TO: BENTON COMMUNITY BOARD OF EDUCATION
FROM: DR. JAMES BIESCHKE, SUPERINTENDENT
RE: REGULAR BOARD MEETING
TIME: JUNE 17, 2026
6:00 p.m. – Regular Meeting
PLACE: Central Office – Board room
304 1st Street
Van Horne, Iowa 52346

REGULAR MEETING
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & CALL TO ORDER – 6:00 PM
Directors Present: Kaiser (via phone), Klein, Nolte (via phone), Shaw (via phone), Thompson
Directors Absent: Becker & Schanbacher
A quorum was declared present.
Also present: Dr Bieschke, Anna Selk, Melisa Venneman, Katie Bauder & Anthony Bopp

DELEGATIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, CONSIDERATIONS OF ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS – NONE

ACTION ITEM #115 – APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Klein, seconded by Kaiser, to approve the agenda as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

OPEN FORUM – NONE

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT REPORT – Universal Design for Learning

ACTION ITEM #116 – COURSE ADDITIONS FOR 26-27
Motion by Klein, seconded by Kaiser, to approve the Course Additions for 26-27 as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

ACTION ITEM #117 – RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING INTERFUND TRANSFER FROM THE MANAGEMENT FUND FOR INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE COSTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: On November 13, 2025, the District sustained property damage at the MS/HS due to a surge in power. Total repair costs incurred by the District amounted to $17,282.50. A claim was submitted to the District’s property insurance carrier, EMC Insurance. The insurance company approved the claim and issued a settlement payment of $5,600.50, which represented the total allowable cost minus non-covered surge protection added for $1,682.00 and the District’s policy deductible of $10,000.

The original repair invoices were paid out of the PPEL fund to ensure vendor completion. Pursuant to Iowa Administrative Code 281—98.62(2)(h), it is permissible to utilize the Management Fund to reimburse the paying fund for the portion of the insurance claim denied strictly because it fell within the deductible limit.

FUNDING SOURCE:
Management Fund (Fund 22) Transfer Out to PPEL Fund (Fund 36) Transfer In.

Motion by Nolte, seconded by Shaw, to approve the Resolution Authorizing the Interfund Transfer from the Management Fund to the PPEL Fund in the amount of $10,000 for property loss deductible costs incurred during the 2025-2026 school year.”

MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

ACTION ITEM #117 – DISTRICT INSURANCE APPROVAL
The total EMC premium for district property insurance for FY27 is $643,676, which is approximately a $20,000 decrease from last fiscal year. I would also recommend continuing with the Jester policy of a storm protection fund created by a 28E agreement involving many schools in the state of Iowa. Jester Insurance manages the policy. This policy costs the district $46,267. The last policy for renewal is from Keystone Insurance for legal liability, cyber, flood, and earthquake in the amount of $64,339.94.

EMC Insurance FY27 Premium
Jester Storm Protection Fund
Keystone Insurance Policy for Legal Liability, Cyber, Flood, and Earthquake

Motion by Klein, seconded by Kaiser, to approve the EMC, Jester Storm Protection Fund, and Keystone Insurance premium quotes as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

ACTION ITEM #118 – ATKINS MONTHLY WATER BILL APPROVAL
The City of Atkins has changed its operating procedures to no longer allow the district to pay our water bill after each board meeting. We receive the billing statement at the beginning of the month and all bills are due by the 20th of the month. Since some of our board meetings during the year fall after the 20th, we are requesting approval from the board to pay this bill prior to approval at the monthly board meeting.

Motion by Nolte, seconded by Klein, to approve the payment of the Atkins water bill each month upon receipt.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
ACTION ITEM #119 – ADDITION OF MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCCER
Mr. Pfiffner has prepared a proposal for middle school soccer to be added as an athletic program at Benton Community. This has been discussed and evaluated for the last couple of years and I would support this decision to offer our students an opportunity in the middle school athletic program.

Motion by Klein, seconded by Kaiser, to approve the addition of a middle school soccer program to start in the 26-27 school year.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

ACTION ITEM #120 – SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER 28E AGREEMENT
Work has been completed on a 28E agreement between the district and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office to provide a School Resource Officer (SRO) in the district for the 26-27 school year. The total cost to the district is $91,020.12. No increase in cost from FY26.

SRO 28E Agreement
Motion by Klein, seconded by Nolte to approve the 2026-2027 28E agreement with the Benton County Sheriff’s Office for a full-time SRO.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

ACTION ITEM #121 – FY27 SCHOOL REGISTRATION FEES
No increase to the registration fees, but a proposal to increase the instrument rental fee from $120 to $125. Our costs for repairs have continued to go up each year, with FY26 totaling approximately $7,000.

Motion by Shaw, seconded by Klein, to approve the 2026-2027 Registration fees as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

ADMINISTRATION REPORT
June 2026 Admin Board Report

ACTION ITEM #122 – BUSINESS SERVICES
June 30 is the fiscal year close and work is being done to finalize the current year and prepare for FY ‘27. Purchase orders are currently being received from buildings with orders to be submitted after July 1st. Auditors completed their first day visit on June 3rd and will continue the process of the district audit in September. The Certified Annual Report, sometimes referred to as the “CAR” will be started soon for FY26.

WARRANTS
ADDITIONAL WARRANTS
SUMMARY OF WARRANTS
FINANCIAL REPORTS
▪ GENERAL FUND
▪ ALL FUNDS REPORT

Motion by Klein, seconded by Nolte, to approve the warrants and financial reports as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

ACTION ITEM #123 – 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

▪ HIRES

Shari Stoll – 8th Grade Math – MS/HS
Kylie Christensen – English Language Arts Teacher – HS
Kaitlyn Burns – Preschool Associate – Atkins
Angel Brecht – Summer School Teacher – Keystone
Alison Mundt – Summer School Associate – Keystone
Lyndy Roost – Summer School Associate – Keystone
Bryan Telgenhoff – MS Asst Boys Wrestling
Tony Linnabery – E-Sports Head Coach (MOU)
Deborah Siebenga – TAG Teacher (0.50 FTE) – Norway
Casi Bridgewater – Food Service – MS/HS
Kayla Pilkington – Food Service – MS/HS
Bridget Speer – Classroom Teacher – Norway
Data Team Leaders:
(a) Ashley Jones – ELA DTL
(b) Bobbie Comsiky – 6th Grade DTL
▪ RESIGNATIONS
Brooke Silbernagel – Math – MS/HS
Frank King – Bus Driver
Lance Summy – Bus Driver
Nancy Dvorak – Food Service & SE Assoc – Keystone
Jacob Reid – MS Asst Boys Wrestling
Bryan Telgenhoff – Varsity Asst Boys Wrestling
▪ VOLUNTEERS – None
▪ OPEN ENROLLMENT
Kindergarten Student
▪ MEETING MINUTES
May 20, 2026
▪ CONTRACTS
GWAEA Contract for Transfer of State Funding Amendment #1
Terpstra Hoke and Associates Audit Agreement
GWAEA/Benton Agreement – SI Consultant
2026–2027 Tanager School-Based Services Contract
Novak Education – UDL Contract

Motion by Klein, seconded by Shaw, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

ACTION ITEM #124 – POLICY REVIEW – 501 Series & 2nd Readings of new policies
501.01 – Resident Students (No change, aligns with IASB)
501.02 – Nonresident Students (Change to align w/IASB)
501.03 – Compulsory Attendance (1st Reading – IASB Mandatory Policy)
501.04 – Entrance – Admissions (Slight change to align w/IASB)
501.05 – Attendance Center Assignment (Change to align w/IASB)
501.06 – Student Transfers In (No change, aligns w/IASB)
501.07 – Student Transfers Out or Withdrawals (Slight change to align w/IASB)
501.08 – Student Attendance Records (No change, aligns w/IASB)
501.08A – Transfer-In Student Eligibility (Rescind, no IASB Policy) – revisit next month
501.09 – Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy (No change, aligns w/IASB)
501.09(R1) – Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy (No change, aligns w/IASB)
501.11 – Student Release During School Hours (Note added only to align w/IASB)
501.12 – Pregnant Students – (Change to align w/IASB)
501.13 – Students of Legal Age (No change, aligns w/IASB)
501.14 – Open Enrollment Transfers – Procedures as a Sending District (IASB Mandatory Policy, change to align w/IASB)
501.15 – Open Enrollment Transfers – Procedures as a Receiving District (IASB Mandatory Policy, change to align w/IASB)
501.16 – Homeless Children and Youth – (IASB Mandatory Policy, No change, aligns w/IASB, just adding note at bottom only)
501.17 – Attendance at Events Outside of School (Rescind, no IASB Policy)
501.18 – Student Attendance (Rescind, no IASB Policy)
507.05 – Emergency Plans & Drills (New Policy to align w/IASB, 2nd Reading)
507.07 – Custody & Parents Rights (New Policy to align w/IASB, 2nd Reading)
508.02 – Open Night (New Policy to align w/IASB, 2nd Reading)

Motion by Klein, seconded by Nolte to approve the policy revision and review as presented, EXCEPT for 501.08A which will be reviewed and revisited next month.
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
Preliminary Aid and Levy- Tax Rate $10.246
Construction Update
Newsletter to be mailed out soon

ACTION ITEM #125 – CLOSED SESSION- SUPERINTENDENT EVALUATION
Closed Session – Iowa Code Section 21.5(1_(i) To evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation and that individual requests a closed session.

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

Roll call vote to go into closed session: DIRECTOR: BECKER (absent), KAISER – AYE, KLEIN – AYE, NOLTE – AYE, SCHANBACHER (absent), SHAW – AYE, THOMPSON – AYE
MOTION CARRIED

Time entered into closed session 6:59 PM

Motion by Klein, seconded by Nolte, to come out of Closed Session and back into Open Session..

Roll call vote to go into closed session: DIRECTOR: BECKER (absent), KAISER – AYE, KLEIN – AYE, NOLTE – AYE, SCHANBACHER (absent), SHAW – AYE, THOMPSON – AYE
MOTION CARRIED

Time entered into open session 7:26 PM

ACTION ITEM #126 – ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Klein, seconded by Nolte, to adjourn the board meeting at 7:27 PM
MOTION CARRIED
ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE