School Board Agenda & Packet Summary – Winterset Community School District – July 20, 2026

Meeting Information

• Public Body: Winterset Community School District
• Organization Type: school-district
• Government Body: school-boards
• Meeting Title: Special Session
• Meeting Date: 2026-07-20
• City: Winterset
• County: Madison County
• State: iowa
• Meeting Source URL: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=150060&MID=32019
• Meeting Listing URL: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/SB_MeetingListing.aspx?S=150060
• Public Body Website: https://www.winterset.k12.ia.us/page/school-board
• Meeting Video URL: https://www.youtube.com/@WintersetHuskies/videos
• Video Channel URL: https://www.youtube.com/@WintersetHuskies

What Community Members Should Know

This special session is centered almost entirely on the next major phase of the Winterset Community School District Junior and High School Additions and Renovations Project. The board is being asked to complete several legally required steps that move Phase 2 from planning into construction, including holding a public hearing, adopting final plans and specifications, reviewing competitive bids, and considering construction contract awards.

The meeting also includes approval of construction payment applications associated with the project and a limited personnel report affecting school leadership. While the agenda is relatively short, the decisions are significant because they authorize major capital work that will shape district facilities for years to come.

The construction portion of the meeting follows Iowa public improvement procedures. The board will receive public comments on the proposed plans and estimated project costs before deciding whether to formally adopt the plans. It will then review bids opened on July 14, 2026. The resolution provided in the packet allows the board to award contracts, postpone action for additional review, or reject bids and rebid portions of the project if necessary.

Personnel matters are limited but notable. The packet identifies an interim middle school principal appointment for the 2026-2027 school year and documents the resignation of the current middle school principal effective July 24, 2026.

Major Discussion and Action Items

Phase 2 Junior and High School Additions and Renovations

The primary purpose of the meeting is advancing Phase 2 of the district's Junior and High School Additions and Renovations Project. The board will review construction plans, specifications, contract forms, and estimated project costs before determining whether to authorize the next stage of work.

The packet indicates that Phase 2 will be delivered through multiple prime construction contracts rather than a single general contractor. This approach separates work into specialized bid packages such as earthwork, masonry, steel, roofing, glazing, flooring, theater equipment, fire suppression, mechanical systems, and electrical work. The meeting represents an important transition from planning into contract execution.

Public Hearing on Construction Plans

Before approving the project documents, Iowa law requires the district to conduct a public hearing.

Residents may present oral comments during the hearing, and written comments submitted before the hearing closes must also be considered. Following public input, the board may close the hearing and determine whether to adopt the project plans and estimated costs.

Adoption of Plans and Specifications

Following the hearing, the board is scheduled to consider a formal resolution approving the project's plans, specifications, contract documents, and estimated costs.

Approval establishes the official construction documents for Phase 2 and provides the legal basis for awarding contracts using those specifications.

Construction Bid Review and Contract Awards

The packet states that construction bids were publicly opened on July 14, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

Board members are expected to receive the superintendent's or designee's report summarizing bids. The resolution provides several possible actions:

• Award contracts to the lowest responsive and responsible bidders.
• Delay action to allow additional administrative or architectural review.
• Reject bids and authorize a rebidding process if necessary.

The packet includes bid package placeholders but does not identify winning contractors or bid amounts because those decisions are intended to occur during the meeting.

Construction Payment Applications

The agenda includes approval of two ESTES Construction payment applications together with associated Bray Architects documentation.

The extracted documents identify payment values including approximately:

• $369,122.71
• $101,309.70

Additional prime contract payment documentation references values including $51,600.00, $11,053.15, $165,000.00, $223,332.80, $25,421.76, and another $11,053.15. The packet does not fully explain each individual line item in the extracted text, but these documents appear to support ongoing construction billing associated with district capital improvements.

Personnel Changes

The personnel memorandum recommends appointing Andy Pickering as Interim Middle School Principal for FY 2026-2027.

The report also documents the resignation of Julie Plant as Middle School Principal effective July 24, 2026.

No additional certified staff, classified staff, athletic appointments, lane changes, terminations, or internal transfers are identified in the extracted personnel report.

Financial Matters

The packet is dominated by capital construction matters rather than routine operating finances.

Financial items include:

• Approval of the estimated total cost for Phase 2 of the Junior and High School Additions and Renovations Project.
• Consideration of competitive construction bids received July 14, 2026.
• Potential award of multiple prime construction contracts across numerous specialty trades.
• ESTES Construction Pay Application #1 with supporting documentation reflecting approximately $369,122.71.
• ESTES Construction Pay Application #2 with supporting documentation reflecting approximately $101,309.70.
• Additional prime payment documentation references amounts including $51,600.00, $11,053.15, $165,000.00, $223,332.80, $25,421.76, and $11,053.15.

The packet does not identify total project costs, funding sources, bond proceeds, or final contract award amounts within the extracted text.

Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance

The meeting includes several formal governance actions.

The board is scheduled to adopt a resolution approving the plans, specifications, contract forms, and estimated costs for Phase 2 of the construction project after conducting the required public hearing.

A second resolution authorizes construction contract awards following review of competitive bids. The draft resolution also provides flexibility for the board to defer action for additional review or reject bids and initiate a rebid if appropriate.

No district policy revisions, student handbook amendments, or governance manual changes are included in the accessible packet.

Reports, Presentations, and Informational Updates

The superintendent or a designee is expected to present a report summarizing bids opened on July 14, 2026.

The architectural and construction documentation supplied in the packet supports discussion of the Phase 2 project and associated payment applications.

The personnel memorandum serves as the primary administrative report for staffing matters.

No curriculum reports, enrollment updates, assessment reports, budget presentations, or audit reports appear within the extracted packet.

Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters

Personnel actions are limited but involve school leadership.

The administration recommends:

• Appointment of Andy Pickering as Interim Middle School Principal for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

The memorandum also records:

• Resignation of Julie Plant as Middle School Principal effective July 24, 2026.

No additional new hires, retirements, classified staffing changes, coaching appointments, teacher leader appointments, or contract revisions are identified in the accessible materials.

Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations

Phase 2 of the Junior and High School Additions and Renovations Project is the district's principal operational initiative before the board.

The packet indicates that work will be divided among multiple specialty construction packages, including:

• Earthwork and building concrete
• Masonry
• Structural steel
• General trades
• Metal panels and roofing
• Glazing
• Gypsum board assemblies and painting
• Flooring
• Theater equipment
• Fire suppression
• Mechanical systems including HVAC and plumbing
• Electrical systems

This structure allows the district to award contracts separately for major construction disciplines while coordinating the overall project.

Public Hearings and Opportunities for Community Input

The board will conduct a public hearing regarding approval of the plans, specifications, contract form, and estimated total cost for Phase 2 of the Junior and High School Additions and Renovations Project.

Community members may:

• Present oral comments during the hearing.
• Submit written comments before the hearing closes.

Meeting information:

• Date: July 20, 2026
• Time: 5:00 p.m.
• Location: Administration Office, 303 Wambold Drive, Winterset, Iowa

Community Impact

The construction decisions will directly affect students, families, staff, and community members by determining whether the next phase of improvements moves forward.

Taxpayers and residents have an opportunity to comment before the board approves the project documents.

Employees are affected through leadership changes at the middle school, including the appointment of an interim principal following the announced resignation of the current principal.

Construction contractors and vendors are affected because the meeting determines whether competitive bids will be accepted, deferred for additional review, or rejected.

Questions Community Members May Want to Ask

• What facilities and learning spaces are included in Phase 2?
• How does Phase 2 fit into the district's long-term facilities plan?
• What is the total estimated cost of Phase 2?
• Which funding sources will pay for the project?
• Why was the project divided into multiple prime contracts?
• Were bids within the district's budget expectations?
• If bids exceed expectations, what alternatives are available?
• What construction schedule is anticipated after contracts are awarded?
• How will construction affect students and school operations?
• What is the plan for permanent middle school leadership following the interim appointment?

Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps

• July 14, 2026: Construction bids were publicly opened.
• July 20, 2026, 5:00 p.m.: Special board meeting.
• July 20, 2026: Public hearing on Phase 2 plans and estimated costs.
• July 20, 2026: Board consideration of adopting plans and specifications.
• July 20, 2026: Board consideration of construction contract awards or possible deferral/rebid.
• July 20, 2026: Review of ESTES Construction payment applications.
• July 24, 2026: Effective resignation date for Middle School Principal Julie Plant.
• FY 2026-2027: Interim Middle School Principal appointment expected to begin.

Key Takeaways

• The meeting is focused almost entirely on Phase 2 of the Junior and High School renovation project.
• Iowa law requires a public hearing before approving the construction documents.
• The board is scheduled to adopt formal plans and specifications for Phase 2.
• Construction bids were opened on July 14, 2026.
• The board may award contracts, postpone action, or reject bids.
• Multiple prime construction contracts are planned across specialized trades.
• ESTES Construction payment applications are scheduled for approval.
• The packet references several construction payment amounts but not a total project cost.
• Andy Pickering is recommended as Interim Middle School Principal.
• Julie Plant's resignation is effective July 24, 2026.

Official Sources

• Meeting source: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=150060&MID=32019
• Meeting listing: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/SB_MeetingListing.aspx?S=150060
• Public body website: https://www.winterset.k12.ia.us/page/school-board
• Meeting video: https://www.youtube.com/@WintersetHuskies/videos
• Video channel: https://www.youtube.com/@WintersetHuskies

About the Public Body

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

Keywords

Winterset Community School District, Winterset school board, Special Session, July 20 2026, Phase 2 construction, junior high renovation, high school renovation, public hearing, construction bids, multiple prime contracts, ESTES Construction, Bray Architects, construction payment applications, bid packages, earthwork, HVAC, electrical, roofing, theater equipment, facilities improvements, school construction, Madison County, interim principal, Andy Pickering, Julie Plant, personnel report, Iowa Chapter 21, capital project