School Board Agenda & Packet Summary – Creston (CCSD) – July 20, 2026

Source note: This briefing is based on the attached extracted meeting packet and supporting materials for the July 20, 2026 Board of Directors meeting.

Meeting Information

• Public Body: Creston Community School District
• Organization Type: school-district
• Government Body: school-boards
• Meeting Title: Board of Directors
• Meeting Date: 2026-07-20
• City: Creston
• County: Union County
• State: iowa
• Meeting Source URL: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=36031955&MID=32032
• Meeting Listing URL: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/SB_MeetingListing.aspx?S=36031955
• Public Body Website: https://www.crestonschools.org/324852_2
• Meeting Video URL: Not available
• Video Channel URL: Not available

What Community Members Should Know

The July 20 meeting combines several significant governance decisions with major educational, financial, and facility matters. Board members are scheduled to consider curriculum purchases totaling more than $62,800, approve the district's annual Special Education Services Delivery Plan, continue major policy updates recommended by the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB), and review progress on the district's Early Childhood Center and high school auditorium projects.

The meeting also begins the public process for filling a school board vacancy following the resignation of Dr. Amanda Mohr. The district has published an application process with an August 3 application deadline and anticipates interviewing candidates and making an appointment during a special meeting on August 11, subject to Iowa law and district policy.

Facility projects remain an important theme. The Early Childhood Center project includes a substantial change order credit of $113,661.12 that district officials describe as the result of holding contractors accountable for project work. Meanwhile, the high school auditorium renovation remains on schedule and under budget, although another change order is proposed to improve lighting.

Educationally, the district continues transitioning middle school grading practices while investing in updated literacy and social studies curriculum. Administrators state the new instructional materials are intended to better align with Iowa standards, strengthen literacy instruction, and provide greater instructional consistency across classrooms.

Major Discussion and Action Items

District Special Education Services Delivery Plan

The board will conduct a required public hearing before considering approval of the amended District Developed Special Education Services Delivery System for the 2026-2027 school year. The annual plan outlines how special education services are organized and delivered within the district. Following the hearing, the board is expected to vote on adoption of the updated plan.

Filling the School Board Vacancy

Following Dr. Amanda Mohr's resignation from the board, district leadership has outlined a transparent appointment process consistent with Iowa Code and district policy. Applications are available through the district administration office and must be submitted by 3:00 p.m. on August 3, 2026. A special meeting is planned for August 11, 2026, when board members expect to interview applicants and appoint a replacement director.

Curriculum Investments for Grades 5-8

Administrators recommend purchasing two major curriculum packages:

• myWorld Interactive Social Studies for approximately $31,465.86
• Magnetic Literacy for grades 5-6 for approximately $31,392.58

The combined cost of $62,849.44 would be funded within the district's $100,000 FY2027 curriculum budget. Staff state the materials provide stronger alignment with Iowa standards, emphasize active learning, improve literacy development, include differentiated instructional supports, and create greater consistency across classrooms.

Major Facility Projects

Board members will receive construction updates on both the Early Childhood Center project and the high school auditorium renovation.

For the Early Childhood Center, administrators report project spending, contingency tracking, and change orders. A proposed Change Order #8 provides a credit of $113,661.12, which district leaders describe as recovering costs through contractor accountability.

The auditorium renovation continues on schedule and under budget. A proposed second change order would add lighting improvements while maintaining a reported contingency balance of approximately $43,251.

Operational Sharing Agreement with the City of Creston

The board will consider continuing an operational sharing agreement covering operations and maintenance services with the City of Creston.

According to district estimates, the agreement would generate roughly $32,592 in operational sharing revenue while requiring a $6,000 payment to the city, producing an estimated $26,592 in new district revenue during FY2028.

Broad Policy Update Package

Board members continue implementation of a large IASB policy update package responding to recent changes in Iowa law. Topics include public meeting notices, elections, employee eligibility verification, student conduct, technology, gifted programming, open enrollment, instructional requirements, disruptive behavior procedures, federal grant compliance, financial management, purchasing, data security, and public records.

Personnel Changes

The consent agenda includes multiple staffing changes.

Reported resignations include:

• Maggie Arnold (Girls Head Track)
• Taylor Tanner (Girls Assistant Track)
• Emily Weide (Kindergarten Teacher)
• Dr. Amanda Mohr (School Board Director)

Recommended contracts include new kindergarten teachers, a first-grade teacher, special education transportation support, food service personnel, and coaching assignments.

Financial Matters

June financial reports show total district funds ending the month with approximately $9.39 million in district operating accounts, while total cash and investments across all funds exceed $25 million when investment accounts are included.

Notable proposed financial actions include:

• Purchase of curriculum totaling $62,849.44
• Early Childhood Center Change Order credit of $113,661.12
• Operational sharing agreement projected to generate approximately $26,592 in net new district revenue
• Proposed increase in long-term substitute compensation from $202.24 per day to $220.00 per day
• Continued monitoring of Early Childhood Center construction spending and auditorium contingency balances

Routine monthly bills and financial statements are also presented through the consent agenda.

Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance

The meeting contains one of the district's largest annual policy review packages.

First-reading policies address recent Iowa legislation involving:

• Public notice requirements
• School board elections
• Student athletics
• Curriculum language
• Counseling programs
• Physical education requirements
• Technology and one-to-one device programs
• Student conduct
• Student expression
• Disruptive behavior procedures
• Employee leave provisions
• Equal employment opportunity
• Open enrollment
• Gifted programming
• Public records

Board members will also consider second reading approval for another group of IASB-recommended governance and financial policies involving purchasing, investments, debt management, federal awards compliance, financial reporting, records management, technology security, and procurement procedures.

Finally, several Department of Education policies receive their required annual review without substantive revisions.

Reports, Presentations, and Informational Updates

The board packet includes reports from several district leaders.

The Mentoring Director provides an update on the district's mentoring program.

The Business Manager reviews financial planning, account structures, certified enrollment information, special education funding comparisons, and monthly financial reports.

The Superintendent provides a monthly district update together with food service and delinquent account information.

Board members also receive project summaries for both major construction efforts and recognize student-athletes named to Hawkeye 10 All-Conference teams in baseball and softball.

Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters

Personnel actions include new teacher, coaching, transportation, and food service appointments together with several resignations.

The board is also scheduled to:

• Elect a new Vice President to serve until November 2026.
• Administer the oath of office to the newly elected vice president.
• Begin the formal process for appointing a new school board member after the recent vacancy.

Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations

Construction remains one of the district's largest operational priorities.

The Early Childhood Center project continues with regular monitoring of spending, contingency balances, and change orders. The proposed credit change order represents a significant financial adjustment in the district's favor.

The high school auditorium renovation continues progressing on schedule. Planned lighting improvements would be incorporated through Change Order #2 while maintaining available contingency funding.

The district also continues updating instructional operations by transitioning sixth- and seventh-grade grading from standards-based grading to traditional grading, consistent with presentations previously made to the board.

Public Hearings and Opportunities for Community Input

The meeting opens with a public hearing regarding the proposed District Developed Special Education Services Delivery System before board action.

Members of the public may participate during Public Forum by contacting the Board Secretary no later than noon on the day of the meeting. Speakers are asked to identify the agenda item involved, describe prior administrative contacts, provide their name and address, and limit remarks to approximately three minutes.

Residents interested in serving on the school board may submit vacancy applications by 3:00 p.m. on August 3, 2026.

Community Impact

Students and families may see updated literacy and social studies instruction if the curriculum purchases are approved, along with continued implementation of traditional grading in middle school.

Employees are affected by proposed substitute compensation changes, new employment contracts, coaching appointments, policy revisions, and staffing transitions.

Taxpayers have an interest in the continued oversight of major construction projects, particularly the substantial Early Childhood Center credit change order and ongoing monitoring of project contingencies.

Community members also have an opportunity to participate in local governance through the school board vacancy application process.

Questions Community Members May Want to Ask

1. How will the new literacy and social studies curriculum be implemented across grade levels?
2. What measurable outcomes will be used to evaluate the new curriculum?
3. How was the $113,661.12 Early Childhood Center credit negotiated?
4. Are additional auditorium change orders anticipated?
5. How will the operational sharing agreement affect district staffing and services?
6. What qualifications will the board prioritize when selecting a new director?
7. How will substitute compensation changes affect district recruitment?
8. What major policy changes will most directly affect students and families?
9. How is the district monitoring construction budgets and contingency funds?
10. What future capital projects are expected after the Early Childhood Center and auditorium work concludes?

Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps

• July 20, 2026: Regular Board of Directors meeting and public hearing on the Special Education Services Delivery Plan.
• August 3, 2026 (3:00 p.m.): Deadline for school board vacancy applications.
• August 11, 2026: Planned special meeting for board vacancy interviews and appointment.
• August 17, 2026: Next regular board meeting.
• September 21, 2026: Regular board meeting.
• October 19, 2026: Regular board meeting.

Key Takeaways

• The board is considering more than $62,800 in curriculum purchases.
• The Early Childhood Center project includes a proposed $113,661.12 credit change order.
• The auditorium renovation remains on schedule and under budget.
• A public hearing precedes approval of the annual Special Education Services Delivery Plan.
• The district is filling a school board vacancy through an appointment process.
• Applications for the vacancy close August 3.
• A special appointment meeting is planned for August 11.
• Long-term substitute pay is proposed to increase to $220 per day.
• The district expects net new revenue from its operational sharing agreement with the City of Creston.
• Multiple statewide policy revisions are scheduled for board consideration.

Official Sources

• Meeting source: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=36031955&MID=32032
• Meeting listing: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/SB_MeetingListing.aspx?S=36031955
• Public body website: https://www.crestonschools.org/324852_2
• Meeting video: Not available
• Video channel: Not available

About the Public Body

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

Keywords

Creston Community School District, Board of Directors, July 20 2026, school board, special education services delivery plan, Early Childhood Center, auditorium renovation, curriculum adoption, myWorld Interactive, Magnetic Literacy, operational sharing agreement, City of Creston, substitute compensation, IASB policies, board vacancy, school board appointment, financial report, construction change order, Hawkeye 10, mentoring program, superintendent report, business manager report, traditional grading, Iowa education, Union County, public hearing, governance, facility projects