School Board Agenda & Packet Summary – Keokuk Comm School District – July 20, 2026

Meeting Information

• Public Body: Keokuk Comm 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: Keokuk
• County: Not available
• State: iowa
• Meeting Source URL: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=36031092&MID=31455
• Meeting Listing URL: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/SB_MeetingListing.aspx?S=36031092
• Public Body Website: http://www.keokukschools.org/
• Meeting Video URL: Not available
• Video Channel URL: https://www.youtube.com/@KeokukCommunitySchoolDistrict

What Community Members Should Know

The July 20 regular meeting covers a broad mix of operational, financial, personnel, and policy decisions that will help shape the 2026-2027 school year. While much of the consent agenda addresses routine district business, several action items involve districtwide policies, insurance coverage, student programs, employee handbooks, school fees, nutrition software, and academic assessment tools.

One of the most significant financial topics is a recommendation to renew the district's Health-e Pro nutrition software under a five-year agreement after the vendor offered a rate freeze. The proposal would provide menu planning and nutrition compliance software for the food service program at an annual cost of $3,700 over the contract term. The board will also consider purchasing an additional $5 million in liability insurance coverage for $9,766.51 to expand the district's protection against potential claims.

Students and families will be affected by several proposed changes for the coming school year, including approval of lunch prices, school fees, substitute pay rates, updates to the student and family handbook, revisions to certified and non-certified employee handbooks, and final approval of policies governing eighth-grade participation in high school activities.

The meeting also includes updates on the interim superintendent search, school building reports, student council activities, district facilities, committee work, and a financial review from Piper Sandler. These informational items provide the board and community with a snapshot of district operations and future planning.

Major Discussion and Action Items

Academic Software and Student Assessment Renewals

The board is asked to renew several instructional software and assessment agreements that support teaching and student learning across the district.

IXL provides personalized instructional practice in mathematics, language arts, science, and social studies. Teachers use the program for intervention, enrichment, and small-group instruction. Student MAP assessment results can be integrated into IXL to automatically personalize instructional activities.

The district is also renewing NWEA MAP testing, which serves as the district's required universal academic screener for English language arts and mathematics. MAP assessments are administered three times each year for students in kindergarten through grade 12 and are used to identify learning needs, create intervention groups, and inform decisions regarding special education and advanced coursework.

District Insurance and Risk Management

Board members will consider renewing existing supplemental liability insurance while also deciding whether to purchase an additional $5 million in liability coverage offered through EMC using Vantage at a quoted cost of $9,766.51.

The proposal represents an effort to strengthen the district's financial protection against large liability claims. Because insurance costs can significantly affect long-term district finances, the board must balance additional protection with annual operating costs.

Employee Handbooks and Labor Agreements

Several personnel-related items are scheduled for approval.

The board will review updated certified and non-certified employee handbooks. According to the packet, proposed revisions are highlighted within the draft documents for board consideration.

The consent agenda also includes a Memorandum of Understanding between the district and the Keokuk Education Association regarding continuing education credits. The agreement would continue recognizing lane advancement through a combination of graduate coursework and continuing education units, allowing teachers to apply up to five CEUs toward movement beyond a master's degree while maintaining existing procedural requirements.

Student Fees, Lunch Prices, and School Operations

Several annual operational decisions establish costs for families and district budgeting for the upcoming school year.

The board will establish 2026-2027 lunch prices, approve school fees, and set substitute employee pay rates. Although the packet identifies these action items, detailed fee schedules were not available in the readable packet materials.

These annual approvals affect district revenues while establishing the costs families will pay for meals, instructional materials, and related student services during the coming academic year.

Student Activities and Board Policies

The board is scheduled to complete final action on policies governing eighth-grade participation in high school activities.

The agenda includes the second and final reading of Board Policy 504.06 regarding the student activity program along with the accompanying administrative regulation governing eighth-grade participation in high school activities.

The board will also conduct second readings on two federal compliance policies concerning federal awards compliance and time-and-effort reporting, reflecting ongoing efforts to maintain compliance with federal funding requirements.

District Leadership and Strategic Updates

Board members will receive several important informational reports, including updates on the interim superintendent search, facilities, committee work, building leadership, student council activities, and district finances.

A financial review by Piper Sandler provides additional information regarding the district's financial position and planning.

Financial Matters

The packet contains several meaningful financial actions for board consideration.

The Health-e Pro menu planning software renewal would establish a five-year agreement at an annual cost of $3,700. The proposal covers menu planning and production software used by the nutrition department to prepare compliant school menus and nutritional information. The agreement begins October 1, 2026, with annual payments over five years. District administration recommends approval because the vendor offered a rate freeze and staff do not anticipate changing software platforms.

The board will consider purchasing an additional $5 million of liability insurance coverage for $9,766.51 through Vantage in addition to existing liability protection.

Monthly financial reports are included for review, although district staff note they remain preliminary because year-end accounting entries are still being completed.

Additional financial items include routine approval of bills and claims, donations and grants, agreements, disposal of obsolete property, and annual decisions establishing school fees, lunch prices, and substitute pay rates.

Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance

Governance work focuses primarily on annual policy maintenance and regulatory compliance.

Final action is expected on revisions to Board Policy 504.06 concerning student activity programs and the accompanying regulation governing eighth-grade participation in high school activities.

Second readings are scheduled for Board Policy 705.05 regarding federal awards compliance and Board Policy 706.04 covering time-and-effort reporting requirements associated with federally funded programs.

Updated certified and non-certified employee handbooks are also presented for approval following proposed revisions highlighted within the draft documents.

The board will also consider legislative priorities for future advocacy efforts.

Reports, Presentations, and Informational Updates

The superintendent will provide general district updates affecting board operations and the school community.

Building administrators are scheduled to report on school goals, accomplishments, challenges, and priorities across district schools.

Keokuk High School Student Council representatives will update the board on student activities and initiatives.

Board members will hear an update regarding the interim superintendent search process, receive committee reports, discuss facilities, review correspondence including a memorial thank-you, and receive a financial presentation from Piper Sandler.

Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters

Personnel actions are largely handled through the consent agenda.

The board will review administrative and central office staffing lists along with Leadership Learning Team (LLT) and Teacher Leadership and Compensation (TLC) program listings.

The proposed Memorandum of Understanding with the Keokuk Education Association supports continued professional advancement opportunities by recognizing both graduate coursework and approved continuing education units for salary lane progression.

Updated employee handbooks also establish expectations and procedures for district staff during the coming school year.

Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations

Facilities remain an ongoing operational priority, with a facilities update scheduled during informational reports.

The district continues maintaining instructional technology through renewals of IXL and MAP assessment systems.

The Health-e Pro software renewal supports day-to-day food service operations by helping nutrition staff develop compliant menus and maintain required nutritional documentation.

The board will also consider a radon testing quote, reflecting continued attention to building safety and environmental health.

Public Hearings and Opportunities for Community Input

Community members may address the board during Constituent Communications.

Individuals wishing to speak must complete a public comment card before addressing the board. Speakers are limited to five minutes each. The district reminds participants that Iowa law limits discussion involving specific students or employee performance during public comment.

The meeting is scheduled for July 20, 2026, beginning at 6:00 p.m., with both an in-person location at the KCSD Central Office and Zoom participation available.

Community Impact

Students and families may see changes in meal prices, school fees, student activity participation rules, assessment practices, and district handbook expectations before the new school year begins.

Teachers and staff are affected by updated employee handbooks, the proposed continuing education agreement with the teachers' association, personnel listings, and annual substitute compensation decisions.

Taxpayers have an interest in the proposed liability insurance expansion, software renewals, and ongoing financial oversight, as these decisions influence district operating costs and long-term risk management.

The broader community benefits from updates regarding district leadership, facilities planning, academic performance monitoring, and financial planning as the district prepares for another school year.

Questions Community Members May Want to Ask

• Why is additional liability coverage recommended this year, and what specific risks would it address?
• How will the district evaluate whether the five-year Health-e Pro agreement continues providing good value?
• What changes were made to the certified and non-certified employee handbooks?
• How will any changes to school fees or lunch prices affect families?
• What is the current timeline for selecting an interim superintendent?
• How are MAP assessment results being used to improve student achievement?
• What prompted revisions to the eighth-grade participation policies?
• What facility projects remain priorities during the coming year?
• How will the district measure the success of renewed instructional software such as IXL?
• What additional financial issues remain outstanding before year-end accounting is completed?

Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps

• July 20, 2026: Regular Board Meeting with consideration of consent agenda items, policy approvals, financial actions, and annual operational decisions.
• 2026-2027 School Year: Approved lunch prices, school fees, substitute rates, employee handbooks, and student handbook would take effect for the new academic year.
• October 1, 2026: Proposed start of the Health-e Pro five-year contract if approved.
• Future Board Meetings: Continued work on superintendent leadership, facilities, financial oversight, and implementation of approved policies is expected.

Key Takeaways

• The board will make several important annual operational decisions before the new school year.
• IXL and NWEA MAP renewals support districtwide instruction and student assessment.
• A five-year Health-e Pro software agreement would cost $3,700 annually.
• The district is considering purchasing an additional $5 million in liability insurance for $9,766.51.
• Employee handbook revisions are scheduled for approval.
• Final approval is expected for eighth-grade activity participation policies.
• Federal compliance policies will receive second readings.
• Families should watch for decisions regarding lunch prices and school fees.
• The interim superintendent search remains an active topic.
• Building, facilities, financial, and student leadership updates provide a broad overview of district operations.

Official Sources

• Meeting source: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=36031092&MID=31455
• Meeting listing: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/SB_MeetingListing.aspx?S=36031092
• Public body website: http://www.keokukschools.org/
• Meeting video: Not available
• Video channel: https://www.youtube.com/@KeokukCommunitySchoolDistrict

About the Public Body

• Name: Keokuk Comm School District
• Organization type: school-district
• Government body: school-boards
• Location: Keokuk, iowa
• County: Not available
• Provider: simbli

Keywords

Keokuk Community School District, Regular Board Meeting, July 20 2026, school board, IXL, NWEA MAP, Health-e Pro, menu planning, liability insurance, Vantage, EMC, Piper Sandler, interim superintendent, building reports, student council, employee handbook, student handbook, school fees, lunch prices, substitute rates, eighth grade eligibility, Board Policy 504.06, federal awards compliance, time and effort reporting, KEA, continuing education, facilities update, legislative priorities