NORTH FAYETTE VALLEY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF EDUCATION 

 

Minutes, Regular Meeting of the North Fayette Valley Community School District Board of Education, Monday, May 18, 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: Chris Miller, Lori Westhoff, &
Travis Elliott; Curriculum Director: Betsy Nefzger; Special
Education Director: Sara Swensen; Staff:Angie Boehm,
Chandler Njus, Jessica White; 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: McGrane, Nelson-Lerch, Klosterman, Marcks, & Koch. Schultz and Rodgers were absent.  Klosterman led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

President Koch welcomed and invited comments from the Public.  

 

The agenda was approved with the removal of the 3rd grade teacher under the transfer section as presented.  McGrane/Marcks Motion Carried 5-0

 

Motion to approve the consent agenda with the following items:

• Minutes of April 20, 2026, Public Hearing on FY27 Budget and FY26 Budget Amendment
• Minutes of April 20, 2026 Regular Meeting
• Review/approve invoices (Reviewed by Kris McGrane)
• Approve Financial Reports 
• Approve Resignations/Retirements: Jessica Bushman – Teacher, Admin Assistant WUE, Model Teacher
• Approve Transfers: Lauren Thoms – SPED Strat. II- LD/BD from 3rd Grade WUE
• Approve Contract Modifications: None
• Approve New Hires: None
• Volunteer Coaches: Brent Kuker – Softball; Mitchell Nims – Baseball
• Receive and Approve Gifts: None

Klosterman/Nelson-Lerch Motion Carried 5-0

 

COMMUNICATIONS

Principal Travis Elliott gave his report to the board that included preparations for the end of the school year, educator appreciation week, and Valley Elementary’s Family Fun Night.  Mr. Elliott also reviewed May events and field trips elementary students are involved in.  

 

Principal Westhoff highlighted the completion of annual tasks, Camp Courageous field trip, and the recent music festivals for vocal and instrumental.  

 

Principal Chris Miller reported to the board on events ranging from prom to graduation and the high level of moral character students showcased throughout.  Mr. Miller reported on the continued search for the Industrial Technology position for the fall and business of wrapping up the school year.  

Curriculum Director Betsy Nefzger reviewed the Iowa Department of Education’s desk audits, professional development recap for the year as well as upcoming opportunities, and the new math curriculum beginning in the fall. 

Special Education Director Sara Swensen reported to the board on preparations for the next school year and transitions for students changing buildings.  Mrs. Swensen also gave an update on Crossroads reporting.   

Business Manager Stansbery reported to the board on second semester invoicing, work on sharing agreements for FY27, the end of school year checklists with staff, and work on the end of the fiscal year in preparation for the start of the FY26 audit.  

Superintendent Griffith provided an update on the draft 28E agreement to form a consortium to replace Crossroads.  Mr. Griffith also reported on the recent ruling of the Conference Realignment Committee and events wrapping up the 2025-2026 school year.  Mr. Griffith added the updated legislation regarding 8th graders participating in high school sports and recognized each school board member as May is school board member appreciation month.    

NFV staff members Njus, Boehm, and White along with Curriculum Director Nefzger presented to the board on the new literacy curriculum they reviewed and chose to begin implementing in the 2026-2027 school year. 

Director Klosterman left the meeting at 5:56pm. 

OLD BUSINESS
None

NEW BUSINESS

The board approved the purchase of the new literacy curriculum.  McGrane/Marcks Motion Carried 5-0 

The board approved the first reading of policy 705.1  Marcks/Nelson-Lerch Motion Carried 4-0

 

The board approved the sharing agreement with Central CSD for HR Director.  McGrane/Marcks Motion Carried 4-0

 

The board approved the sharing agreement with South Winneshieck CSD for Special Education Director.  McGrane/Nelson-Lerch  Motion Carried 4-0

 

The board approved the list of 2025-2026 graduates. Marcks/McGrane  Motion carried 4-0

 

The board reviewed the Course Enrollment Trends.  Nelson-Lerch/McGrane Motion Carried 4-0

 

Director Rodgers joined the meeting at 6:42pm.

 

Director Klosterman rejoined the meeting at 6:45pm. 

 

The board approved the District Career and Academic Plan (DCAP).  McGrane/Marcks Motion Carried 6-0

 

The board approved the bid for milk for FY27 from Anderson Erickson. McGrane/Marcks Motion Carried 6-0

 

The board approved the bid for bread for FY27 from Pan-O-Gold.  Nelson-Lerch/McGrane Motion Carried 6-0

 

The board approved the bid for LP for FY27 from Consolidated Energy for the Valley Campus and Agvantage FS for the Bus Garage.  Klosterman/Marcks Motion Carried 6-0

 

The board approved the fuel bids for FY27 from Agvantage FS.  Marcks/McGrane Motion Carried 6-0

 

The board reviewed and approved the contract for transfer of funding with Keystone AEA.    Marcks/McGrane Motion Carried 6-0

 

The board approved a letter of engagement to create the Keystone Bridges 28E agreement.  McGrane/Klosterman Motion Carried 6-0

 

The board approved accepting the Valley Preschool.  McGrane/Nelson-Lerch  Motion Carried 6-0

 

DISCUSSION

No discussion.

 

Motion was made by McGrane and seconded by Rodgers to move into closed session per Iowa Code section 21.5(i) for the Superintendent Evaluation.  Roll Call Vote: Rodgers – yes, Nelson-Lerch – Yes, McGrane – yes, Klosterman – yes, Marcks – yes, Koch – yes.

The board entered closed session at 7:08pm.

 

Motion by Marcks, seconded by McGrane to return to open session.  Roll call Vote was taken Rodgers – yes, Klosterman – yes, Nelson-Lerch – Yes, McGrane – yes, Koch – yes, Marcks – yes. Motion carried 6-0.

 

The board returned to open session at 8:29pm. 

 

Motion to adjourn at 8:30 pm.  Klosterman/McGrane  Motion Carried 6-0

 

______________________________ _____________________________

Emily Koch, President Kassie Stansbery, Business Manager