Public Hearings
April 13, 2026
The Board of Directors of the Forest City Community School District met for public hearings on the 2025-2026 Budget Amendment and the 2026-2027 Proposed Budget on April 13, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. at the District Office, Forest City, Iowa.
After a quorum was established the meeting was called to order by President Troy Thompson. Members present: David Reese, Troy Thompson, Rick Wiley, Andrew Fedders, and Kim Severson. Absent: Beth Clouse and Cody Hennigar. Rick Wiley moved to approve the agenda, Andrew Fedders seconded the motion. Ayes: five. Nays: none. Carried.
President Thompson declared the public hearing for the 2025-26 budget amendment to begin. Secretary Meinders reported that no written comments had been received. No oral comments were received.
President Thompson declared the public hearing for the 2026-27 budget to begin. Secretary Meinders reported that no written comments had been received. No oral comments were received.
Rick Wiley motioned to adjourn the public hearings. Kim Severson seconded the motion. Ayes: five. Nays: none. Carried. The meeting adjourned at 6:31 p.m.
_________________________ ____________________________
Troy Thompson, President Sara Meinders, Board Secretary
Regular Meeting
April 13, 2026
The Board of Directors of the Forest City Community School District met for a regular meeting on April 13, 2026 at 6:31 p.m. at the District Office, Forest City, Iowa.
After a quorum was established the meeting was called to order by President Troy Thompson. Members present: David Reese, Troy Thompson, Rick Wiley, Andrew Fedders, and Kim Severson. Absent: Beth Clouse and Cody Henniger. David Reese moved to approve the agenda. Kim Severson seconded the motion Ayes: five. Nays: none. Carried.
For administrative reports,
- Director of Teaching and Learning, Zach Dillavou, introduced Shannon Wooge who is working along with her husband Courtney Wooge and the Forest City School District administrative team to launch a North Iowa Chapter of Iowa Giving Crew. Iowa Giving Crew (IGC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families in need. The Wooge’s are launching a North Iowa Chapter to fill gaps and marshal resources to help people in need across our communities. Mr. Dillavou also shared information on the Danielson Framework for Teaching and the focus areas that have been identified while working with paraeducators, beginning teachers and veteran teachers.
- Elementary Principal Brad Jones introduced 4th grade teacher Alaina Scott who explained the positive impact on the 3rd and 4th grade learning pods that were implemented this year. Mr. Jones also shared information about bike helmets for 4th graders, ISASP testing, and end of the year activities.
- Middle School Principal Sarah Leichsenring shared with the board on recent professional development for teachers in the math and science areas being able to visit the Cedar Falls CSD and the Lake Mills CSD to see how they have implemented curriculum in those content areas. Ms. Leichsenring also reviewed this week's ISASP testing and end of the year activities.
- Sec’y Meinders presented the monthly financial reports and provided district office updates.
- Sup’t Lehmann shared updates on the academic awards banquet, upcoming events and an update on the summer lunch program.
The following consent agenda items were reviewed: minutes from the March 9, 2026 regular meeting, March 30, 2026 special meeting, open enrollments, employee contracts, employee contract adjustments, employee resignations, donations, employee sick leave bank request, financial statements, bills for payment, and district investment plan. After discussion, Kim Severson moved to approve all consent agenda items. Andrew Fedders seconded the motion. Ayes: four. Nays: none. Carried. David Reese abstained.
- Open Enrollment Out: James Fjeld to Lake Mills; Kaidence Sage to Clayton-Ridge; Mayzee Schleuger, Jim Wellik, and Gavin Larson to West Hancock;
- Open Enrollment In: Charlie Lawson from Lake Mills and Owen Knopf from Central Springs;
- Employee Contracts: Ehtan Weiss, Middle School Director of Student Support Services; Kyle Hanna, Bus Driver; Theresa Mammosser, Food Production Worker; and Deb Buffington, Food Production Worker;
- Employee Contract Adjustments: Teacher Quality payments to be distributed in the April 2026 payroll;
- Employee Resignations at the end of the 2025-26 School Year: Greg Smith, paraprofessional; Jessica Bruckhoff, High School Secretary; Patti Strukel, Assistant Girls Basketball; Tyler Anderson, District Substitute, Head Football Coach, Director of Strength and Conditioning, and Middle School Boys Track Coach; Hannah Yeakel, Assistant Girls Basketball Coach; DJ Wolfram, Middle School Basketball Coach; Shyenne Amundson, High School Paraprofessional; Lucas Rayhons, 8th Grade Science and 7th Grade Girls Basketball;
- Donations: Girls State Basketball for Transportation and Meals: Forest City Family Dentistry ($50), Forest City Ford ($1,000), Jennings & Hall Financial ($1,000), Schott Funeral Home ($250), County Line Seeds ($500), Dontje Construction Corp. ($500), Abels Financial Services ($250); FFA Banquet: POET ($500) and Sunde Services ($100).
- Investments (Certificates of Deposit at MBT): reinvest $50,000 for the activity fund; cash in $500,000 for capital projects; purchase $75,000 from nutrition fund for 12 months; purchase $25,000 from self insurance fund for 12 months.
In old business, Supt. Lehmann provided a legislative update.
In new business, Kim Severson moved, Rick Wiley seconded to approve board policies 803.1, 803.2, 804.1, 804.2, 804.4, 804.5, 804.6, 804.6R1, 804.7, 804.7R1 and new policy 504.7FC Athletic and Activity Uniform Colors & Branding as presented. Ayes: five. Nays: none. Carried.
Sup’t Lehmann shared information in regards to the state tournament media credentials for the IHSAA and the IGHSAU.
Sup’t Lehmann reviewed the 2026-27 academic calendar. Kim Severson moved, Rick Wiley seconded to waive the missed student attendance day from the January 16, 2026 snow day for which would have resulted in an additional attendance day to be held on June 1, 2026. Staff working less than 260 days per year are to be paid for this missed work day and bus route drivers that drove their morning route on January 16, 2026 should be compensated for one route. Ayes: five. Nays: none. Carried.
Kim Severson moved, David Reece seconded to approve the resolution adopting the Winnebago County Multi-Jurisdictional Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan as presented. Ayes: five. Nays: none. Carried.
Secretary Meinders presented an amendment to the 2025-2026 budget, increasing instructional costs by $455,912 and support services costs by $25,165 for a total of $481,077 in increase costs due to increase in open enrolled out tuition costs and special education costs as well as increased coverage for equipment and cyber risk insurance. Kim Severson moved, David Reese seconded to approve the budget amendment as published and presented. Ayes: five. Nays: none. Carried.
Secretary Meinders presented the proposed budget for 2026-2027. Rick Wiley moved, Andrew Fedders seconded to approve the 2026-2027 Annual Budget as published and presented. Ayes: five. Nays: None. Carried. The 2026-2027 budget is set at $28,973,993 in total requirements with a proposed property tax rate of 10.81223 per $1,000 taxable valuation, a decrease of 0.26441 from the current year. Total dollars levied to equal $6,009,495, an increase of $246,573 from the current dollars levied.
Kim Severson moved to approve sharing agreements for 2026-27 school which include 40% Superintendent to North Iowa CSD, 25% School Business Official to North Iowa CSD, 20% Human Resource Director from North Iowa CSD, 20% Work Experience Coordinator to Garner-Hayfield-Ventura CSD, 20% Work Experience Coordinator to North Iowa CSD, and 20% EL Teacher to Garner-Hayfield-Ventura CSD. Rick Wiley seconded the motion. Ayes: five. Nays: none. Carried.
Suggestions for the May 11, 2026 board meeting were discussed.
Rick Wiley moved, David Reese seconded to adjourn the meeting. Ayes: five. Nays: None. Carried. The time was 7:53 p.m.
_______________________ _____________________________
Troy Thompson, President Sara Meinders, Board Secretary
