Creston Community School District

Board of Directors Meeting

Regular Board Meeting

October 20, 2025

The Board of Directors of the Creston Community School District met on Monday, October 20, 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, Callie Anderson, and Billie Jo Greene.

A representative from the Creston News Advertiser 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 5-0.

Public hearing for the proposed resolution to continue participation in the Instructional Support Levy commenced at 5:31 p.m. with an open invitation to the community. During the hearing, no oral or written objections were received regarding the resolution to continue participation in the Instructional Support Levy. Hearing closed at 5:32 p.m. 

 

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

• Minutes of September 15, 2025, September 29, 2025 #1, September 29, 2025 #2, September 30, 2025.
• Financial Reports
• Bills
• Contracts, Resignations, Agreements
  • Resignations
    • Christina Long- Paraprofessional
    • Tonya Dillenburg- Food Service
  • Contracts
    • Justice Belt- Paraprofessional
    • Tessa Miller- Paraprofessional
    • Michael Pettit- Food Service
    • Ashley Wantland- Custodian
    • Zoey Vandevender- MS Girls Head Wrestling Coach
    • Shyla Stow- MS Student Government
  • Southwest Iowa Driver’s Education Agreement
• Donations were received as follows: an anonymous donor contributed $200 to High School Activities with appreciation for the senior passes and permission for the funds to be used as needed; the Kiwanis Club donated $300 to the Nurse’s Fund for the purchase of lice kits; and the Kiwanis Club also contributed $300 to support the Reading Program.
• Volunteers for district activities included Stephanie Anderson, Carie Austin, Katie Goodenberger, Lori Harvey, Chris Lane, Kimberly Orr, Jennifer Strunk, Winter Taylor, Janet Thompson, Kathryn Thorne Ralston, Travis Webber, Nicole Webber, Kohl Ringer, Austin Seaton, AJ Warner, Andrew Hitz, Sarah Scull, and Jennifer Veitz. Additionally, Melinda Abel volunteered for Reads, Activities, and Classroom support.
• Approve Trish Dickinson as the District Homeless Coordinator
• Approve Bill Messerole as the District 504 Coordinator
• Equity Coordinator/Affirmative Action:  Deron Stender
• 2025-2026 additional payment for activities

Communication and reports

• PK-4 Principal Anderson - The curriculum team reported that the elementary building is in the process of adopting new English Language Arts curriculum resources that align with the science of reading and support a comprehensive literacy program. Pilot units will take place in November and February, with all purchases funded through curriculum accounts and approved by Trish Carson. Assessment discussions included reviewing screening and ISASP data from Spring 2025, as well as the Iowa School Performance Profile designation. Instructional teams continue to analyze intervention data to support students who need additional help and to extend learning for those who are proficient. Preliminary class counts for the 2025–2026 school year were shared, showing steady enrollment across grade levels (PK through 4th), along with an update on the Title IA budget for 2025–2026.
• Business Manager Greene’s Report - The monthly financial reports. School Board Election is November 4, 2025
• Superintendent Stender’s Report -  The district reported that the new EMS office and kindergarten classrooms are now occupied, with construction reaching substantial completion. While minor finishing work remains, full completion of Phase B is anticipated before winter break, and a community open house will be scheduled once the entire project is finished. The building project contingency fund remains unchanged, with $184,655.77 in change orders processed and a balance of $553,644.23. Following the October 1 student count and October 15 certification, district enrollment data is being analyzed, and a comprehensive report will be presented at the November 20 Board meeting. Mr. Stender attended the Rural School Advocates of Iowa annual meeting to contribute to the development of the legislative platform supporting rural education. Efforts continue to sell the 801 N. Elm Street property, with a goal of identifying a buyer by January to avoid demolition; recent vandalism at the site resulted in over $7,000 in losses. Mrs. Downing also shared information on the middle school’s food assistance program, which supports local families and was recently featured in an article highlighting community need. The November regular Board meeting has been rescheduled to Thursday, November 20, at 5:30 p.m.
• Mr. Stender read the following statement:  The school district is aware of the latest ruling in Case No. 4:25-cv-00373-RGE-HCA. This ruling requires the private hearing with the school board scheduled for Tuesday, October 21, to be continued at this time. Therefore, tomorrow night’s special board meeting is canceled. The matter may be rescheduled pending further court action. As this is an active litigation matter as well as a personnel matter, there is no further comment at this time. The district's focus from the beginning has been to provide a safe, orderly, and effective school environment in which students can learn and succeed, and this work will continue.
• Early Childhood Facility Planning - Tentative Timeline, budget, and project spending.

Zumbach moved, and James seconded, to approve the resolution to continue participation in the Instructional Support Levy (ISL). Motion carried 5-0.

Mohr moved, and James seconded, to approve the request to the SBRC for a modified supplemental amount of $7,135.54 due to excess costs of providing the EL program in the prior year.  Motion carried 5-0.

Zumbach moved, and Sharon seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 5:51 p.m.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

 

_______________________________________           ________________________________________

                          President                                                                         Secretary

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

• Thursday, November 20, 2025, 5:30 p.m., Regular Board Meeting, date change

Monday, December 15, 2025, 5:30 p.m., Regular Board Me