Wellman

With school just weeks away, the Mid-Prairie school board toured West Elementary to see the recent renovations and additions to the school. While several improvements have already been completed, some work remains as the district prepares for the first day of school on Tuesday, August 25.

Instead of meeting at its usual location in the central office community room, the school board met at West Elementary, where members toured the building and got a look at the recent changes.

West Elementary Principal Robin Foster led the board on the tour, showing several improvements throughout the building. Those included changes to classrooms near the library, a new continuous hallway, a defined second-grade wing, updates to the former preschool areas, remodeled bathrooms, new flooring and progress on the new playground.

Foster was especially excited about the wider hallway and how it will make it easier for students to move throughout the building.

“There used to be a corridor here, two windows and then a door here in three different places. Those are all removed, and so we actually have a hallway.”

Another area Foster was excited about was the new entrances to certain classrooms. Previously, some teachers and students had to go through the library to access the rooms, but they now have their own entrances.

“They no longer have to do that. They all have their own entrances and they’re into their classrooms.”

During the tour, Superintendent Brian Stone also discussed work being done outside the building, including removing trees and improving drainage around the school.

“We got rid of all the trees out back up against the building. That’ll all be grass and all of the drains, the tile is crushed. So we’re in the process of getting it away from the building.”

Toward the end of the tour, Foster expressed her excitement about the improvements and the upcoming school year. She also mentioned that the board could tour the building again at one of its first meetings after the school year begins, once the remaining work is completed.

Hawk Highlights

During Hawk Highlights, choir teacher and director Collette McClellen, along with students Fiona McClellen, Emma Smith, Lael Seale and Greyson Ghumm, talked about their recent efforts to gather signatures for the upcoming bond and levy proposal.

The district needs 771 signatures and currently has 767 valid signatures.

McClellen talked about their progress and how they have spent several hours going around the community gathering signatures.

“We have been out many, many hours walking around town. We even went all around SouthTown.”

McClellen also talked about how they explain the bond and levy to members of the public.

“We would very much emphasize the tax-neutral benefit.”

She said the public has been very supportive throughout the process.

“The public is super supportive. There are so many people that are like, ‘Oh, this sounds amazing! This is great.’”

While canvassing, McClellen said they encountered only a couple of people who were unreceptive, while most of the people they spoke with were supportive of their efforts.

Toward the end of the presentation, McClellen thanked the students for the time and effort they have put into gathering signatures.

“I really wanted to give all these people a lot of kudos and thank you.”

Other business

The board also approved its annual depository resolution for the 2026-27 school year. The resolution increased the maximum amounts that can be held at several banks in anticipation of a possible bond issue in November.

The board also approved $45,000 in matching funds for booster groups, with athletic boosters, fine arts boosters and student boosters each having the opportunity to receive up to $15,000 in matching funds.

Next meeting

The next school board meeting will be Monday, August 24, at 6:15 p.m. in the central office community room.