Central School Board approves the District Calendar for the 26/27 School Year
- Feb 17
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 18
The Central School Board approved the School Calendar for the 26/27 School year with a start date of August 24th.
The Board approved changing the March meeting date to March 17th, starting at 5pm.
The Board will hold the First Budget Hearing Date on March 23rd at 6pm.
The Central Board accepted the resignation of Kerry Peterson as Special Education Teacher. Brady Stramer was hired as Instructional Coach and Timothy Noel as a Paraprofessional.
Leah Imoehl, Joel Helgerson were named as Volunteer Coaches for Track and Caitlyn Jacobs as a Volunteer Golf Coach.
CENTRAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
ELKADER, IOWA
February 16, 2026– 6:00 PM
Board Meeting
President Josh Embretson called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. Board Present: Jarod Bormann, Abby Heitman, Andrew Clark, Michael Whittle, and Josh Embretson
Board Absent: Marcus Belser and Jared Funk
Staff: Micah Gearhart, Amy Pope, Aaron Reinhart, and Allison Walch Guests: Joan Frieden, Layla Embretson, Brylee Erickson, Shelton Keene, Ayden Schutte, and Kaitlyn Kuehl-Berns
Approved Agenda
Abby Heitman made a motion to approve the agenda for February 16, 2026. Michael Whittle seconded. Motion carried. 5-0
Communication Reports
Elementary Principal-Mrs. Pope-Mrs. Stannard did an outstanding job helping us set up ISASP for the district, and our protocol was successfully rolled out on Friday. We now have a new section on our website to support staff and students. Additionally, we presented goal-setting to 3rd-11th-grade teachers on Friday to help them guide students toward their goals. We're also working on the behavior program for special education. Lastly, our LETRS training is almost complete, with only one more face-to-face day remaining.
Student Ex-Officio- Brylee Erickson and Shelton Keene shared updates from Student Council, highlighting many upcoming events. The Locker Hearts fundraiser raised $70. Academically, students in grades 7-11 are working on four-year plans, and seniors are focusing on scholarships.
MS/HS Principal & AD-Mr. Reinhart-February is CTE Month, showcasing programs in Agriculture, Industrial Technology, and Human Services. Teachers completed professional learning on ISASP tests, focusing on goal setting, practice testing, and writing strategies. We’re working on new course offerings for 2026-2027, to be finalized before spring registration. Recent activities include state speech, district wrestling, and basketball.
Superintendent-Mr. Gearhart gave a legislative update on State Supplemental Aid, a possible change in count dates, and a bill proposing an update to Career and Technical Education. Mr. Gearhart also stated that Central’s desk audits are completed.
Consent Items
Printed Minutes-January 19, 2026
Bills-Abby Heitman and Marcus Belser
Treasurer's Report
Employment
Resignations
Special Education Teacher-Kerry Peterson
Hiring
Instructional Coach-Brady Stramer
Paraprofessional-Timothy Noel
Volunteer Coaches-Track & Field-Leah Imoehl, Joel Helgerson, Golf-Caitlyn Jacobs Officials
Andrew Clark made a motion to approve the consent items.
Abby Heitman seconded. Motion carried. 5-0
Learning and Leadership
Mrs. Frieden and Mrs. Pope spoke on the need to restructure Central’s Special Education Department to better support all students.
2026-2027 Calendar Hearing
Jarod Bormann made a motion to open the 2026-2027 calendar hearing. Andrew Clark seconded. Motion carried. 5-0
The 2026-2027 calendar hearing opened at 6:34 PM
Michael Whittle made a motion to close the 2026-2027 calendar hearing. Abby Heitman seconded. Motion carried. 5-0
The 2026-2027 calendar hearing closed at 6:35 PM
Approval of the 2026-2027 School Calendar
Abby Heitman made a motion to approve the 2026-2027 calendar. Andrew Clark seconded. Motion carried. 5-0
March 16, 2026 Board Meeting Date Change
Jarod Bormann made a motion to approve moving the March 16, 2026, board meeting to March 17, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
Abby Heitman seconded. Motion carried. 5-0
First Budget Hearing Date: March 23, 2026, 6:00 PM
Abby Heitman made a motion to approve the first budget hearing date for March 23, 2026, at 6:00 PM
Jarod Bromann seconded. Motion carried. 5-0
Budget Guarantee Resolution
Andrew Clark made a motion to approve the budget guarantee resolution. Abby Heitman seconded. Motion carried. 5-0
Special Education Restructure
Michael Whittle made a motion to approve the restructure of Central’s Special Education program.
Abby Heitman seconded. Motion carried. 5-0
Fundraising Request
Abby Heitman made a motion to approve the fundraising requests. Andrew Clark seconded. Motion carried. 5-0
Donation
Abby Heitman made a motion to approve the donation from TD’s in the amount of $1,200.00 for the Costa Rica trip.
Michael Whittle seconded. Motion carried. 5-0
Interact Travel-Costa Rica
Andrew Clark made a motion to approve the payment for the Costa Rica trip for the Spanish Club in the amount of $23,500.00
Abby Heitman seconded. Motion carried. 5-0
Policy Review-Second Reading
Abby Heitman made a motion to approve the second reading of the following
policies
Code No. 202.01 QUALIFICATIONS
Code No. 202.02 OATH OF OFFICE
Code No. 202.03 TERM OF OFFICE
Code No. 202.04 VACANCIES
Code No. 202.05 - STUDENT SCHOOL BOARD REPRESENTATIVES Code No. 203 BOARD OF DIRECTORS' CONFLICT OF INTEREST Code No. 203.(R)1 Board Member Conflict of Interest- Employment with the District Code No. 204 CODE OF ETHICS
Code No. 205.01 BOARD MEMBER LIABILITY
Code No. 206.01 PRESIDENT
Code No. 206.02 VICE-PRESIDENT
Code No. 206.03 SECRETARY-TREASURER
Code No. 206.04 TREASURER
Code No. 605.8 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN THE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT
Code No. 605.8 R1 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCY IN THE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT - REGULATION 1
Code No. 605.8 R2 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCY IN THE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT - STUDENT CREATION OF INAPPROPRIATE AI GENERATED IMAGES - REGULATION 2
Code No. 200.04 - BOARD MEMBER SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT Michael Whittle seconded. Motion carried. 5-0
First Reading of Policy
Abby Heitman made a motion to approve the first reading of the following policies Code No. 207 BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ LEGAL COUNSEL
Code No. 209.01 DEVELOPMENT OF POLICY
Code No. 209.02 ADOPTION OF POLICY
Code No. 209.03 DISSEMINATION OF POLICY
Code No. 209.04 SUSPENSION OF POLICY
Code No. 209.05 ADMINISTRATION IN THE ABSENCE OF POLICY Code No. 209.06 REVIEW AND REVISION OF POLICY
Code No. 209.07 REVIEW OF ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS Code No. 705.1 PURCHASING-BIDDING
Andrew Clark seconded. Motion carried. 5-0
Board Discussion
The Storm Protection Fund
The Storm Protection Fund is a program that allows districts to buy down their deductible to 1% for wind and hail. The cost for Central would be $17,072.00.
Commencement Speech
In the past, a member from Central Community School Board has given a speech at commencement. Moving forward, an advisor or advisors from the class will give the speech.
Adjournment
Abby Heitman made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Andrew Clark seconded. Motion carried. 5-0
The meeting adjourned at 6:58 PM.
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