Creston Community School District

Board of Directors Meeting

July 15, 2024

Regular Board Meeting

The Board of Directors of the Creston Community School district met on Monday, July 15, 2024.  The meeting was held in the Boardroom at 801 N. Elm as well as virtually, starting at 6:00 p.m.  Galen Zumbach President presided, and the following answered roll call:  Galen Zumbach, Don Gee, Sharon Snodgrass, Dr. Brad James (virtually), and Dr. Amanda Mohr.  Administrators present; Deron Stender and Taylor Royster. 

The president asked the members and audience to face the flag for the Pledge of Allegiance.

A representative from the Creston News Advertiser and KSIB was present.

The meeting was broadcast virtually, and recording is available to the public until the next regular school board meeting at the district website.

Gee moved, and Mohr seconded, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 5-0.

Public Hearing on 2024-2025 District Developed Special Education Services Delivery System.  No written or oral objections were received, opened at 6:02 and closed at 6:03 p.m.

There was no open public forum participation.

Gee moved, and Snodgrass seconded, to approve consent agenda items:  Motion carried 5-0.

• Minutes of June 17, 2024 and June 24, 2024
• Financial Reports
• Bills
• Contracts, Resignations, agreements
  • Resignations
    • Kloey Crawford- Sped Bus Para
    • Bailey Kuster - Para
    • Maggie Arnold - HS Yearbook
  • Contracts
    • Ariel Brewer - Para
    • Casey Tanner - Assistant HS Boys Wrestling Coach
    • Tasha Haley - HS Student Government
    • Chad Needham - Head 8th Grade Football Coach
    • Sara Lane - Individual Speech Coach
  • Voluntary Transfer
    • Brooke McGehee - HS English Language
  • Agreements
    • Music Theatre International Contract
    • Sorensen Entertainment DJ for Homecoming Agreement

Communication and reports

• Tom Hartsock with Hartscock Insurance explained the change in policy deductible. 
• Student Recognition- Hawkeye Ten All Conference:  Baseball - 1st Team Cael Turner- Unanimous, Parker Varner, and Dylan Hoepker; 2nd Team Sam Henry and Honorable Mention Tom Mikkelsen.  Softball - 1st Team Ava Adamson and Taryn Fredricksen; 2nd Team Jersey Foote, Sophie Hagle, and Avery Staver.
• Business Manager Greene’s Report - negative lunch balances.
• Superintendent Stender’s Report - Keystone property agreement update, Orient-Macksburg Dissolution update, planning a groundbreaking ceremony for the new early childhood facility.
• Early Childhood Facility Planning - Tentative Timeline budget, bond timeline, and project spending.

Gee moved, and Snodgrass seconded, to approve the District Developed Special Education Services Delivery Plan.  Motion carried 5-0.

Gee moved, and Mohr seconded, to approve the resolution directing the sale of $16,700,000 in school infrastructure sales, services and use tax revenue bonds.  Motion carried 5-0.

Snodgrass moved, and Gee seconded, to approve the terminating the agreement with Red Lion.   Motion carried 5-0.

Mohr moved, and Gee seconded, to approve the 2024-2025 dairy bid from Anderson Erickson.   Motion carried 5-0.

Mohr moved, and Gee seconded, to approve the 2025 district legislative priorities.   Motion carried 5-0.

Gee moved, and Snodgrass seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

 

_______________________________________           ________________________________________

                          President                                                                         Secretary

 

 

Future meeting in Creston boardroom at 801 N. Elm Street, Creston, unless otherwise noted:

• Monday, August 19, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting

• Monday, September 16, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting
• Monday, October 21, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting

 

Creston Community School District

Board of Directors Meeting

August 5, 2024

 

Regular Board Meeting

The Board of Directors of the Creston Community School district met on Monday, August 5, 2024.  The meeting was held in the Boardroom at 801 N. Elm starting at 12:00 p.m.  Galen Zumbach President presided, and the following answered roll call:  Galen Zumbach, Sharon Snodgrass, and Dr. Amanda Mohr.  Don Gee joined virtually at 12:03 p.m.  Administrators present; Deron Stender and Billie Jo Greene. 

The president asked the members and audience to face the flag for the Pledge of Allegiance.

A representative from the Creston News Advertiser was present.

Mohr moved, and Snodgrass seconded, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 3-0.

Mohr moved, and Snodgrass seconded, approved the Resolution Appointing Paying Agent, Bond Registrar, and Transfer Agent, Approving the Paying Agent, Bond Registrar and Transfer Agent Agreement and Authorizing the Execution of Same.  Roll Call vote Motion carried 3-0.

Mohr moved, and Snodgrass seconded, approving the Tax Exemption Certificate.   Roll Call vote Motion carried 3-0.

Don Gee joined virtually.

Mohr moved, and Snodgrass seconded, approving the Continuing Disclosure Certificate.  Roll Call vote Motion carried 4-0.

Snodgrass moved, and Mohr seconded, approving the Resolution Authorizing the Terms of Issuance and Providing for and Securing the Payment of School Infrastructure Sales, Services and Use Tax Revenue Bonds.   Roll Call vote Motion carried 4-0.

Mohr moved, and Gee seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 12:06 p.m.  Motion carried 4-0.

 

 

_______________________________________           ________________________________________

                          President                                                                         Secretary

 

 

Future meeting in Creston boardroom at 801 N. Elm Street, Creston, unless otherwise noted:

• Monday, August 19, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting
• Monday, September 16, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting
• Monday, October 21, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting
• IASB Convention November 20-22 in Des Moines
• Monday, November 18, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting

 

 

 

 

Creston Community School District

Board of Directors Meeting

August 19, 2024

Regular Board Meeting

The Board of Directors of the Creston Community School district met on Monday, August 19, 2024.  The meeting was held in the Boardroom at 801 N. Elm as well as virtually, starting at 6:01 p.m.  Galen Zumbach President presided, and the following answered roll call:  Galen Zumbach, Don Gee, Sharon Snodgrass, Dr. Brad James (virtually), and Dr. Amanda Mohr (virtually).  Administrators present; Deron Stender, Callie Anderson, and Billie Jo Greene. 

The president asked the members and audience to face the flag for the Pledge of Allegiance.

A representative from the Creston News Advertiser and KSIB was present.

Gee moved, and Snodgrass seconded, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 5-0.

There was no open public forum participation.

Gee moved, and Snodgrass seconded, to approve consent agenda items:  Motion carried 5-0.

• Minutes of July 15, 2024 and August 5, 2024
• Financial Reports
• Bills
• Contracts, Resignations, agreements
  • Resignations
    • Maggie Arnold - Yearbook
    • Brenda Cook - Paraprofessional
    • Susan Springer - Paraprofessional
    • Toby Williamson - Bus Driver
    • Adrian Flores - Head Girls Soccer Coach
    • Laura Palmer - Cook
  • Contracts
    • Crystal Harvey - Paraprofessional
    • Megan Shinn - Paraprofessional
    • Trish Dickinson - 9th Grade Volleyball Coach
    • Noemy Aguirre - Paraprofessional
    • Adrian Flores - Head Boys Soccer Coach
    • Carmen Ponce - Paraprofessional
    • Flor Aguirre - Cook
  • Fundraiser as presented.
  • Donations - Panther Pride Student & Promotional T-Shirts: BUNN, Community 1st Credit Union, Greater Regional Health, Hartsock Insurance, Heartland Tire and Auto Center, Iowa State Savings Bank, Lions Club, NAPA, Northwest Bank, Mak and Mary O’Riley, Subway and SWICC; Panther Pride Staff & Promotional T-Shirts: Iowa State Savings Bank; New Staff Luncheon: Creston Realty and Northwest Bank; District Staff & Student Promotions:  Hartsock Insurance. 

Communication and reports

• Business Manager Greene’s Report - End of the fiscal year process, the next school board election will be in November of 2025.
• Superintendent Stender’s Report -Orient-Macksburg Dissolution update, the groundbreaking ceremony for the new early childhood facility on August 28 at 2:00 p.m., and traffic flow.
• Early Childhood Facility Planning - Tentative Timeline budget, bond timeline, and project spending.

 

 

_______________________________________           ________________________________________

                          President                                                                         Secretary

 

 

Future meeting in Creston boardroom at 801 N. Elm Street, Creston, unless otherwise noted:

• Tuesday, August 20, 2024, 8:00 a.m. All Staff Welcome Back
• Wednesday, August 28, 2024, 2:00 p.m. Groundbreaking Ceremony
• Monday, September 16, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting
• Monday, October 21, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting
• IASB Convention November 20-22 in Des Moines
• Monday, November 18, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting

 

 

 

 

 

 

Creston Community School District

Board of Directors Meeting

September 16, 2024

Regular Board Meeting

The Board of Directors of the Creston Community School district met on Monday, September 16, 2024.  The meeting was held in the Boardroom at 801 N. Elm as well as virtually, starting at 6:00 p.m.  Galen Zumbach President presided, and the following answered roll call:  Galen Zumbach, Don Gee, Sharon Snodgrass, and Dr. Amanda Mohr.  Administrators present; Deron Stender,  Bill Messerole, Lesa Downing, and Billie Jo Greene. 

A representative from the Creston News Advertiser and KSIB was present.

The president asked the members and audience to face the flag for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Gee moved, and Mohr seconded, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 4-0.

There was no open public forum participation.

Snodgrass moved, and Gee seconded, to approve consent agenda items:  Motion carried 4-0.

• Minutes of August 19, 2024
• Financial Reports
• Bills
• Contracts, Resignations, agreements
  • Resignations
    • Ashley McGinnis - Para
    • Diana Millslagle - Cook
    • Nellie Beaman - Cook
    • Chelsea Sorensen - Custodian
  • Contracts
    • Brittony Miller - Para
    • Preston Fleharty - Para
    • Brylea Woollums - Para
    • Jordan Jones - Para
    • Michael Lochmoeller - Para
    • Alexis Ward - Para
    • Sadie Heyveld - Para
    • Corina Buchanan - Para
    • Shawn Stephens - Cook
    • Flor Aguirre - Cook
    • Cori Wells - Cook
    • Christina Borgia - Crossing Guard
    • Karly Calvin - Assistant MS Volleyball Coach
    • Brielle Baker - Assistant MS Volleyball Coach
  • 2024-2025 Substitute Compensation Schedule
  • Top Notch Fireworks Agreement
  • Pepsi Agreement
  • Donations - ECC & Elementary from Walmart for $500
  • Volunteers - Activities: Amanda Davis, Cindy Adams, Karen Ryals, Lisa Sawtelle, Nicole Webber, Peni Tussey, Ruth Avazian, and Valerie White.  Classroom: Brittney Smith, Jacob Brewer, James Giles, Rhonda Giles, Maxwell Spitzmiller, and Richard Homewood.
  • Fundraiser as presented.

Communication and reports

• Middle School Principal Downing Report - Culture team meeting update.
• High School Principal Messerole Report - High School new staffing update.
• Business Manager Greene’s Report - Special Education deficit Comparative and IASB Convention November 20-22 in Des Moines.
• Superintendent Stender’s Report -School safety and security update, Emergency Operation Plans,  Debt service funding plan, and other one-time spending needs, Early Childhood project update, Orient-Macskburg update on boundary process, Coffee and Conversation calendar, Des Moines Register doing a report on legislative changes for the AEA, attendance update for students, bus driver shortage, District Goals, preliminary review of enrollment reflects an estimated decline of 30 students and staffing shortage. 
• Early Childhood Facility Planning - Tentative Timeline budget and project spending.

 

 

_______________________________________           ________________________________________

                          President                                                                         Secretary

 

Future meeting in Creston boardroom at 801 N. Elm Street, Creston, unless otherwise noted:

• Monday, October 21, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting
• IASB Convention November 20-22 in Des Moines
• Monday, November 18, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting
• Monday, December 16, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting

 

Creston Community School District

Board of Directors Meeting

October 21, 2024

Regular Board Meeting

The Board of Directors of the Creston Community School district met on Monday, October 21, 2024.  The meeting was held in the Boardroom at 801 N. Elm as well as virtually, starting at 6:00 p.m.  Galen Zumbach President presided, and the following answered roll call:  Galen Zumbach, Don Gee, and Sharon Snodgrass. Administrators present; Deron Stender,  Callie Anderson, Lesa Downing, and Billie Jo Greene. 

A representative from the Creston News Advertiser and KSIB was present.

The president asked the members and audience to face the flag for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Gee moved, and Snodgrass seconded, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 3-0.

There was no open public forum participation.

Snodgrass moved, and Gee seconded, to approve consent agenda items:  Motion carried 3-0.

• Minutes of September 16, 2024
• Financial Reports
• Bills
• Contracts, Resignations, agreements
  • Resignations
    • Bridgette Johnson - Para
    • Andrea Slight - Para
  • Contracts
    • Abby Menefee - Para
    • Heather Brown - Para
    • Shyla Stow - Para
    • Lara Anderson - Cook
    • Daniel Clark - Custodian
    • Jessica Hotchkiss - Para
  • NWEA Agreement
  • Bluum (camera and door upgrades)
  • Donations - Michelle Downing $150 for Senior Activity Passes, Brenda Boyer Drama - vintage hats to the costume room.
  • Volunteers - Activities: Leslie Tyer
  • Approve Trish Dickinson as the District Homeless Coordinator
  • Approve Bill Messerole as the District 504 Coordinator
  • Approve Sexual harassment/Level I Investigators:  Kelsey Malmanger, Scott Driskell; Sexual Harassment/Level II Investigator:   Union County Attorney; Equity Coordinator/Affirmative Action:  Deron Stender
  • Creston Lau Plan 2024-25
  • TAG Handbook 2024-25
  • 2024-2025 additional payment for activities

 

Communication and reports

• Director of District Service Dickinson Report - Creston Continuous Improvement scoreboard, Special Education, curriculum and instruction, Talented and Gifted, English Learners, Social and Emotional Behavior Health, and Homeless Liaison
• PK-4 Anderson Report - Curriculum, assessments, and instruction
• Business Manager Greene’s Report - preliminary certified enrollment and IASB Convention November 20-22 in Des Moines.
• Superintendent Stender’s Report -School safety and security update, Emergency Operation Plans,  Debt service funding plan, and other one-time spending needs, Early Childhood project update, preliminary review of enrollment estimated decline of 55.24 served students, bus bid process, SWCC vocational plan identified areas of need, School Improvement Advisory Committee.
• Early Childhood Facility Planning - Tentative Timeline budget and project spending.
• It was noted the footprint of the Early Childhood Center is larger than expected.

Gee moved, and Snodgrass Seconded, and the Board held a closed session to discuss records required by law to be kept confidential as provided by Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(a).  Motion carried Roll Call 3-0.   Went into a closed session at 7:04 p.m.

Gee moved, and Snodgrass seconded to come out of the closed session at 7:34 p.m.  Motion carried Roll 3-0.

Gee moved, and Snodgrass seconded, and the Board held a closed session as provided in section 21.5(1)(a) of the open meeting law to review or discuss records that are required or authorized to be kept confidential.  The board reviewed and discussed the Emergency Operation Plan.  Motion carried roll call vote 3-0.   In closed session time: 7:35 p.m.

Gee moved, and Snodgrass seconded, and the Board came out of the closed session.  Motion carried roll call vote 3-0.  Out of closed session time:  7:41 p.m.

Gee moved, and Snodgrass seconded to approve the 2024-2025 Emergency Management Plan as presented during the closed session.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

_______________________________________           ________________________________________

                          President                                                                         Secretary

 

Future meeting in Creston boardroom at 801 N. Elm Street, Creston, unless otherwise noted:

• Monday, November 18, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting
• IASB Convention November 20-22 in Des Moines
• Monday, December 16, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting
• Monday, January 20, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Regular Board Meeting

Creston Community School District

Board of Directors Meeting

November 18, 2024

Regular Board Meeting

The Board of Directors of the Creston Community School district met on Monday, November 18, 2024.  The meeting was held in the Boardroom at 801 N. Elm as well as virtually, starting at 6:00 p.m.  Galen Zumbach President presided, and the following answered roll call:  Galen Zumbach, Don Gee, Dr. Amanda Mohr, Dr. Brad James, and Sharon Snodgrass. Administrators present; Deron Stender,  Callie Anderson, Lesa Downing, Scott Busch, and Billie Jo Greene. 

A representative from the Creston News Advertiser and KSIB was present.

The president asked the members and audience to face the flag for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Gee moved, and James seconded, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 5-0.

There was no open public forum participation.

Gee moved, and James seconded, to approve consent agenda items:  Motion carried 5-0.

• Minutes of October 21, 2024
• Financial Reports
• Bills
• Contracts, Resignations, agreements
  • Resignations
    • Robert Stow - Bus Driver
    • Cori Wells-Cook
    • Heather Brown - Para
    • Katlin Winemiller - Nurse (as of Dec 20th)
  • Contracts
    • Sara Keeler - HS Assistant Girls Wrestling Coach
    • Abbi Hood - Kindergarten Teacher
  • Nolte, Cornman & Johnson Audit 3-Year Agreement
  • Donations - Sharon Bennett 1st grade $570 book for each 1st grader; Dana Mickaelson, ECC and Elementary $100 winter clothing for students; GameTime $150,752.90 ECC Playground; Cindy Kneedler and Marie Grossman (Crystal Degonia Memorial) $400 Creston Cross Country; REC Foundation $800 Robotics Club.
  • Volunteers - Classroom and/or Activities: Melinda Abell, Jennifer Vietz, Carie Austin, Jesse White, Karen Fries.  READ’s:  Gwen Buck, Victoria Homewood, Michael Wolfe, Joshua Lopez, Linda Huffman, Myla Duckworth, Patricia Marean, Steave Marean, Linda Stewart, and Cindy Woods.

Communication and reports

• Student and Staff Recognition- Hawkeye 10 All-Conference Volleyball-2nd Team- Jaycee Hanson; Class 3A District 6 All-District Football Team - 1st Team- Weston Trapp, Brayden Schoon, Tom Mikkelsen, Luke Travis - 2nd Team-Xander Drake, Gunner Martwick, Tanner Ray, Mattias Schultes, Davin Wallace, Jackson Pettegrew - Honorable Mention- Casen Dryden, Josh Schaefer, Tyson Looney, Jayden Myers.  Reese Strunk qualified for the Girls State Cross Country Meet.  Pepper’s Dance Team earned the Iowa State Dance and Drill Team Top Academic Achievement Award by earning a GPA of 3.9 or higher.  Zaina Harvey- finished in the top 10 at the State Solo Dance competition and qualified for the State Finals.  Gracelyn Spencer, Olivia Fox, and Rheeana Weems all received 1 Rating and finished in the top 10 at Solo color guard; they will perform at the state championships as well.  Sarah Stephens received Green Hills Regional Teacher of the Year by the Iowa Department of Education.
• Middle School Principal Downing Report - Culture team meeting update, goals, assessments.
• High School Principal Messerole Report - Next academic year Work Based Learning update, 2024 Central Iowa Skilled Trades Apprenticeship Expo, Tulit Tiered System Support (MTSS) update.
• Business Manager Greene’s Report - Financial review and certified enrollment updated, CFPM October report, 2025-2026 school budget timeline, and IASB Convention November 20-22 in Des Moines.
• Superintendent Stender’s Early Childhood project update, MTSS Scoreboard update, Certified Enrollment review, Weather Related School Closures and Delays, Community Coffees, and Orient Macksburg dissolution plan.
  
  1. Received board consensus to notify Orient Macksburg School Board of the following:
     • Allow Creston transportation to all families on the direct line of travel to the current Orient School building
     • Reject the Orient Macksbug Dissolution Committee boundary proposal and reaffirm Crestos original boundary proposal
• Enrollment and State Aid Overview
• Early Childhood Facility Planning - Tentative Timeline budget and project spending.

Gee moved, and Snodgrass seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 6:56  p.m.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

 

_______________________________________           ________________________________________

                          President                                                                         Secretary

 

 

Organizational Meeting for 2024-2025

The Board of Directors of the Creston Community School District met on Monday, November 18, 2024.  The meeting was held in the boardroom as well as virtually, starting at 6:56 p.m.  Billie Jo Greene, Board Secretary, presided, and the following answered roll call:  Dr. Brad James, Don Gee, Sharon Snodgrass  Dr. Amanda Mohr, and Galen Zumbach. Administrators present; Deron Stender,  Callie Anderson, Lesa Downing, Scott Busch, and Billie Jo Greene.

A representative from the Creston News Advertiser and KSIB was present.

Mohr moved, James seconded, and the agenda was approved as presented.  Motion carried 5-0.

Zumbach nominated Don Gee for the Office of President.  Seconded by James.  Roll call vote motion carried 5-0.   The oath of office was administered to Don Gee, the newly elected president. 

Board Secretary Greene turned the board meeting over to newly elected Board President Gee.

Mohr nominated Galen Zumbach for the Office of Vice President. Seconded by Snodgrass.  Roll call vote motion carried 5-0.  The oath of office was administered to Galen Zumbach, newly elected vice president.

Zumbaach moved, and James seconded, to approve Billie Jo Greene as School Board Secretary and School Board Treasurer.  Motion carried 5-0.

Zumbaach moved, and James seconded, to approve school board meetings to be held on the third Monday of each month except for March, which will be moved to the fourth Monday at 5:30 p.m. in the boardroom at the Central Office at 801 North Elm St.  Motion carried 5-0.

Snodgrass moved, and Zumbach seconded, to approve Director Brad James as the Union County Conference Board Representative and Director Don Gee as the Adams County Conference Board Representative.  Motion carried 5-0.

Zumbach moved, and Snodgrass seconded to approve Creston News Advertiser as the district’s official newspaper.  Motion carried 5-0. 

Mohr moved, and James seconded, to adopt a resolution that Creston Community School District of Creston, IA, in Union County, IA, approve Iowa State Savings Bank as a financial institution to be the depository of Creston Community School District funds in conformance with all applicable provisions of Iowa Code Chapters 452 and 453 (1993) as amended by 1984 Iowa Acts, S.F. 2220.  The business manager, board secretary, and board treasurer are hereby authorized to deposit Creston Community School funds at IASB.  Naming Iowa State Savings Bank up to $20,000,000 and PMA up to $20,000,000 as the financial institutes of the depository.  Roll Call vote Motion carried 5-0.

James moved, and Mohr seconded, to approve Ahlers & Cooney Law Firm as the District Legal Counsel.  Motion carried 5-0.

Zumbach moved, and Snodgrass seconded, to approve the first-semester early graduation list pending successful completion of the graduation requirements as set forth by the Board of Education and the state of Iowa.  Motion carried 5-0.

Zumbach moved, and James seconded to approve the Creston Early Childhood Playground and Surface contract to GameTime, ℅ Cunningham Recreation for $676,989.12.  Motion carried 5-0

Zumbach moved, and James seconded to approve the bid and purchase of two buses from Hoglund Bus Company for $327,870 from the 2026 budget.   Motion carried 5-0

_______________________________________           ________________________________________

                          President                                                                         Secretary

 

Future meeting in Creston boardroom at 801 N. Elm Street, Creston, unless otherwise noted:

• Monday, December 16, 2024, 5:30 p.m., Regular Board Meeting
• Monday, January 20, 2025, 5:30 p.m., Regular Board Meeting
• Monday, February 17, 2025, 5:30 p.m., Regular Board Meeting