Public Hearing
October 12, 2026
The Board of Directors of the Forest City Community School District met for a public hearing on October 12, 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 President Troy Thompson. Members present: Cody Hennigar, Beth Clouse, Troy Thompson, Rick Wiley, and Andrew Fedders. Absent: David Reese and Kim Severson.
The resolution to expend funds from the district’s Flexibility Account for director and teacher salaries and benefits was presented. There were no written or oral comments.
President Thompson declared the public hearing closed at 6:31 p.m.
_________________________ ____________________________
Troy Thompson, President Sara Meinders, Board Secretary
Regular Meeting
October 12, 2026
The Board of Directors of the Forest City Community School District met for a public hearing and regular meeting on October 12, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at the Elementary Media Center, Forest City, Iowa.
After a quorum was established the regular meeting was called to order President Troy Thompson. Members present: Cody Hennigar, Beth Clouse, Troy Thompson, Rick Wiley, Andrew Fedders, and Kim Severson. Absent: David Reese. Rick Wiley motioned to approve the agenda, Andrew Fedders seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried. Kim Severson attended the meeting virtually as it was inconvenient to do so otherwise.
Administrative Reports:
- Middle School Principal Sarah Leichsenring introduced the district’s new teachers for the 2026-27 school year. After being introduced, Angel Thompson, Emily Ryerson, Diane Swan, and Bradley Ward talked about their educational backgrounds and reflected on their experiences at Forest City to date. Principal Leichsenring shared details about recent activities in the middle school and behavior concern data.
- Secretary/Treasurer Meinders presented monthly financial reports.
- Superintendent Lehmann reported on homecoming events and vandalism concerns, the nomination process for the IASB Director District #2 position, and RSAI developments. Additional updates included the Athletics Hall of Fame initiative and social media metrics. Information was also presented on Iowa Amendment 1, a proposed constitutional amendment on the November 3, 2026 ballot necessitating a two-thirds legislative supermajority for income tax raises.
The following consent agenda items were reviewed: minutes of the September 14, 2026 regular meeting, open enrollments, employee contracts, employee resignations, sick leave bank requests, donations, financial statements, bills, and investment plan. After discussion, Beth Clouse moved to approve the consent agenda as presented. Cody Hennigar seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Motion carried.
- Open Enrollments (Out): Teagon Hansen (7) to Lake Mills, Andrew Dirksen (K) to West Hancock, Henry Akkermann (1) and Mordecai Bang (K) to North Iowa;
- Open Enrollments (In): Elleanor Kendrick (10) from GHV;
- Employee Contracts: Mylie Hopkins, Elementary Paraprofessional; Sean Eaton, Paraprofessional Student Driver; and Allyson Wilson, Assistant Girls Basketball Coach;
- Employee Resignations: Katie Lampman, Elementary Paraprofessional; and Marissa Bergo, Assistant Softball Coach;
- Donations: Versova Community Foundation ($2,500.00 for FFA);
There was no old business. In new business, Kim Severson motioned, Andrew Fedders seconded to approve the review of standard board policies 200.1, 200.1R1, 200.1FC, 200.2, 200.3, 200.3FC, 200.4, 201, 202.1, 202.2, 202.3, 202.4, and new policy 107 regarding Religious Expression as presented. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Rick Wiley moved, Beth Clouse seconded to approve the Flexibility Account Board Resolution to transfer $250,000 from Teacher Leadership (TLC) carryover to a flexibility account in the general fund for director salaries and benefits. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Andy Fedders moved, Kim Severson seconded to approve the District Professional Development Plans for the 2026-2027 school year as presented. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Beth Clouse moved, Kim Severson seconded to approve the Paraprofessional Student Driver Job Description as presented. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Andrew Fedders moved, Rick Wiley seconded to approve the Turf Tank Two Robotic Line Marker Sharing Agreement at 30% sharing with the North Iowa Community School District as presented. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Rick Wiley moved, Kim Severson seconded to approve the proposal submitted by Johnson Controls to update the Elementary HVAC Metasys System at a cost of $156,477 as presented. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Kim Severson moved, Beth Clouse seconded to approve the purchase of 4 floor cleaning units from JCL Solutions at a cost of $70,474.90 and future equipment disposition of two current scrubbers as presented. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Rick Wiley moved, Cody Hennigar seconded to approve the Forest City CSD Strategic Plan and District Scorecard as presented. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Andrew Fedders moved, Rick Wiley seconded to tentatively approve plans and specs, authorize letting of bids, and set public hearing for November 9, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. for the Weight Room Addition Project. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Andrew Fedders moved, Rick Wiley seconded to tentatively approve plans and specs, authorize letting of bids, and set public hearing for November 9, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. for the District Office HVAC Project. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Beth Clouse moved, Cody Hennigar seconded to approve the 2025-2026 Financial Health Report as presented. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Cody Hennigar moved, Andrew Fedders seconded to approve the IASB 2027 Legislative Priorities as follows: Local Accountability & Decision-Making, School Funding Policy, Mental Health, and Teacher Recruitment & Licensure . Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried.
Suggestions for the November 9, 2026, Board Meeting were discussed.
Rick Wiley motioned to adjourn the regular meeting. Cody Hennigar seconded the motion. Ayes: six. Nays: none. Carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m.
_______________________ _____________________________
Troy Thompson, President Sara Meinders, Board Secretary
