NORTH FAYETTE VALLEY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Minutes, Regular Meeting of the North Fayette Valley Community School District Board of Education, Monday, June 16, 2025, in the NFV High School Library, 600 N Pine Street, West Union, IA 52175
NFV Board of Education: Emily Koch, LaCreasha Schultz, Amanda Rodgers, Kirstin
Nelson-Lerch, Richard Klosterman, Kris McGrane, & Kris
Marcks; Superintendent: Joe Griffith, Business
Manager: Kassie Stansbery; Principals: Chris Miller
&Travis Elliott; Media: Sharon Drahn; Staff: Shanda Miller
Ted Schacherer
Vice President Klosterman called the Regular Meeting of the NFV Board of Education to order at 5:30 pm.
Roll Call of Board members: Present: McGrane, Marcks, Klosterman, & Schutlz. Koch, Rodgers, and Nelson-Lerch were absent. Schultz led the pledge of allegiance.
Vice President Klosterman welcomed and invited comments from the Public.
The agenda was approved as presented. Marcks/McGrane Motion Carried 4-0
Public Forum:
Motion to approve the consent agenda with the following items:
- Minutes of April 14, 2025, Regular Meeting
- Review/approve invoices (Reviewed by Rich Klosterman)
- Approve Financial Reports
- Consider Open Enrollment request
- Approve Resignations/Retirements: Karen Hertges – Elementary Guidance Counselor; Amber Keller – WUE Paraprofessional; Morgan Johnson – 1st Grade Teacher; Nicole Decker – Kindergarten Teacher; Katie Riemer – Head Girls Soccer Coach
- Transfers: Tina Halverson – Elementary Guidance Counselor
- Approve Contract Modifications: None
- Approve New Hires: Bailey Winter – Elementary PE; Joe Daughton – Substitute Bus Driver; Bergan Wendt – Assistant Musical Director; Mark Hawes – Operations Secretary; Amanda Kelly – Paraprofessional; Dennis Bower – HS Custodian; Lauren Falck – Assistant Cross Country Coach; Anna Brubaker – Middle School Guidance Counselor
- Volunteer Coaches: None
- Receive and Approve Gifts: Genevieve Van Dorn; All Stop
McGrane/Schultz Motion Carried 4-0
COMMUNICATIONS
Principals presented their year end reports, highlighting many areas of school progress and planning. The reports covered: student growth (summaries of academic progress and assessment outcomes), assessment summaries (data from standardized test and local assessments), student engagement (updates on behavior, participation, and school culture), staffing updates (reflections on staffing needs and changes), student attendance (trends and strategies), and 2025 graduates (next step plans and pathways).
Mrs. Nefzger was not present, but provided the board with a detailed end of the year report on professional development initiatives, curriculum implementation, and teacher leadership.
Business Manager Stansbery provided an update on year-end activities and preparation for the upcoming fiscal year to include closing out and finalizing financial transactions for FY25 to ensure the audit process is compliant and accurate, onboarding preparation of new staff, lease agreement documentation, and the district’s insurance renewals.
Superintendent Griffith updated the board on several ongoing initiatives and planning items. He discussed the potential expansion of Hudl camera use to enhance coverage of extracurricular events. The board was informed of continued work on the development of board policies related to artificial intelligence, ensuring the district remains proactive and responsible in adapting to emerging technologies. Superintendent Griffith also reported on the outcomes of recent sealed bids. Winning bids were as follows: Cub cadet Lawn Tractor 1811 – No bid; 2006 Blue Bird 60 passenger bus – $850; 1979 John Deere 1020 Tractor with loader – $500; Sweepster Lawn Sweeper – $401; Clarke Focus II L20 Floor Scrubber – No bid; Grizzly 10 inch table saw – $125; 1970s John Deere 1520 Tractor with loader – $175; SQ600 Bush Hog – limit not met; 750 Farm King Finish Mower – limit not met; Lawn Roller 4 foot – $126; Spiked Aerator tow behind – $51; Steel Door with Frame 6 foot – No bid. An update was provided on the status of summer facilities projects, with progress being made on various improvements throughout the district. Additionally, Superintendent Griffith raised the possibility of shifting regular board meetings to the third Monday of each month starting in August, a change that the board will consider next month.
OLD BUSINESS
The board approved the second reading of the 710-713 policies.
McGrane/Schultz Motion Carried 4-0
The board approved the second reading of the 800 policies.
Marcks/Schultz Motion Carried 4-0
NEW BUSINESS
The board approved the student fees for FY26. McGrane/Schultz Motion carried 4-0
The board approved the HS Band/Choir DC trip for spring 2026.
Schultz/Marcks Motion Carried 4-0
The board approved the following resolution to Consider Participation in the Instructional Support Program: The Board of Directors of the North Fayette Valley Community School District, in the Counties of Fayette and Clayton, State of Iowa, met in regular session, in the High School Library, 600 N. Pine Street, West Union, Iowa 52175, at 5:30 P.M., on the above date. The Board of Directors provided a hybrid option for the members of the Board to participate in the meeting. There were present Vice President Klosterman, in the chair, and the following named Board Members: Kris McGrane, Kris Marcks, LaCreasha Shultz
Absent: Emily Koch, Amanda Rodgers, Kirstin Nelson-Lerch
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The Vice President of the Board called up for consideration the Resolution to Consider Continued Participation in the Instructional Support Program, which requires that a public hearing be held on this proposal.
Director McGrane introduced the following Resolution and moved its adoption. Director Schultz seconded the motion to adopt. The roll was called, and the vote was: AYES: Marcks, McGrane, Klosterman, Schultz NAYS: None
The Vice President declared the Resolution adopted as follows:
RESOLUTION TO CONSIDER CONTINUED PARTICIPATION
IN THE INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors has determined that to continue the current level of services and to fund the ongoing programs of the School District, continuation of participation in the Instructional Support Program for a period of five years is necessary and in the best interests of the District and its residents and students; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors wishes to consider continued participation in the Instructional Support Program as provided in Sections 257.18 through 257.21, Code of Iowa; and
WHEREAS, the authorization for the current Instructional Support Program will expire on June 30, 2026; and
WHEREAS, this Resolution sets forth the proposal of the Board of Directors, including the method that will be used to fund the program; and
WHEREAS, notice of the time and place of a public hearing must be published: NOW, THEREFORE, it is resolved:
- The Board of Directors wishes to consider continued participation in the Instructional Support Program as provided in Sections 257.18 through 257.21, Code of Iowa, for a period of five years, commencing with the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.
- The additional funding for the Instructional Support Program for a budget year shall be determined annually and shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the total regular program district
cost for the budget year and moneys received under Section 257.14, Code of Iowa, as a budget adjustment for the budget year.
- Moneys received by the District for the Instructional Support Program may be used for any general fund purpose.
- The Instructional Support Program shall be funded by instructional support state aid and a combination instructional support property tax levied annually upon the taxable property within the School District commencing with the levy of property taxes for collection in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, and an instructional support income surtax imposed annually, the percent of income surtax to be determined by the Board for each budget year to be imposed upon the state individual income tax of each individual income taxpayer resident in the School District on December 31, 2026, and each year thereafter.
- The Secretary is authorized and directed to give notice of a public hearing to be held in the High School Library, 600 N. Pine Street, West Union, Iowa 52175, on July 14, 2025, at 5:30 P.M.
- Following the public hearing the Board intends to take action on the question whether to continue participation in the Instructional Support Program.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 16th day of June, 2025.
The board approved the sharing agreement with South Winneshiek SD for a 0.6 FTE Special Education Director. Marcks/McGrane Motion Carried 4-0
The board approved the resolution to transfer from the General Fund to the Student Activities Fund for protective gear as follows:
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TRANSFER OF GENERAL FUND TO STUDENT ACTIVITIES FUND FOR PROTECTIVE GEAR
Whereas participation in athletic and other school extracurricular activities furthers the skills, development, character and growth of our students, and
Whereas safety of our student athletes is of paramount importance to the district, and
Whereas student activity funds are insufficient to cover the costs of refurbishing or purchasing protective and safety gear required by the Athletic Associations for students participating in those activities, and
Whereas the Iowa Legislature authorizes school boards to use school general funds for these purposes consistent with the enactment of HF 564 during the 2017 Legislative Session, effective for the school year beginning July 1, 2016, and subsequent school years,
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED:
That the Board of Directors of the North Fayette Valley Community School District approves the transfer of $9,651.40 from the general fund to the student activity fund for expenditures that occurred between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025 for protective and safety gear required for athletic competition.
Resolution approved, June 16, 2025 by the North Fayette Valley board of directors: All Ayes: McGrane, Marcks, Schultz, Klosterman
The board approved upgrading several door control systems in the district.
McGrane/Marcks Motion Carried 4-0
The board approved 2025-2026 Insurance Renewal. Schultz/Marcks Motion Carried 4-0
The board approved contributing to the Storm Protection Fund (SPF25) for the FY26 school year by adopting the following resolution: The Board of Directors of the North Fayette Valley Community School District in the County of Fayette, State of Iowa, met in open session, in the High School Library, at 5:30 P.M. on the above date. There were present the following Board Members: McGrane, Marcks, Schultz, and Klosterman. Absent: Koch, Rodgers, Nelson-Lerch
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Director McGrane introduced the following Resolution and moved its adoption. Director Schultz seconded the motion to adopt. The roll was called and the vote was: AYES: McGrane, Marcks, Schultz, Klosterman NAYS:None
The Vice President declared the Resolution adopted as follows:
RESOLUTION
TO PARTICIPATE IN THE STORM PROTECTION FUND, AN IOWA CODE CHAPTER 28E ENTITY AND CHAPTER 670 RISK POOL
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors has received the renewal information for wind and hail property insurance coverage; and
WHEREAS, the deductible under the wind and hail coverage under the policy is a percentage of the value insured; and
WHEREAS, the Storm Protection Fund provides a means to manage and contain deductible costs associated with wind and hail insurance coverage.
NOW, THEREFORE, it is resolved:
- The Board of Directors authorizes the District to Join the Storm Protection Fund, and to pay all Contributions as required by the Storm Protection Fund. Passed and approved this 16th day of June, 2025.
The board approved the student Ex-Officio Member for 2025-2026.
Marcks/Schultz Motion Carried 4-0
The board approved the FY26 Substitute Rates as presented.
Schultz/McGrane Motion Carried 4-0
The board approved the first reading of policies 905.1, 905.1-R1, 905.1-E1, 905.1-E2, and 905.1-E3. Schultz/Marcks Motion Carried 4-0
The board approved the first reading of the Student Personal Electronic Devices in Schools policy. McGrane/Marcks Motion Carried 4-0
The board approved the FY26 Employee Handbook. Marcks/Schultz Motion Carried 4-0
The board approved the FY26 Student Handbook. Schultz/McGrane Motion Carried 4-0
The board approved the High School course changes as presented. McGrane/Schultz Motion Carried 4-0
DISCUSSION
There was no further discussion.
Motion to adjourn at 6:55 pm. McGrane/Schultz Motion Carried 4-0
______________________________ _____________________________
Rich Klosterman, Vice- President Kassie Stansbery, Business Manager