Indianola board approves funding request; hears wellness, curriculum and facility updates

The Indianola Community School District Board of Education on Jan. 13 approved a request to the School Budget Review Committee and took several routine votes, then heard staff presentations on school wellness, employee biometric screenings, curriculum proposals and facility projects.

The board’s actions included approval of a modified supplemental “drop-off prevention” application to the SBRC, adoption of a consent agenda that included requests for out-of-state student travel, and a second reading of board policies. Board members also set a follow-up work session with the Iowa Association of School Boards in February.

The supplements vote came after a brief explanation of allowable uses for drop-off prevention funding. Board members were told the funding can cover salaries for at-risk coordinators, online-learning instructors, program costs tied to the at-risk population and some counseling time; the funding split discussed was roughly 75% state and 25% local property-tax revenue. The board approved the application by voice vote; the motion carried unanimously.

Food service director Abigail Costigan presented the district’s school wellness program and described federal and district requirements the committee reviews. “Kids with healthier eating patterns and who get enough physical activity tend to have…