Council Bluffs school board approves contracts, spending request and health plan arrangement; multiple motions pass

The Council Bluffs Community Schools Board of Education approved multiple routine and capital items during its public meeting, including an agreement to restore access to CHI providers for district health-plan members, schematic design work and theatrical systems for the Thomas Jefferson High School auditorium, a modified supplemental amount request for at-risk and dropout prevention funding, and a visitor‑management contract for district buildings.

In a vote on the health-services agreement with CHI, the board approved a contract intended to restore CHI access for district employees after a separation between CHI and Aetna. District HR staff said the contract will allow members to again see CHI providers as of Feb. 1 and estimated the district’s interim cost at about $4 per member per month — roughly “just a little under $25,000” from the time of the vote until new rates take effect in July. Board member Myer(s) (recorded in the meeting as Miss Myers) abstained on the motion because she is a CHI employee; other board members voted to approve the agreement. District staff said the arrangement follows modeling after Millard School District’s contract with CHI.

The board approved a contract with Heartland Scenic Studio Inc. for replacement lighting, sound and stage rigging systems for the Thomas Jefferson High School auditorium in the amount of $419,531.98. Staff cautioned the board that theatrical rigging and specialized stage equipment often have long lead times — they estimated 12–15 months for delivery and noted certified specialists are required for rigging installation.

Separately, the board approved an agreement with BBH (BBH/ BVH in the agenda) Architects for schematic drawings for the Thomas Jefferson auditorium and lobby in an amount not to exceed $155,000 and said that once schematic scope is complete the district will solicit construction bids. Board members discussed that some supplementary architectural services are not included in the base contract and would require additional payment if later requested.

The board voted to request School Budget Review Committee (SBRC) modified supplemental amount (MSA) funding of $2,616,179 for at‑risk and dropout prevention for the 2025–26 school year; the board’s vote authorizes staff to forward the request to the SBRC for approval.

The district approved an agreement with Raptor Technologies for visitor management and background‑check integration. Staff described Raptor as tying into the district’s sign‑in system and automating routine checks — for example, checking visitors against child‑abuse or predator registries where applicable — tasks that district staff previously performed manually.

The board also approved revisions to the employee handbook, including clarified procedures for approved pet‑therapy animals (staff and buildings must confirm vaccinations and annual approvals) and a scheduling-related date change for personnel processes. The board approved supplemental elementary special-education English language arts resources (University of Florida Literacy Institute Foundations) and accepted a consent agenda that included donations and a set of special-education contracts and amendments. The consent agenda included a donation from the Knights of Columbus; the agenda text listed the amount in a format rendered in the transcript as “5 $100.72” (not specified).

All motions presented on the agenda carried. Where abstentions were recorded, they are noted above.

Votes at a glance

- Employee handbook revisions — motion carried (roll call recorded as motion carries). - Agreement with Raptor Technologies — motion carried. - SBRC MSA request, at‑risk/dropout prevention ($2,616,179) — motion carried; staff to submit request to SBRC. - BBH Architects schematic drawings for Thomas Jefferson HS auditorium and lobby (not to exceed $155,000) — motion carried. - Heartland Scenic Studio Inc., auditorium lighting/sound/rigging ($419,531.98) — motion carried. - Supplemental elementary special-education ELA resources (University of Florida Literacy Institute Foundations) — motion carried. - Health services agreement with CHI (restores CHI access for employees; interim cost ~ $4 per member per month) — motion carried; Miss Myers abstained. - Consent agenda (donations, multiple special-education contracts, personnel and financial items) — motion carried.

Board and staff comments focused on procurement details, continuity of employee care, and implementation timelines rather than policy changes. For items with external dependencies, staff noted required follow-up steps: the SBRC must approve any MSA request; theatrical rigging work requires specialized certified installers; and schematic architectural work will precede contractor bidding.

Next steps: district staff will finalize contracts and proceed with schematic design, procurement, and SBRC submission as directed by the board. Staff also said communications were prepared for employees about the CHI arrangement and that claims‑processing support will be available through the district’s broker.