Iowa-Grant athletics will have some new faces next year with athletes joining their programs from Highland.
The board held a short session prior to the regular meeting to listen to comments concerning co-oping. All comments were positive.
Later in the meeting the board approved co-op agreements for 2026- 2028 for softball, track & field and golf. They have already approved a baseball co-op for next year. The two districts also co-op in wrestling.
In other business the board approved the annual contract for shared lawn equipment (Southwest Wisconsin Educational Environmental Professionals).
During public comment the board heard from one of the Iowa-Grant elementary teachers regarding the setting of teacher salaries for the upcoming school year, advocating for the same percentage increase for each teacher. Current practice is to apply the percentage increase to the base salary and to then distribute any remaining allocation evenly to each teacher. When the matter was taken up after a closed session discussion, the board took action to use the current calculation method and adopt a schedule based on a 3% increase. An increase of 2.63% was awarded to both the support staff and non-represented employees.
Resignations of the head girls basketball coach Jessica Schultz and high school science teacher Mercedes Oglesby were received and accepted.
The board was provided the election results with both incumbents, Tony Ritchie and Jeff Speth, being re-elected without challengers. With no new board members, the board elected to keep all officers, committee assignments, and appointments the same as the previous year. Ross Leix will continue in his role as president. Mary Schauff will continue as vice-president, Travis Wetter will continue as clerk, and Katrina Rickard will continue as Treasurer.
The board accepted several donations with gratitude:
- -$1200 anonymous donation to Panther Packs
- -$500 anonymous donation to to Reading is Fundamental (RIF)
- -$299 from Trinity Episcopal Church to Panther Packs
- -$100 from Livingston/Montfort Safe and Stable Family Committee to Missoula Theater
- -$171 from Trinity Episcopal Church to Panther Packs
- -$50 from Dave Welsh to Panther Packs
- -$50 from Momma T LLC to Reading is Fundamental (RIF)
District Administrator Michael Shimshak gave an update on capital projects both completed and ongoing. Maintenance items were updated to be included so that Fund 46 dollars can be expended to complete the items on the list. These include, the schedule of replacement of air conditioning units, carpets and other needs at IGEMS, doors and other items at the high school.
The board approved the adoption of the Neola Policy Updates, Volume 35, No. 1 as recommended.
Shimshak provided the board with a copy of the Emergency Nursing Plan for a first read. The plan is a requirement for all districts.
An American Heart Association Fundraiser was approved as were transportation agreements were approved for substitute employee Deanna Halverson and volunteer assistant baseball coach Jeff Amenda. After meeting in closed session the board approved a list of summer-rec volunteers coaches for softball and baseball
For softball; Brook Butteris, Paul Hildreth, Ryan Allen, Ross Leix, Sarah Allen, Jonathon Schumacher, Crystal Soderstrom, Stuart Brokopp, Dustin Bollant, and Matt Mueller
For baseball: Lucas Leahy, Jonathon Schumacher, Kyle Pagel, JD Fishnick, Jason Cartwright, Tony Ritchie, Michael Lenz, Brian Leix, Mitch Schauff, and Dustin Batton Fall coaching contracts were offered to:
- Zachary Raimer High School Activities Director
- Dan Prochaska Middle School Activities Director
- Melany Olson Fall Cheer Coach
- Jacob Winkler High School Head Cross Country Coach
- Alexis Stevens High School Assistant Cross Country Coach
- Jacob Reuter Middle School Cross Country Coach
- Hayden Link High School Head Football Coach
- Jacob Amenda High School Assistant Football Coach
- Dan Baker High School Assistant Football Coach
- Tyler Kennicker High School Assistant Football Coach
- Ryan Brown Middle School Football Coach
- Karen McMannes High School Head Volleyball Coach
- Ashley Williams High School Assistant Volleyball Coach
- Marta Leix High School Assistant Volleyball Coach
- Still open is an assistant football position and a middle school football position.
- Dan Prochaska Middle School Volleyball Coach
- Danielle Hasburgh Middle School Volleyball Coach
- Also, Shaun Reuter was approved as the strength and conditioning coach. Danielle Hasburgh was approved as the Summer School Coordinator.
All teachers were recommended for renewal except that the business teacher position, currently filled by Jessica Schultz will be reduced to a .6 full-time equivalent (FTE) position due to enrollments. Ms. Schultz will receive preliminary notice that the full time contract will be non-renewed.
Penny Heisz was approved as a long term substitute for the high school business position. A new contract for. 6 FTE is offered instead.
The board also approved the Professional Employee Employee and Support Staff Employee Handbooks for the 2026-2027 school year.