School Board Agenda & Packet Summary – Cedar Falls Community School District – July 13, 2026

Meeting Information

• Public Body: Cedar Falls Community School District
• Organization Type: school-district
• Government Body: school-boards
• Meeting Title: Board Meeting
• Meeting Date: 2026-07-13
• City: Cedar Falls
• County: Black Hawk County
• State: iowa
• Meeting Source URL: https://dx1slceezt1vd.cloudfront.net/attachments/55c228137dba289cd0a62fcbf10aad93a13d949c/store/d5131bf58fd7fa067bb28a77242a9240c64e010b180097d094e969fdd993/7.13.26+Board+Meeting+Agenda.pdf
• Meeting Listing URL: https://www.cfschools.org/school-board/meetings
• Public Body Website: https://www.cfschools.org/school-board
• Meeting Video URL: https://www.youtube.com/@CF_Schools/streams
• Video Channel URL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuGvEDCJWeWfa68_h36miEQ

What Community Members Should Know

The Cedar Falls Community School District Board of Education met on July 13, 2026, for its regular business meeting and annual organizational meeting. The agenda focused on preparing for the 2026-27 school year, reviewing district finances, approving annual appointments and banking resolutions, considering policy updates, and discussing district priorities. The meeting was scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at Cedar Falls City Hall, 220 Clay Street, Cedar Falls, Iowa.

A major focus of the meeting was annual school district governance. The board considered approval of financial institution deposit limits, appointments of key district officers, and the continuation of administrative processes needed for the new fiscal year. The board also reviewed financial reports covering major district funds, including the general fund, schoolhouse fund, student activity fund, and food service fund.

The board also addressed issues directly affecting district operations, including employee compensation adjustments, policy revisions, legislative priorities, and superintendent updates. Previous board materials show the district approved compensation increases for several employee groups for the 2026-27 school year, including a 2.92% average total package increase for certain classified and professional employee groups and a 2.81% average total package increase for administrators excluding the superintendent.

Community members should pay attention to decisions affecting district finances, employee policies, public participation procedures, and preparation for the upcoming academic year. These actions shape how Cedar Falls schools manage resources, support employees, and serve students and families.

Major Discussion and Action Items

Annual Financial Authorizations and Banking Resolutions

The board considered annual approval of depository banks and maximum deposit resolutions for the 2026-27 fiscal year. These resolutions establish the financial institutions where district funds may be held and set maximum deposit amounts.

The proposed limits included several local and regional financial institutions. The largest authorized deposit limits included $75 million for the PMA/Iowa Schools Joint Investment Trust, $60 million for Farmers State Bank, and $50 million each for Collins Community Credit Union and other approved institutions.

This action is a routine but important financial governance step because it establishes where district funds may be safely managed during the school year.

Board Officers and Annual Organizational Appointments

The annual meeting included appointments of board officers and designated financial officials. The board considered appointment of the Board Secretary, authorized school business official, and 2026-27 treasurer, including administration of the treasurer oath of office.

These appointments ensure the district has legally designated individuals responsible for financial reporting, recordkeeping, and administrative duties.

District Financial Reports and Fiscal Oversight

The board reviewed the secretary’s June financial reports, including the monthly financial report and reports for the general fund, schoolhouse fund, student activity fund, and food service fund.

Financial reporting allows board members and the public to monitor district revenues, expenses, available balances, and the financial condition of school operations. Previous financial discussions included year-end claims and transfers between district funds, demonstrating continued oversight of fiscal closeout activities.

2026-27 Legislative Priorities Discussion

The board scheduled discussion of legislative priorities for the 2026-27 school year.

Legislative priorities allow school boards to identify state-level issues that affect local education, including funding, regulations, operational requirements, and district flexibility. The packet does not specify the final priorities discussed, so additional details would depend on board discussion records.

Board Policy Updates

The board reviewed second readings of several policies, including:

• Public Participation in Board Meetings
• Leaves of Absence
• Compensation and Salary Basis
• Administration of Medication to Students
• Administration of Stock Prescription Medication
• School Nutrition Program Purchasing Procedures

Policy updates establish the rules and procedures that guide district operations. The public participation policy is especially relevant because it outlines how residents may address the board, including requirements for advance notice before meetings and procedures for orderly public comment.

Superintendent and Board Leadership Discussion

The agenda included a superintendent’s report and board discussion. Board leadership goals emphasized student achievement, a culture of learning, collaboration, district engagement, transparency, and communication with the community.

These discussions provide direction for district priorities and help align board decisions with long-term educational goals.

Closed Session and Board Work Session

The board scheduled a closed session under Iowa Code 21.5(1)(i) to evaluate the professional competency of an individual when necessary to protect that person’s reputation and when the individual requests a closed session.

The board also planned a work session before adjournment, allowing members to continue discussion on district matters.

Financial Matters

The most significant financial matters involved annual banking authorizations and ongoing financial oversight. The district established maximum deposit resolutions for 2026-27, including:

• PMA/Iowa Schools Joint Investment Trust: $75,000,000
• Farmers State Bank: $60,000,000
• Collins Community Credit Union: $50,000,000
• Community Bank and Trust: $20,000,000
• Bank Iowa: $20,000,000
• Multiple additional approved institutions with limits ranging from $20,000,000 to $35,000,000

Employee compensation was also a significant financial issue. Prior board materials documented a $129,241 total compensation cost from the General Fund and Nutrition Fund for 2026-27 employee group increases, along with a $106,458 total compensation cost for administrative team adjustments excluding the superintendent.

Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance

The board considered multiple policy revisions affecting public participation, employee leave, compensation practices, student medication procedures, and school nutrition purchasing procedures.

The public participation policy update reinforces that residents may provide input while allowing the board to manage meeting time and maintain orderly proceedings.

Employee leave policies address sick leave, family and medical leave, bereavement leave, personal leave, military leave, and other employment-related absences. The policy establishes eligibility requirements and procedures for requesting leave.

Reports, Presentations, and Informational Updates

The board received district updates, financial reports, and a superintendent’s report. The agenda identifies these items but does not provide detailed presentation materials in the accessible packet text.

Previous district communications highlighted student accomplishments, including academic and extracurricular achievements, graduation activities, community events, and student recognition programs.

Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters

The meeting included annual appointments and organizational responsibilities. The board considered appointment of the treasurer, Board Secretary, and authorized school business official.

Previous personnel reports included staffing changes for the 2026-27 school year, including new teacher contracts and the appointment of Kimberly Graven as Director of Curriculum & Instruction with a listed salary of $94,000.

Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations

The accessible packet did not identify major construction, facility projects, or infrastructure proposals for this meeting. Operational matters primarily focused on annual governance, financial preparation, staffing, policies, and district administration.

Public Hearings and Opportunities for Community Input

The agenda included a public comment period.

The district’s public participation policy establishes procedures for residents wishing to address the board, including notifying the Board President and/or superintendent before the meeting deadline and following board procedures for public comments.

Community Impact

• Residents gain continued access to board meetings and public comment opportunities through established participation procedures.
• Students and families are affected by district decisions involving staffing, student services, medication procedures, and school operations.
• Taxpayers are affected by financial oversight decisions, fund management, compensation costs, and district spending priorities.
• Employees are affected by compensation adjustments and updated leave policies.
• Community organizations and district partners may be affected by annual agreements and operational decisions.

The meeting primarily focused on maintaining effective district operations and preparing Cedar Falls schools for the 2026-27 school year.

Questions Community Members May Want to Ask

1. What legislative priorities will the district pursue during the 2026-27 school year?
2. How will the approved compensation adjustments affect district staffing and retention?
3. What financial trends are appearing in the general fund and other district funds?
4. Are any additional policy revisions expected during the upcoming school year?
5. How will updated public participation procedures affect residents who want to speak at meetings?
6. What goals will guide the superintendent’s work during the coming year?
7. How will the district evaluate the impact of employee compensation changes?
8. Are there future facility or operational projects expected to come before the board?

Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps

• July 13, 2026: Cedar Falls Community School District Board Meeting at 5:30 p.m. at Cedar Falls City Hall.
• 2026-27 School Year: Approved annual appointments, financial resolutions, policies, and staffing decisions take effect for district operations.
• Future Board Meetings: Additional reviews, reports, and potential actions will occur through the district’s regular board meeting schedule.

Key Takeaways

• Cedar Falls Community School District held its July 13, 2026 Board Meeting to prepare for the 2026-27 school year.
• The board reviewed annual financial authorizations and approved deposit limits for district funds.
• PMA/Iowa Schools Joint Investment Trust had the highest listed deposit authorization at $75 million.
• Farmers State Bank’s authorized maximum deposit increased to $60 million for 2026-27.
• The board reviewed financial reports covering major district funds.
• Policy updates addressed public participation, employee leave, compensation, student medication, and nutrition purchasing.
• Employee compensation adjustments were a significant operational and financial topic.
• The board discussed legislative priorities for the upcoming school year.
• Public comment opportunities remain available under district procedures.
• A closed session was scheduled under Iowa law for personnel-related evaluation matters.

Official Sources

• Meeting source: https://dx1slceezt1vd.cloudfront.net/attachments/55c228137dba289cd0a62fcbf10aad93a13d949c/store/d5131bf58fd7fa067bb28a77242a9240c64e010b180097d094e969fdd993/7.13.26+Board+Meeting+Agenda.pdf
• Meeting listing: https://www.cfschools.org/school-board/meetings
• Public body website: https://www.cfschools.org/school-board
• Meeting video: https://www.youtube.com/@CF_Schools/streams
• Video channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuGvEDCJWeWfa68_h36miEQ

About the Public Body

• Name: Cedar Falls Community School District
• Organization type: school-district
• Government body: school-boards
• Location: Cedar Falls, iowa
• County: Black Hawk County
• Provider: wordpress-board-table

Keywords

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