School Board Agenda & Packet Summary – I-35 – July 20, 2026

Meeting Information

• Public Body: Interstate 35 Community School District
• Organization Type: school-district
• Government Body: school-boards
• Meeting Title: 07/20/2026 - 06:00 PM Regular Board Meeting Board Meeting
• Meeting Date: 2026-07-20
• City: Truro
• County: Madison
• State: iowa
• Meeting Source URL: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=36031611&MID=31642
• Meeting Listing URL: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/SB_MeetingListing.aspx?S=36031611
• Public Body Website: https://www.i-35.k12.ia.us/
• Meeting Video URL: Not available
• Video Channel URL: https://www.youtube.com/@interstate35schools87/videos

What Community Members Should Know

The Interstate 35 Community School District Board will consider several decisions that could shape the district's facilities, finances, and operations over the coming years. The most significant action is whether to formally order an election on issuing up to $12.3 million in General Obligation School Bonds to finance major building renovations, athletic facility improvements, campus infrastructure work, and related site improvements. This represents the largest long-term capital issue in the meeting packet.

Board members will also review the district's annual operational preparations for the upcoming school year. Those items include approval of updated student and employee handbooks, adoption of revised job descriptions for several leadership positions, technology and livestreaming services, facility equipment purchases, and routine staffing recommendations.

Several reports highlight student success beyond graduation. The College and Career Transition Counselor reports increased FAFSA completion above the statewide average, strong participation in dual-credit coursework, and substantial engagement in college and career exploration activities. Administrative reports and facilities updates also provide progress reports on district priorities and bond planning.

The packet also contains an extensive first reading of board policy revisions. Most updates align district policies with current Iowa law and best practices regarding governance, finance, student conduct, technology, purchasing, student services, and employment. While these policies are not yet final, they represent one of the largest governance updates presented to the board this year.

Major Discussion and Action Items

Resolution Ordering a $12.3 Million Bond Election

The board is scheduled to consider a resolution ordering an election on issuing not to exceed $12,300,000 in General Obligation School Bonds.

According to the proposal, bond proceeds would support remodeling and improving existing school buildings, reconfiguring academic spaces, upgrading HVAC and mechanical systems, making exterior improvements, constructing a new stadium and track, expanding parking, improving campus access, and repurposing the existing track, field, bleachers, and press box.

Approval at this meeting would not authorize construction directly. Instead, it would authorize placing the question before district voters. Because General Obligation Bonds are repaid through property taxes, the proposal is one of the most significant financial decisions in the packet and would ultimately require voter approval.

District Policy Manual First Reading

The board will conduct a comprehensive first reading covering dozens of policy revisions.

Updates span board governance, conflicts of interest, meeting notices, equal employment opportunity, employee leave, student conduct, medication administration, gifted education, technology, purchasing, financial management, public records, data security, and federal grant compliance.

Several entirely new policies are proposed, including disruptive behavior procedures, federal awards compliance, time and effort reporting, and updated gifted education regulations. Two older curriculum policies related to multicultural gender fair education and global education are proposed for rescission as part of broader policy modernization.

This meeting represents an initial review rather than final adoption, giving board members an opportunity to discuss revisions before later approval.

Annual Handbook Approval

Board members are asked to approve multiple handbooks for the 2026-27 school year, including:

• Elementary student handbook
• Secondary student handbook
• Preschool handbook
• Activities handbook
• Student Services handbook
• Certified employee handbook
• Non-certified employee handbook

The secondary handbook includes updated attendance procedures, disciplinary expectations, technology use, extracurricular eligibility, graduation requirements, student conduct expectations, and operational information for grades 5-12.

Approval allows these documents to become the governing guidance for students, families, and staff during the coming school year.

College and Career Transition Program Results

The College and Career Transition Counselor report highlights substantial student participation throughout the year.

Among the reported accomplishments:

• 532 individual student advising appointments.
• FAFSA completion increased to 59%, exceeding Iowa's reported statewide average of 54%.
• Class of 2026 graduates are pursuing a variety of pathways including four-year universities, community colleges, workforce entry, apprenticeships, skilled trades, and military service.
• 107 students participated in concurrent enrollment through DMACC.
• Students earned 901 college credits with a 95.6% course success rate.
• College and Career Day connected students with dozens of employers, colleges, military representatives, and skilled trade organizations.

The report emphasizes preparation for postsecondary success and workforce readiness as major district priorities.

Staffing Changes for the Coming School Year

Consent agenda personnel recommendations include hiring, coaching assignments, internal transfers, and resignations.

Recommended hires include:

• Dean Delzell as High School Science Teacher.
• Daniel Krull as Assistant Golf Coach.
• Victoria White as Assistant Track Coach (Throwing).

Joshua Maxwell is recommended to move from Co-Head Cross Country Coach to Head Cross Country Coach.

The board will also consider resignations submitted by Kelsey Stonehocker, including science teaching and coaching responsibilities.

Technology and Operational Purchases

Several operational purchases require board approval before the new school year.

Recommendations include:

• $18,300 for HUDL camera and streaming services.
• $7,000 for OPN Tier II architectural support services.
• $6,960 for forty padded folding chairs for the high school gymnasium.

These purchases support athletics, facilities planning, livestreaming, and event operations.

Financial Matters

The largest financial item is the proposed $12.3 million General Obligation Bond election covering academic renovations, HVAC upgrades, athletic facilities, parking improvements, and campus infrastructure.

Additional spending requests include:

• $18,300 for HUDL cameras and streaming services supporting athletic and event broadcasting.
• $7,000 for OPN Architects Tier II bond support services.
• $6,960 for forty padded folding chairs from Dannco for the high school gym.

The consent agenda also includes monthly bills, financial statements, published wage information, a General Fund overview, and the district's June statement of position. These materials provide routine financial oversight for the close of Fiscal Year 2026.

Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance

The meeting includes one of the district's broadest annual policy reviews.

Topics include:

• Board elections and conflicts of interest.
• Financial management and purchasing.
• Equal employment opportunity.
• Student conduct and disruptive behavior.
• Technology use and cybersecurity.
• Student guidance services.
• Medication administration.
• Public examination of records.
• Federal awards compliance.
• Technology and instructional materials.

The board is also asked to approve the resolution ordering the proposed bond election, which is the meeting's primary governance action.

Reports, Presentations, and Informational Updates

Elementary administration, superintendent, and facilities reports provide updates on district operations.

The College and Career Transition Counselor report demonstrates measurable outcomes in postsecondary planning, FAFSA completion, dual-credit participation, and career exploration.

Facilities updates and bond planning reports help prepare board members for upcoming infrastructure decisions tied to the proposed bond referendum.

The meeting also recognizes Iowa Pupil Transportation Association awards, acknowledging transportation-related achievements.

Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters

Personnel recommendations include hiring teachers and coaches, approving coaching transfers, and accepting resignations.

The board will also consider adoption of updated job descriptions for:

• Elementary/Secondary Principal.
• Director of Special Education.
• Activities Director/Dean of Students.

These revisions help clarify leadership responsibilities as the district prepares for the 2026-27 school year.

Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations

Facilities planning centers on the proposed bond initiative.

Potential projects include:

• Academic space reconfiguration.
• Mechanical and HVAC upgrades.
• Exterior improvements.
• New athletic stadium and track.
• Parking improvements.
• Campus access improvements.
• Repurposing existing athletic facilities.

Separate operational items include technology upgrades through HUDL streaming services and new seating for the gymnasium.

Public Hearings and Opportunities for Community Input

The agenda includes an Open Forum where residents, parents, students, and staff may address the board on district-related matters. Speakers must sign up before the meeting and are generally limited to five minutes.

Although no formal public hearing is identified in the accessible packet, approval of the bond election resolution would begin the public process leading to a community-wide election where eligible voters would decide whether to authorize the proposed borrowing.

Community Impact

Students and families could benefit from improved learning environments, updated instructional spaces, enhanced athletic facilities, and continued investment in college and career readiness programs.

Taxpayers should pay particular attention to the proposed bond election because General Obligation Bonds are repaid through property taxation and require voter approval.

Employees are affected through updated handbooks, revised board policies, new leadership job descriptions, staffing decisions, and continued policy modernization.

Community members who attend athletic events could benefit from improved stadium facilities, enhanced livestreaming capabilities, expanded parking, and upgraded campus infrastructure if future bond projects proceed.

Questions Community Members May Want to Ask

• What is the projected timeline if voters approve the proposed bond?
• How would the $12.3 million be allocated among academic, athletic, and infrastructure projects?
• What impact, if any, would the bond have on local property taxes?
• Which facility improvements are considered the highest priority?
• How were the proposed policy revisions developed and what state requirements prompted them?
• What outcomes does the district expect from the HUDL technology investment?
• How will updated job descriptions change administrative responsibilities?
• What additional strategies could further increase FAFSA completion beyond the current 59%?
• How will the district measure success following the proposed facilities investments?
• What future board actions will be required before construction could begin?

Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps

• July 20, 2026: Regular Board Meeting with consideration of the bond election resolution, handbook approvals, policy first reading, personnel actions, and operational purchases.
• Following board approval: Bond election preparations would continue according to Iowa election requirements if the resolution is adopted.
• 2026-27 School Year: Approved handbooks, staffing changes, technology services, and operational purchases would be implemented.
• August 24, 2026: Next scheduled regular board meeting.

Key Takeaways

• The proposed $12.3 million bond election is the meeting's most significant decision.
• Bond funding would support both academic facilities and athletic infrastructure improvements.
• The district exceeded the Iowa average in FAFSA completion.
• Students earned 901 concurrent enrollment college credits through DMACC.
• The board is reviewing a comprehensive update of district policies.
• Multiple student and employee handbooks are scheduled for approval before school begins.
• New leadership job descriptions are proposed for several administrative positions.
• HUDL streaming services would cost $18,300 for the upcoming school year.
• OPN architectural support services are proposed at $7,000.
• The next regular board meeting is scheduled for August 24, 2026.

Official Sources

• Meeting source: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=36031611&MID=31642
• Meeting listing: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/SB_MeetingListing.aspx?S=36031611
• Public body website: https://www.i-35.k12.ia.us/
• Meeting video: Not available
• Video channel: https://www.youtube.com/@interstate35schools87/videos

About the Public Body

• Name: Interstate 35 Community School District
• Organization type: school-district
• Government body: school-boards
• Location: Truro, iowa
• County: Madison
• Provider: simbli

Keywords

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