Southeast Polk board schedules budget hearing; discusses fees, construction updates and makeup days

The Southeast Polk Community School District board of directors on March 27, 2025, approved routine motions, set a second public hearing for the proposed fiscal 2026 budget on April 10, and discussed proposed student fees, construction progress on the new district building, and options for making up instructional hours lost to winter weather.

The board adopted the meeting agenda and approved the consent agenda by roll call. The board then confirmed its next regular meeting for April 10 and set a second public hearing for the proposed fiscal 2026 budget to be presented to the board for adoption on April 10, 2025. In the motion establishing the hearing the board directed that the notice be published in the Herald Index on March 26 in accordance with the Iowa Code public-notice timing requirements for budget hearings.

A district finance/staff presenter told trustees the budget notice follows Iowa Code timelines: "public hearing must be published not less than 10 days or more than 20 days from the public hearing date," the presenter read during the motion discussion. The motion passed by roll call; board members voting yes during roll call included Karen, Chad, Rick, Brett, Laurie and Bridget.

Business services staff presented the districtmonthly financial statements through February. The presenter reported general-fund revenues rose about 2.8% year over year and expenditures rose about 8.9%. From an all-funds perspective, total revenues decreased 6.5% year over year primarily because bonds were issued in the prior period; without those bond proceeds, total revenues would have increased 1.9%. Expenditures across all funds decreased about 10.77%, the presenter said.

The board reviewed a proposed list of student-related fees for 202526#8211;26. The staff presenter said the district is eliminating fees for some after-school clubs because state guidelines no longer permit charging those fees; graduation fees remain under discussion. Trustees were told the fee schedule will return for approval at the next meeting.

Trustees received a construction update on the districtbuilding project. The presenter said most exterior work is complete, drywall and painting are nearing completion, carpets are being laid and fixtures and cabinetry are arriving. Substantial completion was estimated for mid-May, with interior move-in completion projected around June 18to 19, contingent on furniture delivery and installation.

A lengthy discussion addressed how to make up instructional time lost to winter weather. Staff reminded the board that Iowa defines the school year by instructional hours, not days, and that the district needs at least 1,080 instructional hours; the district is seeking to recover roughly 4.5 hours. Trustees focused on an option to convert several May Wednesdays to full student days (option C). Under that plan the studentslast day would remain May 28 and teachersfinal work days would be set as a professional learning day on May 29 and a check-out/work day on May 30; additional makeup for staff would be handled at the building level. The student representative, Zoe, told the board she preferred the Wednesday option.

Board members said they will collect feedback from staff and families before taking final action April 10. A motion to adjourn carried at the end of the meeting.