TO: BENTON COMMUNITY BOARD OF EDUCATION

FROM: DR. JAMES BIESCHKE, SUPERINTENDENT

RE: REGULAR BOARD MEETING

TIME: WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2026

6:00 p.m. – Regular Meeting

PLACE: Central Office – Board Room

304 1st Street

Van Horne, Iowa 52346

SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNITION MONTH

REGULAR MEETING

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & CALL TO ORDER – 6:02 PM

Directors Present: Becker, Kaiser, Klein (via phone), Schanbacher, Shaw, Thompson

Directors Absent: Nolte

A quorum was declared present.

Also present: Dr Bieschke, Anna Selk, Melisa Venneman, Rob Libolt, Shawn Pfiffner, Jason West, Ryan Junge, Phil Eastman, Tim Lyons, Peggy Wolfe, Kristi Wright, Stephanie Wieben, Rob Hursh, Craig & Rosemary Olson.

DELEGATIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, CONSIDERATIONS OF ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS – NONE

ACTION ITEM #107 – APPROVAL OF AGENDA

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

MOTION CARRIED

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

OPEN FORUM

Rob Hursh spoke about “Save Morgan Valley” and his opposition to the proposed Power Plant at the corner of Hwy 30 and Linn/Benton Road.

RECOGNITION OF RETIREES

Tim Lyons Bio

Craig Olson Bio

Margaret (Peggy) Wolfe Bio

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT- FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS

ADMINISTRATION REPORT

Administration Report May 2026

ACTION ITEM #108 – BUSINESS SERVICES

WARRANTS

ADDITIONAL WARRANTS

SUMMARY OF WARRANTS

FINANCIAL REPORTS

GENERAL FUND REPORT

ALL FUNDS REPORT

FY27 MEAL PRICE RECOMMENDATION

Motion by Shanbacher, seconded by Shaw, to approve the warrants and financial reports as presented.

MOTION CARRIED

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

ACTION ITEM #109 – MILK CONTRACT

Motion by Shaw, seconded by Kaiser, to approve the district milk contract as presented.

MOTION CARRIED

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

ACTION ITEM #110 – ASBESTOS 6-MONTH INSPECTION AGREEMENT

The following agreement is with Shive-Hattery to perform our asbestos inspections every 6 months. We currently employ Shive-Hattery to perform this work now and Dr Bieschke recommended that we continue with this agreement.

Motion by Schanbacher, seconded by Kaiser, to approve the Asbestos 6-Month Inspection Agreement as presented.

MOTION CARRIED

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

ACTION ITEM #111 – NAMING OF NORWAY LITTLE LEAGUE FIELD

Aric Becker sought discussion of the potential naming of the Youth Baseball/Softball fields in Norway, just North of the School, to be named “Leo Mell Field”.

Current board policy states: Any person or group proposing a name for a District facility must submit a written proposal to the Superintendent, outlining the reasons for the proposed name. If the proposal is to name a District facility after an individual, the proposal must outline specific contributions the individual has made to the nation or to the District community. The Superintendent shall make a recommendation to the Board regarding the proposal and may involve other persons in making the recommendation.

• Informational Email from Aric Becker
• Leo Mell Bio from his induction into the Norway Baseball Association’s Hall of Fame

Motion by Becker, seconded by Schanbacher, to approve the naming of the Norway baseball fields to Leo Mell Field(s) as presented.

MOTION CARRIED

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

ACTION ITEM #112 – CONSENT AGENDA

The Consent Agenda includes common topics.

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

1. HIRES
   1. Lindsey Maston – 7th Grade Science – MS/HS
   2. Natalie Prohaska – 2nd Grade Teacher – Atkins Elementary
   3. Zachary Brecht – Ag / Industrial Tech Teacher – MS/HS
   4. Brian Strellner – School Van Driver
   5. Abagail Petrzelka – Special Education Teacher – Atkins Elementary
   6. Christine Neff – Summer School Teacher – Atkins Elementary
   7. Keri Graveman – Summer School Teacher – Atkins Elementary
   8. Jessica Revoir – Food Service – MS/HS
2. COACHING AND SPONSOR HIRES
   1. Jon DeGraff – L3 Softball Coach
   2. Larry Carlson – Head 7th Grade Football
3. TRANSFER
4. Chelsea Zittergruen – from SE Assoc – Atkins to School Nurse – Norway

1. RESIGNATIONS
   1. Alaina Birely – SE Associate – MS/HS
   2. Hollie Barth – SE Associate – MS/HS
   3. Monica Blair – SE Associate – MS/HS
   4. Derrick Samson – Bus Driver
   5. Ethan Kaiser – Teacher – Norway Intermediate
   6. Kasey Hullett – English Teacher – MS/HS
   7. Lori Byers – SE Associate – Norway
   8. Ashley McMahon – Food Service – MS/HS
2. COACHING AND SPONSOR RESIGNATIONS
   1. Adam Bauder – Asst HS Football Coach
   2. Ethan Kaiser – E-Sports Sponsor
   3. Bobbie Comisky – 7th Grade Volleyball
   4. Brett Heishman – Head 7th Grade Football
3. SUMMER PAY SCHEDULE
4. VOLUNTEERS – DC Trip

1. Cari Becker
2. Kelly Becker
3. Jennifer Dockendorf
4. Theresa Eastman
5. Jodi Hacker
6. Jennifer Hayden
7. Allan & Michelle Hines
8. Courtney Kerkman
9. Melissa Kinion
10. Kim Kline
11. Brooke Kupka
12. Laura Northway
13. Jessica Painter
14. Kerry Rathje
15. Heather Rinderknecht
16. Nichole Rinholen
17. Lore Swartzendruber
18. Kristae Zandbergen

1. MEETING MINUTES
   1. April 15, 2026
2. CONTRACTS
   1. Vista Software Agreement 26-27
   2. 26-27 Benton Community- Communication Services Agreement
   3. Memorandum of Agreement – Junior Achievement
   4. Wartburg College Student Teaching Agreement

Motion by Schanbacher, seconded by Kaiser, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Board member Klein abstained from the vote due to personal involvement with Junior Achievement.

MOTION CARRIED

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

ACTION ITEM #113 – POLICY REVIEW – 507 & 508 Series

507.01 – Student Health and Immunization Certificates (Change to align w/IASB)

507.02 – Administration of Medication to Students (No change, aligns with IASB)

507.02(E1) – AMS – Authorization-Asthma, Airway Constricting, or Respiratory Distress Medication Self-Administration Consent Form (No change, aligns with IASB)

507.02(E2) – AMS – Parental Authorization & Release Form for the Administration of Medication or Special Health Services to Students(No change, aligns with IASB)

507.03(E3) – AMS – Parental Auth & Release Form for Independent Self Carry & Admin. Of Prescribed Medication or Indep Delivery of Health Services by the Student (New Exhibit)

507.04(E4) – AMS – Parental Auth & Release for the Admin of Voluntary School Stock of Over-the-Counter Medication to Students (New Exhibit)

507.03 – Communicable Diseases – Students (Change to align w/IASB)

507.03(E1) – Communicable Disease Chart (Rescind, no IASB Exhibit)

507.03(E2) – When to Report (Rescind, no IASB Exhibit)

507.03(E2) – Iowa Disease Reporting Card (Rescind, no IASB Exhibit)

507.04 – Student Illness or Injury at School (No change, aligns w/IASB, just adding note at bottom only)

507.05 – Emergency Plans & Drills (New Policy to align w/IASB, 1st Reading)

507.07 – Custody & Parents Rights (New Policy to align w/IASB, 1st Reading)

507.08 – Student Special Health Services (No change, aligns w/IASB, just adding note at bottom only)

507.08(R1) – Student Special Health Services – Regulation (Change to align w/IASB)

507.10 – Emergency School Closings (Rescind, no IASB Policy)

507.10(R1) – Emergency School Closing – Practice Policy (Rescind, no IASB Regulation)

508.01 – Class or Student Group GIfts – (No change, aligns w/IASB)

508.02 – Open Night (New Policy to align w/IASB, 1st Reading)

Motion by Shaw, seconded by Kaiser, to approve the policy revision and review as presented.

MOTION CARRIED

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

SUPERINTENDENT REPORT

School Board Recognition Month

WaMaC Conference Realignment

Old turf disposal

MS Boys/Girls Soccer

Jester Break Fix Program

Iowa Schools Joint Investment Trust (ISJIT)

ACTION ITEM #114 – ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Becker, seconded by Kaiser, to adjourn the board meeting at 8:15 PM

MOTION CARRIED

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE