School Board Agenda & Packet Summary – KCSD – July 13, 2026

Meeting Information

• Public Body: Knoxville Community School District
• Organization Type: school-district
• Government Body: school-boards
• Meeting Title: Regular Meeting
• Meeting Date: 2026-07-13
• City: Knoxville
• County: Marion County
• State: iowa
• Meeting Source URL: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14Bc0QBrqQ8nj7sLDF8x416b1YZY-emlRTgaB51bSJsI/edit?usp=sharing
• Meeting Listing URL: https://www.knoxville.k12.ia.us/boardagenda
• Public Body Website: https://www.knoxville.k12.ia.us/school-board
• Meeting Video URL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMAwIaJbGpYm99p1aNjR7ug/streams
• Video Channel URL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMAwIaJbGpYm99p1aNjR7ug

What Community Members Should Know

The July 13, 2026 regular meeting of the Knoxville Community School District Board of Education focused on preparing the district for the 2026-2027 school year through approval of operational calendars, student handbooks, program plans, annual appointments, policy reviews, nutrition contracts, and legislative priorities. The board also reviewed routine financial reports and personnel recommendations while recognizing student and staff achievements and conducting an employee performance review in closed session.

Several actions directly affect students and families before the new school year begins. The board approved a revised preschool calendar, updated district handbooks, annual educational program guides, and district designations required for compliance with state and federal regulations. These actions establish operating expectations, student services, and administrative responsibilities for the upcoming academic year.

Financially, the district continued routine oversight by reviewing June financial statements and approving a dairy contract for the nutrition program with Hiland Dairy Products for the 2026-2027 school year. Cash reports included approximately $14.24 million across district funds, reflecting healthy balances supporting operations, capital projects, debt service, insurance trusts, and other restricted purposes. Existing agreements with Iowa State University, Prairie Meadows Community Betterment Grant, and 21st Century Rehab also support educational, counseling, and athletic services.

The meeting also highlighted student accomplishments across academics, music, athletics, and extracurricular activities, including state tournament appearances, conference championships, and recognition of Tim McBride as the Masonic Lodge Teacher of the Year. Looking ahead, the board identified additional policy work, an Emergency Operations Plan, and the West/Northstar annual report as upcoming agenda items.

Major Discussion and Action Items

Revised Preschool Calendar

The board approved a revised preschool calendar for the upcoming school year. Updating the preschool calendar before classes begin allows the district to coordinate instructional schedules, staffing, transportation, and family planning. Preschool families are the primary group affected because the revised calendar establishes instructional days and operational expectations before school starts.

Student Handbooks and Program Guides

One of the meeting's most significant actions involved approving district handbooks and instructional program guides. Materials approved included preschool, elementary, secondary, transportation, activities, employee, and coach/sponsor handbooks along with plans for Title I, Talented and Gifted (TAG), English Language Learners (ELL), Special Education Service Delivery, and the Knoxville High School At-Risk Program (KHSAP). These documents govern student expectations, staff responsibilities, educational services, and compliance requirements for the new school year.

Annual Appointments and Required Designations

The board approved its annual appointments and official designations required for district governance. These included appointing the board secretary and treasurer, designating hearing officers, Title IX and equity coordinators, special education and Section 504 leadership, homeless and truancy liaison responsibilities, legal counsel, official newspaper, and approved financial depositories. These routine actions ensure statutory compliance and clarify organizational responsibilities before the academic year begins.

Nutrition Services Dairy Contract

The board approved the recommended dairy bid submitted by Hiland Dairy Products for the 2026-2027 school year. This annual purchasing decision supports the district's nutrition program by establishing a supplier for milk and related dairy products served through school meal programs. Reliable food procurement is essential for uninterrupted student meal service throughout the school year.

Legislative Priorities

Board members reviewed the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) public policy agenda before approving Knoxville Community School District's 2027 legislative priorities. The district identified School Funding Policy, Bond Issues, Mental Health, Supplemental State Aid, and Private School Choice as its advocacy priorities. These issues influence state education funding, district finances, student services, and long-term planning beyond the local school system.

Contracts Supporting Student Services

The consent agenda included agreements supporting multiple district operations. These included a continuing clinical placement agreement with Iowa State University through July 2029, a Prairie Meadows Community Betterment Grant supporting counseling and telehealth privacy rooms, and a continuing athletic training agreement with 21st Century Rehab for the 2026-2027 school year. Together, these agreements strengthen educational partnerships, student wellness services, and athletic health support.

Touch Pro Proposal Deferred

Unlike most business items, the Touch Pro Proposal was not approved. Instead, the board tabled the proposal for consideration at a future meeting. While the supporting packet did not describe the proposal in detail, postponement indicates additional information or discussion will occur before any final decision is made.

Employee Performance Review

The board entered closed session under Iowa Code 21.5(1)(i) to conduct an employee performance review. The closed session began at 6:22 p.m. and concluded at 7:05 p.m. Iowa law permits boards to evaluate individual employees privately under specified circumstances. No public action following the closed session was recorded before adjournment.

Financial Matters

The board reviewed June 2026 financial statements, student activity funds, and preliminary bills as part of the consent agenda. While routine, these reports represent the district's monthly financial oversight responsibilities.

The June cash summary reported approximately $14,240,875.17 in combined district cash and savings. Major balances included:

• General Fund: $5,342,199.02
• PPEL Fund: $2,249,394.87
• KCSD Insurance Trust: $3,219,778.80
• Capital Projects (SAVE): $1,330,796.49
• Debt Service Fund: $1,002,353.80
• Nutrition Fund: $381,039.41

These balances support day-to-day operations, facilities, debt obligations, employee benefits, nutrition services, and capital improvements.

The board also approved Hiland Dairy Products as the nutrition dairy vendor for the 2026-2027 school year and approved several continuing agreements supporting athletic training, counseling privacy rooms funded through Prairie Meadows Community Betterment Grant, and clinical placements with Iowa State University. No major capital expenditure amounts or bond authorizations were presented in the accessible packet.

Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance

The board approved annual policy reviews required by district governance procedures. In addition, members reviewed IASB's statewide public policy agenda before formally adopting Knoxville's legislative priorities for the upcoming advocacy cycle.

Annual governance actions also included reaffirming official legal counsel, financial institutions, publication requirements, board officers, hearing officers, Title IX coordination, Section 504 administration, homeless liaison responsibilities, and other statutory appointments that allow district operations to continue without interruption.

Reports, Presentations, and Informational Updates

The meeting included presentation of the Masonic Lodge Teacher of the Year award to Tim McBride by Larry Scott of the Masonic Lodge.

The Activities Director reported an exceptionally successful spring and early summer. Highlights included conference championships in boys golf, baseball, tennis, track, and girls soccer; multiple state tournament appearances; outstanding fine arts achievements; recognition at the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards; All-State athletic selections; and approximately $14,005.59 raised through the Panthers vs. Cancer event for Knoxville Hospital & Clinics Foundation.

The board also received routine reports from the superintendent and activities director. While the superintendent report was referenced, detailed narrative content was not available in the readable packet.

Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters

Personnel recommendations were approved through the consent agenda.

The board recognized Tim McBride as the recipient of the Masonic Lodge Teacher of the Year award.

Annual organizational appointments included Craig Mobley as board secretary and treasurer, Jason Swanson as Hot Lunch Representative and Hearing Officer, Angela Nelson as Homeless and Truancy Liaison, Rachel Cecil as Equity, Affirmative Action, and Title IX Coordinator, and Kevin Schlomer as Special Education and Section 504 Officer. These appointments clarify leadership responsibilities for compliance and district administration during the coming year.

Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations

Operational planning dominated the meeting.

The Prairie Meadows Community Betterment Grant agreement supports creation of counseling and telehealth privacy rooms, expanding student access to confidential support services.

The Iowa State University agreement continues opportunities for clinical placements through 2029.

The athletic training contract with 21st Century Rehab maintains health services supporting student-athletes throughout the 2026-2027 school year.

Operational preparation also included updated transportation procedures, activity handbooks, preschool scheduling, instructional program plans, and nutrition service procurement.

Public Hearings and Opportunities for Community Input

No formal public hearings were scheduled during this meeting.

The agenda included the board's standard public comment period. No members of the public spoke during the meeting.

Residents may continue participating through future board meetings, including the tentative July 27 meeting if needed and the regularly scheduled August 10 board meeting.

Community Impact

Students and families will experience updated calendars, revised handbooks, and approved instructional program plans before the start of the school year.

School nutrition operations will continue under a newly approved dairy contract supporting meal services.

Student-athletes benefit from continued athletic training services and recognition of successful athletic programs.

District employees receive updated policy guidance and organizational structure through annual appointments and governance actions.

Taxpayers benefit from continued board oversight of district finances, review of approximately $14.2 million in district cash balances, and routine governance actions designed to maintain legal compliance and operational continuity.

Questions Community Members May Want to Ask

• What specific changes were made to the revised preschool calendar?
• What revisions were included in the updated student and employee handbooks?
• Why was the Touch Pro Proposal tabled instead of approved?
• How will the Prairie Meadows grant improve counseling and telehealth services?
• What criteria were used when selecting Hiland Dairy Products?
• How do the district's legislative priorities align with current educational needs?
• Are any future policy revisions anticipated beyond the annual review?
• How will the Emergency Operations Plan differ from previous versions?
• What measurable outcomes are expected from the approved program guides?
• When will the Touch Pro Proposal return for board consideration?

Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps

• July 27, 2026: School board meeting, if needed.
• August 1, 2026: Interest-Based Bargaining Team meeting.
• August 3-7, 2026: Band Camp.
• August 3, 2026: Girls tennis season begins.
• August 7, 2026: Knoxville Education Foundation meeting.
• August 10, 2026: Regular school board meeting and remaining high school fall sports begin.
• Future Board Agenda: West/Northstar Annual Report presentation.
• Future Board Agenda: Consideration of the 2026 Emergency Operations Plan.
• Future Board Agenda: Additional policy review and reconsideration of the Touch Pro Proposal as needed.

Key Takeaways

• The board approved a revised preschool calendar for 2026-2027.
• Student, employee, transportation, and activity handbooks were approved.
• Educational program plans for several federally required and specialized programs received approval.
• Hiland Dairy Products was selected for nutrition dairy services.
• The Touch Pro Proposal was postponed to a future meeting.
• The district adopted 2027 legislative priorities emphasizing funding, bonds, mental health, supplemental state aid, and private school choice.
• Approximately $14.24 million in district cash and savings was reported across all funds.
• Multiple agreements support counseling services, athletic training, and university partnerships.
• Tim McBride received the Masonic Lodge Teacher of the Year award.
• The board conducted an employee performance review in closed session before adjourning.

Official Sources

• Meeting source: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14Bc0QBrqQ8nj7sLDF8x416b1YZY-emlRTgaB51bSJsI/edit?usp=sharing
• Meeting listing: https://www.knoxville.k12.ia.us/boardagenda
• Public body website: https://www.knoxville.k12.ia.us/school-board
• Meeting video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMAwIaJbGpYm99p1aNjR7ug/streams
• Video channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMAwIaJbGpYm99p1aNjR7ug

About the Public Body

• Name: Knoxville Community School District
• Organization type: school-district
• Government body: school-boards
• Location: Knoxville, iowa
• County: Marion County
• Provider: knoxville-wordpress-board

Keywords

Knoxville Community School District, Knoxville School Board, Regular Meeting, July 13 2026, preschool calendar, student handbooks, employee handbook, transportation handbook, program guides, Title I, TAG, ELL, Special Education, Hiland Dairy Products, nutrition services, legislative priorities, IASB, school funding, mental health, Touch Pro Proposal, annual appointments, Title IX, Prairie Meadows Community Betterment Grant, Iowa State University, 21st Century Rehab, financial statements, activities report, Masonic Lodge Teacher of the Year, Emergency Operations Plan