School Board Agenda & Packet Summary – Columbus (CSD) – July 20, 2026

Source: Packet briefing prepared from the July 20, 2026 Columbus Community School District board packet.

Community Meeting Packet Briefing

Meeting Information

• Public Body: Columbus Community School District
• Organization Type: school-district
• Government Body: school-boards
• Meeting Title: Regular Board Meeting
• Meeting Date: 2026-07-20
• City: Columbus Junction
• County: Louisa County
• State: iowa
• Meeting Source URL: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=36031658&MID=32284
• Meeting Listing URL: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/SB_MeetingListing.aspx?S=36031658
• Public Body Website: https://www.columbuscsd.org/documents/school-board/21652416
• Meeting Video URL: Not available
• Video Channel URL: Not available

What Community Members Should Know

The July 20 meeting focuses primarily on preparing Columbus Community School District for the 2026-27 school year. Board members are scheduled to act on staffing, student fees, activity programs, facilities improvements, instructional programming, governance policies, and the district's long-term financial planning.

One of the most significant decisions is the start of the process to renew the district's Instructional Support Program. The proposal would continue the existing five-year program beginning with fiscal year 2028, maintaining a funding level of up to 10 percent of the district's regular program cost through a combination of state aid, property taxes, and income surtax. A public hearing is scheduled for August 24 before the board considers final approval.

Facilities and accessibility improvements are another major topic. The board will choose among competing concrete replacement proposals ranging from $12,450 to $17,487 for work at athletic facilities and Roundy Elementary, including an ADA improvement that removes a curb at the preschool playground entrance.

The packet also reflects continued investment in instructional technology, curriculum, professional development, transportation, insurance, and facility maintenance while keeping student material fees unchanged for another year.

Major Discussion and Action Items

Renewal of the Instructional Support Program

The board is beginning the statutory process to continue the district's Instructional Support Program after the current authorization expires on June 30, 2027.

The proposed renewal would:

• Continue the program for five additional years beginning with fiscal year ending June 30, 2028.
• Allow annual funding up to 10 percent of regular program cost.
• Continue using a combination of instructional support property tax, income surtax, and state aid.
• Permit funds to be used for any lawful general fund purpose.

The board is expected to adopt a resolution initiating the process and schedule a required public hearing before taking final action.

Concrete Replacement and ADA Improvements

Board members will compare three contractor options for summer concrete replacement work.

The project includes:

• Replacement of deteriorated concrete near the softball facilities.
• Widening of an existing sidewalk near the fitness center.
• ADA improvements at Roundy Elementary by removing a curb at the preschool playground entrance.
• Improved snow removal access.

Quotes include:

• Columbus Concrete: $17,487 using 5-inch concrete.
• Goose Creek Services: $12,450 using 4-inch concrete.
• Goose Creek Services: $13,000 using 5-inch concrete.

Student Programs and Dual Credit Opportunities

The district proposes approving a large slate of Muscatine Community College courses for Fall 2026.

Offerings include:

• General education.
• Psychology.
• History.
• Medical terminology.
• American Sign Language.
• Nutrition.
• Philosophy.
• Public speaking.

Career academies include:

• Automotive Technology.
• Diesel Technology.
• HVAC.
• Welding.
• Business.
• Criminal Justice.
• Agriculture.

These courses expand opportunities for students to earn college credit and career-focused experience while still enrolled in high school.

Student Fees and Activities

Administration recommends keeping student material fees unchanged at $20 per student, the same amount charged since 2016.

The recommendation also keeps the preschool milk fee at $47 after administrators learned preschool students do not receive milk during early-dismissal days.

The board will also consider approval of the 2026-27 Activities Handbook and updated Building Leadership Teams for both Roundy Elementary and the secondary campus.

Policy Updates

The board is scheduled to:

• Approve the final reading of Policy 104 and related exhibits.
• Consider the first reading of Policy 504.06 regarding eighth-grade participation in high school activities.
• Waive the second reading of the activity policy if approved.

These actions continue the district's routine policy maintenance.

Community Use of District Facilities

Two requests ask the board to waive rental fees:

• Community members seek use of the auditorium for rehearsals and an October 11 performance of a play written by former teacher Verl Lekwa.
• Roundy Elementary would be made available without charge for the Randy Phillips funeral.

These requests recognize community use of district facilities beyond instructional purposes.

Staffing

The consent agenda includes recommendations to hire:

• Ana Ortega as Preschool Associate.
• Illana Rodriguez as Preschool Associate.
• Raul Amigon as Strength and Conditioning Coach.

The packet also includes approval of multiple FCCLA fundraising activities and renewal of the district's HUDL athletics agreement.

Financial Matters

Major financial actions include:

• Consideration of June cash-basis financial reports.
• Approval of July bills and prepaid expenses.
• Concrete replacement project costing between $12,450 and $17,487 depending on contractor selection.
• Annual Simbli governance and meeting management services totaling $5,500.
• Edmentum instructional software renewal totaling $7,310.
• FBG custodial services totaling $25,071.
• Mississippi Bend AEA educational services exceeding $59,000.
• EMC Insurance coverage totaling approximately $309,461 for workers compensation, property, liability, commercial auto, umbrella, professional liability, and related coverage.
• Storm Protection Fund contribution of $25,039.
• Konica Minolta purchase of 125 Dell Latitude laptops and deployment services totaling $111,835 through SAVE funds.
• GoGuardian licensing totaling approximately $15,034.
• Frontline absence management software totaling approximately $4,254.

Routine expenditures include instructional supplies, transportation maintenance, communications, utilities, memberships, technology subscriptions, library software, facility maintenance, and classroom furnishings.

Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance

Governance actions include:

• Final approval of revisions to Policy 104 and associated documents.
• First reading of Policy 504.06 governing eighth-grade participation in high school activities.
• Adoption of the resolution initiating continuation of the Instructional Support Program.
• Scheduling the legally required public hearing before final action.
• Approval of Building Leadership Teams for the 2026-27 school year.

Reports, Presentations, and Informational Updates

Several administrators reported no formal updates.

Elementary Principal Steven Green reported that his first weeks since assuming leadership on July 1 have focused on:

• Building relationships.
• Filling personnel vacancies.
• Student logistics.
• Preparing Roundy Elementary for community activities and the upcoming school year.

Superintendent Karinda Wahls reported that her transition into the district has emphasized relationship building with employees, students, and community members while preparing for the beginning of the school year.

Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters

Personnel recommendations include hiring two preschool associates and a strength and conditioning coach.

The board will also:

• Approve Building Leadership Teams.
• Consider annual athletics and activity documents.
• Review multiple student fundraising requests from FCCLA.

No major reductions in force or organizational restructuring are identified in the packet.

Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations

Operational priorities include:

• Summer concrete replacement.
• ADA accessibility improvements.
• Athletic facility repairs.
• Technology deployment.
• Building maintenance.
• Janitorial contracts.
• Fire protection inspections.
• Security equipment.
• Transportation fleet maintenance.
• Library software.
• Classroom furniture purchases.

The district continues making both capital and operational investments before students return for the new school year.

Public Hearings and Opportunities for Community Input

Citizens may address the board during the public comment period with comments generally limited to three minutes.

The most significant upcoming public participation opportunity is:

• August 24, 2026, 6:00 p.m. — Public hearing regarding continuation of the Instructional Support Program before the board considers final approval.

Community Impact

Students will benefit from expanded college-credit opportunities, updated technology, continued extracurricular programming, facility improvements, and stable student fees.

Families avoid an increase in general student material fees while preschool milk fees also remain unchanged.

Taxpayers should pay close attention to the Instructional Support Program renewal because it continues an important district funding mechanism through a combination of state aid, property tax, and income surtax.

Employees are affected through new staffing, leadership team appointments, professional development investments, curriculum purchases, and technology upgrades.

Community organizations benefit from proposed fee waivers allowing public use of district facilities for cultural and memorial events.

Questions Community Members May Want to Ask

• Why does the district recommend renewing the Instructional Support Program now rather than waiting until next year?
• What services would be affected if the Instructional Support Program were not renewed?
• Why does administration recommend the higher-priced concrete proposal, if selected?
• How will the ADA improvements improve accessibility at Roundy Elementary?
• How many students are expected to participate in MCC dual-credit courses?
• How will the new Building Leadership Teams support school improvement goals?
• What outcomes are expected from the technology purchases funded through SAVE?
• How are insurance costs changing compared with prior years?
• What criteria were used when recommending new staff hires?
• How will updated activity policies affect middle school students?

Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps

• July 20, 2026: Board considers the agenda items contained in this packet.
• Fall 2026: Proposed MCC dual-credit classes begin.
• October 11, 2026: Proposed community theatrical performance if auditorium fee waiver is approved.
• August 24, 2026, 6:00 p.m.: Public hearing on continuation of the Instructional Support Program.
• Following the hearing, the board is expected to determine whether to continue the program for five additional years beginning in FY2028.
• Current Instructional Support Program authorization expires June 30, 2027.

Key Takeaways

• The district is preparing extensively for the 2026-27 school year.
• Renewal of the Instructional Support Program is the meeting's largest long-term financial issue.
• Student material fees remain at $20.
• Preschool milk fees remain $47.
• The board will choose among competing concrete replacement bids.
• ADA improvements are planned at Roundy Elementary.
• New dual-credit and career academy offerings are proposed for Fall 2026.
• Two preschool associates and a strength coach are recommended for hire.
• More than $111,000 in laptop purchases appear in SAVE expenditures.
• Insurance, maintenance, technology, and educational services represent major annual expenditures.

Official Sources

• Meeting source: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=36031658&MID=32284
• Meeting listing: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/SB_MeetingListing.aspx?S=36031658
• Public body website: https://www.columbuscsd.org/documents/school-board/21652416
• Meeting video: Not available
• Video channel: Not available

About the Public Body

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

Keywords

Columbus Community School District, Regular Board Meeting, July 20 2026, Columbus Junction, Louisa County, Instructional Support Program, property tax, income surtax, public hearing, Roundy Elementary, ADA improvements, concrete replacement, MCC classes, dual credit, career academies, student fees, preschool milk fee, Building Leadership Teams, Policy 104, Policy 504.06, activities handbook, HUDL, FCCLA, technology purchases, SAVE fund, Dell laptops, EMC Insurance, Mississippi Bend AEA, facilities maintenance