Board Minutes - 2025.10.13

Public Hearing

October 13, 2025

The Board of Directors of the Forest City Community School District met for a public hearing on a resolution to expend funds from the district's flexibility account for director salaries and benefits on October 13, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. at the District Office, Forest City, Iowa. These funds, in the amount of $170,000, were unexpended and unobligated from source Teacher Leadership and Compensation (TLC).

After a quorum was established, the meeting was called to order by President Troy Thompson. Members present: David Reese, Troy Thompson, Andrew Fedders, and Kim Severson. David Reese attended the public hearing via telephone as it was inconvenient to do so otherwise. Absent: Rick Wiley, Beth Clouse, and Cody Hennigar. 

President Thompson declared the public hearing to begin. Secretary Meinders reported that no written comments had been received.  No oral comments were received.  

At 6:31 p.m. President Thompson declared the public hearing closed.

 

   _________________________                                 ____________________________       

     Troy Thompson, President                                        Sara Meinders, Board Secretary

 

Regular Meeting

                                                                                                     October 13, 2025

 

The Board of Directors of the Forest City Community School District met for a regular meeting on September 8, 2025 at 6:31 p.m. at the District Office, Forest City, Iowa. 

After a quorum was established, the meeting was called to order by the President Troy Thompson. Members present: David Reese, Troy Thompson, Andrew Fedders, and Kim Severson. David Reese attended the public hearing via telephone as it was inconvenient to do so otherwise. Absent: Rick Wiley, Beth Clouse, and Cody Hennigar. Andrew Fedders moved to approve the agenda. Kim Severson seconded the motion Ayes: four.  Nays: none.  Carried. 

Member David Reese entered the meeting; the time was 6:33 p.m. President Thompson addressed the Board by sharing a concern brought to his attention by a fellow Board Member in regards to the Academic Standards criteria that were recently updated and that a review will be made with further discussion at the upcoming November board meeting.

Jason Crail as Director of Middle School Student Support and Matt Welp as 3rd - 5th Grade Guidance Counselor, presented to the Board on peer mentoring opportunities occurring in the district.

Administrative Reports:

• Middle School Principal, Sarah Leichsenring, presented on the significant changes that have occurred over the past three years and the positive ways staff is able to adapt.
• Director of Teaching and Learning, Zach Dillavou, presented on the school performance report card, staff professional development plans along with details regarding teacher quality professional development work.

Member Beth Clouse entered the meeting; the time was 7:04 p.m.

• Sec’y Meinders presented the monthly financial reports, dividend received from EMC, declining cash position in the General Fund and upcoming deadlines.
• Sup’t Lehmann provided information on the Choir/Locker room project, recent Hall of Fame ceremonies, and presentation information to faculty regarding financial positions at a recent meeting.

The following consent agenda items were reviewed: minutes of the September 8, 2025 regular meeting and the October 9, 2025 work session, open enrollments, employee resignations, donations, two sick leave bank requests, one early graduation request, financial statements, and bills for payment.  After discussion, David Reese moved to approve all consent agenda items. Kim Severson seconded the motion.  Ayes: five.  Nays: none.  Carried. 

• Open Enrollment (Out): Cashmere Pease, Charleston Jarmon, Joshua Myers, Amber Shaw, Abrianna Hallman, Isaiah Buffington, Jakob Nedved, Suzanne Robinson, Ryan Robinson, Brian Robinson, and Brayden Lunning.
• Open Enrollment (In): Christian Moriston, Paxten Hall, and Larabella Lyons.
• Employee Resignations: Jassica Ortiz, HS Paraprofessional and Jeff Clemens, Maintenance.
• Early Graduation Request: Natalie Barker.
• Donation from Worth County Development Authority and Hanson Family Foundation.

In old business, Beth Clouse moved, Andrew Fedders seconded to approve a change order for the renovations to the Choir/Locker room project for a total of $6,106.11.  Ayes: five. Nays: None. Carried.

In new business, board policies were reviewed: 704.1, 704.2, 704.2R1, 704.3, 704.4, 704.5, 704.6, 704.6R1, 401.1, 502.7, 507.2, 507.5, 607.2, 710.1E1, 802.2, and 804.5. Kim Severson moved to approve the policies as presented, Beth Clouse seconded. Ayes: five.  Nays: none. Carried. 

Kim Severson moved, seconded by Andrew Fedders to approve the resolution to transfer $170,000 in Teacher Leadership and Compensation Funds (TLC) to a flexibility account in the general fund to pay for director salaries and benefits. Ayes: five.  Nays: none. Carried. 

Sec’y Meinders presented the 2024-25 annual transportation report.

Sec’y Meinders presented the 2024-25 Special Education Supplement Report.  Beth Clouse moved, Kim Severson seconded to approve a request to the School Budget Review Committee (SBRC) for allowable growth in the amount of $319,277.84 for special education deficit. Ayes: five.  Nays: none. Carried. 

Sec’y Meinders presented the 2024-25 English Learner (EL) Excess Costs report. Kim Severson moved, David Reese seconded to approve a request to the School Budget Review Committee (SBRC) for allowable growth in the amount of $57,685.95 for 2024-25 EL excess costs. Ayes: five.  Nays: none. Carried. 

Sec’y Meinders presented the 2024-25 Certified Annual Report (CAR) along with the 2024-25 Financial Health report.  Kim Severson moved, David Reese seconded to approve the CAR and the Financial Health report as presented. Ayes: five.  Nays: none. Carried. 

Sec’y Meinders presented the investment plan for excess cash on hand to the Board.  Beth Clouse moved, Andrew Fedders seconded to approve the cashing in of a general fund certificate in the amount of $1,020,992 but to purchase the following certificates from MBT Bank in Forest City, Iowa at 4.05% APY: $500,000 from the Capital Projects fund for six months; $50,000 from the Activity fund for six months; $250,000 from the Management fund for eight months; $75,000 from the Nutrition fund for eight months.

Sup’t Lehmann presented a resolution to transfer $20,000 in funds from the General Fund to the Activity Fund for protective equipment. Kim Severson moved to approve the proposed resolution; Beth Clouse seconded the motion. Ayes: five. Nays: none. Carried.

An agreement with Hazel Health for telehealth, therapy and counseling services was presented for approval.  Kim Severson moved; Andrew Fedders seconded to approve as presented. Ayes: five. Nays: none. Carried.

November 10, 2025 meeting topics were discussed. 

David Reese motioned to adjourn the regular meeting.  Beth Clouse seconded the motion.  Ayes: five.  Nays: none.  Carried.  The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.  

 

 _______________________                                        _____________________________            

  Troy Thompson, President                                        Sara Meinders, Board Secretary