Central School Board approves continuing agreements with Keystone AEA

The Central School Board approved continuing the Technology Service Agreement and Media Service Agreement with Keystone AEA.

Emily Schultz resigned as Band Instructor.

The Board hired Hannah Hutchinson as Interventionist, Brittany Reinhart for Home School Assistance Program, Mitch Seitz as Assistant Football Coach and Katie Belser as Cheerleading Sponsor.

CENTRAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 

ELKADER, IOWA 

June 15, 2026– 6:00 PM 

Board Meeting 

President Josh Embretson called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. Board Present: Jarod Bormann, Andrew Clark, Marcus Belser, Jared Funk, and Josh Embretson 

Board Absent: Michael Whittle and Abby Heitman 

Staff: Micah Gearhart and Allison Walch 

Guests: Samuel Belser, Ayce Clark, Zane Embretson, and Kaitlyn Kuehl-Berns Approved Agenda 

Jared Funk made a motion to approve the agenda for June 15, 2026. Marcus Belser seconded. Motion carried. 5-0 

Communication Reports 

Elementary Principal- Mrs. Pope- The assembly at the football field turned out great! Then the picnic went well at the City Park. Thanks to the City of Elkader for allowing us to utilize their space and making sure the picnic tables and garbage cans were there and ready to go. 

Rowan Fangman was honored at the assembly. In partnership with the Iowa Department of Education, National Math Stars (NMS) honored the state’s most advanced young mathematicians; he scored in the top 2% of all third-grade students in mathematics on the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress in spring 2026. 

MS/HS Principal & AD-Mr. Reinhart, Professional Learning-We will be engaging in learning around student behavior, MTSS, and legislative updates, among other things, this summer. 

2026-2027 Schedules - students, teachers, activities, etc. - will be rolled out over the next 8 weeks. Updates will be communicated via email and social media. Activities Report: Baseball. We hosted the game on Friday, June 12. Everything went well, and it was a great night for baseball in Elkader! 

FFA. Students are active all summer, including a recent competition by students last week. The Ireland group leaves on Wednesday! 

Superintendent-Mr. Gearhart, Legislation- we are waiting on IDOE for guidance Elementary Screen Time- places limits of 60 minutes of instructional time on screens K-5. Expanded Civics and Social Studies Requirements- changes include additional expectations around civics instruction at the middle school level and expanded coursework related to government. This also includes a section of ISASP that will be added for 11th grade. Health and Physical Education- Families may see additional emphasis on nutrition education, whole-food concepts, reduction of dyes in food served at schools, and physical fitness expectations. 

PPEL- September 8th 

Our VPPEL expires on June 30, 2026. We are looking at a renewal of the VPPEL on September 8th, 2026. The proposed levy would continue at the rate of $0.67 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. This would not be an increase of the district's current levy rate; rather, a continuation of the rate from this year. 

EMC (Garms and Jester) Grant 

EMC offered a competitive grant for safety concerns around Iowa Schools. The grant was up to $10,000. We applied and were not awarded the grant from EMC; however, Garms Insurance, our local insurance agent, and Jester, decided to match the grant and award Central the amount requested. This grant will cover new safety equipment in the gym for our backboards.  

Consent Items 

Printed Minutes-May 18, 2026 

Bills-Jarod Bormann and Andrew Clark 

Treasurer's Report 

Employment 

Resignation 

Band Instructor-Emily Schultz 

Hiring 

Interventionist-Hannah Hutchinson 

Home School Assistance Program Liaison-Brittney Reinhart 

Coaches 

Assistant Football Coach-Mitch Seitz 

Cheerleading Sponsor-Katie Belser 

Jarod Bormann made a motion to approve the consent items. 

Andrew Clark seconded. Motion carried. 5-0 

Learning and Leadership 

Samuel Belser, Ayce Clark, and Zane Embretson shared their experiences during May Term. Each shared insights on their activities, learning outcomes, and personal reflections. Their testimonies highlighted valuable educational opportunities. Donation-Athletic Booster Club 

Jared Funk made a motion to approve the donation from the Central Athletic Booster Club in the amount of $12,164.36. 

Marcus Belser seconded. Motion carried. 5-0 

Fundraising Request 

Marcus Belser made a motion to approve the fundraising request. Andrew Clark seconded. Motion carried. 5-0 

Commercial Property Insurance Deductible 

Jared Funk made a motion to approve a $25,000 deductible for commercial property insurance for the 2026-2027 school year. 

Marcus Belser seconded. Motion carried. 5-0 

FY27 Technology Service Agreement-Keystone Area Education Agency Andrew Clark made a motion to approve the FY27 Technology agreement with Keystone AEA. 

Jarod Bormann seconded. Motion carried. 5-0 

FY26-27 Service Agreement-Keystone Area Education Agency Marcus Belser made a motion to approve the FY26-27 Service Agreement with Keystone AEA. 

Jared Funk seconded. Motion carried. 5-0 

Request for Proposal-Fiscal Year Audit 

Jared Funk made a motion to approve Kay Chapman, CPA, audit proposal for FY26,

FY27, FY28. 

Marcus Belser seconded. Motion carried. 5-0 

Preschool Handbook 

Marcus Belser made a motion to approve the preschool handbook. Andrew Clark seconded. Motion carried. 5-0 

Elementary Handbook 

Jared Funk made a motion to approve the elementary handbook. Jarod Bormann seconded. Motion carried. 5-0 

Secondary Handbook 

Andrew Clark made a motion to approve the secondary handbook. Marcus Belser seconded. Motion carried. 5-0 

Registration Handbook 

Marcus Belser made a motion to approve the secondary handbook. Jared Funk seconded. Motion carried. 5-0 

Staff Handbook 

Marcus Belser made a motion to approve the staff handbook. 

Jared Funk seconded. Motion carried. 5-0 

Administrative Handbook 

Jarod Bormann made a motion to approve the administrative handbook. Marcus Belser seconded. Motion carried. 5-0 

Prep Time Coverage 

Jared Funk made a motion to approve compensating teachers for earned prep time coverage at a rate of $30 per time. 

Andrew Clark seconded. Motion carried. 5-0 

Classified Long Term Substitute Compensation 

Andrew Clark made a motion to approve the classified long-term sub rate for any classified substitute who works 10 consecutive days in the same assignment would be moved to the starting wage for that position, and would receive that wage retroactively from day one. 

Andrew Clark seconded. Motion carried. 5-0 

Second Reading of Policy 

Jared Funk made a motion to approve the second reading of the following policies CODE NO. 216.1 ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP 

CODE NO. 216.2 BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEMBER DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING 

CODE NO. 216.3 BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEMBER COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES 

CODE NO. 217 GIFTS TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

CODE NO. 300 ROLE OF SCHOOL DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION CODE NO. 301.1 MANAGEMENT 

CODE NO. 302.1 SUPERINTENDENT QUALIFICATIONS, 

CODE NO. 302.2 SUPERINTENDENT CONTRACT AND CONTRACTUAL RENEWAL 

CODE NO. 302.3 SUPERINTENDENT SALARY AND OTHER 

COMPENSATION 

CODE NO. 302.4 SUPERINTENDENT DUTIES

CODE NO. 302.6 SUPERINTENDENT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CODE NO. 302.7 SUPERINTENDENT CIVIC ACTIVITIES 

CODE NO. 302.8 SUPERINTENDENT CONSULTING/OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT Marcus Belser seconded. Motion carried. 5-0 

First Reading of Policy 

Andrew Clark made a motion to approve the first reading of the following policies Code No. 303.1 ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS 

Code No. 303.2 ADMINISTRATOR QUALIFICATIONS, RECRUITMENT, APPOINTMENT 

Code No. 303.3 ADMINISTRATOR CONTRACT AND CONTRACT NONRENEWAL Code No. 303.4 ADMINISTRATOR SALARY AND OTHER COMPENSATION Code No. 303.5 ADMINISTRATOR DUTIES 

Code No. 303.6 ADMINISTRATOR EVALUATION Code No. 303.7 ADMINISTRATOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 

Code No. 303.8 ADMINISTRATOR CIVIC ACTIVITIES 

Code No. 303.9 ADMINISTRATOR CONSULTING/OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT Jared Funk seconded. Motion carried. 5-0 

Board Discussion 

Facilities Committee Update-HVAC 

The school board discussed the ongoing HVAC project. A five-year plan was developed to guide the project’s implementation. 

Portable Restrooms 

The district currently rents portable restrooms for athletic field use at an annual cost of approximately $3,000. As part of long-term planning, alternative options are being explored, including purchasing units, constructing a permanent facility, acquiring an ADA-compliant trailer, or utilizing portable buildings on skids. The district is in the information-gathering stage and seeks input on potential investments and future goals. 

IASB Board Training 

The board participated in a think, pair, share activity focused on the Iowa Association of School Board standards. This exercise will serve as a foundation for upcoming board learning sessions. 

Next Meeting Date: July 20, 2026 

Jared Funk made a motion to approve the next meeting date on July 20, 2026. Marcus Belser seconded. Motion carried. 5-0