Mid-Prairie CSD Oct 26, 2026

Mid-Prairie Community School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
October 26, 2026– 6:15 p.m.
www.mphawks.org

President Randy Billups called the meeting to order.
Board members present: Randy Billups, Kirah Johnson, Ryan Schlabaugh, Jed Seward, and Jake Snider (arrived at 6:25 p.m.).
Board members absent: Mary Allred, Denise Chittick, and Jake Snider (arrived at 6:25 p.m.).
Also Present: Superintendent Brian Stone, Board Secretary/School Business Official Jeff Swartzentruber.

Pledge of Allegiance
Read the School Mission Statement by Vice-President
Ryan Schlabaugh moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Kirah Johnson. Motion carried 4-0.

Business Meeting
Consent Items
Jed Seward moved to approve the following consent items.
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for October 26, 2026, and prepaid bills;
Open Enrollment Requests
Open Enrollment In Requests total 0 students;
Open Enrolled Out Requests total 0 students;
Personnel Items
Contract issued to Dessa Poll, Middle School Assistant Cross Country Coach, $1,645 per season;
Winter 2026-2027 Volunteer Coaches
Rylee Vercande – High School Girls Wrestling
Duncan McCain – High School Boys Wrestling
Sarah Stoutner – Middle School Girls Basketball
Fundraising Requests
Football requests approval to raise funds through the sale of Playoff T-shirts for Volunteer Coach pay, player/coach apparel, team meals, equipment, supplies and uniforms;
Driver’s Training Provider – Open Road Driving School contract for the Summer of 2027 through the Summer of 2029;
Ryan Schlabaugh seconded the consent items. Motion carried 4-0.

Work Session
Survey Information
Superintendent Stone brought Ben Curtis from Eocene to discuss the results of the first staff survey. Curtis shared the results and comments with the Board. He noted that the results were overall very positive. Curtis then discussed some of the other areas of improvement at a detail level. There was high participation by employees at an 82% response rate. The Board asked questions for clarification and understanding. There were also questions about how questions may be asked in the next round to look at some of the areas of comments as a way to go deeper. Curtis discussed the need to provide some repeat questions on future surveys to see if there are trends year over year. The Board asked about next steps and distribution to staff, also including timing of release and future surveys.
Jake Snider arrived at 6:25 p.m. during this agenda item.
8th Grade Eligibility Survey
Superintendent Stone share a new guidance for local control that would allow 8th Grade students to participate in both Middle School and High School seasons during the Winter sports seasons. This is informational only. This is a local decision and can be processed during the next meetings. There will be additional information anticipated from the State. The Board asked questions for clarification.

Closed Session for Real Estate
Pursuant to Iowa Code, Chapter 21.5j, the Board may enter into closed session to discuss the purchase or sale of particular real estate only where premature disclosure could be reasonably expected to increase or influence the price the governmental body would expect to receive or have to pay for that property.
Kirah Johnson moved to have the School board move to closed session pursuant to Iowa Code, Chapter 21 5j.
Ryan Schlabaugh 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 - absent
Motion carried 5-0.

The Board entered Closed Session at 6:45 p.m.
The Board exited Closed Session at 7:05 p.m.

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.
Ryan Schlabaugh 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: Kirah Johnson - yes; Mary Allred - absent Jed Seward - yes; Ryan Schlabaugh - yes; Randy Billups - yes; Jake Snider - yes; Denise Chittick - absent
Motion carried 5-0.

Board Entered Closed Session at 7:08 p.m.
Board Exited Closed Session at 7:40 p.m.

Next Meeting and Suggestions for Next Agenda
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: Organizational Meeting and Election of Officers for the year; Budget Guarantee Resolution; Flexibility Transfer Resolution for HSAP funds; and Joint Statement of Commitment by the Superintendent and School Board.
The next work session of the Board will be Monday, November 23, 2026, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room. Agenda items to include: Eocene further discussion on steps on the Staff Survey.

Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m.

President, Randy Billups
Secretary, Jeffrey C. Swartzentruber

Published in The News, Thursday, November 5, 2027 L-182