School Board Agenda & Packet Summary – Chariton (CCSD) – July 30, 2026

Meeting Information

• Public Body: Chariton Community School District
• Organization Type: school-district
• Government Body: school-boards
• Meeting Title: Special Board Meeting
• Meeting Date: 2026-07-30
• City: Chariton
• County: Lucas County
• State: iowa
• Meeting Source URL: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=36032048&MID=32298
• Meeting Listing URL: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/SB_MeetingListing.aspx?S=36032048
• Public Body Website: https://www.charitonschools.org/board/
• Meeting Video URL: Not available
• Video Channel URL: Not available

What Community Members Should Know

This special meeting focuses on a limited number of operational decisions rather than a broad monthly agenda. The board is being asked to address district leadership responsibilities, approve a significant facilities repair, update the upcoming school calendar following a required public hearing, and continue two inter-district staffing partnerships that help provide specialized administrative services.

The largest financial item is a proposed $78,625 roof repair project for the Van Allen facility. The proposal includes replacing deteriorated roofing materials, damaged framing, metal decking, insulation, soffit, fascia, gutters, and related components after deterioration was identified. Board approval would authorize the district to move forward with the work using a proposal submitted by Bright Site.

The meeting also includes appointing April Hughes as Interim Board Secretary and Treasurer, conducting a public hearing before considering revisions to the 2026-2027 school calendar, and renewing two shared-service agreements with Interstate 35 Community School District covering a Special Education Director and a Business Manager arrangement. These agreements continue staffing models already used during the previous year.

Although the agenda is relatively short, each action affects district operations. The decisions influence financial management, facility maintenance, administrative leadership, special education administration, business office support, and the school calendar that students, families, and employees rely upon throughout the upcoming school year.

Major Discussion and Action Items

Appointment of Interim Board Secretary and Treasurer

The board is scheduled to appoint April Hughes as Interim Board Secretary and Treasurer. The packet includes the statutory oath of office requiring the appointee to support the United States and Iowa Constitutions and faithfully perform the duties of the office.

This appointment is important because the Board Secretary and Treasurer performs essential governance and financial administration responsibilities, helping ensure board records, official actions, and financial functions continue without interruption.

Formal board action is recommended during the meeting.

Van Allen Roof Repair Project

The most significant capital item before the board is approval of a $78,625 proposal from Bright Site for repairs at the Van Allen building.

According to the proposal, work includes:

• Removing deteriorated roofing materials down to the wood structure.
• Replacing damaged wood framing.
• Installing new metal decking.
• Installing new insulation and roof coverboard.
• Installing a modified bitumen roofing system.
• Replacing soffit panels.
• Installing new metal fascia, gutters, and downspouts.
• Cleaning all construction debris.

The contractor notes that repairs to structural steel are not included and would require additional approval if hidden conditions are discovered after construction begins.

Because roofing protects the building envelope, the project is intended to prevent additional deterioration and preserve district facilities.

Public Hearing and Updated 2026-2027 School Calendar

The board will conduct a public hearing before considering approval of an updated 2026-2027 school calendar.

Holding the hearing allows community members an opportunity to comment before board action. Following the hearing, the board is expected to determine whether to approve the revised calendar.

The packet references an updated calendar but does not include readable details describing the specific schedule revisions.

Shared Services with Interstate 35 Community School District

The district proposes renewing two existing sharing agreements with Interstate 35 Community School District.

The superintendent recommends approval, noting that both arrangements were in place during the previous year and worked well.

The agreements are intended to help both districts obtain specialized administrative services while sharing costs instead of each district independently employing separate full-time staff.

Special Education Director Sharing Agreement

Under the proposed agreement:

• Chariton employs the Special Education Director.
• Interstate 35 reimburses Chariton.
• Interstate 35 pays a $25,000 annual lump sum, representing approximately 20% of salary and benefits.
• The agreement runs from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.
• Unless terminated by written notice before April 1, it automatically renews annually.
• Either district may terminate for material or personnel breach with thirty days' notice.

This arrangement allows both districts to share leadership for special education administration while maintaining one employing district.

Business Manager Sharing Agreement

A companion agreement covers Business Manager services.

Key provisions include:

• Interstate 35 remains the employing district.
• Chariton reimburses Interstate 35.
• Chariton pays a $25,000 annual lump sum, representing approximately 20% of salary and benefits.
• Services are shared during the 2026-2027 school year.
• Semiannual reimbursement statements are required.
• Automatic annual renewal occurs unless notice is provided before April 1.

The agreement continues a collaborative administrative model intended to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Financial Matters

The packet contains several meaningful financial items.

The largest expenditure is the proposed $78,625 Bright Site contract for Van Allen roof repairs. The proposal includes labor, materials, roofing replacement, framing repairs, new insulation, soffits, fascia, gutters, and associated work. Taxes are included in the quoted price. Payment terms require prompt payment following invoicing, with interest applying to overdue balances.

The shared-service agreements each involve $25,000 annual lump-sum reimbursements representing approximately 20% of salary and benefit costs for the shared administrator.

For the Special Education Director agreement:

• Interstate 35 reimburses Chariton $25,000 annually.

For the Business Manager agreement:

• Chariton reimburses Interstate 35 $25,000 annually.

These agreements spread administrative costs across two districts rather than duplicating full-time positions.

No additional major budget amendments, bond matters, tax actions, grant awards, or large purchasing programs are described in the accessible packet materials.

Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance

Governance matters primarily involve routine board authority rather than new district policy.

The board will:

• Appoint an Interim Board Secretary and Treasurer.
• Conduct the required public hearing before considering an updated school calendar.
• Vote on approval of two intergovernmental sharing agreements.

The agreements establish responsibilities for employment administration, reimbursement procedures, liability coverage, renewal provisions, and termination requirements between Chariton and Interstate 35 Community School Districts.

Reports, Presentations, and Informational Updates

The accessible packet contains relatively few informational reports because this is a focused special meeting.

Supporting information primarily consists of:

• The Bright Site construction proposal.
• The Special Education Director sharing agreement.
• The Business Manager sharing agreement.
• The agenda summary supporting each action item.

These materials provide the factual basis for board decisions rather than lengthy administrative reports or presentations.

Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters

Personnel-related actions include:

• Appointment of April Hughes as Interim Board Secretary and Treasurer.
• Approval of a Part-Time Associate contract for Ashley Marts through the consent agenda.
• Renewal of shared administrative staffing arrangements for a Special Education Director and Business Manager with Interstate 35 Community School District.

The packet does not describe additional hiring initiatives, resignations, retirements, or employee discipline within the readable materials.

Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations

Facility maintenance is centered on the Van Allen roof project.

The proposed work addresses deterioration affecting roofing components, framing, decking, soffits, gutters, and drainage infrastructure. Completing repairs should help protect the building from additional weather damage while maintaining safe, functional facilities.

Operationally, the district also seeks to continue shared administrative services that support business operations and special education oversight throughout the coming school year.

Public Hearings and Opportunities for Community Input

A public hearing will be conducted regarding the proposed 2026-2027 school calendar update before the board considers approval.

The meeting itself provides the opportunity for community members to observe board deliberations and the public hearing process. No additional public hearings, surveys, or comment periods are identified within the accessible packet.

Community Impact

Students and families may be affected by any approved changes to the 2026-2027 school calendar because school schedules influence instructional days, breaks, and planning.

Employees may be affected through continuation of shared administrative leadership and appointment of an interim board secretary/treasurer supporting district governance.

Taxpayers benefit from board review of a significant building repair intended to preserve district facilities while also evaluating collaborative staffing arrangements that distribute administrative costs between school districts.

Community members using district facilities have an interest in maintaining buildings through timely roof repairs that reduce the likelihood of more expensive future damage.

Questions Community Members May Want to Ask

1. What conditions led the district to prioritize the Van Allen roof repair now?
2. Has the district evaluated alternative repair options or competitive bids?
3. Will the $78,625 project be paid from existing facilities funds or another funding source?
4. What specific changes are included in the updated 2026-2027 school calendar?
5. Were community members or staff consulted before the calendar revision?
6. How are responsibilities divided under the Special Education Director sharing agreement?
7. How much administrative time will each district receive under the shared-service arrangements?
8. What measurable benefits resulted from last year's sharing agreements?
9. How long is the Interim Board Secretary and Treasurer appointment expected to last?
10. Are additional facility repairs anticipated after completion of the Van Allen project?

Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps

• July 30, 2026: Special Board Meeting, public hearing, and anticipated board action on all listed agenda items.
• July 1, 2026: Beginning of the one-year shared-service agreements.
• June 30, 2027: Scheduled expiration of the current agreement term.
• April 1 (annually): Deadline for either district to provide written notice if it wishes to terminate automatic renewal of the sharing agreements for the following year.
• Following board approval, the district would proceed with implementing the updated calendar, executing the sharing agreements, completing the interim appointment, and authorizing the Van Allen roof repair project.

Key Takeaways

• The meeting is a focused special board meeting with several operational decisions.
• The largest proposed expenditure is a $78,625 Van Allen roof repair.
• Bright Site submitted the roofing proposal.
• The project replaces deteriorated roofing and related structural components.
• April Hughes is recommended as Interim Board Secretary and Treasurer.
• The board will conduct a public hearing before acting on the updated 2026-2027 school calendar.
• Two shared-service agreements with Interstate 35 are recommended for approval.
• Each sharing agreement involves a $25,000 annual reimbursement.
• The agreements continue administrative partnerships used during the previous year.
• The Special Education Director agreement makes Chariton the employing district.
• The Business Manager agreement makes Interstate 35 the employing district.
• The agenda concludes with a closed session for a personnel matter under Iowa Code §21.5(1)(i).

Official Sources

• Meeting source: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=36032048&MID=32298
• Meeting listing: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/SB_MeetingListing.aspx?S=36032048
• Public body website: https://www.charitonschools.org/board/
• Meeting video: Not available
• Video channel: Not available

About the Public Body

• Name: Chariton Community School District
• Organization type: school-district
• Government body: school-boards
• Location: Chariton, iowa
• County: Lucas County
• Provider: simbli

Keywords

Chariton Community School District, Special Board Meeting, July 30 2026, Lucas County, Iowa, Van Allen roof, Bright Site, roof repair, $78,625, Interim Board Secretary, April Hughes, Ashley Marts, Part-Time Associate, Special Education Director, Business Manager, Interstate 35 Community School District, shared services, public hearing, 2026-2027 school calendar, consent agenda, facilities maintenance, board governance, administrative services, reimbursement agreement, personnel matter, Iowa Code 21.5, school operations