School Board Agenda & Packet Summary – West Delaware – July 20, 2026

Meeting Information

• Public Body: West Delaware County Community School District
• Organization Type: school-district
• Government Body: school-boards
• Meeting Title: Regular Meeting Regular School
• Meeting Date: 2026-07-20
• City: Manchester
• County: Delaware County
• State: iowa
• Meeting Source URL: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=36031668&MID=31148
• Meeting Listing URL: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/SB_MeetingListing.aspx?S=36031668
• Public Body Website: https://w-delaware.k12.ia.us/school-board/
• Meeting Video URL: https://www.youtube.com/@westdelvideo/streams
• Video Channel URL: https://www.youtube.com/@westdelvideo

What Community Members Should Know

The July 20, 2026 meeting combines routine annual approvals with several decisions that will shape the upcoming school year. Board members are expected to review district policies, approve student fees and handbooks, consider a regional special education consortium agreement, adopt the district's Career and Academic Plan, and authorize the purchase of a new student transportation vehicle.

Operational readiness for the 2026-2027 school year is a major theme. The superintendent reports that NICC has begun moving into the Hawk Center, preparations for the opening of school are underway, and the district is making use of allowable Teacher Leadership carryover funds to reduce accumulated balances while supporting teacher salary supplements.

Students and families will see handbook changes affecting attendance, behavior expectations, cell phone use, transportation discipline, academic eligibility, and school schedules. The district is also proposing numerous policy updates, many driven by changes in Iowa law and Iowa Association of School Boards guidance.

Personnel recommendations include several new hires for custodial, transportation, coaching, extracurricular, and student support positions. The board will also review financial reports, accounts payable, and routine consent items while looking ahead to August meetings and the start of classes.

Major Discussion and Action Items

District Career and Academic Plan

The board is asked to approve the 2026-2027 District Career and Academic Plan. This planning document guides career exploration, academic readiness, and student preparation for postsecondary education and careers. Adoption ensures the district maintains an updated framework for career planning and related educational programming during the upcoming school year.

Student Handbooks for 2026-2027

The packet proposes approval of updated student, staff, and central office handbooks.

Major student handbook changes include:

• Revised attendance language explaining excused and unexcused absences.
• Updated cell phone expectations.
• A rewritten, more gender-neutral dress code.
• Introduction of the "HAWKS Standard" behavioral expectations.
• A redesigned student behavior response matrix.
• Middle school transition from an eight-period schedule to seven periods.
• Updated transportation discipline procedures with stricter consequences for habitual bus misconduct.
• Academic eligibility revisions reflecting recent Iowa legislation affecting eighth-grade students participating in high school athletics.

These revisions affect students, parents, teachers, administrators, and transportation staff beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.

School Policy Updates

The board will conduct first readings on a large group of policies covering board governance, elections, student conduct, technology, medication administration, special education, gifted programming, instructional materials, public records, and responsible technology use.

A second reading is also scheduled for previously introduced governance, technology security, transportation, federal compliance, records management, and conflict-of-interest policies.

Several curriculum-related policies are recommended for rescission or revision because referenced language has been removed from Iowa law.

Bridge Consortium Agreement

Board members are asked to approve participation in the Bridge Consortium, a regional cooperative instructional program serving students in grades K-12 with significant behavioral needs identified through their Individualized Education Programs.

Key provisions include:

• Cooperative administration among participating districts.
• Central Community School District serving as fiscal agent.
• Resident districts retaining responsibility for educational outcomes.
• Shared governance through an executive board.
• Monthly billing based on actual educational costs.
• Transportation to the program remaining the responsibility of resident districts.
• Initial agreement extending through June 30, 2036 with annual review.

The agreement expands access to specialized educational services that would be difficult for individual districts to provide independently.

Purchase of Student Transportation Vehicle

The administration recommends purchasing a 2027 Chrysler Pacifica from Runde Auto Group for $43,235.

The recommendation notes that Chrysler is currently the only local manufacturer offering a minivan and that a comparable Chevrolet Traverse was considered. Administration concluded the Pacifica better meets student transportation needs.

Legislative Priorities

The board will consider approval of Iowa Association of School Boards legislative priorities for the coming advocacy cycle. Adoption establishes the district's positions on statewide education policy issues before IASB legislative discussions.

Personnel Actions

Consent agenda personnel recommendations include:

• Kiralys Robles as Lead Custodian at the High School.
• Gerald Vaske as Bus Driver.
• Bergan Blommers as High School Show Choir Director.
• Brian Klaus as Assistant Varsity Track Throwing Coach.
• Brianne Rave as Wrestling Cheer Sponsor.
• Cody Kimball as High School Health Associate.

Additional personnel actions may be presented during the meeting if necessary.

Financial Matters

Routine financial approvals include operating, activity, management, capital projects, debt service, nutrition, internal service, trust, and agency fund reports together with accounts payable.

Material financial actions include:

• Approval of the $43,235 purchase of a 2027 Chrysler Pacifica from Runde Auto Group.
• Review and approval of 2026-2027 student fees.
• Superintendent notification that Teacher Leadership carryover funds will be redirected to Teacher Salary Supplement funding as permitted under Iowa law, reducing accumulated balances without requiring additional board action.

The student fee schedule generally maintains instructional material fees while continuing previously established activity, admission, and course fee structures, with selected updates for specific programs and admissions.

Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance

Governance work occupies a significant portion of the agenda.

Topics include:

• Board elections.
• Meeting notice procedures.
• Equal employment opportunity.
• Student conduct.
• Student publications.
• Open enrollment procedures.
• Medication administration.
• Technology use.
• Special education.
• Gifted education.
• Public examination of records.
• Technology security.
• Transportation conduct.
• Federal awards compliance.
• Records management.

Several policies receive first readings while others advance to second reading for potential adoption. Certain curriculum policies are recommended for removal because enabling statutory language has been eliminated from Iowa Code.

Reports, Presentations, and Informational Updates

The superintendent reports:

• FY2026 budget closeout activities are underway.
• Teacher Leadership carryover will be used to support Teacher Salary Supplement funding.
• NICC has begun moving into the Hawk Center following facility preparation by district staff.
• Important back-to-school dates include new teacher orientation on August 13-14, staff return August 18, freshman orientation and Chromebook distribution August 19, open house August 20, first student day August 24, and the first early dismissal August 26.

The meeting also includes updates from Friends of Music, the Athletic Booster Club, and the Academic Booster Club.

Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters

The board is expected to approve multiple hires supporting operations, athletics, transportation, custodial services, health services, and extracurricular programming.

Staff handbook revisions also implement negotiated contract provisions, including:

• Guest admission benefits for employee activity passes.
• Flexible teacher contracted schedules.
• Updated sick leave conversion language.
• Revised Teacher Leadership System language matching previously approved compensation structures.

Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations

Operational highlights include:

• Continued preparation of the Hawk Center for NICC occupancy.
• Board tour of the Hawk Center immediately following adjournment.
• Approval of a replacement transportation vehicle.
• Updated transportation handbook language emphasizing stronger behavioral expectations and student safety.
• Continued preparation for the 2026-2027 school year through orientation events, leadership training, Chromebook distribution, and building open houses.

Public Hearings and Opportunities for Community Input

Community members may provide public comments during designated comment periods.

Speakers are asked to:

• Limit remarks to three minutes.
• Address agenda-related matters.
• Avoid disclosure of confidential student or personnel information.

Future board meetings also provide additional opportunities for public participation.

Community Impact

Students and families will experience updated attendance procedures, revised discipline expectations, transportation rules, handbook language, and academic planning.

Teachers and employees will operate under updated handbook provisions reflecting negotiated agreements and revised scheduling flexibility.

Taxpayers and residents will see continued investment in transportation, regional educational partnerships, and facility utilization while the district works to responsibly manage fund balances.

Students requiring intensive behavioral supports may benefit from expanded access to specialized programming through the Bridge Consortium.

Community organizations, including booster groups and NICC, continue to play visible roles in district activities and facilities.

Questions Community Members May Want to Ask

• How will the new HAWKS Standard be implemented across schools?
• What measurable outcomes are expected from the updated behavior matrix?
• How will stricter transportation discipline affect students with repeated incidents?
• Why was the Chrysler Pacifica selected instead of an SUV?
• What financial impact will participation in the Bridge Consortium have over time?
• How will Teacher Leadership carryover affect future district finances?
• Which policy revisions are required because of changes in Iowa law?
• Are any student fees changing significantly from the previous year?
• How will the seven-period middle school schedule affect instruction?
• What additional improvements are planned for the Hawk Center?

Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps

• July 20, 2026: Board considers handbook approvals, policy readings, consortium agreement, vehicle purchase, student fees, and Career and Academic Plan.
• August 7, 2026: Pre-agenda meeting.
• August 10, 2026: Regular Board meeting.
• August 13-14, 2026: New teacher orientation.
• August 14, 2026: Building leadership training.
• August 18, 2026: Staff return and welcome breakfast.
• August 19, 2026: Freshman orientation and Chromebook pickup.
• August 20, 2026: Open house activities.
• August 24, 2026: First day of school.
• August 26, 2026: First scheduled early dismissal.

Key Takeaways

• The board is preparing for the 2026-2027 school year.
• Student handbook revisions are extensive.
• Numerous district policies are being updated.
• The district plans to join the Bridge regional consortium.
• Administration recommends purchasing a $43,235 Chrysler Pacifica.
• Teacher Leadership carryover will support teacher salary supplements.
• NICC is moving into the Hawk Center.
• Multiple instructional, coaching, transportation, and support positions are being filled.
• Student fee schedules require annual approval.
• School operations and back-to-school planning are largely complete.

Official Sources

• Meeting source: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=36031668&MID=31148
• Meeting listing: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/SB_MeetingListing.aspx?S=36031668
• Public body website: https://w-delaware.k12.ia.us/school-board/
• Meeting video: https://www.youtube.com/@westdelvideo/streams
• Video channel: https://www.youtube.com/@westdelvideo

About the Public Body

• Name: West Delaware County Community School District
• Organization type: school-district
• Government body: school-boards
• Location: Manchester, iowa
• County: Delaware County
• Provider: simbli

Keywords

West Delaware County Community School District, Manchester, Delaware County, Regular School Board Meeting, July 20 2026, student handbook, staff handbook, Career and Academic Plan, Bridge Consortium, special education, NICC, Hawk Center, student fees, policy updates, transportation, Chrysler Pacifica, Runde Auto Group, Teacher Leadership, teacher salary supplement, board policies, technology, attendance, behavior matrix, bus discipline, athletics, academic planning, governance, Iowa school board, fiscal management

Source: uploaded packet briefing source.