School Board Agenda & Packet Summary – Central Lyon Community School District – July 13, 2026

Meeting Information

• Public Body: Central Lyon Community School District
• Organization Type: school-district
• Government Body: school-boards
• Meeting Title: Regular Board Meeting
• Meeting Date: 2026-07-13
• City: Rock Rapids
• County: Lyon County
• State: iowa
• Meeting Source URL: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=36031126&MID=32079
• Meeting Listing URL: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/SB_MeetingListing.aspx?S=36031126
• Public Body Website: https://www.centrallyon.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/District%7CBoard%20of%20Education
• Meeting Video URL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4JtXXdbbaogkGuIOaqucBw/streams
• Video Channel URL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4JtXXdbbaogkGuIOaqucBw

What Community Members Should Know

The July 13, 2026 regular meeting focuses on preparing Central Lyon Community School District for the upcoming school year through financial oversight, annual organizational actions, personnel approvals, policy revisions required by Iowa law, and operational updates. While many routine business items appear on the agenda, several decisions have district-wide implications for students, staff, and families.

One of the most significant topics is a broad package of policy revisions. The board will conduct a first reading of numerous policies covering student conduct, medication administration, instructional programs, technology, guidance services, gifted education, board elections, public records, and employee practices. In addition, another group of policies has been updated to comply with new Iowa legislation, including changes affecting attendance, graduation requirements, Title IX administration, student health, open meetings, educational records, and equal educational opportunity.

The meeting also includes annual financial governance actions, including designation of the district's official depositories, approval of authorized financial signers, review of monthly financial reports and bills, and discussion of an amendment changing Northwest Area Education Agency special education funding transfers from monthly to quarterly payments. Financial documents show June payroll costs exceeding $671,000 in the General Fund and continued investment in facilities, instructional programs, utilities, technology, testing, and career education.

Operationally, the district recognizes athletic accomplishments, acknowledges community assistance following recent high school water damage, considers several coaching resignations and teaching and coaching hires, and continues work on facility improvements and the industrial technology house project.

Major Discussion and Action Items

Financial Oversight and Annual Organizational Actions

The board will review the School Business Official's report, monthly financial reports, payroll information, and bills while also taking its annual action to designate official banking institutions and authorized financial signers.

The proposed depositories are Frontier Bank, Premier Bank, and U.S. Bank, each with a maximum authorized balance of $7 million, along with participation in the Iowa Schools Joint Investment Trust (ISJIT). Authorized signers would include Board President Scott Postma, Superintendent Brent Jorth, and School Business Official/Board Secretary Jackie Wells.

The business office also reports that, as of June 30, the district had not yet received its FY25 audit and financial statements from KRP despite an approved extension through June 30.

State-Mandated Policy Updates

A substantial portion of the meeting is devoted to board policy.

The first-reading package includes revisions affecting board governance, employee technology use, leaves of absence, student conduct, disruptive behavior, medication administration, gifted education, instructional programming, technology, counseling services, stock medications, public records, and numerous administrative forms.

A second policy package reflects mandatory legislative changes. Examples include updates to equal educational opportunity language, antibullying procedures, Title IX administration, open meetings training requirements, attendance procedures, graduation requirements, student health requirements, educational records, transportation, and instructional standards.

Several changes directly reflect recently enacted Iowa laws rather than local discretionary policy choices.

Legislative and Superintendent Updates

The superintendent will provide legislative updates and discuss a tax appeal included within the meeting materials.

Although the packet identifies supporting documentation, the accessible materials primarily indicate these items are informational updates intended to keep the board informed regarding state legislative changes affecting district operations and other legal or financial matters requiring board awareness.

Northwest AEA Special Education Funding Amendment

The board will consider an amendment to its agreement with Northwest Area Education Agency governing transfer of state special education funding.

The amendment does not change the services being provided. Instead, it changes payment timing so transfers occur in four quarterly payments each school year rather than monthly transfers. The payment schedule will align with the Iowa Department of Management's state aid payment calendar.

District administration recommends approval.

Personnel Changes Before the School Year

The board is scheduled to act on several staffing recommendations.

Resignations include Head Softball Coach Kelly Weiler, Middle School Baseball Coach Dale Jansma, and Middle School Baseball Coach Ben Gerleman.

Recommended hires include Kari Moret as a part-time Transitional Kindergarten teacher with a starting salary of $37,200 based on 12 years of experience. Additional recommendations include mentor assignments for new educators, appointment of a Science Team Leader, hiring Emily DeBey as assistant high school volleyball coach, and Aaron Hayenga as middle school boys basketball coach.

Volunteer coaching appointments for football, basketball, and wrestling are also included.

Student, Staff, and Community Recognition

The district recognizes successful athletic seasons for both softball and baseball while thanking coaches and volunteers for their service.

Staff recognition highlights the custodial department's work responding to significant water damage at the high school, with special appreciation for employees and community contractors who assisted in mitigation efforts.

The district also recognizes the Kiwanis organization for operating summer athletic concessions.

Facility Maintenance and Capital Projects

Financial documents reflect continued investment in district facilities and infrastructure.

Recent expenditures include classroom carpet replacement, gym floor refinishing, HVAC repairs, plumbing work, building maintenance supplies, utilities, industrial technology house construction, and concrete work. These projects demonstrate ongoing maintenance alongside instructional program investments.

Financial Matters

The financial materials document routine district operations together with several significant expenditures.

June General Fund payroll reflects gross salaries of $582,831.49 and total district payroll costs of $671,499.17 after benefits, Social Security/Medicare, and IPERS contributions. Food service payroll added another $22,585.10 in district costs.

The board will review monthly bills covering instructional programs, utilities, facilities, athletics, and operations. Notable expenditures include approximately:

• $13,667.39 for utilities to Rock Rapids Utilities.
• $13,360.57 Medicaid reimbursement payment to the Iowa Department of Human Services.
• $8,873.88 for high school classroom carpeting.
• $6,215.00 for gym floor refinishing.
• $9,045.00 for industrial technology house concrete work.
• $3,475.15 for Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress testing and scoring.
• $1,952.72 for semester tuition paid to Sioux City Community School District.
• Significant U.S. Bank purchasing card expenses supporting travel, instructional supplies, books, preschool materials, Title I resources, and technology purchases.

Financial governance actions include annual approval of official depositories and authorized signers as required for district operations.

Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance

Policy review is among the meeting's largest agenda items.

The first-reading package includes revisions affecting governance, instructional programs, student conduct, technology, medication administration, counseling, gifted education, physical education, employee practices, and public records.

Legislatively required revisions include:

• Removal or modification of language reflecting recent Iowa statutory changes regarding protected classifications in certain policies.
• Appointment updates identifying Jackie Wells as Title IX Coordinator.
• New requirements that newly elected or appointed board members complete open meetings training within 90 days.
• Attendance and chronic absenteeism changes allowing notifications through text, email, or traditional mail rather than certified mail.
• Updated graduation requirements requiring students beginning in July 2026 to pass a state-provided civics test.
• Expanded health education and human growth and development requirements.
• Updated transportation provisions reflecting changes to school permit laws.
• Revised immunization notification procedures for parents.
• Updated record custody language clarifying responsibilities of the Board Secretary.

Several new forms accompanying medication policies establish standardized parent authorization procedures for self-administered medications and stock emergency medications, while a technology checklist supports compliance for one-to-one device programs.

Reports, Presentations, and Informational Updates

The School Business Official reports that the district continues waiting for completion of its FY25 audit despite an approved extension through June 30.

Monthly financial reports include payroll, treasurer reports, activity funds, special revenue reports, cash balances, and bill listings to provide the board with current financial status before approval.

The superintendent's report includes legislative updates and discussion regarding a tax appeal affecting district planning.

Recognition reports celebrate student athletic accomplishments, acknowledge employee efforts during the recent water damage response, and recognize community organizations and local businesses that assisted district operations.

Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters

Personnel recommendations primarily prepare the district for the upcoming academic year.

Recommended actions include accepting three coaching resignations, hiring a part-time Transitional Kindergarten teacher, appointing multiple instructional mentors, filling athletic coaching positions, naming a science team leader, and approving volunteer coaches.

These actions support instructional continuity, extracurricular programming, mentoring for newer educators, and staffing readiness before students return.

Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations

The meeting materials demonstrate continued investment in district facilities through both operational spending and capital improvements.

Recent work includes mitigation following high school water damage, HVAC and plumbing repairs, classroom flooring replacement, gym floor refinishing, utility services, and maintenance supplies.

The industrial technology house project continues with expenditures for concrete work, building materials, and summer labor, indicating continued progress on a hands-on educational construction project.

Technology governance is also addressed through new one-to-one device program review requirements that require consideration of instructional purpose, age appropriateness, filtering capabilities, and student data practices before adoption or renewal.

Public Hearings and Opportunities for Community Input

Community members may address the board during the Public Input portion of the meeting on non-agenda items.

Individuals are allowed five minutes to make their comments. The board's policy states that members will not respond to questions or engage in discussion during the public input period.

The packet does not identify additional public hearings for this meeting.

Community Impact

Students and families may experience changes resulting from updated attendance procedures, graduation requirements, medication administration processes, technology oversight, health education requirements, and other policy revisions required by Iowa law.

Employees are affected by personnel actions, mentoring assignments, updated employment policies, technology expectations, and staffing decisions preparing the district for the new school year.

Taxpayers benefit from regular financial oversight, annual designation of financial institutions, review of expenditures, and continued monitoring of facility investments and operating costs.

Athletes, extracurricular participants, and community organizations are directly affected by coaching appointments, volunteer approvals, recognition of successful programs, and continued partnerships with organizations supporting district activities.

Facility improvements and water damage recovery efforts help maintain safe learning environments while protecting district assets.

Questions Community Members May Want to Ask

1. What is the current status and expected completion timeline for the overdue FY25 audit?
2. How will the quarterly AEA payment schedule affect district cash flow?
3. What long-term repairs remain following the high school water damage?
4. Which policy revisions are locally initiated versus required by recent Iowa legislation?
5. How will the new civics test graduation requirement be implemented for students?
6. What impact will attendance policy revisions have on communication with families?
7. What progress has been made on the industrial technology house project?
8. Are additional facility improvements anticipated during the coming school year?
9. How are mentoring assignments structured for newly hired educators?
10. What additional legislative changes could require future board policy revisions?

Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps

• July 13, 2026: Regular Board Meeting beginning at 5:00 p.m.
• Following board approval: Updated depository designations, authorized signers, personnel actions, and contract amendment would take effect according to district procedures.
• July 2026: New state graduation civics testing requirement begins under updated policy language.
• July 26-August 1, 2026: Family Week with no activities or practices scheduled.
• Recommended August 17, 2026: Next regular board meeting.

Key Takeaways

• The board is preparing district operations for the upcoming school year.
• Extensive policy revisions reflect both local review and mandatory Iowa legislative changes.
• The district is still awaiting completion of its FY25 audit.
• Official depositories and financial signers receive annual board approval.
• The Northwest AEA funding agreement would move from monthly to quarterly payments.
• June General Fund payroll district costs totaled approximately $671,499.
• Facility investments continue following recent high school water damage.
• Multiple coaching resignations and instructional hires are scheduled for approval.
• Athletic teams and community volunteers are formally recognized.
• Capital improvements continue through flooring, HVAC, gym floor, and industrial technology house projects.

Official Sources

• Meeting source: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=36031126&MID=32079
• Meeting listing: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/SB_MeetingListing.aspx?S=36031126
• Public body website: https://www.centrallyon.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/District%7CBoard%20of%20Education
• Meeting video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4JtXXdbbaogkGuIOaqucBw/streams
• Video channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4JtXXdbbaogkGuIOaqucBw

About the Public Body

• Name: Central Lyon Community School District
• Organization type: school-district
• Government body: school-boards
• Location: Rock Rapids, iowa
• County: Lyon County
• Provider: simbli

Keywords

Central Lyon Community School District, Regular Board Meeting, Rock Rapids, Lyon County, Iowa, school board, FY25 audit, Jackie Wells, Brent Jorth, Scott Postma, Northwest AEA, special education funding, depositories, ISJIT, board policies, Iowa legislation, Title IX, graduation requirements, chronic absenteeism, Transitional Kindergarten, Kari Moret, industrial technology house, high school water damage, gym floor refinishing, classroom carpeting, payroll, facilities, technology policy, student health, athletics