Council Bluffs board approves counsel, budget requests, HR job updates and multiple contracts

The Council Bluffs Community School District Board of Education voted on several resolutions and consent items at its meeting, approving the district’s outside legal counsel, updates to human resources job descriptions, two modified supplemental amount requests to the School Budget Review Committee (SBRC), an appointment to the Pottawattamie County Assessor’s Conference Board and a multi‑item consent agenda.

Legal counsel appointment

The board moved to appoint Allers and Cooney, P.C., as outside legal counsel for a three‑year term from 2025 to 2028. The motion carried on roll call (all voting members recorded “Yes”). The superintendent noted the appointment is a renewal based on an existing letter of engagement; the board said no fees were exchanged at the time of renewal.

Human resources job descriptions

The board approved revised job descriptions for multiple HR positions (chief legal and human resources officer; senior benefits manager; two senior HR specialists for recruitment/compliance and recruitment/employee relations; HR operations specialist; HR systems specialist). Administration said the changes reflect a department redesign and reduce the department by one full‑time equivalent while providing professional growth opportunities. Roll call showed unanimous approval.

School Budget Review Committee requests (SBRC)

The board authorized two requests to the SBRC: - An English learners (EL) “beyond five years” modified supplemental amount request of $188,875 to cover supports for EL students who have exceeded five years of English‑learner services and were included in the fall 2024 certified enrollment head count. Administration said the district has increased EL enrollment and state rules now allow longer service periods, increasing local costs; the request must be approved by the SBRC. - An “open enrollment out not on prior year’s headcount” modified supplemental amount request of $1,321,278 for students who open‑enrolled out in fall 2024 but were not included in the district’s 2023 certified head count. Administration characterized both SBRC requests as forecasted budget adjustments that require board approval before submission to the SBRC. Both requests were approved by the board and will be forwarded to the SBRC for action.

Appointment to county board

The board appointed Theresa Hardiman to serve on the Pottawattamie County Assessor’s Conference Board for a one‑year term (2024–2025). Board members stated that Hardiman had accepted and previously served in the role.

Consent agenda

The board approved a consent agenda that included: the Tradeworx contract and cooperative construction agreement; special education contracts with Heartland Omaha Schools, Kingsley‑Pearson Community Schools, Sioux City Community School District and Boys Town; the personnel agenda; December 2024 disbursements; and November 2024 financials. The motion and second passed on roll call with all voting members recorded “Yes.”

Votes and procedure

Where the transcript recorded motions and roll calls, the board called each roll and the clerk read names. The record shows unanimous