The North Scott Community School District Board of Directors met on July 27, 2026, for a regular board meeting focused on preparing for the 2026-27 school year. Major items included approval of student handbooks, preschool partnerships, staffing actions, technology and service agreements, financial approvals, policy updates, and operational planning. The meeting agenda and supporting packet were provided through the district’s Simbli board system.
One of the most significant financial and operational items involved the district’s agreement to transfer 90% of state special education funds allocated for Area Education Agency (AEA) special education support services to the Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency. The agreement begins July 1, 2026, and establishes quarterly transfers consistent with state aid payment schedules.
The board also reviewed several agreements supporting students and families, including Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program partnerships with Eldridge Preschool and Children’s Choice Early Learning Center, a Home School Assistance Program agreement with Mississippi Bend AEA, and services supporting special education, mental health, technology, and student activities.
The district continued planning for the 2026-27 school year through personnel changes, teacher leadership assignments, updated student handbooks, facility-related student construction projects, and policy reviews. The meeting included both formal approvals and informational updates intended to prepare schools, staff, and families for the upcoming academic year.
Major Discussion and Action Items
2026-27 Student Handbooks and School-Year Preparation
The board approved updated student handbooks for North Scott High School, Junior High, elementary schools, and preschool programs. These documents establish expectations and procedures for students and families during the upcoming school year.
The handbook approvals were part of the district’s annual preparation process and affect students, parents, and staff by providing updated guidance before classes begin. The packet identifies these approvals as part of the consent agenda.
Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program Agreements
The board considered agreements with Eldridge Preschool and Children’s Choice Early Learning Center to continue providing the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program for four-year-old children during the 2026-27 school year.
The agreements run from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Providers must deliver at least ten hours per week of educational instruction, follow Iowa Early Learning Standards, maintain required staffing ratios, provide family engagement activities, document expenses, and meet state program requirements.
The Eldridge Preschool agreement identifies 56 children from the prior certified enrollment count and a 2026-27 funding formula of $3,854.55 per pupil, resulting in $215,854.80 in total program funding. The district retains up to 5% for administrative costs and distributes 95% to the provider.
Special Education Funding Transfer Agreement
The district approved a contract with Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency for the transfer of 90% of state AEA special education funding allocated to North Scott.
The agreement was created to comply with House File 2612 and Iowa Code Section 257.10(7). Funds will be transferred automatically through four quarterly payments beginning in July 2026. The agreement also requires financial recordkeeping and compliance with state and federal special education requirements, including obligations related to providing appropriate educational services.
Personnel Changes and Staffing Assignments
The board approved a range of personnel actions, including resignations, hiring recommendations, transfers, reassignment of duties, coaching assignments, and teacher leadership roles.
New recommendations included extended school year special education staff, activity advisors, coaches, an administrative assistant, and a TAG teacher position. Several changes were made because of resignations or internal transfers. For example, Elizabeth Kent was recommended for TAG teaching assignments, Taylor Powell was recommended as varsity volleyball head coach, and Jana Poirier was recommended as a junior high administrative assistant.
The district also approved teacher leadership positions for 2026-27, including instructional coaches and teacher leaders across elementary, junior high, and high school levels. These roles are intended to support instructional improvement and professional learning throughout the district.
Student Built Home Program
The board approved multiple agreements connected to the 2026 Student Built Home project, including vendors and contractors supporting construction.
Approved partners included Eller Construction, Petersen Plumbing, Fireplace and BBQ Warehouse, Eastern Iowa Garage Door, Pella for windows and sliding glass doors, Eldridge Lumberyard, and Quinn Electric. The program provides students with hands-on learning opportunities connected to residential construction while producing a completed home project.
Technology and Service Agreements
The consent agenda included approval of a managed IT proposal from TWINSTATE and a Classroom Clinic License Agreement.
These agreements support district operations by providing technology-related services and classroom resources. The packet identifies these agreements as part of the board’s annual operational approvals for the upcoming school year.
Financial Matters
The July 27, 2026 bill list totaled $2,352,406.78. The district noted that the total was higher than a typical month because of several annual and significant expenditures.
Major listed expenditures included:
- Pleasant Valley Community School District: $94,386.22 for regular education open enrollment tuition for North Scott resident students attending Pleasant Valley.
- Bray Associates: $53,492.34 for architectural services related to the Orchestra Room project.
- Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency: $97,962.78 for sign language interpreter services supporting students requiring specialized services.
The fund summary showed expenditures across multiple funds, including:
- General Fund: $1,469,502.27
- Student Activity Fund: $72,816.37
- Management Fund: $266,800.85
- Sales Tax Fund: $66,467.34
- PPEL Fund: $234,551.82
- Self-Funded Health Fund: $224,887.63
The final bill total was $2,352,406.78.
Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance
The board reviewed policy updates through the policy committee process. Items included second readings and first readings of policies affecting equal educational opportunity, board governance, employee benefits, financial management, purchasing, technology and data security, records management, and artificial intelligence in the educational environment.
The superintendent was scheduled to present policy committee recommendations, with several policies moving through the normal review and approval process.
The board also approved a succession of authority plan identifying the order of leadership responsibility if Superintendent Joe Stutting is unavailable. The approved succession order was:
- Heather Shults, Director of Student Services
- Chad Jones, Junior High Principal
- Tim Green, Neil Armstrong Elementary Principal
The superintendent’s report included enrollment information and a 2025-26 end-of-year report.
The board also received financial and operational reports, including revenue and expenditure reports, school nutrition fund reports, child care reports, activity fund reports, and trust and agency reports. These reports provide ongoing monitoring of district operations and finances.
Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters
The district approved several staffing changes before the start of the 2026-27 school year. These included retirements, resignations, new hires, transfers, and changes in assignment.
Personnel actions affected teaching positions, special education services, administrative support, transportation, custodial services, coaching roles, and academic support positions. The district also identified teacher leaders and instructional coaches who will support staff development during the school year.
Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations
The Student Built Home project was the largest identified construction-related operational item. The board approved agreements with multiple contractors and suppliers to support the 2026 project.
The district also approved the use of Vibrant Arena for the 2027 high school commencement ceremony and reviewed agreements supporting transportation, technology, preschool services, and student programs.
The agenda included a public comment period. The district’s policy states that community members may provide comments, questions, and suggestions to the Board of Directors. The board may delay action on issues requiring administrative review and recommendation.
No separate public hearing or community forum was listed in the available packet materials.
Students and families will be affected by updated handbooks, preschool program continuation, staffing assignments, and support agreements that shape services during the 2026-27 school year.
Taxpayers and residents should note the district’s significant monthly expenditures, including special education services, construction-related planning, open enrollment costs, and operational contracts.
Employees may be affected by staffing assignments, leadership roles, transfers, and changes designed to support district operations.
Families participating in preschool, home school assistance, special education services, and student activities may see continued or expanded access to district-supported programs.
- How will the transfer of 90% of state special education funding to the AEA affect district services and budgeting?
- What outcomes will the district use to measure success of preschool partnerships?
- How will the Student Built Home project support student learning and career preparation?
- What technology improvements or services will be provided through the managed IT agreement?
- How will updated policies on artificial intelligence affect classrooms and students?
- What enrollment trends were identified in the superintendent’s report?
- How will staffing changes affect classroom services and student support?
- What future decisions are expected regarding district facilities or construction projects?
Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps
- July 1, 2026: Effective date for the AEA special education funding transfer agreement.
- July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027: Term of preschool provider agreements.
- August 2026–May 2027: Planned monthly preschool funding installments.
- 2026-27 school year: New staffing assignments, teacher leadership roles, and student handbook provisions take effect.
- 2027: Planned North Scott High School commencement at Vibrant Arena.
Key Takeaways
- North Scott approved preparations for the 2026-27 school year.
- The July bill list totaled $2,352,406.78.
- The district approved transfer of 90% of state AEA special education funds to Mississippi Bend AEA.
- Preschool partnerships with Eldridge Preschool and Children’s Choice Early Learning Center were approved.
- The preschool program funding formula identified $215,854.80 for the 2026-27 Eldridge Preschool agreement.
- Multiple staffing changes were approved across teaching, support, coaching, and administrative positions.
- The Student Built Home project received approval for multiple contractor agreements.
- Policy updates included technology, artificial intelligence, financial management, and equal educational opportunity topics.
- The board approved succession planning for superintendent responsibilities.
- Community members were provided an opportunity for public comment.
Official Sources
About the Public Body
- Name: North Scott Community School District
- Organization type: school-district
- Government body: school-boards
- Location: North Scott, iowa
- County: Scott
- Provider: simbli
Keywords
North Scott Community School District, Lancers, Board of Directors Meeting, Admin Office, Scott County, Iowa schools, school board, 2026-27 school year, student handbooks, preschool program, SWVPP, Eldridge Preschool, Children’s Choice Early Learning Center, Mississippi Bend AEA, special education funding, AEA agreement, Student Built Home, TWINSTATE, managed IT, teacher leadership, staffing changes, policy review, artificial intelligence education, Vibrant Arena, school finance, open enrollment, home school assistance program, superintendent report
