North Polk board approves fees, handbooks and program coordinators; CTE addition near completion

At its July meeting, the North Polk Community School District Board of Education approved a series of routine policy and fee updates, confirmed mandatory program coordinators for the 2025–26 school year, and heard a construction update showing the district's new CTE addition is on track for substantial completion July 30.

The approvals include increases to select instrument rental fees for 2025–26, updates to student and employee handbooks, and formal designation of coordinators for civil-rights and other statutorily required programs. Superintendent Michael Klein said the district will hold an open house and ribbon-cutting for the CTE addition on Wednesday, Aug. 20, at 6 p.m.

The board approved the miscellaneous fees for 2025–26 after trustees noted a rise in instrument replacement costs. The rental fee for large or specialty instruments was raised incrementally (the administration described the change as a $10 per semester increase, to bring annual rental fees to roughly $130 for those instruments). The board approved the fee schedule by voice vote; the motion passed unanimously.

Board members approved handbook updates for North Polk elementary, middle and high schools, and separate employee handbooks for administrators, classified staff, certified staff and substitutes. Administrators said the student handbooks include minor edits such as coordinator name updates and a middle-school clarification restricting energy drinks during the academic day. The employee handbook changes include language on converting accrued sick-day balances to personal time in limited circumstances. Trustees approved the handbooks by motion and unanimous voice vote.

The board also approved the district's mandatory program coordinators for 2025–26. The administration named Amelia Clark (HR specialist) as the district's coordinator for civil-rights, equity, Title IX, Title VI and homeless/migrant student services and as the designated Level 1 investigator. Michael Klein was listed as the Level 1 investigator alternate; Jim McDonald was listed as the Level 2 investigator. Trustees approved those appointments by voice vote.

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