School Board Meeting Overview of September 17 meeting

Below is a brief overview of the September 17 School Board Work Session and Regular Meeting.
Facilities & Grade Alignment Work Session
Before the regular meeting, the board held a work session focused on grade alignment and facility usage.
Recognition and Presentations
- Difference Maker: The board recognized Technology Assistant Austin Still for going above and beyond to keep our technology systems running smoothly during the director’s absence. His quick problem‑solving and positive attitude exemplify our district values.
- District Career & Academic Plan (DCAP): Administrators presented the updated DCAP, which outlines how students in grades 8‑12 develop Individual Career & Academic Plans. The board will review outcomes from last year and goals for the coming year in order to stay compliant with state requirements.

Administrator Reports

Food Service: The summer food program completed its state review successfully.
Tilford Elementary: Fall math and literacy testing is wrapping up, and the new CKLA literacy curriculum is off to a strong start.
Shellsburg Elementary: The year began with the traditional flag‑raising ceremony; students have completed fall state testing and earned rewards for demonstrating Viking Spirit.
Middle School: Over 60 % of 7th and 8th graders are participating in fall athletics, and staff are finalizing fall screeners for fluency, comprehension and math.
High School: Upcoming events include Academic Awards Night on Sept. 25 and Homecoming activities during the week of Sept. 29–Oct. 4.
Superintendent’s Report: Highlighted the start to the school year, noting reduced bus route times and a 100 % fall bus inspection score. The district is planning facility upgrades (PA systems, security, and auditorium projector) and continues to refine food service operations in partnership with Chartwells. Upcoming priorities include homecoming celebrations, vertical alignment meetings, and mapping state testing dates.

General Business of the Board

Agenda & Minutes: Approve the meeting agenda and previous minutes.
Financials & Claims:
Annual Transportation Report (FY 2024–25): 132,543 regular-route miles at $0.70 per mile; 20,744 special‑education miles; 27,764 activity/education-trip miles; 12,509 administrative miles; 576 students transported; total mileage 190,411; net transportation cost $915,593.91 (about $1,184 per pupil).
Contracts & Quotes:
Grant Wood AEA Transfer Contract: Automatic transfer of 90 % of state AEA special‑education funding to the AEA (effective July 1 2025 – June 30 2028).
Walsworth Yearbook Agreement: Production of the 2025–26 high school yearbook.
Terpstra Hoke & Associates: Updated FY 2025 audit scope.
Bus Purchase: Quote for a 2026 Blue Bird Vision propane 77‑passenger bus ($157,646).
LP Gas Contract: Fuel contract for the 2025–26 year.
Remind App Contract: Annual subscription ($13,163.72) for the 2025–26 school year.

Support Staff Hire: Heather Egger (bus route driver).
Contract Modifications: Michala Martin; Kelsey Madsen.
Coaches: Joseph Johnson (assistant MS cross country), Lynne Church (assistant MS volleyball), Alana Fleming (volunteer cross country).
Substitutes: Robert Wittmer (van driver/grounds), Audra Piotti (teacher), Sharla Wrage (teacher), Alexandrea McBride (associate), Lori Digman (associate), Terri Meyers (custodian), Lance Summy (bus driver).
Separations: Mark Werning (grounds/custodial substitute), Maggie Bushaw (special‑education associate), Kyle McAbee (varsity boys soccer coach).

Open Enrollment: Approve requests for multiple students to enroll out of the district and accept Thomas and Tanner Werning into Vinton‑Shellsburg.
Fundraisers:

Tilford Elementary: Clubs Choice fundraiser to support field trips and PBIS celebrations.
High School Music Department: Annual Butter Braids sale (Oct. 7–21).
Speech Team: Continued football‑field cleanup for $100 per game.
Voyagers Dance Team: Sale of World’s Finest Chocolates (through December 2025).
Cheerleading: “Pie in the face” fundraiser during the Oct. 2 Powder Puff game.
FFA: Annual fruit sales.
Boys & Girls Golf Teams: Sept. 20 benefit tournament and silent auction at Vinton Country Club.

Disposals:
Shellsburg Elementary to dispose of eight 12‑foot folding lunch tables. Grounds department to dispose of a 6‑foot tarter mower.
Travel Request: Approve the high school FFA trip to the 2025 National FFA Conference in Indianapolis.

Legislative priorities: Reviewed the Iowa Association of School Boards’ 2025 legislative platform and recommended focusing on preschool and special‑education funding, equitable school‑funding policy and teacher recruitment/retention
PowerSchool data breach: Considered participation in a mass action led by the Frantz Law Group to address the December 2024 PowerSchool student‑data breach.
Flexible Spending Plan amendment: Approved changing the FSA plan year to July–June and allowing employees to carry over unused funds up to IRS limits.
Modified allowable growth request: Voted to apply for additional state aid to offset the district’s special‑education deficit and English‑learner expenses.
Policy review: Began the five‑year review of several board policies related to student residency, attendance, and education‑records access.

News : School Board Meeting Overview of September 17 meeting