This special meeting is narrowly focused on financing and construction matters related to the district's middle school project. Rather than addressing a broad range of district business, the board is expected to consider several significant financial actions needed to keep construction moving and to finalize short-term project financing.
The largest item is a proposed issuance of $6.4 million in General Obligation School Bond Anticipation Project Notes, Series 2026A. The packet includes multiple resolutions necessary to complete the financing transaction, including directing the sale of the notes, authorizing their issuance, and approving the associated tax exemption documentation. These actions collectively establish the legal framework for borrowing funds for the project.
The board is also scheduled to review and approve additional construction payments. These include Pay Application #17 for the middle school project and a proposed payment of $213,416.60 to Story Construction for construction management services provided during June 2026. These routine but significant construction payments indicate the project continues to advance through active construction.
Finally, directors will consider approving a bond counsel engagement letter with Ahlers and Cooney, the legal firm assisting the district with the bond anticipation note issuance. Because the agenda is focused almost entirely on construction financing, the meeting is expected to center on ensuring the district has both the legal authority and financial resources needed to continue work without interruption.
Major Discussion and Action Items
Middle School Project Pay Application #17
The board is scheduled to approve Middle School Project Pay Application #17. Pay applications are a standard part of construction contracts and authorize payment for work that has been completed or materials that have been supplied.
Although the packet summary does not itemize the individual components of Pay Application #17, its inclusion indicates that construction has progressed to another payment milestone. Approval would allow the district to compensate contractors in accordance with the project's contractual payment schedule.
Story Construction Construction Management Invoice
Board members are asked to approve payment of $213,416.60 to Story Construction for construction management services provided between June 1 and June 30, 2026.
Construction management services typically include project coordination, scheduling, oversight of contractors, quality control, communication among project participants, and monitoring budgets and timelines. Approval would authorize payment for work already performed during the previous month.
$6.4 Million Bond Anticipation Notes
The largest financial decision before the board involves issuing $6,400,000 in General Obligation School Bond Anticipation Project Notes, Series 2026A.
The packet outlines several legal documents and resolutions associated with the financing, including:
- Resolution directing the sale of the notes.
- Resolution authorizing issuance.
- Tax Exemption Certificate.
- Delivery Certificate.
- Authentication Order.
- Certificate of Authentication.
- District Certificate.
- Note Purchase Agreement.
- Official project note.
- IRS Form 8038-G.
Together, these documents establish the borrowing transaction and provide the legal and tax documentation required to complete the financing.
Resolution Directing the Sale
One individual action authorizes the sale of the $6.4 million General Obligation School Bond Anticipation Project Notes.
Approving this resolution allows the district to proceed with selling the notes under the terms established by the financing documents. This is one of the required legal steps before proceeds can become available for project expenses.
Resolution Authorizing Issuance of Notes
The board is also scheduled to formally authorize issuance of the General Obligation School Bond Anticipation Project Notes, Series 2026A, in the principal amount of $6,400,000.
This resolution provides the district's official authorization to issue the notes under Iowa law and is separate from the resolution directing their sale.
Bond Counsel Engagement
The board will consider approving an engagement letter with Ahlers and Cooney to provide bond counsel services.
Bond counsel plays an important role in municipal financing by preparing legal documentation, confirming compliance with applicable laws, assisting with tax-exempt financing requirements, and supporting the closing of the financing transaction. Approval would formally retain the firm's services for the 2026 bond anticipation note issuance.
Financial Matters
The meeting centers almost entirely on significant financial actions.
The largest proposed financing is the issuance of $6,400,000 in General Obligation School Bond Anticipation Project Notes, Series 2026A. These notes are intended to provide financing for the district's project and require multiple board approvals before issuance. The packet references accompanying financing documents including the Note Purchase Agreement, Tax Exemption Certificate, Delivery Certificate, District Certificate, Authentication documents, and IRS Form 8038-G.
The board is also scheduled to approve payment of $213,416.60 to Story Construction for construction management services delivered during June 1–30, 2026.
In addition, directors will review Middle School Project Pay Application #17, representing another construction payment associated with ongoing project work. While the packet summary does not specify the payment amount for this application, it is clearly identified as an approval item related to the middle school project.
Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance
The packet does not include proposed board policy revisions or governance manual updates.
Instead, governance actions consist primarily of formal resolutions necessary to complete the bond anticipation note financing. These include:
- Resolution directing sale of the notes.
- Resolution authorizing issuance of the notes.
- Approval of the Tax Exemption Certificate.
These resolutions establish the legal authority required for the financing transaction rather than changing district operational policy.
The agenda contains no superintendent report, instructional presentation, committee report, audit presentation, or other informational briefing.
Supporting materials referenced in the packet are primarily legal and financial documents associated with construction financing and payment approvals rather than narrative reports.
Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters
No personnel actions are listed in the accessible packet.
The agenda does not identify hiring recommendations, resignations, retirements, employment agreements, appointments, recognitions, or committee assignments for board consideration during this special meeting.
Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations
The middle school construction project is the principal operational focus of this meeting.
Construction-related agenda items include approval of Pay Application #17 and payment to Story Construction for June construction management services. These actions suggest the project remains under active construction and continues to require periodic board approval for contractor payments.
The proposed bond anticipation notes also indicate the district is arranging financing needed to support continued project costs. Financing decisions at this meeting are directly connected to maintaining progress on the middle school project.
The accessible packet does not identify a public hearing.
The meeting agenda includes a call to order, approval of the agenda, construction-related action items, and adjournment. It also provides a Google Meet video call link for participation or observation. No separate public hearing, comment period, or community forum is described in the available materials.
For students and families, the financial approvals support continued progress on the district's middle school construction project, which is expected to affect future educational facilities.
For taxpayers, the proposed $6.4 million bond anticipation note issuance represents a significant financing action related to district capital improvements. The packet focuses on authorizing the financing process rather than discussing tax impacts.
For district employees and project partners, approval of contractor payments and construction management invoices helps maintain project cash flow and supports ongoing construction activities.
For the broader community, the meeting demonstrates continued board oversight of a major capital project through regular payment approvals and formal financing actions.
- What construction milestones have been completed before Pay Application #17?
- What major work is scheduled during the next phase of the middle school project?
- Why is the district issuing $6.4 million in bond anticipation notes at this point in the project?
- How will the bond anticipation notes fit into the district's long-term financing plan?
- What project costs will be paid using the proceeds from the 2026A notes?
- Does the current project remain within its approved construction budget?
- Are there any anticipated schedule changes or project risks that residents should know about?
- What services were included in Story Construction's June construction management invoice?
- When will the board next receive an update on construction progress?
- What major financial decisions remain before the project is completed?
Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps
- July 24, 2026: Special Board Meeting scheduled for 12:00 p.m. at the Woodward-Granger District Office, with a Google Meet video option available.
- July 24, 2026: Board expected to consider approval of Middle School Project Pay Application #17.
- July 24, 2026: Board expected to consider payment of $213,416.60 to Story Construction.
- July 24, 2026: Board expected to act on resolutions authorizing issuance and sale of $6.4 million General Obligation School Bond Anticipation Project Notes, Series 2026A.
- Following approval, district staff and bond counsel would proceed with completing the financing transaction and related legal documentation.
Key Takeaways
- The special meeting is focused almost entirely on middle school construction financing.
- The board is considering issuance of $6.4 million in General Obligation School Bond Anticipation Project Notes.
- Multiple legal resolutions are required to complete the financing transaction.
- The district plans to approve Middle School Project Pay Application #17.
- Story Construction is recommended for payment of $213,416.60 for June 2026 construction management services.
- Bond counsel services from Ahlers and Cooney are proposed for approval.
- No personnel recommendations appear in the accessible packet.
- No policy revisions are identified beyond financing resolutions.
- The meeting agenda is narrowly focused and contains relatively few action items.
- Construction oversight and project financing are the primary public issues before the board.
Official Sources
About the Public Body
- Name: Woodward-Granger Community School District
- Organization type: school-district
- Government body: school-boards
- Location: Granger, iowa
- County: Dallas County
- Provider: simbli
Keywords
Woodward-Granger Community School District, Special Board Meeting, July 24 2026, Granger Iowa, Dallas County, middle school project, construction, Story Construction, construction management, Pay Application 17, bond anticipation notes, General Obligation School Bond Anticipation Project Notes, Series 2026A, $6400000 financing, bond counsel, Ahlers and Cooney, tax exemption certificate, resolution directing sale, resolution authorizing issuance, Note Purchase Agreement, IRS Form 8038-G, district office, school facilities, capital project, school finance, board meeting
