ESAC County Schools Board Meeting Summary
Meeting Overview
Public Body: ESAC County Schools
Meeting Type: Regular Board Meeting
Source Basis: This summary is based on the meeting transcript as the authoritative record of discussion and actions, with packet materials used only for supplemental context.
Key Takeaways
- The board approved the meeting agenda and later approved the consent agenda.
- District leaders provided updates on preparations for the upcoming school year, including staffing, professional development, student transitions, building projects, and communication with families.
- The district discussed facility improvements, including completed renovation work and planned elementary parking lot improvements.
- The board approved several action items, including updated emergency operation plans, an LED lighting upgrade project, and a personnel contract adjustment.
- District leadership discussed a new state behavior law and upcoming changes to district procedures and handbooks.
Meeting Discussion Summary
The board approved the meeting agenda following a motion and second.
During the public input portion of the meeting, no members of the public provided comments on non-agenda items.
Administrative and School Updates
School Start Preparations
District administrators discussed preparations for the beginning of the school year.
Updates included:
- New teacher onboarding and continued efforts to improve onboarding practices through feedback.
- Planning for elementary open houses and transitional kindergarten activities.
- Continued use of a gradual start approach for transitional kindergarten based on positive results from the previous year.
- Communication efforts with families regarding school events and expectations.
- Confirmation that remaining fire alarm system work was expected to be completed before students returned, with final approval expected from the fire marshal.
Secondary School Start Planning
The district discussed plans for the 7–12 building, including:
- A junior high back-to-school night scheduled for the upcoming week.
- Bringing high school students into the building before the first day to receive computers and review expectations.
- Replacing previous beginning-of-year expectation stations with a more direct student orientation approach.
- Using advisor time during the first week of school for additional student information and activities.
Professional Learning and PLC Work
District leadership discussed continued work on professional learning communities (PLCs).
Discussion included:
- Collaboration with instructional coaches and mentor teachers on professional development planning.
- Development of approaches for high school PLC work, including vertical teams and common assessments.
- Continued belief that PLC work is beneficial for improving student outcomes.
- Progress toward having most teachers participate in PLC training.
Advisor Time and Student Support
The district discussed adjustments to advisor time:
- Advisor time will continue supporting interventions and RTI activities.
- The district plans to use a buddy system approach to reduce student movement during intervention periods.
- Advisor time will also provide opportunities for PLC collaboration.
Superintendent Update
Building Projects and Facilities
The superintendent provided updates on ongoing facility projects.
Discussion included:
- Door replacement work nearing completion at Lake View.
- Renovated rooms in Sac City being completed.
- Improvements to the conference room, including replacement of older furniture, new carpet, and updated finishes.
- Planning for improvements to the elementary parking lot.
- Additional drainage improvements being added to the parking lot design due to concerns about water issues during heavy rain events.
- A final design update from DeNovo was expected at a future board meeting.
Staffing Updates
The district discussed current staffing needs.
Updates included:
- Teachers returning for professional development before students return.
- Continued efforts to hire elementary associates, with additional positions still open.
- Interviews underway for a high school secretary position.
- A custodian position remaining posted with applications received.
Professional Development Opportunities
The superintendent shared information about recent administrator professional development and discussed the upcoming Iowa School Board Convention as a learning opportunity for board members.
Obsolete Equipment Auction
The district discussed plans for an online auction of obsolete equipment.
Potential items included:
- A bus.
- Older vans.
- Desks and other unused equipment.
The superintendent noted that board policy requires unused equipment to be offered for sale to the public.
Policy Discussion
State Behavior Law Changes
The board discussed upcoming changes related to a new state behavior law.
Discussion included:
- The law establishes additional requirements when students are removed from classrooms for disruptive behavior.
- The district expects additional meetings with parents and documentation requirements when removals occur.
- Building policies and handbooks will need updates to reflect the changes.
- The district plans to communicate with families about the changes.
- District leadership emphasized that the intent is to support learning environments where students are able to learn without ongoing classroom disruptions.
Action Items
Consent Agenda Approval
The board approved the consent agenda following discussion.
Items included:
- Policies.
- Bills.
- Meeting minutes.
LED Lighting Upgrade Project
The board approved an LED lighting upgrade project.
Discussion included:
- The project will replace eligible fluorescent light fixtures with LED fixtures.
- The district reviewed available rebates through MidAmerican Energy.
- The estimated cost before rebates for replacing fixtures in the Sac City building was discussed as $65,344.
- After anticipated rebates, the estimated cost discussed was $36,874.
- The superintendent recommended using a one-time general fund expenditure for the project.
- The board approved the LED lighting project.
Emergency Operation Plans
The board approved the 2026–27 Emergency Operation Plans.
Discussion included:
- The plans are required under state law.
- The documents are maintained as secure materials and are shared only with individuals involved in emergency planning.
- Updated plans will be submitted to the state after board approval.
Personnel Contract Adjustment
The board approved a personnel contract adjustment related to science instruction.
Discussion included:
- The district has continued efforts to hire an additional science teacher.
- A staffing plan was developed to provide in-person science instruction for most students.
- Susan Groth will teach additional periods without a regular preparation period.
- Her contract will be adjusted from 1.0 FTE to 1.125 FTE to compensate for the additional assignment.
- The district will continue posting the science position and may continue searching for a mid-year hire.
Future Meeting
The board discussed returning to the regular meeting schedule after summer meetings.
The next meeting was set for:
The board also anticipated future discussion involving DeNovo documents and annual meeting-related items.
Closing
The board discussed a follow-up request for additional information about how the lighting rebate would be applied and requested confirmation before the next meeting.
A motion was made and seconded to adjourn. The motion passed, and the meeting was adjourned.
