Meeting Overview
The Newton Community School District Board of Education is scheduled to hold a Regular Board Meeting on August 24, 2026, at 6:30 PM. The meeting is listed as taking place through Zoom and at the EJH Beard Administration Center — Conference Rooms 105A/B in Newton, Iowa.
The agenda includes communications, consent items, personnel matters, superintendent updates, district business, financial items, and future planning topics.
Key Items on the Agenda
Student and District Recognition
The communications portion of the agenda includes a Trap Team — State Qualifiers item. The packet identifies Newton Shooting Sports as a team that participates in trap, skeet, and sporting clays.
The board agenda also includes discussion of district mission, vision, goals, commitments, and core values. The packet notes that the District Culture Council created definitions for the district’s core values: Honest, Caring, Positive, Fun, and Supportive.
Consent Agenda Items
The board is scheduled to consider approval of consent agenda items A–F, including meeting agendas, prior meeting minutes, open enrollments, contracts, and Teacher Leadership and Compensation (TLC) stipends.
The open enrollment item includes a review of Iowa Open Enrollment Applications where Newton Community School District is listed as the resident district or district requested.
The contracts item includes:
- A K12 Computers Technology Asset Valuation Proposal for Dell Chromebook 3100 2-in-1 devices and disposal estimate payout.
- A Shared College and Career Transition Counselor (CCTC) Position agreement between DMACC, Newton Community School District, and Lynnville-Sully Community School District for July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029.
The TLC stipends item concerns additional grant-funded stipends for groups including site council, the district behavior team, and building behavioral teams. The packet states these funds are limited to benefiting teachers and are part of the district’s Teacher Leadership Grant application.
Staffing and Human Resources
The board is scheduled to consider the Human Resources Update, including licensed personnel and classified personnel reports. Staff recommendations in the packet state that approval of both reports is recommended.
The agenda also includes teacher assignment lists for the 2026–2027 school year. The packet states that Laura Selover, Director of Human Resources, will share assignment lists including transfers and new teachers welcomed during the New Teacher Academy and Luncheon in August 2026.
Superintendent Updates
Elementary Construction Projects
The superintendent’s report includes a construction projects update for elementary schools. The packet provides timelines for Aurora Heights Elementary and Thomas Jefferson Elementary projects.
For Aurora Heights Elementary, the packet lists:
- October 24, 2024 — Bid opening
- October 28, 2024 — Public hearing and resolutions
- October 28, 2024 — Contract awarded to Graphite Construction Group of Des Moines, Iowa, for a total contract amount of $12,895,000
- November 6, 2024 — Pre-construction meeting
- November 10, 2025 — Walking tour of project
For Thomas Jefferson Elementary, the packet lists:
- September 26, 2024 — Bid opening
- September 30, 2024 — Public hearing and resolutions
- September 30, 2024 — Contract awarded to Bi-State Contracting, Inc. of West Burlington, Iowa, for a total contract amount of $5,492,748
- November 6, 2024 — Pre-construction meeting
IASB Team Achievement Award Update
The superintendent’s report also includes an IASB Team Achievement Award update. The packet states that the Newton Community School District Board received the Team Achievement Award for 2024–2025 and is working on the next year’s award.
Policy and Governance Items
Newton Talented & Gifted Handbook
The board is scheduled to consider approval of the Newton Talented & Gifted (NTAG) Handbook for 2026–2027. The staff recommendation in the packet is that the board approve the handbook.
Education Support Personnel Supplemental Funds
The agenda includes a resolution regarding distribution of state-appropriated supplemental funds to education support personnel. The administration recommendation is to approve the resolution.
The resolution states that the State of Iowa distributed $41,415.00 to Newton Community School District for education support personnel supplemental compensation in FY27.
IASB BoardCon Delegate
The board is scheduled to consider selecting a board member to serve as a delegate for IASB BoardCon 2026. The packet recommendation is that the board elect a delegate.
Fixed Asset Inventory Services Proposal
The agenda includes consideration of the Fixed Asset Inventory Services Proposal. The packet recommendation is to approve an agreement with Inventory ID for fixed asset inventory services.
The proposal identifies a fixed fee of $24,120 for inventory services and states that the project would include inventory activities outlined in the proposal scope.
Preschool Transportation Eligibility
The board is scheduled to consider a resolution or first reading of Board Policy 711.01-R(2), Student School Transportation Eligibility — Preschool. The recommendation allows the board to either adopt the resolution for one year or approve the first reading of the policy with a second reading planned for the next meeting.
The related resolution proposes transporting preschool students between the Newton YMCA and Aurora Heights Elementary for the 2026–27 school year. The packet notes that FY26 preschool reimbursement payments totaled $19,104.24 and states that busing costs are comparable to what was paid to the YMCA.
Major Financial Items
Bills and Payments
The business services report includes an action item for approval of the bill listing for payment.
The bills packet lists fund totals including:
- General Fund: $326,939.22
- PPEL Fund: $53,654.45
- Activity Fund: $10,341.62
- School Nutrition Fund: $28,190.97
- Save Statewide Sales and Services Tax Fund: $42,002.17
Technology Asset Valuation Proposal
The consent agenda includes a K12 Computers Technology Asset Valuation Proposal related to Dell Chromebook 3100 2-in-1 device disposal estimate payout.
The proposal lists 400 Dell Chromebook 3100 2-in-1 devices and provides estimated payout figures based on device grades, including a maximum total payout of $14,000.00, an estimated payout of $8,000.00, and a minimum guaranteed payout of $4,800.00.
Community and Public Participation
The agenda includes an Open Forum where attendees in person or through Zoom may participate. Comments are limited to three minutes.
What to Watch at the Meeting
- The board’s consideration of multiple action items, including personnel updates, financial approvals, policy matters, and service proposals.
- The proposed preschool transportation resolution and related policy discussion for the 2026–27 school year.
- Updates on elementary construction projects and district initiatives presented during the superintendent’s report.
- Consideration of district business proposals, including fixed asset inventory services and technology asset valuation.
