Board Agenda-2025.02.17

CRESTON COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Regular Board Meeting

February 17, 2025 - Meeting at 5:30 p.m.

Boardroom, 801 N. Elm, Creston, IA

 

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 1-929-336-5572 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).
    1. Participants shall provide their names and address.
    2. Participants shall indicate the topic 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.
  3. Board meetings are recorded and available to the public on the district website for one month.
  4. 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. A binder labeled Public Copy of Board Materials containing board meeting materials is available for public review at the table at the side of the room. 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 January 20, 2025
    2. Financial Reports
      1. All Funds Financials
    3. Bills
      1. All Funds Report
    4. Agreements, Contracts, & Resignations
      1. Contracts and Resignations
      2. Green Hills AEA amended Managed Services
    5. Donations
    6. Volunteers
    7. Fundraisers

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

  1. Communications and Reports
    1. Student and Staff Recognition
    1. Director of District Services Report
    2. PK-4 Principal’s Report
    3. Activity Directory Report
    4. Business Manager’s Report
    5. Superintendent’s Report
      1. Enrollment & State Aid Overview
    6. Early Childhood Facility Planning
      1. Tentative Timeline - Budget (updated 2.17.25)
      2. Project Spending
    7. Board Discussion
  2. New Business
    1. Consider approving a budget reduction plan that reduces four positions.

ACTION:  The first step in the budget reduction plan (in accordance with state laws, district staff handbook, and district policies) is for the administration to present the estimated budget deficit of $983,875 (this was shared at the December 16 and January 20 board meetings) and the impact of declining student enrollment and increased operational costs.  The administration recommends a budget reduction plan that proposes the reduction of four full-time licensed positions.  The administration will notify all impacted staff as a result of reductions and involuntary transfers to retain staff as licensed and qualified.  Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.  

RECOMMENDATION:  Approve a budget reduction plan that reduces four positions.

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

    1. Consider approving repurposing Teacher Leadership and Compensation (TLC) funds to the General Fund.

ACTION:  Administration recommends repurposing Teacher Leadership and Compensation (TLC) funds to the General Fund.  The reallocation of the TLC funds increases the general fund to help retain staff and programs from budget reductions.  Three of the TLC Coaches will return to the elementary classroom, one has been hired as the District IT Director, one will be funded by title, the mentor program will continue, and all other line items will be eliminated.  Placing the instructional coaches back into the classroom will result in bumping and involuntary transfers of licensed staff by licensure and seniority.  The current staffing model does not result in a reduction in force and is contingent upon unknown factors.   Administration recommends approving the repurposing of TLC funds to the general fund to retain staff, retain programs, and minimize personnel reductions. You may have to pass a resolution for this at a later date but this serves as official notice of the intent of the district. Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.  

RECOMMENDATION:  Approve repurposing Teacher Leadership and Compensation (TLC) funds to the general fund for budget management.

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

    1. Consider awarding a contract for Early Childhood Center Addition Furniture.
      ACTION: Mrs. Anderson has worked closely with DLR staff to review and identify existing furniture and equipment that can continue to be used in the new building and save an estimated $371,545.  As with any new construction, there is a need for new furniture and equipment and this is reflected in the proposed contract. This action approves a construction contract for Early Childhood Center Addition Furniture.  Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.

RECOMMENDATION: Approve the contract to Premier F+E powered by Meteor Education for $228,454.12

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

    1. Consider approving March 24, 2025, as the date for the March regular board meeting.  

ACTION:  To provide adequate time to prepare for the March regular board meeting (due to conferences and spring break) I request that the board approve Monday, March 24, 2025, as the date for the March regular board meeting.  Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.

RECOMMENDATION:  Approve March 24, 2025, as the regular board meeting for March.

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

    1. Consider setting public hearings for the 2025-2026 certified budget hearings.
      ACTION:        As required by the Iowa Code, the district shall notify the public and hold a hearing on the certified budget public hearings.  The administration recommends setting March 24, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. and April 21, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the Central Office Board Room as the date, time, and place for the public hearing of the proposed 2025-2026 certified budget.

RECOMMENDATION: Approve setting a public hearing for March 24, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. and April 21, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the Central Office Board Room as the date, time, and place for the proposed 2025-2026 certified budget.
Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

    1. Consider setting public hearing for the proposed 2025-2026 school calendar.
      ACTION:        As required by the Iowa Code, the district shall notify the public and hold a hearing on the proposed school calendar.  The administration recommends setting March 24, 2025, at 5:40 p.m. in the Central Office Board Room as the date, time, and place for the public hearing of the proposed 2025-2026 school calendar.

RECOMMENDATION: Approve setting a public hearing for March 24, 2025, at 5:40 p.m. in the Central Office Board Room as the date, time, and place for the proposed 2025-2026 school calendar.
Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Those Voting: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

    1. Consider approving the second reading of Policy Primer 33.2
      ACTION:  IASB has revised the following policies to comply with state and federal laws.  This is the first reading of these policies.  The administration has reviewed these policies and addressed them accordingly. Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.

RECOMMENDATION: Approve the second reading of Policy Primer 33.2.
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 801 N. Elm Street, Creston, unless otherwise noted:

  • Monday, February 24, 2025, 5:30 p.m. Budget workshop
  • Monday, March 24, 2025, 5:30 p.m. Regular Board Meeting (note one week later), First Public Hearing on Certified Budget
  • Monday, April 21, 2025, 5:30 p.m. Regular Board Meeting and Second Public Hearing on Certified Budget
  • Monday, May 19, 2025, 5:30 p.m. Regular Board Meeting
  • Monday, June 16, 2025, 5:30 p.m. Regular Board Meeting