Creston Community School District

Board of Directors Meeting

Regular Board Meeting

June 16, 2025

The Board of Directors of the Creston Community School District met on Monday, June 16, 2025.  The meeting was held in the Boardroom at 801 N. Elm as well as virtually, starting at 5:30 p.m.  Don Gee, Board President, presided, and the following answered roll call:  Galen Zumbach,  Dr. Amanda Mohr, Do,n Gee, and Sharon Snodgrass. Administrators present: Deron Stender 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.

Zumbach moved, and Snodgrass seconded, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 4-0.

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

• Minutes of May 19, 2025
• Financial Reports
• Bills
• Contracts, Resignations, Agreements
  • Resignations
    • Karly Calvin- Assistant MS Volleyball Coach
    • Margo Fuller- Junior Class Sponsor
  • Contracts
    • Amber Kearney- Junior Kindergarten Teacher
  • Voluntary Transfer
    • Carmen Ponce- Para to HS Administrative Assistant
    • Amy Sheeley- Title Teacher to 1st Grade Teacher
  • Terminations
    • Tiffany Hoffman - Cook
  • 25-26 GWAEA PowerSchool
  • JCS Services
  • 2025-2026 Substitute Compensation Schedule
  • 2025-2026 Reimbursement Schedule
  • 2025-2026 Instructional Fees
  • 2025-2026 School Lunch Prices
  • 2025-2026 Activity Schedule
  • 2025-2026 Job Descriptions
  • High bid from John Kastendieck on the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban for $8,100.00
  • High bid from BM Sales on the 2014 Chevy Express cargo van for $6,101.00

Communication and reports

• Tom Hartsock with Hartsock Insurance explains the Storm Protection program.
• Business Manager Greene’s Report - The monthly financial reports cover key financial data, and as of June 5, 2025, negative lunch balances over $100 total $16,345.66. In April, $15,071.56 worth of accounts were submitted to Kinum, the district’s collection agency. Kinum sends five letters before accounts move into formal collections; so far, 15 accounts have reached that stage, with over $3,000 collected. Another upload is planned for late June. Parent notifications have been sent through TotalK12, both automatically and manually, with weekly reminders later transitioned to ParentSquare. There are currently 67 unpaid student fee accounts totaling $3,210, which have not yet been sent to Kinum. Reminders were sent monthly from October to January and then every other week through May. The district is transitioning to SchoolCafe for lunch account management, as TotalK12 will no longer be available after December 2025.
• Superintendent Stender’s Report -  Monthly construction meetings with DLR and DDVI continue to monitor progress on the new Early Childhood Center, with $60,342 in change orders processed and a remaining contingency fund of $649,982.26. The district has applied for a $90,000 Wellmark School-Centered Behavioral Health Grant to expand mental health services, with a tiered funding model over three years. In partnership with Green Hills AEA, the district plans to employ a full-time behavioral and mental health specialist, allowing for operational sharing revenue of $16,000–$32,000 annually to help offset costs in future grant years. The administrative team recently met to review data, assess progress on previous goals, and prepare for 2025–2026 using the logic model framework. Updated district goals will be shared with the board in July. Custodial staff are actively preparing facilities amid ongoing district transitions. The superintendent continues to represent Creston nationally as an Executive Board Member for the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), gaining valuable insights and sharing rural district perspectives. Monthly communication through KSIB interviews, the Panther Pitch, and community coffee meetings helps keep families and community members informed and engaged.
• Enrollment and State Aid Overview
• Early Childhood Facility Planning - Tentative Timeline, budget, and project spending.
• Board Discussion on the coffee shop plans.

Mohr moved, and Snodgrass seconded, to approve setting a public hearing for  July 21, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the Board Room as the date, time, and place for the proposed High School Auditorium Lighting project.   Motion carried 4-0.

Zumbach moved, and Mohr seconded, to approve setting July 15, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. as the bid date to receive bids for the High School Auditorium Lighting project.  Motion carried 4-0.

Zumbach moved, and Mohr seconded, to approve setting a public hearing for July 21, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the Central Office Board Room as the date, time, and place for the sale of real estate.   Motion carried 4-0.

Zumbach moved, and Mohr seconded, to approve setting a public hearing for July 21, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the Central Office Board Room as the date, time, and place for the proposed 2025-2026 District Developed Special Education Services Delivery System.    Motion carried 4-0.

Zumbach moved, and Mohr seconded, to approve the participation in the Storm Protection Fund, an Iowa Code 28E entity and Chapter 670 Risk Pool.   Motion carried 4-0.

Mohr moved, and Snodgrass seconded, to approve the transfer of $29,598.55 from the general fund to the activity fund for safety equipment and state competitions.   Motion carried 4-0.

Zumbach moved, and Mohr seconded, to approve the 2025-2026 fuel bid from Agriland FS, Inc.  Motion carried 4-0.

Zumbach moved, and Snodgrass seconded, to approve the 2025-2026 dairy bid from Anderson Erickson and bread bid from Pan-O-Gold Baking Co.    Motion carried 4-0.

Zumbach moved, and Mohr seconded, to approve the Supervising Teacher Agreement.   Motion carried 4-0.

Snodgrass moved, and Zumbach seconded, to approve the Early Notice Incentive.   Motion carried 4-0.

Mohr moved, and Zumbach seconded, to approve the Out-of-State Professional Travel for the Superintendent.   Motion carried 4-0.

Mohr moved, and Zumbach 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 4-0.   In closed session time: 6:36 p.m.

Zumbach moved, and Snodgrass seconded, and the Board came out of the closed session.  Motion carried 4-0.  Out of closed session time:  6:38 p.m.

Zumbach moved, and Snodgrass seconded to approve the 2025-2026 Emergency Management Plan as presented during the closed session.  Motion carried 4-0.

Mohr moved, and Zumbach seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 6:56 p.m.  Motion carried 4-0.

 

 

_______________________________________           ________________________________________

                          President                                                                         Secretary

 

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

• Monday, July 21, 2025, 5:30 p.m. Regular Board Meeting
• Monday, August 18, 2025, 5:30 p.m. Regular Board Meeting