The Iowa-Grant school board had a night of handling routine items when they met Thursday with two agreements approved with Highland.
The meeting was moved from its regular Monday due to conflicts. District Administrator Michael Shimshak was unable to attend due to illness,
Donations Received
A list of donations was accepted with gratitude and included:
- $1000 anonymous donation to Panther Packs
- $1000 anonymous donation to Helping Hands
- $500 from Linda Brown to Helping Hands
- $462.82 anonymous donation to Panther Packs
- $145 anonymous donation to Panther Packs
- $130 from Trinity Epicopal Church to Panther Packs
- $100 from Mary Leix Memorial to Iowa-Grant FFA
- $100 from Rewey United Methodist Church to Panther Packs
- $25 from Jodean Grunow for school lunch balances in Memory of Lois Alton
Several donations toward Reading is Fundamental (RIF) were also accepted and included:
- $100 from J & I Construction -$100 from Livingston Co-Op Oil Company
- $100 from Rewey United Methodist Church
- $100 from Peace Lutheran Church $50 from Larry’s Service and Towing
- $50 from Rewey Fire Department -$50 from Aspen Ridge -$35 from Burnham Lumber
- $25 from Peter and Becky Yelinek
Admin Wrap
During administrative reports, the board heard from each principal on the results of the National School Climate Inventory surveys conducted in the schools.
Technical adjustments to board policies at the superintendent level were discussed.
The board heard a district maintenance update and the schedule for the locker room renovation project.
Baseball Co-op
Approval for a varsity level baseball co-op with Highland Community Schools was approved starting with the 2026-2027 season.
Public Comment
Employees from the school district support staff addressed the board during opportunity for public comment to request changes to the holiday vs. snowday time-off provision of the support staff handbook. Michelle Freymiller addressed the board regarding the ongoing athletic co-op discussions with Highland Community Schools.
Board Action
The board received the first reading of Neola Policy Updates Volume 35. No. 1.
With the election approaching the board appointed Loras Winders, Allison Batton, and Loretta Riemenapp to the board of canvassers.
The board approved both the District Library Plan and the Early Literacy Remediation Plan as presented by Distinct Media Specialist Jodi Bast and IGEMS Principal Jennifer Gallagher.
The board issued approval to a parent transportation agreement. The Start College Now and Early College Credit applications were approved as recommended by IGHS Principal Chris Gotto.
A middle school track co-op with Highland Community School was approved.
A CESA 3 contract for services for the upcoming school year was provisionally approved pending verification of all line items in the contract.
Action on the review of Capital Projects, (Fund 46) was referred to a meeting of the Buildings, Grounds and Transportation Committee.
Closed Session
The board extended employment offers after a closed session.
- Daryll Stanton is offered employment as the high school varsity assistant softball coach.
- Abe Enloe is offered employment as the high school assistant softball coach.
- Jacob Amenda is offered employment as the high school assistant baseball coach.
- Jeff Amenda and Jeff Speth were approved to be volunteer coaches for high school baseball.
- Carter Grim was approved to be a volunteer as a middle school track coach.
- Caitlyn Wetter was approved to be a classroom volunteer in a special education classroom.