CGD March 13, 2025 Minutes

The Clarion-Goldfield-Dows CSD Board of Directors held FY26 Calendar Hearing and Regular Board Meeting on Thursday, March 13, 2025. In attendance was Troy Seaba, Elizabeth Severson, Megan Ring, Kelly Kirstein, Craig Warnke, Haloti Tukuafu, Joe Corrow, Alison, Marshall, David Ackerman, Rob and Donna Miller, Jared Carder, Paul Hansch, Wright County Editor Amanda Rink, Supt. Joe Nelson, and Board Secretary Anita Frye.
President Seaba Called the Meeting to Order at 4:02 P.M. He then led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Supt. Nelson presented Rob and Donna Miller with a plaque that will be displayed at the high school celebrating their son Jason Miller’s accomplishments as a Personal Trainer to Olympic and Championship teams. Jason Miller is a 1990 graduate of Clarion-Goldfield CSD.
Open Forum: David Ackerman addressed the board with his disappointment that the traditional Baccalaureate/Awards Night was not going to be held. He felt as parents and students that are the stakeholders in this situation are being short changed. He agreed that the process needs to be revamped but not discontinued. He stated he knows there are other people that feel as he does, but they did not want to speak to the board.
Haloti Tukuafu addressed the board with a concern that a Middle School student had told other students that he had a firearm in his possession at school. He wanted to know why the district did not inform parents about the incident and that it turned out to be unfounded. Alison Marshall also confirmed that as a parent she was been told of the possibility that a student had a firearm. Mr. Nelson addressed this situation immediately, informed the parents this was his first knowledge of the incident, apologizing that there had not been information shared with them. He would follow up with them and the entire district immediately once he discussed with the administration.
FY26 Calendar Hearing : Mr. Nelson shared two versions of the FY26 Calendar. He asked that both calendars be approved based on legislation that may approve an earlier start date. Version 1D would have Back to School Conferences held on Thursday, August 21 st , and the first day of classes in all buildings held on Monday, August 25 th . Version 2D will hold Back to School Conferences on Wednesday, August 20 th for Elem and MS students, and HS attending classes that day. All students would have classes on Thursday, August 21, 2025. On both versions of the calendar the last day of school for students is scheduled to be Wednesday, May 27 th . The difference in starting date would allow a longer Christmas Break with Version 2D. Mr. Nelson asked for both calendars be approved, that way if legislation did change start date there is flexibility to use Version 2D.
Motion by Ring to Approve Agenda. Seconded by Severson. Motion carried 5-0.
Old Business: None
Educational Report: HS Principal Paul Hansch gave an update on open positions and transfers of staff at the high school for FY26. He explained the situation with the change in Baccalaureate/Awards Night. He arrived at this decision by poor attendance at all levels, surveyed every annual donor, receiving overwhelming support to discontinue, with only two people responding in favor of keeping it. Awards will be awarded by the individual groups at their meetings, or at the little ceremony held for seniors during graduation practice in a more informal atmosphere. Right now, there are seventy-five students scheduled to graduate. Three of them are early graduates, and one student is 21 years old, which started when they were eighteen and has stayed in school to complete their education. Hansch discussed the Truancy Policy update, it does not work. There will be a new change in the Physical Education Requirements starting in the fall. This will allow students involved in sports and other physical activities to opt out of a PE class. Hansch has been working with Adam Vorrie on making the changes that will take place next year as he is the new principal.
Superintendent Report: The district will be approving a new AD tonight that the position will include Concessions Director. The Auditorium Exploratory Committee is finalizing details and will have an update at the June meeting. MS Principal Aaron Patrick will be leading the group of teachers attending the PLC Institute-Minneapolis in June. Right now, there appears 6-7 teachers that will be attending. Coach Nail and the Cowboys will play baseball at Target Field on Thursday, June 12 th . They have raised $2000 of the $8000 needed to cover the expenses. Jeff Friesleben has secured a restroom trailer that will be used at the ball field this summer. Makayla Beisel will be performing for her third and final time at All State Cheer Friday during the Boys State Basketball Tournament. FY25 calendar update, the district has one traditional snow day, and one virtual day available in case of inclement weather.
New Business: None
Consent Agenda: Motion by Ring to Approve Consent Agenda. Second by Kirstein. Approve Minutes of Meetings held on February 13 and February 25, 2025; Approve Payment of Bills Between meetings; Approve Payment of Monthly Bills; Approve FY26 and FY27 Contract Proposal with CGDEA FY26 all certified staff will receive a flat dollar increase of $2,150.00, with four teachers receiving $2,500.00 to bring them to the state minimum of $50,000.00. This is a total salary increase of 3.42% including FICA/IPERS. FY27 all certified staff will receive a flat dollar increase of $1,300.00, and three teachers will receive a larger amount to bring them to the state minimum of $62,000.00. This is a total salary increase of $2.07% including FICA/IPERS. With insurance increase for FY26, the total package increase is 5.79%, and with a preliminary insurance increase for FY27 the total package increase is 2.87%. Two year combined average total package increase is 4.33% ; Approve Issuance of FY26 Certified Contracts; Approve FY26 AEA Food Agreement; Approve Resignations of Kim Lund – Elem Para at the end of FY25 school year , and Approve resignation of Christian Foster-Thomas – HS Drama pending suitable replacement ; Approve Employment Contracts/Assignments FY25 Contracts for Caleb Vogel – Asst. Boys Track $3,300.00; Volunteer Coach Denis Greenfield – HS Boys Track; FY25 Transfer of Myrna Herrera from Housekeeper to FT Nutrition I – Step 1 at $17.11/hour. Approve FY 26 Contract – Brad Kahler – 7-12 AD/Concessions Coordinator – $95,000.00 for a 12-month contract beginning 7/1/25, includes use of district cellphone and computer. Ashley Kahler – MS PE – $62,000.00, Abigail Frommelt, Elem Music – $51,897.39 plus concert stipend of $1,336.00, Cory Yoder – HS Boys Track – $4,620.00. FY26 Transfer to High School Math Teacher – Dan Smith, MS/HS Vocal Denis Greenfield, and Kyle Hauenstein – 7/8 Math; Approve FY26 Calendars as presented; Approve 1 st Reading of Policies – Policy 403.06-Drug and Alcohol Testing Program; 403.6E1-Drug and alcohol Testing Program Notice to Employees; 403.6E2-Drug&Alcohol Program and Pre-Employment Resting Acknowledgement Form; 405.09-Licenses Employee Probationary Status; 407.06-Licensed Employee Early Retirement; 503.05-Corporal Punishment, Mechanical Restraint and Prone Restraint; 503.08-R(1) Discipline of Students Who Make Threats of Violence or Cause Incidents of Violence; 503.09-R(1)-Students Use of Personal Electronic Devices-Regulation; 605.06-R(1) Internet-Appropriate Use Regulation; 606.01-Class Size-Class Grouping; 706.03-Reduction in Employee Pay; 706.03-R(1)-Reduction in Employee Pay – Regulation; 800-Objectives of Building & Sites; 801.01-Building & Sites Long Range Planning; 801.02-Buildings & Sites Surveys; 801.03-Educational Specifications for Building & Sites; 801.04-Site Acquisition; 802.01 Maintenance Schedule; 802.02-Requests for Improvements; 802.03-Emergency Repairs; 802.05-Buildings & Sites Adaptation for Persons with Disabilities; 802.06-Vandalism; 802.07-Energy Conservation; 803.01-Disposition of Obsolete Equipment; 803.02-Lease, Sale or Disposal of School District Buildings & Sites; 804.01-Facilities Inspections; 804.04-Asbestos Containing Material; 804.06-Use of Recording Devices on School Property; 804.06-R(1): Use of Recording Devices on school Property-Use of District Owned Recording Devices Regulation; 905.01-R(1)-Community Use of School District Buildings, Sites & Equipment – Regulation; Approve Rescinding of Policy 812-Inventory; Approve Revocation of Open Enrollment student from Eagle Grove; Approve Spring Sports Overnight Travel for State Competitions; Approve Fundraising Requests from Kristina Moore Book Fair, Tanja Jensen – Cookie Sales MS Tag Trip, FFA – Dance and Silent Auction; Approve FY26 Iowa LGRP 28E Agreement; Approve Changes in High School PE Policy for Handbook. Motion carried 5-0.
Finance: FY26 Proposed Tax information was submitted to the DOM website by March 5 th . County Auditors will send out tax statements on March 15 th . CGD will hold the first Public Hearing on March 27 th , at 4:00 P.M. to get comments from the stakeholders. The tax rate can be lowered, but it cannot be increased from the amount that was submitted to the DOM for mailing statements. I will need to send the publication to the paper by March 20, 2025, to meet the 10–20-day publication rule before the April 9, 2025 meeting.
Motion by Ring to Approve FY26 Budget Guarantee Resolution. Second by Severson. Motion carried 5-0.
FY25 Financial Reports may be viewed at the district office during normal business hours.
Board Member Ring left the meeting at 5:00 P.M.
Building & Grounds: FY26 Capital/PPEL Projects with the board. Committee member Craig Warnke answered questions. Motion by Kirstein to Approve FY26 Capital/PPEL Projects as presented. Second by Warnke. Motion carried 4-0.
Communications: FY26 Proposed Tax Levy Hearing will be held Thursday, March 27 th , 2025, at 4:00 P.M. at the CGD District Office. The next Regular Board Meeting and FY26 Budget Hearing will be held on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 4:30 P.M. Change was made due to Cowgirl and Cowboy Relays being held that week.
Motion by Severson to Adjourn. Second by Kirstein. Motion carried 4-0. Meeting adjourned at 5:07 P.M.
Anita Frye, Board Secretary
Published in the Wright County Monitor on March 20, 2025