The Earlham Community School District’s July 8, 2026 board meeting focuses on preparing for the 2026–2027 school year, reviewing operational needs, considering student programs, approving routine financial matters, and addressing personnel and policy issues. The meeting agenda includes discussion of student athletics participation, new handbooks, playground repairs, insurance renewal, wellness policy review, and the district’s new Cardinal Online virtual education program.
One major item is the introduction of Cardinal Online, a 100% online education option for Earlham High School students in grades 9–12. The program is designed for students who need flexibility, credit recovery, acceleration opportunities, or alternative learning arrangements while remaining Earlham students and working toward the same diploma requirements. The handbook emphasizes that online courses require strong student responsibility, reliable internet access, regular progress monitoring, and completion of coursework requirements.
The board is also expected to address several operational matters before the new school year, including milk and bread bids, district handbooks, playground updates, property and casualty insurance renewal, and a proposed dance and cheer field trip. The meeting follows June discussions where the district reviewed goals, construction progress, summer maintenance, and upcoming handbook updates.
Financial oversight remains a key part of the meeting through review of monthly financial statements and bills. July bills include expenditures across the general fund, student activity fund, management levy fund, local option sales tax fund, and PPEL fund, with major payments supporting health benefits, utilities, technology, instructional materials, maintenance, and district operations.
Major Discussion and Action Items
Cardinal Online Virtual Education Program
The board is reviewing the Cardinal Online Student & Family Handbook for the 2026–2027 school year. The program provides a remote learning option for Earlham High School students in grades 9–12. Students remain enrolled in Earlham High School, earn Earlham credit, and must meet the district’s graduation requirements.
The program is intended for students who need courses unavailable on campus, need credit recovery, require an accelerated or differentiated environment, or cannot attend in-person school when online learning is determined appropriate. Admission is not automatic; applications are reviewed based on readiness, including maturity, work habits, attendance history, and academic standing.
Students must complete coursework within semester timelines, maintain daily engagement, participate in at least two weekly check-ins with the Online Coordinator, and complete 100% of course requirements with a passing grade of at least 60% to earn credit. The district will monitor student progress and may review continuation in the program each semester.
Student Participation in High School Sports for 8th Grade Students
The board agenda includes discussion of 8th grade participation in high school sports. Jake Lord is scheduled to discuss current state guidelines and related athletic union guidance. The issue is before the board because eligibility rules and participation opportunities may affect younger students seeking involvement in high school athletics.
The discussion may help clarify current requirements, limitations, and available options for students and families. No final decision or policy change is identified in the available packet materials.
District Handbooks Review
The board will review handbooks for elementary students, secondary students, activities, preschool, and staff. These documents establish expectations and procedures for the upcoming school year.
Handbooks are important because they communicate academic expectations, behavior standards, activity requirements, and operational procedures to students, families, and employees before the school year begins.
Playground Updates and Repairs
The district is considering playground repairs based on a June 23, 2026 estimate. The quoted work includes replacement playground components, including a lookout tower panel, a bongo perch, a Chameleon II slide, a four-seat classic seesaw, and four tires. The estimate also includes labor for removing and reinstalling items and shipping. The total estimate is $19,949.
The project affects student recreation and campus safety. Board discussion is expected to determine whether and how the district proceeds with the proposed improvements.
Milk and Bread Bids
The board will consider bids for milk and bread services. These contracts support daily food service operations and provide essential meal program supplies for students.
Specific vendors and bid amounts were not included in the accessible packet text.
Wellness Policy Review
The board agenda includes review of the district wellness policy and related administrative guidance. Wellness policies typically address student health, nutrition, and school wellness practices.
The available materials identify the policy review but do not provide proposed revisions.
Personnel Report
The personnel report includes resignations and new hires. The listed new hires include Sarah Frank as an associate and Shelby Rutz as an associate.
Personnel decisions affect classroom support, student services, and district staffing levels as the school year approaches.
Financial Matters
The board’s consent agenda includes approval of financial statements and invoices. July bills show significant expenditures across district funds. The general fund total listed is $170,975.54, including payments for services, utilities, technology, insurance-related costs, instructional resources, and operational needs.
Other listed fund totals include:
- Student Activity Fund: $18,705.07
- Management Levy Fund: $35,535.25
- Local Option Sales Tax Fund: $2,606.23
- PPEL Fund: $19,868.32
- Health Insurance Fund: $250.71
Notable payments include Health Partners at $81,211.29, City of Earlham payments totaling $18,054.17 across two entries, Waukee Community School District at $13,691.95, Dallas Center-Grimes Community School at $8,535.26, Stukent Inc. at $8,195.00, and technology-related vendors including Howard Technology Solutions and EBOARDSOLUTIONS.
The playground repair estimate of $19,949 represents a separate potential facility investment.
Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance
The board will review the wellness policy, handbooks, and online learning procedures. The June board meeting noted that policy review was ongoing while the district awaited additional guidance related to recently passed legislation and Department of Education guidance.
The Cardinal Online program also references existing board policies related to online courses and course enrollment. The program establishes expectations for attendance, academic integrity, technology use, and student eligibility.
The superintendent’s report and business manager report are scheduled updates. The June meeting summary reported that construction projects were progressing, summer cleaning had begun, the gym floor was scheduled for refinishing after July 4, and the district had hosted a STEMposium attended by 97 teachers and administrators.
The board’s prior work session also reviewed district and building goals from the 2025–2026 school year and discussed assessment data and future focus areas.
Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters
The July agenda includes a personnel report covering resignations and new hires. The accessible materials identify two associate hires: Sarah Frank and Shelby Rutz.
The board will also enter closed session under Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(a) to review confidential records, followed by an action item regarding a student grade appeal decision.
Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations
Facility operations include playground improvements and ongoing district maintenance. The playground proposal would replace and repair multiple components at an estimated cost of $19,949.
The district also continues broader summer operations, including cleaning, construction activities, and preparation for the upcoming academic year.
The agenda includes a communication-from-the-public period. No specific public hearing, development hearing, or formal community forum is listed in the accessible packet.
Residents and taxpayers may be most interested in decisions affecting district spending, facility improvements, educational options, and staffing.
Students and families may be affected by the introduction of Cardinal Online, changes to handbooks, athletics participation discussions, and activity-related decisions.
Employees may be affected by staffing decisions, updated handbooks, and operational expectations for the new school year.
The playground project, if approved, would directly affect students using district recreational facilities. Financial decisions throughout the agenda affect how district resources are allocated among instruction, facilities, technology, staffing, and student services.
- What student needs or circumstances led the district to develop Cardinal Online?
- How will the district measure whether Cardinal Online is successful?
- What criteria will determine which students are approved for online enrollment?
- What is the timeline for deciding whether playground repairs will move forward?
- How will the district evaluate costs and benefits of proposed facility improvements?
- What changes, if any, are being considered in district handbooks?
- How will athletic participation rules apply to 8th grade students?
- What vendors were selected for milk and bread services?
- How will staffing changes affect student support services?
- What follow-up actions will result from the grade appeal decision?
Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps
- June 23, 2026: Playground repair estimate date.
- July 8, 2026, 5:30 PM: Earlham Community School District July Board Meeting.
- 2026–2027 school year: Cardinal Online program implementation period.
- Each semester: Cardinal Online enrollment applications are due three school days after the start of the semester.
- Future semester reviews: Online student progress and program continuation will be reviewed by administration.
Key Takeaways
- Earlham is preparing operational plans and student programs for the 2026–2027 school year.
- Cardinal Online will provide a fully remote learning option for grades 9–12.
- Online students must maintain daily participation, complete coursework, and meet progress expectations.
- The board will discuss 8th grade participation in high school sports under current state guidance.
- Proposed playground repairs have an estimated cost of $19,949.
- The district is reviewing multiple handbooks before the new school year.
- July financial reports include more than $170,000 in general fund expenditures.
- Personnel items include two associate hires.
- The board will review wellness policy materials and operational updates.
- A closed session and grade appeal action item are scheduled.
Official Sources
About the Public Body
- Name: Earlham Comm School District
- Organization type: school-district
- Government body: school-boards
- Location: Earlham, iowa
- County: Not available
- Provider: simbli
Keywords
Earlham Comm School District, July Board Meeting, school board, Earlham Iowa, Cardinal Online, virtual education, student handbook, playground repairs, facilities, student athletics, 8th grade sports, wellness policy, school finances, general fund, PPEL fund, student activities, district operations, personnel, associates, superintendent report, business manager report, school policies, online learning, Iowa Core, student services, education funding, community schools
