The Dallas Center Grimes Community Schools Board held a special meeting focused primarily on routine organizational business, preparation for the upcoming school year, operational updates, policy work, and several contracts related to district facilities and technology. While many agenda items involved annual approvals, the meeting also provided residents with insight into how the district is preparing for the start of classes, responding to new state laws, and planning future capital improvements.
The board approved several routine items, including the meeting agenda, previous meeting minutes, payment of bills, and a broad consent agenda containing annual administrative approvals. These included personnel matters, open enrollment requests, student teaching agreements, district handbooks, official publications, district legal counsel, financial depositories, and other annual governance requirements.
One organizational action involved appointing Michelle Wehrmuth as the district's Board Secretary and Treasurer, followed immediately by the required oath of office. This appointment allows the district to continue required financial and administrative functions for the coming fiscal year.
Board members spent time discussing operational reports covering district facilities, grounds, staff preparation, school improvement planning, state reporting responsibilities, and upcoming professional development. Administrators described extensive work already underway to prepare teachers and staff for the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year, including orientation for newly hired employees and multiple days of districtwide pre-service training before students return to school.
A significant portion of the meeting focused on implementation of recently enacted Iowa education laws. District administrators reviewed changes involving classroom behavior requirements, student screen time limits, graduation civics testing requirements, employment verification procedures, physical activity requirements, and policies governing eighth-grade participation in high school activities. Administrators emphasized that implementation work is still underway and that additional communication will be provided to families and staff before school begins.
The board also discussed facilities planning. Members asked questions about the transportation operations building and whether it remained part of the district's bond program. Administrators explained that bond obligations remain on track because transportation operations are already accommodated within one building and the bond-funded operations building satisfies those commitments.
Athletics and student opportunities were also addressed. After reviewing community survey results collected during the summer, the board voted to accept an invitation for the district to join the Central Iowa Metropolitan League (CIML), citing substantial participation from parents, students, and coaches in the survey process.
The meeting concluded with approval of numerous contracts supporting district operations, including facility planning, technology upgrades, athletic services, engineering work, and student travel. The board also established dates for upcoming public hearings related to the Operations Center project and a trail easement near Northridge Elementary.
Major Discussion and Action Items
Organizational Business and Annual Governance
The meeting began with routine organizational actions necessary for district operations.
The board approved the published agenda, approved minutes from previous meetings, approved payment of district bills, and approved the consent agenda. The consent agenda included annual administrative items such as personnel changes, open enrollment requests, district handbook approvals, appointment of legal counsel, designation of official publications, financial depositories, annual bonding requirements, homeless liaison designation, and other recurring governance actions.
Michelle Wehrmuth was appointed as Board Secretary and Treasurer and completed the required oath of office.
Formal board action occurred throughout this section through approval motions.
Volunteer Handbook Discussion
During discussion of the consent agenda, a board member questioned whether the Volunteer Handbook still contained an outdated district mission statement.
The concern centered on language that appeared to reflect a previous mission statement rather than the district's current mission. Board members agreed the handbook language appeared older and may not have been fully updated, although no broader concerns about the handbook were raised.
The discussion did not result in a separate motion to revise the handbook during this meeting, but the issue was identified for future administrative review.
Grounds and Facilities Update
Administrators submitted a written facilities report covering ongoing maintenance and operational work across the district.
Board members complimented the level of detail included in the report and asked specifically about the transportation building that had not yet been completed. Administrators explained that transportation operations are already consolidated into one building and confirmed that the district remains compliant with commitments associated with its bond program.
No formal action was required because the report was informational.
Staff Orientation and School Readiness
District administrators reviewed preparations for the upcoming school year.
Topics included:
- Orientation for newly hired teachers and counselors.
- Three days of districtwide pre-service activities.
- Summer orientation sessions designed to provide technology setup, curriculum information, safety training, and operational procedures before formal staff development begins.
- Building-level planning and work time before students return.
Administrators emphasized that the revised orientation process allows new employees to complete basic administrative tasks before participating in instructional training.
No board action was required.
School Improvement and Professional Development
Administrators reviewed implementation of district and building improvement plans following approval of district goals earlier in the summer.
Each school develops building-specific goals that align with district strategic priorities while allowing flexibility for individual building needs.
Administrators also highlighted expansion of Career and Technical Education opportunities, including plans to begin offering certain workforce certifications within the district rather than requiring students to attend outside institutions.
No formal action occurred.
Legislative and Policy Implementation
Administrators provided an extensive update on new Iowa education laws affecting district operations.
Topics included:
- State reporting requirements.
- Mandatory employment verification procedures.
- New student behavior requirements.
- Physical activity requirements.
- Student screen time limitations.
- Graduation civics examination requirements.
- Eighth-grade participation in high school activities.
Administrators explained that implementation plans are still being finalized and acknowledged that some requirements—particularly classroom behavior procedures and screen time rules—will require continued staff training and communication with families.
Board members asked questions about classroom interventions, special education accommodations, and how instructional technology requirements would be implemented while remaining compliant with state law.
No policy changes beyond scheduled readings were finalized during this discussion.
Facilities Projects and Capital Improvements
The board considered multiple projects supporting district facilities.
Approved actions included:
- Scheduling a public hearing for plans and specifications for the DCG Operations Center project.
- Scheduling a public hearing for the Northridge Elementary trail easement.
- Approval of engineering, utility, inspection, communications, and technology contracts.
- Approval of new clock system upgrades for Dallas Center Elementary and Northridge Elementary.
Administrators explained that replacing aging clock systems will also modernize integration with district communication and intercom systems.
Conference Realignment
The board reviewed survey results collected from parents, students, and coaches regarding membership in the Central Iowa Metropolitan League.
Administrators reported strong support among survey participants for joining the conference. Board members stated that collecting community feedback provided valuable information before making the decision.
Following discussion, the board approved accepting the conference invitation.
Votes, Decisions, and Direction
Verified actions supported by the meeting materials include:
- Agenda approved.
- Michelle Wehrmuth appointed as Board Secretary and Treasurer and sworn into office.
- Minutes from July 1, 2026, and June 22, 2026 approved.
- Bills approved.
- Consent agenda approved.
- Invitation to join the Central Iowa Metropolitan League accepted.
- Second reading of listed policies approved.
- First reading of listed policies approved.
- Public hearing scheduled for the DCG Operations Center project.
- Public hearing scheduled for the Northridge Elementary trail easement.
- Athletic training services agreement approved.
- MidAmerican Energy agreement for the high school video board project approved.
- Terracon inspection contract approved.
- Communication systems contract for elementary clock upgrades approved.
- Student handbook approved with noted revisions discussed during the meeting.
- Bob Rogers student travel agreement for the high school choir trip to New York City approved.
- Financial statements approved.
- Meeting adjourned.
The available meeting materials identify motions and approvals but do not consistently document vote counts or individual roll-call votes beyond unanimous voice votes.
Financial Matters
Financial topics included approval of the district's bills and financial statements.
The board also reviewed the annual taxing and bonding presentation for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. Administrators explained the district's levy structure, including the general fund levy, instructional support levy, debt service levy, and overall property tax levy.
Several contracts supporting district operations were approved, including:
- Athletic training services.
- MidAmerican Energy work associated with the high school video board project.
- Terracon engineering and inspection services.
- Communication system upgrades for elementary schools.
- Student travel services.
Administrators also explained that replacing district clock systems represents a significant investment but will modernize communication infrastructure and standardize systems across buildings.
No additional contract amounts were verified within the available meeting materials.
Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance
The board completed a second reading of one group of district policies and approved a first reading of additional policies.
Discussion included a question regarding proposed changes to stock emergency medications contained within policy documents. Administrators indicated they would provide additional clarification regarding recommendations from district nursing staff.
Administrators also reviewed implementation planning for multiple new Iowa education laws involving student behavior, instructional technology, graduation requirements, physical activity, employment verification, and athletic participation.
Reports, Presentations, and Updates
Reports included:
- Grounds and facilities update.
- Staff orientation and pre-service planning.
- State reporting update.
- School improvement planning.
- Career and Technical Education expansion.
- Graduation civics examination implementation.
- Legislative update.
- Building permit and enrollment update.
- Conference realignment survey results.
- Annual taxing and bonding presentation.
These reports focused primarily on preparing district operations before the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year.
Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters
Personnel-related actions included:
- Appointment and swearing-in of Michelle Wehrmuth as Board Secretary and Treasurer.
- Approval of personnel actions contained within the consent agenda.
- Review of staff orientation plans.
- Discussion of hiring, onboarding, and preparation of newly hired employees.
- Continued implementation of employment verification procedures required under state law.
Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations
Facilities topics included:
- Transportation operations building.
- DCG Operations Center project.
- Northridge Elementary trail easement.
- High school video board improvements.
- Engineering inspection services.
- Elementary communication and clock system modernization.
- Ongoing grounds and maintenance operations.
Administrators indicated that additional public hearings will occur before certain capital projects proceed.
No members of the public registered to speak during the meeting.
Community input was discussed indirectly through survey results collected from parents, students, and coaches regarding conference realignment. Board members referenced those survey results when considering acceptance of the CIML invitation.
Questions and Answers
Board members asked several substantive questions during the meeting, including:
- Whether the transportation building remained part of the district's bond commitments. Administrators explained that current operations satisfy bond obligations.
- Whether the Volunteer Handbook contained an outdated mission statement. Administrators acknowledged the concern for future review.
- How new state screen time limits would affect instructional intervention programs. Administrators explained that implementation details are still being developed.
- How students receiving special education services would be affected by graduation civics testing and instructional technology requirements. Administrators stated that required accommodations will continue to be provided.
- How new classroom behavior laws will affect teachers and administrators. District leadership explained planned implementation procedures and anticipated operational impacts.
- Questions regarding proposed policy language affecting emergency medications. Administrators indicated additional clarification would be provided.
Students and families will see several operational changes before the new school year, including updated orientation programs, revised staff training, implementation of new state education laws, and continued development of district improvement initiatives.
Employees will receive additional training related to student behavior requirements, instructional technology limits, state reporting, and professional development.
Athletes and activity participants may eventually experience conference changes following acceptance of the CIML invitation.
Residents can expect continued planning for district facilities, including the Operations Center project and improvements to technology infrastructure.
The district also continues expanding Career and Technical Education opportunities that may allow more students to earn industry certifications locally.
- When will the Volunteer Handbook be updated to reflect the current district mission statement?
- How will new classroom behavior laws affect day-to-day classroom management?
- How will the district balance instructional technology with new state screen time requirements?
- What timeline is anticipated for the Operations Center project?
- What benefits are expected from joining the Central Iowa Metropolitan League?
- How will Career and Technical Education certification opportunities expand over the next several years?
- When will families receive guidance explaining implementation of the new state education laws?
- What improvements are planned after the current facilities projects are completed?
- How will district enrollment trends affect future planning?
- When will the public hearings for upcoming construction projects take place?
Important Dates and Next Steps
- Staff orientation and pre-service activities will occur before the beginning of the school year.
- Public hearing for the DCG Operations Center project is scheduled for August 12, 2026.
- Public hearing regarding the Northridge Elementary trail easement is scheduled for August 24, 2026.
- The regular board meeting is scheduled for August 24, 2026.
- Families will receive additional communication regarding implementation of new state education laws.
- District staff will continue preparations for the first day of school and implementation of school improvement plans.
Key Takeaways
- Special meeting focused on annual business and school-year preparation.
- Agenda approved.
- Previous meeting minutes approved.
- Bills approved.
- Consent agenda approved.
- Michelle Wehrmuth appointed and sworn in as Board Secretary and Treasurer.
- Volunteer Handbook mission statement raised for future review.
- Facilities report reviewed.
- Transportation building questions addressed.
- Staff orientation plans reviewed.
- Three days of district pre-service planned.
- School improvement plans continue moving forward.
- Career and Technical Education opportunities are expanding.
- New civics graduation requirement discussed.
- Iowa legislative changes reviewed.
- Screen time implementation remains under development.
- Student behavior law implementation continues.
- CIML survey results reviewed.
- Board accepted invitation to join the CIML.
- Operations Center public hearing scheduled.
- Northridge trail easement public hearing scheduled.
- Multiple facilities and technology contracts approved.
- Student handbook approved with revisions.
- Financial statements approved.
- Planning continues for the upcoming school year.
Official Sources
About the Public Body
- Name: Dallas Center Grimes Community Schools
- Organization type: school-district
- Government body: school-boards
- Location: Dallas Center, iowa
- County: Dallas
- Provider: simbli
Keywords
Dallas Center Grimes Community Schools, DCG, school board, special meeting, July 16 2026, Iowa school district, board secretary, treasurer appointment, consent agenda, volunteer handbook, mission statement, grounds and facilities, operations center, transportation building, CIML, conference realignment, school improvement, pre-service, teacher orientation, legislative updates, civics exam, screen time, student behavior law, technology upgrades, video board, Northridge Elementary, Operations Center project, financial statements, public hearing
