Regular Meeting
February 9, 2026
The Board of Directors of the Forest City Community School District met for a regular meeting on February 9, 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, David Reese, Beth Clouse, Troy Thompson, Rick Wiley, and Andrew Fedders. Absent: Kim Severson. Andrew Fedders moved to approve the agenda. Rick Wiley seconded the motion Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried. Kim Severson entered the meeting at 6:31 p.m.
President Thompson reviewed his recent attendance at the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) Day on the Hill and shared his perspectives on legislative proposals at the State Capitol.
For administrative reports,
- Students Bella Karalius, Dirk Zeman, and Lindsay Clouse, along with Teacher Tami McInroy and Board Member Beth Clouse, presented on their recent experiences with AFS Intercultural Programs. The presentation included a brief history of the program and highlighted its positive impact on students, the Forest City community, and the school district, as well as the benefits of partnership with the AFS organization.
- Teachers Sam Treloar and Katie Schmidt, joined by Elementary Principal Brad Jones, shared information on the Giving Tree Program. They discussed long-standing community partnerships and benefactors that have supported the program, which has been successfully operated by district staff and community partners for more than thirty years.
- Chris Wellendorf, Food Service Director, provided an overview of the district’s food service program, outlining both recent successes and ongoing challenges.
- Middle School Principal, Sarah Leichsenring, reported on the upcoming Road Less Traveled Conference and Leadership Reaction Course opportunities for students. She also shared updates on the recently hosted spelling bee and reviewed FAST screening data.
- Sec’y Meinders presented the monthly financial reports, a draft of the 2026–2027 Budget and Proposed Tax Statement, and provided district office updates.
- Sup’t Lehmann introduced guests Shad Little from Next Era Energy and Ryan Keller who gave a brief overview of their work in the area and the Lake Mills Wind initiative. Lehmann shared updates on strategic planning progress, NIACC Appreciation Dinner, district speech results, and an overview of future district projects.
The following consent agenda items were reviewed: minutes from the January 12, 2026 public hearing and regular meeting, open enrollments, employee contracts and resignations and leave of absence request, donations, financial statements, and bills for payment. After discussion, Andrew Fedders moved to approve all consent agenda items. David Reese seconded the motion. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
- Open Enrollment Out: Kolton Sage to Clayton Ridge and Gennovia Cerwinke and Jordan Vitek to Garner-Hayfield-Ventura;
- Open Enrolled In: Cambri Cink and Diesel Cink from North Iowa, and Kason Smith, Jaxon Smith and Taven Schuver from Garner-Hayfield-Ventura;
- Employee New Contracts for 2025-26 School Year: McKaylee Kidd, Elementary Paraprofessional; Jennifer Eastvold, HS Wrestling Cheer Coach; Moriah Ward, District Office Administrative Assistant;
- Employee New Contracts for 2026-27 School Year: Emily Ryerson, Middle School Special Education Teacher;
- Employee Resignations: Heather Nyguard, High School Wrestling Cheer Coach;
- Employee Resignations at the end of the 2025-26 School Year: Tammy Krieger, Elementary Paraprofessional; Rhonda Eser, Bus Route Driver; Jason Crail, Director of Student Support Services;
- Employee Leave of Absence Request: Sherri Lunning;
- Donations: Forest City Rotary Club to the Mitten Fund, $4,000.
In old business, Supt. Lehmann provided a legislative update.
In new business, Rick Wiley moved, Kim Severson seconded to approve board policies 711.1, 711.2, 711.2R1, 711.3, 711.4, 711.5, 711.6, 711.7, 711.8, 711.9, 711.10, 712, 712R1, and 202.2 as presented. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Board Policy 505.5 (Graduation Requirements) was presented with the request to increase the semester credits from 48.00 to 48.25 with the requirement of a .25 semester credit for seniors to take Career Exploration. Andrew Fedders moved, Kim Severson seconded to approve the policy as presented. Ayes: seven. Nays: none. Carried.
Andrew Fedders moved, Kim Severson seconded to approve a purchasing agreement between Forest City Schools, Clear Lake Schools and the North Iowa Therapeutic Instructional Consortium (Four Oaks) for Forest City Schools to purchase a seat from Clear Lake Schools for the remainder of the 2026-27 school year. Ayes: seven. Nays: None. Carried.
Sec’y Meinders explained the need to hold public hearings as required for the upcoming Budget approval. After discussion, David Reese moved, Rick Wiley seconded to set the following public hearing dates and times: Proposed Property Tax levy for Fiscal Year July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 on March 23, 2026 at 5:30 p.m; Proposed School Budget Summary for Fiscal Year 2026-27 on April 13, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. and Amendment of Current Budget Fiscal Year July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 on April 13, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. Ayes: seven. Nays: None. Carried.
Kim Severson moved, Rick Wiley seconded to approve the 2026-27 Worth County Development Authority (WCDA) funding and budget receiving a total of $113,074.10 for the 2026-27 fiscal year. Ayes: seven. Nays: None. Carried.
Sec’y Meinders presented a new copier maintenance agreement from Specialty Underwriters Insurance (SU) in the amount of $24,890 annually to complete maintenance and provide toner for the District’s copy/print fleet. Rick Wiley moved, Beth Clouse seconded to approve the maintenance agreement as presented effective March 1, 2026. Ayes: seven. Nays: None. Carried.
Andrew Fedders moved, Kim Severson seconded the approval of a field trip to Target Field in Minneapolis, MN as part of their math day on April 29th. Ayes: seven. Nays: None. Carried.
Rick Wiley moved, Kim Severson seconded the approval to purchase a new industrial washer and dryer for the middle school from Minnesota Chemical for a cost of $29,034. Ayes: seven. Nays: None. Carried.
Beth Clouse moved, Rick Wiley seconded the approval to purchase playground equipment and installation from Boland Recreation for the amount of $144,958 to construct a new playground area at the Elementary location. Ayes: seven. Nays: None. Carried.
Kim Severson moved, Andrew Fedders seconded the approval of new LED lighting to be installed at the Elementary facility by Kruger Electric over the summer of 2026 for a total of $79,739.73. Ayes: seven. Nays: None. Carried.
Kim Severson moved, Andrew Fedders seconded the approval of a resolution and 28E Agreement to participate in the Storm Protection Fund (SPF), an Iowa Code Chapter 28E entity and Chapter 670 risk pool to reduce the 1% wind/hail deductible exposure for an annual cost of $32,747 in 2026-27. Ayes: seven. Nays: None. Carried.
Rick Wiley moved, Beth Clouse seconded for the approval of a memorandum of understanding with the Forest City Education Association to change the supplementary salary schedule payment amount for High School Vocal from 18.55% to 15.55% for the 2026-27 school year due to program changes. Ayes: seven. Nays: None. Carried.
Sec’y Meinders shared the District’s investment portfolio. Rick Wiley moved, Andrew Fedders seconded the cashing in certificates that are maturing and the purchase of several certificates of deposit with MBT Bank of Forest City as presented from the General, Capital Improvements, PPEL, and Self Insurance funds. Ayes: seven. Nays: None. Carried.
The March 9, 2026 board meeting was discussed.
Rick Wiley motioned to adjourn the regular meeting. Davie Reese seconded the motion. Ayes: five. Nays: none. Carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:59 p.m.
_______________________ _____________________________
Troy Thompson, President Sara Meinders, Board Secretary
