Calamus-Wheatland Comm School District Packet Summary — 2026-07-31
Meeting: Board of Education Regular Meeting
Date: July 31, 2026
Time: 7:00 a.m.
Location: Calamus Wheatland Community School District, HS Conference Room, Wheatland
Key Items on the Agenda
The July 31 packet includes consent-agenda items involving open enrollment and personnel assignments, along with information and new-business items related to Student Activities Policy 504.06 and the Activities Handbook.
A significant portion of the supporting material addresses the district's response to Iowa House File 2591 (HF2591), which allows eligible eighth-grade students to participate in high school athletics under certain circumstances. The district is reviewing the legislation and developing procedures for handling participation requests.
Consent Agenda
The board is scheduled to consider the following consent-agenda items:
- Open enrollment: The packet lists no open-enrollment approvals and identifies one proposed denial: Eyan Dale-Douglas Spidle, with the application noted as having been submitted after the March 1 deadline.
- Lauren Coulter: Proposed assignments include HS Football Cheer at $1,172.50, HS Basketball Cheer at $1,172.50, and Dance Sponsor at $1,340, all Schedule B Step 1. The assignments are listed as pending completion of a background check.
- Whitney Feller: Proposed assignment as HS Assistant Volleyball Coach, Schedule B Step 1, at $2,010, pending completion of a coaching authorization license with the BOEE.
Student Activities Policy and Handbook
Policy 504.06 and Activities Handbook
The agenda places 504.06 Student Activities Policies and the Activities Handbook in the Information Section. Both 504.06 Student Activities Policy and the Activities Handbook also appear under New Business, indicating they are scheduled for board consideration beyond the informational portion of the meeting.
The packet notes that the Activities Handbook contains highlighted new additions, but the extracted text does not provide the full handbook language or identify each highlighted revision. The summary therefore does not characterize changes that are not included in the packet text provided.
Eighth-Grade Participation in High School Athletics
A proposed letter to families explains that the district is developing procedures in response to HF2591, which permits eligible eighth-grade students to participate in high school athletics under certain circumstances. The packet specifically identifies the letter as proposed and states that it has not been sent yet.
According to the proposed communication:
- Requests for eighth-grade students to participate at the high school level would be considered individually.
- Recommendations from the appropriate varsity head coach would be reviewed by district administration.
- Considerations would include student readiness, academic standing, safety, program needs, and overall student well-being.
- Families are directed to an HF2591 FAQ published jointly by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union and Iowa High School Athletic Association for information about eligibility, participation, and implementation.
- The district says it is continuing to finalize its procedures as additional guidance becomes available.
Proposed Parent Meeting
The proposed family letter announces an informational parent meeting for Wednesday, August 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the high school commons.
The proposed meeting is intended to answer questions, review district procedures, and discuss expectations for students and families concerning implementation of the new legislation. The packet states that additional details will be shared as procedures are finalized.
What to Watch at the Meeting
Several agenda items could provide additional clarity about how the district plans to implement changes involving student activities:
- How Student Activities Policy 504.06 is proposed to address the district's current needs.
- What revisions are proposed for the Activities Handbook.
- How the district intends to evaluate individual requests from eighth-grade students seeking high school athletic participation under HF2591.
- Whether the proposed family communication or related procedures change as the district continues reviewing the legislation and available guidance.
- Whether the consent-agenda open-enrollment and personnel items are acted upon as proposed.
Because this is a pre-meeting packet, these items represent matters scheduled for consideration or information and should not be treated as completed board actions.
Upcoming Board Dates
The packet lists the following upcoming meetings:
- Regular meeting: August 10, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
- Worksession: August 17, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
