TO: BENTON COMMUNITY BOARD OF EDUCATION

FROM: DR. JAMES BIESCHKE, SUPERINTENDENT

RE: REGULAR BOARD MEETING

TIME: WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2026

6:00 p.m. – Regular Meeting

PLACE: Central Office – Board room

304 1st Street

Van Horne, Iowa 52346

REGULAR MEETING

CALL TO ORDER – 6:00 PM

Directors Present: (In Person) Directors Becker, Schanbacher, Thompson.

Directors Present: (Via Zoom) Directors Kaiser, Klein, Shaw.

Directors Absent: Director Nolte

A quorum was declared present.

Also present: (In Person) Dr. Bieschke, Anna Selk, Melisa Venneman. (Via Zoom) Katie Bauder, Phil Eastman, Jason West, Rob Libolt, Ryan Junge, Shawn Pfiffner.

DELEGATIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, CONSIDERATIONS OF ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS – NONE

ACTION ITEM #67 – APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion by Schanbacher, seconded by Becker, to approve the agenda as presented.

MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

OPEN FORUM – NONE

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT REPORT

Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

ADMINISTRATION REPORT

Administration Report

ACTION ITEM #68 – SET PUBLIC HEARING FOR 25-26 SCHOOL CALENDAR

The calendar committee is recommending the following 26-27 calendar to the board for consideration. The board can provide feedback and set the hearing date for the February 18th board meeting.

26-27 School Calendar Proposal

Motion by Kaiser, seconded by Klein, to set the date for the 2026-2027 school calendar hearing to be February 18, 2026.

MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

ACTION ITEM #69 – EARLY RETIREMENT APPROVAL

The following staff applied and qualified for the early retirement plan:

• Tim Lyons
• Margaret Wolfe
• Craig Olson

Motion by Kaiser, seconded by Schanbacher to approve the submitted early retirement applications as presented.

MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

ACTION ITEM #70 – RESOLUTION TO CONVEY BLAIRSTOWN BUS BARN TO THE CITY OF BLAIRSTOWN

The following resolution was presented to the board for approval of the conveyance of the Blairstown Bus Barn to the city of Blairstown.

RESOLUTION FOR A CONVEYANCE OF REAL PROPERTY

WHEREAS, pursuant to notice published as required by law, the Board of Directors of the Benton Community School District on the 17th day of December, 2025 held a hearing on the proposal to convey an interest in real property and the extent of objections received from residents or property owners as to said proposed transaction has been fully considered; and, accordingly the following action is now considered to be in the best interests of the District and residents thereof:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE BENTON COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT:

1. That the real property described herein shall be conveyed by the District to City of Blairstown for good and valuable consideration. Conveyance by the District shall be by deed without warranty.
2. The Board President and Secretary are authorized to sign all conveyance documents for the real property described herein.
3. The Board President, Secretary, Superintendent, and administrative officers of the District are authorized to take all actions necessary to complete the above-described transaction, including execution of ancillary documents.
4. The real property is locally known as the old Bus Barn, and is legally described on Exhibit A.

PASSED AND APPROVED, this 21st day of January, 2026.

Motion by Becker, seconded by Klein, to approve the resolution to convey the Blairstown Bus Barn to the city of Blairstown as presented.

MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

ACTION ITEM #71 – FY25 AUDIT REPORT REVIEW

A recent financial audit of Benton Community Schools revealed positive fund balances, reflecting sound fiscal management and responsible stewardship of resources. This financial stability enables the district to sustain its commitment to providing a supportive and engaging learning environment where all students are empowered to succeed. By aligning its resources with educational priorities, Benton Community Schools ensures that every student has access to quality programs and opportunities for growth.

FY25 Audit Report

Motion by Schanbacher, seconded by Klein, to approve the FY25 audit as presented.

MOTION CARRIED

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

ACTION ITEM #72 – DISTRICT AT-RISK DROPOUT PLAN

The district at-risk dropout plan needs to be approved by the board. The link to this report is below.

District At-Risk Dropout Plan

Motion by Schanbacher, seconded by Kaiser to approve the District At-Risk Dropout Plan as presented.

MOTION CARRIED

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

ACTION ITEM #73 – BUSINESS SERVICES:

In the warrants this month, you will see some 1st-semester billings for open enrollments. The rest will be paid in February.

1. WARRANTS
   1. WARRANTS
   2. ADDITIONAL WARRANTS
   3. SUMMARY OF PAID WARRANTS
2. FINANCIAL REPORTS
   1. GENERAL FUND REPORT
   2. ALL FUNDS REPORT

Motion by Schanbacher, seconded by Klein, to approve the warrants and financial reports as presented.

MOTION CARRIED

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

ACTION ITEM #74 – CONSENT AGENDA

The Consent Agenda included common topics.

*ALL HIRES ARE CONTINGENT ON BACKGROUND CHECK, PROPER LICENSING, AND RELEASE FROM CURRENT CONTRACT IF APPLICABLE

1. HIRES

1. Jeff Funk, Asst 8th Boys Basketball Coach – MOU
2. Tyler Comisky, Asst 7th Boys Basketball Coach – MOU
3. Tim Fry, Bus Driver
4. Lance Summy, Bus Driver
5. Vince Morris, MS/HS Food Service

2. RESIGNATIONS

1. Timmy Lyons, Transportation Director (End of the 25-26 Contract)
2. Margaret Wolfe, Bus Driver (End of the 25-26 Contract)
3. Craig Olson, Bus Driver (End of the 25-26 Contract)
4. Heather Mayrose, 8th Grade Language Arts Teacher (End of 25-26 Contract)
5. Chelsea Moser, Boys/Girls Track Assistant Coach

3. VOLUNTEERS
4. CONTRACTS
5. DJ Commando Contract for Prom
6. MEETING MINUTES
   1. December 17, 2025

Motion by Shaw, seconded by Kaiser, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.

MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

ACTION ITEM #75 – POLICY REVIEW

603.01 – Basic Instruction Program – Change to align with IASB

603.02 – Summer School Instruction – No change, aligns with IASB

603.03 – Special Education – Change to align with IASB, Mandatory Policy

603.04 – Multicultural/Gender Fair Education – Change to align with IASB, Mandatory Policy

603.05 – Health Education – Change to align with IASB, Mandatory Policy

603.06 – Physical Education – No change, aligns with IASB, Mandatory Policy

603.07 – Career Education – No change, aligns with IASB, Mandatory Policy

603.08 – Teaching About Religion – Change to align with IASB

603.08-R(1) – Teaching About Religion – Regulation – Religious Holidays – No change, aligns with IASB

603.09 – Academic Freedom – Change to align with IASB

603.09-R(1) – Academic Freedom – Regulation – Teaching Controversial Issues – No change, aligns

603.10 – Global Education – No change, aligns with IASB, Mandatory Policy

603.11 – Citizenship – No change, aligns with IASB, Mandatory Policy

603.12 – Postsecondary Education Counseling – FIRST READING – To add and align with IASB

603.13 – Community Education – No IASB Policy – Rescind

603.14 – Adult Education – No IASB Policy – Rescind

603.15 – Co-Curricular Activities – No IASB Policy – Rescind

603.16 – Equivalent Instruction – No IASB Policy – Rescind

603.17 – Equivalent Instruction Exception to Compulsory Education Requirements – No IASB – Rescind

501.09 – Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy – Change to align with IASB, Mandatory Policy

501.09-R(1) – Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy – Regulation – Change to align with IASB

Motion by Kaiser, seconded by Becker, to approve the reviewed and revised policies as presented.

MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

ACTION ITEM #76 – CLOSED SESSION

As per Iowa Code 21.5(e) To discuss whether to conduct a hearing or to conduct hearings to suspend or expel a student(s), unless an open session is requested by the student or a parent or guardian of the student if the student is a minor.

Motion by Schanbacher, seconded by Kaiser, to go into Closed Session.

It has been moved and seconded to go into Closed Session.

Roll call vote to go into Closed Session. DIRECTOR: Kaiser – aye, Klein – aye, Schanbacher – aye, Shaw – aye, Thompson – aye, Becker – aye.

MOTION CARRIED

DISCUSSION

Motion by Becker, seconded by Schanbacher, to come out of Closed Session.

Roll call vote to come out of Closed Session. DIRECTOR: Kaiser – aye, Klein – aye, Schanbacher – aye, Shaw – aye, Thompson – aye, Becker – aye.

MOTION CARRIED

ACTION ITEM #77 – OPEN SESSION – STUDENT #1

Motion by Klein, seconded by Becker, to approve the consent agreement for the student who is subject to the suspension.

Roll call vote to approve the consent agreement for the student who is subject to the suspension.

DIRECTOR: Kaiser – aye, Klein – aye, Schanbacher – aye, Shaw – aye, Thompson – aye, Becker – aye.

MOTION CARRIED

ACTION ITEM #78 – OPEN SESSION – STUDENT #2

Motion by Schanbacher, seconded by Becker, to approve the consent agreement for the student who is subject to the suspension.

Roll call vote to approve the consent agreement for the student who is subject to the suspension.

DIRECTOR: Kaiser – aye, Klein – aye, Schanbacher – aye, Shaw – aye, Thompson – aye, Becker – aye.

MOTION CARRIED

SUPERINTENDENT REPORT

1. Simbli
2. Board Training
3. Secure Entrance Update
4. Legislative Update/ Budget Work/ Negotiations
5. Benton Winter 2026 Newsletter
6. Pledge of Allegiance
7. Article Notebook
8. Thoughtful words for Gary Zittergruen

ACTION ITEM #79 – ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Schanbacher, seconded by Becker, to adjourn the board meeting at 7:38 PM

MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE