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Linn‑Mar board approves 2025-26 calendar, equipment purchases and policy first reading
Summary
The Linn‑Mar Community School District Board of Directors on Jan. 13 approved the 2025‑26 calendar, a proposed 2026‑27 calendar, authorized submission of a $1,466,142 at‑risk dropout spending‑authority application to the School Budget Review Committee, and approved vehicle and facilities items including bus and SUV purchases.
The Linn‑Mar Community School District Board of Directors on Monday approved revisions to the 2025‑26 school calendar, adopted a proposed 2026‑27 school calendar, authorized submission of an at‑risk dropout prevention modified supplemental amount application, and approved several purchases and facilities actions.
The board voted to approve the recommended changes to the 2025‑26 calendar and the proposed 2026‑27 calendar as presented in exhibits 801.1–2. The board also approved submitting an At‑Risk Dropout Prevention Modified Supplemental Amount application in the amount of $1,466,142 to the School Budget Review Committee for consideration of increased spending authority.
Why it matters: the calendar sets key instructional dates and coordination with area colleges and districts; the MSA application requests additional spending authority tied to state funding formulas and certified enrollment. The board’s approval of vehicle purchases and facilities actions keeps the district’s fleet and building maintenance plans moving forward.
Most important actions and outcomes (votes at a glance)
- Calendars: Approved recommended changes to the 2025‑26 calendar and approved the proposed 2026‑27 calendar (exhibits 801.1–2). Outcome: approved.
- At‑Risk Dropout Prevention MSA application: Authorized submission of application for $1,466,142 to the School Budget Review Committee. Outcome: approved (application to SBRC/submission for spending authority).
- Bus purchases: Approved purchase of three Bluebird 60‑passenger gasoline buses and one Bluebird gasoline lift bus from School Bus Sales for a total of $578,011 (exhibit 803.1). Outcome: approved.
- SUV purchases: Approved purchase of two Chevrolet SUVs from Lynch Chevrolet for a total of $124,449 to supplement transportation options for activities (exhibit 804.1). Outcome: approved.
- Final roofing payment: Approved final payment of $6,237.60 to Forshore Roofing for the Westfield Elementary roof replacement project (exhibit 805.1). Outcome: accepted/completed.
- Excelsior Middle School roof: Set a public hearing for 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in the Linn‑Mar Administration Building boardroom to review plans and specifications for the Excelsior Middle School roof replacement project (motion carried). Outcome: hearing set.
- Open enrollment requests: Approved as presented. Outcome: approved.
- Policies: Completed first reading of policy recommendations assembled from the Dec. 12 policy committee meeting and IASB sample language (exhibit 808.1). Outcome: first reading approved; clarifications to wording to be finalized before the second reading.
- Board Operations Manual: Approved the manual as discussed; a signature page appears in the document for board members. Outcome: approved.
What the board discussed: During calendar discussion, board and staff described constraints that limit calendar changes, including the state start‑date requirement tied to state fair timing and efforts to align spring break with Kirkwood Community College to accommodate dual‑enrollment students. A parent, Ben Pease, spoke at the public hearing and suggested swapping an early‑June date with a December date to allow school to finish before Memorial Day and moving spring break one week later so a quarter would end before spring break; the board discussed those suggestions and noted coordination tradeoffs with colleges and regional districts.
On transportation, staff said gasoline buses were purchased this year because (1) the district needs to remain on its replacement schedule and (2) propane or other engine options and compatible bus bodies are not yet available or are limited from some manufacturers; staff said a propane option is expected in the near future. The smaller SUV purchases were described as an alternative to full‑sized vans for activity transport and to meet state regulations on van usage.
On the MSA application, staff clarified this is a request for spending authority (an increase to the district’s allowable spending), not a direct grant of additional cash; the School Budget Review Committee must approve any increase in spending authority.
Quotations (selected)
“I move to approve the recommended changes to the 2025 school year calendar and the proposed calendar for 2026‑27 as presented in exhibits 801.1–2,” a board member said prior to the vote.
“We’re hoping propane options are coming in the near future,” a district staff member said, explaining why the district is purchasing gasoline buses now to maintain its replacement schedule.
Next steps and context: The policies approved for first reading will return for a second reading after staff and the policy committee reconcile wording inconsistencies flagged by board members (for example, whether to insert the word “school” before “district” consistently through the policy series). The Excelsior Middle School roof public hearing is scheduled for Jan. 27; if the board moves forward after that hearing, plans and contract awards would follow the district’s procurement process.
Votes and attendance: The board convened with members present at roll call and took voice votes on each motion; the chair announced each motion carried when no opposition was voiced.
