New Mid-Prairie board members sworn in

WELLMAN — The Mid-Prairie school board meeting Monday night saw new members and new leaders take their positions in the aftermath of a highly competitive election.

Superintendent Mark Schneider thanked outgoing board members Jeremy Gugel and Jodi Meader for their time on the board.

“I know the time on the board hasn’t always been easy, we’ve had some very difficult, very contentious topics,” Schneider said. “I just want to say it was a pleasure serving with you, and I know you’re going to stay involved … Thanks aren’t enough, a plaque isn’t enough, a lifetime pass isn’t enough. Thank you very much.”

With Gugel and Meader’s departure, the board’s two newest members, Jed Seward and Jake Snider, took their oaths of office.

With the new seats taken, the board moved to nominate its new president and vice president: board members Jeremy Pickard and Marianne Schlabach, respectively.

“I’ve done it before, I wouldn’t mind,” Pickard said upon his nomination. “I would be happy to serve.”

Pickard did give a disclaimer before the vote, warning that he may encounter occasional scheduling issues.

“Sometimes my work schedule doesn’t allow me to attend every board meeting,” he said. “My college does have board meetings in the middle. We’re the second and fourth (Tuesdays of the month,) my college has it on the third unless there’s a holiday around something, and so my college’s board meeting could be shifted to the second or fourth.”

Other board members had no complaints, confirming Pickard and Schlabach unanimously.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com