MID-PRAIRIE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
KALONA, WELLMAN, WEST CHESTER
MID-PRAIRIE CENTRAL OFFICE COMMUNITY ROOM, WELLMAN, IA 52356
APRIL 27, 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, Ryan Schlabaugh, Jed Seward, and Jake Snider.
Board members absent: None.
Also Present: Superintendent Brian Stone, Board Secretary/School Business Official Jeff Swartzentruber.
Pledge of Allegiance
Read the School Mission Statement by Vice-President
Mary Allred moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Jed Seward. Motion carried 7-0.
Business Meeting
Consent Items
Superintendent Stone announced the following transfers that have been approved:
Tasha Mumme from West Elementary Special Education to High School Special Education Strat 2
Grace Andreasen from Early Childhood Special Education to Special Education Teacher Strat 1 at West Elementary
Jenny Roth from Title I Teacher at East Elementary to Title I Teacher at West Elementary
Melanie Steinhart from 8th Grade English Teacher to Middle School FCS Teacher
Renee Fisher from 2nd Grade Teacher to Kindergarten Teacher
Katelynn Hammen from Special Education Teacher at East Elementary to Special Education Teacher split 50/50 between East Elementary and West Elementary
Rebecca Droll from 1st Grade Teacher to Early Childhood Special Education Teacher
Amy Mercer from High School English Language Arts Teacher to 8th Grade English Language Arts Teacher
Josie Bontrager from 4th Grade Teacher to 3rd Grade Teacher
Emma Haynes from 4th Grade Teacher to 3rd Grade Teacher
New Hire Aubrey DePew starting wage is $52,067.50
Ryan Schlabaugh moved to approve the following consent items as presented and amended.
Payment of Bills
The bills as listed for April 27, 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 Claire Haag, Kindergarten Teacher, $50,000 per annum;
Contract issued to Kendal Nollen, 2nd Grade Teacher, $50,000 per annum;
Contract issued to Aubrey DePew, High School/Middle School Special Education Teacher, $52,068 per annum;
Resignation of Stacy McCoy, Paraprofessional, $16.23 per hour, effective End of 2025-26 School Year;
Resignation of Kali Miller, Paraprofessional, $15.50 per hour, effective End of 2025-26 School Year;
Resignation of John Weller Middle School Art Teacher, $62,500 per annum, effective End of 2025-26 School Year;
Resignation of Amy Mercer, High School Student Council Advisor, $334 per annum, effective End of 2025-26 School Year;
Resignation of Dain Jeppson, 8th Grade Football Coach, $3,390 per annum, effective End of 2025-26 School Year;
Resignation of Lisa Helmuth, Assistant Speech Coach, $3,464 per season, effective End of 2025-26 School Year;
Resignation of Lisa Helmuth, Assistant Fall Musical Coach, $2,386 per season, effective End of 2025-26 School Year;
Resignation of Lisa Helmuth, Assistant Spring Play Coach, $2,386 per season, effective End of 2025-26 School Year;
Fundraising Requests
Mid-Prairie Prom Committee requests approval to raise fund through the sales of shorts from April 24th to May 4th for expenditures related to Prom;
High School Football requests approval to raise fund through a football camp August 3rd to 7th and with business sponsorships through written requests during June and July for donations for football equipment, jerseys, player/coach apparel, volunteer coach pay, and pregame/postgame meals
High School Boys Basketball requests approval to raise funds through a youth basketball camp for 4th thru 8th Grade students for basketball equipment, volunteer coaches pay, senior posters, and team/coach apparel;
Kirah Johnson seconded the consent items. Motion carried 7-0.
Business Item
Edmentum Purchase for 2026-2027
Superintendent Stone drew the Boards attention to a $125,000 Edmentum, Ed Options Academy order to purchase approximately 50 seats for the on-line curriculum provided for Virtual Academy students, as well as Home School Assistance Program students and Alternative Learning Center students. While the latter two programs use Edmentum less fully, there are educational needs that can be addressed for the students in those programs. The amount is based on the number of anticipated students and is then refined as enrollment and student needs solidify going into the 2026-2027 School Year. As this exceeds spending authority for the Superintendent, it requires Board approval. The expenditures will be split appropriately between the three programs and numbers solidify. Additional seats may need to be purchased to meet student academic needs and requirements.
Jed Seward moved to approve the purchase of Edmentum Ed Options Academy virtual seats in the recommended amount of $125,000 for the 2026-2027 School Year. Denise Chittick seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Home School Assistance Program Wages for 2026-2027
SBO Swartzentruber presented the 2026-2027 wages and benefits plan for the 2026-2027 School Year. Full-time Administrators and Teachers are recommended for the total package increase of 3.42% with the full-time teachers receiving the $2,000 increase. The part-time teachers wage recommendation is an $0.85 per hour raises. As the HSAP program is on course to serve over 720 students in 2026-2027, there is also provision for 3 new 5-hour Supervising Teachers and 1 Associate Level Support Staff. Additionally, a number of teachers have had hours increased so that additional families can be served. The overall increase in staff costs with the additional hours and the pay increases is 10.73%. This would be in keeping with the anticipated increase in revenue on the increased student count of pre-registered students.
Jed Seward moved to approve the Home School Assistance Program 2026-2027 wages as presented. Jake Snider seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
School Board Policy 506.2 Student Directory Information Review and Possible First Reading
Superintendent Stone presented the new IASB language for Board Policy 506.2 Student Directory Information- and discussed the needed changes to provide the best protections for students of the District. Discussion and questions by the Board for this Policy change. If the Board wishes to pass changes on First Reading that is possible this evening it is also possible to wait until the May 11th Board Meeting to do First Reading.
Ryan Schlabaugh moved to approve Board Policy 506.2 Student Directory Information on First Reading. Mary Allred seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
Work Session
Curriculum Review for 6-12 Math
Liza Fontaine, District Curriculum Coordinator, and three teachersDeidra Baker, Sara Puttmann, and Elise Spilmanwere present to discuss the on-going Math Curriculum work for Grades 6 through 12 as it is part of the seven-year review cycle. The presentation showed the work completed and the rationale behind the upcoming Math Curriculum recommendations. The teachers discussed their goals and approaches at the High School and Middle School for their respective Mathematics curriculums. The 7-year cycle cost for this curriculum is $98,784. The Board asked questions for understanding and flow of the curriculum from Grades 1 through 12. This will be brought for action at the May 11, 2026, School Board Meeting.
Graduation Policy 505.5 Update regarding SPED
Special Education Director, Doug Stafford, discussed the proposed change to Policy 505.5. While Policy 603.3 Special Education also mentions graduation requirements, it is recommended that Policy 505.5 be amended to include more specific language about Special Education Students graduation requirements. Stafford presented the language for change in Policy 505.5 as it relates to Special Education Students. This would be reviewed at the May School Board meeting. The Board asked questions for clarification and understanding.
Administrators, Directors, and Central Office Wages for the 2026-2027 School Year
Superintendent Stone noted that the to tal package provided for all groups in the District resulted in a 3.42% increase for the next school year. In order to provide equitable raises for all, it is his intention to recommend the same total package for Administrators, Directors, and Central Office Staff. The Board asked questions for clarification and understanding.
Next Meeting and Suggestions for Next Agenda
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, May 11, 2026, at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room. Agenda items to include: Approve Graduates in the Class or 2026; Review and Act on Math Curriculum for next 7 years Grade 6-12; Administrators, Directors, and Central Office Staff Wages for 2026-2027 School Year; Review Superintendent compensation package and two-year rolling contract through Fiscal Year 2028; School Board Policy 506.2 Student Directory Information Second Reading; School Board Policy 505.5 Graduation Policy First Reading.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:31 p.m.
President, Randy Billups
Secretary, Jeffrey C. Swartzentruber
Published in The News, May 7, 2026 L-302
