WELLMAN

In addition to candidates for various local, state, and national offices, voters in the Mid-Prairie School

District will see a question on their ballot next week that will allow the district to fund continued facility improvements.

School facilities are integrally tied to a community’s economic vitality, say members of the district’s Facility Advisory Committee who are also district residents, parents, and business owners.

“As a local Realtor and business owner, I see how important strong schools and quality facilities are to families looking to make our community their home,” said Hayley Hershberger, Broker/Owner, Kalona Realty, Inc.

“I’m proud to support this project and excited about what it could mean for our community.” Hershberger is also a parent in the district and serves on the facility advisory committee.

On the ballot is a proposed plan that includes an addition and renovations to the high school. The projects include fine arts

and special education classrooms, a new events entrance, and a 500-seat auditorium. The new event entrance will connect the auditorium to the current gymnasium and will include new ADA-compliant restrooms as well as new event/activities concessions. Renovating the current band and choir classrooms will allow special education to move to the first level.

The current special education classrooms will then be converted to create much-needed space for general education use and additional ADA-compliant restrooms for the building.

All of these projects were identified by the broader district community and were prioritized by the community-based committee in planning that began in 2023.

Matt Gent is also a facility community member who has children in the district and is a local farmer.

“I am proud to have been an integral part of the Mid-Prairie Facilities Committee, which helped plan the upcoming bond. I strongly encourage everyone to vote on November 3 so we can continue improving our school district. I am proud to live in a community that prioritizes our youth and education.”

The total project cost for the 2026 general obligation bond will be $19 million. Because the projects will be funded with a

general obligation bond, 60% voter approval is required.

The project will not increase the district’s property tax levy rate, which has decreased to $13.01 from $13.87 in 2018, all

while the district has completed multiple facility improvements.

“Over the past few years, our school district has exercised great fiscal responsibility while making significant, necessary

upgrades to our facilities,

” Gent said.

“By carefully managing funds and paying off debt ahead of schedule, we have positioned the district to complete this bond with a tax-neutral levy rate. This means these vital improvements can be made without increasing the tax burden on our community."

For the last decade, the Mid-Prairie School Board has used the voter-approved debt service levy of $2.70 to pay down existing bonds early and save interest.

As a result, the district paid off the 2014 bond in 2025, which was nine years ahead of schedule, saving the district $751,600 in interest. The district has been taking the same approach to the bonds that were approved by voters in 2023, with 70% approval, to fund parking and bus drop-off at both elementary schools, a new multi-purpose activities building at the high school, and additional classrooms and a new playground at West Elementary School. If the bond passes, the $2.70 levy will be used to pay off both the existing bond and the new bond.

“The proposed Mid-Prairie auditorium and classroom improvements would be an investment in our students and community,” Hershberger said.

“I’m proud to support this project and excited about what it could mean for our community.”

For facility updates, go to www.mphawks.org/o/district/page/facilities and follow the district on social media.

For more information: Brian Stone, bstone@mphawks.org, (319) 646-6093

Project graphics are here: Mid Prairie 2026 Bond Graphics