2025.8.11 Board Minutes

 

Bennett CSD School Board Meeting

August 11, 2025

7pm

 

  1. Call to Order

  1. Roll Call -Director Giebelstein, Director Reynolds, Director Bjurstrom, Director McGhee, and Director Pratt were all present. Also in attendance were Superintendent Knoche, Principal Jeremiah Costello, Board Secretary Kylee Yoerger, Heather Sivia, Juli Miller, Kevin Rasdon, and Jean Semsch. 

  2. Mission Statement -read by Principal Costello

  3. Approval of Agenda -Director Gieblestein moved, seconded by Director Reynolds to approve the agenda. Motion carried 5/0. 

  1. Public Forum -Jean Semsch spoke representing Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement for a project called Public School Strong which collects signatures to appeal to the Governor of Iowa for more funding. 

  2. Consent Agenda -Director Gieblestein moved, seconded by Director McGhee to approve the consent agenda. Motion carried 5/0.

    1. Minutes from July 14, 2025 Meeting

    2. Financial Report as of July 2025 (including Nutrition Fund) totaling $273,761.74

    3. Open Enrollment

    4. August Bills/Additional Bills

    5. Hires & Resignations 

  3. Administrative Reports - Mr. Knoche attended the School Administrators of Iowa conference. Summer school was successful. Mr. Costello advised the handbook update will be completed throughout the year. The current handbook will have minor changes to the electronic device portion. There will be a new TLC position this year filled by Ms. Kress. Curriculum and supplies are arriving. Our nutrition staff served over 13,000 meals over the summer. Staff returns to the building the week of August 18th. Unpack Your Backpack night is 8/20 at 5:30pm. Students return 8/25. Administration is working on climate and culture as the year begins. 

  4. Informational Section

    1. Legislative Priorities RSAI -Survey to find out what our school needs. 

    2. School Board elections - Candidates Guide Denise, Greg, and Chad are up for election in November. Copies of nomination papers are available at the school secretary’s office, county auditor’s office, or on the Secretary of State’s website: https://sos.iowa.gov/school-elections. Filing Period Nomination papers must be filed with the school secretary during the filing period. They cannot be filed before or after the filing period. The filing period is: First day: Monday, August 25, 2025 Last day: Thursday, September 18, 2025 – 5:00 p.m.

    3. Education Support Personnel Salary Supplement (ESPSS) funds & disbursement -additional funding available for support staff (potential ideas to distribute - attendance, fulfilling year contract)

  5. New Business - Annual Reporting Requirements of Level I, Level II and alternative investigator (402.02, 402.03) -Director Gieblestein moved, seconded by Director Bjurstrom to approve the district roles. Motion carried 5/0.

  6. Old Business -preschool scholarship programs are funded for both Scott and Cedar county for the 2025-2026 school year. 

  7. Policy Approval -Director Bjurstrom moved, seconded by Director McGhee to approve the policy changes. Motion carried 5/0.

Policy  Approval

IASB #

Title of Policy

Description of change

406.03 

Licensed Employee Continued Education Credit

Took out Sept 1 and changed to by March 1

508.3

Student Use of Personal Electronic Devices

New Policy defining personal electronic devices and when they can be used

 

  1. Committee Reports

    1. Policy - Next Meeting TBD

    2. Facilities/Operations - Met with members of City Council, Park board and interested community members -July 22nd at 6:00 pm

    3. Negotiations/Interest Based Problem Solving - Next Meeting TBD

  2. Board Comments/Correspondence -none

 

Director Gieblestein moved, seconded by Director McGhee to adjourn the meeting at 7:57pm. Motion carried 5/0.