Wellman

One topic that has been heavily discussed during the summer at Mid-Prairie has been alternative kindergarten (AK). It was first brought up during a special session in late May and has since been debated as the board considered whether to offer the program for the 2026-27 school year.

The first two times the topic was discussed, the board tabled the matter. The first delay allowed board members more time to consider the issue, while the second occurred because not all board members were present.

The recommendation to temporarily suspend AK was based largely on enrollment. There are currently seven students registered for AK and 99 registered for traditional kindergarten, for a total of 106 kindergarten students. Superintendent Brian Stone said that with six kindergarten sections, class sizes would average just under 18 students, while also noting that the district typically enrolls eight to 10 additional kindergarten students before school begins.

Stone told the board the recommendation was not his alone, but also came from West Elementary Principal Robin Foster and East Elementary Principal Kristan Hunter. He said moving to six kindergarten sections will help keep class sizes manageable if additional students enroll before the start of the school year.

Board members remained divided on the issue. Board member Mary Allred said she understood the benefits of AK but was also concerned about class sizes for kindergarten teachers.

"I struggle with this a lot. I never had a child in AK, but I hear parents talk about the benefits it provides while also wondering whether classes of 20 students compared to seven are really benefiting our educators. So, I'm really torn at this point."

As the discussion continued, Stone emphasized that the recommendation was not meant as criticism of the program.

  "I just want to come back to this. This isn't about the program or the people involved; for me, this is a win-win, and I just want us to succeed in as many ways as possible."

Board member Kirah Johnson said she supports the AK program but believes the current enrollment numbers make six kindergarten sections the better option.

"I love an AK program, and I feel pretty passionate about it. But given the way the numbers are sitting, and with the same curriculum, I don't feel there's a reason to put a kindergarten teacher under the stress of 20 or 22 students. So, it'd be my vote to move to six kindergarten sections."

Board vice president Jake Snider opposed suspending the program this year, saying he believes the district should continue offering AK despite the lower enrollment.

"My personal belief is that we should keep AK, but the real goal should be looking at what we're doing, how we can improve it, how we can grow it, how we can better promote it, and how we can make greater use of it in our district so more kids can benefit from our AK programming."

The board ultimately voted 5–1 to pause the alternative kindergarten program for the 2026–27 school year unless enrollment reaches at least 10 students by Aug. 3.

HF 2591

During the public forum, parent Matt Paul spoke about House File 2591, the recently passed law allowing eighth-grade students to participate in high school athletics.

Paul, who has children who have participated in Mid-Prairie athletics and others who will in the future, said he believes high school sports should remain limited to students in grades 9-12.

Later in the meeting, the board discussed the new law, noting that participation is a local school district decision. Stone said he has spoken with other athletic directors, who recommended that eighth graders only be moved to the high school level if they meet one of three criteria.

No action was taken, as Stone said he expects to receive additional guidance after meeting with the Iowa School Boards Association on July 30 before bringing the matter back to the board in August.

Storm protection

The board also received an update on the district's storm protection pool. Board Secretary Jeff Swartzentruber explained that participation in the program reduced the district's deductible from 1% of the value of its buildings to a flat $10,000.

As a result, the district was responsible for only $10,000 of approximately $180,500 in storm-related damage claims this past year.

Insurance proceeds will help cover repairs to the middle school roof, two sheds near East Elementary, the football storage shed, the maintenance shed, the softball buildings, storage buildings and wood damage at the softball facilities. Swartzentruber also said the district plans to replace the two sheds near East

Elementary with one larger building while working with the insurance company on the project.

Custodian update

West Elementary custodian Mike Ferguson and high school custodian Jim Tate updated the board on summer construction and maintenance projects taking place before students and staff return in August.

Ferguson said significant progress has been made throughout the summer and praised newly hired custodian Lilly Lippold for quickly becoming a valuable addition to the staff.

Among the projects at West Elementary are repainting classrooms, asbestos abatement, floor replacement, new LED lighting, restroom updates and ongoing construction of the building addition. Ferguson said custodial staff hope to have classrooms ready when teachers return next month.

Tate reported that the former weight room is being converted into a new art room while the former art room is being remodeled into a family and consumer sciences classroom. He also discussed additional storage being added, new floor-cleaning products being introduced and a walk-behind auto scrubber the district won through a supplier raffle.

The high school is also replacing carpet in several areas.

Next meeting

The next board meeting will take place next month on Monday, Aug. 10, at 6:15 p.m. in the Central Community Office room.