Creston Community School District

Board of Directors Meeting

Regular Board Meeting

July 21, 2025

The board tour of the Early Childhood addition project at 4:30 p.m.

The Board of Directors of the Creston Community School District met on Monday, July 21, 2025.  The meeting was held in the Boardroom at 801 N. Elm, as well as virtually, starting at 5:30 p.m. Galen Zumbach, Board Vice President, presided, and the following answered the roll call: Galen Zumbach, Dr. Amanda Mohr, Dr. Brad James, and Sharon Snodgrass.  Don Gee arrived at 6:00 p.m. Administrators present: Deron Stender and Taylor Royster.

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

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

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

Public Hearing on the sale of real property commenced at 5:32 p.m. with an open invitation to the community. During the hearing, no oral or written objections were received regarding the proposed budget. Hearing closed at 5:33 p.m.

Public Hearing on the High School Auditorium Lighting Project commenced at 5:34 p.m. with an open invitation to the community. During the hearing, no oral or written objections were received regarding the proposed budget. Hearing closed at 5:34 p.m.

Public Hearing on 2025-2026 District Developed Special Education Services Delivery System.  No written or oral objections were received, opened at 5:34 p.m., and closed at 5:35 p.m.

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

• Minutes of June 19, 2025
• Financial Reports
• Bills
• Contracts, Resignations, Agreements
  • Resignations
    • Alisa Phillips- Elementary Art Teacher
    • Drew Dornack- Assistant Tennis Coach
    • Taylor Royster- Central Generalist II                                                               
    • Jacob Baudler- Elementary Para
  • Contracts
    • Sara King- Elementary & Middle School Art Teacher
    • Jason Hansen- Custodian
  • Voluntary Transfer
    • Taylor Royster- School Business Official (start of 2026-27 school year)
  • Retirements
    • Billie Jo Greene- School Business Official (end of 2025-26 school year)
  • Residential Placement Agreement
  • Music Theatre International
  • Wellmark Behavioral and Mental Health Grant
  • Green Hills AEA Revised MOU
• Annual board policy review as presented
• Volunteers:  Lisa Riley-activities and classroom; Richard Homewood and Linda Huffman READS; Amanda Hansen and Karen Ryals activities.
• Donations:  First United Methodist Church to Food Service $2,261.39 for unpaid lunch balances; YACC to Karlie Hyde (ECC- Kindergarten) $300.00 for Social Emotional Learning Books:  Iowa States Savings Bank to All PreK 4th Grade Students $1,200.00 for each student a book to read over the summer; Greater Regional Hospital - Dustie Evan to Elementary Library $0.00 provided 2 children's books on the topic of strokes; Greater Regional Hospital - Dustie Evans to Creston Elementary library $50.00 for children's books that focus on recognizing symptoms of a stroke and living with loved ones who have endured a stroke;  Elmer Moats Trust to Creston Elementary $5,000.00 for the benefit of disabled children residing in Union Count; POET to HS Robotics Club $1,500.00 for Nationals for TSA/Robotics.

Communication and reports

• Business Manager Greene’s Report - The monthly financial reports
• Superintendent Stender’s Report -  The superintendent, along with Gary Briley and Callie Anderson, continues to meet monthly with DLR and DDVI project managers to review the progress on the new Early Childhood Center. So far, $184,655.77 in change orders have been processed, leaving a contingency fund balance of $553,644.23. The superintendent of Orient-Macksburg has requested transportation support, and their board has authorized our district to send a bus to a designated location in Orient for student pick-up and drop-off. A formal agreement will follow their July 21 board meeting and will be included on the August agenda. Custodial staff are busy preparing facilities amid various transitions across the district. A welcome letter was recently sent to staff, outlining professional development schedules, training protocols, district goals, and a list of new staff members. The district is currently fully staffed, with seven new teachers on board.
• Early Childhood Facility Planning - Tentative Timeline, budget, and project spending.

Don Gee arrived at 6:00 p.m.

Zumbach moved, and Snodgrass seconded, to approve the resolution for the sale of real property. Motion carried 5-0.

Zumbach moved, and Mohr seconded, to approve the High School Auditorium Lighting Project for Van Mannen for $1,033,728.  Motion carried 5-0.

Zumbach moved, and Mohr seconded, to approve the contract amendment with DLR Group for the High School Auditorium Lighting improvement project and change order of the EMS LED lighting of $99,258.00.   Motion carried 5-0.

James moved, and Zumbach seconded, to approve the purchase and payment for a 12-passenger van from TNT Ford for $54,183.    Motion carried 5-0.

Zumbach moved, and James seconded, to approve the 2025-2026 district handbooks.   Motion carried 5-0.

Zumbach moved, and James seconded, to approve the 2025-2026 District Goals.  Motion carried 5-0.

Mohr moved, and James seconded, to approve the 2025-2026 District Legislative Priorities.    Motion carried 5-0.

Snodgrass moved, and Zumbach seconded, to approve the 2025-2026 District Developed Special Education Services Delivery Plan.   Motion carried 5-0.

Mohr moved, and Zumbach seconded, to approve the operational sharing agreement with Lenox CSD for the human resource officer and special education director.   Motion carried 5-0.

Zumbach moved, and James seconded, to approve the Dual Sports Participation.   Motion carried 5-0.

Mohr moved, and James seconded to approve the first reading of Policy Primer 33.4. Motion carried 5-0.

Zumbach moved, and Mohr seconded to approve 257 Swan Street, Creston, IA, as the place where school board meetings will be held.   Motion carried 5-0.

Zumbach moved, and Snodgrass seconded to approve the authority to the Superintendent to sell and dispose of public property as necessary and in accordance with Iowa Code.   Motion carried 5-0.

Zumbach moved, and Snodgrass seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 6:25 p.m.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

 

_______________________________________           ________________________________________

                          President                                                                         Secretary

 

Future meetings in the AEA boardroom at 257 Swan St, Creston, unless otherwise noted:

• Monday, August 18, 2025, 5:30 p.m. Regular Board Meeting
• Monday, September 15, 2025, 5:30 p.m., Regular Board Meeting
• Monday, October 20, 2025, 5:30 p.m., Regular Board Meeting