Board Agenda-2025.11.20

Board Agenda-2025.11.20

CRESTON COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Board of Directors Regular Meeting

November 20, 2025 – Meeting 5:30 p.m.

Doors open at 5:15 p.m.

AEA boardroom at 257 Swan St, Creston

 

 

The vision of the Creston Community School District is to provide the foundation for students to become lifelong learners and positive, confident, and compassionate citizens.

 

Per Iowa Code Section 21.4(1)(b) the school board shall meet and conduct the regular board meeting electronically when it is impossible or impractical. Please call this toll-free number 1-434-623-2922 to access the board meeting to participate in the public hearing. Please click on this link or visit this address meet.google.com/uix-bbyc-bcm  to access the board meeting.

 

  1. The public is welcome to join remotely and observe school board meetings. Remote access information is provided above.
  2. To help facilitate the Public Forum, participants must contact the Board Secretary by noon on the day of the board meeting. The Iowa Association of School Boards advises school board members to listen to constituents and refrain from commenting during public forums. The practice of the district is for board members to listen and to direct the administration to follow up with the participant(s).
  3. Form of needed information.
    1. Participants shall provide their names and address.
    2. Participants shall indicate the agenda item they wish to address.
    3. Participants shall indicate which administrator they have addressed their concerns with.
    4. Participants are asked to limit their time to three minutes.
    5. Please see Policy 213, Public Participation in Board Meetings, for more information.
  4. Board meetings are recorded and available to the public on the district website for one month.
  5. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. If you have any questions, please contact Board Secretary Billie Jo Greene at 641-782-7028 bgreene@crestonschools.org

 

 

Join by phone

‪(US) +1 434-623-2922 PIN: ‪654 208 084#

 

 

 

 

 

Agenda

 

 

  1. Call to Order by _______________ Time: ___________

The President will call the meeting to order using the gavel if necessary. The President will request those with communication devices to either turn them off or place them on silent mode. This may be a good time to introduce any special guests. Meeting agendas are available for the public at the table at the side of the room. Meeting agendas, materials, and minutes are also available on the district web page.

  1. Pledge of Allegiance

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

 

 

Don Gee,

Board President

 

Galen Zumbach,

Vice President

 

Dr. Amanda Mohr

 

Dr. Brad James

 

Sharon Snodgrass

 

Deron Stender,

Superintendent

 

Billie Jo Greene,

School Business Official

 

Bill Messerole,

High School Principal

 

Scott Driskell. AP/Activities Director

 

Lesa Downing          5-8 Principal

 

Callie Anderson, PK-4 Principal

 

 

 

  1. Approval of Agenda

Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

  1. Public Forum

The President will ask the Board Secretary if any requests for public comment have been received. The Board will listen to public comments and, in accordance with district policy 213, will direct questions to the Superintendent or the appropriate staff.

  1. Consent Items

The President will ask for a motion to accept the Consent Agenda as presented or amended. With a motion and a second, the President will call for a vote.

    1. Minutes of  October 20, 2025
    2. Financial Reports
      1. All Funds Financials
    3. Bills
      1. All Funds Report
    4. Agreements, Contracts, & Resignations
      1. Contracts and Resignations
      2. Iowa AEA E-Rate Consulting
      3. DSM Dance Party DJs
    5. Green Hill AEA Election Ballot (need to select a candidate)
    6. Volunteers
    7. Fundraisers

Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

 

  1. Communications and Reports
    1. Student and Staff Recognition
    2. Middle School Principal’s Report
    3. High School Principal’s Report
    4. Director of District Services Report
    5. Business Manager’s Report
    6. Superintendent’s Report
      1. Enrollment & State Aid Overview
    7. Early Childhood Facility Planning
      1. Tentative Timeline - Budget (updated 4.18.25)
      2. Project Spending
      3. Change Orders updated Change order #6
    8. Board Discussion
      1. Board Recognition
  2. Adjournment: Time: _____ pm.
    Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

 

Organization Meeting for 2025-26

  1. Call to Order by _______________ Time: ___________

The Board Secretary will call the meeting to order.

 

Don Gee

 

 

Dr. Amanda Mohr

 

 

Dr. Brad James

 

MaKenzi Vonk

 

Kathy Thorne Ralston

 

Deron Stender,

Superintendent

 

Billie Jo Greene,

School Business Official

 

Bill Messerole,

High School Principal

 

Scott Driskell. AP/Activities Director

 

Lesa Downing          5-8 Principal

 

Callie Anderson, PK-4 Principal

 

 

 

  1. Approval of Agenda

Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

  1. New Business
    1. Consider Certification of School Board Election Results updated 11.19.25

ACTION:   Kathy Thorne Ralston, Dr. Amanda Mohr, and MaKenzi Vonk are duly elected to the Creston Community School Board for a term of four years.  Please note that the final certification will be available at the board table on Thursday.

RECOMMENDATION:   Approve Certification of the November 4, 2025, school board election with Kathy Thorne Ralston receiving 958 votes, Dr. Amanda Mohr receiving 922 votes, and MaKenzi Vonk receiving 875 votes.

Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

    1. Administration of the Oath of Office to Elected Board Members

The president pro-term will administer the oath of office to new board members.

Oath of office: "Do you solemnly swear that you will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the state of Iowa and that you will faithfully and impartially to the best of your ability discharge the duties of the office of the board member  in Creston Community School District as now and hereafter required by law?"

    1. The school board will elect a president and a vice president who shall hold office until November 2026
      1. The president pro-term calls for president nominations; nominations need not be seconded. The board will then conduct a written vote on the nominations (board members must put their names on the ballot for public review). The president pro-term will announce the result of the vote, administer the oath of office to the newly elected president, and the newly elected president will assume the chair.
        1. Administer the oath of office to the President. The president pro-term will administer the oath of office to the president:

"Do you solemnly swear that you will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the state of Iowa and that you will faithfully and impartially to the best of your ability discharge the duties of the office of School Board President in Creston Community School District as now and hereafter required by law?"

Motion by: _____to nominate ______ for president, Seconded by: ________,

 Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

      1. The president calls for vice president nominations; nominations need not be seconded. The board will then conduct a written vote on the nominations (board members must put their names on the ballot for public review). The president will announce the result of the vote and will administer the oath of office to the newly elected vice president.
        1. Administer the oath of office to the Vice President. The president will administer the oath of office to the vice president:

"Do you solemnly swear that you will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the state of Iowa and that you will faithfully and impartially to the best of your ability discharge the duties of the office of School Board Vice President in Creston Community School District as now and hereafter required by law?"

Motion by: _____to nominate ______ for vice president, Seconded by: ________,

 Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

    1. Consider Appointments of the School Board Secretary and School Board Treasurer

ACTION: Consider appointing Billie Jo Greene as School Board Secretary and School Board Treasurer through June 2026 and Taylor Royster as School Board Secretary and School Board Treasurer July 2026 through  November 2026.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve Billie Jo Greene and Taylor Royster as School Board Secretary and  School Board Treasurer, as indicated.
Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

    1. Consider Approving the Dates, Times, and Locations for Regular Meetings of the Board

ACTION: Currently, the district meets on the third Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m unless otherwise noted in the AEA boardroom at 257 Swan St.  Please remember that with appropriate notice, the school board can meet as needed to conduct the business of the school board.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve that school board meetings be held on the third Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted in the AEA boardroom at 257 Swan St.
Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

    1. Consider Approving Union and Adams County Conference Board Representative

ACTION: The board will appoint a representative to the Union and Adams County Conference Board. This is a committee that meets infrequently and requires very little time.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve Director __________, as the Union County Conference Board Representative, and Director, Don Gee, as the Adams County Conference Board Representative.

Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

    1. Consider Approving Official Newspaper

ACTION: As required by law, the school board annually designates the official newspaper for the district.  The Creston News Advertiser has been the designated newspaper to post notices and official business of the district.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve the Creston News Advertiser as the district’s official newspaper.

Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

    1. Consider Approving Bank Depository

ACTION: Districts are required to identify financial institutions to be depositories of the 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 District’s primary bank is Iowa State Savings Bank (ISSB) and PMA Financial Network.   Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a resolution that the Creston Community School District of Creston, IA, in Union County, IA, approves Iowa State Savings Bank and PMA Financial Network as financial institutions 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 the Creston Community School funds at IASB.  Roll call vote: Naming Iowa State Savings Bank up to $20,000,000 and PMA up to $20,000,000 as the financial institutions of the depository.

Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

    1. Consider Approving District Legal Counsel

ACTION: The District has a long-standing relationship with Ahlers & Cooney Law Firm.  Ahlers & Cooney represents many Districts in Iowa and is well known for their expertise and work with public schools.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve Ahlers & Cooney Law Firm as the District Legal Counsel.

Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

    1. Consider approving the appointment of two Board members to the Creston Education Association and AFSCME Local 3467 negotiations teams
      ACTION:       This is a formal process to serve on the negotiations team with the Creston Education Association and AFSCME Local 3467.  Two board members, Mrs. Greene, Mr. Royster, and Mr. Stender will represent the district during negotiations.  Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.
      RECOMMENDATION: Approve director _______ and director _______ as lead negotiators to negotiate with the Creston Education Association and AFSCME Local 3467.
      Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay
    2. Consider Approving the request for proposals to sell real property locally known as 801 N. Elm Street

ACTION: The district has worked with our legal counsel to plan for the sale of real property at 801 N Elm St. The first step is to formally give notice and request bids, as well as the form used for a purchase offer.  This serves as the advertisement that the property is for sale and that the district will accept offers for all or any portion of the property. Once offers are received, the district will select its preferred offer and start the process to transfer ownership.  The timeline is as follows:

  • November 20, 2025, Board approves notice and request for bids for the sale of property at 801 N Elm St.
  • January 14, 2026, bid forms are due at the central office
  • January 19, 2026, set a hearing for the sale of property for February 16, 2026
  • February 16, 2026, hearing on the sale of property, and consider approving the sale of property

The sale of real property is a formal process that requires months of planning and work.  These dates are subject to change as the district is flexible and willing to work with interested purchasers.  Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve the request for proposals to sell real property locally known as 801 N. Elm Street.

Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

    1. Consider Approving early graduates

ACTION: Mr. Messerole recommends early graduation for students at the end of the first semester, pending successful completion of their current courses and district graduation requirements. Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve early graduation for students pending successful completion of the graduation requirements as set forth by the Board of Education and the State of Iowa.
Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

 

  1. Adjournment: Time: _____ pm.
    Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

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

  • Monday, December 15, 2025, 5:30 p.m., Regular Board Meeting
  • Monday, January 19, 2026, 5:30 p.m., Regular Board Meeting
  • Monday, February 16, 2026, 5:30 p.m., Regular Board Meeting

 

 

 

 

 

bgreene@cresto… Tue, 11/18/2025 - 10:32