North Fayette/Valley Board

NORTH FAYETTE VALLEY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF EDUCATION 

Minutes, Special Meeting of the North Fayette Valley Community School District Board of Education, Monday, April 14, 2025, in the NFV Central Office Conference Room, 600 N Pine Street, West Union, IA  52175

NFV Board of Education: Emily Koch, LaCreasha Schultz, Amanda Rodgers, Kirstin  Nelson-Lerch, Richard Klosterman, Kris McGrane, & Kris  Marcks.

Others: Superintendent: Joe Griffith, Business Manager: Kassie  Stansbery

President Koch called the Special Meeting of the NFV Board of Education to order at 4:32 pm.

Roll Call of Board members: Present: Koch, Schultz, Rodgers, Nelson-Lerch, Klosterman, McGrane.  Absent: Marcks   

Motion to approve the agenda with the following items:

• Possible Closed Session as provided in section 21.5(i) of Iowa Code for Superintendent Evaluation

• Reconvene open session

The agenda was approved as presented. McGrane/Nelson-Lerch  Motion Carried 6-0

Motion was made by Nelson-Lerch and seconded by Schultz to move into closed session per Iowa Code section 21.5(i) for the Superintendent Evaluation.  Roll Call Vote: Rodgers – yes, Klosterman – yes, Schultz – Yes, Nelson-Lerch – Yes, McGrane – yes, Koch – yes. 

Marcks joined the closed session at 5:05pm.

Motion by McGrane, seconded by Schultz to return to open session.  Roll call Vote was taken Rodgers – yes, Klosterman – yes, Schultz – Yes, Nelson-Lerch – Yes, McGrane – yes, Koch – yes, Marcks – yes. Motion carried 7-0.

Motion made by Klosterman and seconded by Schultz to adjourn 5:23pm.  Motion carried 7-0. 

NORTH FAYETTE VALLEY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF EDUCATION 

Minutes, Public Hearing of the North Fayette Valley Community School District Board of Education, Monday, April 14, 2025, in the NFV High School Library, 600 N Pine Street, West Union, IA  52175

NFV Board of Education: Emily Koch, LaCreasha Schultz, Amanda Rodgers, Kirstin  Nelson-Lerch, Richard Klosterman, Kris McGrane, & Kris  Marcks; Student members: Avery Donnelly, Alex Kent, &  Gabe Stansbery; Superintendent: Joe Griffith, Business  Manager: Kassie Stansbery; Superintendent’s Secretary:  Stephanie Michael; Principals: Chris Miller, Micah  Gearhart, Travis Elliott; Staff: Shanda Miller, Julie Frieden,  Kory Kuhens, Lisa McLellan,  Media: Sharon Drahn;  Patrons: Mattison Goddard, Gavin Schroyer, Cael Reichter,  Bowen Muzingo, Zach McLellan, Aileen Escobar, Lisbeth  Trinidad

President Koch called the Public Hearing of the NFV Board of Education to order at 5:30 pm.

Roll Call of Board members: Present: Rodgers, McGrane, Nelson-Lerch, Marcks, Klosterman, Schultz, & Koch.  Klosterman led the pledge of allegiance.    

The agenda was approved as presented.  Schultz/Klosterman Carried 7-0

President Koch called the public hearing to order at 5:31 pm.

President Koch provided opening comments outlining the purpose of the public hearing.

No written comments were submitted and no oral comments were made. 

Motion was made by Marcks, seconded by Klosterman to close the public hearing at 5:32 pm.  Motion carried 7-0 

Motion to adjourn at 5:32 pm.    McGrane/Marcks  Motion Carried 7-0

NORTH FAYETTE VALLEY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF EDUCATION 

Minutes, Regular Meeting of the North Fayette Valley Community School District Board of Education, Monday, April 14, 2025, in the NFV High School Library, 600 N Pine Street, West Union, IA  52175

NFV Board of Education: Emily Koch, LaCreasha Schultz, Amanda Rodgers, Kirstin  Nelson-Lerch, Richard Klosterman, Kris McGrane, & Kris  Marcks; Student members: Avery Donnelly, Alex Kent, &  Gabe Stansbery; Superintendent: Joe Griffith, Business  Manager: Kassie Stansbery; Superintendent’s Secretary:  Stephanie Michael; Principals: Chris Miller, Micah  Gearhart, Travis Elliott; Staff: Shanda Miller, Julie Frieden,  Kory Kuhens, Lisa McLellan,  Media: Sharon Drahn;  Patrons: Mattison Goddard, Gavin Schroyer, Cael Reichter,  Bowen Muzingo, Zach McLellan, Aileen Escobar, Lisbeth  Trinidad

President Koch called the Regular Meeting of the NFV Board of Education to order at 5:33 pm.

Roll Call of Board members: Present: McGrane, Rodgers, Nelson-Lerch, Klosterman, Marcks, Schutlz, & Koch. 

President Koch welcomed and invited comments from the Public.  

The amended agenda was approved as presented. McGrane/Rodgers Motion Carried 7-0

Public Forum:  

Motion to approve the consent agenda with the following items:

• Minutes of March 10, 2025, Regular Meeting

• Minutes of March 24, 2025 Public Hearing

• Minutes of March 24, 2025, Special Meeting

• Review/approve invoices (Reviewed by Marcks)

• Approve Financial Reports 

• Approve Resignations/Retirements: Jared Tilleraas – Middle School Volleyball; Kris Wickham – Middle School Special Education; Jon Kullen – High School PE/Health, Variety Cross Country, Student Council/MHAT representative

• Transfers: None

• Approve Contract Modifications: Terry Mork – Full Time Bus Driver 2025-2026

• Approve New Hires: Aaron Nelson-Head Varsity Volleyball; Garrett Crandall – Substitute Bus Driver

• Volunteer Coaches: None

• Receive and Approve Gifts: St. Paul’s United Methodist Church

Schultz/Nelson-Lerch  Motion Carried 7-0

COMMUNICATIONS

Staff member Julie Frieden presented to the board on the high school financial literacy course, highlighting the use of the Ramsey method curriculum and the key concepts students have found engaging. 

Student Ex-Officio member Gabe Stansbery provided an update on Fine Arts, including highlights from the recent solo/ensemble competition and upcoming auditions for the Fall 2025 musical.  Alex Kent provided spring sport updates followed by Avery Donnelly who reported on recent and upcoming student council events, plans for seniors’ last days and outings, and efforts to finish the school year on a strong note.  

High School Principal Mr. Miller updated the board on the kick off of ISASP testing, ongoing scholarship preparation for graduating seniors, and planned modifications to English and Math courses for next school year.  He also highlighted the Variety Show, participation at Infinite Campus conference training, and the upcoming prom.  

Middle School Principal Mr. Gearhart shared from his submitted report that ISASP testing will begin later in April. He noted attendance at the Infinite Campus conference and emphasized continued excellence in teacher leadership at NFV Middle School.  Mr. Gearhart also shared  updates from the student leadership group, Culture Club.  

Elementary Principal Mr. Elliott shared with the board the recent “Hooked on Books” reading challenge.  Elementary students were visited by award-winning author Kevin Lovegreen and also participated in TigerHawk Family Fun Night.  Students have begun their Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) testing as well. 

Curriculum Director Nefzger provided updates on professional development as well as a new curriculum for the Art program and illustrative math implementation progress for teachers. 

Business Manager Stansbery provided an update to the board, noting that printed copies of the previous fiscal year audit are available for board members upon request. She outlined the work involved in the school budgeting process and certification will be later this month.  An update on the district’s financial status at the close of the third quarter was shared, including current budget utilization percentages. Additionally, she reported that nearly all contracts for the 2025–2026 school year have been returned.

Superintendent Griffith updated the board on the school board elections for the fall ballot, along with the anticipated action steps necessary to retain the Instructional Support Levy and update the Revenue Purpose Statement.  Mr. Griffith also explained that due to the volume of facility projects scheduled for this summer, staff have been invited to express interest in working additional hours to support the project completion.  He concluded with the summary of recent legislative updates, including the approved 2.0% State Supplemental Aid (SSA) rate. 

OLD BUSINESS

There was no old business to act upon. 

NEW BUSINESS

The board approved and adopted the FY26 certified budget.  McGrane/Schultz Motion carried 7-0. 

The board approved the following FY26 Budget Guarantee: RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors of North Fayette Valley Community School District, will levy property tax for fiscal year 2025-2026 for the regular program budget adjustment as allowed under section 257.14, Code of Iowa.  Klosterman/Nelson-Lerch  Motion Carried 7-0

The board reviewed and approved partnering with Legacy Student Travel for a potential trip to Washington, DC, in the summer of 2026.  Schultz/Rodgers  Motion Carried 7-0

The board approved summer band lessons for June 2025.  McGrane/Nelson-Lerch Motion Carried 7-0

The board approved summer school for summer 2025.  Schultz/Klosterman  Motion Carried 7-0

The board reviewed and approved the elementary class sizes for 2025-2026.  Klosterman/Schultz  Motion Carried 7-0

The board approved the Cooperative Swim Agreement with Decorah CSD.  Marcks/Klosterman  Motion Carried 7-0

The board approved the agreement with the West Union PD and Fayette County Sheriff’s office regarding security camera access and weightroom usage.  

Schultz/Klosterman Motion Carried 7-0

The board approved sidewalk improvements at the Story Athletic Complex.  

Klosterman/Marcks  Motion Carried 7-0

The board approved the replacement of windows and doors at the front of the high school. 

 Klosterman/Schultz  Motion Carried 7-0

The board approved the replacement of asphalt at West Union Elementary street parking area.  McGrane/Nelson-Lerch  Motion Carried 7-0

The board approved the proposed high school gym maintenance and changes.  Klosterman/Marcks  Motion Carried 7-0

DISCUSSION

There was no further discussion.

Motion to adjourn at 6:33 pm.  McGrane/Schultz   Motion Carried 7-0