Superintendent Brian Stone

Nearly a year ago, Mid-Prairie Community School District asked its communities to go to the polls. On the ballot was a question that would have allowed the district to levy additional property taxes in order to repay a loan that would pay for renovations and additions to all district facilities. 

More than 50% of voters were in favor. However, special elections require a super majority of 60% to pass.

The bond failed, but needs remain, and the district intends to return to the drawing board to review past work and identify priorities that will ultimately shape a new facility plan for the district that balances needs and wants with available funding.

“We intend to learn from what has transpired and want this learning to benefit our students, staff, and community,” said Brian Stone, Superintendent.  “We are excited about continuing toward academic and facilities excellence with input from our constituents.”

The process began in December by issuing a request for proposals from area architec

ture firms. We received eight proposals, and on January 18, the school board and district administration, along with our construction manager, Carl A. Nelson Company, interviewed the top four candidates. 

On January 23, the board voted unanimously to enter into a contract with OPN Architects of Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, to work with the district and community to build on past facility assessments and planning and validate priorities in order to form a new plan for the district’s facilities.

“The board and administration are very excited about the opportunity to work with OPN on the upcoming project,” Stone said.  “During the interview, it was evident that they functioned well as a team and provided a genuine, authentic perspective on how we can move forward.”
  In OPN’s 43-year history, the firm has worked with many districts throughout the state, including dozens of facility assessment and planning projects. OPN has teamed with MODUS Engineering for the project. MODUS’ project manager Trevor Conrad is a resident of the district. 

One of the first steps in the process will be a survey. The district will ask the community to share their thoughts about the proposed plan and the district’s communication prior to the vote in 2022.

“While discussing with board members how we can improve from what we have learned, getting feedback from our constituents is essential.  This will provide insight into ways to improve the process and gain knowledge on what people feel is necessary for us to be successful moving forward,” Stone said.

The next important step will be to reconvene a Facilities Advisory Committee made up of parents, staff, community members, business owners, students, and school board members. Ultimately, the goal is to revisit former plans, validate priorities, and present a new plan to the school board in spring 2023 that the committee can unanimously agree best meets needs of the students, staff, and community.

In addition to the facilities committee, there will be opportunities for the entire community to tour the schools, ask questions, and share thoughts about district facility needs.