Mid-Prarie CSD Sept 15, 2026

Mid-Prairie Community
School District
Kalona, Wellman, West Chester
Mid-Prairie Central Office Community Room, Wellman, IA 52356
September 14, 2026 – 6:15 p.m.
www.mphawks.org

President Randy Billups called the meeting to order.
Board members present: Mary Allred, Randy Billups, Denise Chittick, Kirah Johnson, Jed Seward, and Jake Snider (arrived at 6:17 p.m.).
Board members absent: Ryan Schlabaugh and Jake Snider (arrived at 6:17 p.m.).
Also Present: Superintendent Brian Stone, Board Secretary/School Business Official Jeff Swartzentruber.
Pledge of Allegiance
Read the School Mission Statement by Jed Seward
Adopt the Agenda
Mary Allred moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Kirah Johnson. Motion carried 5-0.
Hawk Highlight – Superintendent Stone invited Elsa Schmidt, FFA Sponsor and two FFA Officers to present about a number of topics including the FFA Leadership Training, a service project at West Chester, Pedal Pull with Washington County Fair, and a number of other Summer activities. They recognized students who showed animals and projects at the State and County Fairs. There were 22 members that showed projects at the State Fair in a diverse set of categories. There are additional events planned during the Fall. FFA has 69 members and others are joining. Currently 28 Freshman students are in the process of joining FFA. The Board thanked them for their presentation.
Snider arrived during this agenda item at 6:17 p.m.
Public Forum
No one spoke.
BUSINESS MEETING
Consent Items
Kirah Johnson moved to approve the following consent items.
Minutes of Previous Meetings
The minutes of August 10, 2026, August 14, 2026, August 24, 2026;
Finance Report
The Finance Report for August 2026 Year-to-Date and Preaudit for June 2026 Year-to-Date;
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for September 14, 2026; Prepaid Bills;
Open Enrollment Requests
Open Enrollment In Requests total 0 students;
Open Enrolled Out Requests total 0 students;
Personnel Items
Work Agreement issued to Jeremiah Lassy, West Elementary Paraprofessional, $15.75 per hour;
Work Agreement issued to Andrew Gingerich, High School Custodian, $17.00 per hour;
Contract issued to Daniel Hershberger, Assistant Football Coach 7th Grade, $2,169 per annum;
Contract issued to Ashley Bartels, Assistant Volleyball Coach 7th Grade, $2,284 per annum;
Contract issued to Derek Kalm, Assistant Volleyball Coach 8th Grade, $2,103 per season;
Resignation of Jessica Dodds, West Elementary Media Secretary, $17.43 per hour, effective 8/25/2026;
Resignation of Alyssa Lindemann, Middle School General Cook, $15.75 per hour, effective 9/8/2026;
Resignation of Danielle Williams, Head Softball Coach, $6,073 per season, effective 9/9/2026;
Contracts for Summer Coaches were approved as presented;
Fundraising Requests
Baseball requests approval to raise funds through a Fall Can Drive for recycled cans on October 10, 2026 to be used for travel, equipment purchases, field maintenance, and volunteer coaches;
Mary Allred seconded the consent items. Motion carried 6-0.
Student Learning
Reports
The Board reviewed the Administrators’ written reports to the Board. Time was allotted to ask questions and discuss the reports. Appreciation was expressed for the reports. No questions were asked.
Board Policy Chapter 400 Employees – First Reading
SBO, Jeff Swartzentruber noted the review at the August 10, 2026, meeting of the 95 policies in Chapter 400 of the Board Policies per the standard review table the District uses. Policies up for amendment and recommended for First Reading are:
402.2 – Child Abuse Reporting
405.3 – Licensed Employee Individual Contracts
405.9 – Licensed Employee Probationary Status
407.2 – Licensed Employee Contract Release
411.2 – Classified Employee Qualifications, Recruitment, Selection
411.4 – Classified Employee Licensing/Certification
411.5 – Classified Employee Assignment
The remaining 88 policies in this chapter were reviewed with no changes.
Kirah Johnson moved to approve Policies 402.2, 405.3, 405.9, 407.2, 411.2, 411.4, and 411.5 as outlined above and presented on First Reading. Mary Allred seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Denise Chittick moved to accept the remaining 88 Chapter 400 policies as written and show them as reviewed. Jed Seward seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Level 1 Investigators
Superintendent Stone shared that the District needs to appoint Level 1 Investigators per Board Policy 402.3. While there are no changes in Staff, it is appropriate to appoint Level 1 Investigators at this time. Principals and Administrators recommended for appointment as Level 1 Investigators are: Kristan Hunter, Doug Stafford, Rachel Kerns, Robin Foster, Chuck Banks, Tim Bartels, and Frank Slabaugh with Superintendent Stone appointed as the First Alternate to the Level 1 Investigators. Stone asked for questions from the Board.
Mary Allred moved to approve the above listed administrators as Level 1 Investigators for the 2026-2027 School Year as recommended. Denise Chittick seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
FFA National Convention Travel
Superintendent Stone reported that the FFA National Convention will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana, from October 21 to 24, 2026. Students will travel on October 20th and October 24th. Due to the out of state travel it is recommended that the Board approve the trip.
Kirah Johnson moved to approve the FFA students’ out of state travel to Indianapolis, Indiana for the FFA National Convention between October 20, 2026, and October 24, 2026, as presented. Jake Snider seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Madrigal Choir Out of State Travel
Collette McClellen has requested permission to take the Madrigal Choir to Augustana College Chamber Choir Festival in Rock Island, Illinois on October 11 and 12, 2026 to participate in the College’s honor Choir event.
Mary Allred moved to approve the Madrigal Choir to travel to Rock Island, Illinois on October 11-12, 2026 to participate in the Augustana College Chamber Choir Festival event. Jake Snider seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Finance-Long Range Planning
Engagement Letter – Bond Election
Superintendent Stone drew the Board’s attention to the engagement letter with Ahlers & Cooney to provide legal services and representation for the General Bond election and resulting financing work should the election outcome be favorable. It is recommended the engagement letter be approved and signed by School Board President, Randy Billups.
Jed Seward moved to approve Ahlers & Cooney Bond Engagement Letter as presented. Kirah Johnson seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Treasurer’s Report
SBO Swartzentruber presented the Fiscal Year 2026 Treasurer’s Report. This is the report that is provided after the Certified Annual Report is submitted to the State Department of Education Portal by the September 15, 2026, due date, although the District was certified during the previous week. Net Operating Fund Balance increased by $480,000 ($237,650 in Unassigned Fund Balance), compared to a $528,000 increase (417,800 Unassigned Fund Balance) for the previous fiscal year. He asked for additional questions. CONTENT.
Kirah Johnson moved to accept the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Treasurers Report as presented. Jed Seward seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Special Education Deficit Spending Authority Resolution – Resolution 0914261
SBO Swartzentruber reviewed the SBRC Resolution for Additional Allowable Growth as a result of the Special Education Spending Deficit for the recently completed fiscal year ending on June 30, 2026. The reported deficit was $34,989.44 for last year as compared to $382,8633.09 for the previous year. The request is rounded up to $35,000 to allow for any upward adjustment that might be found during the Department of Education’s year-end review. The difference is a combination of less students and required staff and more Medicaid funding.
Denise Chittick moved to approve Resolution 0914261 to authorize the Superintendent to submit a request to the School Budget Review Committee for additional allowable growth of up to $35,000 to cover the deficit in Special Education funding from the year ending June 30, 2025. Kirah Johnson seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Kirah Johnson – yes; Mary Allred – yes; Jed Seward – yes; Ryan Schlabaugh – absent; Randy Billups – yes; Jake Snider – yes; Denise Chittick – yes
Motion carried 6-0.
Appoint a Delegate to the IASB Convention
School Business Official Swartzentruber reviewed the need to appoint a delegate for the Board at the State convention. Ryan Schlabaugh served as the delegate for the Board at last year’s State convention for the first time. Ryan Schlabaugh was asked if he wished to continue in this role for the upcoming state convention on November 18-20, 2026, Wednesday to Friday. He consented prior to the meeting.
Mary Allred moved to appoint Ryan Schlabaugh as delegate to the IASB Convention for November 2026. Jake Snider seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Additional Information
IASB Annual Convention will be November 18th to 20th, 2026, a Wednesday through Friday. Wednesday is Preconference with the Delegate Assembly and various preconference workshops. Thursday is the board conference session Friday is the Board Presidents’ Workship. Superintendent Stone and SBO Swartzentruber asked Board to let Swartzentruber know of their intentions to attend so that registration, travel and lodging can be arranged.
Board Highlights
FFA is a highlight. The Board commented on the size of the District’s FFA Chapter and that 28 Freshman member are new.
Billups noted his family will provide lunch on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, for all staff delivered to every building.
Johnson expressed appreciation of the Library project at West Elementary and how it came together.
Announcements and Suggestions for Next Agenda
The next Work Session Meeting will be on Monday, September 28, 2026, at 6:15 p.m. Agenda items to include: Board Policy 302.4 on Evaluations; Discussion of Bond Preparation; Potential Closed Session for discussion about Real Estate; September 30th is the Homecoming Parade and a Board Float; and Conversation on Transportation Incentives. Questions were asked about planning for Alternative Kindergarten.
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, October 12, 2026, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.

President, Randy Billups
Secretary, Jeffrey C. Swartzentruber

Published in The News, Thursday, September 24, 2026 L-328