The July 15 board meeting focuses on several significant decisions affecting district facilities, athletics, curriculum, governance, and student programs. The largest long-term issue is the next phase of the district's athletic facilities improvements, including the proposed bleachers and press box project, which begins the formal public bidding process required under Iowa law before construction can proceed.
Board members are also being asked to approve several operational investments, including a new high school Spanish curriculum costing $15,377.18, change orders for the stadium entrance project totaling more than $19,700, updated Regional Wellness Center policies and handbooks, and salary agreements for Regional Wellness Center leadership.
The meeting also includes governance matters, including filling a vacant board seat through appointment, administering the oath of office to the newly appointed director, reviewing annual board policies, and considering expanded eligibility for eighth-grade students to participate in varsity athletics under specified circumstances.
Additional action items include accepting food service bids, approving an out-of-state FFA educational trip, recognizing gifts and grants supporting district initiatives, reviewing personnel changes, and acknowledging a federal Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program award that will provide additional nutrition funding for Demoney Elementary School.
Major Discussion and Action Items
Athletic Facilities Phase 2 Project
The most consequential item is the proposed Phase 2 Bleachers and Press Box Improvement Project. The board is being asked to tentatively approve plans, specifications, contract documents, and estimated project costs so the project can move into the competitive bidding process.
If approved, a public hearing will be held on August 12, 2026, at 5:10 p.m. before final project approval. Construction bids would be due before 10:00 a.m. on August 6, with bid consideration scheduled during the August 12 board meeting. This action does not award a construction contract but begins the legally required public procurement process.
Stadium Entrance Project Change Orders
The board will consider three change orders associated with the ongoing stadium entrance project:
- Tile drainage repair around new building footings: $8,540.40
- Additional building lettering: $7,227.00
- Trenching for a new play-clock data line: $3,987.50
Together these modifications increase project costs by approximately $19,754.90 and address conditions encountered during construction as well as additional project features.
Filling a Vacant Board Seat
The district intends to appoint Kathy Beernink to fill the current vacancy on the Board of Directors pursuant to Iowa Code section 279.6.
Following appointment, Board Secretary Blair Bradley is scheduled to administer the required oath of office. The appointed director will serve for the remainder of the current board term.
Regional Wellness Center Governance
Several documents governing operation of the Regional Wellness Center are presented for approval:
- New Board Policy 805
- Updated 2026-27 Employee Handbook
- Updated 2026-27 Member and Guest Handbook
According to the packet, the policy is intended to reflect the original partnership among the school district, City of Estherville, Iowa Lakes Community College, and the Iowa National Guard while maintaining compliance with Iowa and federal law. The employee handbook is also expected to be incorporated into the district's broader non-certified employee handbook in the future.
Student Programs and Curriculum
The board will consider several educational initiatives:
- Purchase of a new high school Spanish curriculum costing $15,377.18
- Approval of an alternating out-of-state FFA Ag Horizons educational trip to Oconto, Wisconsin
- Acceptance of the annual milk bid
- Consideration of expanded eighth-grade participation in varsity athletics through case-by-case decisions involving coaches and the Activities Director
These actions affect classroom instruction, extracurricular opportunities, and student nutrition.
Annual Policy Review
The board is scheduled to waive the first reading and approve its annual policy review.
Most policies have already been updated during the past year. The principal substantive addition is new Regulation 505.08-R(1) concerning building-level parent and family engagement procedures. The review also includes student records, directory information, library circulation records, classroom space, and long-range planning policies.
Financial Matters
Several financial decisions are before the board.
The largest immediate instructional purchase is $15,377.18 for new high school Spanish curriculum materials.
Construction costs increase through three stadium entrance project change orders totaling approximately $19,754.90.
Regional Wellness Center leadership contracts are proposed at:
- Director: $91,600 for 2026-27 and $97,000 for 2027-28.
- Assistant Director: $70,850 for 2026-27 and $75,000 for 2027-28.
The district recommends accepting the Anderson Erickson Dairy milk bid for the upcoming school year after comparing bids from Anderson Erickson and Kemps.
The board will also accept gifts, grants, and bequests, including additional contributions toward the Phase 2 Stadium Project and a USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program award. The federal grant allocates $24,000 to Demoney Elementary School for fresh fruit and vegetable snacks during the 2026-27 school year, with funding distributed in two installments.
Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance
Governance actions include appointing a new board member, administering the oath of office, adopting Policy 805 governing the Regional Wellness Center, approving updated Wellness Center handbooks, and completing the district's annual board policy review.
The athletic facilities project also requires adoption of a resolution tentatively approving plans and initiating public bidding procedures under Iowa Code Chapter 26 before final approval can occur.
The board will review routine financial reports, including receipts, disbursements, and fund balances.
Staff will present the proposed FFA Ag Horizons trip, explaining a plan to alternate the Wisconsin educational experience with attendance at the National FFA Convention every other year.
Board members will also receive information supporting the Spanish curriculum purchase, milk bid comparison, Regional Wellness Center governance documents, and updates regarding fundraising for the stadium campaign through gifts and donations.
Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters
Personnel recommendations include:
- Hiring Brad Peter as volunteer Assistant Cross Country coach.
- Hiring Brad Peter as Assistant High School Boys Track coach.
- Hiring Christina Dunlavy as Assistant High School Girls Wrestling coach.
- Approval of Christina Dunlavy's appointment under the district's nepotism policy, with the Activities Director serving as evaluator instead of the head coach.
- Resignation of Laura Rosendahl as Middle School Girls Track coach.
- Resignation of Emilee Burmeister as Basketball Cheer coach.
The meeting also includes appointment of Kathy Beernink to the Board of Directors.
Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations
Facility issues dominate the agenda.
The district continues work on the stadium entrance improvements while preparing the next major phase involving new bleachers and a press box. The July meeting begins the formal procurement process required before construction contracts may be awarded.
Operational matters also include adoption of Regional Wellness Center operating policies, employee procedures, and member guidelines, reflecting the facility's multi-agency partnership and daily operations.
Members of the public may address the board during the regular public input period, with speakers limited to approximately three minutes.
The board is also scheduling a formal public hearing for August 12, 2026, at 5:10 p.m. regarding the proposed Bleachers and Press Box Improvement Project. Residents may review project documents beforehand and provide written or oral comments before final project approval.
Students may benefit from improved athletic facilities, updated Spanish instructional materials, expanded FFA travel opportunities, additional fresh produce through the federal nutrition grant, and greater flexibility for exceptional eighth-grade athletes.
Families and taxpayers will have an opportunity to review and comment on the next phase of major athletic facility construction before contracts are awarded.
Employees are affected through coaching appointments, resignations, Regional Wellness Center handbook updates, and salary approvals for Wellness Center leadership.
Community organizations continue supporting district facilities through donations to the stadium campaign, reflecting broad local participation in athletic improvements.
- What is the current estimated total cost of the Phase 2 bleachers and press box project?
- How will the athletic facilities project be financed?
- What construction schedule is anticipated if bids are accepted?
- Why was the Anderson Erickson milk bid selected over the competing proposal?
- What educational improvements are expected from the new Spanish curriculum?
- How will eligibility decisions for eighth-grade varsity participation be made consistently?
- How will the Regional Wellness Center policy affect community users?
- What fundraising goals remain for the stadium campaign?
- How will the USDA fruit and vegetable grant improve student nutrition?
- What additional facility phases remain after the current stadium projects?
Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps
- July 15, 2026: Regular Board Meeting and consideration of all proposed actions.
- July 16, 2026: Notice to bidders for the bleachers and press box project is scheduled to be posted.
- August 6, 2026 (before 10:00 a.m.): Construction bids due.
- August 12, 2026, 5:10 p.m.: Public hearing on the bleachers and press box project.
- August 12, 2026, 5:15 p.m.: Board expected to review bid results and consider further project action.
- 2026-27 school year: Implementation of approved curriculum, Wellness Center policies, staffing decisions, nutrition grant, and milk contract if approved.
Key Takeaways
- The board is beginning the formal approval process for the Phase 2 bleachers and press box project.
- A public hearing on the project is scheduled for August 12.
- Stadium entrance change orders total roughly $19,755.
- A new Spanish curriculum purchase totals $15,377.18.
- Anderson Erickson is recommended for the district's milk contract.
- Kathy Beernink is recommended to fill the vacant board seat.
- Updated Regional Wellness Center policies and handbooks are proposed.
- Regional Wellness Center leadership salary contracts extend through 2027-28.
- Demoney Elementary will receive a $24,000 USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program award.
- Several coaching hires and resignations are included in the consent agenda.
- The board will review annual district policies, including parent engagement regulations.
Official Sources
About the Public Body
- Name: Estherville Lincoln Central Community School District
- Organization type: school-district
- Government body: school-boards
- Location: Estherville, iowa
- County: Emmet County
- Provider: simbli
Keywords
Estherville Lincoln Central Community School District, Regular Meeting, July 15 2026, school board, bleachers project, press box, stadium entrance, change orders, public hearing, competitive bidding, Regional Wellness Center, Policy 805, Spanish curriculum, Anderson Erickson Dairy, milk bid, USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, Demoney Elementary, FFA Ag Horizons, varsity athletics, eighth grade eligibility, Kathy Beernink, board appointment, coaching hires, personnel, stadium campaign, gifts and grants, annual policy review, Emmet County, Estherville
