Central School Board removes Interim Tag from Superintendent for 26-27

The Central School Board approved an agreement with Superintendent Micah Gearhart for the 26-27 School year, removing the Interim tag from his position. Gearhart was hired for the position back in September.

The Board approved a Gym Floor Restoration Project for next year at a cost of nearly 40-thousand. They approved upgrading the Water Softener System at a cost of 12-thousand-three-hundred.

Hannah Quinones as hired as Paraprofessional and Vaughn Zittergruen as Volunteer Coach for Boys Basketball.

The Council held a work session and held discussion on Naming Rights and Advertisement but did not take any action.

CENTRAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 

ELKADER, IOWA 

December 15, 2025 – 6:00 PM 

Board Meeting 

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

Staff: Micah Gearhart, Amy Pope, Aaron Reinhart, and Allison Walch Guests: Tammy & Olivia Klingman, Ben and Mary Streicher & Josephine, Kaitlyn Kuehl-Berns, and Nicole Gray 

Approved Agenda 

Jarod Bormann made a motion to approve the agenda for the December 15, 2025, board agenda, moving learning and leadership to #5 and moving all other items down accordingly. 

Michael Whittle seconded. Motion carried. 7-0 

Learning and Leadership 

Mrs. Gray, along with preschool students, Olivia, and Josephine, presented on their Kindness Calendar that they have been working on in Central’s Preschool Classes. Recently, they visited the Elkader Care Center to spread cheer to the residents. Communication Reports 

Elementary Principal-Mrs. Pope-See Link Online 

MS/HS Principal & AD-Mr. Reinhart-See Link Online 

Superintendent-Mr. Gearhart discussed the upcoming release of the District Data Report. The Central Desk Audit has been completed and submitted. Additionally, in the event of a snow day during the second semester, staff will utilize that time for professional development. 

BoardCon Learning- Josh Embretson, Abby Heitman, Jared Funk, Micah Gearhart, and Allison Walch shared takeaways from BoardCon 2025, highlighting topics such as strategic planning, finance, communication, and goal setting. Consent Items 

Printed Minutes-November 17, 2025 

Bills-Jarod Bormann and Andrew Clark 

Treasurer's Report 

Employment 

Hannah Quinones as a paraprofessional 

Volunteer Coach-Vaughn Zittergruen as a volunteer boys basketball coach Officials 

Michael Whittle made a motion to approve the consent items. 

Jared Funk seconded. Motion carried. 7-0 

Approve the Student Ex-Officio Members for the 25-26 School Year. Jarod Bormann made a motion to approve Shelton Keene and Brylie Erickson as student ex-officio members. 

Andrew Clark seconded. Motion carried. 7-0 

District Developed Service Delivery Plan (DDSDP) 

Marcus Belser made a motion to approve the District Developed Service Delivery

Plan. 

Jared Funk seconded. Motion carried. 7-0 

At-Risk Plan and Budget 

Jared Funk made a motion to approve the At-Risk Plan and Budget. Abby Heitman seconded. Motion carried. 7-0 

Request to the School Budget Review Committee for the Modified Supplemental Aid for Increased Open Enrollment 

Jared Funk made a motion to request $93,887.00 for increased open enrollment from the School Budget Review Committee. 

Abby Heitman seconded. Motion carried. 7-0 

Gym Floor Restoration 

Michael Whittle made a motion to the gym floor restoration in the amount of $39,903.19, giving Mr. Gearhart approval to fix any additional dead spot repair not to exceed the superintendent's authority as stated in policy 705.1 

Jared Funk seconded. Motion carried. 7-0 

Water Softener System 

Jared Funk made a motion to bid for the water softener system in the amount of $12,387.94. 

Marcus Belser seconded. Motion carried. 7-0 

Sell Surplus/Obsolete Equipment 

Abby Heitman made a motion to sell the surplus and obsolete equipment. Marcus Belser seconded. Motion carried 7-0 

Fundraising Request 

Abby Heitman made a motion to approve the fundraising request. Andrew Clark seconded. Motion carried. 7-0 

Edgewood Locker and Minn Tex FFA Fundraising Purchase Abby Heitman made a motion to approve the Edgewood Locker and Minn Tex purchase. 

Jarod Bormann seconded. Motion carried. 7-0 

Policy Review-First Reading 

Abby Heitman made a motion to approve the first reading of the following policies. Code No. 100 LEGAL STATUS OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT 

Code No. 101 EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT Code No. 102.EH(2) – Equal Education Opportunity – Continuous Notice of Nondiscrimination 

Code No. 103 LONG-RANGE NEEDS ASSESSMENT 

Code No. 105 - ASSISTANCE ANIMALS 

Code No. 106 - TITLE IX - DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT BASED ON SEX PROHIBITED 

Code No. 200.01 ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Code No. 200.01-R(1) - ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS - ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING PROCEDURES 

Code No. 200.02 - POWER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Code No. 200.03 - RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Code No. 201 BOARD OF DIRECTORS' ELECTIONS 

Jared Funk seconded. Motion carried. 7-0 

Work Session 

Discussion on Naming Rights/Advertisement 

The school board had a discussion regarding naming and advertising rights. The board expressed an interest in continuing to research this possibility. Mr. Gearhart’s Entry Plan Summary 

Mr. Gearhart presented his entry plan summary. This information was broken out into three sections: shared strengths, shared challenges, and emerging opportunities. Overall themes were a strong sense of pride in Central’s people, students, and small-town community. The greatest strengths revolve around caring relationships, staff, dedication, and the supportive, family-like atmosphere of the district. The common challenges center on communication, trust, and consistency. Superintendent Goals 

Mr. Gearhart shared his top five goals as Central’s Superintendent. Starting with visibility-increasing visibility of the superintendent and connection with students, staff, and the community. The second goal is communication and trust, establishing a clear and transparent communication system that keeps staff, the school board, and the community informed. The third goal that was discussed was climate and culture-strengthen the district’s collective culture by fostering psychological safety, recognition, and a shared sense of purpose among all staff. The fourth goal discussed was consistency and follow-through, establishing and communicating consistent expectations, follow-through, and accountability systems across all schools and programs. The final goal discussed was academics and continued improvement-leading the district toward instructional improvement through data-informed decision making and professional learning that strengthens teaching and learning outcomes.  

Consideration for 2026-2027 Superintendent Commitment 

Jared Funk made a motion to remove the Interim title for the superintendent with the intention of moving forward with Mr. Gearhart as the superintendent for the 2026-2027 school year. 

Marcus Belser seconded. Motion carried. 7-0 

Adjournment 

Marcus Belser made a motion to adjourn the meeting. 

Jared Funk seconded. Motion carried. 7-0 

The meeting adjourned at 7:39 PM.