Postville School Board approves Budget and Staff wage increases
- Apr 14
- 4 min read
The Postville School Board approved the budget for the 26-27 school year. The tax rate will increase just over a dime to $13.42-per thousand.
The Board approved contract agreements with the staff. It includes a 3.6-percent increase next school year for teachers, Non-Union employees will see a three to six-percent increase and Bus and Van Drivers will see a 50-cent an hour increase per route and 50-cent an hour increase for activity routes.
The Board approved the purchase of a wheelchair accessible bus for nearly 106-thousand.
The Board hired Derek Friederich, Jill Denning, and Olivia Lansing for Summer Help. Brad Mohs as Junior High Boys Assistant Track Coach, Kyle Brock as Junior High Boys Head Track Coach. Amy Norby as Summer School Director, Emily Neal for 9-12 Summer School Support, Patty Uhal and Billi Matelski for 7-8 Summer School Support, Tylen Burrows as Assistant Baseball Coach and Chance Adam for K-6 Physical Education.
The Board accepted the resignation of Aleya Grime as ESL/Title 1 Junior/Senior High School Teacher, Jasmine Snikter as BD/LD Strat II. Molie Mohs resigned as 1st Grade Teacher, Bryce Decker as K-6 PE, Head Girls Wrestling Coach, Assistant Football Coach and Weight Room Supervisor. The Board terminated the contract of Melissa Gaitan as Elementary Para.
ttendance
Voting Members
Teresa Berg, Board Member
Mary Huinker, Board Member
Travis Koenig, School Board President
Eric Meyer, Board Vice-President
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by President Koenig at 5:30 pm.
2. Welcome Visitors
President Koenig welcomed all visitors.
3. Approval of Agenda
Motion to approve the agenda.
Motion made by: Teresa Berg
Motion seconded by: Eric Meyer
Voting results:Unanimously approved
4. Items to be Removed From the Consent Agenda
Invoices were removed for a discussion, than approved.
5. Consent Agenda
Motion to approve the consent agenda.
Motion made by: Teresa Berg
Motion seconded by: Travis Koenig
Voting results:Unanimously approved
a. Approval of Minutes
Approve the March 9, 2026, regular meeting minutes, the March 18th, 2026 Collective Bargaining Meeting minutes, and March 23, 2026, Hearing for the Proposed Property Tax Levy minutes.
b. Monthly Bills and Monthly Financial Reports
Approve the invoices (reviewed by Mary Huinker) and financial reports.
c. Hires
Approve the hire of Approve the hire of: Derek Friederich — Summer P/T Tech Help; Jill Dehning — P/T Summer Custodial Help; Olivia Lansing — P/T Summer Custodial Help; Brad Mohs-Jr Hi Boys Asst ; Track Coach; Kyle Brock-Jr Hi Boys Head Track Coach; Amy Norby - Summer School Director; Emily Neal - 9-12 Summer School Support; Tylen Burrows - Asst. HS Baseball; Patti Uhal - 7-8 Summer School Support; Billi Matelski - 7-8 Summer School Support; Chance Adam - K-6 PE (FY27).
d. Resignations
Approve the resignation of: Aleya Grimes - ESL/Title I Jr/Sr High School; Jasmine Snitker - BD/LD Strat II; Molie Mohs - 1st Grade; Bryce Decker - K-6 PE, Head Girls Wrestling Coach, Asst. Football Coach, Weight Room Supervisor, and termination of Melissa Gaitan - Elem Para.
e. Transfers
Approve the transfer of Niki Guese to BD/LD Strat II Position.
f. Acceptance of Donations/Gifts to the District
Approve the donation from Agri Star (beef franks); Gemini Incorporate ($10,000); Women of the ELCA ($1,000).
g. Open Enrollment Applications
n/a
h. Early Graduation Requests
n/a
i. Volunteers
n/a
j. Fundraiser Approval
n/a
6. Reports
a. Superintendent
A grant has been received for planting 25 additional trees. ISASP testing is finishing up. The remaining property fencing will be installed this week.
i. Curriculum and Instruction
Mr. Knudtson shared student data comparisons from the EVAAS system.
b. Principals
Mr. Corsbie shared that spring sports are in full swing. Wednesday, May 6th, is senior awards night.
Mrs. Hertges shared that elementary testing is finishing up. The DARE program graduation is on May 15th.
7. Discussion Items
a. Crossroad Academy / Decorah Consortium
Decorah CSD has terminated its 28E agreement with Crossroads Academy. Other options for this type of service are under review.
b. UIC Discussion
Mr. Knudtson shared information about a petition that has been filed affecting the UIC.
8. Action Items
a. Policy Item
n/a
b. IXL Purchase
Approve a quote from IXL Learning for site licenses in the amount of $22,050.00
Motion made by: Teresa Berg
Motion seconded by: Mary Huinker
Voting results:Unanimously approved
c. FY27 Budget Hearing
President Koenig opened the FY27 Budget Hearing at 6:06 PM. No written comments were received. No public comments were offered. The public hearing closed at 6:07
d. Approve FY27 Budget
Approve the FY27 Budget as published.
Motion made by: Eric Meyer
Motion seconded by: Travis Koenig
Voting results:Unanimously approved
e. 2026-2027 Decorah Swimming Sharing Agreement
Approve the 2026-2027 cooperative Swimming Agreement with Decorah CSD.
Motion made by: Teresa Berg
Motion seconded by: Eric Meyer
Voting results:Unanimously approved
f. Approve UIC Plan
Approve the Plan to support the UIC as it stands with the Conference Alignment Committee.
Motion made by: Teresa Berg
Motion seconded by: Travis Koenig
Voting results:Unanimously approved
g. The Standard-Official Publication
Approve 'The Standard' newspaper as the official publication for the Postville District.
Motion made by: Teresa Berg
Motion seconded by: Eric Meyer
Voting results:Unanimously approved
h. Bus Purchase (Handicap Access)
Approve the purchase of a wheelchair accessible bus from Hoglund Bus Company for $105,688.
Motion made by: Eric Meyer
Motion seconded by: Travis Koenig
Voting results:Unanimously approved
i. Approve 2025-2026 Certified Staff/Student Days
Approve the staff contract make-up days for the 2025-2026 school year.
Motion made by: Mary Huinker
Motion seconded by: Eric Meyer
Voting results:Unanimously approved
j. Certified Staff 5-Year Master Agreement
Approve a five-year Master Agreement with the Postville Certified Staff.
Motion made by: Teresa Berg
Motion seconded by: Eric Meyer
Voting results:Unanimously approved
k. Teacher Leadership Stipend Approval
Approve the 2026-2027 Teacher Leadership Stipend agreements.
Motion made by: Teresa Berg
Motion seconded by: Mary Huinker
Voting results:Unanimously approved
l. FY27 Driver Contracts
Approve the 2026-2027 bus and van driver contracts.
Motion made by: Mary Huinker
Motion seconded by: Eric Meyer
Voting results:Unanimously approved
m. Gillette Pepsi Exclusive Beverage Agreement
Approve a five-year exclusive beverage agreement with Gillette Pepsi Companies.
Motion made by: Teresa Berg
Motion seconded by: Travis Koenig
Voting results:Unanimously approved
n. Optional Exempt Session Non-Bargaining Contracts Iowa Code 20.9
The board moved into exempt session at 6:30 pm. Returned from the exempt session at 6:47 PM.
o. FY27 Non-Bargaining Contracts
Approve the FY27 Non-Bargaining Staff Contracts.
Motion made by: Eric Meyer
Motion seconded by: Travis Koenig
Voting results:Unanimously approved
9. Items for the Next Board Meeting
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 11th, 2026, at 5:30 pm, in the Fine Arts Center Lobby.
10. Adjournment
Adjourn the meeting at 6:53 pm.
Motion made by: Eric Meyer
Motion seconded by: Mary Huinker
Voting results:Unanimously approved
