The July 13, 2026 regular meeting of the GMG Community School District Board focuses on preparing the district for the upcoming school year while continuing long-term facility improvements and addressing new state education requirements. Major topics include handbook updates, policy revisions driven by recently enacted Iowa legislation, renewal of the district's Instructional Support Program, personnel actions, insurance renewals, construction updates, and routine financial oversight.
One of the most significant items is the beginning of the process to renew the district's Instructional Support Program for another five years. The board is asked to approve a resolution that starts the legal process, schedules a public hearing, and preserves an important source of General Fund operating revenue. District officials emphasize that continuing the program does not increase the current levy rate and supports ongoing instructional operations.
Construction and facilities remain another major focus. Demolition has begun for the renovation project, asbestos abatement bids have been completed, weekly construction meetings are underway, and additional work is scheduled for gym flooring, elementary entrance concrete, kitchen flooring, and other maintenance projects. District leadership is also coordinating traffic, parking, and community communication ahead of both construction activities and RAGBRAI.
The board is also responding to multiple changes in Iowa law. Proposed revisions include allowing eligible eighth-grade students to participate in high school athletics, updating meal charge policies, and revising student and employee handbooks to comply with new legislative requirements and collectively bargained employment provisions.
Financially, the district continues to report healthy cash balances across major funds, reviews monthly expenditures and revenues, renews insurance coverage at a lower overall premium than the prior year, and considers several operational contracts and staffing recommendations in preparation for the 2026-27 school year.
Major Discussion and Action Items
Instructional Support Program Renewal
The board is asked to approve a resolution beginning renewal of the district's Instructional Support Program for another five years beginning with the fiscal year ending June 30, 2028. This action starts the statutory process rather than completing it.
Approval would schedule a public hearing on August 10, 2026. Residents retain the right to petition for the question to appear on a special election ballot within the legal timeline established by Iowa law. District officials state that these revenues support General Fund instructional operations and that continuation does not increase the current levy rate.
Athletic Eligibility Policy for Eighth Grade Students
The board will consider revising Board Policy 504.06 to reflect new Iowa legislation permitting eligible eighth-grade students to compete in high school athletics.
The proposed policy specifies that participating students may not simultaneously compete on both eighth-grade and high school teams during the same season, must satisfy standard athletic physical requirements, and will be governed by administrative procedures developed by the superintendent and athletic director. The recommendation is to approve the revision and waive a second reading so families can receive updated guidance before the school year begins.
Student, Staff, and School Handbook Updates
Updated elementary, secondary, and employee handbooks are included in the consent agenda.
Most student handbook revisions are described as legislative compliance updates. The employee handbook contains several negotiated changes, including allowing appropriate jeans as acceptable dress, reducing the sick-leave exchange period from 120 days to 60 days for earning an additional personal leave day, and establishing a sick leave bank for serious illness or injury.
Meal Charge Policy Revision
The board conducts the second reading of revised Board Policy 710.04 governing meal charges.
Major changes eliminate alternative meals for students with negative meal accounts so all students receive the same meal regardless of account balance. Families with unpaid balances continue to be billed. Adult meal charging becomes more limited, and the delinquent balance threshold eligible for collection efforts increases from $10 to $100.
Construction, Renovation, and Facility Improvements
District leadership reports significant progress on multiple capital projects.
Gym floor work has been completed with reopening expected July 20. Electrical work in the shop building has been completed. Concrete replacement at the elementary entrance is planned after RAGBRAI, interior tile replacement is scheduled, and kitchen flooring replacement remains under review through additional contractor quotations.
Construction associated with the district renovation project has entered demolition, fencing has been installed, weekly construction meetings are occurring, and district officials plan to coordinate traffic, parking, and public communication with Green Mountain city officials as work progresses.
Personnel and Staffing
The consent agenda includes multiple employment actions.
Recommended contracts include Seth Hedman as Head High School Football Coach, Parker Newcomb as Head Junior High Volleyball Coach, and Tessa Lamartine as Elementary Guidance pending licensing and background checks.
The district also acknowledges the resignation of Gayle Miner from cross country coaching, approves Parker Newcomb as a volunteer High School Volleyball coach, and includes reductions in force affecting paraprofessional positions held by Noah Hass and Atlas Reed.
The superintendent reports only one certified instructional vacancy remains: fifth-grade science/social studies.
Open Enrollment
The board considers several open enrollment requests for the 2026-27 school year.
Requests include five incoming students from Marshalltown, primarily related to family moves, two incoming students from Green Ridge following family moves, and one outgoing preschool student transferring to BCLUW.
Administrative and Superintendent Updates
Administrative reports recognize scholarship thank-you letters from graduating seniors and continue district efforts to highlight student achievements through local media.
The superintendent also reports ongoing work implementing recently enacted Iowa legislation involving elementary screen time requirements, student discipline changes, Make America Healthy Act compliance, athletic eligibility revisions, and updated transfer rules.
Financial Matters
The monthly financial review indicates the district continues regular monitoring of expenditures, revenues, solvency, and unspent authorized budget authority.
Reported account balances as of July 10, 2026 include approximately:
- General Fund: $1.53 million
- PPEL: approximately $775,000
- SAVE Fund: approximately $584,000
- Nutrition Fund: approximately $307,000
- Activities Fund: approximately $39,000
The district continues tracking board goals calling for maintaining desired solvency and unspent authorized budget ratios.
Monthly bills include several notable expenditures:
- Approximately $215,761 for annual insurance premiums.
- Approximately $59,285 in open enrollment payments to Marshalltown Community School District.
- Approximately $14,938 for shared transportation director services.
- Approximately $12,400 for accounting software renewal.
- More than $16,000 in electric utility costs.
- Numerous maintenance, technology, instructional, food service, transportation, athletic, and safety purchases supporting district operations.
Insurance renewals are presented for the 2026-27 year. Coverage remains unchanged while overall premiums reportedly decrease by roughly $12,000 compared with the previous year. Supporting invoices include approximately $11,080 for excess liability coverage and approximately $3,727 for cyber liability renewal.
The board also considers awarding the asbestos abatement contract to REW Services Corporation, the lowest responsible bidder, for $6,380 following a competitive bidding process managed by Eocene Environmental Group.
Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance
The meeting contains several significant governance actions.
Board Policy 504.06 is revised to implement new state law allowing eligible eighth-grade students to compete in high school athletics.
Board Policy 710.04 receives its second reading to modernize district meal charge practices and collections.
Updated student and employee handbooks incorporate legislative changes, negotiated employment provisions, and administrative revisions.
The Instructional Support Program resolution initiates the legal process required before renewal and schedules a future public hearing.
District officials also continue developing additional administrative procedures needed to comply with recently enacted Iowa education legislation.
The School Business Official presents the monthly financial review, fund balances, and monitoring reports tied to board financial goals.
Building administrators provide written updates highlighting student accomplishments, district communication efforts, and principal activities.
The superintendent provides detailed updates on facilities, construction progress, legislative implementation, staffing, and planning for future board goal review once statewide ISASP assessment results become available.
Celebrations include recognition of athletic accomplishments, scholarship appreciation, Central Iowa Fair achievements, community volunteer efforts, and successful staffing of middle and high school teaching and coaching positions.
Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters
Personnel recommendations include new coaching assignments, an elementary guidance contract pending required approvals, volunteer coaching appointments, one coaching resignation, and two paraprofessional reductions in force.
District leadership reports that all middle school and high school teaching and coaching positions have been filled except one fifth-grade science/social studies teaching assignment.
The board also recognizes numerous student accomplishments and community partnerships supporting district programs.
Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations
Construction activity continues to accelerate with demolition underway and regular coordination meetings occurring.
The gym floor renovation is scheduled for reopening on July 20.
Electrical upgrades in the older shop building have been completed.
Upcoming work includes replacing damaged interior tile, reconstructing concrete near the elementary entrance after RAGBRAI, evaluating kitchen flooring replacement, and coordinating traffic management, signage, and parking with city officials during construction.
The district also considers temporary use of district-owned bleachers by the City of Green Mountain during RAGBRAI, with the city agreeing to clean and return the equipment afterward.
The regular meeting includes a public forum allowing residents to address the board on matters within its authority.
If the Instructional Support Program resolution is approved, a public hearing is scheduled for:
- August 10, 2026
- 5:00 p.m.
- Green Mountain Elementary Library
State law also provides an opportunity for eligible electors to petition for a special election following adoption of the resolution within the statutory filing period.
Students may gain expanded athletic participation opportunities beginning with eighth-grade eligibility for high school sports.
Families will see revised handbook language, updated meal charge procedures, and communications regarding legislative changes before school begins.
Taxpayers should note that district officials state continuation of the Instructional Support Program is intended to maintain current operating resources without increasing the existing levy rate.
Employees are affected by handbook revisions, negotiated leave provisions, dress code changes, staffing recommendations, and continued hiring for remaining vacancies.
Residents can expect continued construction activity, temporary operational adjustments, and future public discussion regarding instructional funding.
- How will eighth-grade athletic participation be managed to ensure competitive balance and student safety?
- What timeline is expected for completion of the current construction projects?
- What impact will renovation work have on school operations during the academic year?
- How will the revised meal charge policy affect families with outstanding balances?
- What additional legislative changes are still being implemented before school begins?
- How will the Instructional Support Program revenues be prioritized over the next five years?
- What is the district's long-term plan for remaining facility improvements such as kitchen flooring?
- What strategies are being used to fill the remaining teaching vacancy?
- How will construction-related traffic and parking changes be communicated to the community?
- What financial indicators will the board monitor during the coming fiscal year?
Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps
- July 13, 2026: Board considers all agenda items, including policies, personnel, funding resolution, and contracts.
- July 20, 2026: Elementary gym floor expected to return to service.
- After RAGBRAI: Elementary entrance concrete replacement is expected to begin.
- Late July 2026: Required publication period for the Instructional Support Program public hearing notice.
- Within 28 days of the Instructional Support Program resolution: Eligible electors may petition for a special election.
- August 10, 2026, 5:00 p.m.: Public hearing on continued participation in the Instructional Support Program.
- August 10, 2026: Next regular board meeting at Garwin Secondary Room 117.
Key Takeaways
- The district is preparing extensively for the 2026-27 school year.
- Instructional Support Program renewal is a major financial priority.
- District officials state renewal will not increase the current levy rate.
- Construction projects have entered active demolition and renovation phases.
- The gym floor is expected to reopen on July 20.
- Iowa legislative changes require several policy and handbook revisions.
- The board is updating athletic eligibility for eighth-grade students.
- Insurance renewal costs are projected to decrease by roughly $12,000 from the previous year.
- The low asbestos abatement bid totals $6,380.
- Only one certified teaching position remains vacant.
- Updated meal charge policies aim to treat students more uniformly while strengthening collection procedures.
Official Sources
About the Public Body
- Name: GMG Community School District
- Organization type: school-district
- Government body: school-boards
- Location: Green Mountain, iowa
- County: Marshall County
- Provider: simbli
Keywords
GMG Community School District, Green Mountain, Garwin, Regular Board Meeting, July 13 2026, Instructional Support Program, Instructional Support Levy, Board Policy 504.06, Board Policy 710.04, eighth grade athletics, meal charges, school handbooks, employee handbook, asbestos abatement, REW Services, construction, demolition, insurance renewal, facilities, open enrollment, superintendent report, monthly financial report, account balances, Iowa legislation, personnel, coaching contracts, RAGBRAI, Green Mountain Elementary Library
