Board Minutes - 2026.9.14

Regular Meeting

                                                                                                  September 14, 2026

The Board of Directors of the Forest City Community School District met for a regular meeting on September 14, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at the Elementary Media Center, Forest City, Iowa.

After a quorum was established the meeting was called to order by President Troy Thompson. Members present: David Reese, Cody Hennigar, Beth Clouse, Troy Thompson, and Andrew Fedders. Absent:  Rick Wiley and Kim Severson.  Beth Clouse motioned to approve the agenda,  Andrew Fedders seconded the motion. Ayes: five.  Nays: none.  Carried.

Administrative Reports:

• High School Principal Ken Baker outlined key professional development activities (suicide training, SF2428 compliance), student handbook updates (student removals, bullying verbiage), and IHSAA athletic council news.
• Elementary School Principal Brad Jones reported a successful start to the school year, noting high turnout for back-to-school conferences, staff achievements, Bridges Math professional development, 1st grade's victory in the Puckerbrush Battle of the Businesses, and school spirit events.
• Middle School Principal Sarah Leichsenring shared Homecoming plans, positive feedback on conference picture timing, schedule adjustments for 5th-grade interventions and 6th–8th grade electives, and office/classroom facility upgrades.
• Director of Teaching and Learning Zach Dillavou recognized Valerie Baker, Lacy Jerome, Tammy Lambert, and Dan Sarasio Meyer for their recent assistance with the promotional video for the District, announced 2026–2027 leadership roles, detailed ongoing professional learning, and updated the board on FC Helping Hands Corner efforts.
• Secretary Meinders presented financial reports, noted completed FY26 audit fieldwork, and reported early certification of CAR, SES, and ATR reports alongside completed enrollment forms and special education filings.
• Superintendent Lehmann updated the board on facility projects, the Strategic Plan, social media metrics, and unfunded state mandates (2017–2026).

The following consent agenda items were reviewed: minutes of the August 10, 2026 regular meeting, open enrollments, employee contracts, employee contract adjustments, employee resignations, donations, sick leave bank request, early graduation request, employee lane changes, seniority list, financial statements, and invoices for payment. After discussion, Cody Hennigar moved to approve the consent agenda with the exception of the open enrollment request for Mitchell Witham to attend Forest City Community Schools from West Hancock Community School District, which was considered separately and denied.Beth Clouse seconded the motion. Ayes: four. Nays: none. David Reese abstained. Motion carried.

• Open Enrollments (Out): Scarlett Klepoch and Eleidy Bonzual to Algona and Erde May to Clarinda Flight Program;
• Open Enrollments (In): Mitchell Witham from West Hancock (Declined), Bentley Lowell from West Hancock; Grady Wallberg, Everett Walberg, Paisley Hall and Paelynn Hall from Lake Mills; Amara Vasques, Tessa Vasques and Lexi Vasques from North Iowa; and Oakley Northrup from Algona;
• Employee Contracts - Teacher Leadership and Compensation Supplements for 2026-27; Kelly Kennedy, Food Production; Melissa Hopkins, Paraprofessional; Future Problem Solving Co-Sponsors, Brittany Nyhus and Tera Friederich; Carter Bruckhoff, 7th Grade Assistant Football Coach; and Jaden Jerome, 7th Grade Volleyball Coach;
• Employee Contract Adjustments: Bradley Maass, Day Custodian Transition;
• Employee Resignations: Aaron Aukes, 7th Grade Assistant Football Coach; and Jennifer Farus-Eastvold, 7th Grade Volleyball Coach (one year leave of absence);
• Early Graduation Request: Sydney Gentz.

There was no old business. In new business, David Reese motioned, Andrew Fedders seconded to approve the review of the following board policies: 103, 103.R1, 104, 104.R1, 104.E1, 104.E2, 104.E3, 105, 106. 503.11, 503.11R1, and 403.6FC. Ayes: five. Nays: none. Carried.

Andrew Fedders moved, Beth Clouse seconded to approve the Professional Services proposal for the Middle School Mechanical Replacement project with ISG for recent and ongoing HVAC issues.  Ayes: five. Nays: none. Carried.

Beth Clouse moved, Cody Hennigar seconded to appoint Level I investigator as Tom Montgomery, Alternate Level I investigator as Ross Eiden, Level II investigator as Steve Hepperly or his replacement, and the AEA list of Level I and II investigators.  Ayes: five. Nays: none. Carried.

David Reese moved, Beth Clouse seconded to approve an agreement with Eagle Grove Community School District for assistance from the District’s Nutrition Department Director in preparation for the Department of Education Site Visit.   Ayes: five. Nays: none. Carried.

Cody Hennigar moved, Andrew Fedders seconded to set the time and date for a public hearing on the District's Flexibility account to be on October 12, 2026 at the Elementary Media Center at 6:30 p.m. Ayes: five. Nays: none. Carried.

Sec’y Meinders presented a summary of the 2025-26 Annual Transportation Report (ATR).

Sec’y Meinders summarized the 2025-26 Special Education deficit of $842,761.08. On a motion by Beth Clouse, seconded by Cody Hennigar, the board unanimously approved requesting $842,761.08 in SBRC allowable growth for the deficit (5-0).

Sec’y Meinders reported a 2025-26 English Learners program deficit of $55,338.71. David Reese moved and Andrew Fedders seconded to request $55,338.71 in SBRC allowable growth for the deficit. Ayes: five. Nays: none. Carried.

Sup’t Lehmann provided details regarding 7–12 Student Activity Passes, noting that a committee, including select board members, will be established to lead the effort.

Student handbooks for each attendance building were presented.  Cody Hennigar moved, David Reese seconded to approve the Elementary, Middle School, and High School handbooks as presented.  Ayes: five. Nays: none. Carried.

Andrew Fedders moved, Beth Clouse seconded to approve a Consortium Agreement with Manson Northwest Webster School District for participation in their THRIVE academy to meet the needs of students as required.   Ayes: five. Nays: none. Carried.

October 12, 2026 meeting topics were discussed.

David Reese motioned to adjourn the regular meeting. Cody Hennigar seconded the motion.  Ayes: five.  Nays: none.  Carried.  The meeting adjourned at 8:11 p.m.

 

_______________________                                        _____________________________             

Troy Thompson, President                                             Sara Meinders, Board Secretary