TO: BENTON COMMUNITY BOARD OF EDUCATION

FROM: DR. JAMES BIESCHKE, SUPERINTENDENT

RE: REGULAR BOARD MEETING

TIME: JULY 15, 2026

6:00 p.m. – Regular Meeting

PLACE: Central Office – Boardroom

304 1st Street

Van Horne, Iowa 52346

REGULAR MEETING

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & CALL TO ORDER – 6:01 PM

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

Directors Absent: Schanbacher

A quorum was declared present.

Also present: Dr Bieschke, Anna Selk, Melisa Venneman, Jason West, Ryan Junge, Rob Libolt, Natalie Nesbitt, Lisa Daily, Dawn Embretson, Michelle Holst, Brooke and Hunter Kupka, Michelle and Everett Lambert, Kaeson Louis, Paul and Connie Louis, Ashley McMahan & Kevin Irish

DELEGATIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, CONSIDERATIONS OF ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR THE AGENDA – NONE

ACTION ITEM #1 – APPROVAL OF AGENDA

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

MOTION CARRIED

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

OPEN FORUM

Input was provided by patron regarding concerns in practice and in overall culture & climate of the food service department.

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT REPORT AND STUDENT RECOGNITION

District Career & Academic Plan & Career Planning

Kaeson Louis & Hunter Kupka- Skills USA National Competition

ADMINISTRATION REPORT

ACTION ITEM #2 – 26-27 HANDBOOKS

Handbooks were presented for approval.

All Employee Handbook – Listing of Updates

Building Secretaries FY26

Custodial Handbook FY26

Director Handbook FY26

BCEA Handbook FY26

Teaching Staff FY 26

Associates FY26

Food Service FY26

Transportation FY26

District Secretaries FY26

Activities Handbook – Changes highlighted in yellow

Benton Elementary Student & Parent Handbook – Overview of Changes

Benton MS/HS Parent/Student Handbook – Overview of Changes

Benton Community Preschool Program Parent Handbook

Motion by Nolte, seconded by Shaw to approve the 2026-2027 handbooks as presented.

MOTION CARRIED

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING

ACTION ITEM #3 – BUSINESS SERVICES

Continued work to close FY26 and open FY27. We are also through Stage 1 edits to the CAR with the exception of some receipting to date. General fund expenditures are higher this month due to 2nd semester open enrollment billing We will see an increase in Fund 33 and 36 spending with summer projects and transportation expenses.

WARRANTS

July GAAP Warrants

JULY FY 27 Warrants

ADDITIONAL WARRANTS

Additional JULY GAAP Warrants

Additional JULY FY 27 Warrants

SUMMARY OF WARRANTS

GAAP

FY 27

FINANCIAL REPORTS

GENERAL FUND

ALL FUNDS REPORT

CASH BALANCES – 6/30/26

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

MOTION CARRIED

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

ACTION ITEM #4 – 2027 IASB LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

The Iowa Association of School Boards asks for input from local school boards in prioritizing their 2027 legislative platform. They ask that we review their 2026 legislative resolutions and submit four priorities chosen by our school board.

IASB 2026 Legislative Resolutions

IASB 2026 Legislative Priorities List- 6 recommended top priorities were provided, 4 must be chosen.

Dr. Bieschke’s recommendation for IASB Legislative Priorities

1. Supplemental State Aid
2. Mental Health
3. Local Accountability and Decision-Making
4. Unfunded Mandates

Motion by Shaw, seconded by Kaiser to approve the IASB Legislative Priorities of Supplemental State Aid, Mental Health, Local Accountability & Decision-Making, and Unfunded Mandates.

MOTION CARRIED

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

ACTION ITEM #5 – CONSENT AGENDA

The Consent Agenda includes common topics.

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

1. HIRES
   1. Barbara Johnson – Food Service – MS/HS
   2. Wyatt Bieschke – Boys Varsity Asst Wrestling Coach
   3. Sharon Stoll – Head Freshman Volleyball Coach
   4. Chris Frimml – Assistant HS Football Coach
   5. Dan Burke- Assistant HS Football Coach
   6. Emma Kupka – 1:1 Summer Weightlifting Associate

1. VOLUNTEERS (None)

1. RESIGNATIONS
   1. Bridget Speer – 0.50 TAG Teacher – Norway
   2. Candice Benesh – Counseling Secretary – MS/HS
   3. Emily Garay – Special Education Associate – Norway
   4. Kristi Rasmussen-Miller – Special Education Associate – Atkins
   5. Kaitlyn Burns – PreSchool Associate – Atkins
   6. Carrie Herman – Special Education Associate – MS/HS

1. MEETING MINUTES
   1. June 17, 2026 – Regular Board Mtg

1. CONTRACTS
   1. 2026-2027 POWERSCHOOL SOFTWARE AND SUPPORT AGREEMENT
   2. KCC MOU for Workplace Learning Connection
   3. KCC College Credit in High School Enrollment Form 2026-2027
   4. Athletic Trainer Contract with Performance Therapies, P.C.
   5. Go Guardian Order Renewal
   6. Benchmark Education Company 3-year Subscription Renewal
   7. Food Service Sub Rate Increased to $16/hr

1. MEETING DATES
   1. Board Meetings
   2. SIAC Meetings- None provided

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

MOTION CARRIED

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

ACTION ITEM #6 – POLICY REVIEW

501.03 – Compulsory Attendance (2nd Reading – IASB Mandatory Policy)

501.08A – Transfer -In Student Eligibility – (Redoing from last month – RESCIND)

The following policies are required policies and must be reviewed by the Board annually………….

103.0 – Long-Range Needs Assessment

103.R1 – Long-Range Needs Assessment – Regulation

505.08 – Parent and Family Engagement District-Wide Policy (Formerly Parental Invol)

505.08-R(1) – Parent and Family Engagement-Building Level Regulation

506.01 – Education Records Access

506.01E(1) – Request of NonParent Exam or copies of records

506.01E(2) – Authorization for release of records

506.01E(3) – Request hearing on correction of records

506.01E(4) – Request for examination of records

506.01E(5) – Notification of Transfer of records

506.01E(6) – Letter to parent regarding receipt of Subpoena

506.01E(7) – Juvenile Justice Agency Info Sharing Agreement

506.01E(8) – Annual Notice

ministration of Medication to Students (Change to align w/IASB)

507.02E(1) – AMS – Authorization – Asthma, Airway Const or Resp. Distress Meds Self Admin

(Replacing OLD with the IASB VERSION)

507.02E(2) – AMS – Parental Authorization & Release Form for the Admin of Medication or SPecial Health Services to Students (Replacing OLD with the IASB VERSION)

507.02E(3) – AMS – Parental Auth Form f506.01R(1) – Education Records Access – Regulation

506.02- Student Directory Information

506.02E(1)- Authorization for Releasing Student Directory Information

506.02R(1) – Use of Directory Information

506.04 – Student Library Circulation Records

The following policies were updated, or added, after the 2026 legislative session………….

201 – Board of Directors Election (Change to align w/IASB)

210.05 – Meeting Notice (Change to align w/IASB)

401.01 – Equal Employment Opportunity (Change to align w/IASB)

401.01 R(1) – (Rescind, no IASB Policy)

401.01 E(1) & E(2) – (Rescind, no IASB Policy)

409.02 – Employee Leaves of Absence (Change to align w/IASB)

501.15 – Open Enrollment Transfers – Procedures as a Rcvg. District (Change to align w/IASB)

502.03 – Student Expression and Student Publications (Change to align w/IASB)

503.01 – Student Conduct (Change to align w/IASB)

503.11 Disruptive Behavior (NEW IASB Policy 1st Reading)

503.11R(1) – Disruptive Behavior Regulation (NEW IASB Regulation 1st & only Reading)

503.11R(2) – Disruptive Behavior : Students with IEP Regulation (NEW IASB Reg 1st Reading)

504.06 – Student Activity Program (Change to align w/IASB)

507.02 – Ador Indep Self Carry and Admin of Prescribed Meds (New

Exhibit to align w/IASB)

507.02E(4) – AMS – Parental Auth & Release Form for the Admin of Voluntary School Stock of

Over-the-Counter Medication to Students (New Exhibit to align w/IASB)

603.01 – Basic Instruction Program (Change to align w/IASB)

603.03 – Special Education (Change to align w/IASB)

603.04 – Multicultural Gender Fair Education ( Rescind, IASB has Rescinded)

603.06 – Physical Education (Change to align w/IASB)

603.10 – Global Education (Rescind, IASB has Rescinded)

604.01 – Private Instruction (Change to align w/IASB)

604.03 – Program for Gifted and Talented (Change to align w/IASB)

604.03R(1) – Program for Gifted and Talented Regulation (NEW IASB Regulation)

604.05 – Religious Based Exclusion from a School Program (Change to align w/IASB)

605.04 – Technology and Instructional Materials (Change to align w/IASB)

605.04E(1) – Technology and Instructional Materials Exhibit (NEW Exhibit for IASB)

607.01 – Student Guidance and Counseling Program (1st Reading)

713 – Responsible Technology Use and Social Networking (Change to align w/IASB)

713R(1) – RTUSN – Staff Technology Use Regulation (Changes to align w/IASB)

713E(1) – RTUSN – Staff Technology Use Agreement (For all district staff to sign)

804.05 – Stock Prescription Medication Supply (1st Reading)

804.05E(1) – SPMS- Parental Auth Form for Life Threatening Incidents (New Exhibit to align

w/IASB)

901 – Public Examination of Records (Change to align w/IASB)

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

MOTION CARRIED

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE

SUPERINTENDENT REPORT

Summer Update

Bobcat Bulletin

Facilities Update- Stadium Turf, Atkins Gym Floor

Beginning of the Year Board Member Video Updates if Needed

Thank you to Van Horne Communications

FY27 Final Tax Rate of $10.25

Legislative Changes

ACTION ITEM #7 – ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Kaiser, seconded by Shaw, to adjourn the board meeting at 7:36 PM

MOTION CARRIED

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE