Jake Snider arrived during this agenda item at 7:19 a.m.
President Billups and the Board thanked the group for their work in gathering signatures for support of a call for an election. A resolution is required to move forward to the election. In the last School Board Election there were 3,042 ballots cast in the District in all three counties—Iowa, Johnson, and Washington Counties. The petitions required to call an election is 25% of ballots cast or 771 signatures. Signatures collected exceed the 771 signatures. Billups asked if anyone wanted to review the petition pages presented. Board President Billups then asked if there was further discussion before entertaining the resolution prepared by Ahlers & Cooney.
Mary Allred moved to approve the Resolution ordering an election on the issuance of $19,000,000 General Obligation School Bonds and reading parts of the Resolution language as presented. 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 - yes
Denise Chittick - absent
Motion carried 5-0.
Board Policy 504.6 Student Activity Program – Second Reading
Superintendent Stone noted that the Policy passed on First Reading at the August 10, 2026, meeting. It is hoped that the Second Reading can be passed so that the policy is in place early in the school year and the implementation of the policy is effective for almost all of the school year. There was discussion by the Board for consideration of the regulation in the next Work Session. Stone pointed out the policy has to be in place before an administrative regulation can be implemented. Pete Cavanagh joined the meeting for this agenda item to also provide input.
Jed Seward moved to Board Policy 504.6 Student Activity Program as presented on Second Reading. Mary Allred seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:38 a.m.