Regular Meeting
June 8, 2026
The Board of Directors of the Forest City Community School District met for a regular meeting on June 8, 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: Cody Hennigar, Beth Clouse, Troy Thompson, Rick Wiley, and Andrew Fedders. Absent: David Reese and Kim Severson. Beth Clouse motioned to approve the agenda, Cody Hennigar seconded the motion. Ayes: five. Nays: none. Carried.
Administrative Reports:
- Elementary School Principal Brad Jones provided an update on end-of-year activities, attendance initiatives, summer school programming, and the summer STEM program.
- Middle School Principal Sarah Leichsenring provided an update on the 8th grade John K. Hanson career hub visit, end of the year, and staff transitions for next school year.
- Director of Teaching and Learning Zach Dillavou discussed end of the year and a recap of success for the year, ELL student data, proficiency levels for testing and changes for next year, future discussions regarding TAG planning, wellness policies and basic AI guidelines.
- Sec’y Meinders presented monthly financial reports and a summary of the office calendar for June and July.
- Sup’t Lehmann reported on legislative changes regarding cash at gates and 8th grade activity participation in high school athletics, summer projects, RSAI membership, ISFIS membership, Rotary mural project, accessibility parking, senior awards night and graduation ceremony.
The following consent agenda items were reviewed: minutes of the May 11, 2026 regular meeting, employee contracts and contract adjustments, employee resignations, donations, an early graduation request, financial statements, invoices for payment and investment plan. After discussion, Rick Wiley motioned to approve all consent agenda items. Beth Clouse seconded the motion. Ayes: five. Nays: none. Carried.
- Employee Contracts: Diane Swan, MS Special Education Teacher; Teacher Quality Professional Development Summer Hours; Middle School Extra Teacher Pay; PK SPED Extra Time; Keith Walker, 9/10 Football Coach; Philip Porter, HS Head Football Coach; Parker Eaton, 9/10 Football Coach; Caleb Eckels, HS Assistant Football Coach; Matt Harriman, HS Head Boys Golf Coach; Michael Pettengill, Assistant HS Boys Track Coach; Juliana Burkholder, HS Head Girls Golf Coach; Daunte Berg, Summer Student Custodian; Bradley Ward, Elem SPED Teacher; Bradley Ward, Tuition Reimbursement Agreement; Corey Halfpop, Evening Custodian.
- Employee Contract Adjustments: Dawn Rutt, Accompanist and Shelby Umbaugh, Paraprofessional.
- Employee Resignations: Seth Thorson, Assistant HS Boys Track Coach; Keith Walker, MS Football Coach; Philip Porter, HS Assistant Football Coach; Parker Eaton, HS Assistant Football Coach; Caleb Eckels, 9/10 Football Coach.
- Donations: Marla Betz (Wrestling $25.00), Nutrien Ag Solutions (Girls Basketball $2,500.00), Winnebago Ind. (Fine Arts $500.00), Casey’s Cash for Classrooms (Elem PBIS $7.40).
- Early Graduation Request: Jeff Faught
There was no old business. In new business, Beth Clouse motioned, Andrew Fedders seconded to approve the review of the following board policies: 904.1, 904.2, 905.1, 905.1R1, 905.1E2, 905.2, 905.3, 906, 907, 907R1, 908FC, 203, 206.3, 206.4, 701.2, 701.3, 701.5, 704.2, 704.3, 705.1, 705.1R1, 705.1R2, 705.4, 705.6, 706.4, 707.1, 708, 712, New Policy-Second Reading: 504.8FC Media Access and Credentials for State Athletic Events. Ayes: five. Nays: none. Carried.
Rick Wiely motioned, Cody Hennigar seconded to approve the Central Rivers AEA Service Agreements for 2026-27. Ayes: five. Nays: none. Carried.
Beth Clouse motioned, Rick Wiley seconded to approve the 2026-27 North Iowa Therapeutic Instructional Consortium Fiscal Agent Agreement. Ayes: five. Nays: none. Carried.
Rick Wiley motioned, Beth Clouse seconded to approve the 2026-27 North Iowa Therapeutic Instructional Consortium Agreement. Ayes: five. Nays: none. Carried.
Andrew Fedders motioned Rick Wiley seconded to approve the purchase of 4th and 5th grade chromebooks from CDW-G for a cost of $65,340 and middle school teacher laptops from the Apple Store for the amount of $35,370. Ayes: five. Nays: none. Carried.
Beth Clouse motioned, Cody Hennigar seconded to approve the NIACC College and Career Transition Counselor Memorandum of Understanding 2026-27. Ayes: five. Nays: none. Carried.
Rick Wiley motioned, Andrew Fedders seconded to approve a quote from Mechanical Air Systems Company to replace two heat pumps in the middle school gym for a cost of $117,907. This cost does not include the required electrical updates and connections to our HVAC system which are estimated to be below $10,000. Ayes: five. Nays: none. Carried.
Rick Wiley motioned, Beth Clouse seconded to approve the NIACC agreement or Educational Services for Concurrent Enrollment Career Link Programs and Courses for 2026-27. Ayes: five. Nays: none. Carried.
Andrew Fedders motioned, Rick Wiley seconded to approve the NIACC Memorandum of Understanding John V. Hanson Center Maintenance Agreement for 2026-27. Ayes: five. Nays: none. Carried.
Beth Clouse motioned, Andrew Fedders seconded to approve the least agreement with Forest City Economic Development for the shared District Office space for 2026-27. Ayes: five. Nays: none. Carried.
Rick Wiley motioned, Andrew Fedders seconded to change the way in town pickup points for bus transportation is being determined for the 2026-27 school year and beyond to better accommodate specialized transportation needs, route efficiency, and ability to retrain/recruit drivers. Ayes: five. Nays: none. Carried.
July 13, 2026 meeting topics were discussed.
Rick Wiley 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 7:26 p.m. At 7:43 p.m, Beth Clouse motioned, second by Rick Wiley, to return to regular session. Ayes: five. Nays: none. Carried.
Rick Wiley motioned to adjourn the regular meeting. Cody Hennigar seconded the motion. Ayes: five. Nays: none. Carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:44 p.m.
_______________________ _____________________________
Troy Thompson, President Sara Meinders, Board Secretary
