The Boone Community School District Board of Education met on July 13, 2026, for a regular board meeting focused on preparing for the 2026-2027 school year, reviewing district operations and finances, considering policy updates, and approving routine and strategic actions. The packet identifies major topics affecting students and families, including special education services, student activities eligibility, school fees, meal prices, staffing, and district financial management.
One of the most significant discussions involved the district’s special education delivery plan. Director of Student Services Cindy Bassett was scheduled to provide a review of the 2025-2026 special education program and key information for the 2026-2027 school year. This discussion provides the board and community with an opportunity to review how special education services are delivered and what priorities may guide the coming year.
The board also considered several changes and approvals connected to the upcoming school year. These included a revised Activities and Athletics Handbook, adjustments to student fees and fines, corrected meal pricing for 2026-2027, the annual board meeting schedule, and several policy reviews.
Financial information showed a district with significant operating activity and multiple dedicated funds. As of June 30, 2026, preliminary unaudited fund balances totaled $18,910,343.92 across district funds, including a General Fund balance of $7,790,178.34 and a SAVE Fund balance of $5,025,655.67.
Major Discussion and Action Items
Special Education Delivery Plan Update
Director of Student Services Cindy Bassett presented an update on Boone Community School District’s special education delivery plan. The presentation reviewed the 2025-2026 special education program and provided information for planning the 2026-2027 school year.
The discussion matters because special education services directly affect students who receive individualized support, families working with district staff, teachers, and service providers. The board’s review helps ensure district programs align with student needs and operational requirements.
The packet identifies this item as a discussion item rather than a final approval action. The board was expected to review information, ask questions, and consider future planning needs related to special education services.
Activities and Athletics Handbook Update
The board considered approval of an updated Activities and Athletics Handbook for students and parents. The proposed change would require students to be in school all day, rather than only half a day, to remain eligible to practice or compete in athletics or activities.
The change affects students participating in extracurricular programs and their families. The district’s stated purpose is connected to participation expectations and student accountability. If approved, students and parents would need to understand the updated eligibility requirement before the 2026-2027 activities season.
2026-2027 School Fees and Fines
The board reviewed proposed adjustments to allowable school fees and fines. The packet notes that Iowa Code §301.1 allows districts to charge certain fees, including fees for textbooks, electronic textbooks, instructional materials, software used for instruction, and worksheets.
The district reported that allowable fees had not increased in five years and that Superintendent Dr. Julie Trepa would provide an update regarding outstanding fees and collection efforts. The recommendation was to increase or adjust fees and fines as presented.
This decision affects families who pay school-related charges and may influence how the district recovers costs associated with permitted instructional materials.
2026-2027 Meal Prices
The board reviewed school meal prices for the upcoming school year. The packet notes a correction to the breakfast pricing proposal, with breakfast prices increasing from $2.85 to $3.25 rather than $3.70.
The listed 2026-2027 prices included paid lunch prices of $4.00 at Ledges and Franklin and $4.25 at the Middle School and High School. Reduced lunch pricing was listed at $0.40. Paid breakfast pricing was listed at $3.25, with reduced breakfast pricing at $0.30. Milk pricing was listed at $0.50.
Meal pricing decisions directly affect students and families using district nutrition programs while supporting the district’s food service operations.
Board Policy Reviews and Updates
The board reviewed several policies requiring annual review, including policies related to long-range needs assessment, parent and family engagement, education records access, student directory information, and student library circulation records. The packet states that no changes were recommended for these annual review items and that the board was asked to mark them as reviewed.
The board also reviewed proposed policy changes. Policy 504.06, Student Activity Program, was presented for first reading to update language regarding eighth-grade student participation at the high school level under HF 2591. Two new policies, Policy 904.04 Sponsorship and Policy 805 Naming of Facilities, were presented for second reading with a recommendation for adoption.
Personnel Recommendations
The consent agenda included personnel recommendations. New hires listed were Justin Barber as High School Assistant Principal and Curtis Moran as Substitute Bus Driver. Resignations or terminations listed were Shelby Morrison, High School Special Education teacher, and Aubrey Rothwell, Ledges associate.
Personnel decisions affect district staffing capacity, student services, and school operations for the upcoming year.
Contracts, Agreements, and Operational Approvals
The consent agenda included several contracts and agreements, including special education contracts, a Music Theatre International production contract for the fall musical, a HUDL contract, a Classroom Clinic contract, and the purchase of a 2019 Ford Super Duty F-350 from Moffitt’s Ford through an agenda amendment.
These items support district programs, technology, transportation, and student activities.
Financial Matters
The district’s June 30, 2026 financial report showed a preliminary unaudited total fund balance of $18,910,343.92. Major balances included the General Fund at $7,790,178.34, PPEL Fund at $924,167.18, SAVE Fund at $5,025,655.67, Debt Service Fund at $2,678,117.32, and Nutrition Fund at $874,023.26.
The FY26 General Fund summary reported revenues of $26,941,758 and expenses of $27,217,311, resulting in a preliminary ending General Fund balance of $5,682,781. The district noted that General Fund expenses included accruals for July and August 2026 teacher salaries and benefits.
The July 13 board bills included a General Fund total of $328,432.72. Other significant fund totals included $98,149.00 from the Management Levy Fund, $61,477.66 from the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy Fund, and $131,889.69 from the LOST/Statewide Sales & Services Tax Fund.
Major purchases and services included technology, maintenance, instructional materials, transportation-related costs, software renewals, food services, and facility operations. Examples included Johnson Controls Fire Protection services for $12,810.61, ParentSquare services for $12,936.00, and Heartland Business Systems technology equipment for $82,193.25 from the LOST/SAVE-related fund listing.
Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance
The board reviewed annual policy requirements and considered updates affecting student activities, sponsorships, facility naming, family engagement, and student records. The reviewed policies address governance responsibilities and district procedures rather than creating a new program or service.
The board also held a learning session focused on Chapter 1 of the IASB book “Leadership for Learning” for school board members.
The primary informational presentation was the special education delivery plan update. The board also received regular superintendent updates and reminders.
Financial reports provided an overview of district revenues, expenditures, and fund positions at the close of fiscal year 2026.
Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters
Personnel matters included approval recommendations for new hires and recognition of staff departures. The board considered staffing changes as part of preparing district operations for the 2026-2027 school year.
Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations
Operational matters included technology renewals, transportation-related expenses, maintenance services, equipment purchases, and facility-related spending. The board bills included software renewals, equipment purchases, repairs, utilities, and maintenance costs supporting district operations.
The meeting included a public comment period under Board Policy 213. Citizens wishing to address the board must notify the board secretary before the meeting, and speakers are normally limited to three minutes with a total public participation period of 30 minutes. The board does not take action on matters during public comment.
Students and families may be most affected by changes to athletics eligibility, school fees, meal prices, and educational service planning.
Taxpayers and residents may be interested in the district’s financial position, spending decisions, and long-term operational planning.
Employees may be affected by staffing changes, contracts, and district policies governing programs and operations.
Community organizations may be affected by sponsorship, naming, activity, and partnership policies.
- How will the updated athletics attendance requirement affect students with jobs, transportation challenges, or other responsibilities?
- What specific fee increases or adjustments are being proposed, and how will families be notified?
- How will the district evaluate the effectiveness of its special education delivery plan?
- What factors led to the updated meal pricing recommendations?
- How will new policies on sponsorships and facility naming be applied in future decisions?
- What long-term projects are being considered using PPEL or SAVE funds?
- How will staffing changes affect student services during the 2026-2027 school year?
- What financial trends will the board monitor during the upcoming fiscal year?
Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps
- July 13, 2026: Regular Board Meeting held.
- 2026-2027 School Year: Updated activities handbook, school fees, meal prices, and board policies apply if approved.
- Future Board Meetings: Additional policy readings, operational reviews, and district planning discussions may occur as scheduled.
- Annual Policy Review Cycle: Reviewed policies will continue through the district governance process.
Key Takeaways
- Boone Community School District reviewed preparations for the 2026-2027 school year.
- Special education delivery planning was a major discussion item.
- The district considered a new all-day attendance requirement for activity and athletic eligibility.
- School fee adjustments were proposed after five years without increases.
- Breakfast pricing was corrected to increase from $2.85 to $3.25.
- Preliminary June 30, 2026 fund balances totaled $18,910,343.92.
- General Fund preliminary ending balance was reported at $5,682,781.
- Personnel actions included a new high school assistant principal and substitute bus driver.
- The board reviewed multiple policy updates involving activities, sponsorships, facilities, and student records.
- July board bills included more than $328,000 in General Fund expenditures.
Official Sources
About the Public Body
- Name: Boone Comm School District
- Organization type: school-district
- Government body: school-boards
- Location: Boone, iowa
- County: Not available
- Provider: simbli
Keywords
Boone Comm School District, Boone Community School District, regular board meeting, school board, Iowa schools, special education, activities handbook, athletics eligibility, school fees, meal prices, student services, board policies, sponsorship policy, facility naming, superintendent report, financial report, General Fund, PPEL Fund, SAVE Fund, school nutrition, staffing, contracts, technology, transportation, fiscal year 2026, 2026-2027 school year, Boone High School, student activities
