NORTH FAYETTE VALLEY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Minutes, Regular Meeting of the North Fayette Valley Community School District Board of Education, Monday, August 17, 2026, 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: Travis Elliott & Laura
Williams; Curriculum Director: Betsy Nefzger; Special
Education Director: Sara Swensen; Media: Mike VanSickle
President Koch called the Regular Meeting of the NFV Board of Education to order at 5:30 pm.
Roll Call of Board members: Present: Klosterman, Nelson-Lerch, Rodgers, Marcks, Schultz, & Koch. McGrane was absent. Klosterman led the Pledge of Allegiance.
President Koch welcomed and invited comments from the Public.
The board approved an amendment to the agenda to include the resignation of Loree Moyle, paraprofessional, which was received after the original agenda was published and the removal of New Business item (b) Recommendation to deny an Open Enrollment. Schultz/Marcks Motion Carried 6-0
Motion to approve the consent agenda with the following items:
- Minutes of July 20, 2026 Regular Meeting
- Review/approve invoices (Reviewed by Kirstin Nelson-Lerch)
- Approve Financial Reports
- Approve Resignations/Retirements: Loree Moyle – Paraprofessional
- Approve Transfers: None
- Approve Contract Modifications: Donna Fink – Full time bus to Substitute Bus
- Approve New Hires: Teralee Lidsay- TCLC Lead; Tina Halverson- WUE Administrative Assistant; Stephanie Streeter- Paraprofessional; Emily Young- Paraprofessional
- Volunteer Coaches: Paul Amundson – Marching Band Drumline
- Receive and Approve Gifts:None
Klosterman/Schultz Motion Carried 6-0
COMMUNICATIONS
Principal Elliott did not have a written report, but reviewed highlights from the summer facilities progress and events leading up to the new school year starting. Mr. Elliott also included an update on the TCLC after-school program.
Principal Williams did not have a written report, but reported to the board on the warm reception from staff as she begins her new position at the Middle School. She noted the upcoming events at the middle school to get the new school year started.
Principal Miller was not in attendance but submitted a written report that updated the board with events to get the new school year off and started to include staff professional development, freshman orientation, and the high school open house.
Curriculum Director Nefzger gave remarks on summer professional development and opportunities for staff to collaborate and focus on content alignment. She also mentioned new staff orientation, the welcome-back schedule, and the later review of the NFV District Goals later in the agenda.
Special Education Director Swensen reported to the board on the compensatory time for students and the Department of Education’s guidance and work that will need to continue to be completed. She also noted updates on requirements for Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for students and teachers.
Business Manager Stansbery provided an update on fourth-quarter reporting and the district’s percentage of budget expenditures. She also reviewed completion for new staff orientation and their onboarding process for the upcoming school year. The auditors are scheduled to return for additional fieldwork, and work continues on completing the Certified Annual Report (CAR).
Superintendent Griffith The Board received an update on the Valley Campus water system, including ongoing checks, required testing, and monitoring, with recent test results confirming the water continues to meet DNR standards. The Board reviewed the upcoming snow removal bid proposal and received copies of staff assignments for certified, support, and administrative staff. The Board was also informed of the upcoming IASB Conference scheduled for November 18-20, with members encouraged to indicate their interest in attending.
OLD BUSINESS
The board approved the second reading of policies 501.15, 502.7, 503.1, 503.11, 503.11-R1, 503.11-R2, 507.5, 603.1, 603.3, 603.4, 603.10, 603.6, 604.3, 604.3-R1, 605.4, 605.4-E1, 607.1, 701.3, 701.5, 701.5-R1, 706.4, 708, 710.1-E1, 713, 901.
Marcks/Rodgers Motion Carried 6-0
NEW BUSINESS
The board denied an open enrollment request. Klosterman/Schultz Motion Carried 6-0
The board approved moving the regular November school board meeting to November 23rd, 2026. Schultz/Klosterman Motion Carried 6-0
The board approved the NICC dual credit contract. Nelson-Lerch/Rodgers Motion Carried 6-0
The board approved the Healthcare Consortium contract. Marcks/Schultz Motion Carried 6-0
The board tabled the Bridges Lease Agreement to use the Keystone AEA building in Elkader. Marcks/Schultz Motion Carried 6-0
The board approved an agreement for field painting for 2026-2027 with Central CSD. Schultz/Nelson-Lerch Motion Carried 6-0
The board approved the resolution for setting a public hearing with the option to appear electronically for a Temporary Easement with the City of West Union in preparation of the bridge replacement project on Pine Street.
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the North Fayette Valley Community School District has received a proposal to convey an easement interest in real property to the City of West Union, Iowa for good and valuable consideration. The easement interest is a temporary easement located at 400 North Pine Street, West Union, Iowa.
WHEREAS, it is appropriate pursuant to Iowa Code Section 297.22 to publish a Notice of the proposed conveyance and of the hearing and to receive and consider objections and petitions.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Directors of the North Fayette Valley Community School District:
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That this Board shall set a public hearing on the conveyance of the above-described easement for September 14, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. in the Conference Room in the Central Office.
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That the Secretary is authorized and directed to prepare, publish, and distribute the Notice of Hearing.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 17th day of August, 2026. Klosterman/Schultz Motion Carried 6-0
The board approved the 2026-2027 Ex-Officio student board members Andrew Kovarik, Esten Moellering, Brody Grove, and Lainy Donnelly. Marcks/Schultz Motion Carried 6-0
The board approved Director Klosterman as the Iowa Association of School Boards delegate for the annual assembly. Marcks/Schultz Motion Carried 6-0
The board approved the 2026-2027 NFV Goals as presented. Klosterman/Schultz Motion Carried 6-0
DISCUSSION
No discussion.
Motion to adjourn at 6:48 p.m. Klosterman/Schultz Motion Carried 6-0
______________________________ _____________________________
Emily Koch, President Kassie Stansbery, Business Manager