Regular Meeting
May 11, 2026
The Board of Directors of the Forest City Community School District met for a regular meeting on May 11, 2025, 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: Beth Clouse, Troy Thompson, Rick Wiley, and Andrew Fedders. Absent: David Reese, Cody Henniger and Kim Severson. Beth Clouse moved to approve the agenda, Rick Wiley seconded the motion. Ayes: four. Nays: none. Carried.
Administrative Reports:
- Middle School Principal Sarah Leichsenring, along with Middle School Teacher Amanda Ungs, presented on OpenSciEd, a new science curriculum introduced this year.
- High School Principal Ken Baker introduced High School Band Instructor Griffin Meadors, who, along with students Cooper Blaser, Claire Weaver, and Stella Lackore, presented to the Board about their March band trip to Chicago, Illinois, where they marched in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Mr. Baker also discussed a recent presentation to high school students by Ray Fiedler, special agent from the Iowa Department of Public Safety, on Human Trafficking.
- Director of Teaching and Learning Zach Dillavou shared a video by Middle/High School Instructor Ryan Friederich explaining Industry-Recognized Credentials (IRCs), which are state-approved certifications validating students’ skills for specific industries and supporting college and career readiness. He also noted the recent introduction of AI literacy for the freshman class. Mr. Dillavou shared additional information on other IRC’s that are being planned for next school year.
- Sec’y Meinders presented monthly financial reports and a summary of the office calendar for May and June.
- Sup’t Lehmann reported on Purple Star School designation, FFA Banquet, end-of-year schedule, and additional district updates.
The following consent agenda items were reviewed: minutes of the April 13, 2026 regular meeting, open enrollments, employee contracts and contract adjustments, employee resignations, donations, sick leave bank request, an early graduation request, financial statements, and invoices for payment. After discussion, Beth Clouse moved to approve all consent agenda items. Andrew Fedders seconded the motion. Ayes: four. Nays: none. Carried.
- Open Enrollment Out (Accepted): Boyd Buns to West Hancock and Kael Krutsinger to Garner-Hayfield-Ventura.
- Employee Contracts: summer school wages; Brittany Nyhus, summer extended days and tuition reimbursement agreement; Angel Thompson, MS Science Teacher; Cindy Dontje, HS Administrative Assistant; Shannon Gassman, HS Volleyball Practice Coach; and payments for early resignation incentives.
- Employee Contract Adjustments: Allison Moore, Extended Days.
- Employee Resignations: Macoy Yeakel, Assistant Football Coach; Thomas Treloar, Early Childhood Special Education Teacher; Sherri Lunning, paraprofessional.
- Employee Resignations at the end of the 2025-26 school year: Derek Ziesmer, HS Counselor.
- Donations: Winnebago Soil Conservation District to the FFA Chapter and H&R Block to the Athletic Department.
- Early Graduation Request: Vada Roberts.
In old business, the board reviewed the 2026 legislative priorities.
In new business, Rick Wiley moved, Andrew Fedders seconded to approve the review of the following board policies: 900, 901, 901.1, 902.2, 902.3, 902.4, 903.1, 903.2, 903.2R1FC, 903.3, 903.4, 906.5, 903.5R1, 2nd reading of new policy 504.7FC and 1st reading of new policy 504.8FC. Ayes: four. Nays: none. Carried.
Beth Clouse moved, Rick Wiley seconded to approve a sharing of a social worker with Central Springs Community School District for the 2026-27 school year. Ayes: four. Nays: none. Carried.
Andrew Fedders moved, Beth Clouse seconded to approve the 2025-26 graduating class pending completion of all graduation requirements. Ayes: four. Nays: none. Carried.
Beth Clouse moved, Andrew Fedders seconded the approval of student fees and lunch prices for the 2026-27 academic school year. Ayes: four. Nays: none. Carried. School fees remain unchanged with the exception of band instrument rentals which will increase to $65 per year for band instrument rental and $35 per year for percussion. Nutrition prices will increase $0.05 per meal with the exception of adult lunches which will increase by $0.18, the federal requirement.
Rick Wiley moved, Beth Clouse seconded to approve the 2026-27 Four Oaks Family and Children’s Service updated lease agreement with the Immanuel Lutheran Church for the North Iowa Therapeutic Instructional Consortium of which the Forest City Community School District of the fiscal agent. Ayes: four. Nays. none. Carried.
Andrew Fedders moved, Beth Clouse seconded to approve a memorandum of understanding as presented with the Forest City Education Association to compensate a head golf coach for boys golf and girls golf next year instead of a co-ed head coach and co-ed assistant coach as per the master agreement with the union due to scheduling changes with the conference in 2026-27. Ayes: four. Nays. none. Carried.
Sup’t Lehmann presented the annual Inter-District Transportation agreement which allows neighboring districts to enter the district’s borders for transportation purposes up to a set amount of miles as agreed upon by each district. Rick Wiley moved, Beth Clouse seconded to approve the following transportation agreements: One Mile for Clear Lake and two miles for Central Springs, Lake Mills, North Iowa, Algona, and Garner-Hayfield-Ventura. All agreements must be reciprocal. Ayes: four. Nays: none. Carried.
Andrew Fedders moved, Rick Wiley seconded to approve a three-year agreement with Athletico Physical Therapy for athletic training services in 2026-27 for $25,000, 2027-28 for $26,250, and 2028-29 for $27,562.50 as presented. Ayes: four. Nays: none. Carried.
Rick Wiley moved, Andy Fedders seconded the approval of nomination from the Forest City Education Hall of Fame committee to recognize Mike Van Oort and Steve Rollefson into the Forest City Education Hall of Fame. Ayes: four. Nays: none. Carried.
Rick Wiley moved, Beth Clouse seconded to approve a planned service change order with Johnson Controls to add an upgraded service agreement to service the District's HVAC system. Ayes: four. Nays: none. Carried.
Rick Wiley moved, Andrew Fedders seconded to approve permission for the Forest City Indian Sports Boosters to post fundraising items on the school’s Bound programming website. Ayes: four. Nays: none. Carried.
Beth Clouse moved, Rick Wiley seconded to approve the quote submitted by Groves Contracting LLC to pour multiple cement projects this summer totalling 101.75 cubic yards of concrete at a cost of $73,307 which includes sawing and removal of current cement in a number of locations. Ayes: four. Nays: none. Carried.
Rick Wiley moved, Beth Clouse seconded to approve the 2026-27 equipment maintenance insurance agreement with Specialty Underwriters adding additional environmental control components for an annual cost of $144,741 from the district’s management fund. Ayes: four. Nays: none. Carried.
Andrew Fedders moved, Rick Wiley seconded the approval of the 2025-2026 District Career and Academic Plan (DCAP) as presented. Ayes: four. Nays: none. Carried.
Beth Clouse motioned to enter into closed session to evaluate the superintendent and school business official pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5(1)(i). Ayes: four. Nays: none. Carried. The time was 8:12 p.m. At 8:18 p.m, Rick Wiley motioned, second by Andrew Fedders, to return to regular session. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
June 8, 2026 meeting topics were discussed.
Rick Wiley motioned to adjourn the regular meeting. Beth Clouse seconded the motion. Ayes: four. Nays: none. Carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:19 p.m.
_______________________ _____________________________
Troy Thompson, President Sara Meinders, Board Secretary
