The July 13 meeting focuses heavily on preparing the Algona Community School District for the 2026-2027 school year through policy updates, annual organizational appointments, staffing decisions, student activity changes, and approval of several service agreements. Many of the agenda items are annual actions required by Iowa law, while others respond to new state legislation affecting schools.
One of the most significant discussions involves new policies governing eighth-grade participation in high school athletics and revised restrictions on student cell phone use during the instructional day. Both proposals stem from recent board discussions and changing state requirements, with the district recommending immediate adoption before the new school year begins.
The board is also expected to consider multiple contracts supporting district operations, including a temporary school nursing agreement with KRHC, continued online Spanish instruction through Logra Learning, a special education consulting agreement with JHueser Enterprises, participation in the THRIVE behavioral education consortium, and annual appointments for legal counsel, coordinators, investigators, and financial officers.
Financially, the district reports ending FY2026 in a strong position. Through June, revenues totaled approximately $22.09 million while expenses totaled approximately $20.78 million, with administrators anticipating finishing the fiscal year with an operating surplus after year-end accounting is completed.
Major Discussion and Action Items
Board Policy Updates
The board will continue its annual policy review process with both second-reading approvals and first-reading introductions.
Second-reading policies primarily modernize financial governance, purchasing, federal grant compliance, debt management, investments, financial reporting, record retention, and board conflict-of-interest rules. Several updates reflect changes in Iowa law and recommendations from the Iowa Association of School Boards.
First-reading policies address election filing procedures, public meeting notices, equal employment opportunity requirements, open enrollment procedures, student expression, student conduct, and repeal of outdated multicultural and global education policies. Most revisions align district policy with recently enacted Iowa legislation.
Eighth-Grade Participation in High School Athletics
One of the most significant student policy changes establishes local procedures implementing Iowa House File 2591.
While state law now permits eighth-grade students to participate in high school athletics, Algona proposes limiting varsity participation through a collaborative review involving the varsity head coach, Activities Director, and building administration.
Students would be evaluated based on:
- Athletic readiness
- Academic performance
- Behavioral standing
- Long-term program impact
Students participating in high school athletics would not also compete on eighth-grade teams during the same sports season, consistent with Iowa Department of Education emergency rules.
Updated Student Cell Phone Policy
The board will consider adopting revised electronic device rules beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.
Under the proposal:
- Personal electronic devices may not be used during the regular instructional day (8:10 a.m. through dismissal).
- Students in grades 5-12 would place devices in district-approved Quiet Cases during school hours.
- Existing disciplinary procedures would continue to apply for violations.
District leaders describe the proposal as an effort to reduce classroom distractions while aligning with similar statewide policies adopted elsewhere.
Student Services and Special Education Support
Several contracts support specialized student services.
The district proposes:
- Continuing Spanish III and IV instruction through Logra Learning.
- Entering a one-year consulting agreement with JHueser Enterprises for special education support.
- Participating in the THRIVE behavioral education consortium.
- Contracting with KRHC to provide temporary school nursing services while a permanent nurse is hired.
The consulting agreement would provide approximately one consulting day per week for special education compliance, IEP review, staff mentoring, Medicaid guidance, professional development, behavioral consultation, and state reporting assistance.
Property Transfer Process for Lu Verne Property
The board is expected to schedule a required public hearing before transferring district property in Lu Verne to the City of Lu Verne.
The proposed hearing date is August 10, 2026, before the regular board meeting. Public notice is expected to be published around July 24.
The July meeting only establishes the hearing date rather than approving the transfer itself.
Annual Organizational Appointments
The meeting includes numerous annual governance actions required each summer.
Recommendations include:
- Reappointing Lisa Chapman as Board Secretary and Treasurer.
- Renewing legal counsel appointments.
- Appointing annual equity, harassment, child abuse, ADA, affirmative action, and homeless coordinators.
- Renewing official district banking depositories.
These appointments ensure statutory compliance before the beginning of the new fiscal year.
Financial Matters
District administrators report FY2026 revenues of approximately $22,088,252 through June compared with approximately $20,777,047 in expenditures. Although July bookkeeping remains outstanding, administrators anticipate ending the fiscal year with a surplus.
The board will consider participation in the THRIVE consortium, requiring:
- $60,000 educational cost advance (unused funds refunded).
- $8,000 facilities contribution paid from PPEL (non-refundable).
The proposed Logra Learning contract charges:
- $285 per student per semester
- Reduced to $200 per student once enrollment exceeds 125 students.
The proposed JHueser Enterprises consulting agreement would cost:
- $2,250 per month for twelve months.
- Additional services billed at $75 per hour or $600 per day if approved separately.
The board will also establish FY2027 depository limits:
- Iowa State Bank: $20 million
- Farmers State Bank: $10 million
- Northwest Bank: $10 million
- Security State Bank: $2 million
- UMB: $5 million
Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance
Major governance actions include:
- Adoption of updated financial management policies.
- New federal awards compliance and time-and-effort reporting policies.
- Revised conflict-of-interest standards reflecting changes in Iowa law.
- Updated investment policies addressing revised SEC money market regulations.
- Changes to meeting notice requirements requiring website publication and amended agenda labeling.
- Equal employment policy revisions reflecting new employment eligibility screening requirements.
- Student conduct and student expression updates based on recent Iowa legislation.
- Adoption of local eighth-grade athletic eligibility procedures.
- Adoption of revised student cell phone rules.
The board will also approve the annual resolution naming official district depositories.
The superintendent's report highlights successful summer athletic seasons, noting:
- The softball team earned a share of the North Central Conference championship.
- The baseball team captured its third consecutive North Central Conference championship.
Administrators also provide a year-end financial review indicating stronger-than-expected fiscal performance and projecting a budget surplus after final FY2026 accounting.
Consent items include the district's annual treasurer's report through the June fund balance reports and year-end financial statements.
Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters
Recommended personnel actions include acceptance of the resignation of:
- Brenda Rea, Teacher Associate.
Recommended employment approvals include:
- Kayla Eilander – 9/10 Volleyball Coach
- Kristi Roberts – Middle School Volleyball Coach
- Brad Sudol – Middle School Boys Basketball Coach
- Rebecca Lewis – School Nurse
- Jeremy Rummel – High School Football Volunteer
- James Rotert – High School Football Volunteer
- Nate Kitzinger – High School Football Volunteer
- Pat Vonnahme – Middle School Football Volunteer
The board will also consider renewing Superintendent Joe Carter's contract with:
- A 1.75% salary increase.
- Health Savings Account contribution increased to the IRS maximum of $8,750.
- A new three-year contract.
Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations
Operational items include:
- Temporary nursing coverage through KRHC from August 1 through October 31, 2026 while the district hires a permanent school nurse.
- Continued participation in regional behavioral education programming through THRIVE.
- Soccer sharing agreements with Spencer Community School District for boys and girls soccer.
- Annual approval of district fundraising activities.
- Approval of the senior football leadership trip to Lanesboro, Minnesota, on August 6-7.
- Scheduling the process to transfer the Lu Verne property to the City of Lu Verne.
A public hearing is proposed for August 10, 2026, before the regular board meeting regarding the proposed transfer of district property in Lu Verne to the City of Lu Verne.
Public notice is expected to be published on or about July 24, 2026.
The meeting also includes a standard Hearing of Delegations, providing an opportunity for public comments before board action.
Students and families could experience noticeable changes through stricter cell phone restrictions, expanded opportunities for qualified eighth-grade athletes, continued online upper-level Spanish instruction, and continued special education support during organizational transitions.
Employees will be affected by updated employment policies, annual coordinator appointments, coaching assignments, and revised governance policies governing federal funding and district financial practices.
Taxpayers may be encouraged by the district's reported expectation of ending FY2026 with a budget surplus while continuing investments in specialized educational services and maintaining required financial oversight.
Community organizations and local governments may have an interest in the proposed Lu Verne property transfer and continued partnerships with regional educational providers.
- How will the district determine which eighth-grade students are prepared for varsity competition?
- How will Quiet Cases be implemented and monitored during the school day?
- What metrics will be used to evaluate whether the revised cell phone policy improves student learning?
- Why is outside special education consulting still needed as district leadership responsibilities change?
- How many students are expected to participate in Logra Learning Spanish courses?
- What services will THRIVE provide beyond those currently available within the district?
- What are the long-term plans for filling the permanent school nurse position?
- What future use does the City of Lu Verne anticipate for the transferred property?
- How will the superintendent contract changes compare with prior compensation packages?
- How will the projected FY2026 surplus influence future budgeting priorities?
Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps
- July 13, 2026: Board considers policy approvals, contracts, appointments, and annual organizational actions.
- On or about July 24, 2026: Public notice expected for the Lu Verne property hearing.
- August 1, 2026: Proposed beginning of KRHC temporary nursing agreement.
- August 6-7, 2026: Senior football leadership retreat in Lanesboro, Minnesota.
- August 10, 2026: Proposed public hearing regarding transfer of Lu Verne property before the regular board meeting.
- August 15, 2026: Statutory deadline for annual appointment of secretary and treasurer.
- October 31, 2026: Planned conclusion of temporary KRHC nursing contract unless extended or terminated earlier.
Key Takeaways
- FY2026 is projected to end with a budget surplus.
- Major student policy changes address cell phones and eighth-grade varsity athletics.
- The board continues a comprehensive update of district policies to reflect recent Iowa legislation.
- The district proposes continued online Spanish instruction through Logra Learning.
- A one-year special education consulting agreement would provide ongoing compliance support.
- KRHC would temporarily provide nursing services while the district hires a permanent nurse.
- The superintendent's contract includes a 1.75% salary increase and three-year renewal recommendation.
- Annual appointments include financial officers, legal counsel, and required compliance coordinators.
- A public hearing will precede any transfer of Lu Verne property.
- Multiple staffing recommendations prepare the district for the upcoming school year.
Official Sources
About the Public Body
- Name: Algona Community School District
- Organization type: school-district
- Government body: school-boards
- Location: Algona, iowa
- County: Kossuth
- Provider: simbli
Keywords
Algona Community School District, Algona Bulldogs, school board, July 13 2026, FY2027, board policies, eighth grade athletics, HF 2591, cell phone policy, Quiet Case, superintendent contract, Joe Carter, Lisa Chapman, THRIVE consortium, Logra Learning, KRHC, special education consulting, JHueser Enterprises, Lu Verne property, public hearing, depositories, board secretary, school nurse, Spencer soccer sharing, fundraisers, North Central Conference, financial surplus, Iowa school district, Kossuth County
