Jodi Phillips Behrendt

Key discussions included a presentation by 3E Partners regarding health insurance options, reviewing current trends and cost projections. Under the consent agenda, the board approved expenditures and accepted several resignations while approving new teaching and associate contracts. The Superintendent reported on needed exterior door replacements, the successful installation of sound baffles in the new gymnasium, and the upcoming bid opening for the old gymnasium/auditorium roof project. The board also reviewed initial collective bargaining proposals from BVEA for the 2026-2032 school years, including compensation structure and leave policies. New business involved adopting a resolution to levy property taxes for the FY2026-2027 regular program budget adjustment, setting public hearing dates for the FY27 property tax notice statement and the 2026-27 school calendar (both set for March 24th), approving the purchase of rubber mulch funded by a grant, and approving the purchase of a used 2024 off-lease bus. Several board policies were reviewed for future action.

The meeting included the approval of the agenda and previous meeting minutes. Key items addressed included approving bills and reports, accepting the resignation of the Kitchen Manager, and approving three early retirement applications. The Superintendent reported on mockup logos from Letterman's Creative, progress on the 26-27 school calendar, discussions with the City of Dunlap regarding Wellness Center ownership, and the schedule for the roof project bid release. New business involved approving monthly cell phone stipends for several employees. Additionally, the board approved numerous existing and new board policies, and rescinded two existing policies.

The meeting involved the approval of the agenda, reports, and a contract for a Custodian. The Treasurer's report for FY24 was reviewed, noting trends in revenues, expenditures, and unspent budget balances. The board accepted the Abstract of Election results, and the previous board's meeting was adjourned. The organizational meeting followed, where new school board members were sworn in, and the President and Vice President were elected. Further actions included approving the legal publication, setting the time and date for regular monthly meetings, and approving committee assignments. The Superintendent reported on enrollment estimates, staffing needs (art and business teachers), legislation regarding Management funds suggesting early retirement offers, and approved three booster club funding requests. New business centered on authorizing the administration to submit multiple resolutions to the School Budget Review Committee for supplemental funding related to increased certified enrollment, open-enrolled out students, and English learner instruction costs beyond five years. The board also voted on the AEA District 5 Director, approved a shared ESL Instructor contract for 2025-26, approved quotes for a new firewall and architect services for the old gym roof replacement, approved a bid for gym ceiling baffles, and approved an estimate for basketball hoop height adjusters at the elementary school. Finally, the signatory for warrants of payment was updated due to retirement.

The meeting addressed several key items. Following the approval of contracts for coaching positions, the Superintendent reviewed the electronic device policy slated for later discussion. Key new business items included the approval of the 2025/26 electronic device policy, stipulating device use during non-instructional time at administration discretion, and the approval of the 2025-26 student handbook. The Board approved replacing carpet in two elementary classrooms and approved a quote for gym wall graphics. The appointment of Ahlers & Cooney, P.C. as legal counsel and the selection of depository banks for 2025-26 were also approved. The Board voted on an open enrollment request, approving the missed deadline request but denying immediate eligibility. Board Policies for the 200 series were presented for the first review.

Key discussions during the meeting included the approval of the agenda and previous minutes, and the approval of consent items which involved approving bills/reports, accepting the resignation of the Superintendent's Secretary, and approving contracts for a Part-Time Cook and a Part-Time Campus Care Associate. The Superintendent reported on the completion of landscaping, the smooth start to the school year, upcoming senior community service, and the implementation of a new security system for cameras and doors. New business involved authorizing signatures for warrants of payment for various funds for the 2025-26 fiscal year, approving officials' contract signing authority for 2025-26, and approving a request to the School Budget Review Committee for Modified Supplemental Amount and Supplemental Aid to cover a Special Education Program deficit of $441,956.54 for the 2024-2025 school year. Further discussion involved updates on gym wall graphics, plans to seek funding for a new football field scoreboard, and a request for pricing on an additional exterior gym sign.