Board Agenda-2025.03.25

CRESTON COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Public Hearing for Certified Budget - Meeting at 5:30 p.m.

Followed by

Regular Board Meeting

March 24, 2025 - Meeting at 5:40 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#

 

First Hearing on Certified Budget

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. Open budget hearing #1 on the proposed 2025-2026 budget

Board President states, "At this time we will hold the public hearing for the 2025-2026 fiscal year budget.  Is there anyone present who wants to voice any oral objections to the 2026 fiscal year budget?"  Following a pause to allow anyone to voice their opinion, the Board President will ask the Board Secretary, "Do we have any written objections to the 2026 fiscal year budget?"  After the Secretary presents any written objections, the president closes the public hearing by stating "I now declare the hearing closed."

Open at ____ p.m. ____ written or ____oral objections received closed at ____ p.m.

 

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

 

 

Regular Board Meeting

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.

 

 

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  February 17, 2025, February 24, 2025 (updated)
    2. Financial Reports
      1. All Funds Financials
    3. Bills
      1. All Funds Report
    4. Agreements, Contracts, & Resignations
      1. Contracts and Resignations
      2. Iowa LGPR Natural Gas Program Agreement
    5. Annual review of Board Policy 103
      1. This is a new DOE requirement in order to complete the Desk Audit
    6. Donations
    7. Volunteers

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

  1. Communications and Reports
    1. Student and Staff Recognition
    2. Director of District Services Report
    3. Middle School Principal’s Report
    4. High School Principal’s 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 2.17.25)
      2. Project Spending
      3. Construction video
    8. Board Discussion
  2. New Business
    1. Recommendation to Terminate Sheri Blair’s Teacher Continuing Contract.

ACTION:  The Superintendent will present a recommendation to terminate Sheri Blair’s teacher continuing contract. The recommendation will be filed with the Board Secretary. The Superintendent will state that his recommendation to terminate the contract for Sheri Blair effective at the end of the 2024-25 school year is pursuant to the provisions of Iowa Code Section 279.15 and is being made for the following reasons:

  1. Reduction in force and realignment of staff
  2. Budget deficit
  3. Declining student enrollment
  4. Increased operational costs
  5. Reallocation of District resources

RECOMMENDATION: Terminate the District’s teacher continuing contract with Sheri Blair effective at the end of the 2024-25 school year.  Roll call vote.

Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Roll Call: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

    1. Recommendation to Terminate Ben Walker’s Probationary Teacher Contract.

ACTION: The Superintendent will recommend the termination of Ben Walker’s teacher probationary teacher contract effective at the end of the 2024-25 school year for the following reasons:

  1. Reduction in force and realignment of staff
  2. Budget deficit
  3. Declining student enrollment
  4. Increased operational costs
  5. Reallocation of District resources

RECOMMENDATION: Terminate the District’s probationary teacher contract with Ben Walker effective at the end of the 2024-25 school year.  Roll call vote.

Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Roll Call: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

    1. Recommendation to Terminate Marge Welch’s Probationary Teacher Contract.

ACTION: The Superintendent will recommend the termination of Marge Welch’s teacher probationary teacher contract effective at the end of the 2024-25 school year for the following reasons:

  1. Reduction in force and realignment of staff
  2. Budget deficit
  3. Declining student enrollment
  4. Increased operational costs
  5. Reallocation of District resources

RECOMMENDATION: Terminate the District’s probationary teacher contract with Marge Welch effective at the end of the 2024-25 school year. Roll call vote.

Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Roll Call: ____ Aye, ____ Nay 

    1. Recommendation to Terminate Antton Zuazu’s Probationary Teacher Contract.

ACTION: The Superintendent will recommend the termination of Antton Zuazu’s teacher probationary teacher contract effective at the end of the 2024-25 school year for the following reasons:

  1. Reduction in force and realignment of staff
  2. Budget deficit
  3. Declining student enrollment
  4. Increased operational costs
  5. Reallocation of District resources

RECOMMENDATION: Terminate the District’s probationary teacher contract with Antton Zuazu effective at the end of the 2024-25 school year. Roll call vote.

Motion by: _____, Seconded by: ________, Roll Call: ____ Aye, ____ Nay

    1. Consider approving the involuntary transfers of certified staff members for the 2025-2026 school year.

ACTION: This is a formality that provides transparency of the transitions impacting staff and involuntary transfers due to budget and operation adjustments.  Administration has carefully considered the impact on students and staff to ensure individuals are placed where they are appropriately licensed and qualified to serve.  As always, the administration will work to support staff through these transitions.  Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.

RECOMMENDATION: Approve the involuntary transfer of certified staff members for the 2025-2026 school year.

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

    1. Consider approving a 2025-2026 budget reduction and realignment process for classified staff.

ACTION:  This step provided transparent notification for potential reductions and realignment of classified staff due to the estimated budget deficit of $983,875 and the impact of declining student enrollment and increased operational costs.  The administration will notify any impacted staff as a result of reductions and involuntary transfers to retain staff as qualified.  We believe we will be able to absorb unfilled positions and those vacated due to retirement or resignation and there may be little or no impact to personnel. Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.  

RECOMMENDATION:  Approve a 2025-2026 budget reduction and realignment process for classified staff.

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

    1. Consider approving flexing Teacher Quality Professional Development and other state-approved funds to the General Fund.

ACTION:  Administration recommends repurposing Teacher Quality Professional Development and other state-approved funds to the general fund.  The reallocation of the flexible funds increases the general fund to help retain staff and programs from budget 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 flexing Teacher Quality Professional Development and other state-approved funds to the general fund for budget management.

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

    1. Consider approving the renewal of the 2025-2026 district health insurance with ISEBA.

ACTION: The district received the health insurance renewal rates for 2025-2026 that reflect a 5.99% premium increase.  The district has been a part of the Iowa School Employee Benefits Association (ISEBA) pool since 2005.  The pool protects the district from the extremes and the current plans provide our employees with quality benefits and services.  Please contact Mr. Stender with any questions.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve the 2025-2026 district health insurance with ISEBA.
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 April 21, 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 April 21, 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. 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:

  • Tuesday, April 1, 2025, 5:30 p.m. CEA negotiations meeting
  • Monday, April 21, 2025, 5:30 p.m. Regular Board Meeting and Second Public Hearing on Certified Budget
  • Tuesday, April 22, 2025, 5:30 p.m. CEA negotiations meeting
  • Monday, May 19, 2025, 5:30 p.m. Regular Board Meeting
  • Monday, June 16, 2025, 5:30 p.m. Regular Board Meeting