Regular Meeting of the Board — July 15, 2026
Meeting Time: 7:00 PM
Location: High School Library, 1000 Rebel Way, Sloan, IA
Meeting Type: Regular Meeting of the Board
Meeting Overview
The Board held a regular meeting beginning with a call to order and roll call. The agenda included public participation topics, policy discussions, reports from district leaders, personnel matters, fundraising requests, student activity and eligibility guidelines, operational sharing, and board policy reviews.
Key Topics Discussed
Public Participation and Policy Topics
The meeting included discussion related to:
- Policy 213: Public Participation in Board Meetings.
- Draft Policy 213.01: Public Complaints.
- Input on HF2591 regarding 8th grade participation in varsity sports.
District Reports
School Leadership Reports
Reports were included from:
- Elementary Principal.
- High School Principal.
- Physical Plant Report.
- Director of Transportation.
- Superintendent Report.
Transportation Update
The Director of Transportation report included:
- Hail storm claims update.
- Summer vehicle maintenance update.
- Haven update.
- IPTA conference information scheduled for July 20–22.
Superintendent Report Highlights
The Superintendent report covered several district planning and operational topics.
Student Discipline Policy Updates
The report discussed Senate File 2428 and related student discipline policy work. The District Leadership Team will split into two subgroups for the new discipline “overwatch” committee required by law.
Related policy items included:
- New Policy 503.11 — Disruptive Behavior.
- New Policy 503.11 R1 — Disruptive Behavior Regulation.
- New Policy 503.11 R2 — Disruptive Behavior: Students with IEP Regulation.
Tornado Safe Room Grant
The Superintendent reported submitting a state FEMA grant application related to funding for writing a grant for a Tornado Safe Room. The report noted that the state finalized the grant and sent it to FEMA, with an estimated 6–8 month wait for further information.
Instructional Support Levy
The report noted that the Instructional Support Levy retires in June 2028 and that the process for a renewal of the levy would begin. The report described prior use of a board-approved five-year levy process and noted circumstances under which a public vote may still be required.
The Superintendent reported exploring a new Student Information System that would better support district and state department needs. A possible timeline included:
- July: Meeting with Superintendent and available building principals.
- August/September: Meetings with administration and secretaries with SIS responsibilities.
- October/November: Alma meetings with teachers, administration, and SIS secretaries.
- January: Possible board approval.
- Spring: Data transition.
Action Items and Considerations
Personnel Contracts
The agenda included consideration of personnel contracts.
Resignation
The listed resignation item was:
- Camryn McFarlan, Elementary Paraprofessional.
Hiring
The listed hiring items were:
- Alecia Gossett, Elementary Paraprofessional.
- Shay Hamann, CNA Paraprofessional.
- Jordan Sulsberger, Bus Route Driver.
Fundraising Requests
The agenda included fundraising considerations.
Items described included:
- Athletics fundraising involving advertisement changes from court decals to banners under the scoreboard in each gym.
- Football Cheerleading partnership with Midwest Design for Westwood yard signs, including personalized athlete signs or general Westwood Rebels spirit signs.
At-Risk Plan
The meeting included consideration of the At-Risk Plan as a yearly adoption item.
Transitional Kindergarten Placement Guidelines
The agenda included consideration of Transitional Kindergarten Placement Guidelines.
The guidelines were described as providing a fair, transparent, and consistent process for determining student placement based on developmental readiness and student needs while maintaining program capacity and supporting student success.
HF2591 8th Grade Eligibility Guidelines
The meeting included consideration of guidelines related to HF2591 and 8th grade eligibility.
Discussion points included:
- Beginning slowly and on a limited basis.
- Options ranging from making no changes to allowing participation in selected sports or creating broader participation opportunities.
- Emergency rules related to HF2591 changes becoming effective August 1, 2026.
- Supplemental provider attestation requirements for eligible 8th grade participants.
District Handbooks
The agenda included consideration of district handbooks.
Listed updates included:
- Family and Student Handbook: Items added on the front page.
- Preschool Handbook: No changes.
- Student Transportation Handbook: Added posted rules.
- Westwood Activities Policies: Updated 8th grade and practice times.
- Staff Handbook: Updated links.
Operational Share Transportation
The agenda included consideration of a transportation sharing contract with South O’Brien.
The supporting discussion described a proposed sharing arrangement involving transportation support, including mentorship and assistance related to transportation operations and inspections.
Board Policy Review
The meeting included first and final reading items for multiple board policies.
Topics included:
- Equal educational opportunity.
- Meeting notices.
- Employment and leave policies.
- Student expression and conduct.
- Disruptive behavior policies.
- Technology use and data security.
- Student programs.
- Public examination of records.
Final reading items included additional fiscal management, purchasing, records, technology, and governance policies.
Meeting Close
The agenda concluded with an adjournment item.
Source Note
This summary is based only on the provided packet text source. It summarizes agenda content and supporting details contained in the packet and does not add information beyond the provided materials.
