Board Minutes-2025.02.17

Creston Community School District

Board of Directors Meeting

February 17,  2025

Regular Board Meeting

The Board of Directors of the Creston Community School district met on Monday, February 17, 2025.  The meeting was held in the Boardroom at 801 N. Elm as well as virtually, starting at 5:30 p.m.  Don Gee President presided, and the following answered roll call:  Galen Zumbach, Don Gee, Dr. Amanda Mohr, and Sharon Snodgrass. Administrators present; Deron Stender, Callie Anderson, Scott Driskell,  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 Mohr seconded, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 4-0.

There was no open public forum participation.

Zumbach moved, and Mohr seconded, to approve consent agenda items:  Motion carried 4-0.

  • Minutes of January 20, 2025
  • Financial Reports
  • Bills
  • Contracts, Resignations, agreements
    • Resignations
      • Alexis Ward - Para
    • Contracts
      • Paul Martin - Cook
      • Sandra Shimer - Cook
      • Sophia Short - Para
      • Pam Bruns - Nurse
    • Green Hills AEA amended Managed Services
    • Donation:  Several individuals and organizations made generous $200 donations to support various school programs and student needs. Sharon Juergens and Karen Juergens-Spanier contributed to Creston Elementary for student Christmas gifts and made an additional donation to the elementary school. Jessica Duncan provided funds to help cover speech team expenses. The First Presbyterian Church donated to the food service program to assist with unpaid lunch balances. Lastly, Merlin Scadden made a memorial donation to support the Creston Cross Country team.
    • Volunteers -  Fieldtrip:  Denise Beebe
    • Fundraisers as presented.

Communication and reports

  • Student and Staff Recognition:  The girls' wrestling team had four state qualifiers: Alanaih Galanakis, Karlie Kruse (5th place), Evy Marlin (4th place), and Grace Keeler. The Winterguard team placed 3rd at the HWAA Contest at Gretna High School. In Large Group Speech All-State, the Choral Reading performers included Blake Brown, Chaylee Needham, Christian White, Dylan Dornack, Johnathan Henry, Kailyn White, Lily Seaton, Lizzy Sprague, Mahi Patel, Savannah Jaques, Shyann Richards, Trinitie Smith, Vanessa Hill, and Wyatt Hitz. The One-Act Play performers were Carson Beer, Chaylee Needham, Mahi Patel, Spencer Brown, Lila Berning, Wyatt Hitz, Kylor Budrow, Brandon Brumfield, Layla Harvey, Lehydyn Dresback, Sebastian Olmstead, and Zoey Mullen. In the non-performing categories, the Musical Theatre honorees were Caitlin Austin, Carson Beer, Janea Green-Ngang, Kiya Capson, and Olivia Fox, while the Readers Theatre team included Christian White, Dylan Dornack, Kailyn White, Noah Richardson, Shyann Richards, and Trinitie Smith.
  • Director of District Services Dickson Report   - Each month, special education staff engage in professional learning focused on high-leverage practices, self-reflection, and high-need areas, guided by statewide policies and procedures. February’s session emphasized the role of paraprofessionals, with special education teachers leading collaboration between paras and general education staff. In curriculum and instruction, essential standards for K-8 are documented in PowerSchool, and efforts are underway to implement a curriculum cycle for K-12, ensuring a Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum. Regarding ISASP testing, domain data from 2024 is being analyzed, and preparations for the April 2025 assessments include training modules, student readiness tools, and practice tests, with professional development on February 17th focusing on test preparation.
  • PK-4  Principal Anderson  Report - Iowa’s Early Literacy Implementation (ELI) under Code 279.68 and Administrative Code 281-62 requires universal reading screening for K-3 students using the FastBridge screener, with progress monitoring and intensive instruction for those at risk. Persistently at-risk students receive 90 minutes of research-based instruction, small group support, and frequent reassessments, with parental notifications on progress. Schools must implement reading enhancement initiatives, measure key literacy skills, and address chronic absenteeism. House File 2618 (2024) expands ELI by introducing Personalized Reading Plans (PRPs) for K-6 students not reading proficiently, requiring parental updates, progress tracking, and potential retention requests. The Science of Reading framework has been integrated into teacher training and curriculum, including decodable book packs for first graders and LETRS professional development. Schools must provide evidence-based reading plans that track student progress, specify instructional strategies, and include parental resources and notifications. If a parent requests retention, districts must retain the student unless proficiency improves.
  • Activities Director Driskell Report - Winter activity participation has fluctuated over the years, with notable declines in boys' basketball (from 43 in 2022 to 29 in 2024) and wrestling participation stabilizing after an initial drop. Girls’ wrestling, introduced in 2022, peaked at 14 participants in 2023 but declined slightly to 11 in 2024. Bowling, cheer, guard, and jazz band have also seen slight declines in numbers. Additionally, girls' tennis is moving to the fall season, leading to coaching adjustments, with three coaches in the spring shifting to two in the fall and two remaining in the spring.
  • Business Manager Greene’s Report - The monthly financial reports cover key financial data, including account code dimensions, special education deficit comparisons (September 9, 2024), and certified enrollment data (October 2024). Notable presentations include a board work session on March 4, 2024, and CFPM updates from January 2024. The 2025-2026 budget timeline includes the ISFIS budget workshop on January 15, 2025, followed by a board budget workshop on February 24, 2025. The budget publication is due to the Department of Management by March 15, 2025, with Public Hearing A scheduled after March 20, 2025, and Public Hearing B set for April 21, 2025, both requiring 10-20 days of prior public notice.
  • Superintendent Stender’s Report -  The district remains focused on school improvement, tracking progress through its Scoreboard, and managing the construction of the new Early Childhood Center. Temporary relocation plans are in place for elementary and middle school offices and preschool/kindergarten students. Budget planning for 2025-2026 is ongoing to address declining enrollment and rising costs, with a projected $432,308 revenue loss and $983,875 in increased expenses. The district aims to save $961,445 through targeted reductions, including operational efficiencies and staff adjustments. Additional fiscal strategies include LED lighting conversions for energy savings, operational sharing with other districts, and exploring an online program and homeschool assistance to retain students and generate revenue. Budget finalization is expected by April 30, 2025, with updates provided to the school board and community. The district also monitors legislative decisions on state aid and continues community engagement through monthly coffee meetings.
  • Enrollment and State Aid Overview
  • Early Childhood Facility Planning - Tentative Timeline budget and project spending.
  • Board Discussion:

Zumbach moved, and Mohr seconded, to approve a budget reduction plan that reduces four positions.  Motion carried 4-0.

Zumbach moved, and Mohr seconded, to approve the repurposing of Teacher Leadership and Compensation (TLC) funds to the general fund for budget management.  Motion carried 4-0.

Snodgrarss moved, and Zumbach seconded, to approve the contract to Premier F+E powered by Meteor Education for $228,454.12.    Motion carried 4-0.

Mohr moved, and Snodgrass seconded, to approve  March 24, 2025, as the regular board meeting for March.    Motion carried 4-0.

Mohr moved, and Zumbach seconded, to 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 carried 4-0.

Mohr moved, and Zumbach seconded, to 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 carried 4-0.

Zumbach moved, and Snodgrass seconded, to approve the second reading of Policy Primer 33.2.  Motion carried 4-0.

Zumbach moved, and Snodgrass seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 6:27 p.m.  Motion carried 4-0.

 

 

_______________________________________           ________________________________________

                          President                                                                         Secretary

 

Future meeting in 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