Creston Community School District

Board of Directors Meeting

Regular Board Meeting

September 15, 2025

The Board of Directors of the Creston Community School District met on Monday, September 15, 2025.  The meeting was held in the AEA Conference Room at 257 Swan Street, as well as virtually, starting at 5:30 p.m. Don Gee, Board President, presided, and the following answered the roll call: Don Gee, Galen Zumbach, Dr. Amanda Mohr, Dr. Brad James, and Sharon Snodgrass.  Administrators present: Deron Stender, Bill Messerole, Lesa Downing, Callie Anderson, and Billie Jo Greene.

A representative from the Creston News Advertiser was present.

The vice 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 5-0.

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

• Minutes of August 18, 2025
• Financial Reports
• Bills
• Contracts, Resignations, Agreements
  • Resignations
    • Jessica Wilker- Food Service
    • Deren Fry- Bus Driver
    • Janet Hudson- Custodian
  • Contracts
    • Rebecca Morrison- Paraprofessional
    • Karla Larson- Paraprofessional
    • Connie Swanson- Paraprofessional
    • Angie Ray- Paraprofessional
  • Termination
    • Pam Sobotka- Food Service
  • Top Notch Fireworks Agreement
  • Viking Fire Protection
• Volunteers:  Ruth Avazian, Jesse White, Valerie White, Agnes Hoepker, and Katey Capra for Activities; Steven Marean for READs

Communication and reports

• Middle School Principal Downing - Curriculum work continues across departments: Science introduced Science Your Way for intervention/extension and is implementing Amplify for Tier 1 support; ELA is focusing on interventions, LETRS strategies, and strengthening writing in collaboration with Social Studies; Math has set iReady for 5th/6th and continues the current program in 7th/8th while refining the Guaranteed & Viable Curriculum; Social Studies is raising rigor, using rubrics with ELA, and adding inquiry-based learning, including hosting a Pentagon 9/11 guest speaker; and Special Education is aligning schedules with SDI minutes and para support while holding monthly team meetings. Assessments are underway with FAST, MTSS, and ISASP data guiding next steps. Instructional responses include shifting Tier 3 and SDI time out of Pride Time, planning targeted Tier 2 supports, and strengthening MTSS after the cancellation of the Math pilot. Culture efforts highlight SEL through Second Step, the new 8th Grade Student Support Squad, MS/Elementary partnerships, and community celebrations on the CCMS Facebook page. Food Bank usage was shared.
• High School Principal Messerole - Creston Community High School continues to monitor the number of credit-deficient students each year, with counselors, Success staff, and administrators working closely with students and families to support on-time graduation. Updates were shared on the Hawkeye 10 Conference, noting Lewis Central’s move to the Missouri Rivers Activity Conference and Red Oak and Shenandoah’s move to the Western Iowa Conference, while Treynor declined an invitation to H10 and Carroll is still considering options. Maintaining a viable H10 conference remains important for Creston due to size and location, with confidence in moving forward as an eight or nine-team league. Additionally, CCHS math instructor Ellie Soosloff participated in a summer research project at Iowa State University and looks forward to incorporating her learning into the classroom this year.
• Business Manager Greene’s Report - The monthly financial reports. The End of Fiscal Year process was reviewed, with CAR, Special Education, and Transportation reports due by September 15. A reminder that the School Board Election will take place in FY26. To date, we have received three candidates. The deadline is September 18, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.. The IASB Convention is scheduled for November 19–21 in Des Moines. Special Education financial comparative. 
• Superintendent Stender’s Report -  The district has experienced a strong start to the school year, with students, families, and staff demonstrating resilience and patience amid significant transitions, including the move into the new Elementary/Middle School office and the “Ready, Set, Move!” initiative for kindergarten and preschool classrooms. While construction delays create some uncertainty, the project remains on track for completion before winter break, with a contingency balance of $553,644.23. Enrollment projections suggest a decline, though the RISE online program has successfully reduced open enrollment outflow and contributed positively to numbers. ESA funding has grown significantly, and district leadership is advocating for legislation to designate this revenue directly to the general fund for greater local control. Additional highlights include the expansion of mental and behavioral health services through Green Hills AEA, the upcoming rollout of Simbli board management software to increase efficiency and transparency, and continued efforts to market and sell the 801 N Elm Street property by January to avoid demolition.
• Early Childhood Facility Planning - Tentative Timeline, budget, and project spending.

Zumbach moved, and James seconded, to approve the contract amendment with DLR Group for the additional administrative service for the Early Childhood Center Project. Motion carried 5-0.

Zumbach moved, and Mohr seconded, to approve the resolution, directing and authorizing the Board Secretary to give notice of a public hearing on participation in the ISL to be held in the AEA Boardroom, 257 Swan Street, Creston, Iowa, on October 20, 2025, at 5:30 P.M.   Motion carried 5-0.

James moved, and Zumbach seconded, to approve the request for Modified Allowable Growth and Supplemental Aid for the FY25 special education deficit of $805,956.68.   Motion carried 5-0.

No action was taken on the proposed sharing agreement. 

James moved, and Zumbach seconded to approve rescheduling the Monday, November 17 board meeting to Thursday, November 20 at 5:30. Motion carried 5-0.

Zumbach moved, and Mohr seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 6:10 p.m.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

 

_______________________________________           ________________________________________

                          President                                                                         Secretary

 

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

• Monday, October 20, 2025, 5:30 p.m., Regular Board Meeting
• Monday, November 20, 2025, 5:30 p.m., Regular Board Meeting
• Monday, December 15, 2025, 5:30 p.m., Regular Board Meeting