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

Meeting Information

• Public Body: Le Mars Community School District
• Organization Type: school-district
• Government Body: school-boards
• Meeting Title: Board of Education
• Meeting Date: 2026-07-13
• City: Le Mars
• County: Plymouth County
• State: iowa
• Meeting Source URL: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vyRAr7C5e53zUbywyF_OjISOgAdzekKq/view
• Meeting Listing URL: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1XNdWc4lr7-OH7RXAqpDiWxemJUFjFfRK
• Public Body Website: https://www.lemarscsd.org/school-board
• Meeting Video URL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQbZp3XNNX95p1Kv-uox8Ig/streams
• Video Channel URL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQbZp3XNNX95p1Kv-uox8Ig

What Community Members Should Know

The July 13, 2026 meeting of the Le Mars Community School District Board of Education focuses on several decisions that could shape the district's academic priorities, facilities, governance, and operations for the coming school year. The most significant action items include adoption of proposed 2026-2027 district learning goals, consideration of a design change for flooring in the new elementary school commons, legislative priorities for the Iowa Association of School Boards, and multiple policy updates required by recent Iowa legislation.

The board will also receive information on a new Iowa law expanding opportunities for eighth-grade students to participate in high school athletics beginning August 1, 2026. This change could affect student participation, athletic programs, and administrative procedures throughout the district.

Personnel actions are relatively routine but include two resignations and approval of four teacher associate contracts that help maintain staffing levels in elementary and middle school buildings. The consent agenda also includes the district's regular financial reports, claims, activity accounts, and budget documents, although the accessible packet does not provide detailed financial figures.

Overall, the meeting emphasizes long-term planning, compliance with new state requirements, continued investment in school facilities, and preparation for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Major Discussion and Action Items

2026-2027 District Goals and Board Activities

One of the meeting's primary action items is consideration of proposed long-term district learning goals for the upcoming school year. Rachel Leavitt is scheduled to present recommended goals focusing on English/language arts, mathematics, and science, along with proposed board activities supporting those priorities.

The board is expected to consider formal action on these goals. Establishing annual academic priorities helps guide instructional planning, resource allocation, and future evaluation of district performance. The goals also provide direction for administrators and staff throughout the school year.

New Elementary School Commons Flooring

The board will review an important facilities-related decision involving the new elementary school project.

Representatives from ISG will present information regarding the commons flooring and discuss an alternate option to return to a terrazzo finish following the bid process. The board is expected to determine whether to approve the proposed change.

Although the accessible packet does not include cost information, flooring selections in major construction projects can influence long-term maintenance requirements, durability, lifecycle costs, and the appearance of heavily used student spaces.

District Response to New Iowa Athletics Law

High School Activities Director Dave Irwin will provide an informational presentation regarding Iowa House File 2591.

Beginning August 1, 2026, the new state law expands opportunities for eighth-grade students to participate on high school athletic teams sanctioned by the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU).

This item is informational rather than an action item, but it has practical implications for coaches, athletic directors, students, and families. The district will likely need to implement procedures consistent with the new law before the upcoming school year.

Legislative Priorities for 2027

The board will finalize recommendations for the 2027 Iowa Association of School Boards legislative priorities.

School districts annually submit recommendations identifying education issues they believe deserve attention during the upcoming legislative session. Finalizing these priorities allows Le Mars Community School District to participate in statewide advocacy efforts affecting school funding, governance, educational programs, and other policy issues.

Required Policy Updates

Several governance items involve compliance with new Iowa laws.

The board will conduct the first reading of new Policy Code 502.3.4 regarding disruptive students. The recommendation before the board is approval of the first reading, indicating the policy is beginning the district's formal adoption process.

The board will also consider updates to multiple existing policies covering:

• Certified personnel recruitment.
• Open enrollment transfer procedures for receiving districts.
• Student activity programs.
• Basic instruction program requirements.
• Programs for talented and gifted students.
• Technology and instructional materials.

These revisions are intended to align district policy with recent state legislative changes.

NWAEA State Funding Agreement Amendment

The board will consider approval of an amendment to the Northwest Area Education Agency (NWAEA) Transfer of State Funding Agreement.

Area Education Agencies provide numerous educational support services for school districts, including special education, instructional support, professional development, and other specialized services. Amending the funding agreement reflects ongoing coordination between the district and NWAEA.

Personnel Actions

The board will review routine personnel recommendations that include both resignations and new employment contracts.

Resignations include:

• Shannon Langel, teacher associate at Clark Elementary, effective June 21, 2026.
• Paula Semple, food service employee, effective immediately.

Recommended contracts include:

• Crystal Blackmore, Franklin teacher associate, 6.5 hours per day at $19.16 per hour.
• Heather Meredith, Franklin teacher associate, 6.5 hours per day at $19.16 per hour.
• Jennifer Ruedas, middle school teacher associate, 5.5 hours per day at $19.16 per hour.
• Melinda Rohlfsen, Clark teacher associate, 6.5 hours per day at $19.36 per hour.

These actions support staffing needs before the beginning of the new school year.

Financial Matters

The consent agenda includes the district's regular financial reports, including claims and accounts, budget reports, vendor reports, superintendent's office fund, lunch fund, and activity account reports for the elementary, middle school, and high school.

The accessible packet does not include detailed expenditure listings or budget totals, so no specific financial amounts beyond employee wage rates can be confirmed from the available text.

The board will also consider a facilities decision involving the new elementary school commons flooring. While no bid amounts are included in the accessible packet, the decision may affect project costs and long-term maintenance.

Teacher associate compensation included in the personnel recommendations ranges from $19.16 to $19.36 per hour depending on the position.

Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance

Governance matters center on ensuring district policies remain consistent with current Iowa law.

The board will conduct the first reading of Policy 502.3.4 concerning disruptive students, beginning the formal adoption process for a newly required state policy.

Additional policy revisions affect certified personnel recruitment, open enrollment procedures, student activities, instructional programming, talented and gifted education, and technology and instructional materials. These updates are presented as responses to new Iowa legislation rather than locally initiated policy changes.

The board will also establish its legislative priorities for the 2027 Iowa legislative session, providing direction for statewide advocacy through the Iowa Association of School Boards.

Reports, Presentations, and Informational Updates

The meeting includes several significant presentations.

Rachel Leavitt will present proposed district learning goals for English/language arts, mathematics, and science, along with related board activities for 2026-2027.

Dave Irwin will explain Iowa House File 2591 and its implementation for student athletics beginning August 1, 2026.

The agenda also provides time for an unscheduled audience participation period, allowing community members to address the board for up to ten minutes.

Routine informational materials also include financial reports, vendor reports, and district fund reports through the consent agenda.

Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters

Personnel recommendations are primarily operational.

Two employees are recommended for acceptance of resignation, while four teacher associates are recommended for employment in Franklin Elementary, Clark Elementary, and the middle school.

No superintendent contract actions, administrative appointments, or board membership changes are identified in the accessible packet.

Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations

The most significant operational item concerns the new elementary school construction project.

The board will review whether to change the commons flooring to terrazzo following the bid process. Decisions regarding flooring materials can influence maintenance requirements, durability, appearance, and long-term operating costs for one of the building's highest-traffic areas.

Operational matters also include implementation of new athletic participation rules and continued coordination with the Northwest Area Education Agency through the amended state funding agreement.

Public Hearings and Opportunities for Community Input

The agenda includes an unscheduled audience participation period with approximately ten minutes available for public comment.

No public hearings, zoning matters, tax hearings, or formal public input sessions are identified in the accessible packet.

Residents may also attend the regular board meeting on July 13, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the High School Library.

Community Impact

Students and families could experience changes resulting from newly adopted academic goals, revised district policies, and implementation of expanded athletic participation opportunities for eighth-grade students.

Teachers and support staff may be affected by updated instructional policies, personnel changes, and district academic priorities.

Taxpayers and residents have an interest in decisions involving the new elementary school project because facility design choices can affect construction quality and long-term maintenance costs.

Athletes, coaches, and parents should pay particular attention to the implementation of Iowa House File 2591 before the fall athletic season begins.

The district's collaboration with NWAEA continues to support educational services that benefit students throughout the school system.

Questions Community Members May Want to Ask

• How will the proposed district learning goals be measured during the 2026-2027 school year?
• Why is terrazzo being reconsidered for the new elementary school commons?
• What are the estimated cost differences between the flooring alternatives?
• How will Iowa House File 2591 change eligibility and participation for eighth-grade students?
• What implementation steps will the district complete before August 1, 2026?
• What changes are included in the new disruptive students policy?
• Which recent Iowa laws required the proposed policy revisions?
• How does the NWAEA funding agreement amendment affect services provided to students?
• Are additional staffing needs anticipated before the school year begins?
• What legislative priorities will the board recommend to the Iowa Association of School Boards?

Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps

• July 13, 2026: Regular Board of Education meeting and consideration of the listed action items.
• August 1, 2026: Iowa House File 2591 becomes effective, expanding opportunities for eighth-grade participation in high school athletics.
• Following board action: The first reading of Policy 502.3.4 begins the district's formal policy adoption process.
• 2026-2027 School Year: District learning goals, staffing decisions, and policy updates are expected to guide district operations.
• August 10, 2026: Next regular meeting of the Board of Education at 6:00 p.m.

Key Takeaways

• The board will consider adoption of 2026-2027 district academic goals.
• A facilities decision regarding new elementary school commons flooring is a major agenda item.
• Iowa House File 2591 expands eighth-grade participation in high school athletics beginning August 1.
• The board will establish its 2027 legislative priorities.
• A new disruptive students policy receives its first reading.
• Multiple district policies will be updated to comply with new Iowa legislation.
• The board will consider an amendment to the NWAEA state funding agreement.
• Two resignations and four teacher associate contracts are scheduled for approval.
• Routine financial reports and district fund reports are included in the consent agenda.
• The next regular board meeting is scheduled for August 10, 2026.

Official Sources

• Meeting source: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vyRAr7C5e53zUbywyF_OjISOgAdzekKq/view
• Meeting listing: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1XNdWc4lr7-OH7RXAqpDiWxemJUFjFfRK
• Public body website: https://www.lemarscsd.org/school-board
• Meeting video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQbZp3XNNX95p1Kv-uox8Ig/streams
• Video channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQbZp3XNNX95p1Kv-uox8Ig

About the Public Body

• Name: Le Mars Community School District
• Organization type: school-district
• Government body: school-boards
• Location: Le Mars, iowa
• County: Plymouth County
• Provider: google-drive

Keywords

Le Mars Community School District, Board of Education, July 13 2026, Bulldogs, district goals, English language arts, mathematics, science, Rachel Leavitt, ISG, elementary school, commons flooring, terrazzo, Iowa House File 2591, eighth grade athletics, IHSAA, IGHSAU, NWAEA, legislative priorities, disruptive students policy, open enrollment, technology policy, talented and gifted, teacher associates, Clark Elementary, Franklin Elementary, middle school, school board, Iowa