Board approves calendar, technology contracts, budget guarantee, wellness plan, CTE position and special-education spending request

The Council Bluffs Community School District Board of Directors approved a series of routine business items in one meeting, including the 2025–26 school-year calendar, several technology contracts funded in part through the federal E-Rate program, a budget guarantee levy under Iowa Code, a two-year wellness contract, a new full-time CTE curriculum and instruction support specialist job description and a request for supplemental spending authority for special education.

Key approvals and background

- School-year calendar: The board approved the 2025–26 school-year calendar as presented. The motion carried on a roll call with all voting members recorded as yes.

- Tyler Technologies contract renewal: The board approved a contract renewal for finance, HR and payroll software with Tyler Technologies for $137,403.13 and an additional fixed-asset software module for $11,599. District staff said adding fixed-asset software was important to auditors so they can access inventories and records. The motion carried.

- Leased lit fiber contracts: The board approved two leased lit fiber contracts. A contract with Unite Private Networks to connect TJ High School to Edison and Wilson Schools was approved in the amount of $81,000. A contract with Cox Business to connect ALHS to Hoover Elementary was approved in the amount of $51,600. Staff noted both Category 1 E-Rate discounts apply to these connectivity services.

- E-Rate Category II equipment and support bids: The board approved Category II E-Rate bids covering Fortinet gateway and support, Ruckus access-point support, Meraki and Cisco licensing for one year, and backup batteries for elementary and secondary schools. The total for those Category II items was $254,434.41. District staff explained the district participates in the federal E-Rate program administered by USAC under FCC oversight; the district receives large discounts (staff said about 90% on Category I and 80–85% on Category II), and noted the district previously received more than $500,000 through E-Rate.

- Budget guarantee under Iowa Code: The board voted to levy property taxes for fiscal year 2025–26 under Iowa Code 257.14 to secure a regular-program budget guarantee (a mechanism used when enrollment declines or state aid is low). Staff said the guarantee is intended to uphold a 1% increase in funding if state aid or enrollment would otherwise produce a lower increase.

- Health Check 360 wellness contract renewal: The board approved a two-year renewal with Health Check 360 for 2025–2027. Staff described the vendor as providing biometric screening and wellness resources; employees receive a $100 premium savings for participation and the program offers outreach such as a staff walk event.

- CTE position: The board approved a new job description to convert a contracted CTE support role into a full-time equivalent requiring a valid Iowa teaching license and CTE endorsements. Staff said the district has contracted for the role previously and is moving to an in-house FTE to support growing CTE pathways, including partnerships on the Iowa Western campus.

- Supplemental special-education spending authority request: The board approved requesting supplemental spending authority from the state review body in the amount of $63,336.32 to cover special-education administrative costs. District leaders said they are monitoring a special-education deficit and prioritized the request.

- Consent agenda: The board approved the consent agenda, which included donations of $1,191.10 from Michael Gant and $2,005.47 from Grant Novak through the Union Pacific Fund for Effective Government; agreements for student teaching with William Penn University; preschool services with West Central Community Action; a special-education contract with Boys Town Day School; and routine finance and disbursements items for January.

Most votes were unanimous on roll call. Several motions drew brief clarifications from staff about E-Rate discounts, audit needs related to fixed-assets, volunteer-screening automation via Raptor, and the rationale for converting a contracted CTE role to an FTE.

John Stiles, a district staff member overseeing technology, summarized the E-Rate program for the board: “We participate in the E Rate program, which is managed by, USAC, which ultimately the FCC manages. And for CAT 1 or category 1… we get a 90% discount. … for the CAT 2… we get between an 80 and 85 percent approval.”

The approvals allow staff to proceed with contracting and procurement; some items (notably E-Rate reimbursements and the state supplemental spending request) remain contingent on external approval processes.