The July 13 meeting centers on several decisions with long-term implications for Ballard Community School District. The most significant item is a resolution to place a continuation of the district's voter-approved Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) before voters on September 8, 2026. The current levy expires at the end of fiscal year 2027, and the proposal would continue the existing tax structure for another 10 years without changing the current rate.
Board members are also expected to consider beginning formal planning for a potential 2027 bond referendum by approving a planning agreement with 10Fold. While this action does not authorize a bond issue, it would continue planning work related to facilities, community engagement, and identifying future capital priorities.
Families will see proposed increases in school meal prices for the 2026-2027 school year. Federal and state requirements, along with rising food costs, are driving recommended increases for breakfasts, lunches, second lunches, and à la carte items.
The agenda also includes numerous governance matters, including updates to employee early retirement policy, a large package of first-reading policy revisions recommended by the Iowa Association of School Boards, annual policy reviews, personnel approvals, adoption of the district's Emergency Operations Plan, and discussion of legislative priorities for the coming year.
Major Discussion and Action Items
Continuing the Voter-Approved PPEL
The board is scheduled to adopt a resolution ordering a September 8, 2026 election asking voters to continue the district's voter-approved Physical Plant and Equipment Levy.
The existing voter-approved PPEL expires on June 30, 2027. The proposal would continue the current levy of $1.34 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, funded through a combination of property tax and income surtax, for another 10 years. According to the packet, the ballot language does not increase the current rate or change the existing structure.
If approved by the board, the matter moves to voters in September. The resolution was reviewed by legal counsel Ahlers & Cooney before presentation.
Beginning Planning for a Potential 2027 Bond
Representatives Chad West and Matt Patton of 10Fold are expected to present an overview of previous work completed for Ballard and review a proposed bond planning agreement.
Approval would begin or continue planning activities for a possible future bond referendum. Planning efforts typically include community engagement, communications, assessment of facility needs, and development of potential project priorities. The agenda indicates additional discussion of facilities will occur during a work session later in the week.
Food Service Price Adjustments
The district is proposing modest increases to meal prices beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.
Student breakfast prices would increase by $0.10 to $2.30, while adult breakfasts would increase to $2.70.
Student lunch prices would increase $0.20, resulting in elementary lunches costing $4.00 and secondary lunches $4.20. Adult lunches would increase to $5.25, and second student lunches would also be $5.25 to comply with state pricing requirements for non-reimbursable meals.
The recommendations reflect federal nutrition pricing requirements, state regulations, and guidance from LSI to keep pace with food cost inflation.
Legislative Priorities
The board is expected to reaffirm the same legislative priorities adopted the previous year.
The recommended priorities emphasize:
- Support for Area Education Agencies.
- Local accountability and decision-making.
- Positions related to private school choice.
- Supplemental state aid.
Supporting materials include the Iowa Association of School Boards' 2026 Legislative Platform, which advocates stable public school funding, local governance, support for AEAs, teacher recruitment and retention, student mental health resources, infrastructure funding, and transparency for schools receiving public funds.
Policy Updates
The meeting includes one of the largest annual policy review packages of the year.
One item is the second reading of Policy 407.06 regarding employee early retirement. The revisions primarily update the policy so that benefits apply to the 2026-2027 school year instead of the previous school year.
A separate first-reading package updates dozens of policies based on IASB recommendations. Topics include equal educational opportunity, conflict of interest, board governance, employee leave, open enrollment, student conduct, technology, special education, graduation requirements, purchasing, financial management, records, and public access.
Another group of policies receives its required annual review without board action this month.
Personnel Changes
The consent agenda contains a substantial number of staffing actions for the upcoming school year.
The district recommends approving instructional aides, teacher leadership positions, mentors, coaching assignments, an at-risk teacher for Ember Recovery Campus, activities administrative support, and maintenance leadership.
The board will also consider several resignations involving transportation, maintenance, and coaching positions while approving a volunteer middle school football coach.
Emergency Operations Plan
The board is scheduled to approve the district Emergency Operations Plan.
No substantive changes have been made since the previous version. Because emergency response plans contain confidential security information, the board may enter a closed session under Iowa Code 21.5(1)(a) to review confidential details before approving the plan in open session.
Financial Matters
The largest financial issue is the proposed continuation of the voter-approved PPEL, which would maintain the district's existing $1.34 per $1,000 assessed valuation rate through a combination of property tax and income surtax for an additional ten years if approved by voters.
The proposed agreement with 10Fold concerns planning services for a possible future bond initiative. The packet references the agreement but does not identify a contract amount.
Meal price adjustments include:
- Student breakfast: $2.30
- Adult breakfast: $2.70
- Elementary lunch: $4.00
- Secondary lunch: $4.20
- Adult lunch: $5.25
- Second student lunch: $5.25
Business items also include routine approval of June financial reports, check registers, and previous meeting minutes.
Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance
The board's most significant governance action is ordering the September PPEL election.
Policy 407.06 on employee early retirement receives its second reading and would extend the benefit structure into the 2026-2027 school year.
The board also begins first reading of a comprehensive IASB policy update covering governance, finance, personnel, student services, instructional programs, technology, purchasing, records, and transparency. These items generally require additional review before final adoption.
Annual review policies covering long-range planning, parent engagement, education records, directory information, and library records are also presented.
The superintendent reports that a July 16 work session will focus on:
- Facilities Master Plan review.
- Leadership team updates.
- Discussion of potential bond project priorities.
Representatives from 10Fold will provide background on prior work completed for Ballard and explain proposed bond planning services.
The IASB Legislative Platform included in the packet provides context for the district's recommended advocacy priorities, emphasizing public school funding, local control, support for Area Education Agencies, teacher recruitment, infrastructure investment, student mental health, literacy, technology access, and accountability.
Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters
The personnel agenda includes hiring instructional aides, teacher leadership positions, mentors, coaching staff, maintenance leadership, activities support staff, and an at-risk teacher assigned to Ember Recovery Campus.
Several coaching, transportation, and maintenance resignations are presented for board acceptance.
The board will also consider a waiver request involving open enrollment under HF 847 after Perry Community School District approved the request.
Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations
Facilities planning is becoming a central district priority.
The proposed agreement with 10Fold would support planning activities associated with a possible 2027 bond referendum, while the July 16 work session will examine the Facilities Master Plan and discuss possible bond project priorities.
Continuation of the PPEL would preserve a long-term revenue source used for physical plant and equipment purposes.
Approval of the Emergency Operations Plan maintains district preparedness procedures while protecting confidential security information.
The most significant public participation opportunity is the September 8, 2026 election on continuing the district's voter-approved PPEL.
Residents may also attend:
- Regular Board Meeting on July 13, 2026.
- Board work session on Thursday, July 16 at 6:00 p.m., where facilities planning and potential bond priorities will be discussed.
The Emergency Operations Plan may be reviewed in closed session because Iowa law protects confidential security information, although final approval occurs in open session.
Students and families may experience modest increases in meal costs beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.
Taxpayers will ultimately decide whether to continue the district's existing PPEL funding for another decade without changing the current tax rate.
Employees are affected through updates to early retirement policy, new employment approvals, leadership assignments, and staffing changes.
Residents interested in future facilities improvements should watch the developing bond planning process, as the current planning agreement represents an early step toward identifying potential capital projects that could later require voter approval.
- What facility needs are driving discussion of a possible 2027 bond referendum?
- What projects could ultimately be included if a future bond proposal advances?
- How would continuing the existing PPEL support district facilities over the next decade?
- How were the recommended meal price increases calculated?
- What alternatives were considered before increasing breakfast and lunch prices?
- What measurable goals will guide the 10Fold planning process?
- Which policy revisions reflect changes in Iowa law versus IASB recommendations?
- How will the district recruit replacements for recently vacated transportation and maintenance positions?
- What community engagement opportunities will be available before any future bond election?
- How will the district communicate the PPEL proposal to voters before the September election?
Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps
- July 13, 2026: Regular Board Meeting and consideration of all agenda items.
- July 16, 2026, 6:00 p.m.: Board work session reviewing the Facilities Master Plan, leadership updates, and potential bond priorities.
- September 8, 2026: Proposed election on continuing the voter-approved PPEL.
- 2026-2027 School Year: Proposed meal prices, personnel appointments, and updated early retirement policy would take effect if approved.
- Future board meetings are expected to include additional readings and adoption of the extensive policy update package.
Key Takeaways
- The board plans to call a September 8 election to continue the existing voter-approved PPEL.
- The proposal keeps the current $1.34 per $1,000 assessed valuation rate for ten additional years.
- Bond planning may begin through a proposed agreement with 10Fold.
- Student breakfast prices would increase to $2.30.
- Elementary lunches would increase to $4.00 and secondary lunches to $4.20.
- Adult and second lunches would both be $5.25.
- The district is updating employee early retirement policy for the 2026-2027 school year.
- Dozens of IASB-recommended policy revisions begin the first-reading process.
- Numerous staffing appointments, resignations, and coaching assignments are included in the consent agenda.
- The district's Emergency Operations Plan remains unchanged but still requires annual board approval.
Official Sources
About the Public Body
- Name: Ballard Community School District
- Organization type: school-district
- Government body: school-boards
- Location: Huxley, iowa
- County: Story
- Provider: simbli
Keywords
Ballard Community School District, Ballard School Board, July 13 2026, Regular Meeting, Huxley, Story County, PPEL, Physical Plant and Equipment Levy, September 8 election, bond planning, 10Fold, Facilities Master Plan, meal prices, school nutrition, employee early retirement, board policies, IASB, legislative priorities, Area Education Agencies, supplemental state aid, open enrollment, HF 847, Emergency Operations Plan, personnel, facilities, public schools, Bombers, Iowa school board
