School Board Agenda & Packet Summary – Cherokee Community School District – July 20, 2026

Meeting Information

• Public Body: Cherokee Community School District
• Organization Type: school-district
• Government Body: school-boards
• Meeting Title: 07/20/2026 - 05:30 PM Regular Board Meeting Board Meeting
• Meeting Date: 2026-07-20
• City: Cherokee
• County: Cherokee County
• State: iowa
• Meeting Source URL: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=36031912&MID=32138
• Meeting Listing URL: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/SB_MeetingListing.aspx?S=36031912
• Public Body Website: https://www.ccsd.k12.ia.us/district/school-board.cfm
• Meeting Video URL: Not available
• Video Channel URL: Not available

What Community Members Should Know

The July 20 board meeting is centered on preparing Cherokee Community School District for the 2026-2027 school year while advancing several long-term capital projects. The largest decision is the proposed award of a $3,743,000 construction contract for the Cherokee Washington High School Industrial Technology addition and renovation, accompanied by financing actions for Series 2026 Sales Tax Revenue Bonds.

Board members are also expected to consider several operational decisions affecting students and families, including cafeteria meal price changes, approval of a fuel tank lease agreement, a new shared librarian services agreement with the City of Cherokee, revisions to district policies recommended through the Iowa Association of School Boards review process, and district strategic goals for the coming school year.

The packet also highlights extensive summer facility work. Fire alarm replacement, HVAC upgrades, boiler installation, paving projects, landscaping improvements, technology deployments, and classroom preparation are all underway before students return. Superintendent and staff reports indicate the district is focused on completing major projects before the start of classes while continuing investments in career and technical education.

Personnel actions are relatively modest but include resignations, coaching contract extensions, and internal librarian transfers. The board will also receive end-of-year academic reports, discuss suicide prevention curriculum research, review emergency operations procedures, and consider changes to AEA funding transfers that would align payments with the state's quarterly aid schedule.

Major Discussion and Action Items

CWHS Industrial Technology Addition and High School Renovations

The largest action item is awarding the construction contract for the Cherokee Washington High School addition and renovation project. Bid documents identify H & R Construction as the recommended contractor with a proposed contract amount of $3,743,000, substantially below the engineer's estimate of approximately $5.48 million. The project supports expanded industrial technology and related renovations intended to strengthen career education opportunities. Board approval would authorize moving the project into construction.

Bond Financing for the Construction Project

The board will review the financing structure for Series 2026 Sales Tax Revenue Bonds, approve an engagement letter with Piper Sandler, and authorize distribution of a financing term sheet. According to the financing documents, the bonds will finance the high school addition, remodeling, industrial technology improvements, family and consumer science areas, weight room improvements, and related site work. The packet also includes the financing timeline following receipt of construction bids.

Strategic Goals for 2026-2027

Board members are scheduled to review district goals for the coming school year. The proposed priorities emphasize expanding career and college opportunities, improving student problem-solving and collaboration skills while strengthening Iowa Core implementation, and improving communication among students, families, staff, and the broader community. These goals will help guide future budgeting and district priorities.

Student Wellness, Safety, and Emergency Planning

Administrators will present research regarding suicide prevention curriculum for students. The board will also receive the first reading of the Emergency Operations Procedures Manual for 2026-2027. The packet indicates these are informational items intended to support student safety and district preparedness before implementation.

Library Partnership and Operational Agreements

The board will consider approval of a 28E agreement with the City of Cherokee to share librarian services. The packet describes the proposal as a cooperative arrangement intended to provide shared library services between the district and city. Members will also consider a fuel tank lease agreement with Ag State and a lease for new video boards.

Academic Performance and End-of-Year Reviews

Administrators will present end-of-year reports from Cherokee Washington High School, Cherokee Middle School, and Cherokee Elementary School. Available data show average daily attendance of roughly 95%, with elementary attendance reported at 94.74% and middle school attendance at 95%. Reports also summarize enrollment, special education participation, attendance patterns, and free and reduced-price meal participation to help establish benchmarks for the new school year.

Financial Matters

Several significant financial actions appear in the packet.

The largest proposed expenditure is the $3,743,000 construction contract for the high school addition and renovation project, accompanied by financing through Series 2026 Sales Tax Revenue Bonds.

Monthly financial reports show total district funds ending June 30, 2026, of approximately $8.12 million, including a General Fund subtotal of approximately $4.77 million and Capital Projects (Sales Tax) balances of approximately $2.67 million. Budget comparison reports indicate overall expenditures at approximately 89% of the published annual budget through year-end.

Major monthly expenditures include technology purchases, curriculum resources, insurance premiums, building improvements, engineering services, HVAC work, fire alarm replacement, boiler work, software subscriptions, and construction-related expenses. Notable payments include approximately $68,821.50 for the CWHS fire alarm project, $51,309.60 for the middle school boiler project, and $46,044.51 for engineering related to the high school renovation project.

The board is also expected to approve an amendment changing AEA state funding transfers from monthly to quarterly billing, matching Iowa's state aid payment schedule.

Meal pricing recommendations include increasing student lunch prices by $0.25 to $2.85, setting student breakfast at $2.35, increasing adult lunch prices to $5.25, and keeping adult breakfast at $2.75. Free breakfast will no longer be universally available during 2026-2027 except for students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals.

Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance

The board will review clerical edits and revisions recommended through the IASB Policy Manual Review process.

Policies under review include:

• Students of Legal Age
• Open Enrollment procedures for sending and receiving districts
• Homeless Children and Youth
• Student Appearance
• Care of School Property and Vandalism
• Student Expression and Publications
• Student Complaints and Grievances
• Debt Management

The Emergency Operations Procedures Manual will receive its first reading before any later adoption.

Reports, Presentations, and Informational Updates

Superintendent and departmental reports describe extensive summer preparation for the coming school year.

Facility work includes fire alarm replacement with a reported substantial completion target of August 14, HVAC replacement at the high school, industrial technology classroom preparation, paving projects, landscaping improvements, boiler installation, asbestos removal, and ongoing cleaning of district buildings. Technology staff report large-scale device deployments, network maintenance, classroom upgrades, and replacement of the Cherokee Middle School gym sound system.

The nutrition department reports serving 3,693 lunches and distributing 2,613 breakfast bags during the June summer meal program. The district expects approximately $29,035.87 in reimbursement, with reported net income after wages and food costs of $12,153.69.

Athletics staff report completion of summer sports, continued football and volleyball preparation, and the district's transition into the Siouxland Conference beginning this fall.

Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters

Consent agenda personnel items include:

• Resignation of Ashley Henson as CES paraprofessional.
• Resignation of Pam Barnes as high school band director, sixth-grade choir director, and junior varsity softball coach.
• Contract extensions for Karen Reusch, Danielle Cox, and Kacee Christensen.
• Internal transfers moving Ashley Mizner-Bruce from CES librarian to CMS librarian and Emily Kreber from CMS paraprofessional to CES librarian.

Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations

Capital improvement activity remains extensive across the district.

Projects include the new industrial technology addition, high school renovations, fire alarm replacement, HVAC replacement, middle school boiler installation, parking lot paving, drainage improvements, landscaping, repainting, athletic facility maintenance, technology upgrades, classroom equipment installation, and preparation of football practice fields.

Many of these projects are intended to be substantially complete before the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year.

Public Hearings and Opportunities for Community Input

The agenda includes the board's regular public meeting with opportunities for public participation under normal board procedures.

No separate statutory public hearing is identified within the available packet materials.

Community Impact

Students will be directly affected by proposed facility improvements, updated career and technical education spaces, revised meal prices, safety planning, and possible implementation of suicide prevention curriculum.

Families may notice cafeteria price changes, ongoing summer construction activity, and continued district investments in school facilities and student support services.

Employees will be affected by staffing changes, updated emergency procedures, professional development planning, technology upgrades, and implementation of district strategic goals.

Taxpayers and community members have an interest in the proposed bond financing and sales tax-supported construction projects, which represent the largest financial commitments in the packet.

Questions Community Members May Want to Ask

• How will the high school renovation project be phased to minimize disruption?
• What factors allowed the recommended construction bid to come in well below the engineer's estimate?
• What is the anticipated repayment schedule for the Series 2026 Sales Tax Revenue Bonds?
• How will the shared librarian agreement improve services for students and city residents?
• What evidence informed the recommended suicide prevention curriculum?
• How will increased meal prices affect district participation and family costs?
• What milestones remain before the fire alarm and HVAC projects are complete?
• How will the district measure progress toward its three strategic goals?
• What additional facility improvements are expected after completion of the industrial technology project?

Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps

• July 20, 2026: Board considers construction bid award, bond financing actions, operational agreements, policy updates, meal pricing, and personnel items.
• July 22, 2026: Instructional coaches and principals are scheduled to meet regarding upcoming professional development.
• End of July 2026: Industrial technology project expected to begin construction.
• August 14, 2026: Reported substantial completion target for the high school fire alarm replacement project.
• 2026-2027 School Year: Implementation of approved goals, operational agreements, meal pricing, and safety procedures as adopted.

Key Takeaways

• The board is expected to consider a $3.743 million construction contract for the high school addition and renovation.
• Bond financing actions support the district's long-term capital improvement program.
• Major summer construction projects remain on schedule before school begins.
• District strategic goals focus on career readiness, academic improvement, and communication.
• Student meal prices are proposed to increase for 2026-2027.
• Universal free breakfast would end unless students qualify for meal assistance.
• Shared librarian services with the City of Cherokee are under consideration.
• Multiple IASB policy revisions will be reviewed.
• End-of-year academic and operational reports establish benchmarks for the coming school year.
• Personnel actions include resignations, contract extensions, and librarian transfers.

Official Sources

• Meeting source: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=36031912&MID=32138
• Meeting listing: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/SB_MeetingListing.aspx?S=36031912
• Public body website: https://www.ccsd.k12.ia.us/district/school-board.cfm
• Meeting video: Not available
• Video channel: Not available

About the Public Body

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

Keywords

Cherokee Community School District, Cherokee school board, July 20 2026, Regular Board Meeting, CWHS addition, industrial technology, H & R Construction, Series 2026 Sales Tax Revenue Bonds, Piper Sandler, high school renovation, strategic goals, IASB policies, emergency operations manual, suicide prevention curriculum, Ag State fuel lease, 28E agreement, librarian services, end of year reports, meal prices, fire alarm project, HVAC replacement, technology upgrades, budget report, capital projects, student attendance, school facilities

Source briefing prepared from the attached extracted packet materials.