WELLMAN

The Mid-Prairie school board accepted a few more resignations Monday night as staffers make early decisions about next school year, among them two behavioral interventionists and Virtual Academy principal Frank Slabaugh. However, hiring is also underway, as contracts were issued to three 2nd grade teachers and a Strat-1 Special Education teacher at the middle school.

While schools are still in the dark about how much SSA funding can be expected from the state in the next fiscal year, budget planning must go forward. The district’s proposed property tax rate of $13.15 for each $1,000 of assessed property is five cents higher than in 2024-2025; the board set a public hearing for Monday, March 24 at 6:15 p.m. on the proposed tax rate. Should state funding be adequate to allow for it, the actual property tax rate may be lower.

No one spoke at the public hearing for Grade-Alike Attendance Centers, which would see preschool, kindergarten, and first grades located at East Elementary and second, third, and fourth grades located at West Elementary starting with the 2026-2027 school year.

The board passed second readings of two board policies, one for Student Threats of Violence and Incidents of Violence, and the other for Visitors to School Buildings and Sites and Communication with School Personnel.

The board passed a resolution allowing $350,000 in funds transferred from the Home School Assistance Program to flexibility accounts be spent.

The board approved a contract with Carl A. Nelson Company, which will work as construction manager for the new multipurpose wrestling center to be built on the high school campus.

The Mid-Prairie school board will next meet on Monday, March 24 at 6:15 p.m. in the Central Office Community Room. A work session will follow the proposed property tax levy public hearing.