The Cherokee Community School District Board of Directors is scheduled to meet for a regular board meeting at 5:30 p.m. on August 17. The agenda includes policy updates, a newly created board vacancy, proposed changes to eighth-grade athletic participation, the district’s 2026–2027 Emergency Operations Procedures manual, financial reports, and updates on enrollment and capital projects.
Key Items on the Agenda
Board Vacancy and Appointment Timeline
The board is scheduled to receive information about a vacancy that occurred on August 10, 2026. The district published and posted a notice of the vacancy on August 14 and intends to fill the position by appointment.
- Applications from people interested in serving on the board were requested by Friday, August 21.
- The appointment must be made by September 8, 2026, requiring a special board meeting on or before that date.
- The person appointed would serve until a successor is elected and qualified; the remaining term expires November 15, 2027.
- District electors retain the right to file a valid petition requiring the vacancy to be filled through a special election instead.
Emergency Operations Procedures
The board is scheduled for a second reading and possible action on the district’s Emergency Operations Procedures manual for the 2026–2027 school year. Staff recommends approval.
The packet specifically advises that discussion of the manual should be kept to a minimum and should not include information that could compromise the manual’s integrity.
Eighth-Grade Participation in High School Athletics
The board is scheduled to consider an update to the 2026–2027 Student Activities Handbook establishing a local process for allowing an eighth-grade student to participate in athletics at the high school level.
Under the proposed language, moving an eighth grader into grades 9–12 competition would be a local decision and generally would be limited to varsity participation in order to maintain middle school programs. A coach would initiate the request, followed by evaluation by administrators including the building principal, activities director and superintendent; parents would then be asked to consent if the move is authorized.
The proposed handbook update also includes language reflecting the Siouxland Conference and an updated name.
Policy and Governance Items
Purchasing and Financial Policies
The board is scheduled to consider clerical changes and edits recommended through an IASB Policy Manual Review. Draft materials include policies addressing student activities, investments, purchasing and bidding, expenditures for a public purpose, financial reporting and district records.
Policy 705.01, Purchasing – Bidding, receives specific attention in the packet. The materials describe adjusted purchasing thresholds and provide a sample motion allowing the board either to approve the policies as presented or select different amounts for Policy 705.01. The packet states that the amounts under consideration remain below the state’s current $206,000 bid threshold.
Federal Awards, Financial Reporting and Data Security
Several additional policies are scheduled for a first reading and informational discussion, including:
- Policy 705.05 — Federal Awards Compliance
- Policy 706.04 — Time and Effort Reporting
- Policy 712 — Technology and Data Security
- Regulation 712-R(1) — Technology and Data Security: Security Requirements of Third-Party Vendors
Separately, the board is scheduled to consider action on Regulation 705.01-R(1), addressing suspension and debarment of vendors and contractors in purchasing and bidding. The packet includes a sample motion recommending approval.
Major Financial Items
Monthly Financial Reports
Financial statements and monthly bills are included on the consent agenda. The district’s July 31 fund-balance reconciliation reports an ending balance of $9,515,333.60 across all funds, compared with a beginning balance of $8,117,299.01.
For the period ending July 31, the published budget report lists $1,075,007.97 in total expenditures against a published all-funds expenditure budget of $29,664,619.00.
The monthly bills report includes a range of instructional, technology, maintenance and capital expenses. Larger listed expenditures include:
- $104,700.00 to Daktronics for video boards.
- $93,653.50 to Metro Electric for the CWHS fire alarm.
- $89,802.45 to Modern Heating for equipment/HVAC-related expenses.
- $77,941.24 to Sterling Computers Corporation for computers.
- $73,974.00 to Barkley Asphalt for site improvements.
- $52,404.50 to Alta-Aurelia Community School District for second-semester special education.
- $48,469.24 to Curriculum Associates for CMS science curriculum.
- $34,995.00 to Wheelchair Dynamics for a wheelchair van.
- $32,747.00 to Midwest Computer Products for BenQ boards.
District Operations and Capital Projects
The superintendent’s report says work began during the week of August 11 on the industrial technology building addition. The district expects limited parking between the football field and high school while construction is underway.
The packet also reports several summer projects as completed, including the middle school boiler replacement, high school fire alarm system, HVAC work on the south side of the high school, blacktop work at the baseball/softball parking lot, asbestos-related shop tile removal and high school waxing.
Work is also progressing on the football video scoreboard project. District staff reported working with Daktronics engineers and obtaining soil samples, with a target of completing the project by Homecoming on October 2, 2026.
Enrollment and Start of School
The board is scheduled to receive preliminary enrollment information. District staff reports that August registration numbers appear similar to the same point last year, while cautioning that final enrollment will depend in part on the actual breakdown of students open-enrolling into and out of the district and may change after school begins.
The first day of school for students is scheduled for Monday, August 24. Cherokee Middle School reports 15 new students enrolled for the upcoming year, while building reports describe orientation, open-house activities, staff professional development and preparations for the start of classes.
Consent Agenda
The packet recommends approval of the consent agenda as presented. Items include:
- Minutes from the July 20 regular meeting and July 20 public hearing on CWHS renovations and additions.
- Financial statements and monthly bills.
- Contract extensions covering transportation, paraeducator, coaching, vocal and instrumental, volunteer coaching and secretarial positions.
- Several resignations, including a resignation from the Board of Directors.
These items are presented for consideration as part of the consent agenda; the packet does not establish the outcome of the August 17 vote.
Other Reports and Upcoming Items
The board is scheduled to receive reports from principals, instructional coaches, the superintendent and district directors. The reports cover preparations for the 2026–2027 school year, professional development, technology, nursing, nutrition, transportation, facilities, grounds and fall activities.
The agenda also includes information about the IASB Annual Convention, November 18–20, 2026. Board members interested in attending are asked to notify district staff so arrangements can be made.
The meeting agenda concludes with a planned closed session to conduct the superintendent’s evaluation under Iowa Code section 21.5(1)(i).
What to Watch at the Meeting
The most consequential items scheduled for consideration include how the board will proceed with filling its vacancy before the September 8 deadline, whether it approves the Emergency Operations Procedures manual, and whether it adopts the proposed process for eighth graders to participate in varsity-level high school athletics.
The meeting also gives the board an opportunity to determine purchasing-policy thresholds as part of the IASB policy review and to begin reviewing additional policies governing federal awards, financial reporting and technology and data security.
