Board approves routine construction, financial and personnel actions; sets hearing dates and hires superintendent search firm

The Clear Creek Amana School Board approved multiple consent and action items at its March 5 meeting, including gifts, construction documents and contracts, and it authorized a superintendent search firm. Below are the key board motions and outcomes as presented at the meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Accept donation to student lunch accounts: The board accepted a $5,000 donation from a community member to be applied to student lunch accounts. (Motion presented and approved.)

- Approve baseball/softball complex Phase 2 design development documents: Following prior discussions and a community walk‑through, the board approved the design development specifications and drawings for Phase 2 of the baseball/softball complex. Staff noted minor items may still be adjusted as design is finalized. (Approved.)

- Approve East Ridge change order No. 15 and pay application No. 21: The board approved change order No. 15 for $21,202 and pay application No. 21 to Knutson Construction for $10,450. Staff said they negotiated some cost reductions and that a residual risk of late subcontractor claims remains until the project formally closes. (Approved.)

- Approve engagement letter for disclosure counsel (Ehlers & Cooney) for general obligation bond issuance, series 2025: The board approved an engagement letter to retain disclosure counsel for the district’s upcoming bond issuance. (Approved.)

- Establish public hearing dates: The board set a public hearing for the proposed property tax rate on April 2, 2025, and set a public hearing on the certified budget for 2025‑26 on April 16, 2025. (Approved.)

- Approve auditing services contract: The board approved Bonsack & Fremont LLP to provide auditing services for the next contract term with an annual fee schedule presented in the agenda. (Approved.)

- RFQ issuance for CM at‑risk for middle/high school projects: The board voted on whether to issue RFQs for construction manager‑at‑risk for the middle school/high school projects; the PPEL committee recommended postponing issuance and the motion to issue RFQs did not carry (vote against issuance recorded). (Motion failed.)

- Superintendent resignation agreement: The board approved a resignation agreement for the superintendent as presented to the board. (Approved.)

- Approve contract for superintendent search firm: The board approved engaging Grunmeyer Leadership Services to perform the superintendent search. (Approved.)

- Approve policy updates and consent agenda: The board approved a slate of policy revisions (102; 401.01; 401.06; 501.09; 702; 703.02) and consent items including minutes, open enrollments, staff changes, bills and financial reports and student‑teaching agreements. (Approved.)

How votes were recorded

Most motions were approved after the chair called for “Aye” and staff recorded the motion as carried. The RFQ issuance motion received at least one recorded “Nay” and the chair stated the question did not carry. The board did not provide detailed roll‑call tallies on each motion in the public audio; where a specific roll‑call was absent the record reads as “motion carries” after the ayes/any opposed query.

What happens next

Staff will continue final design refinements for the baseball complex Phase 2 and complete East Ridge closeout processing. The district will post the required proposed property tax notice per state deadlines and prepare for the scheduled public hearings in April. The superintendent search firm will begin outreach and public engagement as agreed in its contract.