Votes at a glance: Alma School District board approves school improvement plans, elects six‑year terms for board seats and confirms new hires

The Alma School District Board of Education on Monday approved several routine and administrative actions, including school improvement plans to be submitted to the state, the district’s recommendation for six‑year board terms ahead of a March 2026 election schedule, and employment recommendations following an executive session.

Minutes and consent items The board approved the April 10 meeting minutes by voice vote; a motion to approve passed without recorded roll-call tallies.

School improvement plans Administrators presented school improvement plans and recommended approval for submission to the state. The board moved and seconded approval and adopted the plans for state submission.

Election timing and board term length Superintendent Mr. Biggs and staff noted guidance coming from the state (ASBA and election authorities) indicating that a planned November election will not occur and that affected positions will be holdovers until March 2026. Board members discussed whether to declare four‑ or six‑year terms to stagger future elections. A motion and second were made to declare six‑year terms; the board voted in favor and the chair said the motion carried. The superintendent said he will notify appropriate authorities when timelines are finalized.

Executive session and personnel actions The board moved into an executive session to discuss personnel at 6:33 p.m. After returning from executive session, the board approved offers of employment and then read into the record and approved specific personnel recommendations (names listed below). Votes on the post‑executive‑session employment recommendations were approved by voice vote; the meeting record does not list individual roll‑call tallies.

Approved employment recommendations read into the record include: - Kara Burns — Assistant Principal, Alma Primary School (recommendation for employment) - Emily Banks — Special Education Teacher, Alma High School - Ashlyn Hill — Literacy Teacher, Alma Middle School - Aaron Craig — JROTC Instructor, Alma High School - Garrison Jensen — Special Education Teacher, Alma Intermediate School - Rebecca Tate — transfer to Alma Middle School, Special Education

Other procedural items The board began a 30‑day review of student handbooks and a set of personnel policies (sections 3 and 8); no action was taken on those items pending further review and any state policy updates. Superintendent Biggs also reported operational items (HVAC replacements and safety‑grant fencing) and enrollment figures cited during the meeting.

The board adjourned after approving the employment recommendations.